Iggy Box Reveal | September Maker
Welcome to your September box ‘I can smell Autumn dancing in the breeze……’
Meet your September maker
Olsten was started during lockdown in 2020, by founder Beca who is based in Robertsbridge in East Sussex.
The name Olsten is a combination of Beca’s two boys names – Oliver and Osten and the entire range is hand poured surrounded by beautiful natural surroundings, from a log cabin at the bottom of the garden.
Wicks inside my box
This September we present to you a beautiful Sweet fig scent, Our first candle of Autumn , housed in a classic amber vessel. Featuring a gorgeous gold foiled label, 100% soy wax and a cotton wick.
The candle
As the days start to grow shorter and cooler this soft and unmistakably sweet, earthy fig scent will transport your senses to a cosy place where the crisp Autumnal sun shines brightly through the windows. Alongside the sweet fig also sits the aroma of juicy white grapes and the subtle tang of freshly picked blackberries.
The Wax Facts
The Little One | 200ml | 35 hr burn time | RRP £20
The Bigger One | 300ml | 45 hr burn time | RRP £25
Little Something Extra
Featuring Olly’s Sour Cream and Onion Pretzel Thins. These light and crispy oven-baked delights are such a flavourful vegan treat. The perfect delicious, healthy alternative to standard crisps, with 80% less fat and 45% fewer calories.
Olly’s was originally born in 2015 and started with marinating olives in the kitchen. After launching their first ever olive snack pouches, they now have a yummy array of snacks including nut mixes and chocolate covered pretzels…
So snack away, guilt free with the planets first ever pretzel thins, Iggy Boxers!
It’s time to meet your maker
How long has your brand been going/ is it full time or do you do other things?
I started Olsten in lockdown number 1, March 2020 – so it’s been going for over two years now, which has gone so quickly! I work part time on Olsten currently, as I have three young kids at home keeping me incredibly busy. Although like most small business owners, some months are full time, especially during candle season.
Where in the UK are you based and what space do you use for your ‘workshop’?
I’m based in a lovely little village called Robertsbridge, East Sussex. My workshop is a log cabin at the bottom of the garden (lovingly named ‘the candle shed’). I’ve recently purchased my second wax melting machine – which has been revolutionary in making production more efficient. Baby Heidi has her little corner in there, where she can snooze in her bouncer whilst I get on with making candles! I love spending time in the candle shed, its my place to escape and have some me time.
What inspired you to start making candles?
I initially started experimenting with candles as a hobby. I attended a candle making class for fun one afternoon and I was instantly hooked! I love the science behind candle making and understanding how to make a good candle came quite naturally – the creativity needed to market them didn’t come quite so quickly!
What do you love about our featured scent?
I wanted to start a range of candles based on scents that remind me of countries I have visited. Sweet Fig is the first in this range and is available to Iggy Box subscribers first! It is based on my time spent in Croatia – a country I absolutely adore. Before having kids, and now as a family, we have visited the Dalmatia region in Croatia many times – where Fig trees are grown everywhere! Sweet fig is a juicy, leafy scent – think rocky coastal terrain with old Fig trees dotted about in the sunshine.
There are so many scents you can choose to make…How do you go about
choosing for your collection?
I only choose to include scents that I like myself, I’ll never release something I wouldn’t burn in my own home. My collections are based on where you might burn them in your house; some fresh scents for the kitchen, spa like scents for the bathroom, heavier more complex scents for the cosy nights in front of the fire, and also a range of outdoor scents. I’m quite addicted to trying new scents and I’ve always got some testing on the go!
What has been your proudest moment since starting out?
There’s been a couple – I’m constantly amazed at how Olsten has grown as a business. From providing white label candles for a range of gorgeous brands and a boutique hotel, to being stocked in amazing local shops and setting up a refill subscription service – I’m proud of it all! A definite highlight so far, is being asked to be the September maker for Iggy Box, I’m so proud that I’ve been trusted to make something for so many candle fans!
Do you have a fun fact or anecdote about your brand?
Olsten is a combination of my two boys names – Oliver (4) and Osten (3). Since starting Olsten I have also had baby Heidi (10 months), so I’ll have to figure out a way to feature her name somewhere too!
Do you have any specific ambitions or goals for Olsten Soy?
For now, Olsten can perfectly fit around my family life, when its not the hectic candle season! However, when the kids start school I’d love to be able to work full time on developing the brand and potentially having a little shop!
Do you have any charitable or environmental partnerships we should know about to share?
I’m so pleased to soon be hosting a candle making workshop for Ukrainian refugees who have recently moved to the village – I find the process of making candles, and then burning them, so relaxing and I’m looking forward to offering a safe place for refugees to take part in a fun activity.
Is there anything that you believe makes your brand different or stand out?
Olsten is truly a small family business. I make everything by hand, and do everything behind the scenes. I occasionally have my mum come and help out with wicking jars for bigger projects, and I am often pouring candles with three kids in tow! Also, see below for how Auntie Pam is involved in Olsten. This approach means that there is a lot of emotion and passion invested in the business – I absolutely love it and believe that this comes across when I chat to customers and stockists.
Are there any plans for new products or news over the next few months?
My Auntie Pam makes the most beautiful ceramic pots, which I then fill. Her latest creation has a lovely coloured glaze, and will be filled with a gorgeous choice of scents – I’m currently in the final stages of testing and can’t wait for these to be released!
There you have it that’s September’s box revealed! This fruity, leafy scent will truly warm you as you snuggle down and treat yourself to your little extra snack…
