The Country Soaper

Elin Criswell is a fourth-generation Texas soapmaker of Swedish descent. Her Mom's old-fashioned soap was a fixture in their household when she was growing up and she still cherishes her Mom's old washboard.

Her parents instilled in her a strong love of their Swedish heritage on both sides of the family and an appreciation for ways of old. The Swedes are known to be a very practical, inventive and creative people and Elin benefited greatly from the creativity of her Mom.

Elin first experimented with soap making in the early 1990's, lost interest, only to regain it again after buying handcrafted soap at a July 4, 2000, arts & crafts show. She's been making soap ever since.

Like so many other soapmakers, she reached a point where it wasn't enough just to make soap for family and friends. So in 2003, she launched her soap business, The Country Soaper. She now sells her handcrafted soap through wholesale accounts throughout the great state of Texas and she enjoys selling at occassional arts & craft shows.

She loves to talk soap to all and any who will listen and especially enjoys teaching the soap making craft to others. Her interest in writing predates her interest in soap making. She has written soap making articles that have been published in Hill Country Magazine and in online newsletters.

Her other favorite activities include amateur photography, long country drives and greeting the sunrise with coffee cup in hand.

She lives in Central Texas with the love of her life, her husband Danny, and their children. They live out in the country, away from her city roots.

Elin & Danny Criswell
Fall, 2001
The Original Country Soaper Photo