How Earthly Ash was born: Blog#1

 

It seems appropriate to make my first blog on how Earthly Ash came to be.

I actually started Earthly Ash by making cold process soap—and honestly… it wasn’t some big planned out business idea at first.

For a long time, I used to buy the type of soap bars I now make all the time. I loved them, I used them consistently, and I always appreciated how different they felt compared to store-bought soap or body wash. There was a huge difference in how my skin felt—softer, more comfortable, and not tight or dry. Most body washes always left me feeling stripped and dry, and I never loved that feeling.

Then one day, I was out with my sister and my niece, and out of nowhere, it kind of just hit me…
I want to make soap.
Totally random, completely out of the blue.

So while we were out shopping, I grabbed a few basic supplies and started with melt and pour soap. For anyone who doesn’t know what melt and pour is—it’s basically a soap base that’s already made for you. You melt it down, add your fragrance (and maybe a few herbs or extras), pour it into a mold, and let it set.

I went home, laid everything out, and made my first batch.

And while I really enjoyed it… I quickly realized I wanted to do it all from scratch.

That’s when the real deep dive started.

I researched and researched and researched. I watched a million YouTube videos—literally any chance I had. Laying in bed at night, I watched. Getting ready in the morning for my job at the time, I watched. Cooking dinner… I watched. I was determined to learn the cold process method and understand the ingredients, the process, and what it actually takes to make soap.

I started searching for the best places to buy what I needed—oils, butters, lye, equipment, fragrances… all of it. And let me tell you… it was a lot.

Eventually I ordered a small amount of everything and kept reading and learning while I waited for it all to come in.

But to be honest… once it arrived, it probably sat there for a month—maybe even two—before I actually worked up the courage to try cold process.

The sodium hydroxide (lye) scared me.

I took all the precautions, wore all the safety gear, and finally just went for it.

And I made SOAP.

I remember thinking, I can’t believe I just did that.
And even more than that… I LOVED it.

I was absolutely hooked. I knew right then that I had a passion for it, and I knew the skincare world was where I wanted to be.

Soap was just the beginning—but it opened the door to everything else.

It led me into learning why clean ingredients matter for our skin, and what goes into so many store-bought products. I started learning about things like phthalates and hormone disruptors, and I found myself wondering why so many big box stores and huge name brands include ingredients that aren’t really needed in certain products. I still don't understand that part.

The more I learned, the more I wanted to create something different—something intentional.

At some point in my journey, I came across a page about tallow, and I remember thinking… I want to try that.

So I started searching for where I could buy tallow, and there was basically none near me. I could order it and have it shipped, but the amount I would receive wasn’t enough for everything I wanted to use it for—and the price for a small amount was honestly expensive.

So once again… I decided I would just do it myself.

I taught myself how to render down beef suet, and after more research and learning, I finally made my own tallow.

That’s when I started creating my face creams and body butters—and from there it just kept growing into more products, more ideas, and more passion.

I dove headfirst! There was definitely no dipping my toes in. I created my name, then the LLC. And that’s how Earthly Ash was born. 

What started as a random moment of inspiration turned into something I truly love doing. Every product I make now is created with the same heart behind it—clean ingredients, thoughtful intention, and the kind of self-care that feels comforting, nourishing, and real.

And I’m so grateful you’re here for it. 🤍🌿

One thing I’ll always be honest about is that I like to experiment. Sometimes I’ll bring a product into production, and then realize it’s not something I want to keep long-term. But going into 2026, I’m really focusing on being more intentional before I ever put something into action. I’m learning to make strong, thoughtful decisions when adding something new—because I want everything I create to truly align with Earthly Ash and the purpose behind it.

Much love,
Ashley