A Conversation with Rose of Rose In Thorns



Today we are delighted to share with you an insight into the creative life of Rose of Rose in Thorns - "a creative boutique of design and illumination".   With a wide range of handcrafted candles made from sustainable and recycled waxes to inspire your senses and enhance your home, including recycled, soy, and soy melts in a beautiful selection of vessels, colours and fragrances...

Who is Rose Wells?

I grew up on a farm in rural Nelson, but always fancied myself a city girl, so moved to the big smoke of Christchurch when I left school to study graphic design. Growing up, my mum taught me many different crafts, including knitting, sewing, spinning weaving, and crocheting. A couple of years ago my circumstances changed, and I made the decision to work on my own business fulltime. This has been a huge learning curve, and there is still a lot to learn, but's great being your own boss.

What’s your “handmade groove ?”

Candles will be what I am best known for, as these are what I sell, but I also do some knitting and sewing. Some projects can be in progress for quite sometime, but I do finish them eventually. I do have quite a strong philosophy of recycling, as I don't like seeing things go into landfill. However same may just call this hoarding...

What’s on your bedside table right now? (hey, no tidying up or censoring)

Box of tissues, alarm clock (for telling me the time), bobbin lace doily – an engagement present from my Mum, Honey and Spice lip balm, a nail file, my phone (for the alarm) and a copy of The Devil Wears Prada.

Who are your creative role models? What music, books, images, poetry spark your creative fire?

My mum taught me a lot of the skills I have (except for candlemaking!), and can do many different crafts. If I'm not sure how to do something, she is always a fountain of knowledge. I don't have any go to places for inspiration, but being a graphic designer, a lovely book or magazine to look at always helps!

What could you talk late into the night about with like minded people?

It depends on what's on my mind at the time, and what's been happening.

How do you balance your creative life with your family, life commitments?

Working from home can make that difficult, as I find chores and other things tend to infringe on my working time. As I do this fulltime, I try to work to a standard work week. Since I'm not much of a morning person, this rarely hapens!

What is your favourite creative screw-up?

I'm not sure I have any memorable ones!

Kitchen table or studio?

Studio – I have part of the garage to make candles in, and an office for the less messy activities.

Do you have a wish list? Can you tell us what’s on it?

To be able to make a proper living doing what I enjoy. That's currently a work in progress!

You can find Rose in Thorns products ... here
And follow on Facebook ... here