Soap and Scissors

Back in 2015, I was "diagnosed" with Lyme Disease; it was not a firm medical diagnosis that was embraced with positive treatments and healing, but more so one that fit with my symptoms.

I was forced take a six-month medical leave from my Kindergarten teaching job as a result of my illness (where Fiskars scissors are a must!), and found non-traditional ways to deal with the many health issues that popped up along the way.

One of the steps I took towards healing was looking for ways to lighten the toxic load on my body. Various foods caused immense pain and brain fog issues, so that was relatively easy to address. But I also began looking at all the chemicals that I was subjecting my body to--from soap and deodorant to shampoos and perfume...any chemical that I could try to eliminate in my daily routine indicated a healthier me.

Finding products with less chemicals was a bit pricey, but I decided any improvement in my health was more important than a bulging wallet. And then my cousin taught me how to make soap--that was the beginning of my small soap business, and continued respect for Fiskars scissors.

After learning the basics of soap making from scratch, I began testing out and making my own recipes. I easily made hundreds of bars of soap, which I had to give away to family and friends because I had so much in my home! People loved my soap, and many would ask, "When are you going to start selling?" Selling soap was the farthest from my mind--I really was just doing it to give myself a product that I knew would be better for my health and also make others a bit happy when gifted with it.

But as the months went by, I figured, "Why not try to sell?" My husband helped me create a logo and get the legalities of registering my business ironed out. Shortly afterwards, I made a Facebook page and started to sell my soaps.

While I truly love creating my own soap recipes that utilize essential oils, herbs, botanicals and clays, I can easily say that wrapping my soaps is just as inspiring to me.

I use Fiskars scissors to cut my ribbons and tulle when I wrap my soap and I wouldn't use any other brand. As a classroom teacher, I knew how well they worked. In my 22 years of teaching in the classroom, I've never had to replace the students' scissors due to any malfunction issues or breakage. They consistently work, day in and day out. At the end of the school year, I quickly wash and dry them, and they are good to go for the next year.

When I began needing to wrap my soaps with more pizazz for a local store owner who sells my soap, I knew I needed to get Fiskars scissors for my business. I purchased two pairs, and sometimes I find they go missing in my house because someone else sneaks off with them!

My customers love my product, not only because of the quality and time I put into making it, but also because of the care I take in wrapping. The Fiskars blades easily cut my ribbons and tulle without tearing or damaging the fabrics, and I can always depend on them to work properly every time.

Fiskars scissors are a great product, and I am fortunate that my number one career has led me to utilize them in my number two career!

Joanna Teodosio

Kindergarten Teacher and Owner of Little Bird Soap LLC

North Haven, CT