About Me

Hello, I’m Jacqui – the maker behind JacqsArtisan Soapery. I live in the small market town of Bungay, nestled on the Norfolk–Suffolk border in the Waveney Valley. We’re surrounded by peaceful marshes, not far from Norwich and the stunning Norfolk Broads.

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From Art to Artisan Soap

My background is originally in art, but life took a surprising turn when I became inspired to start making soap. It all began when I considered taking over a much-loved gift shop in town after the owner announced her retirement.

As I started thinking about the kinds of things I’d like to stock, handmade soap was right at the top of the list. At the time, my family and I had been enjoying beautifully packaged Italian soaps from a high-end department store in Norwich. They smelled wonderful and looked luxurious, but we began to realise they left our skin dry and uncomfortable. That’s when I learned they were made entirely with palm oil and synthetic fragrance oils — something I hadn’t been aware of.

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A Gentle Soap With Skin in Mind

I wanted something better — a soap that not only looked and smelled lovely but felt good on the skin and was kind to the planet too. I’ve experienced eczema and contact dermatitis since childhood, so it was especially important to create a bar that was gentle, nourishing, and non-irritating.

Living in a hard water area, I also needed a bar that produced a rich lather and was deeply moisturising. I envisioned something that turned a simple bath or shower into a small moment of everyday luxury.

After deciding early on to avoid palm oil and its derivatives entirely, I spent a long time researching and refining a recipe that felt right. Eventually, I settled on a blend of seven carefully chosen plant oils, creating a bar that’s rich, creamy, and gentle. To this base, I add natural ingredients such as herbs, spa clays, and essential oils — for their soothing, cleansing, and aromatic properties.

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A Hobby That Became So Much More

Though the gift shop ultimately passed to someone else and became a boutique, my soapmaking journey was just beginning. What started as a quiet curiosity soon became a passion. I found real joy in every step of the process — from weighing oils to hand-stamping, bevelling, and wrapping each bar with care.

When friends and family tried the soap and told me how much their skin had improved, I was delighted. When they insisted on paying for it, I was stunned. That was a real turning point.

Gradually, things grew — as they often do when led by genuine enthusiasm — and soapmaking has now been part of my life for more than a decade. I never set out to start a business, but here we are.

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A New Chapter: From Soap to Stoneware

More recently, I began working with clay to make handmade ceramic soap dishes. I’d struggled to source them after my original potter stopped producing them, so I decided to try my hand at pottery myself.

To my surprise (and slight delight), I’ve found this new venture equally rewarding — and very complementary to the soapmaking. So, as with everything else, I’ll follow where the creativity leads. Watch this space…

Read the Blog​

If you’re curious about the world of soapmaking or would like to follow along with the other things I’m crafting, do have a look at the blog. I’ll be updating it regularly with thoughts, tips, and insights into the handmade process.