Be in to win a gorgeous soy candle prize pack

After much anticipation, we have recently launched our new soy glass jar candles. One of the main benefits of using glass is that you can see the light from the flame all the way to the bottom of the candle. They also look pretty too!

Glass bowls are often used as wedding centrepieces, but we think you should be able to enjoy them in your home any time you like as well! They are currently available in the following fragrances: rose, vanilla, frangipani, mandarin & mimosa, white tea, jasmine & honeysuckle and red raspberry.

The little votive glasses were just crying out for some colour, so we now have a rainbow of fragrances available in these sweet little candles. These are also available in the same fragrances as the bowls (listed above).

We have also launched a delectable new fragrance, red raspberry. Just try and resist it, it smells good enough to eat! It is currently available in the soy glass bowl, glass votive and tealight candles, along with a one off recycled glass jar candle. We also have some lovely crystal glasses that can be made to order in your favourite scent, perhaps for a wedding, or whatever you like!

To celebrate the launch of these new candles, we are giving away this gorgeous prize pack. It includes a soy glass bowl candle, a soy glass votive candle and a box of five soy floating candles in your choice of available fragrances. To enter, all you need to do is choose your favourite Rose in Thorns candle from our website and Felt shop, then fill in your details in this form and you're in the draw. It's that easy! Entries close at 8pm on Wednesday the 8th May 2013.

Soy melt invasion!

A few weeks ago I finally launched a range of much awaited soy melts. If you haven't used them before, they are a small block of scented soy wax which you pop into your oil burner. The wax melts to release the scent and fragrance the room. When you're finished, just let the wax set in the top of the burner. If you want to change the fragrance, just pop the burner into the freezer for ten minutes or so, and the wax should come out easily.

I was testing them out in the week after the June 13 aftershocks, whilst I was also trying to dry out the carpet with the dehumidifier running 24/7, after the fishtank smashed and spilled water all over the floor. As anyone whose lived with wet carpet will know, it doesn't smell real good! The fragrance dispersed from the soy melts was enough to satisfactorily mask the wet carpet smell. Of course I can't guarantee they will disguise every smell, but they do a great job of improving the pleasantness of a room.

I have a variety of scents and shapes, which I are available in two different sizes, and two different package options. There are space invader shaped melts, and a variety of other shapes as well. You can purchase them from Felt in either a box of 8 (shapes) or 10 (space invaders), or a gift box with three unscented soy tealights, with a burntime of 8 hours each, and 10 (shapes) or 12 (space invader) melts. I haven't finished testing the length of time they last, but I would think about 20-30 hours. Once the scent has dispersed from them, you can return the wax to me to recycle, and receive my 10% recycling discount on your next purchase.

Essential oil soy candles now available

I have been working on creating a range of essential oil scented soy candles. I wanted to offer a candle that is as natural and sustainable as I can make it. Soy wax is made from pure soybean oil, and is a natural, chemical free, biodegradable renewable resource. I use tins that are fully recyclable, and glass jars made from recyled bottles which are also recyclable, and they are also both refillable. I embellish them with paper which can either be recycled or composted – or reused in your next craft project.

Essential oils are a natural fragrance option which can also have aromatherapy benefits. Although I don't proclaim to be an expert on this subject, I will continue to research the therapeutic properties of the essential oils I use.

The fragrances I currently have available in my Felt store include:

Citronella – great for keeping bugs at bay outdoors

Cinnamon – helps to dispel tension, and improves wellbeing

Patchouli – calming in low doses, yet refreshing in higher doses

Geranium – refreshing, and improves stamina

Just introduced this week are:

Rose – calming and comforting, aids with sleeping

Lavender – calming and soothing, aids with sleeping

Manuka – calming, with antiseptic properties

Ylang Ylang – generally soothing, with a sensuous aroma

Some precautions to note, if you would are having trouble sleeping, light the candle in the room you are in before you go to bed, and make sure you put it out before going to sleep. It is also recommended that pregnant women avoid use of essential oils.

These candles would make a great mother's day gift, or a practical addition to your emergency kit. I would recommend one with calming properties for your emergency kit.

We have a winner!

After a successful response to my survey, I held my first prize draw. The winner of three mini-teardrops and a plate is Prue McStay aka Citrus Daisy. Thanks to everyone who participated.

The most popular fragrance was Vanilla, with a clear margin. Second equal were Frangipani and Orange, which puts Orange first on the list as the next fragrance I'll introduce to my mini-teardrops range. Third equal were Chocolate, Christmas Spice and Ylang Ylang. There's christmas sorted!

I have also just got a shiny new facebook fanpage. When I reach 100 fans I get my own url, so encourage your friends to become fans as well.

This week I have also been featured in the Felt newsletter (thanks Lucy!) My mini-teardrop candles are in the winter warmers with a touch of spring section. Stuck for gift ideas for fathers day? Why not get him something handmade, have a look at felt's Fathers Day showcase for some ideas.