Megan O'Keefe of Blushie
September 05, 2009 | By
It doesn't take long to find out Megan, the creator of Blushie, is a fun, adventurous, free spirit. If she could live anywhere in the world, Megan says, “Ideally, I’d have a sort of “home base” and spend the rest of my time traveling the world.”
She believes that high-quality, natural skin care should be luxurious and fun all at the same time. "My products are designed to make every shower and bath a spa experience." Let's find out more:
Name: Megan O’Keefe
Shop Name: Blushie
Location: In and about chilly San Francisco, CA.
How did you come up with the name of your shop?
You ask that like I have an answer that will make sense. Really, I had absolutely no clue what I wanted to call my soap store. I had a few basic criteria: that it was short, fun, and in no way had “soap” in it. It started out as Blush Beauty, but I felt that was really just a cheat around the whole “no soap in it” thing, and it got shortened and pushed around until Blushie was born. Apparently Blushie is also the name of an old My Little Pony. I assure you, no ponies were harmed in the making of my soap.
Tell us a bit about your craft/medium
I started out just making vegetable oil and butter based soaps, but have since branched off into other related products. Any sort of creation that involves formulating gets me seriously excited. I’m all about diving into some serious research regarding every single ingredient I want to use, and then balancing them to create the perfect product.
Why did you choose it?
Because I get to wear safety gear that makes me look like the mad scientist I truly am. And I can do a seriously awesome Darth Vader impression in that respirator!
Did someone teach you?
No one in particular, I started out with a seriously old book and ran with it from there.
What is the most difficult part of your craft?
After I’ve painstakingly gone over every little ingredient I want to put into a creation, and then gone ahead and made the thing, the worst part begins: waiting! Handmade soaps, scrubs, and lip balms all have their own “cure” time, and any lotions or products containing water must be challenge tested.
What are your most productive times?
The middle of the night seems to be when I really get into things. Although it may be the witching hour when I’m in full swing, I promise I don’t lean over my soap pot saying things like “bubble bubble, toil and trouble.” At least, not all the time. A girl’s gotta keep things fresh.
Where can we find your work?
On ArtFire Blushie.artfire.com, Blushie.com, on Etsy Blushie.Etsy.com, and various retailers throughout Northern California.
What has been your most successful marketing technique?
Babbling incessantly at anyone who will listen to me about soap. Okay, maybe not, but I sure wish it were. I have seemed to get the best results from just offering the best product and customer service I possibly can- word of mouth works wonders.
What kind of music do you listen to (if any) when you create?
Rock & roll of course! This soap maker rides a Harley!
How about some of your favorites?
color? Purple, green, & black
food? Chicken tikka masala, yum!
movie? Fight Club, of course.
Do you have a favorite handmade item that you like to buy for yourself?
I practically live in the clothes made by the fabulous Emily McBride, Ureshii on Etsy. They are the most comfortable, well-made and well-fitting clothes I’ve ever had the honor to prance around in. And when I want to fancy things up, Deb over at Xiztance has single-handedly contributed to at least half of my jewelry box. I can’t get enough of these two ladies’ creations.
Do you have a favorite item that you have made?
My first year in college, I had a mythology class in which the final project was to make something “creative” from a myth. I went a little overboard, and did this obscenely detailed paper-mache mask of the Cyclops from the Odyssey, complete with a huge glassy eye. It’s perfectly horrendous, I love it!
Where do you get inspiration from?
Since most of my creations are based on scent and color, I use locations and old myths to gain inspiration. For example, Hazelnut Cocoa was created after sipping the best hot chocolate of my life in Florence, Italy.
What do you do when you get a creative block?
Read something by a writer I admire, such as Sir Terry Pratchett or William Gibson.
What’s your supply addiction; is there a specific color or type of supply you just can’t pass up?
Fragrances! Oh boy, if I was given my way my customer’s heads would spin from the sheer amount of scents I’d have to offer. I also have a very, very soft spot for anything with a good, strong vanilla note.
What is the best thing and the worst thing about being your own boss?
Best thing: I get to make a mess creating whe
never I want. Worst thing: I make me clean up after myself, how rude is that?
Do you belong to any clubs, groups or guilds?
I’m lucky enough to belong to an amazing group of people in the Alchemy guild here on ArtFire. We all met on a soap making forum, although many craft jewelry and other lovely things, and it’s been an honor to share conversation with these women.
Photos are courtesy of Megan O'Keefe
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