Recently my candle workshops have felt a little different.
Not in what we were doing - we’re still still pouring candles, blethering and drinking tea. More-so in how they’ve ‘felt’
There’s been a lot going on in the world recently and I’ve had a number of women in my workshops lately who were directly affected by what’s going on out there. Of course, there was a bit of worry and a lot of uncertainty, these women had a lot on their minds and yet for those two hours they still showed up to ‘pour it out’ and make their candles and wax melts.
Something about that really stayed with me.
Despite what was going on in the world - inside my little workshop things felt calm. There was laughter, conversation, quiet moments of focus while pouring candles… and it made me realise just how much these sessions have become about more than just making something nice to take home.
I felt genuinely honoured to be able to hold that space for them.
Not in a big, dramatic way - but just by being there, opening the doors, putting the kettle on and creating an space where people could switch off for a little while. A place where, for two hours, life is still happening… but you get to push the pause button.
It really got me thinking and I think the above is true for so many of the people who come along to my workshops.
Some are navigating big life decisions. Some are juggling busy homes, careers, or caring responsibilities. Some just need a bit of time to themselves. Of course not everyone is carrying something heavy - often it’s simply about doing something a bit different, catching up with a friend or using the workshop as an excuse to celebrate something special!
Whatever the reason, there’s often this lovely sense of people just… coming together, when they meet in my studio.
They relax, they put their phones in their bags, they blether, they laugh, they take their time choosing scents and they enjoy getting a bit creative. For a little while everything else takes a back seat.
I’m not for a second suggesting that my workshops are able to “fix” anything and counteract everything that’s going on in the world. They won’t. But I do think there’s real value in them.
In creating a space that feels calm and welcoming.
In offering something that’s low pressure, not too technical and genuinely relaxing.
In giving people permission to take a bit of time out for themselves.
That matters.
And I think that’s why these sessions have become such a big part of my business and something I feel really proud of.
I charge for my workshops, of course, and that allows me to keep doing what I do - to keep the doors open, keep the space going and keep offering these sessions to the people who want to come along. But at the heart of it, it’s not always just about the candles - though getting to take home a gorgeous hand poured candle and bags of wax melts is a lovely bonus!
It’s about connection and creating something with your hands. It’s about those small, quiet moments where things feel a little bit lighter.
And maybe that’s enough.
Because recently I’ve really been reminded just how much these workshops can mean and I feel incredibly grateful for that 🤍