THE HONEY BEE FAMILY

I enjoy working with beeswax as it is completely eco-friendly. My favourite thing about Honey Bee Candles® is the bright, sunshine coloured flame. I believe that it only takes a few small changes to live sustainably and I am particularly interested in a zero-waste lifestyle

• Pravana worked in financial planning for the National Health Service (NHS)

• Pravana managed Appeals and specialised in Personal Health Budgets

What was the first Honey Bee Candle® that you learnt how to make?

Joshua

Why are handmade products important to you?

Handmade products showcase skills and techniques that are often learnt over generations as well as the natural talent that passionate artisans have

What are you most likely to talk about?

Toxic-free living, plastic-free products and zero waste ideas to promote a healthy and sustainable lifestyle

From a development perspective soya bean production (hydrogenated soy oil makes soy wax)  often negatively impacts agricultural production and has largely led to the devasting destruction of the rainforests in South America (Brazil and Argentina are amongst the top 3 global soy producers)

The petrochemicals in paraffin candles contribute to indoor pollution as it is literally a by-product of crude oil. There are other waxes but these also need to be cultivated and hydrogenated and hence will go rancid.

Beeswax is the only truly sustainable and eco-friendly wax .  We make Honey Bee Candles® from melted, manually filtered beeswax, no chemicals added just  100% pure beeswax so it has no expiry date

Making high-quality beeswax candles is a skill derived over several years of training.  I began making candles in 1978 as a fundraising initiative for a charity.   I started Honey Bee Candles® to provide high-quality, handmade 100% pure beeswax candles to reduce indoor air pollution

• Priscilla has a Doctorate in Gender, Health and Development

• Priscilla developed and lectured on the MSc in Social Interventions for Public Health at Imperial College London

When did you start making candles?

1978

What was it that made you have an interest in eco-friendly living?

When my daughter was born, it was very important to us that we made eco-friendly choices. I ensured that cleaning products, clothing and toys were non-toxic and I drastically reduced our household’s plastic usage by using traditional, plastic-free baby care products. These choices became a habit that extend to my shopping preferences today

What are you most likely to talk about?

Plastic free swaps, air pollution and nature conservation 😊🐝