Where it all started:

In 2016 I was on maternity leave from hairdressing, my father-ln-law had motor neurone disease and my husband and I would go around his often.

Each time we visited he'd ask for help, to light his large scented candle. I'd not really been into candles, but I quite liked that small moment of helping him with something positive that he enjoyed. 

I remember sitting and looking at this candle each time, daydreaming a little bit, I'd been struggling with mental health and I felt a bit lost. I had a beautiful baby girl and 7 year old twin boys, I was very tired, and watching my father in law deteriorate was so sad. Something clicked while I sat there, and I remember thinking I want to try make a candle. 

I vividly remember saying "I’d like to try and make my own candle", perhaps as gift for someone, I wasn't sure, but I was intrigued. It looked creative, but also had the science behind it.  His words were “it can’t be that hard, just a wick and bit of wax” and that was it, I was straight onto google researching and look into various oils and suppliers, telling him what scents were available. Within a few hours I knew I was hooked.

A few months later he passed away. Struggling mentally for a long time, It took me 4 months to even go near my equipment again, it stayed in storage boxes under the stairs completely out of sight.

Eventually I got the help needed for my mental health, and during my therapy I decided to start back up with candle making.  I picked up my mixing jug and started crafting again. Instantly my head cleared and focused onto something positive and creative, I became addicted and fell in love with the process and escapism. A time for myself to enjoy and let my imagination spark up new ideas. 

I then made it my mission to create products for people to bring happiness as it does for me to make them.

Scent triggers strong memories and creates new ones, for me lime and mango reminds me of Tony my Father in Law, I chose that scent while sat with him. It took 4 years of learning the craft, developing my skills and finding the finest ingredients to creating products I love. In January 2020 BAHLOO & YHI was established.

The name BAHLOO & YHI:

I have always loved star gazing, seeing the moon and sun bring me comfort. I was watching a Stargazing programme; they told a story of how Aborigines call the moon BAHLOO and the sun YHI. It clicked instantly that I wanted to use those names, my father is Australian and he was the one to teach me about space.