Meet Dee - The Hands Behind the Suds

Hi, I’m Dee Butcher—the face behind Urban Homesteader.

I’m an author, teacher, and soapmaker with a passion for homemade soap, slow living, and from-scratch skills. My journey into natural soapmaking began after the Christchurch earthquakes, when my husband and I rebuilt our lives and our garden from the ground up.

What started as a personal pursuit for self-sufficiency soon grew into something I felt called to share.

For over five years, I handcrafted soaps and sold them online, but it wasn’t long before people began asking if I taught soapmaking. That curiosity sparked a new chapter: becoming a teacher and author. Today, I write, teach, and craft soap with purpose—using only natural oils, botanical ingredients, and essential oils.

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Here, you can explore my soapmaking courses, shop my artisan soaps made with care, and discover my new book, The Art of Natural Soapmaking for Beginners. I believe in creating with intention, knowing exactly what goes on your skin, and helping others develop beautiful, practical skills to enrich their lives.