Christmas Wishes

Merry Christmas

to all our customers

And a Happy 2012

With warm wishes ~ Sue

Vintage Christmas

These vintage magazine covers are so elegant...



.....I love Christmas past and present! xx

Christmas Market at Crowne Plaza Marlow

Christmas Market

Crowne Plaza, Marlow

on Saturday 26th November

11am – 4pm

We are back at this wonderful Christmas Market for the third year!  So why not get in the mood for Christmas and visit the delightful Christmas Market in the beautiful setting of the Crowne Plaza, Marlow. 

Caroling, mince pies, mulled wine and a selection of stalls selling all things Christmassy – from stocking fillers to fridge fillers -  you’ll be feeling festive in no time!



Pop along and see us and sample our fabulous frankincense and myrrh festive soy candles and lots more.....

Beautiful Beaded Garlands

These stunning beaded garlands are selling like hot cakes!



At 5ft long they are incredibly verstatile, you can twirl them around
 any of our candles or around a pillar candle

leave the garland to gently cascade down your chosen holder

simple but extremely elegant!

We only have a few left to sell at our events but don't worry

I will be stocking more!

It's the simple things....

As we head ever closer to Christmas our already busy lives get even more hectic....

So why not slow things down and take the time to enjoy the simple pleasures in life.

William H Davies portrays this in his poem Leisure

What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.

A poor life this is if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

Make time for a walk in the countryside it can lift your spirits....

certainly works for me!



Christmas Shopping

We are very happy to announce that Chandlers Candles will be at two events this weekend!

On Friday 4th November to Sunday 6th November we will be at A Christmas Cracker at the Woodclyffe Hall, High Street, Wargrave.

This fantastic event is open from 11am - 6pm daily, admission is free.

There are over 20 professional artists and hundreds of beautiful pieces to buy.

 

On Sunday 6th November we can be found at Hare Hatch Sheeplands, London Road, Hare Hatch, Reading.
This Christmas Farm and Craft Market is open from 10am - 4pm.
Exhibitors include ~ photographers, glass makers, jewellers, bakers and of course candle makers!



 Why not come along and buy unique handmade gifts this year for all your friends and family....

Photos courtesy of Blue Ribbon Studio & Country Living and do not represent items that may be found at the events mentioned above.

Cashmere & Satin Mist

I am frequently asked to describe the aroma of my Cashmere and Satin Mist candle and the best way I can do this is to say that the Cashmere softly caresses you and the Satin sensually awakens your senses..... 

Really the combination of Moroccan jasmine, Lilly of the valley, bergamot and the warm undertones of sandalwood, amber and musk gently work their magic to create the sheer floral scent of the fabulous Cashmere and Satin Mist.

As always the candles are available in large, medium, small and tea lights.

Chandlers goes to Cheltenham

We are very happy to announce that we will be at......

The Cheltenham Fashion & Gift Fair at The Centaur, Cheltenham Racecourse on

Friday 28th & Saturday 29th October

Cheltenham Spa is England's most complete Regency town.  The Centaur at the wonderful Cheltenham Racecourse plays host to a great event brought to you by UK Grand Sales.

The show is all under one roof, there is plenty of free parking and a restaurant. You are sure to be able to buy beautiful gifts for all your friends and family. There are lots of exhibitors for you to see including gorgeous soft cashmere from Catherine Robinson Cashmere and of course our delicious scented candles and decorative holders.

For more information on this event go to:

http://www.ukgrandsales.co.uk/

Looking forward to seeing you all x

The delicious sweet fragrance of juicy black raspberries from the Autumn hedgerow and creamy smooth vanilla is proving very popular throughout the whole year..

It's almost good enough to eat!

Feeling very calm and relaxed this morning as I am working with the gorgeous Amber and Lavender fragrance..... bliss!

Available in large, medium, small and tea lights. 

The perfect fragrance to burn whilst relaxing in a warm bath surrounded by soothing bubbles...

Remember to extinguish the candle when you leave the bathroom!

SANTA CLAUS ARRIVES AT CHANDLERS

.There are only 75 days to Christmas and Santa Claus has arrived here at Chandlers...

Well.....it's not the real one but a very cheeky white pottery tea light holder!

There are two designs one holding a present and one holding a tree.  At only £4.50 they won't be around for long!

Check out the events page on our website http://www.chandlerscandles.me.uk/ to see if Santa Claus will be at a venue near you!

AUTUMN FAIR ~ 6th October

Action Medical Research Autumn Fair - Hall Barn, Beaconsfield, 6th October

Thursday 6^th October   10am – 3.30pm    Entrance £5.00

Come and see us in the marquee at this very worthwhile charity event in aid of Action Medical Research.

Funds raised will go to support more than a hundred research projects in Britain’s leading hospitals and universities. 

Hall Barn, Windsor End, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire HP9 2SG

For further information on the event please contact

Mrs Julie Willford - juliewillford@btinternet.com or

Mrs Sheila Davis - smdavis200@gmail.com

QUINTESSENTIALLY ENGLISH

I have recently discovered a beautiful little village ~ Great Tew ~ nestled in the Cotswolds just 4 miles outside Chipping Norton.

If you are looking to find the charm of old England then this is the place for you, it simple oozes all that is good and traditional about our beautiful country.

Narrow country lanes are adorned with quaint 17th century chocolate box thatched cottages.  However, the best find for me was Sweet Peas a florist and tea shop!

This shop seemed to be the heart of the village.  You are greeted with a warm welcome from the owner, there is a choice of seating inside or out and a selection of coffees, teas and cakes to choose from.

Once refreshed you can browse the wonderful selection of gifts, cards, flowers, breads and even have a sandwich made for you.

It was a step back in time to a slower more civilised pace of life where people had time for you and even trusted villagers to return later to pay for their bread!

Oh how I wish I could live in Great Tew.............

To find out more visit http://www.greattewvillage.co.uk/

GREAT DAY OUT

On Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th September we can be found selling our signature range of candles and simply gorgeous candle holders in the Eden Gifts & Crafts marquee stand 364 situated in Avenue F at The Royal Berkshire Show on the Newbury Showground.

I have added some stunning Christmas tea light holders, beaded garlands to twirl around my candles or place in the bottom of a storm vase, decorative silver hearts, white ribbed hearts and some beautiful clear hearts to our selection too!

Our Christmas fragrance for this year is Frankincense and Myrrh ~ it proved a enormous hit at the Henley Show last weekend so I have been busy at the melting pot making more festive candles ...

The show is a real treat for all the family ~ take a look on
http://www.newburyshowground.co.uk/show-2011

and it is a perfect opportunity to start the Christmas shopping and purchase a unique gift for a loved one.

Look forward to seeing you all!

PERFECT WEEK......



I'm soo excited.... I've just found out it is NATIONAL CUPCAKE WEEK!  The perfect excuse to try a different cupcake everyday.....actually, the week hopes to get you and I not just eating cupcakes but baking them too!

It's not just making the cupcakes that can give so much pleasure it's the decorating of them too.  You can let your creative juices flow when you pipe on your butter cream or frosting and choose from a wide variety of dusting powders, edible glitter, flowers and coloured sugars that are available at most supermarkets and specialised cake decorating sites online.

Then there are the beautiful wrappers that snuggle around the cupcakes and of course the stunning cake stands that you can display the finished pieces of artwork on....

So don't go out and buy cupcakes today, stay inside and dig out the mixing bowl and get creative. 

If you need a little help, why not try Rachel Allen's Lemon Cupcakes...

MAKES 12 CUPCAKES

INGREDIENTS

• 125g butter, softened
• 175g caster sugar
• Finely grated zest 1/2 large lemon (keeping the zest of the remaining half for the lemon icing)
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 150g plain flour
• 1/4tsp baking powder

FOR THE LEMON BUTTER ICING

• 75g butter, softened
• 125g icing sugar, sifted
• Finely grated zest of 1/2 large lemon
• 1-2tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 12 crystallised flowers, optional

METHOD

1.  Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas 4. Line a 12-hole cake tin with 12 paper cases. Cream the butter in a large bowl or in a food mixer until soft. Add the sugar and grated lemon zest and beat until the mixture is light and fluffy.

2.  Gradually add the beaten eggs, then sift in the flour and baking powder and fold into the mixture. Alternatively, whizz all the ingredients together in a food mixer.

3.  Divide the mixture between the paper cases and bake for 7-10 minutes, until risen and golden. When cooked, the top of each cake should be slightly springy to the touch. Remove from the tin and place on a wire rack to cool before you ice them.

4.  To make the icing, cream the butter in a bowl with a wooden spoon or hand-held electric beater until soft. Add the icing sugar and beat into the butter, along with the lemon zest and enough lemon juice to soften the icing to a spreadable consistency.

5.  When the cupcakes are cool, spread a heaped teaspoon of lemon butter icing over the top of each one. Decorate with the crystallised flowers, if using.

 

Happy baking!  Pop by and let me know what you decide to make....

CUTE MUGS

I think you are all aware that I am a great fan of Susie Watson Designs.  I was very excited when I discovered she had added some new designs to her wonderful range of pottery, the animal magic range is so cute.

My favourites are Monty & Maisy and Boris.... that's probably because I'm mad about dogs!

   

Monty & Maisy straight mug £15.75



Small Boris Mug £13.50
Both photographs courtesy of http://www.susiewatsondesigns.co.uk/

 
I think these mugs would be a welcome addition to my collection and would look great displayed on my dresser ~ may need to pop to the gorgeous shop in Marlborough!

NATIONAL WOOL WEEK

Today is the start of National Wool Week 5th - 11th September

The campaign for wool was started in 2008 by the Prince of Wales with the idea to promote and champion wool and help reinvigorate the global wool industry.

So after visiting the Autumn Fair at the NEC in Birmingham yesterday, I thought I would do my bit to help those working with this great natural product and introduce you to a company I discovered.

Bronte (www.brontebydesign.co.uk) is an established British company with a wide range of beautiful products ~

Like this throw in soft Merino Lambswool ~





And these decorative and practical doorstops ~

And these gorgeous pure alpaca throws ~

All photographs courtesy of brontebydesign.co.uk


Well I will do my best this week to help the wool indusrty, my sofa would look great with a fabulous woollen throw draped over it ~ just need to decide on the colour, oh and how many matching cushions I need!

 

A LOCAL FIND

I consider myself very lucky to live in a beautiful part of the country between Windsor and Marlow on the river Thames.  I am surrounded by National Trust Land and farmland and I can often be found walking our lovely dog Harry when I am not making candles!

A new cafe at Stubbings Nursery has proved a big hit with me as it means I can combine two of my favourite things - dog walking and eating cake!





Cafe situated in the glass house overlooking 18th century walled garden
Stubbings Estate, Henley Road, SL6 6QL

  The cafe has been open for a month and I am already a frequent visitor, the cappuccino is delicious and I am slowly working my way through an extensive selection of cakes.  The staff are friendly and no-one complains about you sitting there for sometime taking in the fragrant aromas from the Richard Elder floral design studio.

Dog walkers are welcomed and there are plenty of water bowls for thirsty dogs. The walk back home will burn off the calories so no need to feel guilty about consuming that large slice of coffee and walnut cake.....

3 ARM CANDLESTICK: FABULOUS VALUE

These stunning 3 arm aluminum candlesticks are only £28.00!

Sadly only available at events at the present time.

We will be at the Henley Show in September, pop along and see what else we have to tempt you!

SUSIE WATSON DESIGNS: WEDDING HIRE

I am a great fan of Susie Watson's beautiful handmade pottery and I was really pleased to find they hire out a selection of their jugs and pitchers for weddings.  They look stunning filled with a selection of fragrant flowers.

susiewatsondesigns.co.uk

As my eldest daughter is hoping to get married next year in a converted barn, I thought these would really compliment the surroundings.  What a find!  Teamed with my scented soy tea lights shimmering in stunning vintage silverware it will look very romantic....