We use recycled containers, natural ingredients, and it’s also very budget-friendly if you make your own. Sounds like an all around winner, yes?

In case you wanted to buy some – we sell them for around £12 for a vintage teacup candle and they are really popular for dressing wedding tables or they can be a sweet additional gift for your bridesmaids.  A few brides have asked us to make them using the fragrance from their flowers and colour them to match their decor. 

We use all kinds of containers – glasses, jam jars, sugar bowls, trifle bowls, teacups, shot glasses, kilner jars…the list is endless.  If it can hold wax, we’ll use it!

We use the best quality soy wax flakes which are eco friendly, last longer than traditional paraffin wax and the product is so soft that it is very easy to wash out with soap and warm water – something that isn’t possible with paraffin.

We have found a super duper supplier of high quality oils which offer a beautiful range of fragrances to choose from.  We tend to stick with light, floral and feminine fragrances that can be burnt together without one over powering the other.  This type of fragrance works perfectly with the vintage containers that we use.

What you need….

• Soy wax flakes.
• Cotton wicks with a metal disc on the bottom.
• Wax dye chips if you want to colour your candle.
• Essential oils.  Please ensure you buy candle wax oils, not soap or home fragrancing.
• A large pan.
• A large metal bowl.
• A thermometer (I use a food one).
• Lots of newspaper to minimise the mess (if possible!).
• Scales.
• Tablespoon.
• Wooden spoon.
• Kettle.

Cover every available surface with newspaper.  Melted wax gets everywhere.  Wear an apron for the same reason!

Weigh your wax.  From hours spent experimenting I now use one pound of wax to four tablespoons of oil.  For me this is the perfect ratio, but you might find a different one works better for you.  Just be warned that if you put too much oil in there, you will have greasy “wet” spots on the top of your candle and it may ignite.

Pour boiling water in your pan, sit the metal bowl on top and pour in your wax flakes.  Simply melt wax in this double doiler method. 

Heat the oil to 180 degrees. 

Take the bowl off the heat and add your dye chips if using.  They are usually very highly pigmented so you only need a very small amount.  Stir, stir, stir.

When the temperature of the wax has dropped a little, pour in your oil.  Stir, stir, stir. 

This is really important as you want the dye and the fragrance to be even throughout the life of the candle.

When it has cooled to around 150 degrees you can pour into your containers.

Pop in your wick and balance it in the middle of the container.  I use small chopsticks, pegs, teaspoons – whatever fits!

It will take a few hours for the wax to fully set.

Trim the wick to 1/4 inch and that’s it!

 I think it is worth me mentioning a few pitfalls – because we have been making them for a while now, you can have the benefit of our hours and hours of experimenting!

• newspaper everywhere.
• don’t get any water near the wax.
• watch the temperature of the oil as if it heats too high it could ignite.
• don’t be tempted to add loads more oil to make a stronger scented candle.  The ratio of wax to oil is important.  Too much and you will have “wet” spots on the top and it might be dangerous. 
• stir, stir, stir.
• if you find that the candle sets and there are little air holes on the top, or it is uneven then don’t worry,
• just blast it with a hairdryer to melt the top and it will set fine.  (the best tip ever for candlemaking!!).
• always trim the wick to 1/4 inch, this applies when you are burning it too.

Hope you find this helpful – it would be nice to hear from some of you who have given it a go.

Thanks to Butterworth Photography for our photographs

Thanks to Chloe Adlington for organising us!

If , after reading this post, you want to contibute then please follow the Just Giving link….

Lots of us wanted to show our support by helping to raise funds for the ward where Scott is being helped.
A small group of us at school got together and our idea was simple – ladies, fizz, shopping, fun, cake,

…The singing washer uppers….the waiters were a little scared at that point!!

We spent a couple of afternoons with a glue gun, vintage china, glittery bits and bobs, with a lot of tea and laughs along the way.

The first idea was featured in Unique Bride Magazine.  To see a step-by-step instruction on how to make your own vintage cake stand click here – Adore Chloe

Next, we have a guide to making your own teacup clock – bear with me on this as it was so much fun that Rock n Roll Bride featured it too – click here Adore Chloe  or here Rock N Roll Bride  to see the cocktail version…

Finally glittery cake toppers – don’t say I don’t look treat you! click right here Adore Chloe .

If you are planning a wedding for next autumn, than this one is for you. Get pinning girls!!

The shoot took place at the stunning Georgian manor house which is home to Hannah from Unforgettable Vintage Bridal Gowns.  The top floor houses their studio where you can lose an afternoon in this treasure trove, trying on their vintage and antique gowns, dresses and jewelery.  Its not just for brides, they have a huge selection of frocks for parties and “just because you can’t live without them dresses…”

Lucy Stendall was our photographer, she is awesome, gorgeous, funny and just generally brilliant.  She specialises in “taking photographs of good old fashioned sweet love.”

We were a bit excited that Sanni Sorma came from Paris to work her magic with hair and makeup.  She also does the best make up tutorials on YouTube and is a fountain of knowledge for girly glamour.

The cakes were made by Daisy Cupcakes and were divine.

We wanted a seasonal, rustic and shoot and  the warm  colour palette worked so well against the orchard and the garden.  Rich Edwardian china, paired with vintage crystal and silver added glamour to the tables and sat perfectly with the simple flower arragements where we used berries, greenery and crabapples picked from the garden that morning – roses added to the relaxed, easy styling.

I stole some oak chairs from the dining room, added some old mirrors and masses of romantic  lace.

The dresses were to die for, just beautiful.

What can I say about our model, Ayo – a star is born. 

Watch this space for another shoot with the same girls – we had such a great weekend and I hope you find some inspiration from our photographs.  Who knows, maybe one day there will be a couple who hires all of us to work on their wedding together!

Astra from Timeless Couture has a close friend, Robyn, who has recently been diagnosed with cervical cancer.  She is only in her mid 20′s.   One of the charities who has been very supportive and helpful to Robyn is The Mercedes Curnow Foundation who promote awareness of the early detection of cervical cancer in young women and funding private screening & hpv tests. They are fighting to lower the age of cervical screening in England from 25-20.  This is something Robyn feels passionately about.

To show support and love for Robyn, Astra decided to organise an event that would involve her family and friends and to hopefully raise funds for The Mercedes Cunrow Foundation.  Corset design is a love of Astra’s and her exquisite, bespoke pieces combine vintage inspired details and modern contempoary shapes.  She partners Rachel at Timeless Couture and together they create beautiful bespoke wedding dresses, two of which you can see in the main photograph above .  Robyn was one of the models in our photoshoot with Timeless Couture earlier in the year, see the gorgeous girl on the telephone above…so it seemed perfect to combine a corset photoshoot with afternoon tea at a special venue.

It was a ladies only day (for obvious reasons!, as Astra put it “no smelly boys”) and all the guests had the opportunity to be involved in the photoshoot.

This idea grew into producing a corset calendar which would be sold to raise further funds.

Stancliffe Hall in Darley Dale offered us the use of their venue, completely free of charge, which was an incredibly generous gesture.  It is an outstandingly beautiful privately owned Hall, set in over 50 acres of stunning parkland in the heart of the Peak District. 

The photography and styling for the shoot was left in the hands of Emma from Ms Honey Boudoir, who also owns Emma Cleveley Photography.  She donated her time, talent, sexy props & experience for the day. 

Tineke kindly supplied all the flowers for the day and there were lots of raffle prizes donated by local businesses.

Darby & Joan provided the afternoon tea for the ladies and we donated two days to set up the venue and supplied our vintage china.

Some of the ladies were hesitant about stripping off and posing, but before Emma knew it there was a queue of ladies desperate to be transformed into a sexy siren for a couple of hours.  It was credit to Emma’s skill and easy going presence that made the shoot such a success, guiding the girls through poses to flatter their figures and enhanced their best bits.  Hopefully we can share some of these photographs with you soon.

Another charity who had been tremendously supportive of Robyn was MacMillan Cancer Support.  Most people are familiar with the amazing work they do on a daily basis, providing practical, medical and financial support and push for better cancer care.  A spokesperson from the charity attended to talk about their role in helping cancer patients and their families.  Some of the funds raised on the day were donated to MacMillan.

Pimms, afternoon tea, a room full of great ladies having a well earned sunny Sunday afternoon to themselves, a beautiful venue, pants and bras flying around everywhere, laughs and tears and raising money for two amazing charities. 

A good day.

Photography on the day – Emma Cleveley Photography, Ms Honey

Photograph of Robyn – Yvonne Lishman Photography

Main image – Emma Case Photography

The guest of honor was called Alice, her guests went to town with their outfits and their evening was finished off with a cocktail lesson.

“Who in the world am I? Ah, that’s the great puzzle.”

Darby & Joan were invited to cater for an afternoon tea party at Kedleston Hall at the beginning of this month.  The guest list was made up of 125 textile artists from the Second Turning Textile Group.  The group had just opened their new exhibition at the Hall which is open until 22nd September.

Very broadly, the work & exhibition was inspired by the architecture, collections and landscape at Kedleston Hall and showed how rich, lively and versatile textiles can be.

Our menu was what we do best – finger sandwiches, teetering high layer cakes, fresh out of the oven scones, rich chocolate brownies and lots of tea.  A simple menu, but one that we knew would be enjoyed and appreciated.

We had two areas to serve.  We set up camp in the Orangery and had a handful of guests seated with us in there and the rest of the group were served in a marquee.

The weather was kind, the guests were very lovely, the atmosphere gentle and it was another great success.

Thank you to Kedleston for inviting us to work with you – it doesn’t get much better than working with The National Trust.

Not forgetting a huge thank you to Emma Cleveley Photography for capturing the day so beautifully.

It was the annual Fabulous Places Summer Market at The Roundhouse & Darby & Joan were opening the doors to our first Vintage Tea Rooms. 

These events are always amazingly well organised, are filled to bursting point with the best suppliers in the area & are always good fun & the venue really is very special.  Over the past couple of years I have got to know several of the exhibitors & it is always nice to catch up with them, especially those who make their own products & who have a real passion & talent for what they are doing. 

Rachel from Tattered Rose was there with her beautiful handmade jewelery, art & keepsakes.

Becky from Butterworth Photography was exhibiting & took some great photographs of the day for us.

For those who really love to be crafty, Chloe from Adore by Chloe was there to offer advice to brides to be, party planners or aspiring domestic goddesses.

As always, the girls from Polly’s List were there with their kids corner, providing some entertainment for the younger customers.

Finally, there was one lady there whose products helped me through the day & provided much needed support when help was needed – a special thank you to Clare from Clarette Wines who was superbly positioned next door to the kitchens…!

Please contact this amazingly knowledgeable girl if you are interested in wine, like drinking wine, want to learn more about wine or have equally strong feelings about Port or Champagnes.  She has spent a decade working with the best of the best in London & has just set up her own wine consultancy. 

Miss Sammi Designs took some of these photographs & I have artfully shared some more from The Roundhouse blog – thanks guys!

I had the busiest couple of weeks I have ever had (ever) in the run up to the day…baking, packing, planning, ordering, baking, storing, wrapping, baking…I had three or four mornings where I crashed into bed at 4am & I will admit that I lived on coffee, the occasional wine, adrenaline & very little sleep for the week leading up to the market.

Deb had invited me to play a big part in her market way back at the beginning of the year & despite thinking “aaaaaaah, this is the biggest thing I have done & can I do it??” – my philosophy since starting Darby & Joan has always been to say yes to any opportunity that looks exciting, fun & will push the business forward – so it was an immediate yes & over the subsequent months I plotted & planned how to put it all together.

On the face of it, our tea room provided tea & cake – how hard can that be?  But the Fabulous Places are always incredibly well attended & we were offering refreshments to a lot of hungry & thirsty shoppers – a lot!!

There was a huge area to fill – the library at The Roundhouse is an impressive space – but luckily there was a large work area “pod” that we used as our serving station which worked perfectly. I took lots of our old furniture, props & accessories as well as our serving & eating china.

I had a good idea of how to set it all up and the next thing on my list was to find the right staff. And I definitely did. Their attention to detail, customer service, sheer hard work & always having a smile truly made the day run smoothly and made it the success that it was.

The cakes…I wanted to offer good old fashioned layer cakes, cupcakes, brownies, flapjacks & rocky road.  I hoped there would be something for everyone on the menu yet keep the menu list brief.

Natalie from Yummy Little Cakes made our cupcakes & Lisa from Food Fairies made our Coffee & Walnut & Carrot cakes (which flew off the cake stands!)  We made the rest of the menu & hope that we got it right.

The doors opened at 10am and the event went on until 5pm. 

We had a full house with queues of up to 30 people from 10am until 5pm. 

Thank you everyone who came to the event, the other fantastic exhibitors, to Deb for inviting us to be such a big part of the market, to our customers & our staff.

At the end of May we worked on a two day wedding at Kedleston Hall, for the most gorgeous couple who wanted something a little different for their celebration.

Our vintage china & accessories were used for their 100 guest wedding and we dressed the tables.

These photographs speak for themselves, all I will add is that I had an incredibly busy, fun, brilliant, exciting & memorable couple of days.   I am not exaggerating when I say I caught my breath when I saw Aelia, you are a lucky man Stu!

Oh and a behind the scenes collection of images would have been very entertaining too…me washing up for three hours at the end of the first day until midnight in a small, manically busy kitchen filled with waiters, me being locked out of the Hall at 10pm and desperately trying to find a way in, a tractor being needed to haul out the gate keeper’s stuck car from the mud after he let me in, unpredictable weather, an ambulance & not forgetting the escaping sheep.

Congratulations again Aelia and Stuart – you make such a wonderful couple and thank you for asking us to be part of your celebration.

Photography – James Melia

Table flowers – The Blossom Tree

Venue – Kedleston Hall

Vintage china & accessory hire, styling – Darby & Joan

Wedding cake – Choccywoccydoodah

Have a read of the blog on the Save the Date website here about the event http://www.savethedatemagazine.co.uk/2012/07/summer-food-gift-market-by-fabulous-places/

Hope to see you there.

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