If the recent market mania is anything to go by, Toowoomba has a hankering for local artisan goods; unique items that can’t be found anywhere else. Which just happens to be the very ethos of Toowoomba soap and botanicals store Enchanted Essence.
Run by husband and wife team Petra and Glen Kalinin, Enchanted Essence produces only natural, chemical free soap and and skin care products. And it’s all made on-site in their store in the Chronicle Arcade.
Petra says it was her commitment to living a chemical free, sustainable lifestyle at home that led her to start making soaps as a hobby. Before long that hobby became a business.
“All our soaps are made without synthetics, using essential oils and natural plants,” she says. “We try to do no plastics at home and in the store, and this extends to the packaging – our soaps are packed in recycled paper bags we source locally.
“Supporting local is important to us. The olive oil we use is sourced from olive groves in Australia and all our essential oils are purchased from Australian companies.”
Even the lavender that hangs in the store is grown at Petra and Glenn’s home, dried and brought in store to be added to the products. She says they’re always looking to connect with other local artisans and is currently stocking handcrafted wooden shave brushes by Toowoomba creators The Regal Woods.
Petra says the Enchanted Essence soaps have been popular with people who strive to live a green lifestyle, and with people who have sensitive skin. Their olive oil soap, which is free from even essential oils, is particularly great for kids and babies.
Petra says after demonstrating her soap making skills at The Cobb and Co Have a Go Festival recently in store classes may soon be on the horizon. Also soon to come – new products that will be crafted from botanicals she’s growing at home.
In addition to their permanent home in the Chronicle Arcade you can find Enchanted Essence regularly at the Toowoomba Farmers’ Market, The Original Mix Markets and annually at the Carnival of Flowers.
Wander down the arcade to visit, or look them up online at enchantedessence.com.au on Facebook and Instagram.
