Seattle Sundries - have some fun getting clean!

Welcome to one of our new Partners this year, Seattle Sundries! Seattle Sundries isn't just a cute name for vintage inspired handmade soaps.  It's a clean movement! Anne Sylte Bloom grew up on a cattle ranch and learned very early on to make things with her hands. She has been crafting unique cold-process soaps for 20 years, and her business grew the old fashioned way: first a hobby, then on to handmade gifts for friends and family, then to a small shop on Etsy.com and eventually a full fledged online business in 2009. Her products evoke the essence of earlier days when "getting clean felt as straightforward and pure as a fine bar of handcrafted soap." We're thrilled to have Anne and Seattle Sundries on board for Urban Unveiled 2011! 

In addition to maintaining a full retail line of handcrafted bath and body products, Seattle Sundries shifted some of her focus to custom packaging and wedding favors in 2008.  Anne explains, "I really enjoy the creative process behind doing custom work and I love working with couples to come up with something that is personalized just for their event and guests." Her unique wedding favors include custom soaps, lip balms and lotion bars where you get to select not only the aromas and ingredients, but she can also customize the packaging so your guests will take home a very personal reminder of your event.  Since her own brand has a distinctive, retro look to it, she will often use the same aesthetic in cutom work, using vintage artwork and designs when she can.  Of course the beauty of a  handcrafted item is that each piece is totally customizable for whatever style or look you're are striving for.  Anne continues, "That’s what makes it fun!"  

Seattle Sundries favors are both fun and functional, and their distinctive packaging really sets them apart.  They are also made from the highest quality, natural ingredients, and every product is gentle on your skin and the earth. When asked about her process Anne responded, "I have been perfecting my recipes for many years, and I challenge anyone to find a better bar of soap out there.  When people try great handcrafted soap, they seldom go back to the mass-produced variety.  When you start using natural products that are scented with essential oils and are not full of preservatives, artificial fragrances and chemicals you feel better.  My products have made many converts, and I look forward to many more!"

The couples that gravitate toward Seattle Sundries' products are looking for favors that really show their personality.  They are also concerned about quality and natural ingredients.  Most of all, they want their friends and family to have a memento that will be enjoyed, over and over again.   

When asked about a "wow" moment from a past event, Anne told this story: "The biggest “wow” moment I can think of took place at a beautiful outdoor wedding where the bride arrived in a lovely horse-drawn carriage.  I remember it mostly because my attention was drawn to a little girl of four or five, sitting near me. As the bride stepped down from the carriage the girl’s eyes got really wide, she smiled, and she said with awed sincerity Look, a princess!  It was priceless."

We had the pleasure of working with Anne and Seattle Sundries when creating the gift bags for last fall's Luly Yang Couture Annual Runway Fashion Show held at The Seattle Aquarium. Anne created a custom soap with all her special packaging details for the VIP gift bags. Be sure to stop by and check out Seattle Sundries at this year's Urban Unveiled!