Currently Loving: Yogi Candle Studio Wild Heart Wild Berries Candle & Soy Wax Melts review #ShopSmall

 

The weather has turned surprisingly autumnal here in the UK this week, so I thought I'd throw the spotlight on a lovely independent business I discovered at a local vegan market a little while ago called Yogi Candle Studio.

Launched in the summer of 2020, Yogi Candle Studio was founded in a small kitchen by Katie who wanted to make some candles to use during her yoga practice. However, her hobby quickly grew into a full-time small business as the popularity of her products grew and her premises are now located in a bigger space within the Amerton Farm and Craft Centre in Stafford. 

All of Katie's products are handmade and hand poured at the farm and everything is made from 100% natural, vegan and cruelty-free ingredients. The brand prides itself on only sourcing ethical and sustainable plant-based waxes and oils, and all of their packaging is plastic-free and fully recyclable.

I was browsing a local vegan market in the area when I came across a stall for Yogi Candle Studio and the fragrance coming from it was incredible! Lined up was a good selection of candles and wax melts in lots of different scents, so naturally, I had to treat myself ;)

Yogi Candle Studio Wild Heart Candle (£12)

With so many gorgeous scented candles to choose from, I had a difficult time only choosing one and could easily have come home with all of them! After much deliberation, it was the Wild Heart Wild Berries scent that captured my own heart! Topped with dried flower petals, this candle is made from ethically sourced soy wax for a clean, non-toxic burn that has no palm oil or parabens. 

The sweet and fruity natural fragrance comes from a delicious blend of rich figs, dewberry, sweet raspberries, blueberries juicy black plums, layered on a base of patchouli, vetiver and musk. The standard 180g size has a burn time of 35+ hours and looks pretty wherever you choose to place it in your home.

Yogi Candle Studio Soy Wax Melts (3 bars for £10)

Next to the candles were all of Yogi Candle Studio's Soy Wax Melts and I picked up three bars in their £10 mix and match deal. Again, I was spoilt for choice when it came to choosing the scents and in the end, I opted for Sunrise (Coconut & Lime), New Beginnings (Cherry Blossom & Peony), and Refresh (Peppermint & Eucalyptus). 

Like the candles, these are also made from sustainably and ethically sourced soy wax which is palm-oil free, vegan, and cruelty-free. These bars are what I like to call the 'snap-apart-chocolate-style bars' and have a combined burn time of around 35 hours. I absolutely adore all of these scents and will definitely be purchasing more in the future!

Not local to Stafford? Shop online at yogicandlestudio.com

Have you discovered any local small brands in your area recently?

Read more

Introducing: Chameleon Candles - Soy Wax Melts & Candles from Brighton, UK #ShopSmall

With an Artic blast currently sweeping across the country, there's no better time to wrap up warm on the sofa with a cuppa and Netflix, so why not enjoy some gorgeous home fragrance scents at the same time?

I was recently introduced to Chameleon Candles via Instagram (which coincidentally is where I seem to be discovering so many amazing small businesses at the moment!) by the founder Hani who got in touch with me to ask if I'd like to try out some of his products. Hani started to learn how to make candles, wax melts and stop motion animation when the pandemic began last year, as a way to find some positivity, creativity and inner peace in a world that was quickly being engulfed by panic, negativity and uncertanity. 

He named his small business Chameleon Candles as chameleons are well known for their ability to change their colour to adapt to whatever environment they're in, which suited Hani perfectly as he takes inspiration from nature and the changing seasons, as well as being able to adapt his products to produce candles and wax melts of all sizes, shapes and scents.

Hani very kindly sent me a selection of his amazing products to try and I'm thrilled to share them with you all below! Everything is handmade and poured in small batches in Brighton from natural plant-based wax for a clean burn.

Chameleon Candles Teddy Bear 3D Wax Melts* (box of 4, £11.95, link)

These adorable 3D Teddy Bear Wax Melts are some of the cutest products that I've ever been sent - they are almost too cute to actually use! Crafted from a blend of high quality, vegan-friendly plant-based wax and fragrance oils, each teddy bear weighs 50g so these will last a good while in your oil burner. 

In the box of four, you can select the fragrances that you'd like from an enticing list which includes Velvet Rose & Oud, Honey, Avocado Mint, Ruby Jasmine, Kir Royale and more. I was sent two beautiful teddies in Grapefruit & Lemon (very uplifting and citrusy) and Blackberry Jam (fruity and sweet). These really do pack a punch in the fragrance department and would make a beautiful gift for someone special.

Chameleon Candles Roses 3D Wax Melts (box of 10, £10.95, link) and Teddy Bear Wax Melts (box of 6, £4.45, link)

If you are as in love with rose scents as I am, you will of course love these 3D Rose Wax Melts which have a classic and timeless rose fragrance, and for those who are a budget or just want to try something out from Chameleon Candles, the Teddy Bear Wax Melts are a great affordable option where you try four different scents of your choice. The Honey and Oud scents are highly recommended!

Chameleon Candles Velvet Rose & Oud Medium Candle* (230g, £17.95, link)

Chameleon Candles truly excel at creating luxurious, clean-burning candles and they have a wide range of scents available, many of which are similar to popular women's fragrances. This Velvet Rose & Oud Candle is comparable to the much-loved fragrance of the same name by Jo Malone and features rich and textured notes of smoky Oud wood with sweet and creamy Praline, and spikes of spicy Clove. It's warm and inviting so perfect for lounge areas when you have guests over in the future, or for creating a sophisticated and cosy ambience for the evening. 

Beautifully presented with a dark wooden lid that doubles up as a coaster/stand and bearing the bronze wax seal logo of Chameleon Candles.

Discover the full range at chamcandles.com

Have you discovered any new small business that you love?

Follow me on: BlogLovin' | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Read more

Budget Christmas Gift Idea: Flamingo Candles Limited Edition Christmas 2014 Range - Chocolate Orange Candle, Mulled Wine & Berries and Vanilla & Spice Scent Melts review

One of my favourite discoveries this year has to be Flamingo Candles, whose natural soy wax candles are available in the most amazing scents.  I've been lucky enough to get my hands on some of their Limited Edition Christmas range and boy, does it all smell good in my house right now.

Read more