August Cosy Feature: GG Crystal Gifts and Soaps

 

What inspired you to create GG Crystal Gifts and Soaps?

I named my business with the initials GG, which is an abbreviation of my full name. Growing up, I was captivated by crystal ware, which was a treasured gift in the 80s, often given to newlyweds or on special occasions. To me, it represented something precious, reserved for life’s most significant moments. My journey into this business began as a hobby, sparked by a thoughtful gift from my children. It quickly became a deeper passion, driven by my love for candles, natural oils, and the environment. I have fond memories of doing homework by candlelight during the harsh Eastern European winters I grew up in, when the snow would cut off the local community’s electricity. Those moments are oddly dear and comforting memory to me, and they sparked my love for the natural light, and scents of oils and wax.

What type of products do you create and where is best to find them?

I create soy wax candles, beeswax candles, and soaps. Initially, I started with candles, but as my interest grew, I expanded into soap-making, which led to the creation of the GG Crystal Gifts and Soaps name. You can find all my handcrafted candles and soaps on my website, www.ggcrystalgifts.co.uk, and I frequently participate in local markets in Petersfield, and more specifically, the Garthoven Garden Centre, the HSDC South Downs Market, and New Forest Markets Market in Lymington where you can see and smell my products in-person.

What is your favourite thing about using Soy Wax?

When I first searched for high-quality, natural soy wax, I was impressed by the Cosy Owl reviews for Soyaluna Container Wax. It’s so smooth, dissolves evenly, and becomes a beautiful, pure white. I love this wax because it’s vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, paraben-free, and silicon-free. Plus, it resists sweating in temperatures up to 35 degrees, which is a huge plus for me.

If you had to pick one top fragrance oil what would it be and why?

My favourite fragrance oil is Gingerbread, which I use exclusively for my Christmas candles. It reminds me so much of the holidays. When I was younger, I used to bake and sell gingerbread biscuits at markets, which I loved. Now, I just bake occasionally for family and friends, but that scent always brings back fond memories.

How do you package your products?

I’m committed to being as eco-friendly as possible. I try to recycle packaging materials like postal boxes and use wax paper or other recyclable materials for wrapping. My soaps are wrapped in wax paper and beautifully printed paper. I love using Cosy Owl glass jars for my candles because, once the candle is finished, you can clean out the wax and reuse the jars for tea lights or other purposes. It’s a small way to keep enjoying the warmth of candlelight while being kind to the environment.

Can you share your top tip for making a pillar candle?

At the moment, I’m only making pillar candles from beeswax, and I find that Cosy Owl’s yellow cosmetic-grade beeswax is the best. It smells like honey, and if you don’t heat it above 70 degrees or reheat it too many times, the pillar candle will retain its lovely scent and yellow colour for a long time. A good tip is to avoid exposing your pillar candles to direct sunlight to preserve their quality.

What is your favourite Cosy Owl product and why?

My number one favourite is the Natural Soyaluna Soy Wax, followed closely by Cosy Owl’s candle container glass jars. I also love their natural essential oils, especially rosemary oil. It’s great for hair growth, reduces stress and anxiety, and is beneficial for dry, sensitive, and acne-prone skin. Plus, it stimulates blood flow, which is wonderful for overall skin health.

What’s in store for GG Crystal Gifts and Soaps in the future?

I’m excited to expand my soap line with more essential oils and to create a wider variety of pillar candles. I’m also considering organising a subscription service for our regular customers, offering all three variations of our beautifully handcrafted soaps made right here in Hampshire. Thank you so much for this opportunity to share the story of GG Crystal Gifts and Soaps. It means a lot to me.

We would love to hear more about your candle, soap, cosmetic, wax melt or diffuser journey and the inspiration behind your products! Want to feature in our up-coming creator blogs?

Tag us in your photos on Instagram or Facebook, with the hash tags #cosyowlfeature #cosyowlsupplies and we will contact a wonderful creator once a month to be featured.

We would love to hear more about your candle, soap, cosmetic, wax melt or diffuser journey and the inspiration behind your products! Want to feature in our up-coming creator blogs?

Tag us in your photos on Instagram or Facebook, with the hash tags #cosyowlfeature #cosyowlsupplies and we will contact a wonderful creator once a month to be featured.