Ever made your own candlestick holder? Well, neither have we, until last week. While there are plenty of BYOB (bring your own booze) pottery workshops out there around Glasgow, learning the art of candle making is also available now, thanks to sonder.
sonder is a local female-owned business founded by Louisa during lockdown in her mum’s kitchen. The word “sonder” means that every passer-by, every stranger is living a life just as complex as anyone else. The wholesome name is not the only noteworthy aspect of sonder: the candle business focuses on aesthetically pleasing pastel colours available to buy locally as well as wholesale, with the owner recently introducing BYOB candle-making workshops to the public as well.
Located in a pink-walled studio in Central Chambers on Hope Street, the sonder candle workshops take around two hours, inviting guests on a journey of storytelling. Crafters will be able to make their own candlestick holder from an eco-friendly substance called jesmonite, as well as decorate two pastel-coloured soy wax twist candles with acrylic paint. What is more, everyone is more than welcome to bring their own booze – you don’t have to ask us twice!
Firstly, founder Louisa carefully explains each step of the candle holder-making process, showing visitors the ropes first-hand. Then, each participant will make their holder from scratch while getting creative with the colour palettes.
Then comes the waiting game while the new creation is setting, so guests will be invited to get painting the soy wax twist candles. This is where someone’s story comes to shine, as you hear the reasons behind someone choosing how to decorate their candle. For example, we decorated our candles with golden stars and moons on a purple candle, and white clouds on a blue candle.
There is just something about sitting down and making something out of nothing, focusing so hard you can’t even talk and just chatting away with strangers over a glass of prosecco united by a simple yet satisfying activity. sonder candle workshops are a place for solace and quiet contemplation, where you don’t feel alone.
If this sounds like a bit of you, you can book your session on sonder’s website.