About Us

About Fern Dale Handcrafted

Hi, I’m Kathryn, the creator behind Fern Dale Handcrafted. For over 18 years, I have worked in a challenging but incredibly rewarding role that has required immense dedication and focus. While deeply meaningful, it often left me with little time to prioritise my own well-being. I knew I needed a way to find balance, and that’s how Fern Dale Handcrafted came to life—a creative outlet that evolved into a wellness brand to inspire others to care for themselves too. 

Crafting has always been my escape. From candle making to sewing and cake decorating, I’ve loved creating for as long as I can remember. One of my earliest memories is giving my Nanna a slightly wonky handmade Christmas tree candle—she proudly kept it on her TV stand year after year. That memory has always stayed with me as a reminder of the personal touch and joy handmade creations can bring.

 

Skincare with a Purpose

Skincare became a focus for me because of my own experiences with sensitive, acne-prone skin and allergies to artificial colours. After years of struggling to find products that didn’t irritate my skin, I started experimenting with making my own. Knowing exactly what goes into the products I use has been such a game changer, and now I get to share that care and intention through Fern Dale Handcrafted. 

 

At its heart, Fern Dale Handcrafted is about helping you find those small but powerful moments of self-care. Whether it’s lighting a soothing aromatherapy candle or enjoying a skincare ritual, I want to encourage you to take time for yourself—you absolutely deserve it.

 

Candles and Wax Melts

Let me share a little about the wax I’ve carefully chosen for my creations. At the heart of Fern Dale Handcrafted is a focus on enhancing well-being through beautiful fragrances, and the wax I use reflects that perfectly. I’ve opted for natural, vegan-friendly coconut and rapeseed wax, which aligns seamlessly with my commitment to sustainable and clean living. This completely natural vegetable wax burns cleanly and delivers a wonderful scent throw.  

I’ve dedicated a lot of time to perfecting my candle-making process to ensure every fragrance is blended at just the right temperature and poured at the optimal stage. This attention to detail not only creates smooth, elegant candle tops but also provides the best balance of hot and cold scent throw—the aroma when the candle is unlit compared to when it’s burning. While the natural characteristics of my products can sometimes lead to slightly uneven tops or less adhesion to the jar sides after use, rest assured, this doesn’t impact their ability to fill your space with delightful and uplifting fragrances.

 

Pet-Friendly Testing

There’s nothing quite like a well-crafted candle to transform a space and banish the lingering odour of wet dog (we’ve all been there!). As a pet lover myself, I understand the importance of ensuring our products are safe for furry companions. While I cannot guarantee that our fragrances are specifically pet-safe (since they’re primarily tested for human impact), I’ve personally tested them around my own pets—Teddy the dog and my cats, Hedwig and Delphi—with no adverse effects. So rest assured, your home can smell amazing without compromising your pets’ well-being. 

 

My Promise and Mission

At Fern Dale Handcrafted, I take our commitment seriously. My promise to you includes:

  1. No artificial colours: You won’t find any artificially coloured products. If a product has been coloured, rest assured that only natural plant or clay-based ingredients have been used. 
  2. Allergies: you will find clear and transparent information related to allergies on the product pages and of course on the product itself. Ingredients are always listed including allergens. 
  3. Quality Craftsmanship: I handcraft and hand-pour all our candles, wax melts and skincare products in small batches. This ensures that each product meets my high standards of quality. 
  4. Ethical Sourcing: I source our ingredients from reputable, ethically minded, and sustainable companies. Supporting responsible practices is at the core of what I do and believe in. 
  5. Eco-Friendly Packaging: I strive for environmentally friendly packaging. My goal is to minimise our impact on the planet while delivering delightful products to your doorstep.
  6. Continuous Improvement: I’m always looking to improve my environmental impact. Whether it’s refining my processes or exploring new eco-conscious options, I’m committed to doing better.