Candles

Ebi Sinteh and Emmanuel guide readers through candle making, from the properties of soy wax and essential oils to wicks and the blending of scents. Once those techniques feel familiar, readers can put them into practice with 18 projects that build a set of sustainable candles designed for each season.

The designs vary widely. Summer evenings might call for tapered candles or scented tea lights, while autumn mornings suit aromatherapy candles or candles with a crackling wood wick. The authors also explain how candles make a home feel calmer and warmer, and how a familiar scent can evoke faraway places. Readers learn to combine fragrances that match their mood.

The book is illustrated with lifestyle photography that conveys the pleasure of making candles by hand. It is aimed at anyone who wants to try the craft, and it encourages readers to make candles they can settle beside for a cosy pause.