Get to know Regina Booth. She and her husband, Robert, make handmade soaps and lotions. They created a business out of their passion and it’s called The Honey Orchard, which is based out of Monroe County. Regina tells us they make all our items in small batches using the finest ingredients to ensure the highest quality products possible. She and Robert take pride knowing their customers benefit from the quality of their handcrafted products. You can meet these artists during the 37th Annual Art and Craft Show at the WV State Fairgrounds from October 13-15th.

How do you describe your palette?

We work to stay on trend with seasonal fragrances. For example, the Autumn season will include Apple Sage and Indian Summer while Christmas will include Peppermint Fluff and Sleigh Ride. Not only do the items keep in theme with the seasons, but we also ensure they smell and look great also. Once we have the fragrance then we decide on the look and color based on vision. If you think of Peppermint Fluff than you may think of peppermint candy and we try to make it close to that vision. It all depends on the scent and the vision we see. We also keep customer preferred scents such as Black Raspberry Vanilla and Warm Vanilla Sugar. The same sense of accomplishment also applies to the various primitive churches and barns my husband builds. They are built throughout the year, but on several occasions customers order many of the churches in a bigger quantity. For example; some churches in the area may hand out a primitive church to family member who has lost a loved one from their church or they have been ordered as gifts for friends and family for a special occasion.

What’s your greatest accomplishment?

Our greatest accomplishment is taking a hobby to a small business with successful results. Because of our repeat customers and the compliments we have received has given us a great sense of achievement because of the look, smell and quality of our products. We never expected the business to grow into what it is today.

What obstacles do you need to overcome to find your creative space/muse?

I suffer daily with Multiple Sclerosis. It is a struggle to stay inspired to do anything, but creating beautiful soaps and lotions help keep me motived to keep active. Some days my hands or legs want to give out or they do not work properly. Luckily, I have a supporting family who helps when those days are the worst.

How do you find your inspiration?

Through the fragrances! I look for scents that I may like or that the customers may enjoy and then I try to envision what the soap would look like. Learning to create the products have been a lot of trial and error with many batches thrown away because it either smelled bad or looked horrible, but that is part of the process. Being able to bring our products to shows and allowing people to enjoy our items keeps me inspired. On occasion customers have suggested certain fragrances that they would prefer which has sparked certain ideas.

What advice do you have for other artists?

We suggest you source your items carefully because when it comes to your body you want the best quality possible. A lot of trial and error. It never comes out right the first time, but keep trying – never give up. Lastly, always listen to your customers. Good or bad comments is what will help you in the end.

What is the best way for our readers to contact you?

We would love to hear from your readers! Visit us online at thehoneyorchardsoapsandlotions.com or call (304) 920-7519. Please come see us during the Art & Craft show at the State Fairgrounds this October!

– HashtagWV #94. October 2017