A Derry mammy has described how she turned her lockdown project into a successful online business.
Michaela Coyle, from the Ballymac area, told how "Derry Mood Melts" has gone from strength to strength in the last two years.
Ms Coyle said when everyone was stuck in isolation wax melt pages began popping up all over the place.
In an effort to make her business stand out, she decided that she would name each of her wax melts using "Derryism's" and the slang used in the city.
The busy Derry mum-of-four has released wax including "Turf Sh*t" (Irish Turf), "Up the Foyle in a bubble" (Bubblegum), "You're a Derry Girl Now" (Cranberry Orange) and "You're Pure Bog Inn" (Avobath).
Speaking about the venture, Michaela said: "During the lockdown, I started footering about with wax because it became the new trend during that time.
"I was ready in June (2020) to release the waxes but because they were everywhere I thought I would need to be a bit different if I was going to stand out. That's when I start making the names for the waxes based on Derry slang."
Michaela is also the only wax-maker in the city that uses rapeseed wax, which is better for the environment, vegan friendly and cruelty-free.
"I decided that I would use rapeseed wax rather than soya wax to make my products. Soya is the second biggest cause of deforestation in the world and I was totally against that.
"David Attenborough gave me a guilt trip and I've never looked back since.
"Being eco-friendly has become really important to me and the business now."
The 38-year-old also told how she had loved making crafts "for years" but finally decided to take the plunge and go for it.
"I've been mammy now for the last 17 years and I've also enjoyed doing crafts myself or with my kids.
"When I decided that I would go for it, it was very daunting because quite a few people already were already doing it but I am a big believer that there is enough sun for everyone.
"I just decided one day that enough was enough and this is what I needed to do.
"I definitely made the right choice because ever since I started I have been posting all over the world every week. There just seems to be Derry people everywhere!"
When it comes to the future, Michaela says she has no plans to expand to a city centre shop because she is "happy right where she is" at home.
"I'm a very chilled person and I am just going to see what way the wind blows when it comes this going forward. It could change at any moment.
"People ask me all the time whether I am going to open a shop but I am a mammy-of-four and I don't have the time.
"My husband built me a wee unit at the side of our house and I am happy working out of there, it gives me the best of both worlds. I love being a mother and I feel so lucky that I am able to follow my passion."
If you'd like to find out more about Derry Mood Melts you can follow them on Instagram HERE.
