Category: Crafting

‘Christmas Ice’ Wax Melts – ‘Sea Spray’ Soap – Charity and Pride Ball

This week Danielle and myself decided to find a good home for a brand-new ‘spare’ king sized mattress I had here. Basically, the first mattresses I purchased I hated, there’s still one on a bed. There were just two of them and I got them online. The ‘now’ beds are from a fabulous shop in Blackpool.

We tried a few charity shops that hadn’t got space, so … I suggested we went to The Salvation Army. It was a real eye opener. I don’t want to go into it as it’s such righteous work but basically there were babies there from other parts of the world cradled in their mother’s arms. We both felt so sad and helpless. Yet, The Salvation Army had nowhere to store the mattress and such a huge building? It’s likely I will be helping out over Christmas. As some of you know, I love to be with community projects during the festive season. I find it grounding and this is when I get to meet more interesting people on the ground being near to them. The eyes are the windows to our soul away from a lens.

Anyway, we then found a tiny charity shop over the road where a man takes in stuff, washes it and sells everything for just £2 each. He gives stuff to the needy for free. We found some ethnic clothing there and got it for the mannequins. I don’t want to put the name of it here but he is not hard to find. It is just a tiny place. Bless that man.

Moving on, we sourced some beautiful, intensely rich parfum oil online. It is expensive but worth it for my melts. Last night I wanted a distraction from work so made some large melts in beautiful moulds. ‘Christmas Ice’ they’re called. I am going to tell you hand on heart this is the best scent so far. Relive the magical aura that surrounds the festive season and evokes imagery of dazzling snowflakes caressing the frozen winter grounds. It’s a fresh and dynamic aroma that embodies the spirit of Christmas. We will be selling them around Blackpool. Danielle is going to gift box them up and next I am crafting some Sea Spray to compliment these gorgeous little darlings. Danielle will be making her first melts next week too! And soap! We are fully licensed in soap and fizz making. Our melts are CLP compliant.

And I have not forgotten the bath fizz it just gets messy but that’s coming next week, I hope to show  you a video of how they react in water and they’re all natural. The sea air makes it difficult to create a bomb so I applied for a license to fizz instead. It is quite extraordinary…

Belleva Gift boxes start from £12. Wax Melt boxes Start from £8. We can deliver locally or why not pick up and mix from Belleva – sample the scent before you make a purchase! And here’s the Sea Spray Hand Poured Soap at Belleva. All our products are 100% cruelty free, eco friendly and bio-degradable.

Anyway, time to potter.

Got some girls here going to the Pride Ball tonight. They’re dressing up later and asked me to photograph them. I bet it will be F.A.B.

Tiff. X

by Tiffany Belle Harper

Belleva by Jane in conjunction with Stay Blackpool – Gorgeous People in Blackpool. I am proud of Me!

I must add, the previous owners had already replaced the boarded window. I bought it before it went to auction by auction terms. I landed right in the middle of a ‘proverbial’ hornets nest on St Chad’s Road. I want to thank my sons, Dad, Mum, Danielle, Ryan, Gee, Colin, MJ, Peter and Paul, plus everyone else who got involved who didn’t rip me off or pinch anything. The real launch will be next year when it’s finished, if I am still living in Blackpool. Nothing’s permanent in my world, apart for love and that comes first always. Thank You Bae. X

{ Ever wondered what goes into running a small independent hotel? A lot of blood, sweat, tears and effort – from the people who do it right, aiming to give you a great holiday. Come inside and hear this heartwarming story of a Rags to Riches transformation for BellEva Hotel St Chads Road Blackpool. Tiffany opened BellEva Hotel in August 2021 after a huge transformation project which saw it fully renovated from a derelict shell. Take a look around inside, meet the owner, and find out about this rags to riches transformation story. ► Do you get your FREE weekly VFC ENEWS? It’s packed full of interesting things. ✍️ Sign up here https://www.visitFyldeCoast.info/news… 🔔 Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Visit Fylde Coast YouTube channel & follow for more videos from Blackpool, Cleveleys, Fleetwood and Lytham St Annes 👍 Hit the bell for notifications of new uploads & lives! 🔔}

By Visit Fylde Coast .

by Tiffany Belle Harper

Mannequins and Wax at Belleva

I have a fear of deadlines. Years ago, I used to design, sell and hire out mannequins. They were not the easiest things to package and deliver. Human size. A little like working in a morgue but within the fashion sector. I had to ensure the mannequins were delivered to venues, then dressed accordingly and returned immediately afterwards, as otherwise I could lose them. They would end up buried away in prop rooms or worst still, stolen. I did ask for a deposit to cover this eventuality, so we still got by. But you know, I sort of got attached to the dummies. There will be mannequins here at Belleva and we are at 30 St Chad’s Road Blackpool.

I have spent over two years renovating Belleva. It’s been done in stages, and I have paid attention to each small detail. As this is a project with my ‘creative’ side, I have not simply done the basic requirements to get the doors open and take bookings. I have savored each small move, as I want to appreciate everything life gives to me. I want to see the reason why I have had so many challenges. It’s certainly made me wiser, because when things go wrong, I take time alone to reflect where this could have been done differently. And when humans intentionally hurt me, I ask myself why I allowed this to happen. Being ‘creative’ has the same ‘empathetic’ values within our sensitivity radar. It goes hand in hand.

The important thing in life is not to go looking for negativity and to have strength to focus only on that which drives us forward with optimism and positive mindset. I have had some promotional opportunities but it’s a 7-bed hotel, so I don’t really want to overburden the public arena. It really is about balance.

I don’t want to exist hanging on reviews either, as doing this trade for over 3 years most of ‘my’ visitors don’t do mobile phones etc, which surprised me with this ‘internet culture’ many live almost simulations existence within. When in the past I have had the ‘not so nice’ reviews there is always a hidden reason. And it’s usually we just didn’t get on – but generally speaking I did well considering I didn’t really know what the hell I was doing. It is a pity small business cannot review their guests by return as there are some shitty manners out there. Although I always say and will stand by, most people really are adorable. And there is nothing wrong with constructive criticism. But when a guest leaves smiling saying they’ve had the best time ever then resort to the web to complain, it’s too late for me to do anything.

With Tripadvisor they do a hashtag to position each venue and this is based on many factors to include how often the venue is open and available. So for instance if a hotel closes during the week they will be near the back of the hashtag score. I don’t buy into that shit.

I have made Belleva in Blackpool an adult only hotel and often wonder whether I have made a mistake but the amount of washing up and laundry we get with larger occupancy to rooms is a lot of work. It took me sometimes until lunch time to get up straight after breakfast and then the piles of laundry were overwhelming. I am 56 years old and think that running a couples (adults) hotel will be more manageable, as I do have a life beyond cleaning.

I am really excited to share my home. And yes, to me it is my home – as I put my heart into the things I have chosen to do in life. Although my apartment at the back is my own little hub of happiness. It’s like having two lives all in one place and I am glad to be on this journey.

There have been mishaps. I flooded my bay window room. Nothing really matches (but I knew it wouldn’t). I shouldn’t have stored my furnishings in there whilst it was still being renovated but I was so excited I couldn’t wait.

If I could start again though, I would still make mistakes. But I am being true to myself and have some good people around me. St Chad’s Road is a lovely street. We cannot get along with everyone as some people don’t want harmony in favour of resentment but generally speaking I have met the most inspiring and sweet people in my life within my neighbours and community. They really have given me so much support in so many ways. I hope we continue to get along as Blackpool is big enough for everyone. There is so much progress being made here. The town is shifting and changing and the art is mind blowing. Tonight I have been invited to watch Alright play their first live gig and I am taking Josie. Also, I am doing some work for Stay Blackpool this weekend. Blackpool is a good place to live as there are no awkward introductions, you can get straight into groups and crafts. Everyone is very sweet.

As for breakfast. I have had a lot of feedback about this. My guests want the full English. I also want to offer a more extensive vegan option. Since we have local produce delivered to our doors I will probably stick with the more traditional approach. But I will also be doing meals. Belleva is my ‘social’ too and I want to talk with you all. I want us to nibble at posh natural cheese, organic fruit, dips and yummy desserts.

Remember I have my soap and wax counter too. If anyone fancies making some melts or candles with me let me know. Would love to play!

You will also meet my friends some of which are other hoteliers and interesting people from our community. They just drop in. I have no idea where this will take us but life’s short.

See you Soon.

Tiffany Belle Harper.

by Tiffany Belle Harper

Candy Floss Wax Melts Coming Soon

These could be the best melts at South Shore Soap Company so far. Basically there is a formula to making melts if you want them to be long lasting in terms of scent and cuteness.

Sometimes melts look flaky or the added mica forms clumps. Whilst others may not notice, the flaws of badly made melts can have effects on the scent burning time. If you use parfum oil it has a combustion point so you must be careful. The melted wax can pop and bubble.

The best formula for good quality soy wax is to melt the wax to no higher than 90 degrees then add the colour. Let the wax cool to 70 degrees before adding the oil or parfum. Pour into moulds at 55 degrees.

These are Candy Floss Melts and I am seriously telling you they smell just beautiful. They are non toxic. Cruelty and allergen free.

And a good point to make is you do not need a license to make and sell melts. So when you see all these people banging on about their melts being compliant. All they have done is stick a warning label on the packet. But of course, It is necessary to do this as there are those with no common sense out there. Most of which can be found on sites like Facebook and Twitter for most of their time. No wonder the world is in a mess. I believe social media is a ‘social’ or ‘bulletin’ bit of kit and should not become a lifestyle that consumes hours of time each day. Either let everyone go on it or ban it all together. Erasing opinion only diverts it and all opinion is life.

Candy Floss Wax Melts coming soon to South Shore Soap Company. I do realise there is a lot of work ahead but life is not just about money and rivalry. It is a balance. All we need is a space, some crafty things, our favourite food, always Cafe Jazz (and a blog to treasure our best and worst moments). There’s enough problems in a day without looking for drama.
Tiff at South Shore Soap Company. X
by Tiffany Belle Harper

Belleva Tea

I buy herbs and flowers already prepared and packed in the UK for human consumption, to make my own loose tea and natural tea bags. This is also a rapid and effortless way to enhance up your food cupboards and shelves with these flowery/earthy tones and textures in glass jars!

Makes for a boho touch around the kitchen. Similarly, you can ‘save money’ by washing thoroughly your used glass food jars for your creations. For instance, large beetroot jars are a great size for the tea pantry.

Simply search the web for herbal tea recipes and away you go! These recent blends will be available to my guests for free and to buy in scoops to take away. Plus, I will eventually put them online. Moreover, you can steep the tea in boiling water. Let it cool. Put it in the fridge and enjoy as refreshing and beneficial cold drinks with ice, mixed fruits, lemon etc, etc.

Dried Lemon Peel and Ginger Tea

Lemon peel is a natural anti-oxidant which ‘may’ support a healthy heart.

Ginger is said to support the immune and digestive system.

Hibiscus and Jasmine Tea

Hibiscus may help settle an upset stomach. It has a calming effect and hibiscus is great to add with any other edible herbs. It is just so versatile.

Jasmine (my favourite) ‘may’ help the immune system and the effects of diabetes and claims to work wonders for the hormonal cycle for all genders. But I just love the taste and aromatic qualities of Jasmine.

Look at these Magnificent Textures and Colours!

I have crafted five combinations in total, to include Lavender and Peppermint Tea. Spent much of the day trying and testing, with the help of adding organic honey sourced from happy bees. But you can add brown sugar as an alternative, or just go bare.

I use one teaspoon of each double blend. Apart from ginger – as it is an extraordinarily strong base taste. With this I add a couple of dried slices of the ginger, to a teaspoon of dried lemon peel. Remember to let your tea steep, releasing all the aromatic flavours to your favourite cup. Feel the love …

I will be honest I realised I was drinking way too much caffeine tea. Some days one after another. So, I am on a bit of a detox, although ‘never’ a diet as depravation is not good for our natural flow of mind, body and soul (unless it’s a fetish). I will never be a ‘slimmy’ as I just love food. It is my road to paradise, a good meal. Fresh and tangy. I go from loving traditional meals, to a good curry. But with tea, there are so many flavours I have yet to explore.

Some ingredients may contain allergens, or have been prepared in distribution plants where nuts are handled, so always read the labels.

Thank you. See you Soon. Going to check our bathbombs. It is all about the humidity. Not sure they like sea air so fingers crossed. Will show you when they have set hard.

Tiff for Belleva House

by Tiffany Belle Harper