This week's featured crafter shares her love of soap and candlemaking with psychiatric patients to give them a feeling of pride. Let's meet Mary!
Name: Mary Elizabeth DePeiza, 44
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Occupation: Recreation Therapist
Craft: Soap and candles
Web site: www.depeiza.com
How did you get into making candles and soap?
A friend of mine was making lotion and sellling it at work. One day after work, I went with her and another co-worker to help her pick up some supplies for her products. While we were in the car she said to us "My products are really selling well would you like to invest money in my products?" I said to her you know we're all friends and money and investments can sometimes ruin a friendship. I said "why don't we each make our own products? I'll make soap." One day about 6 months later, I was in a craft store and I bought the ingredients and an instructional book. And his was about two weeks before Christmas. By Christmas, I had about 25 soaps I made and 15 gift baskets. My craft name is Soapcandler because I love doing both.
What's your inspiration?
I get my inspiration through Jesus Christ, whom I believe to this day inspired me to utter the words "I'll make soap" while sitting in that car with my co-workers. I also am part of a very suppportive group of entreprenuers at Project Enterprise, a program that provides micro loans and business development services to small businesses in New York City.
What's your best craft tip?
Don't be afraid to experiment and try new things.
What craft would you like to try next?
I would like to develop my candle products more and get more creative.
Where do you get your supplies?
I get most of my supplies online from a variety wholesale vendors.
What's your biggest craft challenge?
My biggest craft challenge is making my lotion. I used to use a pre-made lotion base but know I make it entirely from scratch.
What's your best craft tip?
Start out with a simple project and develop your craft. Find your own niche.
What do you love about your craft?
I love soapmaking more than candle making as it is my first love. I have been making soap for 2 1/2 years. I now truly believe God has given everyone a talent and I love mine. I hope one day to have a workshop for women who are below the poverty line so they can increase their incomes and take care of their families. When a women is in poverty, chances are her children also will become poverty-stricken adults. I want to help to break this cycle with God's help.
Mary DePeiza will be selling her soap and candle creations at a popular shopping event in the Hamptons called Shecky's Girls Day Out on on July 21st. She also was a vendor at last month's Shecky's Girls Night Out in Manhattan. For more details, visit www.Sheckys.com.
Want to show off your creative side? Send me an e-mail with pictures showing off your favorite craft and you might be chosen as our next DIYer of the Week!
