» Listings for 2021

1. Mella Journal July 2021

   Posted on 7:00pm Sunday 25th Jul 2021

   The summer is whizzing by……hope you are managing to enjoy it! Restrictions are pretty much fully relaxed now and I don’t know about you but I’m still feeling nervous about it all. I’m probably washing my hands more than ever……good thing I have access to lots of really amazing soap! I’ll be keeping my face covering for a while too. My favourites are made by good pal Amy Britton check out her face coverings and other products here www.amybritton.co.uk…..her face coverings offer the best protection and are pretty stylish too! I'm not just telling you about them because she's my chum....they really are the best!

   It's PLASTIC FREE JULY this month and I have been trying to find ways of reducing plastic at home and being super careful with recycling. I have been looking at ways to cut down on my use of plastic and I really try and make sure Mella Handmade Soap’s impact on the environment is kept to a minimum too. My soaps are wrapped in compostable paper use aluminium tins for my skincare and candles. 

   Here are THREE Easy Eco-swaps you can do TODAY for Plastic Free July and beyond!

   1. Use a bar of soap instead of a bottle of liquid soap. Even swapping one bottle for a bar   of soap at home will make a huge difference. 

    
   2. Swap your Chapstick for a Mella lip balm in a recyclable tin. It’s much nicer too.
   
   3. Ditch bottles of shampoo and conditioner and use a Mella Shampoo Bar. Mella Shampoo bars come in a handy tin (perfect or taking with you on your next staycation)! If you’re buying a replacement then you can opt to but it without a tin, save some money AND reuse your tin! 

     Mella Shampoo bars are fab, no transition period just lovely clean hair! The bonus is that shampoo bars last much longer than bottles of shampoo too and there is virtually no waste!

    It’s that EASY…….and by doing these things you can massively reduce your plastic bottle use in your own home! I would easily get through at least two bottles of shampoo and conditioner and 2 or 3 bottles of shower gel a month – that’s a massive 60 plastic bottles! There are another two people in my household………it’s amazing!

    

   So, to help you make some changes to reduce your plastic bottle use there is SALE on shampoo bars until the END of July! There’s no code just a saving for you! There are two to choose from Tea Tree and Pink Salt (my favourite) or Lemongrass and Tea Tree If you haven’t tried a shampoo bar before now this is the time! CLICK HERE to get yours now

   What else can we do to reduce the use of plastic in our lives? Here’s a few eco-friendly businesses you should check out

   Amy Britton Accessories – Speaking of facemasks, Amy has designed re suable and complaint face coverings with THE most stunning designs, check them out her stunning products. www.amybritton.co.uk I love the nature inspired designs.

   

   Tiree Tea – I’m a tea fanatic and was delighted to discover Tiree Tea! Delicious teas from a classic Crofter’s Breakfast blend to Earl Grey and herbal infusion in plastic free teas bags. A guilt-free cuppa. Visit www.tireetea.co.uk

   

   Be Planet Kind is an online eco shop run by Rachel. She is a passionate promoter of eco-friendly products and eco swaps. All the products on her website have been tried and tested by her. Easy ways to reduce plastic in your home. Check out her website and sign up to her newsletter to hear about offers and new products. Visit www.beplanetkind.co.uk

    

    

    Cascayde – I LOVE these plantable greetings cards! Such a  great idea for a letter-writing obsessive like me! They have lots of plastic-free products, gift wrap and reusable facemasks. Visit www.cascayde to discover more.

   

    

   That's it for this month, stay safe and keep washing your hands AND don't forget there's 10% off with code TEAGREENTREATS until the 31st July.

   Mel x

2. Mella Journal June 2021

   Posted on 12:00pm Monday 14th Jun 2021

     

    Wow, well it’s the middle of June, how has that happened? I don’t know about you, but time seems to be flying by. We are blessed with extra long days now at Soapy HQ and I am writing this at 11pm and it is still so light outside…..I took this slightly dodgy selfie the other night (it’s even lighter now) but that is the sunset and the sunrise happening pretty much at the same time!

                           

    

    So, in the last update I said there would be puffins and a visit to an awesome small business in Unst. Well, I haven’t managed to see any puffns yet, but not to worry, there’s still time! I do say that every year and every year around about the 12^th August I think, oh no I’ve missed them…..again but I’m determined to see them this year! I did, however, manage to visit an awesome small business in Unst!

     

   I went to visit Cheryl Jamieson of Glansin Glass at her amazing new studio in Uyeasound in Unst, just before her grand opening on 29th May. Cheryl makes the most beautiful glass items, hangers, dishes, plates and jewellery. It’s been a long haul to get to this stage but she has navigated all the hurdles that have been put in her way with the pandemic and has opened her fantastic new workspace and studio.

   

   Cheryl offers glass making classes as well as having a beautifully arranged shop. She has also just launched her new website and you can find details of how to visit her studio, book classes and visit her online shop too. If you ever have the opportunity to visit Unst I would really recommend you go, if for nothing else the view from her workshop is stunning. One of her new collections is inspired by the stunning Easting Beach, just a few miles from the Glansin Glass Visitor Centre another must see place on a trip to Unst.

   For more details on how to book a glass making class or to see some of Cheryl's stunning work visit her website www.glansinglass.co.uk

    

   I have managed to paint the outside of Soapy HQ, I didn’t realise how shabby the place was looking until I painted it! The next stage is to paint the doors and windows…….then I want to work on replacing the roof! That’s a long term project! There is so much history in this building…..I’ll save that for another blog post! Anyway, now I am working from home more I am able to offer click and collect on web orders, so if you are visiting Unst or live locally be sure to select click and collect at checkout.

   

    Don't forget it's Father's Day this Sunday and there are lots of gift   ideas from Mella, including this little soaps and shower scrub   bundle. If you would like me to include a note just put what you'd   like to say in the customer notes when you check out. There's a   peerie discount code in your Mella email be sure to use it before   midnight on Wednesday 16th June. If you would like discounts and   offers please sign up to the Mella Newsletter.

    So, next month I am hoping to have a puffin update and I will be   taking a mini tour of some of the amazing stockists of my products   and maybe some of them will be near you and we’ll see what else I   can think of!

    Okay, that's it for this month, thank you for reading and 'see' you in July!

   Mel x