Maryland based handcrafted soap and body care brand earns top recognition from The Maryland Small Business Examiner for its natural ingredients, deeply personal origin story, and the upcoming opening of a new shop location in Dundalk
MARYLAND. Handmade Soaps by Miss Wanda, the artisan soap and body care brand built around natural ingredients and a deeply personal mission, has been named the Best Handmade Soaps in Maryland for 2026 by The Maryland Small Business Examiner as part of its annual Best of Maryland Small Business Awards program.
The recognition celebrates one of the most genuinely heart driven small businesses in Maryland’s growing handmade goods scene. Founded by Wanda, a Maryland teacher and mother whose journey into soap making began as a search for natural skincare solutions for her autistic son, Handmade Soaps by Miss Wanda has grown into a beloved brand offering bar soaps, body care, home and accessory items, seasonal products, and custom and gift services.
A Brand Born from a Mother’s Search for Something Better
What sets Handmade Soaps by Miss Wanda apart from mass produced soap brands is the authenticity of its origin story. As Wanda shares on her website, her years of searching for natural solutions for her autistic son’s delicate skin led her to discover the perfect blend of ingredients and care. That discovery became the foundation of every soap in her line.
The brand’s tagline says it plainly: “Skincare should be a moment of grace and serenity.” Each handcrafted soap is designed to transform skincare into a ritual of grace and serenity, inspired by timeless beauty and the small, daily moments of self care that working mothers, busy parents, and anyone with sensitive skin deserve. The product line spans bar soaps in a wide array of fragrances, body care including coffee exfoliating scrubs and body butter, dish soap sets that customers say leave hands soft instead of dry, and even specialty intimate care products.
A Loyal Customer Following
Customers who have followed Wanda’s journey describe her with a warmth that is rare even in the handmade goods space. One reviewer calls Wanda “a joy to be around,” noting how friendly and responsive she is with every customer interaction. Another customer, who has been buying her products for years, says they “seem to get better every time,” a sentence that captures exactly the kind of evolution and care that defines a true craft business.
Customers also frequently note Wanda’s full story, the same one that shaped the brand: a teacher, a mother of a son who needs round the clock care, a small business owner who built something meaningful in the space between her many roles. As one reviewer put it, “Let’s take care of the hard working mothers who also have great products.”
A Wide Range of Products and Custom Gift Services
Beyond the core bar soap line, Handmade Soaps by Miss Wanda offers a thoughtfully curated catalog that has expanded steadily over time. Body care products include scrubs and body butters formulated with the same natural philosophy as the soaps. Home and accessory items, jewelry, loofah sets, and mini bags round out the in person shopping experience. Seasonal products are released throughout the year, with holiday and gift collections that have become a favorite for shoppers looking for something genuinely handmade.
The brand’s custom and gift services are a particular highlight. Wanda offers custom soap favors for weddings, bridal showers, and special events, along with gift cards and personalized self care boxes for holidays like Mother’s Day. For Maryland shoppers who want to give a gift that supports a small business and feels personal, Handmade Soaps by Miss Wanda has become a go to source.
A New Location Coming to Dundalk
In an exciting development for the brand, Wanda has announced that Handmade Soaps by Miss Wanda will be moving into a new “She Shed Shop” location in the Dundalk area by the end of May 2026, with extended hours for in person customers. The website will continue running for online orders, local customers can still make pickups, and new soaps and restocked favorites are being added regularly. For Maryland shoppers in Baltimore County, the new shop offers a chance to meet Wanda in person, browse her full line, and experience firsthand the warmth that her customers consistently describe.
Recognition Earned Through a Genuinely Personal Mission
“Handmade Soaps by Miss Wanda represents exactly what this award was created to recognize,” said a spokesperson for The Maryland Small Business Examiner. “A small business built from a mother’s love, a teacher’s discipline, and an artisan’s eye for natural ingredients and beautiful craftsmanship. Wanda has built something truly her own, and the loyalty of her customers speaks louder than anything we could say. Maryland is fortunate to have her, and she has earned every bit of this recognition.”
Handmade Soaps by Miss Wanda was selected for the 2026 Best of Maryland Small Business Award in recognition of exceptional handcrafted soap and body care, outstanding small batch artistry, and commitment to Maryland’s handmade goods community.
About Handmade Soaps by Miss Wanda
Handmade Soaps by Miss Wanda is a Maryland based handcrafted soap and body care brand founded by Wanda, a Maryland teacher and mother. The brand offers bar soaps, body care, home and accessory items, seasonal products, gift cards, and custom soap favors for weddings and special events. A new in person shop location is opening in the Dundalk area by the end of May 2026.
For inquiries, custom orders, or general questions, call 443.760.5811, email handmadebymisswanda@hotmail.com, or visit www.misswandashop.com. Follow Handmade Soaps by Miss Wanda on Facebook and on Instagram @handmadebymisswanda.
About the Best of Maryland Small Business Awards
The Best of Maryland Small Business Awards, presented annually by The Maryland Small Business Examiner, recognize outstanding small businesses across the state for excellence in service, customer experience, and contribution to Maryland’s communities. Winners are selected through editorial review based on customer feedback, business reputation, longevity, and industry recognition.
For more information, visit mdsbexaminer.com.
MEDIA CONTACT: The Maryland Small Business Examiner 6340 Security Blvd, Ste 100 #1176 Baltimore, MD 21207 mdsbexaminer.com
