A Cozy Conversation with Iveta from Conifera

This month’s Candle Club box, Evergreen, was inspired by stepping into a lush New Zealand forest in winter — crisp pine overhead, damp earth beneath your boots and woodsmoke drifting through the trees.🌲

Alongside your candle, you’ll find a small but mighty cozy gift — a handmade Resinæ spruce resin balm by New Zealand founder Iveta, the creator behind Conifera.

We asked Iveta a few questions about her story, the inspiration behind Conifera and the connection between nature and everyday skin care.

From Family Remedy to Forest-Inspired Skincare

Q: Tell us a little about Conifera and how it all began?

A: Conifera began from a very personal place. My daughter struggled with eczema and my mum brought over a jar of my grandma’s traditional spruce resin salve from Europe — a family remedy passed down through generations.

My daughter loved it and we saw how much it helped support her skin.

I never planned on starting a business — it simply began from a need to find a way to get more of this remedy for my daughter. That journey eventually grew into Conifera, a New Zealand skincare brand inspired by the healing traditions of the forest and purposeful, natural ingredients.

Q: What do you love most about working with ingredients inspired by the forest?

A: What I love most is the connection it creates — both to nature and to my childhood.

I grew up spending a lot of time in the forests in Europe, so working with an ingredient that comes directly from the forest brings back many memories and feels very grounding to me.

I’m fascinated by the healing power of trees and how nature can support our wellbeing in such a powerful way. I also deeply value the sustainability behind this ingredient and the connection it creates between people and the earth.

Q: How do you personally like to use the Resinæ balm during winter?

A: In winter I reach for Resinæ daily.

I use it on any dry or irritated areas, especially hands and cheeks when the cold weather really hits. I also like to apply a small amount as an overnight barrier balm so the skin can recover while I sleep.

It’s become one of those simple, everyday essentials in our home when the air is cold and drying.

Q: What’s one thing you hope people feel when they use your products?

A: More than anything, I hope people feel comfort.

That sense of relief when skin feels calm again, but also a deeper feeling of connection — to something simple, honest, and rooted in nature.

I want Conifera to feel like a small ritual of care in everyday life, especially for those dealing with dry or sensitive skin.

Closing

One of my favourite parts of Candle Club is getting to introduce you to thoughtful New Zealand makers whose products genuinely align with the feeling behind each collection.

Conifera felt like such a natural fit for our Evergreen collection.

Restorative and connected to the outdoors — the Resinæ balm is one of those products that becomes an all-round staple during the winter months.

Iveta has also kindly given our Candle Club community an exclusive 15% off discount code:

LITTLEBATCH15

If you’d like to explore more of Conifera’s products, you can find them here.

Thank you so much again to Iveta for sharing her story and her beautiful work with our candle community.

Join the Candle Club

Each month brings a new seasonal candle, a thoughtfully chosen cozy extra and an introduction to another New Zealand brand or business we love.

June boxes ship 15 June, with limited spots available.

Subscribe to the Candle Club here

Bring The Outdoors In With Evergreen: Our May Candle Club Collection Revealed

Fresh pine needle and spruce open crisp and green — like the first breath of cold air beneath tall trees after rain.

Then cedarwood, sandalwood and soft smoke settle in, grounding the scent with warmth and quiet depth.

When you light Evergreen, it feels like stepping into a lush New Zealand forest in winter. Damp earth beneath your boots, woodsmoke drifting through the trees, and the kind of stillness that makes you slow down without even realising.

Made for rainy afternoons and bringing the outdoors inside.

Let’s unbox it together 🌲

This Month’s Cozy Gift: Resinæ Spruce Resin Balm by Conifera

For May, I wanted to include something practical and connected to the outdoors.

This month’s cozy gift is a handmade Resinæ spruce resin balm by Conifera — created by New Zealand founder Iveta.

Made using traditional forest ingredients, the balm is designed to nourish dry winter hands, cracked skin and cuticles.

It felt like the perfect companion to this month’s candle colletion — something to keep beside your bedside table, in your handbag, or tucked into a jacket pocket for winter walks.

I love including products made with intention, especially from local makers whose work aligns so naturally with the feeling of Candle Club.

To read more about Conifera and our conversation with Iveta, head to the journal here.

Want to See the Full Unboxing?

If you'd like to see everything included in the Evergreen box and hear more about the inspiration behind it, you can watch our live unboxing here.

Limited One-Off Boxes Available

Our Candle Club boxes and scents are exclusive and one-of-a-kind. Each month, we release a small number of extra boxes as one-off purchases.

Once Evergreen is gone, it won’t return.

And if you never want to miss a collection, you can join Candle Club here and receive each month’s box as it’s released.

June boxes ship 15th of June 🌲

Take A Stroll Through Arrowtown this Autumn: Introducing Our April Collection

Introducing "Arrow River"

Soft woodsmoke and fallen leaves open warm and earthy — like crisp autumn air drifting through a quiet mountain town.

Then damp earth, spice, mossy woods and subtle amber settle in, creating something grounding and familiar.

When you light Arrow River, it feels like wandering through Arrowtown as the leaves turn gold around you. River paths covered in autumn leaves, smoke curling from chimneys and cold hands wrapped around a warm drink.

Let’s unbox it together! 🍂

This Month’s Cozy Gift: Arrow River Vinyl Sticker by Studio Jay

For April, I wanted to include something that felt travel-inspired.

So we partnered with Radha of Studio Jay to create a custom Arrow River vinyl sticker inspired by the landscapes and autumnal tones of Arrowtown.

Designed to feel like a keepsake, it’s perfect for your water bottle, journal, laptop or travel mug.

I loved the idea of including a piece that could continue the story of the box long after the candle has been burned.

This month’s collection is all about slowing down, embracing the changing season and finding beauty in familiar places.

To read more about Studio Jay and the inspiration behind this month’s collaboration, head to the journal here.

Want to See the Full Unboxing?

If you'd like to see everything included in the Arrow River box and hear more about the inspiration behind it, you can watch our live unboxing here.

Limited One-Off Boxes Available

Our Candle Club boxes and scents are exclusive and one-of-a-kind. Each month, we release a small number of extra boxes as one-off purchases.

Once Arrow River is gone, it won’t return.

If this feels like your kind of autumn evening — now’s the time 🍂

And if you never want to miss a collection, you can join Candle Club here and receive each month’s box as it’s released.

April boxes ship 15 April 🤍