Each month at The Home Crafters we spend some time with one of our crafters, getting to know them a little bit better, finding out more about their craft and sharing their story with you.!
July 2023, our Maker of the Month is Shana from Bubbles Hemp Collection
Shana is one of our more recent additions to the shop, selling with us for little over a year now, she is the one responsible for making our shop smell so good!...
Here's her story:
"Start at the beginning, tell us a little bit more about you, how you started your craft and turned it into a business…"
I am originally from Cape Town, South Africa. I am a single mother of 2.
My 14-year-old daughter, Imogen who supports me in every way and is just so amazing and my almost 3 year old female Cavalier named Willow.
I qualified and worked as a Nursing Sister in South Africa before moving back to England where I am now working as a full-time self-employed carer for a wonderful family.
I started Bubbles Hemp Collection as it has always been a dream of mine to own my own business and I am very crafty and love creating things. Bubbles By Shana was started at the beginning of the COVID pandemic when I was doing live in care for an agency on a 2 week off, 2 week on rota system.
I started with wax melts after a harsh awakening to the fact that I can not sell the hundreds of bath bombs and soaps that I had made as they were not safety assessed. Since then, I have completed all the necessary training and certification and have now expanded to bath bombs, bath salts, shower steamers and all things waxy as well as my lip balms.
All my products are Organic, Natural & Vegan, that even includes my popular Honey Lip Balm.
“So is it Bubbles by Shana or Bubbles Hemp Collection?"
Both! I wanted a name that would not only highlight who I am but draw attention to what my products are and highlight my signature ingredient. So you can find me across various social media pages using both names. If in doubt, call me Bubbles!
"How have you adapted since starting your business?"
Running my business has not come naturally to me and I am still trying very hard to get my head around it all. As I already have a full time job with my caring, it is particularly hard to keep up with production however the thing I find the most exhausting and time consuming is the marketing and social media side of things. I really struggle to get my products out there and known. When I do put in the effort, I do see the results but keeping it up when you are already so tired is very hard work. I find what works best for me is planning, however sticking to that plan is something else, lol.
“Do you find trial and error is a big part of your creative process?"
I have to test all my candles and sometimes it takes a few times to know that I have eventually gotten it right. My bath bombs took some time getting to know when the powder was ready to be used and as a result I came up with the idea of the bath dust. You see, the humidity needs to be exactly right and you need to use the precise amount of water to mold a bath bomb. If these two things aren't right then you get crumbling bath bombs or bath bombs that activate right before your eyes and you are powerless to stop it.
“What extra pizazz do you find makes your products stand out from the crowd?"
All my candles now have a handmade wildflower seeded paper dust cover. I love this little touch as nature and giving back to mother earth is close to my heart. All my bath products and lip products are made with my signature ingredient which is the Hemp Seed Oil.
Hemp Seed Oil provides many benefits but the one that I like the most is that most skin types of no matter of allergies can use my products as the Hemp Seed Oil counteracts any reactions. I also only use Organic, Natural & Vegan ingredients.
My packaging is all eco-friendly, recyclable and reusable even down to the shrink wrap that is on my bath bombs.
"With working as a full time carer, what does planning and down time look like for you?”
I would like to have a plan as well as follow it however I just don’t seem to ever be able to get that far lol. The furthest I seem to be able to go is a tick list and even then I forget it exists!
I don’t think I have much time for downtime either, however once a month I do try to visit my best friend for hopefully 2 nights and that would be my time to recharge the batteries.
“So, you have highs and lows?"
Owning your own business whilst having a full time job is very challenging and the notion to stop the business is always there however my business is also my hobby and I thrive on it so the thought to close down is never more than just a thought.
I love everything about owning my own business. The only part I don’t enjoy is the admin and social media, unless it is the customer themselves reaching out, I love connecting with my customers!
"Where do you craft?"
I have recently moved my bedroom into my lounge and created a studio in what was my bedroom. At the moment it is chaos, as I am trying to sort everything out it seems to get more chaotic , but it will get there. Keep an eye on my social media to see its progress.
"What's the latest thing to get a makeover in your business?"
I have changed my logo and business name to incorporate my signature ingredient which is Hemp Seed Oil. My current ETSY shop and website are full of Pride products and all kitted out for Pride.
“So, what’s next for Bubbles?"
I am experimenting with some essential oil bath bombs that will help for certain conditions. Shower steamers are fast approaching to being my best sellers and I have not been able to make them all yet.
“It's tough out there, but you're getting customers! Have you had any customer feedback that you'd like to share?"
My favourite thing is getting feedback from customers, when people support your business it makes all the hard work worth it, here are a couple of recent responses to my products:
"I really liked the products from this company, their communications were on point and I received the order quickly. I love the care taken to package up the items, and it was clear that much love and attention is put into the order. I would definitely order from them again and recommend to others"
"Excellent service, very quick. Cares about their customers, always looking to create new products to meet needs. Fab bath bombs which make having a bath a luxury experience"
"I got Shana to make me a special candle for my self and all i can say is absolutely beautiful!! I never leave reviews but Shana most definitely deserves it! The candle has my name on it, it was beautifully boxed with a small leaflet inside!🕯️🌻 I also got wax melts, mini bath melts, a couple of showers melts and a little tester on the crystals inside of melts I’m definitely going to be getting a few personal candles for people’s birthday, I’ll definitely be back for more"
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If you are interested in starting a hobby business, are looking for an outlet for your handmade products and maybe would love to be featured as our next Maker of the Month please do get in touch with us either in store at our craft shop in Yate Shopping Centre or via our contact us page here. We would love to hear from you!
