“Is Handmade Soap Really That Different?”

Hey friends! Stacie here from Momma Bears Creations.

When I tell people I make soap by hand in our Enola, PA home, I usually get one of two reactions:

Reaction 1: “Oh, that’s nice! Smells good!” walks away

Reaction 2: “Wait, is there actually a difference between handmade and what I buy at the store?”

The honest answer: YES. Big difference. But not always in the ways you’d expect.

“Is That… Soap?”

Hey friends! Stacie here. You know what question I hear at literally EVERY craft show?

Customer picks up a lotion bar, smells it, looks confused

“Wait… what IS this? Is it soap?”

Me: “It’s a lotion bar!”

“A lotion… BAR? Like solid lotion?”

Me: “Exactly!”

“So… how do you use it?”

And that’s when I know we’re about to have a great conversation.

Lotion bars are one of those products that confuse people at first glance - they look like soap, they’re solid like soap, but they’re definitely NOT soap. And once people understand what they are and how to use them, they become obsessed.

If You Live in Central PA, You Know Exactly What I’m Talking About

Hey friends! Stacie here. Let me paint you a picture:

It’s January in Central Pennsylvania. The temperature is hovering around 20°F. The air is so dry you can practically hear it crackling. Your indoor heating is blasting, sucking every bit of moisture out of the air. You walk outside, and the cold wind hits your face like a slap.

Hello Enola Neighbors! Let’s Talk About Soap.

Living right here in Enola, PA, we all appreciate the sense of community and the simple goodness life offers near the Susquehanna. But have you ever thought about the soap you use every day? Switching from commercial bars to natural, handcrafted soap can make a surprising difference for your skin, and you can find fantastic options made right here in your hometown!

As your local soap makers at Momma Bears Creations, we wanted to share why making the switch is a choice you can feel good about.

“Wait, Hemp? Isn’t That…?”

Hey friends! Stacie here, writing from our Enola kitchen where I’m surrounded by soap-curing racks and ingredient research.

Let me address the elephant in the room right away:

Yes, hemp seed oil comes from the hemp plant.

No, it won’t get you high. No THC. No CBD. Just pure, nutrient-rich oil.

I get it—the name throws people off. At our first East Pennsboro Pumpkinfest with our Hemp Charcoal Eucalyptus facial bar, at least five people asked if it was “legal.” (Yes! Completely legal! Just good skincare!)

Hey Friends, Let’s Talk Shea Butter!

Stacie here (Momma Bear). If you’ve ever looked at the ingredient list on one of our Momma Bears Creations products, you’ve probably noticed that shea butter shows up… a lot.

Our soaps? Shea butter. Our body butters? Obviously, shea butter. Our lotion bars? You guessed it—shea butter.

People ask me all the time at Carlisle Creative Vibes and at craft shows: “Why is shea butter in everything? What’s so special about it?”

The Ingredients I Trust (After Years of Trial and Error)

Hey friends! Stacie here, writing from our Enola kitchen where I’m surrounded by jars of natural ingredients—shea butter, coconut oil, essential oils, dried herbs.

Let me tell you what I’ve learned after making soap and skincare products for over a decade, testing every single batch on my own skin before I’d ever sell it to a customer.

Here’s the reality: Not all “natural” ingredients are created equal. Some work beautifully. Some are overhyped by wellness influencers. Some are great IN THEORY but don’t hold up when you’re actually making products in your kitchen and using them through brutal Central PA winters.

The Question I Get at Every Craft Show

Hey friends! Stacie here, writing from our Enola kitchen where soap is curing on Papa Bear’s custom racks and ingredient jars line the shelves.

At craft shows—especially East Pennsboro Pumpkinfest and Central Dauphin—I get this question ALL the time:

“Can I just make this myself at home?”

My honest answer? “You can… but do you really WANT to?”

I never get offended by this question. In fact, I LOVE it! It means someone cares about natural ingredients enough to consider making their own. That’s exactly the mindset shift we need—away from harsh commercial products and toward gentler options.

Soothe and Moisturize: The Benefits of Whipped Soap for Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin can be a challenge to care for, especially when it comes to finding the right skincare products. Harsh ingredients, fragrances, and dyes can irritate and dry out the skin, making it even more sensitive. However, there is a solution that can provide gentle cleansing and moisturizing benefits: whipped soap. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of whipped soap for sensitive skin and how it can be a game-changer for those who struggle with skin irritation.

Sunday Mornings in Our Enola House: When Self-Care Became Non-Negotiable

Hey friends! Stacie here. Let me be honest with you: For years, I gave everything to everyone else. Making products for others, running to craft shows, helping with the grandson, managing the business. My “self-care” was a quick shower if I was lucky.

Sound familiar?

Then one Sunday morning, about a year ago, Maddi looked at me and said, “Mom, when’s the last time you actually took care of yourself?”