Now I’ve talked about Fortune Cookie Soaps but Aubrey Elizabeth Apothecary may have them beat! If you haven’t checked out her foodie fantastic soaps you should… just remember, don’t eat them!
1. How did you come up with your shop name?
I toyed with many different names, but settled on Aubrey Elizabeth Apothecary. I liked the idea of antique apothecary products, like using the blue jars and vintage style labels. I also envision finding unusual, sometimes weird treasures inside an apothecary. So for me it encompassed my body products and fun soaps. Using my name was to get across to customers that I do absolutely everything myself!
2. What inspires you when creating or choosing an item for your shop?
As you can probably tell, I’m a total foodie and adore finding family run bakeries with little confectionery jewels. I love fragrances as well, so this creative endeavor matched up all my loves! I’m also greatly inspired by my friends and family and try and meet their soapy needs. My boyfriend uses an old school, single blade razor for shaving and was using mass market soap with it. I still haven’t perfected it, but that’s when I started trying to come up with the perfect shaving soap. It helps to have human guinea pigs that give me their honest opinions.
3. What are your personal favorite items in your shop right now?
I always have rotating favorites, and it’s typically whatever I’m trying out to see how it looks. My current favorites are any of the Barefoot Butters. I do a lot of walking with my dogs, so I’m always putting that on before our journeys and come home with super soft feet. My favorite scent is the Blueberry Lemon Verbena.
4. What advice would you give for opening an Etsy Shop/Business?
I think handcrafted artists, no matter their medium, need to have a real thirst for knowledge and desire to make their own way in the world. I was never the type to have a traditional job because it just felt suffocating. I spent a ridiculous amount of time reading business forums & books, Etsy discussions and soap making articles. I really believe you have to start an Etsy shop with a mix of clear, educated business decisions and a real passion for your craft.
