Before The Charm

My journey into candle making began in June 2020, though the business side of things came much later. Like many others, my life took an unexpected turn in March 2020 when COVID-19 disrupted everything. I was sent home on temporary leave from work, and my final semester of college was suddenly moved entirely online. My husband’s ability to continue working was a huge blessing for our family during that uncertain time.

Despite these silver linings, the anxiety quickly began to mount. I was home 24/7 with my two toddlers, navigating the shift from in-person classes to fully online learning, and obsessively sanitizing every surface in sight. It felt overwhelming. I needed something to ground me, to bring comfort amid the chaos. And let’s face it—what’s more comforting than a candle?

Discovering a New Passion

By early June, our day-to-day life hadn’t changed much. I had officially graduated with my degree (yay!), but the world was still largely shut down. I found myself searching for something—anything—to bring a little spark of joy to my days. Online shopping had already become a bit of a hobby (thank you, Amazon), but I wanted something more fulfilling.

Maybe I saw an ad, or perhaps the idea came out of nowhere, but I suddenly found myself drawn to the idea of making candles. After a bit of research, I ordered a beginner’s kit that included everything I’d need to make eight soy candles. The idea of creating my own scented haven at home felt thrilling. I envisioned my space filled with handmade candles, their fragrances wafting through the air like a Bath and Body Works store. (Spoiler alert: I was pretty naïve about the actual mechanics of candle making, but we’ll get to that later.)

The First Flicker

Even before the kit arrived, I was hooked. I spent hours pinning ideas, watching YouTube tutorials, and daydreaming about all the scented creations I could make. Keep in mind, I wasn’t exactly a DIY expert. In fact, most simple crafts required step-by-step instructions for me to feel confident. But the idea of crafting something entirely my own was incredibly exciting.

When the kit finally arrived, I dove right in. I poured my first candle with a mix of excitement and nervous energy. I was so proud of that little tin! That evening, I lit it with bated breath. Did it fill the room with fragrance? Not quite (I later learned about the importance of curing soy wax), but none of that mattered. The wick caught fire, it burned steadily, and in that moment, it felt like magic. I had made something with my own two hands, and it was enough to spark a new passion.