Devon


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1280" height="960" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7618.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-47991" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7618.jpeg 1280w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7618-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7618-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7618-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7618-700x525.jpeg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" /></figure>



<p>Candle-making on a gentle September day in the South Hams countryside?&nbsp;Cosy or what? Yep, Muddy&#8217;s off to dip our craft-loving toe at <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://cocklesandheart.co.uk" target="_blank">Cockles and Heart</a>&#8216;s bucolic barn in Harberton, a workshop nestled in the web of tiny lanes around Totnes. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1280" height="960" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7616.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-47992" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7616.jpeg 1280w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7616-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7616-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7616-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7616-700x525.jpeg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" /></figure>



<p>Owner Shona Duncan (above) set up Cockles and Heart following one of those life-changing health moments which cause you to reflect on your daily work choices. Having spent many highly successful years working in political PR, it was time for a change.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Shona&#8217;s business acumen clearly helped with the gorgeous branding and website. Initially, she established a productive herb garden at her home and sold at Totnes market. Not the ideal business during lockdown… so she began experimenting with using her own botanicals to make her beautiful handmade and sustainable candles.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1280" height="960" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7617.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-47994" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7617.jpeg 1280w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7617-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7617-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7617-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7617-700x525.jpeg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" /></figure>



<p>Warm and comforting as one of her creations, Shona made the four of us on the workshop feel extremely welcome and shared her knowledge so freely, you come away well equipped to make candles for yourself at home. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1280" height="960" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7623.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-47995" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7623.jpeg 1280w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7623-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7623-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7623-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7623-700x525.jpeg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" /></figure>



<p>I loved the camaraderie and shared experience of creating with a group and it was fascinating to see everyone&#8217;s responses to the different essential oils and their aromas (petitgrain is a rather acquired taste when sniffed neat!).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-course">THE COURSE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1280" height="960" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7622.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-47996" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7622.jpeg 1280w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7622-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7622-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7622-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7622-700x525.jpeg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" /></figure>



<p>The aim of the morning’s three-hour workshop is to concoct your own eco-friendly botanical candles. All the candles begin their life cooking up in Big Winnie, a huge 70kg capacity boiler that melts the majority of the candle wax which consists of coconut wax and rapeseed wax, both chosen for their sustainability. Soy wax for example would be vastly cheaper but is also much more damaging to our planet.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1280" height="960" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7619.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-47997" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7619.jpeg 1280w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7619-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7619-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7619-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7619-700x525.jpeg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" /></figure>



<p>There&#8217;s considerably more precision to making candles then we were aware, and the organic beeswax, which comes from Dartmoor, has to be heated separately at a lower temperature before it can be combined, cooled and then mixed with the cocktail of pure essential oils. </p>



<p>Scent-wise, our choices were a relaxing blend of lavender, thyme and bergamot for the first candle and an earthier, more invigorating lime, petitgrain and ylang ylang for the second.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1280" height="960" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7626.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-47999" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7626.jpeg 1280w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7626-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7626-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7626-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7626-700x525.jpeg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" /></figure>



<p>The final part of the process is to very precisely add the wick to your vessel of choice (I went for an Art Deco cup saucer and a small cup decorated with hummingbirds) and then boldly pour in the scented wax and watch the slow alchemy as the soft yellow pool solidifies into a pure white candle for you to decorate with dried flowers and herbs from Shona’s garden.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="960" height="1280" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7629.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-48000" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7629.jpeg 960w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7629-600x800.jpeg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7629-750x1000.jpeg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7629-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7629-394x525.jpeg 394w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" /></figure>



<p>The addition of the beeswax helps with the very long burn time of the candles as well as adding a slight sheen to the top which makes it look very professional.&nbsp;Tea, vicar?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-anything-else">ANYTHING ELSE?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1280" height="960" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7625.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-48002" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7625.jpeg 1280w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7625-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7625-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7625-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7625-700x525.jpeg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" /></figure>



<p>Choosing suitable vessels has turned out to be Shona’s favourite part of the business so she&#8217;s frequently to be found at auction houses in her ongoing search for interesting cups, jugs, pots and soup tureens (my favourites). She feels a real sense of connection to the previous owners and wants to give once loved and cherished items another lease of life. </p>



<p>She&#8217;s also become adept at fixing small cracks and chips etc which inevitably occur as some of her pieces are well in excess of 200 years-old, and clearly has an eagle eye for spotting the best bits &#8211; I spied some lovely Regency cups, as well as Derby and Spode.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forthcoming-courses">FORTHCOMING COURSES</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1280" height="960" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7621.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-48003" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7621.jpeg 1280w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7621-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7621-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7621-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/thumbnail_IMG_7621-700x525.jpeg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" /></figure>



<p>The next Cockles &amp; Heart workshop is part of of the Craft Revolution at Dartington on 12 &#8211; 13 November; these are full-day courses and include foraging for your own natural materials (£95); <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://cocklesandheart.co.uk/products/saturday10december-make-a-natural-vintage-candle-with-shona-duncan" target="_blank">Natural Vintage Candle Workshop</a> on 10 December at Cockles and Hearts Harberton workshop (£50pp). There will be candles for sale so you can stock up on sweetly scented treats for the festive table.</p>



<p>Any of you planning a trip to London this autumn can also see Shona&#8217;s vintage candles at the <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk/visit/whats-on/#events" target="_blank">Chelsea Physic Garden</a> Christmas Show of the finest indie makers. Sustainable botanical brownie points indeed.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-verdict">THE VERDICT</h2>



<p><strong>Good for</strong>: pretty much anyone even if you don&#8217;t feel you have a creative bone in your body.</p>



<p><strong>Not for</strong>: for the young and/or impatient as each process, especially the solidifying of the candles, is fairly slow.</p>



<p><strong>The damage</strong>: £50pp, including two self-made candles of your choice to take home and coffee and treats. </p>



<p></p>


Old flame! Vintage candle-making workshop at Cockles & Heart, Totnes

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