NEWPORT recently opened its first candle bar, offering a unique and creative experience for residents and visitors alike. New Pastures Home, an independent shop known for its range of homeware, crystals, and scents, has expanded its business with the addition of a candle bar. Customers can now pick their own jar, design their own scent, and leave with a bespoke candle of their creation. Our lifestyle reporter, Leah Powell, tried her hand at the newfound art of candle making and shares her experience with us.
The candle bar, located at the back of the shop on Commercial Street in Newport city centre, is open on Fridays and Saturdays. Customers have the option to drop in or book in advance online. Pre-arranging her visit, Leah Powell was warmly welcomed upon her arrival at New Pastures Home. Hywel Jones, one of the shop’s owners, guided her through the process while she enjoyed a hot drink from the candle bar’s selection.
At the candle bar, customers are presented with a variety of scents in different categories, including fruity, floral, food/drink, essential oils, clean, and earthy. Leah sat at the table and relaxed as she smelled the different fragrances, contemplating her own unique combination. Mr. Jones advised her on the usage of scents, cautioning against overpowering the candle’s overall fragrance. After careful consideration, Leah settled on her chosen scents.
During her conversation with Mr. Jones, Leah learned that scents like fresh linen and Welsh daffodil were popular choices among customers. Furthermore, stronger scents such as lavender and cinnamon should be used sparingly to maintain a balanced fragrance. Once Leah made her selection, she filled out an order form and then perused the assortment of regular and large jars available. Leah eventually settled on a jar with the phrase It’s too peopley outside, after her initial choice was deemed a little too risqué for the newspaper.
With her jar chosen, Leah watched as Mr. Jones mixed the scents and poured the candle. The candle then took approximately five to ten minutes to set. During this time, Leah had the option to wait or explore the shop further. She found herself engaged in a friendly conversation with Mr. Jones, who made her feel comfortable and at ease throughout the experience. Although Leah visited the candle bar alone, it is not uncommon for groups to participate in this creative endeavor together.
After her candle had completely set, Leah received a form with the requested information and the name she had chosen for her creation – Wonderland. She was advised to wait 24 hours before burning the candle. Moreover, New Pastures Home offers incentives for customers who bring back their jars for a refill. Classic jar owners receive £1 off their next classic candle purchase, while big jar owners can refill their jars for £12.50.
Overall, Leah found the experience of creating her own candle at Newport’s first candle bar to be fun and refreshing. The relaxed atmosphere of New Pastures Home provided a welcome alternative to traditional social activities centered around bars or pubs. For those interested in a more hands-on experience, the shop also offers candle making workshops in its upstairs space.
Newport residents and visitors looking for a unique and personalized gift or a creative way to unwind now have the option to embrace the art of candle making. New Pastures Home’s candle bar provides an enjoyable and relaxed environment for customers to explore their olfactory senses and create their own signature scents. Whether it’s a special occasion or a desire for self-expression, this candle bar offers a delightful experience for all.
