At the Farmers' Market: Southern Butterflies

This summer Snellville Patch has featured a number of vendors at our local farmers' market. Today, meet Susan Durham, 40, of Southern Butterflies. She brings her jellies, handmade soaps and more to the Snellville Farmer's Market. See her there on Saturdays.

Patch: Tell us a little about your family.

Durham: I am 40 years old and have two daughters (ages 20 and 9).  I married my "Soldier Boy," as I call him. I met him right before he went into the Army, and I was getting ready to start my senior year in high school. We were supposed to get married after I graduated but we broke up instead. After 20 years of no contact, we reunited through the same mutual friend that introduced us 23 years ago and have been together ever since.

Patch: What city do you live in, and where is your company based?

Durham: I live in Stone Mountain, Ga., and my business in based in my home. I just launched my online store last week, so now my customers can place an order anytime. If they're local, they can pre-pay online and pick up their order at the or the at no additional charge. My online store is at www.SouthernButterflies.com/blog/products-page/.

Patch: When did you start your business, and what made you want to do it?
 
Durham: I started making soap 12 and half years ago. It's something I've always wanted to do. When I was in middle school and I had the house all to myself for a couple of hours, I decided to make some soap then. I found some old bars of hotel soap, broke it up, placed it in a pot with a little bit of water, and proceeded to heat it. Then I was frantically searching the house for a mold to put it in when it was melted. Well, I had a big mess. In 1999, I learned how to make a real batch of soap and have been doing it ever since.
 
Patch: What's the big deal about soap?

Durham: I love it. And, I love using it. I would never voluntarily use anything else on my skin. My youngest daughter has skin sensitivities so homemade soap is really great for her. She's never used anything but handmade soap. Real, homemade soap is the way to go. It's so much better for your skin than the storebought stuff. Nearly all of the storebought stuff is comprised of chemicals, surfactants, detergents, and even petroleum residues. The next time you go to the store, check out the labels on the "soap" aisle. You will see them labelled as "beauty bar," "cleansing bar," "antibacterial bar," "deodorant bar," etc. They can't call it "soap" because it is not soap.

Patch: What's in these soaps of yours?

Durham: My soaps are vegan soaps, using only quality vegetable fats, not animal fats. I sometimes add herbs, botanicals, clays, oatmeal, coconut milk to my soaps. I use skin-safe fragrance and/or essential oils to fragrance the soap. I have 30 plus fragrances available -- evidence of me being a "fragrance junkie." This is really when I started selling my soaps, to support my "habit". From there, I expanded my product line to include body butter, lip balm, bath salt, shaving soap, pre-shave oil, soap pockets, and other items.
 
Patch: What brought you to farmers markets and craft shows?

Durham: I have been doing craft shows for more than eight yearsm and I started doing farmers' markets last year (Lilburn and Snellville).  At the farmers' markets, I also offer homemade jams and jellies (even a sugar-free variety using agave nectar as the sweetener). I have fond memories of helping my grandmother with her canning when I was a child. I don't recall how old I was when I made my first batch of jelly.  I enjoy making jams and jellies (and canning in general), and I especially like the peace of mind of knowing that fresh, quality ingredients are used in making them. Many people have gotten away from eating real food.  Processed foods and fast foods have become so convenient. Fortunately, farmers' markets are becoming more popular and people are becoming more conscious of what they're eating.

Patch: How has business been?
 
Durham: Business is good. I have a lot of repeat customers, which tells me that they enjoy the quality of my products.  hose awesome customers are spreading the word and telling others about Southern Butterflies, as well. And, that's always a good thing!

Patch: What's it been like at the Snellville Farmers Market?
 
Durham: The Snellville Farmers' Market has been great!  I heard about that market when I was doing the Lilburn Farmers' Market last year. I had heard from other vendors and customers that it was a good market so I applied for it and was accepted shortly thereafter.  It is well organized and the volunteers are so friendly. I really like that there is not a lot of duplication of vendors with similar products.  There is a nice assortment of all kinds of products and produce available at the Snellville Farmers' Market.  It's a relaxing way for customers to spend their Saturday mornings and purchase fresh produce, pasta, meat, salsa, pastries, and many other things, as well.

Patch: Do you have any friends or family who help you?
 
Durham: My husband is a huge help to me! He helps me prepare the produce to make the jams and jellies, and he also helps me polish all the soap. Once we're at the market, he helps me set up, he runs the booth for me when I want to walk around, and he helps me tear down and unload. (He actually does most of the tearing down and all of the unloading.) My youngest daughter comes with us, too. She really enjoys seeing her friends at the market and petting the people's dogs that they bring with them.

Patch: If those friends and family could describe you to others, what would they say about you?
 
Durham: In a word: busy. I think they would say that I am knowledgeable about the items I offer, and that I'm driven to make the best product that I can. I think they would also say that I have a passion for what I do, and I enjoy interacting with people and sharing that passion with them.