Yorkshire Rose Candles of Thirsk success with county themes

Mary Mandis of Yorkshire Rose Candles began making candles, wax melts, diffusers and room sprays in 2014, inspired by landmarks such as Roseberry Topping and Castle Howard.

It means she offers products with names like Sledmere, or they have a unique Yorkshire twist and being called By ‘Eck T’ Dog Reeks.

Mary said: “My products are aimed at people who love Yorkshire, whether they live here, holiday here or have an emotional connection to the area.

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“Customers are often looking for something meaningful rather than just a generic candle, something that reminds them of a place, evokes a memory, or a moment.”

Mary, who makes her products at her Thirsk home, sells them online and to selected stockists.

Mary Mandis making candles (Image: pic supplied)

Initially, the former PA and recruitment consultant made them as a hobby for fun but after trying her first craft fair, Mary saw potential for a new career.

She told the Press: “I have always been into crafts and prior to Yorkshire Rose Candles, I had a small business making custom celebration cakes. 

“Candle making is not too different from making cakes, you are still picking your ingredients, mixing and waiting for the candle to set before lighting.  But I enjoy making candles so much than baking cakes.”

Mary learnt along the way, watching videos on candle-making, learning by trial and error and attending business courses. Recently, this included attending a ‘Meet the Media’ event in York to gain tips on getting her story out there.

Mary Mandis in Thirsk (Image: Pic supplied)

Over the years, the business has expanded to include more in the way of wax melts, reed diffusers and room sprays.

But Mary says the business really started to take off in 2019 when she rebranded her packaging. It always had a ‘made in Yorkshire theme’ but she then named all her products after county placenames.

This led to her most recent innovation, a set of three mini-candles called the North Yorkshire Moors Collection and the Yorkshire Dales Collection, with candles named after places in the area.

The best selling tin candles (Image: Pic supplied)

Mary said: “It is aimed as a giftable product perfect for someone who loves that area of Yorkshire and also a fabulous treat for yourself giving the option of 3 fragrances.  I shall be expanding these gifts sets this year to include a Yorkshire Coast Collection and a Yorkshire Heritage Collection.”

Her best-selling bestselling product is tin candles, with North Yorkshire Moors Steam Train fragrance being the most purchased scent, followed by Wensleydale and Saltburn by the Sea.

She said: “They’re popular because they’re practical, affordable, and a great way for customers to experience the different Yorkshire-inspired scents.”

More of the range (Image: Pic supplied)

Looking ahead, Mary plans to offer greeting cards and small prints representing Yorkshire, when she can find a local supplier.

She added: “Yorkshire Rose Candles started as a small idea and has gradually grown into a focused brand centred around Yorkshire-inspired products.”

For details, go to: www.yorkshirerosecandles.co.uk

*This month, York Press readers can gain 15% off any purchase with the code YP15.