Meet the maker Coleen Smart

Hi there; my name is Coleen. The name 'Honey for tea' comes from a line in a poem by Rupert Brooke called Grantchester written in 1912; 'oh! yet Stands the church clock at ten to three? And is there honey still for tea?' It's sweetly nostalgic and very British and also reflects two of my interests; I'm a beekeeper and a tea addict!

I've been doing various crafts for many years. The first thing I remember making was a pair of knitted shorts for my teddy bear; the wool was bright green and I think I was about seven. My Grandma and Mum taught me to knit. I well remember an orange bikini my Grandma knitted for me; okay, it was the seventies. She also made all my party dresses and I have fond memories of the sound and the smell (hot dust and oil) of her Singer sewing machine. I used to make my own clothes too but for years have only sewn curtains until I got back into sewing a few years ago, having been doing lots of cross-stitch.

So, my venture in to Honey for Tea; my candles are made using wax recovered from my beehives. And being a fabric addict I love using the Dutch waxed cotton and silk for my lampshades.

Thanks for stopping by.