Artisan Soapmaking
Carolina Feola
Please tell us a bit about yourself.
I am Carolina, Argentine, writer, dreamer, and traveler by nature. I have been living in Madrid for a little over 2 years, a time that coincides with the launch of Poetrica. When you change your location, you also experience a kind of inner change, and this was my case. I wanted to show my poetry to the world, but this time in a different way.
What inspired you to create soaps and objects using ancient techniques?
I am very inspired by the learning that comes with working with your hands: patience is one of them. And the process of developing a technique and mastering it requires a lot of patience. After deciding to learn more about handmade soaps, I went straight to training. I already knew a lot about crafts, because my mother is a decorator and she has been always involved in crafts. I grew up seeing her cooking, knitting, painting and making paper mache dolls and I spent hours looking and learning. Recognizing the ancestral power of these techniques came later on when I began to associate them with poetic and therapeutic rituals and, above all, when I realised that most of this knowledge was passed down from generation to generation.
People talk about feeling free when they can express their creativity through crafts. What are your thoughts on this?
I think it's wonderful to find a way to share your world with others and even more so to develop techniques that bring that message closer. Not only do I feel free but I feel fulfilled when that happens.
Oftentimes crafts are passed down from one generation to the next. Did you have the chance to learn any skills related to natural handmade soap from your family?
As I mentioned before, I learned many skills and techniques thanks to my mother, but particularly soaps were not something that has been passed down to me by generation. Weaving was one of them.
Can you take us through the process of making your soaps. What method are you using?
When I discovered the world of soaps I explored all the existing methods. Right from the start, I chose to use the two main methods: cold saponification and glycerin soaps with the Melt & Pour technique. Cold saponification requires much more care and time because it takes approximately 40 days for the ingredients to settle and dry. Glycerin soaps with the Melt & pour technique are practical, safe, and faster to make, that's why lately I've been more inclined towards this method.
What´s your production philosophy?
Less, but Better. I realized that the energy that I bring into my handmade process is essential. All my practice by basically about enjoying, being present, and embracing the transformation, and the alchemy that starts when I produce.
Could you tell us more about the ingredients used in creating your soaps and how they contribute to maintaining a healthy environmental ecosystem?
When I developed Poetrica, one of the first things I worked on was the values: it had to be artisanal, ecological, and sustainable. I did a lot research about the differences between each of them and decided to focus on selecting the best raw materials. I always research, read, and try new things.
You are currently doing workshops on natural soap-making. Why do you think it is so important, especially now, to keep alive this ancient technique?
I believe that sharing knowledge is a very powerful tool because knowledge makes us free, it opens doors for endless possibilities, and can help us experience an improved quality of life. Why do I say this? Because when you are working with your hands, you´re focused on the repetition of the movements, and much of the mental fatigue disappears. There are no worries, there is only you being present in a creative bubble. This makes the brain rest for a few moments and to focus on the task. Using my hands invites me to bring into my body all that is in the world of ideas and to materialize it.” Carol´s website and social media
All pictures belong to Carol
