Hello! I'm Kelli Cole and I am so happy you found me! I’ve been making soap since 2008, back when I ran my Etsy shop under the name Desert Soapstone. What started as a creative experiment quickly turned into a full soapmaking business, with my products finding their way into homes across the world — including Japan, Lebanon, France, Britain, and Italy.

Through that experience, I came to understand soapmaking not just as a craft, but as a business, a discipline, and a deeply satisfying creative outlet. I know what it’s like to formulate products people love, to troubleshoot batches under pressure, and to build something with your own hands that others are willing to pay for and share with their families.

Over time, my focus shifted from selling alone to teaching and mentoring. Today, I love helping others navigate their own soapmaking journeys — whether they’re creating meaningful gifts for friends and family or developing products they hope to sell. Watching someone gain confidence in their process and pride in their work is just as rewarding as making soap myself.

Outside of the studio, my professional background is in holistic health. My day-to-day work centers on supporting individuals dealing with stress-related metabolic challenges, and I’ve written two books on health and wellness, with plans for a future book dedicated entirely to soapmaking. I’ve also developed educational programs such as 7 Health Myths Keeping You Sick and The Metabolic Mastery Blueprint, which reflect my love of teaching and systems-based learning.

Soapmaking, for me, is where everything quiets down. I love the scents, the colors, the creative process — and the fact that at the end of the day, I’ve made something tangible that my whole family can enjoy. It’s grounding, expressive, and endlessly interesting.

The Soapmaker’s Studio Circle was created to share that experience — the knowledge, the creativity, and the steady learning — in a way that’s supportive, practical, and enjoyable. This is a space for soapmakers to grow without pressure, ask real questions, and build confidence one batch at a time..