JACQSARTISAN​

HHello, I’m Jacqui — the maker behind JacqsArtisan.

I live in the small market town of Bungay, nestled on the Norfolk–Suffolk border in the Waveney Valley, surrounded by peaceful marshes and close to the Norfolk Broads.

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Fro m Art to Artisan Soap

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My background is in art, though my path into soapmaking came about quite unexpectedly.

It began when I considered taking over a much-loved local gift shop. As I thought about the kinds of items I would want to offer, handmade soap quickly rose to the top of the list.

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At the time, my family and I had been using beautifully packaged soaps from a well-known department store in Norwich. They looked and smelled luxurious, but often left our skin feeling dry and uncomfortable. It was only then I discovered they were made primarily with palm oil and synthetic fragrance oils—something I had never really considered before.

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 A Gentle Soap, Made With Care

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I wanted to create something different—a soap that not only looked beautiful, but felt genuinely kind to the skin and considerate of the wider environment.

Having experienced eczema and contact dermatitis since childhood, it was especially important to me to develop a bar that was gentle, nourishing, and non-irritating. Living in a hard water area, I also needed a soap that would lather well while remaining moisturising.

After deciding early on to avoid palm oil entirely, I spent a long time researching and refining a recipe t

I eventually settled on a blend of carefully selected plant oils, creating a bar that is rich, creamy, and gentle.

To this, I add natural ingredients such as herbs, botanical clays, and essential oils—chosen for their soothing and aromatic qualities.

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 A Craft That Continued to Grow

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Although the gift shop passed to someone else, my soapmaking journey had quietly begun.

What started as a small, personal project soon became something much more. I found real enjoyment in every stage—from blending and pouring to cutting, stamping, and wrapping each bar by hand.

When friends and family began using the soaps and sharing how much they helped their skin, I was encouraged. When they insisted on paying for them, it marked a turning point.

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Over time, JacqsArtisan has grown naturally, shaped by curiosity and a love of making.

 From Soap to Pottery and Home Fragrance

More recently, my work has expanded beyond soap into hand-thrown pottery and home fragrance.

I began making ceramic soap dishes after struggling to source them locally, and quickly discovered a deep enjoyment in working with clay. It felt like a natural extension of what I was already creating—practical, tactile pieces designed to be used and appreciated.

From there, candles and other home pieces followed, bringing together scent, form, and function in a way that feels both complementary and considered.

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Today

JacqsArtisan remains a small, independent business, where each item is made and prepared by hand in small batches.

The collections are thoughtfully connected—soaps, candles, and pottery designed to sit naturally alongside one another, whether in your own home or given as a meaningful gift.

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 A Final Note

Thank you for supporting handmade—it truly means a great deal.

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