The Glass Studio’s unique fragranced candles are particularly apt for repurposing. Add them to your glassware collection, use them as unique makeup brush containers or even pop your toothbrush in it.
Here's a step-by-step guide to cleaning out the wax from a scented candle container so that it can be reused:
Et Voila!
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The scent of leather is a complex and sophisticated aroma that has been coveted for its unique qualities and has been used in many industries, including fashion, automotive, and interior design. In this blog we'll take a closer look the history and origins of leather fragrance, and delve into its use in candles.
Leather fragrance can be traced back to ancient times, where the process of tanning animal hides was developed in order to create durable materials for clothing, footwear, and accessories. The use of leather was initially for functional purposes, but as it became more widespread, people began to appreciate the aroma of leather as well.
The art of perfumery was developed in ancient Egypt and was later refined by the Greeks and Romans. Leather fragrances were created by perfumers who sought to replicate the smell of leather in their creations. These fragrances were typically made using natural materials such as birch tar, which was distilled from the bark of birch trees, and castoreum, a secretion from the anal glands of beavers. These natural ingredients were blended with other notes such as citrus, floral, or woody notes to create unique leather fragrances.
In the modern era, the fragrance industry has developed exceptional quality synthetic materials to replicate the aroma of leather. These materials are typically used in candles, perfumes, and other fragranced products. Like our luxurious new Artemisia scented candle, the scent of leather is often used in perfumery as a base note, which provides a solid foundation for other notes to build upon.
Leather fragrances have become increasingly popular in candles, especially in the luxury candle market. Many high-end candle brands offer leather scents, which are often paired with other notes such as tobacco, cedar, or musk. The use of leather in candles creates a warm and cozy ambiance, evoking the feeling of being in a luxurious leather-clad room.
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Flowers grown in their natural environments without artificial heat or light tend to be better quality, so select your spring blooms based on what grows naturally Britain. Choosing sustainable flowers that are in season and locally sourced is always the environmentally responsible choice.
Flowers grown out of season often require artificial resources like energy and water to create the ideal growing conditions, which inevitably brings with it negative environmental consequences. In contrast, using seasonal flowers means they you are supporting local growers and reducing the carbon footprint associated with importing flowers from overseas. Think about your vessel too. A handblown glass vase or smaller bud vase is perfect, but it is important to know where it came from and how it was made. Glassblowing uses energy so choose a vase that is unique and built to last a lifetime.
But which British flowers are in season during spring? Below we’ve included a quick guide.
Daffodils – these bright, cheery and affordable flowers are synonymous with spring. They come in a range of hues, from deep golden yellow to white, and are a great choice for adding a pop of colour
Tulips – another popular and abundant spring flower, tulips range in colour from purples and pinks to reds and yellows. They have a sleek and elegant appearance and can add an air of easy sophistication to your vase
Hyacinths – with their sweet fragrance and delicate blooms, hyacinths are a lovely addition any floral arrangement and are available in a range of tones from white to deep purple
Ranunculus – these delicate flowers are a favourite among florists and are known for their frilly petals and vibrant colours. They come in shades of pink, red, yellow and white and can add a touch of whimsy to floral design
Anemones – with their delicate petals and striking centres, anemones are a beautiful choice for a spring time and look particularly lovely as a few single stems popped into a bud vase on a coffee table or windowsill
Bluebells - the sight of a carpet of bluebells in a woodland glade is one of the most iconic images of spring in England. These delicate flowers have a sweet fragrance and can add a touch of rustic charm to any setting
Snowdrops – these white blooms are one of the first signs of spring in England and are a welcome sign after the long winter months. Bringing them indoors is a lovely way to shift the mood
Cherry Blossom – it wouldn’t be spring in London without an influx of Instagram post showing beautiful new Cherry blossom blooms on every street corner. Its delicate white or pink petals combined with strong branches make it perfect for adding a touch of height and sense of drama to your vase. The perfect centrepiece in any room
Spring time in Britain is abundant with floral options. When selecting your flowers, consider the colours and textures of each flower to create a visually appealing arrangement. By choosing the right flowers and arranging them in a thoughtful way, you can create a stunning celebration of the beauty of spring in England.
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The Negroni was first created in Florence in the early 20th century. The story goes that a man named Count Camillo Negroni walked into a bar called Caffe Casoni and asked the bartender, Fosco Scarselli, to make him a stronger version of his favourite drink, the alcoholic Americano. The Americano is a cocktail made with Campari, sweet vermouth and soda water. Scarselli replaced the soda water with gin and garnished with orange peel. Thus, the Negroni cocktail was born.
It quickly became popular in Italy and eventually made its way across the pond to the America. In the 1940s, the Negroni was a drink of choice among American and British expats living in Italy. It soon began to appear in cocktail books and gain popularity in the UK and US.
In recent years, the punchy cocktail has experienced a serious resurgence. Bartenders all around the world have put their own spin on the classic, making it their own with new ingredients and flavours.
For many, ourselves included, it’s the taste of a warm summer’s evening. In 2019, the largest ever Negroni was created in Milan. 77 gallons and made with 375 litres of gin, 250 litres of Campari and 250 litres of sweet vermouth. A Negroni is typically about 24% ABV, so we better all watch out.
Negroni ingredients are all equal parts and the classic Negroni recipe itself is pretty straightforward: gin, Campari, sweet vermouth and a garnish of orange peel. Mix together and pour into a short tumbler or Old Fashioned glass.
We like a Negroni Sbagliato, where the gin is replaced by sparkling wine or prosecco and the Campari switched out in favour of Aperol or Faccia Brutto, the latter coming in a nicer looking bottle - which we can all agree is important. If you are feeling particularly wild, why not Mescal Negroni. Just swap the gin for mescal.
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Colourful or handblown vases and don’t always need elaborate flowers to make them pop. Instead, consider adding fragrant herbs or foliage to style your bud vase.
Choosing a bud vase
If you are going for more muted floral tones or opting for foliage, offset the natural leaves with intriguing pops of colour. Consider a unique handblown bud vase that will make a statement, or a colourful statement vase that will draw the eye in. It should be small enough to hold a few stems of herbs or foliage, but large enough to make an impact.
Select your herbs and foliage
Choose a variety of textures and shapes to add interest to your arrangement. Some great options include lavender, rosemary, thyme, eucalyptus, mint and sage. You can also add smaller flowers like chamomile, daisies or violas for a pop of colour and additional texture.
Preparing your stems
Make sure you remove and leaves that would be below the waterline and always cut stems at an angle to ensure they can absorb water easily. If stems are woody or tough, use the back of a spoon to gently crush the end of the stem and help with water absorption.
Creating an arrangement
Start with a few of your largest stems of foliage and add smaller stems and sprigs of herbs around the core stems to give balance. Keep in mind the different textures and shapes to create a dynamic arrangement but don’t over think it. Perfection isn’t the end goal here and your bud vase doesn’t need to look overly put together.
The finishing touches
Once you are happy with the arrangement, half fill the bud vase with water and place wherever you like. Fragrant herbs can work well in high airflow areas, which helps their fragrance to circulate. Foliage and stem-based arrangements are perfect when dotted down the centre of a casual lunch table. But again, there’s no need to over think it.
Shop our handblown marbled glass bud vases here
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