OUR STORY

Hey, I’m Emma - a 29-year-old mom from the West Midlands and the maker behind Lily & Thistle. After my little boy was born, I wanted work that fit around family life instead of the other way round.​
 
After maternity leave I decided not to return to full-time work, choosing instead the flexibility of self-employment so I could work around our family life, my husband’s own work, and spend as much time as possible with our son.
 
Lily & Thistle had quietly existed for a couple of years, but in March 2025 I finally brought a long-held plan to life: hand-poured candles in beautifully upcycled alcohol bottles. 
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People often assume I’m Lily - but the name is a tribute to my family. My wonderful Nan was Lilian, and my Grandad was proudly Scottish, inspiring the thistle.
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Every candle I pour proves that something once overlooked can be transformed into something beautiful and meaningful. 
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