“Our business is protecting yours.” Old Craft Arts

from 2009 December Lake Highlands

Three Yellow Starfish

Let the scent of plum and lemongrass mingle with those aromatic “chestnuts roasting on an open fire” this season, when you give gifts of handcrafted soaps, scrubs, balms and other body treats from neighbor Kim Godlewski’s Old Craft Arts collection.

Godlewski, who says her husband encouraged her to start the business, makes the sort of soaps you want to display and never use — they are chunks of soft, sudsy and fragrant stained glass.

She works closely with customers to create personalized gifts from natural ingredients.

“Someone might want a certain style and smell. I’ll find out what they want, and I can custom-make things. I really enjoy making gifts with unique packaging and labeling that makes it personal,” she says.

Think Outside The Gift Box

“I research and purchase all high-quality ingredients and packaging. I don’t add a product until I’ve figured out if it’s safe, effective, and the cost will be reasonable for my customers.”

Godlewski enjoys brilliant colors and intoxicating scents —“soap can add color and fragrance to our lives,” she says — but her most popular items are color-free, scent-free Oatmeal Milk and Honey products (hint: makes a good “guy gift” because men also need to moisturize, but sans the flowery aura).