Sudsing up doesn’t need to be boring! Turn your shower or bath into a spa with Stella Marie Soaps. These handmade bars of bliss contain no detergents or synthetic fillers. Plus, they come in super fun varieties like Opening Day (fresh cut grass) and De La Soap (oatmeal, milk and honey.) Our skin felt squeaky clean after using…not to mention it smelled delicious. In fact, we may never use store bought soap again! Our fav is Big Poppy (yes, we are Red Sox fans!) It’s a mix of mango and poppy seed. The poppy seed acted as an exfoliator and left our skin feeling uber smooth.

Log on to Stella Marie’s Web site to stock up on your own soap! And check out our interview with owner Kim Gonzaga…It’s a CS Exclusive. Oh, and did we mention there’s a giveaway? Find out more after the jump.

We love that you create these soaps from scratch! How did you get started?

I started experimenting with soap making about 8 years ago. I used a simple method called Melt and Pour. It involves melting down a ready-made soap base, then adding color and fragrance. I soon got curious about making soap from scratch and decided to go for it. It is a little intimidating because you have to use sodium hydroxide, or lye, which is a caustic material. (Do you remember that scene in Fight Club?) Armed with lots of safety equipment, I made my first batch of soap. From that moment on, I was completely addicted. I am in awe of the fact that you can mix together oils and lye and come out on the other side with something so mild and nourishing for your skin.

What makes your soap unique?

Handmade soap is different from what you get at the store because there are no detergents or synthetic fillers. Grocery store detergent bars are inexpensive, but they strip the natural moisture out of our skin. And this can lead to a lot of irritating conditions like eczema and psoriasis. I think Stella Marie Soap Company is unique because I infuse my product line with all of my passions: baseball, punk rock, feminism, pop culture. I’ve created “soap portraits” of Joan Jett, The Ramones, David Ortiz, The Beastie Boys, Dinosaur Jr. and The Pixies. I graduated from art school in 1989 and I guess it took me a couple of decades to figure out that soap is my medium!

What are some of your favorites at Stella Marie?

The best thing about owning a soap business is that I have a revolving soap door in my shower. I love Grapefruit Moon. It’s a little citrus and a little floral, all at the same time. Very girly. I also enjoy Clockwork Orange. It’s definitely got the orange thing happening, but it doesn’t blow you over with it. It’s light and happy. I am also a big fan of De La Soap (oatmeal, milk and honey). It’s a “comfort soap.”

What other products do you make?

I make sugar and salt body scrubs, fizzing bath powder, lip balm, massage bars and whipped shea body butter. My entire line is made by hand, from scratch. I am a big believer in keeping product simple and fresh, using ingredients that nourish your skin. It’s much better for you and it’s a green alternative to the main stream.

Want some handmade bliss? We’ll send one lucky winner a Stella Marie Forbidden Fruit Gift Set. Here’s what it includes:

(1) The Bad Seed (Apple Soap with Crushed Apricot Seed Exfoliant)
(1) Blinding Melon (Honeydew Melon Soap)
(1) No Sugar Tonight (Tangerine and Lime)
(1) Lemon Head Lip Balm (Tangy Lemon)
(1) Pink Grapfruit Salt Soak

Leave a comment to enter. One comment per person. Open to residents of the United States and Canada. Winner will be announced Wednesday, May 27th. Good luck!