Now, when you’re running the bath ready for a long soak, it’s quite unlikely that you would think that taking a cream cake in with you is a good idea, is it? But mum-of-two Jackie Farrelly has different ideas.

Jackie has been making soaps in the shape of cakes for nearly three years, and has found them to be a hit with shoppers on Liverpool’s Great Homer Street Market.

Born in Anfield, Jackie, 40, has spent most of her life working in a grocery store, which she owned. It was her love for getting stuck in and being creative that has brought her were she is now; making a living from selling her handmade soaps.

A great gift for friends and family, Jackie’s soaps come in all shapes, sizes and smells. Whether you fancy scrubbing down with a custard slice or buffing up with a cocktail, there is a soap for everyone.

“I’m just a mum and a housewife with a passion for all things creative,” said Jackie. “I’ll try my hand at anything, and if I make a mess the first time, I know not to do it again.”

In the past Jackie has put her creativity into practice making furnishings and curtains, but has found that soaps are where her talents really lie.

“So far the soaps have been selling really well on the market. People buy them for gifts or just to decorate their bathrooms,” she said.

Jackie’s motivation came from her love of all things sweet-smelling, and it was popular smellies shop, Lush, that inspired her to make her own soaps: “I loved the products they sell in Lush, but they were all so expensive, so I decided to make my own,” she said.

Jackie set out on her mission to bring bargain novelty soap to the streets of Liverpool, selling them for only £6 for four cake-shaped soaps.

Self taught from the internet and books, she spends all her time during the week making the products, which she then takes to market on a Saturday.

“If I was younger I would definitely pursue the products further and try and get them into Liverpool shops, but for now I am happy with the way it’s going and making my living along the way,” she said.

The team here at JMU Journalism have been putting Jackie’s novelty soaps to the test, have a look below to see what they thought.

Shorthand Sue

Website team

Comments

I instantly fell in love with the trifle shaped soap but in the end was a little disappointed. Although the soap does smell nice, its strange shape means it’s not so practical to use. It left my bathroom smelling beautiful but unfortunately the smell didn’t last half as long on my skin. No allergic reactions to date despite my worries before using it. All in all a nice gift idea, but probably better as a bathroom decoration than for actually washing! – Katie Heaton

(Posted on 2009-04-13 16:57:00 by Soap Review)
This little fancy cocktail looked more decorative than practical and the slightly scary cocktail umbrella was set so well into the soap that I could not get it out! I ended up washing so carefully that I looked like I was doing some kind of dance in the shower. It's hard to have a relaxing shower when you're in fear of pricking yourself!
On the plus side this cocktail smelt like Sex on the Bath! Overall this soap won me over mainly because it looked so good! Yes it foamed well and yes it left my skin soft and smelling good but this his woman should win an Oscar for the idea itself! – Charlotte Penketh

(Posted on 2009-04-13 16:57:00 by Soap Review)
Smelled really fruity, like strawberries and raspberry and it lathered up really easily into pink foam. It left my skin really soft and quite moisturised actually, as well as smelling all fruity for ages! Also from a couple of washes it hardly wore away so I'd imagine it'll last for quite a while. – Lara Richards

(Posted on 2009-04-13 16:56:00 by Soap Review)
I must say that I have never taken, neither have I ever wanted to take, a custard slice into the shower with me before. Although you can dress soap as a custard slice, at the end of the day it is just plain soap with an added element of fun. The bottom line is that this is a novelty item and would make a good gift but I can’t say I’ll be replacing my regular soap with more of the food shaped variety. – Jack Davies

(Posted on 2009-04-13 16:56:00 by Soap Review)
Looked very appealing almost good enough to eat but the annoying thing was the 'cream' outside flaked off very easily.
When used the soap left me smelling fresh and like strawberries-very strong and long lasting smell but was a little sticky – Michelle Willis

(Posted on 2009-04-13 16:55:00 by Soap Review)
I wasn't quite sure whether to eat this object or wash with it? I knew it was soap but it looked just like a yummy cake that I could devour in seconds. The experience of washing with it however proved to be a bitter-sweet affair. It was quite painful when the layers of soap dissolved and it got down to the oats and the strawberry seeds, it felt a bit like washing myself with sand. Would I use it again? My manly side will tell you no, but secretly it might be a yes! But Shhh!" – Mark Easton

(Posted on 2009-04-13 16:55:00 by Soap Review)