OUR STORY
I have always had a real passion for candles. Their elegance, the way they could dress a room and make it appear more welcoming - regardless of whether the candle was lit or unlit. I just couldn’t spoil them.
But everything changed in 2014 when I watched ‘Kirstie Allsopp’s ‘Handmade Christmas.’ I decided that ‘YES!’ I could do that and I turned my hand to making our Christmas gifts, instead of buying them.
I learnt how to make unscented candles, sourced some pretty vintage fruit salad dishes, and poured in my wax to create my gifts. I tied them with ribbon, dried orange slices in the oven and wrapped my creations in cellophane. The response I had back was incredible.
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My husband, believed I had created something really special and suggested I think of a company name for my ‘candle making hobby.’
So where did the name come from? My name is not Ruby as many think it is, but I have always loved the name Ruby. I wanted my candles to be elegant, show craftsmanship and understated opulence. I wanted them to be seen as a luxury affordable item, and the jeweller that to me optimises this, was Mappin & Webb. Webb goes well with Ruby and I think the name just works; so Ruby & Webb it was!
In October 2015 my husband was diagnosed with a grade 4 glioblastoma, he passed away in May 2017. So, it was not until I was furloughed, during lockdown at the beginning of 2020, that I started thinking how I could turn my now hobby into a real business. However, I needed courage, lots of courage, to take that next big step.
I started by attending lots of candle making courses. I learnt more about the tips and tricks for making beautiful aromatic candles, and most importantly for me; candles with fragrances that actually last. It was so inspiring. It gave me confidence. And, I got creating and pouring like mad as soon as I had completed the training!
As we approached Christmas 2020, orders for our candles went through the roof and we realised we could not do both a day job and run Ruby & Webb even as a hobby. In March 2021, I handed my notice in, and started Ruby & Webb as a business.
I think my late husband would be so proud if he could see how happy I am today.
His support and encouragement is what started to turn my passion into a business, and am delighted that I took the plunge!
It is important to me that my business is also environmentally aware. From my recycled gift boxes through to using soy wax without parabens or toxins; we make sure that Ruby & Webb products are both stunning and considerate to the environment. We love what we do. We care strongly about how we make and present our products, to make them the very best on all levels.
We hope you enjoy the aromas of our beautifully fragranced candles & now diffusers, which we launched in 2022, & hope they will transport you back triggering as many fond memories for you, as they do for us.
If you have any questions, please do get in contact, we'd love to hear from you and will be delighted to respond.
What is in our candles:
• A vegetable wax which is derived from the oil of soy beans
• We do not add any dyes or nasties to our candles
• Made from 100% soybean oil
• Fully biodegradable
• Soy wax candles tend not to produce soot when burnt
• It is not poisonous and does not release air pollutants
Soy beans are harvested, cleaned, cracked, de-hulled and rolled into flakes; before the oil is then extracted and hydrogenated.
The process which converts the fatty acids from unsaturated to saturated fat, also raises the melting point of the oil. When cooled it solidifies at room temperature and the result is soy wax!
Unlike the paraffin wax, soy wax is clean burning.
We love working with soy wax. It has a beautiful texture and sets wonderfully in our fine glass containers. Even better, soy wax burns slower than many other candle waxes, so your candle will last longer. Our 30cl candles will burn beautifully for around 40 hours.
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All our candles are paraben free, cruelty free and vegan friendly.
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What's New: We offer businesses a white label service. Creating fragrances for their brand, increasing their product range and sales. We help you every step of the way. Contact us for more details.
