Meet Jocelyn Frenkel | Creator/Owner of Sugar & Salt

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jocelyn Frenkel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jocelyn, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I was an ADHD kid who always had a lot of energy, imagination, and had to keep my hands occupied at all times. Whether it be my interests in my chem. lab, home ec. type activities, or cutting the hair of dolls I wasn’t supposed to, I was always fidgeting and physically making things. So when I discovered my interests in gorgeously designed, but practical beauty products and crafts (thanks Pinterest!), I became inspired to start trying these methods on my own. Before I knew it, I was designing my own smell profiles for soaps, finding the perfect mix of ingredients for just the right melting temperature of lotions, and making necklaces and other trinkets. After a few months, I realized I was coming up with and making way more things than I needed or could possibly use. However, I was loving what I was doing and just kept on creating new things, so I decided to start selling them rather than have to choose between stopping or bankrupting myself.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I enjoy creating products with the intention of it being given to a loved one. I like to take the time to sit down and construct a hypothetical scenario in my head by creating an expectation of what I’d like someone receiving the gift to feel when opening their surprise. Simultaneously, I am attempting to ease the stress of gift giving for the person doing the buying. Once I have that image in my mind, I like to work backwards and figure out what items should be in that box to give the person that feeling, as well as just how fancy the items should be. I don’t want someone opening a daily-use item that they feel is ‘too aesthetically pleasing’ to be used. However, I still want it to pop.

What I didn’t realize going into this was the amount of choices I would be making on a psychological level. Tapping into the feelings of happiness and joy while also juggling art that was should be both meaningful and useful, feels like mental tapdancing at times, but I kind of enjoy that puzzle solving aspect of production as well. It’s so odd accepting the title of artist/creative; I often feel like an imposter. Regardless of how much training I’ve had on a certain subject, whether it be the specifics of the ingredients that go into my products, to the digital art I’ve created for packaging, I still doubt myself and my skills, as if what I am doing isn’t ‘real’. It might be the reason I keep creating; a successful product is definitely a form of confirmation for me.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Heh, I’m not a hip, fun, social individual anymore, so my choices would be far more relaxed and low-key. I would probably start by taking them to this amazing little breakfast place in Highlands Ranch that I’m absolutely in love with, The Egg. They have the best Hash Benedict; it’s gluttonous to the point of being a ‘to die for’ meal and is worth every calorie. From there, I would probably take them for a relaxing walk through the Denver Botanical Garden. It and Hudson Gardens, as well, feel like hidden gems. Going there for a quiet walk in the morning is therapeutic and I love that feeling of just being unwound and prepared for when I know its going to be one of those long days.

Lunch/Dinner would have to be in the Aurora area for sure. I’m a sucker for Korean food and tend to bring every visitor to Seoul Korean BBQ, before hitting up the nearby bakery for some mochi donuts or a Swiss roll cake.

We’d also 100% have to go to Red Rocks- I had the pleasure of going for the first time to see my favorite band play. It was one of the most magical experiences of my life; I got to hear my favorite songs on a beautiful Colorado summer night, in one of the most stunning natural locations I’ve ever seen. I honestly think that a concert at Red Rocks is an experience everyone who comes to Denver MUST DO at least once.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would be absolutely remiss if I didn’t mention the staff/instructors of the first school to immerse me in a positive learning environment. The staff from American River College in Sacramento, CA, where I pursued my A.A. in Hospitality Management: Culinary Arts/Restaurant Management, was quite literally the most thorough, practically knowledgeable, and supportive group of instructors from whom I have ever had the pleasure of learning. Without their encouragement and hands-on approach, I may never have discovered my love for hands on creations.

Website: https://sugarandsaltcrafts.etsy.com

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