{The Handmade Story} Emporium Candles
Posted on February 24, 2012
Ever since Rebecca made candles as a hobby, she developed a real passion for scents and admiration for candles. From the incredible scent of sweet pea, zesty grapefruit, green tea and coffee to the smell of natural beeswax, her candles are handmade from start to finish where each was poured to perfection with the very best scent oils, mixed colours and waxes for the perfect burn and fragrance.
Along with the help of her friends and family, she is always seeking out new scent that would make a great candle and we are definitely looking forward to the new delicious smelling chocolate-orange blend! Yum!
1. Tell us a bit about yourself and Emporium Candles.
Emporium Candles was founded by Rebecca (hello!) and all our candles are handmade from home in the market town of Oundle, in the UK.
Rebecca makes batches of about 10 at a time, which allows her to regulate the scent and colours and make sure each candle is perfect. She is aided by her family and friends, who often get the unenviable task of sticking the labels on by hand!
2. How did you get started in doing what you do? How long have you been creating?
I started making candles as a bit of a hobby – I love candles and scents and wanted to create candles my own way, with my favourite smells and colours!
I have always been creative – I graduated from Coventry University with a first class degree in Illustration, but chose to make candles as a way to wind down and relax.
3. Where do you get your inspiration?
My inspiration generally comes from what I like! Although there are a lot of novelty candles available in the shops, the scent is often of a very poor quality, or the candles burn really dirtily and innefficiently.
I ask friends and family their favourite scents and go from there – or I think of a scent that I haven’t seen but think would make a great candle. I’m currently working on a yummy-smelling “chocolate orange” blend!
4. What was your first creation? Do you have a favourite?
The first candle I made was a bit of a disaster I’m afraid!
Making candles is trickier than you think – there is the density of the wax to think of, the amount of colour and scent, type of container and burn time to think of when choosing and setting a wick and my first couple of candles were only really suitable for myself and family!
My favourite candle would have to be the “Sweet Pea” candle. It’s a lovely colour and the scent is just divine – so floral and spring-like!
5. What have you created recently?
Most recently I have been working with British Beeswax to create a longer, cleaner burning candle with real eco-credentials!
It has been tricky to get the scent balance right (I want to give them a scent while still allowing the natural beeswax smell to filter through), but I think I have cracked it.
My natural beeswax candles are available in a light vanilla scent or a much stronger warm shortbread.
More of Emporium Candle’s creations:
Luulla store: http://www.luulla.com/store/emporiumcandles
