Month: March 2024

Colour is all around us. Everywhere we look, our brains interpret the world in the fantastic hues and tones it represents. Colour is essential to how we understand the world and has shaped everything, including our understanding of science and its relationship with light. The world would be a very dull place if it were not for colour. It’s why artists and artisan crafters have always tried to capture the best, the most vivid and the deepest colours they could find for their work. From the earliest cave painters of prehistoric life in Lascaux in France to Van Gogh’s Starry Night, they all seek to capture the colour of the world in some representative way. The world of wax melts is no exception to this rule either. There are numerous opportunities to use colour to the wax melt makers’ advantage in terms of product and ideas, as long as the Wax melt insurance is up to date to avoid any issues.

We are naturally attracted to colour. For many of us, this is a personal preference that begins in childhood. It is now widely accepted that certain hues and tones of colour are directly linked to our psychological state or can be seen as a representative of our feelings. Who hasn’t heard the phrase “I’m feeling blue” when talking about feeling low or sad? Another example is when one is “seeing red”, meaning they are angry or being “in the pink” as a sign of good health. Using the colours means that the person we are speaking with can conjure up an image of what we have said to enhance their understanding of how we are feeling at the time they talk to us.

These are examples of our everyday speech where colour is used descriptively. As we have discussed earlier, colour psychology is vital to understanding a marketing or advertising campaign. The use of colour should also influence the production of wax melts for the public. When you are designing a new range of melts and scents, you should always ensure that it speaks to and conveys to the customers a joined-up theme with the description.

General colour psychology holds to a few set definitions. Many of these are dictated by the way a society has developed culturally. How a civilisation has evolved is also essential. One historical example is how the Roman Empire used a lot of red in its armies’ uniforms and regalia. It is not a surprise then, for example, that red is seen as a colour that conveys power and vitality, but it also conveys danger. Blue, on the other hand, is one of calm and tranquillity. Trust is also associated with the colour blue, but, as touched on before, it might suggest sadness. Green becomes the colour of nature, the environment and rebirth. White, not strictly a colour, is seen as purity. Purple is the colour for spiritualism and creativity, and yellows and oranges are full of hope and can bring about feelings of optimism in a person. With this in mind, the wax melt maker should consider structuring their products around understanding what the potential customer will expect.

Colours also come in and out of fashion. Teal, a greenish-blue, has suddenly risen to become a very popular colour in home decoration. However, the wax melt maker should always be aware of the colour of the year as set out by Pantone. This year, it is Peach fuzz. Peach fuzz is a combination of orange, yellow and white. It is a beautifully warm colour and is generally regarded to produce a feeling of happiness and contentment. It is also seen as a very young colour that conveys a sense of youthfulness. Therefore, you could name and create a melt using this colour around childhood pursuits to try and capture the market. You will need to have Wax melt insurance on hand in case of any issues with those to whom you sell the melts.

Whatever colour you choose for your wax melts, they are the better option over the scented candle. For a start, wax melts take longer to dissolve, and they give off a steady scent that slowly fills a room and lingers longer. They are very much the safe option as the naked flame element of the melting is located in the ceramic wax melter itself whereas candles have an exposed naked flame. Even so, it’s a good idea to have wax melt insurance in place in case something should go wrong.

The other advantage of wax melts is their versatility. We have already looked at the use of colour, but the scent can be used to great effect as well. As with colour, some scents evoke feelings and memories. The wax melt expert can therefore even colourise and personalise the melt to the customer’s choice. It can also be said that certain senses provoke certain colours in our minds, a phenomenon known as synesthesia. Certain people will see colours or shapes when they see a colour or smell a particular scent. The ocean may produce blue or cut grass with a sense of green. The innovative wax melt creator may want to look into this phenomenon as it may provide an interesting selling point to prospective customers. A colour works in the same way with a red or an orange reminding someone of a sunset. This is particularly true if they are looking for a scent and colour that reminds them of a particular time or if they want to recreate a particular scent in their home.

Finally, there is the question of waste. With a wax melt, there is very little waste created, unlike with candles. The wax collects in the melting dish and is not as messy as what is left after a candle has burned down. As the wax melts come in handy cubes, they can be added to the wax melter easily, and they take up less room in your cupboards. The sheer scale of options means that anyone purchasing wax melts has a whole host of choices in terms of scent and colour options and they can easily accessorise them to the home, safe in the knowledge that it has not cost the earth to do so.

Whether we live in the middle of a big, bustling city, in a windswept, remote settlement or somewhere in between, one of the signature sounds of this time of year is the chirping and chatting of birds as dusk falls. With the start of British Summer Time, our evenings are beginning to stretch out and as they do so they invite us to step outdoors, breathe deeply at the end of a busy day, and allow the scents, sights and sounds to order our scattered thoughts and bring calm to our souls.

Birdwatching is becoming ever more popular as numerous initiatives reveal. For example, the RSPB’s annual big garden bird watch encourages us to take note of the birds which visit our small patches, and the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust provide tranquil places of sanctuary not only for the great variety of birds which land within their unique wetland ecosystems but also for those of us who can take some time out to slow down and simply immerse ourselves in watching from one of their many hides. As well as these national organisations, there are numerous ornithological clubs and sites ideal for birdwatching all across the nation and even a visit to a local park to feed the ducks offers rich pickings in terms of imaginative inspiration.

If you can place a bird feeder, fat balls or even a nesting box in easy view of a window, you will have the fascination of watching a slowly increasing variety of birds come to feed. If too, you can get hold of a pair of binoculars, it is well worth taking some time to observe these incredible creatures; not only do their wings themselves offer inspiration, but their whole bodies are designed with flight in mind. They have very strong yet lightweight bones, many of which have hollow spaces within to make them even lighter. They can digest food fast and while flying. Their wings have provided inspiration for many artists and inventors over the years; they are shaped like an airfoil, forcing air to flow more quickly over than under them. They have three types of feathers; fluffy down feathers to provide insulation, contour feathers which cover the body and flight feathers, designed with a hook and barb system, on their wings. Feathers provide both an excellent subject for detailed still life drawing and also act as a springboard for many other pieces of art and design work.

Nesting birds have also been the subject of many artists. Van Gogh painted a series of five still-life paintings using nests he had collected once the young had fledged and flown safely away. He was fascinated by the texture of the materials used in their building; clay, moss, dried grass. Birds and their nests lend themselves perfectly to stunning textile and mixed media creations; appliqué, both hand and machine-stitched embroidery and a limitless variety of threads and base materials all join together to produce the most exquisite pieces.

A fun project to do with children that helps them and us to gain extra depth to our understanding of the innate creativity and skill birds have is by having a go at making a nest ourselves. You may be able to find an empty nest later on in the season, but if not, simply choose a bird and look up what type of materials it uses to build its nest. When you have a list, go foraging, and once you have collated your pile of grasses, feathers, leaves etc have a go at putting them together to make a nest! It’s harder than it looks, especially considering that our feathered friends build them with their beaks and feet!

Insects too have offered inspiration over the centuries. Possibly one of the most popular is the humble honey bee. It seems we cannot get enough of bee designs on clothing, textiles and homeware. They are incredible insects, and their hexagonally shaped wax combs in which they lay their eggs and produce and store honey are a design feat in themselves. Add to this their furry texture and intricate design of their body and wings and it is no wonder they continue to be an inspiration for so many crafters.

Heading out into nature benefits us in many ways; amongst other advantages, it reduces our stress levels, helps us gain fresh perspective and boosts our mood. If, alongside all this, you can come back from your ramble in the woods or stroll in the park with some new ideas for your next project, then it seems a win all around.

Once back indoors and bursting with ideas for new products to sell, you could well find yourself thinking “How much does insurance for craft businesses cost?”. With several decades of providing bespoke insurance for crafters, this is a question we can answer! It will depend on several factors and the best way to work out how much does insurance for craft businesses costs is to drop us a message or pick up the phone and talk to us. Either Naomi or Sam will be here to reply; we value our customers and communicate with each of you individually. You will not have to be in a long queue and we will answer your question of “how much does insurance for craft businesses cost?” with reference to your unique business requirements, thus saving you time and money.

We hope you can pull on your boots, grab a flask of something warm and head out into the beautiful, natural world around you. Try to find time each day to take a moment to listen to the birdsong around you, to look up at the immensity of the sky above and down at the intricate detail of the ecosystem beneath your feet. As you become inspired by the remarkable colours, design and textures, we’ll look forward to hearing about the business you are building.

Although Easter falls on a slightly different date each year, depending on the lunar calendar, it always occurs mid-spring, amidst William Wordsworth’s crowd of golden daffodils and John Clare’s little lambs with wagging tails. Add this to a bank holiday allowing us time to relax with family and friends and this is surely enough to warm even the most weary of hearts after the long grey winter.

Dig a little further into our nation’s heritage and you’ll discover why Easter has always been associated with hope and new beginnings. From the Middle Ages onwards, the sound of glorious hymns soaring high amongst ancient church rafters, yellow and white flowers mingling their sweet fragrance with the scent of beeswax on sturdy wooden pews and sonorous voices ringing from the pulpit with a clear message of hope and joy, drew faithful congregations, dressed in their Easter best, to churches in every parish across the nation. This brought a fresh sense of hope and a new start for many over the ages.

Easter is still a great time to find new inspiration, what with all the rebirth around us. So, why not get onboard and channel a newly found creative flow into trying out a different craft? It’s a great time of year to jump aboard this wave of enthusiasm and put in place some events and gatherings to encourage others to learn your craft. There are numerous ways we can learn a craft online with the help of YouTube tutorials or Pinterest inspiration, but here at Craft Insurance, we believe there is no substitute for meeting up with other crafters and we have often emphasised the benefits to both individual mental health and the cohesion of a community by gathering together like-minded crafty folk. There are also some great business opportunities in this; everyone wins on more than one level as new skills are learnt, friendships are forged and your skills and business are furthered.

What, therefore, are some ways in which you can both grow your own business and teach others your craft? Firstly, it might be worth connecting with other crafters in your area, if you have not done so already. There may be a local arts quarter where crafters congregate to work and sell their products or an annual arts and crafts week where they join together to promote their crafts. These may lead to opportunities to hold demonstrations or workshops, and you can get on board with their advertising. If you do not have your workshop, you may be able to hire space from a local community craft centre. Or, you might find that there are already a series of workshops running and you can add yours to the line-up.

It might also be worth approaching local groups to see if they would like a demonstration or session teaching some of the basic skills of your craft. A quick look through Facebook or on a town hall noticeboard will give you an idea of what kinds of groups meet regularly. You could also go for a lateral approach; if there is a toddler group, there will also be a group of new mums who might appreciate a night out with a glass of wine and the opportunity to learn a new skill. It is also very likely there will be home-educating families in your community; they are generally a creative bunch and enjoy any opportunity to learn something new (especially if it involves a cup of tea for the parents!) so this too could be an avenue worth exploring.

It is also not too late to book yourself into some craft fairs and markets. Although you may not be able to do a full-blown demonstration here, you can use the opportunity to advertise your workshops, and by displaying your products and chatting with customers, you may well inspire some recruits!

With all these opportunities for growing your business and expanding the reach of your craft, you will need to consider acquiring the correct craft insurance. So, how much does craft business insurance cost? This will depend on several factors and the most straightforward way to ascertain the best package for you, is to get in contact with us; either drop us a message or pick up the phone and Naomi or Sam will be here to answer all your questions, including “how much does craft business insurance cost? If you are demonstrating or teaching, it is strongly advisable to have public liability insurance. This covers you for any claims of harm made by members of the public. You may also use these opportunities to sell some of your products, and in that case, product liability insurance is advisable. Check out our website for further information; we have years of experience answering the question “How much does craft insurance cost?” for a wide variety of crafting needs and businesses. We can provide you with a bespoke package for your unique business, thus saving you money and enabling you to have peace of mind and confidence as you go out and promote your craft.

It’s time to enjoy the new impetus accompanying the hope of new beginnings at Easter-time, by taking some time out to enjoy the beauty of the natural world bursting forth in all its new life. Let the beauty and joy around you seep into your soul! There’s a steady reassurance that comes from the new life in the changing seasons that has stood the test of time and helps us to set our compass for a busy summer ahead. Then, newly refreshed and re-inspired, we can get to organising some gatherings to teach and inspire others in our amazing crafts!

Redingote or fontange, drum farthingale or stomacher? I beg your pardon. The question we ask ourselves each morning “What shall I wear today?” has been repeated through millennia, with innumerable answers and combinations. While we no longer have to endure the inconvenience of wide skirts held up by a farthingale or the need for a highly tailored redingote for horse riding, we are still influenced by fashion. What is it then that influences fashion itself? Is it simply the popular vote and good marketing, or are there other factors which hold sway? Looking at the last hundred years of fashion, are there some timeless items that have endured the test of time? Let’s dive into the fascinating world of fashion!

From woollen tunics worn by Saxon women to the short nylon skirts of the 1960s, fashion has travelled seamlessly through the ages and provided us with a rich insight into the lives and times of the people of our nation. Amongst the many factors which have influenced fashion are the textiles available. Our consistently high levels of rainfall have given rise to the green and pleasant lands of Great Britain, ideal for sheep farming. Thus wool has been a staple textile for our clothing for centuries, arguably reaching its peak in the Middle Ages when the wealth of numerous towns was built upon the wool trade. Linen was a staple textile in France; the Bayeux tapestry was created from it. Despite our cooler climate, flax was grown here too and both wool and flax were woven on home looms. The increased availability of cotton during the eighteenth century, followed by the Industrial Revolution in the nineteenth century, resulted in huge changes both in fashion and in the widespread availability of new clothes. No longer was each item painstakingly hand stitched, but factories manufactured the cloth and sewing machines produced the garments.

Maybe the next seismic shift in textile production came post the Second World War with the explosion of man-made textiles. We have, in some ways, come full circle now with our growing awareness of the impact on our environment of never-ending consumerism and the high energy costs of man-made textiles. Thus there is a growing demand for clothing made from natural fibres which are both durable and have a low environmental cost.

Fashion trends are also influenced by national and global events, and we can trace this throughout the twentieth century. Amidst the horror of the First World War, the “war to end all wars” women took on many of the tasks which had until then mainly been carried out by men. With the tragic loss of life of so many young men, women continued to work in these roles as both individual families and the nation endeavoured to recover. Skirts were shortened, a utilitarian look became popular and trousers were worn. In the 1920s, as the economy began to stabilise and women had won the right to vote, skirts became shorter, corsets were discarded and comfort became the goal in design.

Through the Second World War and yet another generation of young men lost; women took on many uniformed jobs and worked as land girls with the iconic khaki trousers and bright red lipstick. Siren suits became popular, the forerunner of the jumpsuit. Clothing rations continued for years after the war, and women learned to “make do and mend”. Skirts were A line to used minimal fabric and gloves, hats and strings of pearls became must-have accessories.

With the arrival of the fifties and sixties, man-made fabrics such as polyester and nylon had a huge influence on fashion, with the advent of feminine wide swirling skirts in the fifties and the mini skirt making its debut in the sixties. The hippie style influenced the 1970s with crocheted tops and eye-catching jewellery. The 1980s through to the 1990s saw experiments with bold colour and man-made fabrics, although denim was also popular.

As crafters, what can we draw from this brief look at fashion through the ages? Are there any timeless classics we can recreate with a twenty-first-century twist? Well-made and well-cut garments will endure through decades, as will classic knitted jumpers. A string of freshwater pearls alongside pearl earrings can be worn on just about any occasion, and beautifully crafted hats, gloves and scarves are needed every winter.

There are plenty of opportunities to sell timeless items of hand-crafted clothing, so if you are a stitcher, yarn whizz or jewellery designer, why not collate your stock? With the warmer weather finally approaching you will be able to choose from a wide variety of fairs and markets, as well as selling online. Once you have done this, one question you will need answered before selling is, “How much does craft insurance cost?”. This is a good question and one for which we are ideally placed to answer. It will depend on many factors, so the best thing to do is to drop us a line or pick up the phone. With knowledge of your unique business needs, we will be able to give you a quote and answer “How much does craft insurance cost?” both clearly and concisely. As a family-run business with several decades of experience in insuring crafters, we are committed to providing a personalised and prompt service. No bots here…you will get to communicate with either Naomi or Sam, thus making the whole process of purchasing the correct insurance straightforward and hopefully stress-free. We look forward to hearing a little about your amazing business and allaying any fears you might have about how much craft insurance costs.

Tomorrow morning, when you ask yourself what you will wear, spare a thought for those women who struggled into tight corsets or uncomfortable ruffs each day! We have a wonderful freedom to develop our individual styles, wearing what feels comfortable and best reflects our unique personality. So step out with confidence and enjoy being you!