The Massachusetts sustainable sales network has recently recognized Artifact Soapworks – a company belonging to blacks based in Cambridge – as one of the most concerned with the Massachusetts environment.
The company belongs to the resident of Cambridge, Barbara A. Thomas, who manufactures and sells soaps from organic biodegradable ingredients. Thomas was one of the seven owners of Small Companies in Massachusetts to receive a prize for 2024 Sustainable Business Award earlier this month. The SBN, which grants the price each year, is a non -profit organization which focuses on the creation of a greener local economy.
Thomas said that she was “shocked” and “proud” to have won a 2024 sustainable sales prize.
“I did not know that a small business as small as mine, not to mention someone who worked in their studio, was on the radar for such a prestigious price,” said Thomas. “Because the types of people who win this price are farms or indigenous shells or people with brick and mortar.”
Thomas gets soap ingredients through farms and local companies. She buys olive oil and shea butter from Catania oils, a family business in Ayer, Massachusetts. It also practices sustainable production, often using manual tools to limit its carbon footprint.
Thomas said that his passion for the creation of soap had started during his time by studying integrated chemical genius as a student at the early 1990s. One of his teachers offered additional credit to students who have Executed project treatment projects outside the class – and one of these projects was the creation of soap.
“I decided to do soap and started giving it to my family and friends during the Christmastime,” said Thomas. “Just like when you have a fruit cake that you give – something traditional and delicious or only expected during the holiday season in December.”
After her family started broadcasting their soap to their friends and family in New York, Thomas said that she had decided to transform artifact soaps into LLC.
True to its name, Artifact SoapWorks mainly sells soaps in the forms of famous characters and statues – including models of soap from the Venus de Willendorf, Gargouilles and Buddha.
“Anyone can make square soap, but I like to make soaps that look like artifacts,” said Thomas.
Not only are Thomas soaps shaped by mussels – they are shaped by Thomas’ values and life experiences. She said that she strives to be honest with her customers, to use clean and mainly vegan ingredients and to use principles of chemical genius to design soaps that are good for the environment and people who use them.
“There are all these other companies that make square soap and promise,” said Thomas. “I just say to people my soap will clean you.”
In addition to the creation of soap, Thomas teaches people how to make their own soap in order to publicize the environmental impact of soap use.
“Some of the people who follow my class start their own soap business,” said Thomas. “And I say to myself:” You do not need to subcontract towards other countries, there are local places here that you can use and it is the best way to learn to save water or to molds of upcycle soap. “”
Artefact SoapWorks also participated in the pop-up of the month in black history at Harvard Square at the beginning of the month. Thomas said that it was a good opportunity to present his online activities, as well as other companies belonging to blacks, to the local community.
“February serves as an annual vital commemoration which recognizes and celebrates the deep contributions of the black diaspora,” said Thomas.
Thomas says that pop-up also aware of the challenges of being a black business owner, especially in an expensive area like Cambridge.
“This month, meeting as black business owners, or simply recognizing the month of black history, it serves as a catalyst for difficult but necessary conversations on systemic racism, both historically and current “Said Thomas.
“Me, by choice, I decided to be a home business, but some people do not make pop-ups by choice,” added Thomas. “They want a store and they are looking for something they can afford near their home here in Cambridge.”
– The staff editor Kevin Zhong can be reached at Kevin.zhong@thecrimson.com.
– editor Jaya N. Karamcheti can be contacted at jaya.karamcheti@thecrimson.com.