Maker: Lisa of Sweetcream

One of the first packets of papers we were handed after our first daughter was born contained the number for the local fire department, police department and poison control. Being a “relaxed” type mom, I set all those numbers aside – sure that I wouldn’t need them… Fast forward four years, and the poison control number is duct taped to the fridge, and they almost know me by name. Thankfully, almost all of my calls to them have been for relatively harmless ingestions. There was the desiccant package that she ate while I was on the phone, the sunblock she drank while we were on vacation, the antiperspirant she chewed on while I was nursing her brother, and our one legitimate scare of overdosing on the prescribed fluoride early one morning. Each time I called, I just kept thinking to myself, “why in the world do I have these things around the house that are marked as ‘dangerous if swallowed’? I mean, I was living in fear that during one of my many calls, I was going to be red-flagged as a negligent mom because my eldest had a propensity to put ev-ery-thing in her mouth. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that I went through all we had and tossed anything that could cause harm to my curious babies, but I did think twice about the things that I bought, and if they were going to be dangerous to my little ones’ curious tasting adventures. I slowly switched over to cleaning products made with less toxic ingredients, and body products that I felt okay putting on myself and my kids. I have a long way to go still, but I love finding products like Lisa’s Sweetcream line. She has the desire to create products that anyone can feel good about using. Check out Lisa, and her amazing (and inspiring) story of her handmade business.

{Angie}

 

Please introduce yourself.

My name is Lisa Allison. I was born and raised in Sonoma County, California. After marrying my husband, we moved to Toronto, Canada for nearly a decade, and recently returned to California. I love it here and I’m so happy to be home!

What do you make or do?

I created a line of organic skin care products called Sweetcream. My line includes many different bath and body products, including face wash, body cream, bar soap, sugar scrubs, lip balm, anti-aging serums, and more. I also created products specifically for babies and expecting mothers.

Where can we find your creations?

Sweetcream products are available online at www.sweetcreamorganic.com

They can also be found at Tranzitions Organic Salon in Toronto, ON and will be carried in a few select Santa Rosa salons in the near future.

Is there an interesting story behind the name of your business? I started making products for myself in 2010 after several years of struggling through infertility. My fertility doctor told me to make careful choices regarding the types of products I was using, as many commercial products contain chemicals that disrupt hormonal balance and contribute to fertility issues. That warning sent me on a quest to understand what I was putting on my skin. The more I learned, the clearer it became that there wasn’t much on the market that was truly pure and natural. So I began developing simple formulas in my kitchen and using my creations daily. Friends and family started using my products, and a small home business was born. I chose the name Sweetcream because I make products that treat our bodies sweetly. And, I love when bath and body products smell so good, they seem almost edible.

When you’re not making things, what do you do?

My full-time job in life is raising our little miracle, a 20 month old boy named Judah. But every chance I get, I’m whipping up more products, answering emails, filling and shipping orders, and informing anyone who will listen about the dangers of commercially manufactured bath and body products.

Is creativity a luxury or a necessity for you?

Creating Sweetcream products is both a luxury and a necessity for me. It is my sole source of income at this time, which makes it a necessity. But I recognize that it is also a luxurious privilege to have the support of a hardworking and devoted husband who believes in what I do, even when it’s clear that I could be making more money elsewhere.

What’s on the horizon for you and what you do?

In the future, I’d like to expand the Sweetcream line to include more products, especially mineral makeup, deodorant, and sunscreen. I’d love to see Sweetcream products on more store shelves too!

What inspiring advice would you give to other creatives be they established or just starting out?

My advice to aspiring creatives is to just keep. on. creating. There are always obstacles, but the world needs more people who are living their passion. If it’s in you, share it.

Who are the makers that inspire you?

I am inspired by Charity Chain at Lil Hipsters, who creates a huge variety of fabulous pieces for babies. She makes what she loves, and that’s what I aspire to always do.

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