How it started...
Hello! My name is Erin Duffy and I'm glad you're here. "How did you get into the candle business?" I get this question a lot - I live on a small hobby farm with 2 active boys, an outdoorsy husband and lots of animals including 2 indoor/outdoor dogs...I was desperate to make our home smell better! I bought inexpensive candles that smelled great in the store, but when I burned them at home they often triggered mild allergic reactions like headaches, a scratchy throat and watery eyes - not to mention the black soot that was accumulating on my walls and ceiling. Not knowing anything about candles at the time, I sought out more expensive candles thinking they'd be made with higher quality ingredients. I was wrong as I still experienced the same allergic reactions. I concluded I just wasn’t a candle person.
Then in early 2015, I met my candle bestie. She explained that the candles I was buying were made from toxic paraffin wax filled with ingredients, additives and synthetic scents that were causing my adverse reactions. She introduced me to her pure soy candles made from the most clean and natural ingredients available. They were scented with essential oils and premium fragrance oils, tested safe for the people and pets in your home. After burning many of her candles in my home, I had zero side effects and my house smelled great. I was SOLD!
Our friendship grew and a business deal began! After a year of buying her candles to sell at local markets, one thing lead to the next and I ultimately bought her business. She taught me how to make the candles and the business quickly grew with wholesale accounts secured locally and across the country. A good problem to have I suppose, but the hustle and bustle of selling to retail stores was not my jam and I found I was quickly losing my passion for making candles. The creativity was lost and this was no longer a fun hobby for me. So after six years I sold the business.
I took a year off to catch up on life, but quickly realized something was missing. I missed interacting with people, teaching others how to pour candles and educating others on why its so important to choose clean burning candles. I missed the simple joy I felt from blending that perfect scent or finding a fun unique container to pour the candle in to. Pouring candles was once again a fun hobby for me so when a friend offered to share a studio space, here I am with a new plan! It's a light, bright and happy space to share my love for candles. I feel I have found the perfect balance of all the things I love about candles! I hope you'll come join us for a class or a pop-up sale! I’m looking forward to seeing you!
Erin Duffy, Owner of The Candle Studio
Then in early 2015, I met my candle bestie. She explained that the candles I was buying were made from toxic paraffin wax filled with ingredients, additives and synthetic scents that were causing my adverse reactions. She introduced me to her pure soy candles made from the most clean and natural ingredients available. They were scented with essential oils and premium fragrance oils, tested safe for the people and pets in your home. After burning many of her candles in my home, I had zero side effects and my house smelled great. I was SOLD!
Our friendship grew and a business deal began! After a year of buying her candles to sell at local markets, one thing lead to the next and I ultimately bought her business. She taught me how to make the candles and the business quickly grew with wholesale accounts secured locally and across the country. A good problem to have I suppose, but the hustle and bustle of selling to retail stores was not my jam and I found I was quickly losing my passion for making candles. The creativity was lost and this was no longer a fun hobby for me. So after six years I sold the business.
I took a year off to catch up on life, but quickly realized something was missing. I missed interacting with people, teaching others how to pour candles and educating others on why its so important to choose clean burning candles. I missed the simple joy I felt from blending that perfect scent or finding a fun unique container to pour the candle in to. Pouring candles was once again a fun hobby for me so when a friend offered to share a studio space, here I am with a new plan! It's a light, bright and happy space to share my love for candles. I feel I have found the perfect balance of all the things I love about candles! I hope you'll come join us for a class or a pop-up sale! I’m looking forward to seeing you!
Erin Duffy, Owner of The Candle Studio