The Crafty Rose Turns Soap-Making into an Art Form

For Samantha Couto, what started as a few handmade soaps for family Christmas gifts turned into a full-blown business with heart, creativity, and a whole lot of good smells. “The ‘aha moment’ was the day after Christmas about six years ago,” she said. “I made a bunch of soaps as gifts and received so many loving compliments from family and friends who pushed me to take my hobby to another level.”

Today, The Crafty Rose is a thriving Rhode Island-based small business offering handcrafted soaps, candles, and body products that blend sustainability, art, and nostalgia. Couto, who grew up surrounded by Dominican and Greek traditions, pours those influences into her work. “Rocky Point will always be one of those places near and dear to me,” she said. “So I decided to name my best-selling room spray after Rocky Point, and I promise you it doesn’t smell like clam cakes and chowder.” She also nods to her Caribbean roots with a coquito soap inspired by her family’s holiday traditions.

Couto’s artistry shines in her process. “Cold process soap making is so complex and beautiful,” she explained. “It allows the maker to be creative and use their skills to make beautiful designs. Soap is no longer just something you can buy off a shelf at your local pharmacy. It’s now more of an art.” Each batch takes weeks to cure and includes skin-loving ingredients like olive oil, cocoa butter, and goat’s milk.

Her candles, poured into handmade cement vessels that can be reused as planters, grew out of pandemic-era supply challenges. “Making my own vessels allowed me to cut back on shipping costs, be more creative in my color selection, and provide the sustainable reusable option all in one,” she said.

Balancing motherhood, a full-time job, and entrepreneurship isn’t easy, but Couto’s passion fuels every bar and candle. “I hope people feel the love that I’ve poured into every ounce of product,” she said. “Every second I spend on my business, I spend in hopes that it projects through my products.” Find The Crafty Rose online at TheCraftyRoses.Etsy.Com or follow along on Instagram and TikTok @thecraftyroses.