Is there tracking information for my parcel?

Any orders shipped inside the UK will have tracking. The tracking link should have been sent to you automatically.

Can you send kits internationally?

We are not currently able to send kits internationally, however it's something we're looking to offer in the coming months.

Can you include a gift note with my gift?

Unfortunately we're not currently able to add gift notes to our kits.

Can you gift wrap my kit?

Unfortunately we're not currently able to offer a gift wrapping service.

Can you remove the price from the kit?

All our kits are shipped without prices on the packing lists, so no need to worry if the kit is being sent as a gift!

Returns for damaged kits or kits missing components:

If your kit arrives damaged or is missing a component then we will happily sort out a return and replacement for you, just fill in our contact form with your order number and a description of your issue and we'll get back to you very shortly.

Returns for any other reason:

We're a very small business so we're unable to offer the free returns service that larger retailers can.

The only exception to that would be if your kit has arrived damaged or missing a component, in which case you would be entitled to return the item for a replacement.

If you would like to return your kit then you will need to send it back to us at your own cost, and we will refund you the cost of your original order minus any postage fees you paid. For our free delivery service we will subtract a £3.50 shipping charge from your refund.

What is amaro?

Amaro, meaning "bitter" in Italian, is a traditionally home-infused Italian liqueur often used as a digestive. It can vary from sweet to bitter and is typically drunk neat after a meal.

My amaro is too bitter!

If your amaro is too bitter, we recommend splitting the infusion process into two stages. For the first week, infuse all the botanicals apart from the bitter ones (gentian root and cinchona bark). Add the bitter botanicals in for the second week and remove them once you reach the desired of bitterness.
Adding some sugar to your amaro once it's infused will also decrease the bitterness!

How can I make more signature spice blend?

Our signature spice blend is our secret recipe, however if you want to make something similar we would recommend starting with crushed cinnamon, cloves, orange peel, lemon peel and a little nutmeg. We would really recommend experimenting with different ingredients in your amaros, and don't be afraid to try new or unexpected ingredients!

How to do a patch test?

We recommend doing a patch test with any ingredients you might not have used before. Simply mix the relevant botanicals or salts with some water and apply in the crook of your elbow. You can put a plaster over the mixture to make sure it stays in place. Avoid getting the area wet and pay attention to any redness or itching for 24 hours. 

Can I make up my own blends?

Of course! While we recommended getting started with the botanicals present in this kit, a lot of flowers and herbs have properties that will take your bath to the next level. Just be careful to always patch-test for any possible allergies.

Can I make the infusions stronger?

The infusions in the kit are designed to be subtle and relaxing. If you would like a stronger brew, do not hesitate to double the amount of botanicals. The salts and oats quantities should remain the same.

Can I put the ingredients directly into the tub?

We recommend using the tea bags to get the most out of the botanicals and make cleaning easier, but there is no danger of putting the ingredients straight into the tub.

What are bitters?

Bitters are very strong alcohol infusions that are used in many cocktails to add flavour and dimensions. They're never drunk by themselves, but a lot of your favourite cocktails would not be the same without them!

My bitters are very strong!

If your bitters are too intense, we recommend splitting the infusion process into two stages. For the first week, infuse all the botanicals apart from the bitter ones (gentian root and cinchona bark). Add the bitter botanicals into the infusion for the second week, and remove them once you reach your desired level of bitterness.

Some of the pages are sticking out of the cover paper?

This is normal! It is called ‘creep’ and is a result of the nesting of the pages. You can either leave it that way or carefully cut the pages down to size.

My notebooks won’t close properly?

Once you are done making your notebooks, place them under a pile of heavy books for a few hours, this will help them keep their closed shape!

Can I get refill packs?

Unfortunately, we don't sell refill packs at the moment, but green coffee can easily be found on the internet. Your local roaster might also carry some unroasted beans, and would probably be delighted to encourage interest in the area.

 

Is the coffee filter in the kit reusable?

Yes! In order to reduce waste as best we can, we've included a reusable cotton coffee filter in the kit. Simply clean it with some warm water and soap in between uses, making sure to rinse it well.

 

I don't have a pour-over dripper!

There re many ways to make a delicious cup of coffee! Although we recommend the pour-over method in our kit, you'll also get great results with a French press, an aeropress, or an espresso machine.

What suppliers would you recommend for equipment?

Where possible we would recommend trying to obtain used equipment, which can both save you money and help the environment. If you would prefer to purchase new equipment, you can either look on Amazon or at any of the suppliers below.

• The Home Brew Shop
• Brew Mart
• Balliihoo Home Brew

 

Can I use frozen fruit with this kit?

Frozen fuit can be used to make hedgerow wine, just make sure it is fully defrosted to room temperature.

Can I combine multiple recipes?

Yes! Just scale the ingredients according to the desired proportions of fruit.

How can I make my wine less sweet?

If you've made a first batch of wine that is too sweet then it's possible to tweak the brewing conditions for the second batch in order to reduce the sweetness of the finished product. There are a couple of ways you can do it.

If you're happy with the alcohol level, and it seems quite strong, then it's possible that the high alcohol level inhibited the action of the yeast before the sugar had been used up. Yeast can only tolerate alcohol levels up to around 10–15%. In that case we would recommend reducing the sugar quantity in the next batch by around 250g.

If your wine is sweet but not that alcoholic, then it's possible that your fermentation wasn't as active as it should have been. Consider using the same recipe but moving the fermentation container to a warmer location, or mix the yeast with some warm water and sugar to create a 'yeast starter' before adding it in.

My cones aren't burning properly!

There could be a number of reasons why your cones are having trouble burning. Here are a few of the most common reasons:

• Too much charcoal can choke out the flame before it has a chance to catch. Adding more combustible like sandalwood or SteadyBurn might help.
• Too much guar gum can choke out the flame before it has a chance to catch.  Adding more combustible like sandalwood or SteadyBurn might help.
• Your cones might not be completely dry. Make sure to leave the cones to dry for at least two days.

How can I burn my incense paper safely?

Always make sure to burn incense in a well-ventilated space away from pets and small children! Never leave burning incense unattended. Do not inhale the smoke directly.

Can I make my incense paper with essential oils?

We would not recommend using essential oils to make incense! The oils provided in this kit are fragrance oils that have been created specifically for the purpose of being burned. Essential oils come from natural sources but aren't usually safe to burn and can release harmful smoke into the air.

How can I burn my incense paper safely?

Always make sure to burn incense in a well-ventilated space away from pets and small children! Never leave burning incense unattended. Do not inhale the smoke directly.

Can I make my incense paper with essential oils?

We would not recommend using essential oils to make incense! The oils provided in this kit are fragrance oils that have been created specifically for the purpose of being burned. Essential oils come from natural sources but aren't usually safe to burn and can release harmful smoke into the air.

 

 

How to do a patch test?

We recommend doing a patch test with any ingredients you might not have used before. Simply mix the relevant botanicals or salts with some water and apply in the crook of your elbow. You can put a plaster over the mixture to make sure it stays in place. Avoid getting the area wet and pay attention to any redness or itching for 24 hours.

How should I store my perfume?

While our atomiser glass bottle is the perfect home for your perfume and will keep the fragrance safe from dust, we'd recommend storing it away from heat and light.
Any empty perfume bottle you might have would also be a great sustainable choice of container!

Do I have to divide my embroidery thread?

Not at all! We like the more delicate look of divided strands, but some projects might require the full thread.

How to do a patch test?

We recommend doing a patch test with any ingredients you might not have used before. Simply mix the relevant botanicals or salts with some water and apply in the crook of your elbow. You can put a plaster over the mixture to make sure it stays in place. Avoid getting the area wet and pay attention to any redness or itching for 24 hours.

What is a bain-marie?

A bain-marie, or double boiler, is achieved by putting a heat-proof container (usually a bowl or small pan) into a larger pan of warm water on the hob. This will allow the contents of the smaller container to melt without burning.

My perfume looks like it's sweating?

When the weather is hot or humid, some oil might separate from the solid perfume. It is completely normal and nothing to be worried about! Apply the perfume as normal and the oil will blend back into the perfume.

 

How can I make my tea stronger?

Grinding the tea and botanicals before steeping them will release more of their essential oils, resulting in a stronger taste. Do keep in mind that this will make the tea more difficult to strain.

My tea tastes funny/looks blurry!

Good water quality is an essential part of a delicious cup of tea. Hard water might make your tea taste funny, and scale residue in the kettle can make your tea look blurry or flaky. You can try using filtered water to get the most our of your blend's flavours.

Can I make cold-brew tea with this kit?

There is nothing like cold brew tea on a hot summer day! To make cold brew tea, use one of the recipes in the kit and leave the ingredients to steep into cold water in the fridge overnight. When infusing this way, we would recommend doubling.

My tonic water tastes too sweet/too bitter!

It can take some practice to make the perfect bottle of tonic water. If your tonic water is too sweet, try adding more soda water.

If it is too bitter, adding some sugar syrup and soda water should fix it. On your next batch, you can reduce the amount of gentian root and cinchona bark slightly.

My tonic water is yellow!

That is perfectly normal! Most commercially-made tonic waters use ingredients extracts and artificial flavourings which allow them to keep the colour clear. Because our tonic water is made from infusing the ingredients in their natural form, the liquid can take on their colour. In this case, the yellow comes from the lemon peel we use.

What is vermouth?

Vermouth is a fortified wine that can be traced back to 19th century Italy and France. It can be either sweet or dry. It is used in cocktails such as the Martini or the Manhattan to add complexity and depth.

My vermouth is too bitter!

 

You can offset the bitterness of your infused vermouth by adding more sugar syrup, or fortifying your vermouth further with a sweet liqueur such as sherry.

Do you sell any more pigments?

We do not sell any more pigments but we do encourage you to get creative and get your own. You can even go foraging for natural pigments!

How do I burn my candles safely?

Always make sure to burn candles in a well-ventilated space away from pets and small children. Never leave a burning candle unattended.

Are the candle containers in the kit reusable?

Though most heat-safe containers will make great containers for candles, we thought we would help you get started by providing some aluminium tin containers. They are completely reusable! In order to clean them easily, pour some hot (but not boiling!) water in the container and wait about 10 minutes. The remaining wax will melt, float to the top, then harden again as the water cool down, making it easier to scoop it out and throw it in the bin. Remember never to pour the wax down the sink!