20 Years of Handmade Soap Excellence: Seattle Sundries’ Journey from Craft Fairs to Fremont

From Craft Fair Dreams to Seattle’s Favorite: Our 20-Year Soap Story

Twenty years ago, a small table at a local craft fair marked the humble beginnings of what would become Seattle Sundries. That table, stacked with carefully crafted handmade soap bars, represented not just products, but a passion and vision that would guide us through two decades of growth, learning, and community connection.

Our devotion to handmade soap began in 2005 at local craft fairs around Seattle. Looking at the photo from our very first year, it’s amazing to see how far we’ve come—and yet how our core values remain unchanged. Some things have certainly evolved over the years (our location, product labels, specific ingredients, and yes, even our hairstyles!), but our commitment to creating exceptional handmade soap with love and care has remained steadfast.

The Journey of Seattle Sundries: From Kitchen to Fremont

The Evolution of Our Handmade Soap Business

Our story begins in Ballard, where founder Anne Sylte Bloom started Seattle Sundries in 2005. For our first decade, we operated as a home-based business, with Anne crafting each handmade soap bar in her kitchen and selling at craft fairs and markets throughout the Pacific Northwest. Those early years taught us invaluable lessons about our craft and connected us directly with the customers who would become our most loyal supporters.

In 2015, we took a significant leap by moving into our first commercial space at 8316 8th Ave NW. This milestone allowed us to expand our production and welcome customers into a dedicated soapmaking and sales environment. Seven years later, in 2022, we moved just next door to 8318 8th Ave NW, giving us more room to create and share our passion for natural skincare.

Now, as we celebrate our 20th anniversary, we’re thrilled to be preparing for our biggest move yet—a NEW workshop and retail space at 420 N 35th St in Fremont, opening soon! This beautiful new location will allow us to offer more products, host workshops, and create an even more immersive experience for our community.

The Heart Behind Our Natural Skincare Philosophy

Seattle Sundries has been at the forefront of natural skincare in the Pacific Northwest for two decades. As a woman-owned and operated business, we bring a unique perspective to our craft. Anne isn’t just the founder and owner—she’s the creative force behind every aspect of our business. From developing product formulations to designing our distinctive packaging and artwork, her personal touch is evident in everything we create.

This hands-on approach ensures that when you purchase from Seattle Sundries, you’re getting products made with intention, expertise, and heart. Our commitment to natural skincare has never wavered throughout our 20-year journey, even as we’ve refined our techniques and expanded our offerings.

The Handmade Difference: Why Our Soap Stands Apart

The Artisanal Soap Advantage

Each soap bar is crafted with attention to detail that mass-produced products simply can’t match. But what exactly makes handmade soap different? Let us share why our customers have remained loyal for two decades:

The Power of Natural Ingredients in Soap

We carefully select natural ingredients in soap making to ensure the highest quality products. Unlike factory-made soaps that often use synthetic detergents and harsh chemicals, our handmade soaps contain plant-based oils, butters, and essential oils that nourish your skin while cleansing.

The benefits of natural ingredients in soap include gentler cleansing and better moisture retention. Our handcrafting process also preserves the natural glycerin that corporate manufacturers typically extract and sell separately. This glycerin is a humectant that draws moisture to your skin—just one of the many benefits you’ll notice when switching to handmade soap.

Our Commitment to Sustainable Skincare

Our commitment to sustainable skincare practices has been a cornerstone of our business since day one. We minimize waste through thoughtful packaging, source ingredients responsibly, and create products that are kind to both your skin and the environment.

The art of creating the best soap has been perfected over our 20 years in business. Each small batch is carefully formulated, mixed, poured, cut, and cured with attention to detail that ensures consistent quality. This hands-on approach allows us to customize our offerings for different skin types and concerns—something that mass-produced products simply cannot do.

When you use natural soap from Seattle Sundries, you’re not just cleansing your skin—you’re participating in a tradition of craftsmanship that values quality, sustainability, and personal care.

Thank You for 20 Wonderful Years

None of this would be possible without you—our amazing customers and community. To those who have been with us since those early craft fair days: your loyalty has been the foundation of our success. Your feedback has helped us grow, your support has sustained us through challenges, and your enthusiasm has made this journey incredibly rewarding.

To those just discovering Seattle Sundries: welcome! We’re thrilled to have you join our community at this milestone moment. Whether you’re trying our products for the first time or just learning about our story, we hope you’ll feel the care and passion that goes into everything we create.

Looking Forward: The Next Chapter

As we move into our new Fremont location, we’re excited about the possibilities ahead. The expanded space will allow us to offer more workshops, create new product lines, and provide an even better shopping experience. We see this 20th anniversary not just as a celebration of our past, but as the beginning of an exciting new chapter.

The ingredients in our natural soap are carefully sourced for their purity and effectiveness, and we’re constantly researching new beneficial ingredients and sustainable practices to enhance our offerings. Our Seattle handmade soap reflects the unique character and values of our beautiful city, and we’re proud to continue this tradition of local craftsmanship.

We invite you to join us in celebrating this milestone—whether by visiting our current location (soon!), following our journey to Fremont on social media, or simply enjoying the products that we pour our hearts into creating. Here’s to 20 years of bubbles, beauty, and the joy of handmade skincare!

With gratitude and excitement for what’s ahead,

The Seattle Sundries Team