Bluffton entrepreneur Holly Craycraft recently opened a brick and mortar shop for hand + home at 622 S Main St, Findlay. The Icon asked her a few questions about how this new phase of her goat milk soap and lotion business came to be.

Tell us about yourself and hand + home co. 
Hi! I am Holly Craycraft, and I own hand + home co. I live in Bluffton, where I have a small herd of dairy goats that I raise and milk to make goat’s milk soaps and lotions. I just opened a brick and mortar shop in downtown Findlay that expands upon my farm business.

In the shop, you can find goods and gifts made by over 30 makers and artists. About 90% of the handmade goods are from Ohio. You can find the full line of my products there plus everything from home décor items to handmade accessories to pottery to ethically-sourced coffee and ohio-grown tea. There is something for everyone!

How long have you lived in the area?
I moved to Bluffton in 2019 to be with my partner. He has a cow dairy farm here. So raising livestock is something we both really have a passion for. I grew up in the Greater Cincinnati area and then lived in Athens, Ohio for 15 years after going to college at Ohio University and then getting a job there. 

What did you do before starting this business?
Before this, I worked full-time for Ohio University. I still work for the university remotely, but I am working reduced hours during the holiday season. I’ve always had the pull to do something that challenged my creative side. hand + home co. has been a daydream of mine for a long time!

When did you start your business?
I officially started hand + home co. in 2020 when I began doing craft shows and maker’s markets with my goat’s milk soaps and lotions. Prior to that I was just making stuff for myself and friends and family. 

What came first, the chicken or the egg? (The goats or the soap, lotion, and candles?)
The goats definitely came first! I got my first three goats in 2017. It was a slippery slope from there! I knew that I wanted goats to be a part of my little homestead and ultimately wanted to raise them for milk for myself. When I started making soaps and lotions I had so much fun coming up with new creations that I knew pretty quickly that it was something I could see myself doing for a living, and the products were so good, I wanted to share them with everyone.

Is your herd growing? Do you breed goats?
It is! I raise the Nigerian Dwarf breed. I was only milking two at first and now I am milking seven. Every season, so far, I have completely used the entire milk supply for the business so I keep saying, “I NEED MORE GOATS!” In the last two years, I’ve added five females to keep up with the demand. Recently, I have added a couple to the herd that come from better milking lineage. I wasn’t so concerned with that at first when I just wanted a few backyard milkers, but now I am focusing more on breeding goats with better milking genetics. Each spring I also have some goat kids that I sell. 

How has your product line developed over time?
I started out making a bunch of different recipes I found online and researching the ingredient properties. From there, I kept what I liked about each and adjusted the recipe. My base recipe hasn’t changed, but I am always trying new natural additives like clays and herbs to enhance the bars or play on a fragrance combination. I have definitely upped my packaging and branding game over the last couple years. I put a lot of thought into that aspect, and want people to feel like they are getting experience when they are unboxing and using hand + home co. goods. I think you’ll notice that vibe and attention to detail when you come into the shop as well. The makers that are featured in the shop also put those kinds of special touches into their products. I love when the everyday products we use are also beautiful. That just does something great for my mood.

Tell us about your new location and the neighborhood.
The shop is in downtown Findlay on Main Street across from the Hancock Hotel. When I saw the space become available, I knew it was the perfect fit for what I wanted to do. There are two great boutiques on either side of my shop, so I think the block is just adorable. I’ve been looking for retail space either in Bluffton or Findlay for the last year. It was really important to me to find a space that was part the historic downtown area. I love the Main Street charm and for shoppers to be able to walk from boutique to boutique.

Can folks still shop online and at craft shows?
Right now, you can shop all of my goat’s milk products and candles as usual on my site. In the new year, I hope to launch a new site with all of the products in the shop. There are a couple craft shows and markets that I really adore and hope to still be a part of in the future. Maybe this time next year I will be able to have a couple employees so I can do both!

What’s your 5-year plan?
My focus is growing my farm business and continuing to support other handmade makers and artists in the shop. My products are also in four other retail shops across Ohio and Kentucky. I plan to keep expanding that aspect of the business. I’m also very interested in collaborating with AirBnBs and Bed & Breakfast type places to create custom soaps and lotions for their guests. Hopefully in five years I’ll have double or triple the goats!  

Do you have a favorite product or aspect of the business?
I love everything about it–raising goats, making soaps, building connections with customers–every aspect is rewarding in its own way. With the shop, I think that is what makes it so special. Every maker in there is creating what they are passionate about and putting out a unique product that they truly believe in. And, I just have so much appreciation for the dedication and hard work that goes into running a small handmade business. I am really honored and excited to share the space with these makers and with the community.

hand + home holiday hours:

Monday - Closed

Tuesday - 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

Wednesday - 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

Thursday 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

Friday 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

Saturday 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Sunday 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.