Soap and succulent success
AFTER a career in childcare, Wellington’s Janelle Frappell stumbled into something completely different – soap making – and even she was taken by surprise.
“It happened by accident,” she laughs. “I bought a kit and gave it to everyone for Christmas and they loved it.
“When I finished up at Nanima Preschool where I was the Director for two years, I used the last bar of soap and thought I had better make some more.”
That was nearly two years ago and since that time, Janelle hasn’t looked back.
“I decided that I was going to sell them because there were no soap people at the markets. I thought, if I can’t buy soap there, then no-one else can either. So I started selling nearly two years ago.”
“Since then, other people have come along.”
Janelle’s mum also sells jams, preserves and relishes and their stalls are often side by side. Janelle also sells across the region from Mumbil, Millthorpe and Mudgee, to Dubbo, Dunedoo, and her home town of Wellington.
Although she hasn’t done any formal training, Janelle is registered with NICNAS – the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme.
“When you make soap to sell, you need to register as a chemical manufacturer,” she explains.
“I also have public and business liability because I’m making a product that goes on people’s skin.
Janelle also keeps in touch with other soap makers through social media.
“Facebook groups are handy,” she said. “There’s lots of soap making groups.”
Janelle finds soap making to be really enjoyable and loves that she can share her passion with others.
“It’s fun, it’s also quite addictive, and costly too. But by selling it, you can get your money back.”
Janelle makes a large range of soaps – including supporters’ bars, exfoliant scrubs and a range with natural ingredients such as goat’s milk, lemon myrtle and manuka honey. There’s even a soap which features beer as one of the ingredients!
Janelle describes soap making as a ‘scientific form of baking’ due in part to the many delicious products being used.
There’s also methods that need to be used to ensure the soap is set properly.
“I make it from scratch using a cold process,” Janelle explains.
“Mixing everything at cooler temperatures can stop errors from happening. Once it’s mixed, the soap goes into moulds where it sits for six weeks.”
Janelle also blends many of her own colours, which are bold and vibrant.
The succulents have been a business addition which also came about unexpectedly.
“They were by accident too. I made some pots and planted succulents and everyone loved them. So I sell them too.”
Spring is a busy time for Janelle with plenty of market and field days on the horizon.
“There’s lots on, with a Coonamble Pop-up Shop recently held, Dubbo dreamfest and Orange Field Days.”
The business has become a fulltime undertaking, and Janelle even has a helper who assists with packaging the soaps.
“it’s definitely full-time, I’m busy all the time. I had no idea that it was going to be this good, but I love it. I still find time to play golf on Wednesdays though.”
For Dubbo residents, check out Janelle’s Soaps and Succulents at the dreamfest markets on October 21. For those closer to Orange, Janelle will be at the Borenore Field Days from October 26 to 28.
“I decided that I was going to sell them because there were no soap people at the markets. I thought, if I can’t buy soap there, then no-one else can either. So I started selling nearly two years ago.”