T&J Soap
Luxurious lather, mouthwatering scents, and unbeatable artisan quality – that’s what you get with T&J Soaps. In addition to honeysuckle, rose, cherry almond, lemongrass, lavender, and other fruity and herbal scents, you’ll find soaps featuring local beer, wine, and tea [– plus ingenious “TROY” soaps that look just like bricks]! And beyond soap bars, T&J offers bath bombs, liquid castile soaps, skin lotions, lip balms, and hand-poured soy candles. Redesigned this year: Goddess Intention Gemstone Candles feature beautiful blended scents, gorgeous jewel colors, and real semiprecious gem crystals (including amethyst, carnelian, or rose quartz) in long-burning.soy candles.
THERESA VAN DUYNE ’03, G’07
BS in art education | MSEd in teacher education
Founder and owner, T&J Soap
Troy, New York
In Theresa’s words:
I received both my undergraduate and graduate degrees from Saint Rose. I received my bachelor of science in art education with a sculpture concentration in 2003 and a master of science degree in professional teacher education in 2007. I utilize my degree in art education in everything that I make, straight down to label design. My education at Saint Rose has also helped me creatively adapt my small business model during covid-19 times.
While I have been making body products for over 10 years, I opened a small boutique in the center of historic Troy, New York, eight years ago. When customers come to my shop, they find a variety of artisan soaps, all made from scratch. There is something for everyone, as I make about 40 different varieties, including soaps made from local beer, wine, and tea. Customers will also find a variety of other body products, including lotions, bath bombs, soaks, and my hand-poured soy candles.
While I use traditional methods to create my body products, I like to keep things fun by consistently making new products. My customers will always find a wide range of scents in my shop. I make many traditional scents like lavender and oatmeal to more “pop” scents like ginger ale, cotton candy and oatmeal stout. Natural ingredients like turmeric, clay, parsley, activated bamboo charcoal and beetroot to are used to color my soaps. All of these are thought to have additional skin benefits. My soaps are luxurious, but affordable. They are healthy – I use only high-quality ingredients – all of which are paraben and sulfate free. Tested only on friends and family, most of my products can be considered 100% natural.
Everything is made in small controlled batches; customers often enjoy coming in my shop and watching me make my products. I love seeing the joy on their faces when they get excited about different scents. I also carry fine art and crafts by local artists. This allows me to support my community and bring more beauty to the world!
T&J Soap
271 River Street,
Troy, NY 12180.
Open Tuesday through Friday, 11-6,
and Saturday, 10:00-4:30 (curbside pickup offered during the pandemic)
518.272.2660
