The Journey
There comes a time in everyone’s life when their soul cries out for reinvention. My own restless soul needed focus as well as functionality; I craved more freedom, more expression, more feasting of the senses! Oh… and if I’m honest? I just didn’t want to wake up early anymore.
And so I set about the titillating task of cataloguing my passions. I revisited and ranked them, ultimately concluding that my love for working with my hands and my love of All Things Soap -- yes, soap! – were calling me.
My journey into soapmaking came to me easily, as I’ve been a passionate home chef for decades now, and both are equal parts art and science. The “art” part is in my bones; for more than 40 years, I’ve worked as a commercial/fashion photographer and graphic artist, and I’ve recently retired from a deeply gratifying career in the Media Department at a Chicagoland area VA Hospital. The “science” part required extensive training however, and so I began to travel the country in search of America’s finest and most prolific soapmakers from whom I could learn, explore, and grow. At the helm was my ever-present muse (and beloved niece) Jayme Martinez, and away I went, soaking up all the knowledge I possibly could glean from the soapmakers I admired most. I threw myself into the chemistry – the metes and measures, the foundations and fragrances, the timing and textures… all of which I find endlessly captivating! Slowly and steadily, the journey shaped a vision. And that vision is Great Lakes Beach Soaps.
The inspiration for each soap we create comes from the world around us – the cultures we celebrate, the recipes we share, the oceans we swim in, the sunsets and night skies and fields of fragrant flowers. At GLBS, we offer dozens of limited edition, small-batch soaps, each of which are handcrafted and made with only the highest quality ingredients. Each color, every scent draws its inspiration from the wonders of the natural world; we seek out only the highest quality emollients and oils, creating intoxicating aromas and luxurious lathers to captivate the senses and nourish the skin. With sustainability always at the forefront of our endeavors, we partner with other small businesses -- especially minority/veteran/woman owned -- for our vendors and providers, and strive always to bring only the best experiences to our customers. We create each bar with love in our hearts, joy in our souls, and nature in our hands… and we do it all for YOU!
YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND TOMORROW
All Great Lakes Beach Soaps are made using the cold process method – a practice said to be nearly 4,000 years old. It is believed that even the ancient Babylonians understood the meticulous process of mixing fats and oils (either animal or plant based) with lye to create tallows-- something not dissimilar to the soap we use today! Echoing our ancestors, we too hand craft every small batch of our soaps in the rich tradition of artisanal soapmaking history. We painstakingly research flora and fauna, colorways and new bouquets, carefully blending essential oils, fragrance oils and organic exfoliants to bring you only the absolute finest in boutique bar soaps. To learn more about our studios, or to request a custom blend, please contact us. And make sure to sign up for email alerts so you’ll never miss a new release!
With love and lather,
Daniel DuVerney
Soapmaker
Great Lakes Beach Soaps
Chicago, IL