Timeline of Artisan Soap Makers?

I'm a history geek and always like to know all information regarding the hobbies I practice. Today, I went thinking and it would be awesome to know how the american shaving soap artisan movement has emerged during the recent years.

In regards to that, does anyone has some kind of timeline for this movement? (like timeline of specific artisans entering the scene)
I have heard Mike's Natural was one of the first (if not the first) artisans soapmakers here in the U.S. But other than that, I really don't know the rest or if this information is true.

If anyone has some knowledge of the timeline of artisans soap makers, I would greatly appreciate it!

That depends on your definition of "artisan". There were several small soap makers who started with melt and pour and eventually transitioned to hot/cold process.
Regardless, some of the "older" artisan soapers I know of out there are (in no particular order):

Mikes Natural
Benton Clay (link?)
Queen Charlotte Soaps
Saint Charles Shave
Mama Bears
Malaspina Soap (link?) 
Mystic Water Soaps

(I will update as I remember more)

Thanks for the info! I needd to buy some Queen Charlotte, I have seen some pretty good reviews

Thanks for the info!   I needd to buy some Queen Charlotte,  I have seen some pretty good reviews

Matthew at QCS has become a really good friend of mine over the last few years. In my opinion, they're truly one of the best. They've made a couple custom scents for me ('Avocado' and our seasonal 'Caribbean Snow') which are some of our best sellers. They're not quite as flashy as some of the other artisans, so sadly they don't get quite as much attention.

They're a little more pricey than some but they really fill those jars.

Thanks for the info!   I needd to buy some Queen Charlotte,  I have seen some pretty good reviews

QCS makes one heck of a soap.

That's right, QCS & Charlotte's have been around since the beginning. But IIRC aren't they M&P?

I seem to recall Mama Bear's being around for about as long as well.

That's right, QCS & Charlotte's have been around since the beginning. But IIRC aren't they M&P?

I seem to recall Mama Bear's being around for about as long as well.

Queen Charlotte is not melt and pour. 
Mama Bear and Saint Charles were (or still are) M&P, and I know Benton Clay was too but somewhat recently starting hot/cold process.

I just ordered the GIT from Queen Charlotte Soaps Awesome ingredients list, in the FAQ within the site, they state is not a melt and pour base.

Ingredients:
Saponified tallow; water; saponified castor oil and shea butter; glycerin; saponified stearic acid, cocoa butter, and coconut oil; fragrance oil; saponified avocado oil, palm oil, and olive oil; aloe vera extract; kaolin clay; lanolin; vitamin E

I just ordered the GIT from Queen Charlotte Soaps   Awesome ingredients list, in the FAQ within the site, they state is not a melt and pour base.

Ingredients:
Saponified tallow; water; saponified castor oil and shea butter; glycerin; saponified stearic acid, cocoa butter, and coconut oil; fragrance oil; saponified avocado oil, palm oil, and olive oil; aloe vera extract; kaolin clay; lanolin; vitamin E

And... this just reminded me that I haven't updated my QCS stock on my site.

My recollection is (in order)

MamaBears
Queen Charlotte
Saint Charles
Mystic Waters
Mike's Natural

To how fast the artisan shave soap movement exploded onto the scene. Mike's and Mystic Waters both hit the forums early in 2012, 3-1/2 years ago. To contrast that, Soap Commander just celebrated their first anniversary.