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When Bernie Baskin and his wife, Yvonne Quek set out to establish an online marketplace featuring Arkansas-made products, they knew that telling the stories of the people behind those products would be a main focus of their efforts. Their website, MAAYDE, is already making a big splash in the state, and is ready to take on the world and show them what can be done with a clear vision, deep passion, and a big scoop of Arkansas ingenuity.
Just like Bernie and Yvonne, Only in Arkansas loves telling stories about the people, places, and things that make Arkansas an amazing place to live and work. We’re teaming up with MAAYDE to bring you a collection of stories about some of their makers, and to encourage you to share the stories and their website. We know that Arkansas is full of awesomeness, but we also know there are folks out there who need to see for themselves.
Photo credit: MAAYDE
CREEKBABY – Misty Duffy, Yellville
When she relocated to northwest Arkansas from New York City as a corporate marketing executive for global beauty brands, she never expected to find herself in rural Yellville walking barefoot in a creek and making her own beauty products. But sometimes, you get lucky.
Misty’s brand, called CreekBaby was created three years ago, but she only launched it commercially in February of this year. It was born, about the same time as her daughter, after she did some research and discovered her beauty routine was full of chemicals. CreekBaby products are all natural, down to the water Misty hauls out of a mineral-rich, spring-fed creek near her home.
Although there are a lot of “natural” products on the market, Misty believes CreekBaby’s simple style and small list of ingredients set hers apart. “When I started researching all-natural skin care remedies I was overloaded with the complexity of the market and long, so-called “organic” ingredient listings on packages. Our products are all-natural, organic, and we list the ingredients on the front of the packaging. Because we don’t use fillers, most of our items have less than three ingredients.”
Look for a face powder from CreekBaby scheduled to be on the market in May, and an organic sunscreen cream in June.
Photo credit: MAAYDE
LARKMARTIN SOAPS – Briana Moore, Hot Springs
What began as a way to save a little money on cleaning products has turned into a successful cottage business. As many makers do, Briana thought her hobby would simply provide a little extra income and allow her to stay home with her children, but when she began selling her soap at a local farmer’s market, suddenly making soap was no longer a hobby.
Briana admits that she has always enjoyed making things with her hands. “I started out in 2004 sewing purses and pouches, silk screening cards, needle-felting…” she says, “I was drawn to all types of materials and love to try out new ideas, materials and projects. I’ve had to reel myself in, with the idea that I can’t do it all!”
Like Misty, Briana also hauls buckets of spring water to her home studio. “I love that I am able to put out a quality product that people enjoy. I hadn’t considered what I’m be doing if I wasn’t making soap, I haven’t looked for other opportunities.”
Keep an eye out for a retail location and coffee roasting business Briana and her family hope to open in a 1800s bungalow they are currently renovating.
Photo credit: MAAYDE
KIND FOLKE – Kayce Johnson, Little Rock
As a teen, Kayce’s sensitive skin led her to move away from commercial skin care and dabble in making products for herself and her friends. She developed a passion for the study of herbalism and spent ten years learning all she could about the field, including spending time with noted Ozark herbalist, Elle D’coda.
Her ingredients are simple and, often, homegrown. A fellow yoga practitioner provides farm-fresh sage, rosemary comes from her mom’s garden, and the honey and beeswax are from local beekeepers. “I try to incorporate local products when available and use organic ingredients,” says Kayce. “I use mostly thick glass bottles that I encourage people to reuse or bring back so they can be reused. I try to be as environmentally friendly as I can and minimize packaging waste.”
All of the products are made in small batches, and Kayce considers the process to be her artistic passion. “It brings me great joy to know that Kind Folke products are helping people feel better. Encouraging people to develop a natural, environmentally friendly routine and helping them connect more to nature – to help them become more aware of what they put on and in their bodies – is really important to me.”
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