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If you're local to the beautiful village of Honley, you may have spotted a magical scene developing whilst on your walks around the area... A fairy garden. Local residents have been having fun creating the little scenes which includes various miniature items, giving the effect of an enchanted tree.


Inspired by the Fairy doors Crafters Cottage have been working on a little project to create their own unique Fairy door with a difference!

 And just like that, there it was, deep in the forest. A tiny little fairy door. But this is no ordinary door! The little door is not only beautifully decorated with leaves and tiny flowers, but it holds a big surprise!


As we all know, Fairies love everything natural. And this little door is everything natural. It is totally made from soap - yes, soap! Even the delicate flowers and foliage are handmade here at Crafters Cottage.


The Fairy Door Soap is fragranced with the essential oil May Chang (also known as “Litsea Cubeba”). May Chang has a Light, sweet and almost fizzy aroma which is very uplifting. So it’s the perfect fairy scent for this fairy door.


Have you spotted the fairy garden in Honley yet? Do let us know if you see it.


If you're interested in learning how to make your own soap, why not take a look at our soap making classes. Or you can purchase hand crafted soap gifts through our website.

Soy wax and why you should use it

by Julie Lindsay • 17 August 2020
Advantages of Soy Wax Over Paraffin Wax You may not realise it, but when you buy candles you could be buying those made from soy wax or those made from paraffin wax. Unless it is clearly marked it can be hard to tell, Soy wax is the only wax we use at Crafters Cottage and all our candles and wax melts are made from 100% Eco Soy Wax and there are many different reasons why, so we thought we would share them with you, and you can see for yourself why it is so important to only buy soy candles. One pour system. Soy wax is a perfect choice for the beginner candle making. It is known as a one pour system meaning one pour and you are done whereas with Paraffin wax a second pour to achieve a smooth finish is always necessary with soy wax there is no need to go back and to up. We supply only top quality soy wax in all our candle and wax making kits. Take a look at our kits which contain everything you need to get started in your candle making enterprise and to compliment the kits they all come with a paraben free fragrance oil of your choice. What’s in a Name? Many candles are made from paraffin although at one stage it was the only choice, and clever processing means the petrol smell is hidden, soy is a much nicer alternative. Soy is a byproduct of the soybean, making it vegetable, not mineral and unlike paraffin, it is totally renewable, petrol is a fossil fuel and not so good for the environment. We love the fact that soy can be regrown and does no damage to the planet. Soy Candles Smell Better It really is that simple. Although, as we said, paraffin candle manufacturers work hard to mask the scent, there is still a better smell from soy wax. It means we can use natural fragrances like essential oils and not have to worry about the benefits of being overpowered by something more pungent. All of our scented candles are flavoured naturally meaning it is a much safer product to have in your home, and around your children and pets. A Clean Burn Another advantage of soy is that it has a clean burn, whereas paraffin is rather sooty and can leave residue on your soft furnishings it can also be cleaned of clothing and furnishings if spilled with warm soapy water without staining. Melting Point Soy wax has a lower melting point than paraffin wax, which means they burn slower and you won’t need to shop as often...unless you just love the fragrances we have on offer of course! It will also hurt less if you accidentally spill any wax on your skin and can be washed off carpets furnishings and clothing without leaving stains. Have you have always wondered how we go about making candles and fancied trying your hand then why not have a look at our candle making workshop, we would love to see you.

Lavender Oil

by J Lindsay • 6 August 2020
Hi fellow soap & candle makers just wanted to give you a little info on one of my favourite aromatic plants, Lavender.You will often see it growing in gardens across the UK. It is a plant we use a lot down at Crafters Cottage and we harvest it from our own garden as we have both French and English lavender growing freely. We then use it to decorate our lavender soap and to add to our candle making again as decoration .Lavender can be refined for the oil which then becomes a popular element of aromatherapy with many different benefits to both body and mind. Benefits of Lavender Oil in Soap and Candles One of the great things about lavender is that is comes naturally packed with both anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties meaning when used in soaps your skin will love you. It is particularly beneficial for treating acne and eczema, as inflammation is part of problem for both these conditions. A soap with lavender oil in will help to soothe angry skin and reduce the redness, and when it comes to eczema the anti-fungal properties of lavender will help to reduce the itch. Giving the skin more time to heal and leaving you less stressed by the constant discomfort that the condition can bring. In the summer you will also find that lavender helps keep the annoying biting bugs at bay which for people prone to bites can be a real help. This is also true when the oil is used in candles, so again burning candles throughout the summer evenings when the doors and windows are still open can help reduce the number of pesky critters than come into your home. Lavender also found fame as a remedy for helping people who suffer from insomnia, so a lavender candle might be the answer if you are struggling to sleep. It has a very calming effect on the brain which is comforting for those who suffer from anxiety or depression, and these can be two of the root causes of sleep difficulties. Interestingly it has also been shown that lavender oil can help the body stay in long wave or deep sleep for longer which is the quality of rest that we need to heal down at Crafters Cottage we produce our own room/pillow mists using a natural vegetable emulsifier and top grade lavender oil. Of course, please take care when burning candles especially if you may fall asleep. You should ensure all naked flames are extinguished before bedtime and take care to burn them away from draughts and fabrics. Where is Lavender Grown Although you will now find lavender growing in gardens all over the world, commercial lavender originally hailed from the Mediterranean, so in order to thrive and be suitable to harvest for oil the climate needs to be similar. Most of the oil we use in soaps, candles and aromatherapy now comes from France in the Provence region which typically enjoys sunny summers and milder winters. The cost of the essential oil can vary based on the success of the crop which in turn effects the yield. In poor years like 2018 prices rose sharply. If you have always fancied trying your hand at making candles, maybe even with lavender then why not have a look at our candle workshop , or perhaps you would like to learn more about how natural soaps are made so you can switch your family to something more natural, in which case you will love our soap making workshop , and again you could even harness the benefits of lavender.

Help from my friend!

3 July 2020
Hi there everyone! First of all I hope you are all keeping safe during this awful Pandemic. This website has been my "isolation project" I had been meaning to do it for a while but didn't seem to have the time. It has been challenging but I feel that I have learnt so much it has definitely been worth it. I also had a little help from a very good friend of mine!
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