Stowsmiths

21/08/2026

Are you a pumpkin candle person or on the shelf?
As we approach the last weeks of August my brain switches and I change up the scents that I like to burn.

Our toasted pumpkin candle is warm and spicy without being overly sweet and comes in three jar sizes: a wavy golden glass tumbler, a classic screw top and a gold tin. I only pour a limited number each year. They will be available online tomorrow.

If bakery scents are not your thing, then bothy is also back with its smoky, woody notes. Without giving too much away, there is a wood resin in the blend to give it its truly authentic smokiness that really comes to the fore in the hot throw.

In other news it has been raining in Derbyshire (my home county, not the Cotswolds) and the steam rising off the grass at Elvaston made it look like a fairy glade.

Like many other makers I am.trying to get on top of stock levels before the market season but also don't want to wish the last weeks of summer away.

06/08/2026

Summer so far ☀️ ☀️☀️

I hope you are still chasing those golden hours whether you're here in the UK or travelling abroad. I can feel that seasonal shift as we move further away from the summer solstice.

The holidays are always a slower time for the candle market but not behind the scenes. It is the time of year when we candle makers build up our stocks of autumn scents ready for September.

If you are looking for summer scent that doesn't require a wick, try our room mists for an instant spritz and refresh. Our hero room mist scent is saltpath. If you didn't make it to the coast, bring the coast to your home 🌊

09/07/2026

I have teamed up with some lovely Corswolds makers for a craft retreat on Sunday 19th July.

Join us in Milton under Wychwood and learn the skills to make the following:

Bespoke essential oil blend diffuser
Indian block prints
Pressed flowers florist

The day runs from 11.30 to 3.30 and includes a delicious lunch served by

All materials are included and you will go home with lovely gifts made by you

Location: Milton under Wychwood Village Hall
Time: 11.30 to 3.30
Email [email protected] to enquire and/or book a place

17/06/2026

05/06/2026

I talk about the basil candle all the time in real life: at markets, in the Burford shop, and when friends come round to my house and see it on the kitchen counter. It doesn't have a place on the grid here and perhaps you haven't smelt its pure, uplifting joy in a glass and need to know more. Here goes...

Its hot throw is a herb bed of sharp greens; peppery and full of zest. There are sweet citrus notes to temper the sharpness: orange and lemon rind.

Consider it the kind sister to a harsh citronella candle as it works to repell insects when lit. The perfect burn for outdoor drinks.

If you receive our emails you will know we currently have an offer. When you purchase a tumbler candle you can buy a basil candle of any size for 40% off using BASIL40. It can be hard to choose scent online, but should help your leap of faith.

Happy weekend!

17/05/2026

It is the final day of Artweeks at Tyte Tap House in Great Rollright.

If you're out visiting sites in the area today, pop along to the house for a browse.

Open until 5pm today.

Thank you to for having a table of candles alongside this talented group of makers.

12/05/2026

A few photos from the week so far...I have loved being at Tyte Tap House this week. Such a varied and talented group. A selection of the work on show is shown here but there is plenty more to see. Open until this coming Sunday. I will be there again on Friday if you want to pop along.

Poppy seed heads in Great Rollright by

Natural soap: just butters and oils (no palm oil) and scented with essential oils

A pot by Noriko for Artweek in Great Rollright.

A break to man the shop in Burford in the drizzle

Venice Reflections - my favourite photograph by

Boards by Jonquil. Each board is tagged with the type of wood and source.

More candles of course...

05/05/2026

Scenes from this weekend.
Thank you to Jane and her team for working so hard to put on a great event ❤️. The weather played ball and thankfully no soggy gazebos for the traders to dry out this time. If you came along, thank you. I know it is a difficult time at the moment and all small businesses are feeling the pressure. Your support means the world.

This week I will be setting up in Great Rollright at Tyte End House for which starts on Saturday. Hope to see you there!

This week I am busy finishing a wholesale order. The oils that I use to blend atlas rose have arrived and I am pouring and restocking these. The week has started smelling amazingly!

29/04/2026

This year I am excited to be taking part in Oxfordshire Artweeks. Jane Stillwell kindly asked me to bribg my candles along to her site. The Tyte Tap Artists are an incredibly talented group of artists exhibiting in Jane's garden and studio in Great Rollright.

At Tyte Tap Artists you will find: collage, photography, wooden boards, ceramics, garden pottery, papier-mâché birds, blacksmith & ironwork.

Opening times:
9th to 17th May 2026
10 am to 5 pm daily

There is ample parking on the drive and street. Do come along and say hello.

Jake Gill
Jane Stillwell
Kate Daunt Collage
Noriko Macfarlane Pottery
Andy Gill
Jonquil Sabin
Trilby Jones Papier-mâche Birds

26/04/2026

Sunshine, plants, and candles. Thank you for having me at your market. Such a gorgeous location.