Village People: Lauren Glass, candlemaker of Storm Coast

This month's Village Green maker is Lauren who makes all of the fabulous candles that we stock.  

 

Photo credit: Nic Cameron Photography

 

Where’s your favourite coffee spot? 

Having moved back to East Lothian in lockdown we hadn’t had the chance to visit many spots but Drift in North Berwick was a life saver on days where all we could do was walk and take in the views.

 

Where’s your favourite place to go in East Lothian/Edinburgh/Scotland?

East Lothian will always be home to me but I lived in Leith in my twenties, just as it was becoming ‘the place to be’ and got to witness so many cool bars, shops and art spaces open up. I met a lot of really cool people and artists and although I love East Lothian, I feel I will always be a wee bit of a Leither.

 

What was the best holiday you’ve ever been on?

My favourite place in the world is France and a few years ago I went to Bordeaux with one of my very best friends. It was the height of summer and we spent our days visiting vineyards. While we were there, there was the biggest rainstorm and we danced in the street outside our apartment, it felt like we were in a rom com and it’s just one of those memories you will never forget.

 

How did you start doing what you now do? 

I made some candles for family one Christmas as part of a homemade hamper. I hadn’t expected it to ignite such a creative drive in me and soon after I made them all I could think about was scent combinations and filling mine and my friends homes with beautiful smelling candles.

 

 

What was the first product you ever made? 

Those Christmas candles – I didn’t have a clue what I was doing and in true Lauren fashion, totally made things up as I went along. The candles smelt OK but after researching things properly before starting Storm Coast I realised they were not my best attempt!

 

Have you always done what you do? 

Nope, candles was very much a segue from my previous jobs in hospitality, talent recruitment and sales but it feels like I’ve found my calling. Making candles is like therapy for me and I love seeing customers enjoy something that has been created by me.

 

What’s your next project? 

So, while I am pregnant Nic has had to take on the driving seat of chief candle maker as it’s not advised I handle essential oils until I have the baby which has actually freed up some of my time to plan the future and a new range. We are looking at introducing a range of Reed Diffusers before the end of the year which is super exciting as I know a lot of people, especially those with young kids, don’t like to have candles burning so keep an eye out for those over the next few months 

 

What are you most proud of?

This will sound super cheesy but I’m most proud of Nic! Yes – I’m the face of the brand but he really is the driving force behind me, he was the one that encouraged me to start, and the one having to make the candles while I am busy growing a baby. I’m really proud of the partnership we have, both with Storm Coast and in life and can’t imagine growing a business, or indeed a family with anyone else.

 

What's your favourite book? 

My favourite book is The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon, I read it in high-school and really appreciated the way he made you see the world through someone with autism’s eyes. I am currently reading Find Me by Andre Aciman, it’s the squeal to Call Me By Your Name and it’s just so beautifully written.

 

Do you have a signature dish? 

I would have to say my Roasted Butternut Squash and Sage Risotto, it’s such a warming and filling dish, perfect for Autumn nights!

 

What’s the best joke you’ve ever heard?

My partner Nic is the funniest person I know but a lot of his jokes I wouldn’t repeat. He got me a pun calendar for my Christmas and todays is ‘I knew a glass blower who inhaled... He had a pane in his chest!

 

What song gets you on the dance floor? 

As an ex-dance teacher any song will get me up on the dancefloor but my go to karaoke song is ‘Part of Your World’ By The Little Mermaid.

 

Do you listen to podcasts? Have you got a recommendation for us?

I am absolutely obsessed with true crime so I am a big fan of podcasts like My Favourite Murder and Last Podcast on the Left... but they aren’t for the faint hearted!

 

Storm Coast Products