LIGHT IT UP | SALT Custom Candles

We've said it before, and we'll never stop: we love collaborating with other businesses, makers, and all around awesome people. Having our roots in a small community offers us the chance to more easily connect in person with individuals that are pursuing their passions. We love being able to converse with change makers and creators to learn about their visions and see if there is any way we can work together. Seeing our own dreams come true is amazing, but doing it while we can elevate the success and joy of others is where the true reward comes from. 

We have been excited for this particular collaboration for awhile now. Working with the scent experts at Salt Spring Island Candle Co. helped us to create three custom scent combinations that we are super jazzed about. Every candle is hand poured using 100% natural soy wax and 100% pure essential oils. These eco-friendly ingredients won't clutter your air with toxins, they'll fill your home with refreshment, calm, and ambience.

 

SALISH SEA 

FEEL |  Winter Waves, Vanilla, Oak

This earthy scent combo has vetiver, benzoin, cedarwood, and other natural scents that bring together the richness of vanilla with the coziness of a winter evening spent curled up next to the fire. You're whole house will feel like a welcoming hug.

 

HOWE SOUND

FEEL |  Fall Rain, Smoke, Fir, Moss

When you take a deep breath on a walk in the woods, the crispness that fills your lungs reminds us why nature is so precious. Light up the wick of this clary sage, birch tar, and fir infused option to feel like the perfume of the forest is wafting through your windows, even when they're shut tight.

 

SUNSHINE COAST

FEEL  |  Summer Breeze, Citrus, Honey

The sweetness of honey blossom and juniper mixes with the bite of coriander and grapefruit to give you the warmness of the summer sun combined with the freshness of an icy cocktail. We want it to feel like a gin and tonic was spritzed through the air (but without the stickiness).

Each candle is finished with a recyclable metal lid to keep the dust out and the scent in. And if you haven't already noticed, each candle is poured into a whiskey glass! At the end of the candle's life, use one of these helpful tips to remove any residual wax to give your glass new life.

With anything you purchase for your home, try to be conscious of everything that has gone into it. The packaging, the container, the ingredients. Think about the entire lifecycle of the item, not just the one that it will have with you. Question production and sourcing practices. Companies that are truly making an effort to bring their products to market in the most sustainable ways possible should be happy to share what their practices are, and those that aren't need to be reminded of why they should be. Engaging creators keeps the conversation going and encourages those of us committed to the cause to keep spreading the message.

Whether you tuck them into dark corners, display them on table tops, or both, ignite their wicks daily and fill your life with light!

from SALT Shop - Journal https://saltshop.ca/blogs/news/salt-custom-candles

LIGHT IT UP | SALT Custom Candles

We've said it before, and we'll never stop: we love collaborating with other businesses, makers, and all around awesome people. Having our roots in a small community offers us the chance to more easily connect in person with individuals that are pursuing their passions. We love being able to converse with change makers and creators to learn about their visions and see if there is any way we can work together. Seeing our own dreams come true is amazing, but doing it while we can elevate the success and joy of others is where the true reward comes from. 

We have been excited for this particular collaboration for awhile now. Working with the scent experts at Salt Spring Island Candle Co. helped us to create three custom scent combinations that we are super jazzed about. Every candle is hand poured using 100% natural soy wax and 100% pure essential oils. These eco-friendly ingredients won't clutter your air with toxins, they'll fill your home with refreshment, calm, and ambience.

 

SALISH SEA 

FEEL |  Winter Waves, Vanilla, Oak

This earthy scent combo has vetiver, benzoin, cedarwood, and other natural scents that bring together the richness of vanilla with the coziness of a winter evening spent curled up next to the fire. You're whole house will feel like a welcoming hug.

 

HOWE SOUND

FEEL |  Fall Rain, Smoke, Fir, Moss

When you take a deep breath on a walk in the woods, the crispness that fills your lungs reminds us why nature is so precious. Light up the wick of this clary sage, birch tar, and fir infused option to feel like the perfume of the forest is wafting through your windows, even when they're shut tight.

 

SUNSHINE COAST

FEEL  |  Summer Breeze, Citrus, Honey

The sweetness of honey blossom and juniper mixes with the bite of coriander and grapefruit to give you the warmness of the summer sun combined with the freshness of an icy cocktail. We want it to feel like a gin and tonic was spritzed through the air (but without the stickiness).

Each candle is finished with a recyclable metal lid to keep the dust out and the scent in. And if you haven't already noticed, each candle is poured into a whiskey glass! At the end of the candle's life, use one of these helpful tips to remove any residual wax to give your glass new life.

With anything you purchase for your home, try to be conscious of everything that has gone into it. The packaging, the container, the ingredients. Think about the entire lifecycle of the item, not just the one that it will have with you. Question production and sourcing practices. Companies that are truly making an effort to bring their products to market in the most sustainable ways possible should be happy to share what their practices are, and those that aren't need to be reminded of why they should be. Engaging creators keeps the conversation going and encourages those of us committed to the cause to keep spreading the message.

Whether you tuck them into dark corners, display them on table tops, or both, ignite their wicks daily and fill your life with light!

from SALT Shop - Journal https://saltshop.ca/blogs/news/02-sept-new-candles

CON·VIV·I·AL | Friendly, Lively, and Enjoyable

"We produce functional wares that we hope will inspire others towards gathering, hosting, and feasting. We believe the items we have in our home impact who we are and how we live. "

You have probably heard us say before that we believe everything in your home should be both beautiful and functional. We stand by that, and we are always looking for companies whose creations embody that principle.

Even better than discovering a company that is making beautiful things is finding out that their designs are guided by an environmental consciousness. It is one thing to incorporate that into your business over time, and we are all evolving, but starting out that way means it is baked right into the integrity of your business. At Convivial, they have done just that. We got a few inside tips on how they approach designs, bring people together, and why it is important to be connected to the items in your home.

Convivial Production is "...a design and manufacturing company that labors over the creation of ceramic wares for the home, table, and garden categories." Hailing from Kansas City, MO, this team has grown from what started as founder Chentell Shannon at her pottery wheel into a passionate group of designers, handcrafters, and more. The technical inspirations for their designs come from simple, timeless lines of the architectural world that we see in our daily surroundings. Every item is thoughtfully and ethically produced, with the end intention being to fit easily into any home and inspire conviviality.

"We create the tabletop items that draw friends and family around the table and we create surrounding decor to bring warmth and life to the room."

In a world where we can be so disconnected from where things come from, our clothes, our food, Convivial wants you to consider the "...thought, sweat and care that goes into producing an item." Value the human behind the clay; value their mind, their energy, and their unique output that will bring you the items that beautify your life. 

With sustainability as one of their pillars of creation, the whole team is always working together to ensure that every step of their process considers the environment. Each item is shipped using 100% recyclable materials and production processes are strategically designed to reduce waste. Recently, they have implemented the Mosaic Program, that makes use of their "too damaged to sell" items and turns them into mosaic tiles for public art installations that will unify communities. As ceramics can't be recycled or broken down, this gives new life to pieces that would otherwise go to waste, in turn reducing the company's overall impact.

Sharing the message of their environmental responsibility is a way Convivial hopes to have an impact on our buying culture as a whole. Regardless of whether someone becomes their customer of not, the team at Convivial wants to share their values "...to highlight the fact that there are other companies/factories in the world that do not manufacture wares ethically and sustainably." Their hope is that these kinds of conversations and thoughts help to mold a collective internal consciousness around consuming, that will shift towards requiring environmental responsibility from every item we purchase. 

They seem to agree that when adopting an ethical, sustainable lifestyle, the key is baby steps and low expectations. Keep your thoughts conscious, try to focus on a few changes at a time, and don't be too hard on yourself.

"Take each habit one step at a time! Figure out the system for that habit and as soon as it feels effortless, start thinking about the next addition."

As the newest phase of Convivial's journey continues, they are looking to give hope in the form of job opportunities to budding local artisans who have been told too many times that being a creative means you will have to suffer for your art (Not true!). They want to invest in creating more, better paying roles for creatives from multiple disciplines to build a team that will serve the needs of the company internally, and foster a culture of support for individuals pursuing their passions.

"When individuals come to work for Convivial we want to turn around and honor their choice with opportunities that align with their areas of expertise and interest. "

 

What is most striking about Convivial as a company is two fold: their steadfast commitment to sustainable production by highly valued artisans, and their genuine wish to bring people together to share in food, friendship, and the joy of connecting. Let us all be inspired by their approach to design, and to life: simple, sustainable, convivial.

In stores now are a collection of Convivial dishes and wares just waiting to brighten your home. We are especially obsessed with their new planters!

from SALT Shop - Journal https://saltshop.ca/blogs/news/convivial

SUSTAINABLY SET | The Thanksgiving Table

Maybe if I dry 100 perfect oak leaves months ahead of time, hand paint them all gold, and then arrange them around tiny pumpkins so they look like a perfect replica of the Horn of Plenty, I will finally achieve Stewart Status...

Setting a holiday table can be overwhelming (especially in this era of Pinterest that we live in). Being able to Google any craft or scroll through 100s of photos of what everyone else is doing is great, but we can spend so much time browsing that we'll run out of time to make the meal! That might be an exaggeration, but you get the point. We as a culture can get a bit obsessed with out Martha-ing Martha, or at least each other. It shouldn't have to be a competition! It does, however, feel nice to serve the meal you worked so hard to prepare at a table that is worthy of it's flavours. 

We think we have your answer. Pick a guiding principle for your decor and stick to it. Our suggestion? Sustainability. It is the perfect theme really. It will easily eliminate anything plastic or mass produced, so you know your table is going to look unique. You'll want to choose all reuseable or recyclable items so nothing will go to waste. Plus you'll feel good about everything you lay out knowing that the Earth will be thankful for your conscious efforts to reduce waste.

Place settings are easily achieved with a set of Falcon Enamelware dishes. Their jugs are great for drinks or flowers too. They will last so long you'll probably be able to use them for every dinner you ever host. That is value!

Dans le Sac has your lap covered with their hemp/cotton reuseable napkins. Try your hand at a little fancy folding with these quick instructions. Spending a few minutes on the details really elevates your table.

The main event itself, the food, should have a place of honour to rest. Convivial's ceramic serving trays and bowls are solid and their white finish offers every side-dish the perfect backdrop. All their products are handmade, so even if you have multiple pieces in the same style, they will all vary a little bit, giving each item it's own character. Same goes for their vases, which can be used for centre pieces or bouquets around the room. 

As for greenery, get out some shears and head to the forest. Long cedar branches, fluffy fir needles, smooth salal leaves, and spikey pine are all things easily foraged in our West Coast forests. Lay them in a long, runner-like line, or tuck them around serving platters. Pop a few into vases with some locally sourced flowers or some colourful leaves from a deciduous tree like a big leaf maple for an extra pop. 

Not hosting? Great, pressure is off for you! But wouldn't it be thoughtful to bring a gift to the person going to all that work? A 100% soy wax, hand poured candle would be a perfect addition to their sustainable decor. Plus they can light it up after dinner to re-set the scent in their home and create a little evening ambiance. 

It is often the ingredients on the plate that get the most attention at a big meal, as they should. Supporting local farmers and sourcing the most sustainably grown food should be a focus of every meal we plan. It is important to keep a handle on the whole picture. Staying mindful of how your meals are prepared and presented means you will always have something to be thankful for: good food, a beautiful table, and a cleaner, happier planet.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Shop sustainable home decor 

from SALT Shop - Journal https://saltshop.ca/blogs/news/01-oct-thanksgiving-sustainable-decor