Wild Grove

Handmade soaps, lotions and balms from Bristol. Using traditional methods and the finest, natural ingredients – like locally-sourced butters, herbs and oils – Wild Grove soaps and lotions will make you feel and smell beautiful. Try the Felted Soap which is wrapped in soft, colourful Merino wool and comes in tantalising scents like Pomegranate Noir and Lilac.

www.wildgrove.co.uk

Trader interview

 What do you sell?
Handmade bath and body products, specialising in felted Merino Wool Soap.

How long have you been trading at the market?
Almost a year

Tell us more about your products…
All of my products are handmade locally in Bristol from ingredients sourced within the UK. My soaps are made using a ”hot process” method that involves combining and heating ingredients in order to avoid a lengthy curing process which tends to reduce and/or alter fragrance.

As well, the soap is stored in their own like batches in between markets which also helps retain the best fragrance. This helps to set small scale soapers apart from some of the larger soap companies!

Some of my soap is wrapped in colourful Merino wool which is directly felted on the bars, creating a soft, gently exfoliating washing pad that shrinks along with the soap as it gets used up. This takes a very long time to happen as the felt, while allowing lather through, is quite good at holding the soap inside and making it last longer, minimising waste.

I also created my hand cream with ultimate fragrance quality in mind, experimenting and testing various combinations of essential oils to come up with the best blends. These are made without the use of silicones, allowing for a clean finish on the skin.

Sometimes I come up with quirky products to add some variety and interest to the stall, like felted Merino Wool catnip balls and Monster Spray (a gorgeous smelling room spray for children afraid of the dark!)

What do you love most about the market?
Hands down it’s the people, both customers and other traders- what a friendly atmosphere!

What is top of your bucket list?
I’d love to drive a lorry, yes in the city!

What is on your screensaver?
Cats, I’m afraid…

What did you want to be when you were growing up?
A commercial artist

How do you relax?
Cycling

What would your super power be?
Teleportation

Who would play you in the film of your life?
Molly Ringwald or Julianna Moore

What is the worst job you’ve done?
Coffee cart girl in a bingo hall, back in the days before no smoking laws (surrounded by chain smokers). Plus I had to wear the most awful dress…

Favourite place in the world?
I have several of course: Vancouver Island (where I’m from), Malaysia, Japan and of course Bristol is awfully cool!

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