London Refinery -Candle Making Class
I probably buy candles at the same ratio that I buy books. Just so you are aware, this means that I am really into candles. I can never have enough books and candles to make me feel relaxed and centered during the sensory experience they can give.
So I have decided to start making my own and pursue a venture that I have been thinking about for a while. After watching a few YouTube videos I was pretty sure that it was something that I would enjoy. Let's see.
I booked a space at the London Refinery candle making workshop. The only annoying part of the whole day I was hoping was that it was such a long tube journey to get to Ealing Broadway where the class was taking place. It had been an intense couple of days with the current war in Ukraine so I was glad that this was coming up to see if it would take my mind off things and keep me away from the news for a short time.
And I arrived after a long tube journey into a dreamy little atmosphere where I would make my first candle. It was a small group too which always makes things go much smoother with everyone getting enough personal attention from the Head Experimenter, Lucy. Our own kits were already set up on the table along with instructions and an apron.
The mixture of the fragrances from the essential oils that was wafting through the air mixed in with the gorgeous flowers on the tables and the tease of the coffee fragrance from downstairs was so relaxing. I had to remind myself I was there for a purpose and to concentrate and not act like I was at a spa.
We took turns introducing ourselves to the group who were all so lovely. If you are taking part in a candle making course on a saturday early evening then there is a high chance that you are all really into this type of experience which we all were.
Lucy then gave us an introduction to candle making and essential oils. We covered a lot about the different types of waxes (who knew there were so many). I did find this really interesting especially as I am conscious about clean sustainable products.
Then we moved on learning about essential oils, top notes, middle notes, base notes, fragrance families - there is so much to learn about getting the right blend. Everything I am doing right now seems like a masterclass and I was so into it so I know this is definitely a venture that I will be pursuing.
Before we got started with creating our own blends we had a few minutes to think of the type of fragrance that we wanted to create and the story behind it. It was my intention to create a fragrance that had a beach vibe. I wanted it to make me feel like I was at the ocean and for it to feel fresh, cool and for it to make me feel like I could just release anything I was holding on to. I wanted something that made me feel free after the last two years being inside (on lockdown not in prison). I made my notes and then we got started on what was the part of the session which took most of the time - getting the right blend.
There are just so many oils. I expected to choose fruity and floral fragrances but I surprised myself whilst experimenting and didn’t go for what I thought I would.. I loved the fruity ones but with the time period I couldn't get the right balance of citrus together so I moved on and ended up combining an oil with quite deep fragrance with something sweet.
It took me a while to decide on the third oil to get a scent that I liked. I had to keep double checking just to make sure my sense of smell was taking it in correctly as I surprised myself with my pick. I loved it. I don’t think I captured the essence of the ocean but this was definitely the type of fragrance from a candle that I would be drawn too.
On to the wax. I have to say I was really enjoying myself and was in my own candle making world as well as being interactive with the rest of the group. I never really feel like this when I am cooking so I was worried that I wouldn’t enjoy the process beyond just having a new experience. This felt really natural for me. Even the process of trying to figure out the blend I wanted didn’t feel like a chore. I can’t wait to be experimenting with more oils and create new fragrances.
Once our blends were ready we all went up in small groups to melt the wax. I was proudly waiting over my jug with the thermometer in hand in anticipation of adding my blend of oils. Our jars were ready with the wick inserted all ready for the pour.
And there she was. My first candle made with my own blend of fragrance.
Lucy trimmed the wick for me and I was so pleased with myself that I had found something that I knew that I would want to learn more about. Although I have so much more to learn about top and base notes I can’t wait to go more into the process of creating a fragrance.
London Refinery has a course coming up so this will be a great opportunity for me to dive in deeper.
The two hours flew by and we went over about by about 30 minutes. For the final part of the workshop once we had all poured our candles and let them set we then had to name our candles. I was struggling. I couldn’t think as I felt I did not create the fragrance that I originally intended. I decided I would give this a bit more thought.
When it was time to introduce my candle to the group I gave them my overview but also said that I hadn’t thought of a name yet. I said how I wanted to create an ocean beachy vibe to represent freedom as after the first lockdown the ocean was where I had longed to be the most. After my little rambling short speech I thought about my words and how much of my thinking about the world is tied up in freedom and the human rights of all people.
The workshop was at an end and then one of the ladies who was sat at the opposite end of the table to me was by my side. She looked at me with what felt like the same expression as I was feeling and said very softly that I should call my candle Freedom. I smiled but didn’t speak for a moment. And then finally nodded yes, that’s perfect. Freedom.
And so on Saturday 26th February 2022 I had my first candle making experience and my candle was named very aptly, Freedom. Whilst basic human rights are being challenged there is no escaping that the cost of Freedom isn’t free and it is all of our responsibility to fight for it.
We were advised to let our candles settle for a week. I am planning on lighting mine this coming Saturday where my heart hopes that things are not any worse than they are now.