What once started as a school project for second and third graders, has blossomed into a business called the Dakota Prairie Soap Shack.
Two years ago, Lisa Yearton, a Watford City Middle School teacher, had the idea to make soap and bath bombs with her students for Mother's Day gifts.
Her students decided to make their mom's spa kits, which included a bar of customized soap and a bath bomb.
"At that time, I had no idea how to make any of these items, but I started researching and realized how much of a craft soap making really is. My students and I mastered melt and pour soap making, we had many trials before we perfected our practice...including spilling a cup full of soap all over the carpet," said Yearton.
Now Yearton has turned this project into a successful business. She obtained her business license and had her first online sales and now has a display at the Long X Pioneer Museum and Visitor Center Gift Shop.
"The decorative soaps at the museum are customized as products that represent things unique to North Dakota."
When Yearton relocated to Watford City from Florida, she was "truly inspired" by the prairie and landscape of the area and decided to see what natural additives she could experiment with, which eventually led to the creation of her unique soaps.
Dakota Prairie Soap Shack sells handcrafted soaps that help heal, rejuvenate, and nourish the skin in the most sustainable and environmentally friendly manner.
"I am environmentally minded and believe in giving back to the community. I believe in using the least amount of packaging as possible, so online orders have the option to have their soaps packed without being wrapped in plastic."
She has three special soaps that help give back to the environment: Save the Bees, Plant More Trees, and Protect the Seas. A percentage of the sales from these soaps go to local and national organizations.
The company's decorative soaps are inspired by the prairie, with an assortment of flowers, bees, bison, cowboy boots, horses, moose, and bears. The soaps are hand painted or dusted with micas to make them pop and add an extra dimension.
Some of her popular soaps include: 'BuckThorn', a cold process soap, hand stamped, scented with Birchwood Oud and combines coconut oil, safflower oil, shea butter, and Vitamin E to nourish dry skin.
'Jumpin' Juniper' is another cold process soap scented with Crisp Juniper. It contains Coconut oil, Vitamin E, and Juniper berries for exfoliation.
'Just Dandy' is another cold process soap that utilizes dandelion bits for exfoliation mixed with a combination of dandelion tea and dandelion oil for its anti-aging properties.
'Jolly Rancher' is a fun summertime twist on an old favorite: watermelon jolly ranchers. It is a cold process soap with a shea butter and coconut oil base infused with poppy seeds as an exfoliant.
Dakota Prairie Soap Shack bath bombs and fizzies change with the seasons. "We currently have Spring inspired scents and colors."
Yearton also takes custom orders when requested by email: [email protected].
"One day I hope to buy a little log shack and sell my soaps out of it...hence truly becoming the Dakota Prairie Soap Shack," explained Yearton.
For more information on the Dakota Prairie Soap Shack, check out its website at http://www.dakotaprairiesoapshack.com.
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