Craft Focus - Page number 83 - August/September 2021 (Issue 86)

83 PROFILE relaxing to make, a great way to spend some me time, but they’re also very popular as an activity to do as a family, fun for the kids with a little supervision! Craft has boomed over the last year! Have you noticed any new trends? We’ve certainly seen a candle boom and particularly in pillar candle making. I started out in 1997 making pillar candles in all shapes and sizes (24 assorted shapes to be precise!). Making pillar candles takes a little bit longer but the creations that you can make are endless. As part of the EaziCandle range we sell wax appliqué sheets which can be cut into shapes using small cookie cutters. These shapes can be used to decorate pillar candles. These wax decorations melt with the candle as it’s burnt. These wax sheets are available in all shades of the rainbow, plus metallics including gold, copper and silver. Wax melts are also hugely popular. They’re a great way to fragrance your home and super easy to make. As part of the EaziCandle range we sell a wax waffle melt mould which makes perfect sized little waffle melts. It makes a great add on as customers can use any left-over wax to make their scented melts. Unlike candles, wax melts can have dried flowers and petals safely added for decoration. How often do you launch new ranges? I love the different seasons and I like to bring seasonal changes/additions into the EaziCandle range. This can be a new fragrance, a new colour or a boxed kit. How would you advise a retailer who is interested in stocking your products? When we speak with a new retailer we advise them of our most popular wax and fragrances. Keeping it simple to start with. We have online videos which help new retailers get a good idea of how the products work. I’ve also done live product demonstrations at both trade shows and for retailers in their shops. What sets you apart from your competitors? EaziCandle is a system that allows people to make professional quality candles without the need for any equipment. A saucepan is all that’s required. All the used components go into your recycling bin. We’ve made it really easy so that each bottle of fragrance is measured out to the exact quantity. Do you visit any trade shows? Do you plan to visit any soon? We have exhibited at Stitches in Birmingham and have also exhibited at Creativeworld in Frankfurt in 2020. We’ve booked to go back to Frankfurt and hope to finally meet some of our international stockists face to face. How did business cope during the Covid-19 pandemic and what are your plans going forward? We worked flat out during Covid in 2020 supplying crafters directly with EaziCandle as well as coping with increased demand for our contract candle filling services. We have a range of new fragrances in development as well as new product lines to launch in 2022 under our EaziCraft brand. What new products can we expect from you in the future? Eazi Soap! I’m currently developing a range of exciting new soap based products using the Eazi melt and pour system. EAZICANDLE +44 (0)1335 390 639 annie@onawick.co.uk www.eazicandle.co.uk