Pyrah & Co - artisan candle and soap makers

Here at The British Hamper Company, we’re constantly on a quest to find the most interesting and well-made food, drink and homeware within the UK’s impressive artisan scene.

We’re always on the lookout for the best products to go into our gift hampers and we’re delighted to welcome Pyrah & Co into the fold!

Pyrah & Co is a small British business that creates a range of handmade organic soaps and candles.

We think their presentation, quality and story is so exceptional that we've introduced Pyrah & Co soaps and candles into our ‘Make Your Own Hamper’ product range!

Pyrah & Co was founded a few years ago by Izzy and is based in a beautiful Bedfordshire village.

Izzy combines her creativity with her passion for environmental issues and the result is a delicious range of scented soaps and candles made from 100% natural ingredients.

• No synthetic ingredients are used.
• All products are completely vegan, cruelty-free and sourced sustainably and ethically.

We managed to grab some of Izzy’s time to ask a few questions. A lovely moment with a cup of tea and the warming scent of her orange candle flickering away in the corner!

Izzy, how and why did you start Pyrah & Co?

I’ve always liked creating things and it was at home during the pandemic that I researched the making of candles (I LOVE the light and cosiness that candles give).

I was shocked to see how many artificial ingredients were used in most big brand candles (we’re breathing all that in!) and I felt compelled to see if I could create them using unique, natural ingredients only.

Passionate about environmental issues, I was also keen to avoid plastic and ensure all packaging was eco-friendly too.

After many attempts (some funny and some frustrating!) and formal safety assessments, I successfully created a beautiful, high quality and environmentally friendly range of candles and wax melts.

After the success of the Pyrah & Co candles and wax melts, I turned to soaps.

Again, quite horrified by the amount of artificial ingredients that went into all the soaps I’d ever bought, I vowed to create a natural range of soaps that would be kind to skin and kind to the environment.

The studio in my cottage was put into good use once again and I created a gorgeous range of vegan and environmentally friendly soaps. All of course were subject to UK safety testing.

Creating handmade soaps and hand poured candles is an incredibly satisfying thing to do. You should see some of my Instagram posts…. the way we cut into the newly made soap, wow!

Your passion for the environment is clear. What’s so environmentally friendly about Pyrah & Co’s candles?

• They’re vegan.

• The candles are made from soy wax which is a natural and renewable source.

• There are no toxins, pollutants or carcinogens which are produced in some candles as they burn. So you can safely enjoy the amazing fragrances.

• The cork lids, the labels, the wick, the glass AND the packaging are all biodegradable, compostable, reusable and recyclable. “

And we can confirm: these candles smell so good!

We offer the lavender and the orange candles in our Make Your Own hampers, both of which have beautiful scents and help to ease stress and promote a positive mood.

Are your soaps environmentally friendly too?

Yes. They’re created by the traditional cold-process method and contain 100% natural essential oils.

• They are free from sulphates, alcohol, artificial fragrances, preservatives and parabens.
•  They are also palm-oil free.
   
• And as they’re bars of soap, they are plastic free.

• With only natural ingredients, our soaps are kind to even very sensitive skin!

Here at The British Hamper Company, we stock the lavender soap, made from lavender oil and white French clay which is beneficial to skin and rose soap which has a lovely gentle sweet scent.

If Izzy’s passion for the environment and the quality of her candles and soaps isn't enough, it’s also a generous business!

5% of profits go to Parkinsons UK, a charity close to Isobel’s heart, and Pyrah & Co plants a tree in the Amazon Rainforest for every purchase of a large candle or gift set!

In so many respects, Pyrah & Co is a beautiful addition to our hampers. These organic soaps and candles make interesting and thoughtful gifts.

Head to our Make Your Own Hamper page to add Pyrah & Co candles and soaps to your gift basket.