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The Casco Bay Soap Co. Story TOP
The Casco Bay Soap Co. story.
I went from working in the corporate world as the Senior Photo Stylist for a major discount chain of stores to unemployment when the company went out of business. Always crafty and creative, I enjoyed making homemade paper, knitting, sewing, stained glass art, photography, cooking, baking and so much more.
In 2004, while making a geographical change (moving to another state) I decided I wanted to learn to make my own soap after becoming more aware of how important a healthier environment, in and out of our bodies, really is. I saw other bars of homemade soaps, and I knew that I wanted to create great bars of soap for my family and friends.
I have always dove headfirst into a new craft, and not afraid to try something new. I took out books from library and scoured the internet for information. What started as a small hobby, soon grew into something more. After friends and family started buying bars of soap from me, they encouraged me to try the local Farmers Markets. I have just finished my third season selling at Farmers Markets (which equals about 90 markets per summer!).
With an entrepreneurial spirit, I jumped into the deep end and started my own business. I play the part of the soap maker, inventory clerk, business manager, sales staff, maintenance, web designer, blogger, and much more. Running my own business is something that I thoroughly enjoy. I am happy to produce such a great product for you and love seeing your faces and hearing your remarks on how much you love my soaps.
My soaps are made fresh, by hand, in small batches, the old fashion way. I stir good-for-you ingredients such as Olive Oil, Organic Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, Essential Oils & Herbs and more, all in a kettle. I hand cut and cure the soaps for up to 6 weeks, for a long lasting bar of soap. Then hand packaging each bar with an informative label.
I do not use any animal products in my soaps. Casco Bay soaps are tested only by my willing family & friends, if they don’t like it, I don’t sell it.
I hope you enjoy my soaps as much as my family and friends do.
Shannon L. Grauer ~ Owner & Soap Maker Casco Bay Soap Co. Contact Information TOP
By standard mail:
Casco Bay Soap Co.
55 Webster Road
Freeport, ME 04032
By phone:
207-865-4847 (between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern Time)
Shipping Information TOP
Shipping:
At this time, we are using USPS Medium Flat Rate boxes to ship all orders. The flat rate price is $10.85 and will be added to any order placed on the site.
Where does Casco Bay Soap Co. ship orders?
We ship our soaps anywhere in the United States.
Orders are filled in the order of which they are received. We fill most orders within one to four business days. If there is a delay we will to notify you.
Casco Bay Soap Co. ships packages using The United States Postal Service.
We use package tracking with all our packages.
Why not Canada?
We are working on that. Charges tend to be very high to ship to Canada I will work aggressivly with the USPS in 2011 to solve this problem and see what can be done. Refunds, Returns & Cancellations TOP
Policies:
Refunds and Returns:
Due to the personal nature of our items (soap) we do not accept returns. If you are unsatisfied with your soaps, please contact us within 4 days of receiving your order, and will do our best to assist you in a replacement or refund.
Cancellations:
Cancellations are accepted. Please be kind and give us 7 days notice on large orders (orders over 25 bars).
Care For Your Soap TOP
Will my soap "melt" in the shower or bath?
Yes. So to prevent this, be certain to use your soaps with a well draining soap dish. This will help prevent the soap from disintegrating into a sloppy pile of goo. Soap should dry out between uses.
Storing Soaps For Future Use
If storing soaps, store in a cool, dry place. A closet, a drawer will do just fine. Fragrances will fade over time, but often the fragrance is "revived" or brought out when used in a hot shower.
Soap With Oatmeal and Botanicals TOP
Why do your put "stuff" into your soaps?
Sometimes we add boatanicals or oatmeal for fun, but often for a reason.
Oatmeal for example has exfoliating and colloidal properties. For exfoliating, oatmeal flakes scrub your skin and the colloidal action of oatmeal binds moisturizing emollients to your skin so that it is softer. Oatmeal also soothes and reduces redness, itching and minor skin irritations.
We generally add the following items to some of our soaps: Poppy Seeds, Oatmeal, Ground Apricote Shell, Calendula Petals, Rose Petals, Sea Weed, Sea Salt, and Clays
Face & Body Soap TOP
Is your soap just for handwashing?
Not at all! I use it every night to wash my makeup off, my husband shaves with it, and it can be used at the sink, in the shower or bath. Enjoy! Sensitive Skin Soap TOP
Do you have an suggestions for sensitive skin?
Alot of people with sensitive skin, have a sensitivity to the chemicals in the commercial bars of soap available now. But many also have a sensitivity to the fragrance of the soaps. I would suggest starting off with the Unscented soap. Another soap to try is the Calendula soap, also unscented. As for a fragranced soap, I have received positive feedback on the Oatmeal, Honey & Milk soap. Please see the Special Purpose soap page for more information on these soaps.
What do you use to scent your soaps? TOP
Do You Use Fragrance Oils & Essential Oils?
Yes! I use both.
Fragrance Oils are a mix of synthetics that mimic a scent in nature or often, come up with an entirely new scent. Fragrance oils may contain up to 80% essential oils but usually are predominantly artificial. There are over 5,000 raw ingredients to choose from when making up a fragrance oil.
Originally, perfumes and fragrance materials came from plants or animal sources. Finding a musk ox these days might prove difficult though. Also, there is growing concern about harvesting some raw materials, such as Sandalwood. However, in the late 1800’s the first synthetic fragrance material was produced. From here, an explosion of fragrance houses came about. Now, perfumes were no longer reserved for the rich!
Essential Oils are some of the most amazing products of our natural world. The oils of aromatic plants have been used for centuries for both their smell and their medicinal applications. But just because something is natural doesn't mean it's good for you. Essential oils are powerful chemical compounds. They may smell wonderful...but they need to be used (both by you, the soap and candle maker, and by the people who will be using your soaps and candles,) carefully and conscientiously.
If you are pregnant, it is warned to be extra careful with essential oils during your first trimester.
Both Fragrance and Essential oils could cause skin sensitivity or irritation in the end user. As with any new product, test on a small area of your skin for sensitivity first.
So, I use both Fragrance AND Essential Oils in my soaps. All my Fragrance Oils are tested, skin safe and are from a reputable supplier. All my Essential Oils are also test, skin safe and from a reputable supplier. I use both responsibly and carefully in my soap making following usage guidelines. How many fragrances do you have? TOP
Can you tell me ALL of the soap fragrances that you make?
Yes! While I do make over 50 different types of soap, I do not have them all in stock at the same time. I have seasonal fragrances that I make just for summer or for fall, so they are around for only a limited amount of time. I also have some soaps that I make just to try something new and creative and they make a short appearance at the Farmers Market or here on the website. If they sell fast and are popular, I may add them to my list of regulars.
In Stock And Available All The Time - Standards
Blueberry Cream
Casco Bay Rum
Sea Mist
Sea Spa
Sea Shore Scrub
Mermaids Garden
Wild Sea Rose
Pink Grapefruit
Maine Pine
Walk In The Woods
Oatmeal, Honey & Milk
Lemongrass
Citrus Scrub
Peppermint Oatmeal
Lavender
Sweet Almond
Sweet Grass
Cinnamon & Oats
Gardeners Scrub
Mechanics Scrub
Kitchen Scrub
Refresh - Peppermint & Tea Tree Scrub
Shaving Soaps (many different fragrances)
Unscented
Unscented With Oatmeal
Calendula - Unscented
Goat Milk - Unscented
Limited Editions (soaps I make when I Have extra time)
Good Karma
Lavender & Herb
Lemongrass & Lavender
Peppermint & Rosemary
Vanilla Mint
Vanilla Bean
Earth
Lemon Fizz
Eucalyptus
Coffee Scrub
Beer Soap
Tea Tree & Lavender
In The Garden - Basil & Sage
Sea Berry
Fresh Rain
Seasonal Fragrances
Apple Cider
Pumpkin Spice
Gingersnap
Christmas In Maine
Star Anise
Bayberry
Peppermint Twist
Mango Papaya
Lily of the Valley
Lilac
If you see something on this list that you really want and I don't have in stock, I am happy to make and fill an order of two dozen or more anytime you wish. I have a schedule that I follow for production and it will require some advance notice or waiting time on your part. Maine Made? TOP
Yes, my soap, products and recipes are all Maine made, by me, in my Freeport, Maine home. I source some local products to include in my soaps and other products. While I can't get all my soap ingredients from Maine (Olive Oil from Maine? Sadly, no) I use many Maine products as "add ins" for my soaps for exfoliation or skin soothing benefits. I do purchase the bulk of my goods from a local business not too far from me. I try to keep my purchases local and in the Maine economy when possible.
Oatmeal
Cornmeal
Sea Salt
Calendula
Sea Weed
Beeswax
Goat Milk
Lavender
Rose Petals
Coffee
Snow! Corporate or Wholesale Orders TOP
Do you accept corporate orders? Wholesale?
Yes! Please contact us. We would love to have a discussion with you. We also have a Wholesale Page and application on the website. Please visit the page and fill out an application if you are a retail establishment.
We also offer bulk prices for large orders. Weddings, Showers or Special Events TOP
Will you offer special packaging or pricing for my upcoming wedding?
Yes! We are happy to offer bulk pricing on our soaps and can work with you to create a special label for your event. Please visit our page here on the site to see what we make for special events and contact us.
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