#BehindTheScenes 60 - Candle Making

OMG, it's 2026 already! And we're back with season 4, part 2 of #BehindTheScenes and #FindOutFriday. This time, we are starting off with #BehindTheScenes and getting to the down and dirty. This one delves into another passion of mine: candle making.

Despite feeling skittish around fire, I always loved candles. When I was young, my parents always lit one. It was generally a taper in a bottle or a small votive on a plate. It lit up the dark corners and made the shadows jump and wave. When we had power outrages, my parents always made sure to have candles handy.

As I grew up, my father began using empty balsamic bottles as his candleholder. He would also save whatever wax fell off and made new candles. Once, I told him it was pretty. It was right there when he gave me the bottle. I still have it. If you look at the picture of my altar, it's next to the Star of David on the wall. I hand-carried that bottle with me on every move (six or seven, at this point). Wax was added and fell off over the years.

It was around 2017 when I was looking for something else to do. I was still in school and we needed money in the house. My husband could not get a job and I thought, if I could a second job, it could work out. I was not inclined to pick up extra hours at my day job because of the stress. I was two years into that call center job and I thought I wasn't trying hard enough to get promoted.

Over the years, I collected huge chunks of wax. I had plans to start making candles, but never pinned down the timing. When I remembered that people loved candles, an idea was born.

Of course, it was not easy. It was expensive to buy supplies. I alone worked the products, colors, scents and research. I also had to work when my husband was not around, or when he was in the basement. The smells bothered him.

Then, I brought the candles to work.

Two co-workers who sat near me were interested. While I was on a call with a customer, they took the boxes and began smelling everything I made. They paid and then told everyone else about it. I had some sales and I felt good about myself. People had said they loved the colors and the scents. I thought I was on the right track.

I honestly thought people would spread the word. The money I spent on supplies would somehow equal out. My husband and I would dig ourselves out of the hole.

I kept working on the craft of candle-making in my spare time. Then, the hope waned and died. Nothing was changing, nobody was really supportive and it all felt like a huge waste. I put everything away. I was ashamed of my failure. It was one of many that year.

It was a dark period in my life too. I was getting to a point where I was really hating my job. It was a dead end, as I saw it, and I was trying to finish school and get into a position in the company that I really wanted - Quality and Training. My father had just been diagnosed with Stage IV Lung Cancer. I was also helping my mother's cousin upstairs from us, and she was an alcoholic.

It never dimmed my love of candles, though.

I still burned my candles. Found beauty in the heat. Lit the house when there was no power. But I never made more. The totes of candles and supplies sat in the back storage room, collecting dust for years. That is, until last year.

Even though we live in a house, my husband and I are looking to downsize. I began sorting through things around the house the past few years and donated gently used items to the local Savers. One of the things I found was the totes with the candle-making supplies...and another idea was born.

You will now see my candles at shows, if there is space for the second table. I make scented and unscented and everything is named and labeled. All natural, soy wax and flavors.

To make candles is love...and I hope you see that too.

Namaste, everyone. Have a great day!

#Crafter #NeverGiveUp #Candles #BrightLight #SmallBusiness #LightACandle #IndieAuthor #Events