I'm so excited to share that in just one month The Soap Pixie will be at the Richfield Fall Boutique!
Mark your calendars and come shop our colorful, enchanted soaps along with other magickal goodies.
It's the perfect chance to stock up on gifts (or a treat for yourself) while supporting handmade makers. I can't wait to see you there!
For years, our family tradition was visiting Emma Krumbee’s Apple Orchard in Belle Plaine, MN. My mom and I used to drive out there every fall just for their delicious apple pie. Once I got married and my oldest daughter came along, it quickly turned into an annual tradition, picking apples and wandering through their scarecrow festival. Sadly, Emma Krumbee’s never seemed to recover after COVID and closed in 2023. By that time, though, we were already searching for a new favorite orchard of our own.
It took a few tries, but we finally found our perfect spot at Applewood Orchard in Lakeville. The staff is always so welcoming, and the variety of apples is endless, whether you want to pick your own or grab some pre-picked. There are extras too: corn maze, jumping pillow, corn pit, hayride, sunflower field, pumpkin patch, and even a playset area for the littles. It's hard to resist their treats, apple pies and caramel apples especially.
I believe their small bags for apple picking were $6, or you can do what we did and buy by the pound.
Every fall, visiting an orchard together means more than just apples. For us, it’s about tradition, time spent as a family, and soaking up all the cozy autumn activities.
At home, the apples don’t last long. My oldest daughter always requests homemade applesauce, and I usually make it in the crockpot. Her favorite is a spiced applesauce recipe from AllRecipes:
8 apples, peeled, cored, and sliced thin
½ cup water
¾ cup brown sugar
½ tsp pumpkin pie spice
I prefer the no-sugar version from The Wooden Skillet.
5–6 lbs apples, peeled and sliced
¼ cup water
¼ tsp nutmeg
Pinch of ground cloves
Pinch of kosher salt
1–2 cinnamon sticks
To make things easier, I use my Norpro Apple Master (with a vacuum base). It peels, cores, and slices in one go, super handy. I found mine at Fleet Farm years ago and it is still holding up.
My go-to apple variety for sauce is Sweet Tango. I’ve experimented with others, but Sweet Tango has the perfect balance of sweet and tart.
Rebranding is scary. I spent years being “The Soap Pixie” and selling my uniquely crafted soaps. For the longest time, my business was just that, a name, a logo, and pretty bars of soap. I was comfortable with it, and so were my customers.
But earlier this year, something inside me shifted. I started to feel dissatisfied. I wanted something more.
When I first changed my business name to The Soap Pixie back in 2009, it was because I had a vision: to create soaps that bring magick and enchantment into people’s lives. That dream got a little lost over the years as I focused on the practical side of business; making soap, selling soap, packaging design, how to grow...But deep down, I knew I wanted more than that.
Here’s a little backstory: When I first started selling soap, my business was called Pixie Lee Soaps & Sundries. I chose the name because my mother had just passed away, and I wanted to honor her. Her name was Dixie Lee, and I’ve always loved pixies and fairies, so Pixie Lee Soaps & Sundries felt right at the time.
This is the very first logo I ever commissioned back in 2007.
Looking back now, it makes me smile, but a couple of years later, I realized the name and logo didn’t really reflect the magick I wanted for my brand. So, I changed the name to The Soap Pixie and created a new logo.
For years, my focus was on creating high-quality soap and donating part of my efforts to wildlife organizations here in Minnesota. It was fulfilling work, and I loved it. But then life happened, I lost my sister, I faced some serious health challenges, and everything slowed down.
During that time, I started reflecting on what I really wanted for my business and my life. And when I looked around at the world - the endless negativity on the news, the stress, the heaviness everywhere - I knew I wanted to create something that feels like an escape for my customers.
I kept coming back to my original dream: to create something soft, whimsical, and full of light. I wanted The Soap Pixie to be more than just soap.
One day, while walking through the European Christmas Market in St. Paul, I stumbled across a book called The Complete Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm.
I’ve always loved Grimm tales, so I bought it. And that’s when the light bulb went off.
While reading the book I thought, What if every soap told a story?
Not just any story, but something rooted in folklore, fairytales, and enchantment. Something that brings a sense of wonder back into someone's day.
From that idea, Oona the Soap Pixie and her best friend, Poppy the Ladybug, were born. They live in an enchanted forest in northern Minnesota, and their adventures are inspired by old-world tales, some Grimm, some folktales, and some completely new stories I write myself.
Every time I release a new soap, it comes with its own story: Maybe Oona meets a talking mouse that leads her to fresh herbs for her soap. Maybe she brews a potion under the full moon. Maybe Poppy leads her to a meadow filled with wildflowers and hidden secrets.
Each story ties into the soap itself; the fragrance, the colors, the ingredients. Every bar becomes a tiny portal into another world, filled with magic and meaning.
I also weave the Wheel of the Year into my creations because I’m deeply connected to nature and spirituality. Every seasonal collection celebrates the beauty and energy of that moment in time.
I believe fairytales can heal. They lift us out of the noise and remind us that wonder still exists. And honestly, the world needs that right now.
My hope is that when you pick up one of my soaps, you feel something:
Gleeful, Nostalgic, Inspired, Delighted, Enchanted. Maybe even a spark of childlike curiosity.
Maybe for one moment you can imagine yourself in Oona’s world.
Because my soaps aren’t just for cleansing your skin, they’re magick you can hold in your hands.
From now on, every bar of soap from The Soap Pixie carries a story. Each release is tied to folklore and enchantment. When you order a soap, you’re not just buying a bar, you’re stepping into a whimsical tale and inviting a little fantasy into your everyday life.
Because the world needs more light, joy, and wonder. And that’s exactly what The Soap Pixie is here for.
So here’s to magick, whimsy, and finding happiness in the little things, even in your soap dish.
Stay tuned for Oona’s next adventure.
The Soap Pixie just whipped up a fresh batch of Rose Quartz soap, one of my most popular scents and always a favorite this time of year.
This one's perfect for these long, warm summer days when you just want to feel bathed in love, compassion, and emotional healing. Something that feels pretty essential right now, honestly.
The scent is a soft floral grounded in warmth: bergamot, orange, and grapefruit give it a bright, citrusy top note, clean and fresh. Then it softens into dried rose petals and jasmine, with just enough sandalwood and musk underneath to keep it balanced and soothing.
It's not overpowering. Just a really beautiful blend that wraps around you like a deep breath and a gentle reminder to be kind to yourself.
Every bar is made by hand, with care and intention, just like always. It's topped with a little shimmer and some sea salt, because small details matter.
If you've been needing a reset, or want to gift someone a small moment of peace, this bear is a good place to start.
Available now, while supplies last.
Something new is brewing at the Soap Pixie!! We just added two custom soap stamps that we think you're going to love (thank you Chris for making them). One is a little cauldron that will show up on all of our spell connected soaps, so if you see it, you'll know it's part of Oona's Grimoire. The other is a moon and stars stamp, and that will mark every bar that's connected to the moon phases. Just a small touch, but we hope it makes the magick feel a little bit more real when you hold the soap in your hands. ⭐
For as long as I can remember, I’ve cared deeply about animals. I’ve spent decades speaking up for them, whether it was handing out flyers outside the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in Minneapolis to raise awareness about how elephants are abused for entertainment, or protesting outside the Mall of America because Victoria’s Secret was using wood pulp from the Canadian Boreal Forest for their catalogs. I’ve even organized a boycott of Red Lobster over their connection to the Canadian seal hunts.
In 2012, my heart really found its place in wolf advocacy. I threw myself into it. I tabled events for Howling for Wolves, met with legislators, protested, marched, and even flew to Washington D.C. to help defend the Endangered Species Act. I was all in. Committed.
But in 2024, after another devastating failure to pass legislation that would permanently ban future wolf hunts in Minnesota, something shifted in me. I was tired. Tired of begging lawmakers to care. Tired of feeling like no matter how loud I screamed, it wasn’t enough. I needed to find a way to keep helping, but in a way that didn’t leave me feeling so heartbroken all the time.
That’s when I circled back to something I had done years ago, back in the '90s - wildlife rescue. I reconnected with Wildlife Rehabilitation & Release, an incredible nonprofit that helps transport injured and orphaned wild animals to rehabilitators, supports those rehabilitators, and educates the public. I signed up to volunteer again and honestly, it’s changed me.
Lately, I’ve had the joy of rescuing raccoon kits. Some of them (pictured) lost their mother after she was hit and killed by a car. Holding those tiny, scared babies and knowing I’m getting them the help they need - it’s hard to put that feeling into words. It's hope. It's healing. It’s purpose.
For so long, I felt like I was letting the wolves down every time the system failed them. But with rescue work, I get to DO something. Right now. I get to act. And I can see the result almost immediately - a life saved, a second chance given.
Helping wildlife has given me a new kind of energy. I haven’t stopped speaking up for wolves. I never will. But now I also get to be part of the hands-on work, and that’s made all the difference.
At the end of the day, I don’t believe we’re here just to live for ourselves. I think we’re meant to live for something bigger and for me, that “something” has always been the animals.
Our Solstice Soap Collection is here!!
These summer soaps are available now in limited quantities, once they're gone they won't be back until next year's sunshine returns. Which one will you choose to add to your summer ritual?
BALI BREEZE
Are you a fan of artisanal soaps and a wildlife enthusiast? If so, these soap bars are just for you! I'm currently on a mission to raise funds for Wildlife Rehabilitation & Release (WRR). If you're keen on contributing to a cause that aids wildlife, consider purchasing one or both of our unique soaps. Every penny from the sales goes directly to WRR, assisting in rescue operations, rehabilitation efforts, and educational programs.
Yesterday's Friends Plant Sale was a delightful experience, as usual. The weather was perfect for browsing the wide selections of herbs, flowers, and veggies, and we had a lot of fun choosing our garden lineup for the year. It seemed like the busiest season yet, but the event was incredibly well-organized, making the flow smooth and enjoyable. While the temptation to buy every plant was strong, I managed to stick to the essentials. Gotta save that money!! Now, I'm eagerly anticipating watching everything flourish and grow. I'm already thinking about eating those sweet peppers. 😊
There's just something magical about this time of year! Spring and Fall in Minnesota are my absolute favorites, and I'm currently riding that springtime high. Give me the crisp air and pumpkin spice of Fall, with those stunning colorful newly fallen leaves, any day. But springtime? It's like the world is hitting the reset button. Everything is bursting back to life, baby animals are popping up all over the place, and the birds are putting on a concert every morning. I love it! I practically bounce out the door like a kid, eager to spot the first signs of new life. Today, I even found an empty rabbit next - those little guys must have just hopped out because I didn't spot it yesterday. Can you believe mama rabbit chose to nest right next to the driveway? Risky move!! Now I'm plotting all sorts of botanical adventures with the emerging plants - dyes, baked goods, tinctures, you name it. This season is just brimming with beauty and possibility. All we need now is a little sunshine and warmth, and we'll be in paradise! What do you think, is springtime one of your favorite seasons too?
I'm excited to share that I've added my handcrafted soaps to my online Square account! I'm aiming to raise $500 for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Release (WRR) by selling these soaps. Right now, my essential oil soaps are on sale, and all proceeds from these sales will directly contribute to that $500 goal. In the coming weeks, look out for my fancy fragrance oil soaps with decorative tops. Every batch dedicated to WRR will proudly bear a "Wash for Wildlife" tag. So, if you're looking to pamper yourself while supporting a fantastic cause, please consider purchasing a bar. All proceeds, minus taxes and Square fees, will be donated to WRR, a Minnesota-based, all volunteer team of veterinary professionals, wildlife rehabilitators, biologists, and trained volunteers dedicated to the welfare of wildlife. They collaborate with wildlife centers and permitted rehabilitators across the state to coordinate care for wild animals in need.
** If you want a bar of soap, you're local and don't want to pay for shipping, email me.
