Photo: Benedictine Sister Cathleen Marie Timberlake, OSB (right) and Leigh O’Donnell, executive director of the Handcrafted Soap & Cosmetic Guild at the organization’s annual conference in Reno, Nevada. Sister Cathleen Marie was honored for her many years of service to the guild and the industry of handcrafted soap making.
Benedictine Sister Cathleen Marie Timberlake, OSB, attended the Handcrafted Soap & Cosmetic Guild (HSCG) conference in early May in Reno, Nevada.
The HSCG is the largest membership organization dedicated to the handcrafted soap and cosmetic industry, representing artisans, vendors and suppliers from around the world.
A member of the guild for more than two decades – and a former president – Sister Cathleen Marie has been making handcrafted soaps for 25 years. She is currently a member of the guild’s board of directors.
“This event is an opportunity to network and learn from others’ experiences – both the successes and the challenges of creating artisan products,” she said. “It’s also a time to build lasting friendships and connect with new suppliers.”
In keeping with her spirit of Benedictine hospitality and service, Sister Cathleen Marie played a welcoming role at the event, helping guide participants and answer questions. She also directed the Makers Showcase booth in the vendor area, where attendees submitted their products to be recognized for excellence by peers and juried panels.
Though she has attended many HSCG conferences over the years, this one ended with an unexpected and heartfelt moment.
On the final evening, during the banquet and awards ceremony, Sister Cathleen Marie was honored for her years of dedication and leadership in the industry.
“It was so touching and moving to see longtime friends in the industry take the stage to share memories of me,” she said. “It was an evening I will never forget.”
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