Bleak Boutique

Stumped by all the options? We totally understand! We now offer soap samples in gift box form. This is a great way to sample a variety of scents without committing to a full bar, or makes a great gift for that hard-to-buy-for person in your life. 

Each box contains:
• Six random soap samples, labeled and individually wrapped
• A fancy box for easy gift-giving
• No duplicates in any one box

Each set is pre-wrapped for easy gift giving, or just to treat yourself.

The fine print: soap samples are the ends that remain after cutting soap loaves into bars, similar to the heels on a loaf of bread. They can vary in thickness. Some samples may be seasonal varieties that are only available for part of the year. Some samples may be closeout scents that are only available for a limited time and then discontinued. 

This handmade bar soap invokes an old cathedral in the forest with its heavy notes of incense, sandalwood and cedar. Subtle touches of sweet pipe tobacco and bourbon round out this intoxicating unisex scent. This soap is great for face or body, with a rich lather in a long-lasting, dense bar. Approximately 5 oz. 

Due to extremely high demand this item goes out of stock occasionally for short periods of time. We will notify you if your order processing is delayed.

Highlights: 
• Sustainably-Sourced Palm Oil
• Vegan

Full ingredients:
Saponified Oils (Olive Oil, Organic Palm Oil, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Shea Butter), Fragrance, Activated Charcoal, Iron Oxide

This handmade bar soap is scented with a blend of woodsy essential oils and a touch of smokey fragrance invoking a campfire in a forest. Generous amounts of activated charcoal maximize cleansing and detoxifying effectiveness. This soap is great for face or body, with a rich lather in a long-lasting, dense bar. Approximately 5 oz. 

Due to extremely high demand this item goes out of stock occasionally for short periods of time. We will notify you if your order processing is delayed.

Highlights: 
• All-Natural
• Sustainably-Sourced Palm Oil
• Vegan

Full ingredients:
Saponified Oils (Organic Palm Oil, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil), Fir Needle Essential Oil, Cedarwood Essential Oil, Activated Charcoal, Cade Essential Oil

This handmade bar soap features a fresh, exotic aroma with herbaceous lavender and notes of eucalyptus and sage. A classy, unisex scent. This soap is great for face or body, with a rich lather in a long-lasting, dense bar. Approximately 5 oz. 

Due to extremely high demand this item goes out of stock occasionally for short periods of time. We will notify you if your order processing is delayed.

Highlights: 
• Sustainably-Sourced Palm Oil
• Vegan
• Fair Trade

Full ingredients:
Saponified Oils (Olive Oil, Organic Palm Oil, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Shea Butter), Fragrance, Activated Charcoal, Kaolin Clay, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxide

This handmade bar soap is scented with a complex blend of sharp mountain air, earthy patchouli, musk, spice, tobacco and vanilla. This soap smells like a walk along a stream in a mountain forest. This soap is great for face or body, with a rich lather in a long-lasting, dense bar. Approximately 5 oz. 

Due to extremely high demand this item goes out of stock occasionally for short periods of time. We will notify you if your order processing is delayed.

Highlights: 
• All-Natural
• Sustainably-Sourced Palm Oil
• Vegan

Full ingredients:
Saponified Oils (Olive Oil, Organic Palm Oil, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Shea Butter), Fragrance, Titanium Dioxide, Kaolin Clay, Ultramarine, Chromium Oxide, Mica, Iron Oxide

This handmade bar soap's floral blend invokes a fabulous botanical garden in full bloom. Strong notes of lilac, gardenia, plumeria, lily and jasmine swirl throughout. This soap is great for face or body, with a rich lather in a long-lasting, dense bar. Approximately 5 oz. 

Due to extremely high demand this item goes out of stock occasionally for short periods of time. We will notify you if your order processing is delayed.

Highlights: 
• Sustainably-Sourced Palm Oil
• Vegan

Full ingredients:
Vegetable Oil Blend (Olive Oil, Organic Sustainable Palm Oil, Coconut Oil, Shea Butter), Water, Sodium Hydroxide, Fragrance, Titanium Dioxide, Ultramarines, Dye, Mica, Illite Clay, Kaolin Clay

A delightful blend of ripe pears and apples with a bit of cinnamon and redwood. Smells like fresh apple cider. This soap is great for face or body, with a rich lather in a long-lasting, dense bar. Approximately 5 oz. 

This soap is a Fall seasonal variety and sales are limited to remaining stock.

Highlights:
• Sustainably-Sourced Palm Oil
• Fair Trade
• Vegan

Full ingredients:
Saponified Oils (Olive Oil, Organic Palm Oil, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Shea Butter), Fragrance, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxide, Kaolin Clay

This handmade bar soap features a blend of two different cedarwood essential oils, pine, balsam and sandalwood to create a rich and complex scent like freshly cut lumber. A generous amount of pumice provides a great exfoliating scrub. This soap is great for face or body, with a rich lather in a long-lasting, dense bar. Approximately 5 oz. 

Due to extremely high demand this item goes out of stock occasionally for short periods of time. We will notify you if your order processing is delayed.

Highlights: 
• Sustainably-Sourced Palm Oil
• Vegan
• All-Natural

Full ingredients:
Saponified Oils (Olive Oil, Organic Palm Oil, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Shea Butter), Pumice, Natural Fragrance Oil Blend (Cedarwood Essential Oil, Limonene, Copaiba Balsam Essential Oil, Pine Essential Oil, Amyris Essential Oil, Cade Essential Oil), Iron Oxide

Seabeast is a soap inspired by the many faces of the ocean. This soap will whisk you away on a dive to the deep blue with icy notes of peppermint and menthol along with musky notes of warm amber and bourbon. Rich avocado oil will add back moisture which helps balance out the exfoliating pumice and bentonite clay that gives this soap its characteristic grit. This soap is great for face or body, with a rich lather in a long-lasting, dense bar. Approximately 5 oz. 

Due to extremely high demand this item goes out of stock occasionally for short periods of time. We will notify you if your order processing is delayed.

Highlights: 
• Sustainably-Sourced Palm Oil
• Vegan
• Fair Trade

Full ingredients:
Saponified Oils (Olive Oil, Organic Palm Oil, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Shea Butter, Avocado Oi), Pumice, Fragrance, Peppermint Essential Oil, Bentonite Clay, Salt, Menthol, Ultramarines, Iron Oxide

A crisp blend of pine and cedar with notes of jasmine and iris make this a woodsy yet well-rounded scent blend. This bar features strawberry seeds for exfoliation. This soap is great for face or body, with a rich lather in a long-lasting, dense bar. Approximately 5 oz. 

This soap is a Winter seasonal variety and sales are limited to remaining stock.

Highlights: 
• Sustainably-Sourced Palm Oil
• Vegan
• Fair Trade

Full ingredients:
Saponified Oils (Olive Oil, Organic Palm Oil, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Shea Butter), Fragrance, Strawberry Seeds, Chromium Oxide, Ultramarines

Introducing the Wings of the Raven Skull Stainless Steel Pendant Necklace—a striking piece of jewelry that blends durability with intricate design. Crafted from fine quality 316L stainless steel, this pendant features an antiqued finish that highlights the meticulous details of the raven skull and wings. Known for its corrosion resistance and skin-friendly properties, 316L stainless steel ensures this pendant remains a lasting addition to your collection.

The pendant itself measures approximately 1.7" x 1.4" (4.3 cm x 3.6 cm) and the necklace includes a matching 316L stainless steel chain that measures approximately 1/8" x 23.6" (3mm x 60cm). Inspired by Viking aesthetics, this high-quality piece makes a unique and thoughtful gift for any occasion.

Embrace the spirit of the raven and add a touch of rugged elegance to your style with the Wings of the Raven Skull Stainless Steel Pendant Necklace.

The Nosferatu's Lament Skull Necklace embodies the hard, featureless receptacle of the soul, stripped down from its mortal vanity. This high-quality statement piece is perfect for those who embrace the dark allure of gothic aesthetics.

This striking pendant features a jawless human skull, complete with a suspiciously vampiric canine tooth, presented in a ¾ view. The design includes a large temporal perforation through which the pendant chain passes, adding an element of intrigue and mystery.

The pendant measures approximately 1.30" (33 mm) in height, 1.06" (27 mm) in width, and 0.24" (6 mm) in depth, with a weight of 1.23 oz (35 g). It hangs from a 21" (53 cm) curb chain, ensuring a comfortable and stylish fit.

Crafted from fine pewter, the Nosferatu's Lament Skull Necklace is both durable and exquisitely detailed. This piece captures the essence of gothic beauty and serves as a timeless addition to any collection.

An alternative allegory for the Triple Moon Goddess, seen from a romantically oblique perspective, with a black rose 'moon' and tangential, crystal-studded crescents to celebrate the mysticism of Wicca. This enchanting piece dazzles with its distinctive Alchemy design, perfect for those who embrace the dark beauty and allure of gothic elegance.

The necklace features two highly polished pewter adjacent crescent moons, representing waxing and waning phases. Set with Austrian crystals, these moons elegantly frame a blooming black rose at the center, crafted from resin. This design beautifully captures the essence of eternal cycles and mystical symbolism.

The pendant measures approximately 2.56" (65 mm) in height, 1.14" (29 mm) in width, and 0.55" (14 mm) in depth. It hangs from an 18" (45.72 cm) chain with a 1" (2.54 cm) extender, ensuring a perfect fit for any wearer. Crafted from fine English pewter, resin black rose, and Austrian crystals, this necklace is a timeless addition to any collection.

Embrace the magic of the Goddess of the Black Rose Necklace and let it be a symbol of your inner strength and mystique.

A dark romance secretly blossoms from the life blood of a once broken heart, captured in the mesmerizing design of The Blood Rose Heart Necklace. This exquisite piece features Austrian crystals set beneath the vivid red enamel, evoking a sense of passion and mystery.

The necklace pendant measures approximately 4.41" (11.20 cm) in width, 3.46" (8.79 cm) in height, and 0.71" (1.80 cm) in depth. It hangs elegantly from a 20.5" (52.07 cm) split chain, ensuring a perfect fit.

Crafted from fine English pewter, adorned with red enamel and Austrian crystals, this necklace is a symbol of enduring beauty and gothic allure. Whether you wear it as a statement piece or gift it to someone special, The Blood Rose Heart Necklace is sure to captivate and enchant.

The Gaze of the Medusa Cast Stainless Steel Pendant Necklace is a striking piece of jewelry that embodies the mystique and allure of ancient mythology. This exquisite necklace features a highly detailed Medusa head pendant cast in durable 316L stainless steel, known for its longevity and resistance to corrosion. The pendant, measuring 1.5" in height, showcases the intricate features of Medusa’s visage, capturing her enigmatic presence. Accompanied by a 22" silver chain, this necklace is not only a fashion statement but also a conversation starter.

Unite with your consort of darkness through the Draconic Tryst Couples Necklace Set by Alchemy Gothic. This captivating necklace set symbolizes partners in deviance, entwining with an adamantine embrace, creating a powerful insight of oneness for eternity.

This interlocking, two-tone double necklace features symmetrical pewter dragons—one black and the other a silvery antiqued pewter—that entwine to form a heart shape when joined together. The dragons are fastened by hidden magnets and can be pulled apart to create two separate pendants, each hanging on its own chain.

Designed with versatility, the set includes two separate trace chains, one black and one silver, each measuring 18 inches (46 cm) in length. This allows you to wear the pendants linked together as a single statement piece or separately.

The pendants measure approximately 2.09 inches in width, 2.48 inches in height, and 0.43 inches in depth, providing a striking yet refined look. Crafted from fine English pewter, the Draconic Tryst Couples Necklace Set is a perfect embodiment of gothic elegance and eternal love.

Wear it as a testament to your unique bond, and let its intricate design and symbolic meaning enhance your relationship.

Celebrate your bond with the Darkling Heart Couples Necklace Set by Alchemy Gothic. This enchanting pair of symmetrical and complementary dragon-wing pendants forms a perfect heart frame when held together, symbolizing oneness and affinity. (Each wing is separate, they DO NOT connect.)

Crafted from fine English pewter, these pendants are both durable and striking. The dimensions of each pendant are approximately 2.64 inches in height, 1.14 inches in width, and 0.24 inches in depth, making a bold yet elegant statement. Each pendant hangs from its own 21-inch chain, allowing you and your partner to wear them as tokens of your special connection.

The Darkling Heart Couples Necklace is more than just jewelry—it is a representation of love, unity, and the powerful bond you share. Wear it with pride and let its intricate design and symbolic meaning enhance your relationship.

Indulge in the opulent allure of the Bacchanal Rose Necklace by Alchemy Gothic. This sumptuous necklace features a romantic motif that subtly hides—or reveals—a secret libertine passion for wine and pleasure. Crafted from fine English pewter and adorned with Austrian crystal, this piece exudes elegance and mystery.

The pendant measures approximately 3.90 inches in width, 3.35 inches in height, and 0.75 inches in depth, making it a striking statement piece. It hangs from a 17.5-inch split chain, ensuring it rests beautifully against your neckline.

The Bacchanal Rose Necklace is more than just an accessory; it's a symbol of hidden desires and sophisticated charm, perfect for those who appreciate the finer things in life. Wear it with pride and let its enchanting design captivate all who behold it.

Flight of Fancy... Off for the Sabbot (1927)
by William Mortensen (United States, 1897-1965)

In a roll call of the pioneers of modern photography, one name is never invoked. From the late 1920s to the 1950s, William Mortensen was one of the most famous and celebrated photographers in America. However, his subject matter – which veered towards the savage, indecorous, gothic and grotesque – as well as his use of montage and illustration, made him a pariah among the puritanical new guard in photography, led by Ansel Adams, who tried to write him out of history, and even called him "The Antichrist". 

Mortensen’s methods often made it hard to distinguish whether the results were photographs or not. He used traditional printmaking techniques, such as bromoiling, and developed many of his own. He would create composite images, scratch, scrape and draw on his prints, then apply a texture that made them look like etchings, thereby disguising his manipulations. Consequently, every print was unique. Ultimately, Mortensen’s aim was to create something that, for all intents and purposes, appeared to be a photograph, yet portrayed scenes so fantastic they caused wonder and astonishment in the viewer.

Matte Poster
• Printed with Dye/Pigment Reactive Ink on Archival Matte Paper
• Shipped in Heavy Duty Poster Tube
• Heavy weight (210 gsm), thick base, and an instant-dry coating that resists fingerprints and smudging

Witch Riding a Bat (1916)
by Ida Rentoul Outhwaite (Australia, 1888-1960)

Ida Rentoul Outhwaite was an Australian illustrator of children's books, whose work mostly depicted magical creatures such as elves and fairies. Well before modern fairy-tale iterations saw Frozen's Anna and Elsa crowned as unexpected feminist icons, she was celebrating the power of the feminine in subtle ways. The drawings are often emotionally quite intense, depicting a fairy or a feminine child floating above a rocky landscape or scary deep sea, without fear.

Matte Poster
• Printed with Dye/Pigment Reactive Ink on Archival Matte Paper
• Shipped in Heavy Duty Poster Tube
• Heavy weight (210 gsm), thick base, and an instant-dry coating that resists fingerprints and smudging

"The Castle Rising Sisters" (a.k.a. "Welsh Witches' Tea Party")
Photograph by Unknown (England)

This photograph is commonly titled "Welsh Witches' Tea Party", but the subjects are not witches, nor are they Welsh. They are posed at Trinity Hospital, Castle Rising in Northampton, England. Trinity Hospital, Castle Rising was an Almshouse Charity, a place for unmarried (or widowed) poor women over age 56 to live.

The original requirements (circa 1600) were: “They must be of honest life and conversation, religious, grave and discreet, able to read, if such a one be had, a single woman, her place to be void on marriage, to be of 56 years at least, no common beggar, harlot, scold, drunkard, haunter of taverns, inns and alehouses.”

Fast-forward to the present day and the criteria of this almshouse charity is not quite as strict. The only qualifying requirement is for single women from parishes of Castle Rising, North Wootton, and Roydon who are in reduced financial circumstances. There’s no dress code these days either, yet the residents take great pride in dressing in the “uniform” (such as in the picture) provided by Henry Howard, Earl of Northampton for special occasions such as Founder’s Day.

Matte Poster
• Printed with Dye/Pigment Reactive Ink on Archival Matte Paper
• Shipped in Heavy Duty Poster Tube
• Heavy weight (210 gsm), thick base, and an instant-dry coating that resists fingerprints and smudging

Meteoric Shower of Nov. 13, 1833 (1889)
by Adolf Vollmy
Swiss

This engraving by Swiss artist Adolf Vellmy depicts a significant event in astronomical history: the 1833 Leonid meteor shower. This celestial phenomenon captivated observers worldwide as it unfolded during the early hours of November 13. Hundreds of thousands of meteors streaked across the night sky, leaving an indelible impression on those fortunate enough to witness it. It was the first recorded meteor storm of modern times. 

Please Note: The original image for this artwork is small and low resolution. We've applied cutting-edge upscaling software to enhance its sharpness across all sizes. However, some details might still appear less sharp upon close inspection.

Matte Poster
• Printed with Dye/Pigment Reactive Ink on Archival Matte Paper
• Shipped in Heavy Duty Poster Tube
• Heavy weight (210 gsm), thick base, and an instant-dry coating that resists fingerprints and smudging

"Chiroptera" [Vampire Bats] (1904)
plate 67 from Kunstformen der Natur by Ernst Haeckel

Ernst Haeckel (1834-1919) was a German zoologist and naturalist who described and named thousands of new species and created many terms used today in biology. His work of over one hundred illustrations of animals and sea creatures, Kunstformen der Natur ("Art forms in Nature"), would go on to influence the Art Nouveau artistic movement. 

This plate Chiroptera depicts the unique facial structures of various species of leaf-nosed bats, the family of bats which includes vampire bats. 

Matte Poster
• Printed with Dye/Pigment Reactive Ink on Archival Matte Paper
• Shipped in Heavy Duty Poster Tube
• Heavy weight (210 gsm), thick base, and an instant-dry coating that resists fingerprints and smudging

La Femme Chauve-Souris [The Bat Woman] (1890)
Albert Joseph Pénot (France, 1862-1930)

Albert Joseph Pénot was a French painter known for female forms and landscapes. Today, he is more popularly and specifically recognized for a subset of paintings centering on women of darker, more macabre themes.

Pénot was concerned first and foremost with accurate portrayals of women. Singular female forms were the implicit focus of his work, whereas the worlds surrounding his characters are seldom realized beyond misty atmospheres and patches of shadow and light. Environments are incidental and are typically shrouded in haze, giving the figures themselves specific priority.

Matte Poster
• Printed with Dye/Pigment Reactive Ink on Archival Matte Paper
• Shipped in Heavy Duty Poster Tube
• Heavy weight (210 gsm), thick base, and an instant-dry coating that resists fingerprints and smudging

Lilith (1889)
by John Collier (England, 1850-1934)

The apparent sweetness of this work by John Collier, a Pre-Raphaelite painter, is a wonderful testimony of the two sides of Lilith’s figure. Juggling between the images of beauty and that of a cold murderess, Collier is one of the artists that has transformed her image. From the Assyrio-Babylonian goddess, later known as the first woman in Jewish mythology, Lilith slowly turns into a powerful icon.

The contrasting colors of the painting, and its warm palette, further enhance the atmosphere that emerges from the work. This use of the colors, in Lilith as well as in Collier’s other portraits, earned him a certain recognition from his contemporaries. Seen as solemn, his work, however, offers an obvious mastery of tones and light.

Eventually, the figure of Lilith evolves gradually from the dangerous demoness depicted by the religious writings to a symbol of feminism. By her aspect of being equal to Adam, from whom she does not depend, the succubus becomes a feminist icon, a perfect opposition to Eve’s figure. Many powerful, sometimes feared, historical and mythological female figures are associated with snakes. These include Cleopatra and Medusa, whose association with snakes makes them desired or monstrous.

Matte Poster
• Printed with Dye/Pigment Reactive Ink on Archival Matte Paper
• Shipped in Heavy Duty Poster Tube
• Heavy weight (210 gsm), thick base, and an instant-dry coating that resists fingerprints and smudging

Safo (1881)
by Miguel Carbonell Selva (Spain, 1854-1896)

In a painting that goes by the title Safo, we see the figure of Sappho at the moment when she is about to leap to her death, plunging into the sea from the heights of Leukas.

Sappho was a famous Greek poet from the island of Lesbos who lived from c. 630 – c. 570 BC. She is sometimes called the ‘Tenth Muse’ because her abilities to play music and write poetry were legendary. An intriguing story about her death has been circulating for millennia, yet there is no evidence as to its veracity. The story holds that Sappho threw herself off the cliffs of the Greek island Leucadia because of her love for Phaon, a ferryman.

Some scholars believe that Sappho was a lesbian and many of Sappho’s poems can be interpreted as homoerotic. Indeed, the adjective ‘sapphic’ can refer to a certain type of lyric poetry or to lesbianism (ie: a sapphic relationship).

Matte Poster
• Printed with Dye/Pigment Reactive Ink on Archival Matte Paper
• Shipped in Heavy Duty Poster Tube
• Heavy weight (210 gsm), thick base, and an instant-dry coating that resists fingerprints and smudging