Article content Over the past few years, Crystal Ritchie has expanded her product line beyond soaps. Brooke VeinotArticle contentWhen creating skin care with goat milk, rather than distilled water, the components of the dairy all behave differently in these processes due to fatty acids, sugars, protein and mineral contents.Article contentTo further her knowledge, Ritchie took a soap-making course and applied previous compounding knowledge, along with knowledge of her current role in the dairy industry, like milking cows, to develop specific formulas which compose her line of products.Article contentThe most popular item made and sold is the Oatmeal, Milk & Honey Goat Milk bar soap — crafted with ground oatmeal, Nova Scotian honey and a subtle fragrance to complement it. Its smell, sudsy lather, and gentle cleansing keep customers returning for more, she notes.Article content With a growing demand for local, natural and gentle skincare, Crystal Ritchie is focusing on growing her product line with these needs in mind. Brooke VeinotArticle contentGoats and familyArticle contentFor Ritchie, the best part of operating Tidal Ridge Farm is how fulfilling it is to care for and watch her herd of goats grow and thrive, with her family beside her helping to tend to the lifestyle of farming.Article contentAnother rewarding part is caring for the goats. For does to produce milk, they must kid, so that means strategic breeding programs and rearing goat kids regularly throughout the year to ensure a steady supply of dairy while ensuring a healthy approach to how often the does are conceiving.Article contentArticle content Crystal Ritchie with her herd of goats. Brooke VeinotArticle contentThe most challenging part of the business, however, is simply time management. As a mother of two, operating a farm at home and also working for another farm throughout the week, along with ensuring products are made with adequate stock and cured in time — soap requires a minimum of four weeks to cure — staying organized and proactive with stock poses the most challenges for her, she says.Article contentAside from the farming side of the business, connecting with people at markets, receiving feedback and return customers is an incredibly rewarding part of the business.Article content Using nourishing goat milk, Crystal Ritchie creates gentle and luxurious skin care products, soothing bath soaks, and moisturizing lip balms. Brooke VeinotArticle contentFinding inspirationArticle contentRitchie often likes to experiment with scents and colours of bar soap. Inspiration typically comes from the season.Article content“I have a selection of formulas and scents that stay on my roster permanently; however, I like to experiment and explore new scents and designs with the season in order to offer customers other varieties that suit well for gifting, be it Christmas or Mother’s Day,” she says.Article contentArticle contentShe also creates custom orders for local Airbnb properties, working with the property owner to develop a specific smell, look, and label to appeal to their vision and guests.Article contentShe also takes custom orders for special events, including baby/wedding showers, wedding favours and corporate event favours. She works with the client one-on-one, gathering event decor and colours to create a custom favour and labelling that best suits their guest experience.Article content Her strong understanding of the needs of sensitive skin helped Crystal Ritchie develop her product line. Brooke VeinotArticle contentSometimes these custom orders also turn into interesting collaborations and new products.Article contentAn interesting product Ritchie developed in collaboration with a local yarn shop is a Lanolin Wool Wash. This product came to life after speaking with a shop associate of Fibre Haven in Canning, N.S., as she was searching for a local, natural, wool wash option to bring into the store. The Lanolin Wool Wash is a solid bar soap formulated specifically for fibre artists so they can cleanse and nourish their woolen garments. It is crafted with 20 per cent lanolin, which is naturally derived from wool-bearing animals to protect and waterproof their wool. In a wool wash, the lanolin moisturizes and protects the natural wool fibres used to craft garments.
MEET THE MAKERS: Herd of goats prompts NS maker to create line of soaps for sensitive skin
