Julie Andrews might share her name with a super famous singer but in the soap world our Julie is the superstar! Julie has been a huge supporter of the EPM and we are so thankful to have had her with us from the very beginning. We hope you enjoy meeting today's Meet The Maker...Julie from Urthly Organics.
Tell us about yourself and what you create...
I was born to make soap! When I was primary aged I used to grate up the soap and reform them into soap balls, I even had a soap collection (and still do!). For as long as I can remember I always have been interested in what is in cosmetics and how things are made, I found a little book on how to make you own soap late in 1997 at a market and OMG the heavens opened up, the angels sang and I couldn't get my purse out fast enough..
That little $7.00 book has made me what I am today! I am currently living just out of Bendigo on a bush block with my 2 daughters, dogs, cats, chickens and the native wildlife. We sponsor a family in Cambodia and we foster care dogs awaiting their furever home. I have a love of nature, rust, oldwares and anything that may tell a story or have a story to tell. I have been making soap now for 16 years and over that time have added personal care items and creams to my repertoire as well as more recently, soy candles in vintage preloved fowler Vacola jars and collectable tins.
What inspires you to be creative?
I suppose the www is inspiring, to see what others can do, if they can do it..so can I. My customers comments and compliments inspire me to keep going and reinforce that I am talented and creative.
Describe your perfect day...
My perfect day would have to be when I have all my soap pots laid out for a big day soaping and nothing goes wrong, I have had some bad soaping days!! Another perfect day would be lazing on Song Saa Island, off the coast of Cambodia (this will never happen as the cost is way out of my budget, but I am open to donations!!!!)
What is your best ever creative moment?
Was the day I decided to make a soap cake.. it took me all day, lots of fiddly work and the outcome blew me away.. it looked real and I wish I had saved a piece for my current soap collection, I have made a few smaller cakes but the first one played a big part in my future soap cake making.
Describe a lesson you learnt from creative failure...
The biggest lesson I have learnt from creative failure is that I still have big lessons to learn, one cannot know all there is to know about soap making as the possibilities are endless!
What's the scariest movie you have ever seen?
I REALLY don't do scary movies. The last horror I watched was Nightmare On Elm Street and my brother scared the crap out of me after he came back from the toilet.. I seriously didn't sleep for a week. I cannot do Harry Potter either. Give me an Australian comedy anyday.. Crackerjack, Charlie & Boots, The Castle.. to name a few.
What's your favourite childhood book?
I have never been an avid reader but I did used to enjoy Enid Blyton books.
What's the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Make sure I have my goggles on! And a favourite quote my daughter told me regarding family... Blood is thicker than water but some people are thicker than blood!
What's your favourite tunes to get you in the creative mood?
Pretty much anything they play on Triple J. I also love trance, Aussie hip hop, alternative, indie, house, rock and some heavy metal.
Connect with Urthly Organics.
Email: urthlyoganics@bigpond.com
FacebookеК - www.facebook.com/UrthlyOrganics/