Our new beeswax pillar candles are now available on millbee.com! These candles are handmade at Millbee Studio using 100% beeswax and cotton wicks so they are completely natural. Beeswax Candles have a subtle natural scent which makes them a popular choice with people who have allergies or sensitivities to strong scents.  They have a beautiful warm flame and the honeycomb texture glows at the top of the candle when lit. It really is very calming to look at!

Now, to create some Mindful Moments while you light your beeswax candle!

With all that is going on in the world due to the Coronavirus, I thought I'd share some calming tips to go along with lighting your beeswax candle. It's good to stay informed but constant scrolling for updates is not good for the mind! Take some time out to switch off. 

You could also try some relaxing activities such as baking bread, reading a good book or knitting or crochet.

More details on our beeswax candles here!

Happy International Women's Day to all you 'amazing' women and especially to those strong women gone before us. I was chuffed to have my story included in Humans of Offaly by Paula Nolan this week and to talk about my granny who was an inspiration to me. 

"I absolutely love nature. The first blossoms will be coming out soon on the trees in the garden and I can’t wait. I love organic food and doing my market in Tullamore. Most of us are lucky enough to have at least one person in our lives who make a lasting impression on us and for me, that was my granny Langton. I was one of her eldest grandchildren, which meant that I got to spend more time with her. She lived on a small farm where she foraged and enjoyed the nature around her. Her hens roamed freely and she grew all of her own vegetables. I remember picking wild strawberries from one of the hedges which was full to the brim every year. There was also a damson tree at the front of her house from which she made all of her own jam. Granny’s salad sandwiches were divine!

She was the one person who stirred my interest in crafts. She taught me how to patchwork and helped me with my Home Economics projects, especially the sewing side.
Before Granny got married she worked for the Midland Health Board as their seamstress. She married at 20 in the early 1950s and like all women of that time had to leave her job. She went on to have ten children and she made all of their clothes. Back in the early 70s, because confirmation only happened every three years, she had four children for confirmation. She made all four outfits. My mother clearly remembers getting dressed for her confirmation and absolutely loving her salmon coloured dress complete with a cape that her mother had made for her. With her family reared, granny returned to making things like patchwork quilts, cushion covers and tea cosies. She went on to sell them at the market at the Tullamore Court Hotel at Christmas. She was so proud of her work and had no problem selling it at the price that she felt it deserved. She knew her worth which makes me so proud. She made everything by hand and was not afraid to let consumers know that the price reflected the time that went into making each piece. She was so clearly ahead of her time and a strong saleswoman. I’d like to think I inherited my creativity and entrepreneurialism from her and I know she would be very proud that I am in some way following in her footsteps. After all, she was my inspiration”.

Humans of Offaly ~ Jennifer Doyle

This day last year we launched Millbee! 

Looking to play your part in conserving our planet as you start your annual Spring cleaning? It can be a daunting task but you can always start by making small changes in your home. If you would like to cut down on single-use plastics you can switch to reusable beeswax food wraps to preserve food instead of using clingfilm. 

Beeswax wraps are an ideal substitute for clingfilm. Unlike clingfilm that cannot be recycled, beeswax wraps can last for up to one year and are biodegradable, preventing any form of ecological damage. Moreover, Millbee wraps have a breathable quality, unlike clingfilm which suffocates your food. This means your food is kept fresher for longer! 

One question we often asked is "How do you wash and care for beeswax wraps?"

To answer this question, here are a few tips on how to care for your wraps and make them last longer.

• Clean Gently

Beeswax wraps cannot be placed in dishwashers or washed in hot water. Wash them gently using cold water or submerge them in a sink filled with mild soapy water. Scrubbing too hard might peel off the wax.

• Dry & Store

In case you need to use your beeswax food wrap right away after washing it, dry with a towel. If not, you can let it drip dry naturally. Store them in a dry, clean and enclosed space to avoid direct sunlight or any form of heated surfaces.

• Avoid Oil and Sauce Stains

It is highly recommended that you keep beeswax wraps away from certain sauces and oils to avoid staining them. If you are covering a bowl of oil-based foods leave a gap between the food and wrap so the food is not directly touching your wrap.

Restoring Your Beeswax Wraps

Wondering how to revive your beeswax wraps if the wax starts to crinkle or flake off a little? For an instant remedy, re-melt the wax in an oven to smoothen crinkled beeswax reusable wraps. Make sure that your oven is on low heat to prevent damaging the wraps. Place your wrap on some parchment paper on a tray. This may take just one minute so keep an eye on your wrap. You just want to remelt the wax! Remove from the oven and quickly grab the two top corners with your fingers (be careful you don't burn your fingers) and wave to air dry. 

Wear and Tear

Frays, stains and rumples on your beeswax wraps are signs of a well-used wrap. However, our wraps have a pinking edge which means they are less likely to fray compared to straight-edged wraps. If you wish to clean stubborn stains without scraping off some wax from your wrap, use these amazing cleaning products from Lilly’s Eco Cleaning range. Some foods with strong colors such as turmeric and beetroot stains are difficult to avoid! 

Nevertheless, refreshing and cleaning your wraps is very simple and with a little care, your beeswax wraps will last longer.

Learn more about Millbee's Irish made beeswax wraps here!