Bill Trench at Kitchawan Woodcraft sent us a box of Apple, Cherry, Walnut and Maple wood turnings (a byproduct of his amazing creations), and asked how we could use them. I came up with this nifty brass/wood device (we're calling it the "wardrobe infuser") that holds the turnings, now infused with our fragrance (#8 Sweetgrass, in this case). We tossed it in a dresser to test it out. I'm hopeful this prototype will be the start of another unique product in our line!
Geoff
Stopped by to visit Leslie Crow at Heyoka Leather here in Topanga (my bike out front!). She is now carrying a few of my candle formulas, and will be debuting some of my body care products soon. She's got a great store full of amazing handmade jewelry and fashions. Check them out online HERE.
Just wrapped up Jill's candle order for her September wedding in Topanga. Check out the custom label with the bride and groom's initials!
Geoff
Another candle shot. I can do this all day (and I do).
Geoff
Thanks to our friends at Bridgeport Gallery, 19 Candles was at last week's LA Gift Market. We got a nice writeup from Caroline Kennedy, Chief Editor at Gifts and Decorative Accessories. You can see it by clicking here.
We're now in London! A new "alternative luxury" store, Celestine Eleven recently opened in Shoreditch, on 4 Holywell Lane, EC2A 3ET, London, UK. Our candles just arrived to join their amazing collection of fashions, accessories and personal care items. Check it out www.celestineeleven.com
Here's our new sea salt scrub. It took a while to get the consistency right - not too oily, just gritty enough (not like the gravel-sized salt in some other scrubs), with a light essential oil fragrance (in this case, the same as our Sweetgrass #8 Candle). We'll be adding this to our line this fall.
Geoff
Testing out a potential shelf display - a slightly different configuration of our "sample box". The boxes are constructed/finished here in the factory. With room for 5 candles, the box with candles could also be a "gift set"
Getting more photo requests. I took this today for our friends at Celestine Eleven in London.
Fun, hippies, food and freaks. What more do you need? Topanga's annual blowout didn't disappoint, with perfect weather, great music and lots of interesting "folk".
Here's another version of our "apothecary cabinet" retail display. Each screw-top bottle carries a wax/fragrance from the candle formulas. The hardwood box is constructed, finished and aged by hand in our studio, and each is a unique piece. It's velvet lined and features custom brass parts. It nicely fits 10 bottles (too bad we have 11 formulas!).
Stopped by my friend Brandon's farm in Topanga. Aside from fresh vegetables, peacocks, alpacas, goats and ducks, he's got a great farm-to-table dinner club starting up again this spring. If you're looking for a truly unique dinner in a beautiful setting, from a professional chef with the absolute freshest local ingredients (even the olive oil is from Topanga!), check out Circlerockranch.com.
Once we had more than a few formulas, it made sense to develop an easier way to sample the fragrances (other than opening every package)when you're in the store. We considered candle tins, which we've been using as wholesale samples - but we felt that they didn't match the aesthetic of the brand. With all the essential oil bottles that we store at the factory, we've organized everything into an apothecary-style cabinet. We've decided to replicate that feel in our retail display. Now our fragrance testers are in small jars (with twist-off lids), organized in a vintage apothecary-style cabinet. Hopefully it's just what the doctor ordered!
Our friends at SEED in Japan brought 19Candles to the Jumble show in Tokyo last week. From the look of the product/exhibitor list, we were in good company! Check it out here
We've been hard at work over the last few months developing our body care line, and we finally have two new products to share. Both use a combination of organic Argan (moroccan) oil and organic Shea butter, known for their conditioning/moisturizing properties. We use our proprietary essential oil blends (found in our candles) to enhance our body care products. We've chosen a citrus infusion (#2) and a forest infusion (#10) for these body emollients. The unique water-free process allows us to avoid adding skin-irritating preservatives, for a truly pure skin care experience. Here in the factory we use these emollients after bath or shower to seal in moisture and further soften the skin. Check them out here
Everyone has been clamoring for a "food' fragrance, and I finally started experimenting with Arabica bean essential oil. After combining various oils with it, I came to the conclusion that the only complimentary fragrance that helped evoke the "coffee house" experience was vanilla. Now I swore I'd never make a vanilla candle, so I guess I'm going back on that now, but it only has a tiny bit. Anyway, after much experimenting, here it is - enjoy!
I was contacted by Ali and Amelia from El Ay Made, an LA lifestyle blog - they were interested in the local inspiration/story of the 19candles business. I liked their writing style, so I invited them to check out the factory in Topanga and get the "inside story". If you're living in LA (or just visiting), you owe it to yourself to subscribe to this unique resource. Read the article here: Check it out
