Behind the Bar — How I Pour & Cure Small Batch Soaps

brushwoodcorners
Oct 25, 2025
3 min read

Updated: Nov 25, 2025

The Art of a Slower Process: Crafting Soap with Heart and Intention

There’s something special about slowing down enough to create with my hands. Every bar that leaves Brushwood Corners starts with patience. It follows the natural rhythm of the ingredients themselves. From the moment the tallow melts to the final slice of cured soap, I’m reminded that craftsmanship isn’t about speed; it’s about intention.

“Every bar begins as a blend of simplicity, patience, and purpose.”

From Pot to Pour — The Making of a Bar

Each small batch begins on my kitchen counter, surrounded by stainless bowls and the faint scent of warm oils. I start by gently melting tallow and coconut oil, then blend in olive oil and castor oil. This base forms every Brushwood Corners bar.

Once the oils reach the perfect temperature, I slowly add in fresh goat’s milk mixed with lye. I watch the transformation begin. This is where chemistry meets care — the moment when ingredients turn from liquid to life.

“Soap-making is equal parts science and soul.”

If you’re curious about why I use these specific ingredients, stay tuned for Why I Use Tallow and Goat’s Milk. It breaks down how each one helps your skin stay soft, balanced, and healthy.

The Pour

Once the soap batter thickens to what makers call “trace,” I pour it slowly into wooden molds lined with silicone. Sometimes, I swirl in clays or essential oils. Often, I leave the batch pure and natural. Every pour is unique. No two batches come out exactly alike — and that’s part of the beauty.

“The imperfect edges are what make each bar feel alive."

The Cure

After 24 hours in the fridge and another 24 hours in the mold, the loaves are sliced. They are then placed on open-air racks to cure. This natural drying process lasts 4–6 weeks. During this time, the bars harden, the lather improves, and the scent (if any) mellows into something beautifully subtle.

Curing isn’t just waiting. It’s when the soap becomes what it was meant to be: mild, long-lasting, and gentle on the skin.

Small Batch, Big Difference

Unlike factory-made soap, every handcrafted bar from Brushwood Corners is poured, cut, and stamped by hand. This small-batch process allows me to control every detail — from texture to moisture level. I ensure the bar that reaches you is as close to perfect as possible.

“Handmade means every bar carries a little bit of the maker’s heart.”

It’s slower, yes. But that’s what makes it special. When you hold a bar of soap from Brushwood Corners, you’re holding hours of careful work and weeks of quiet curing.

The Heart of Craftsmanship

Craftsmanship is more than a skill. It’s a journey. Each step is filled with intention and love. I pour my heart into every batch. I want you to feel that connection when you use my soap. It’s a reminder of the care that goes into each bar.

The Ingredients Matter

I choose my ingredients carefully. Tallow, coconut oil, olive oil, castor oil, and goat’s milk are not just components. They are the foundation of my craft. Each one plays a role in nourishing your skin. They work together to create something beautiful and beneficial.

The Community Connection

As I create, I think about the community. Each bar connects me to you. It’s not just soap; it’s a story. It’s a piece of my journey shared with you. I want you to feel that connection. I want you to know that every bar has a purpose.

A Note from Me

When I first began making soap, I thought it would be about creating something natural for my own family. But as each batch found its way into new homes, I realized it was also about creating connection.

Every pour and cure reminds me that beauty grows in the waiting. Simple, slow things still have a place in today’s world. Follow along in this Blog as I keep opening the curtain behind Brushwood Corners — one bar, one story, one purpose at a time.