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Handmade with care,
inspired by family lineage.
The story behind MargaretMaySoaps, our traditional cold-process methods, and our devotion to gentle, honest, nourishing bath care.
A Granddaughter's Tribute
The MargaretMay Heritage
I have always loved traditionally handmade soap and natural botanical ingredients. Having trained as an artist in Bristol, bringing color, scent, and sculptural texture together inspired me to produce this exciting range of artisan health and beauty products with a genuine personal touch.
The name of the business was my grandmother’s: MargaretMay (which appears as MMaySoaps in our maker’s seal).
MargaretMay was a strong, feisty, independent Somerset farmer’s wife. Far ahead of her time, she set up several small rural businesses of her own. She was fascinated when I went to art college and then travelled. She would have loved these honest, plant-based products and our independent community ethos.
She would also have been intimately familiar with soap-making on the Somerset farm, especially during her childhood and throughout the war years, when nothing went to waste and everything was crafted with resourcefulness and love.
Kitchen Batch Craft
Handmade in Small Batches
I develop recipes that we use every day at home. In our household:
- Coffee Shot Soap lives by the kitchen sink; the spent coffee grounds and deodorising qualities naturally lift food prep smells and garden soil.
- Bristol Blue Lavender Body Butter on sore feet at the end of a long day is pure bliss.
- Lemon and Salt Fresh Soap in the morning shower awakens the senses with invigorating sea salt polish and sunshine citrus.
Because we produce in small micro-batches of 20 to 40 bars at a time, every single bar receives meticulous attention, hand-stamping, and individual quality inspection.
Honest Formulation
Natural Ingredients & Zero Waste
We reject synthetic foaming agents, artificial fragrances, and single-use plastics.
Coconut Oil & Vitamin E
Every single bar is rich in organic virgin coconut oil and added Vitamin E. These provide an unmatched creamy cushion of lather that conditions your skin and guards against dryness.
Pure Botanical Essential Oils
We never use cheap synthetic parfum. We steam-distil and blend therapeutic essential oils: Somerset lavender, zesty lime, grounding dark patchouli, tea tree, and rose geranium to suit all moods.
Simple & Recyclable Packaging
All packaging is simple, reusable, or fully recyclable. Our balms and body butters come in durable aluminium tins, soaps in compostable paper bands, and mail parcels use water-soluble corn starch chips.
Craft Markets & Bristol Community
I sell MargaretMay products across Bristol in several beloved independent shops. I am also a keen attender of local craft markets, particularly during the festive season.