Learn from the Pros: Candle-making at Candlefish
words: Rachel McDermott | images: Karson Photography
A self-proclaimed “inspiration destination,” Candlefish has brought a new trade and craft to Charleston’s attention. Their flagship store is a scent oasis with their curated selection of candles and goods. The Art Mag team members are avid candle lovers, and it was decided that we would take a class together as a team bonding experience.
Let me light my Candlefish Fragrance #35 for inspiration…
Walking through Candlefish’s doors, I was instantly delighted as my eyes darted from the brick walls to the jewelry to the Lulie Wallace lunchboxes and hundreds of candles. Silent in the sheer awe of the place, I moved to the back of the store where classes take place. We took a scented candle-making class, where we learned the process by creating two of our own scented candles. Candlefish also offers candle-making classes for pillars, votives, and a wildcard class that changes throughout the year.
The Makers Series brings craftsmen to the store to teach workshops on their trade, such as floral design or jewelry making. After we poured a glass of wine (the class is BYOB), our expert Chandler Cat explained proper candle care and gave us a peek into the trade—the multitude of variations of candles on the market, including different waxes, colors, scents, shapes, and sizes. Candlefish uses an all-natural soy wax which gives their environmentally-friendly candles a longer burn time.
With our ‘library cards’ in hand, we were off to find our favorite scent. The library card is a handy tool to track the scents you love (or don’t), filed safely away to consult on your next visit, or as a helpful guide for someone who wants to buy the perfect gift (hint, hint!). Candlefish sells 100 different fragranced candles of their own in the library, and each one is handmade in the Wentworth Street store.
Cat led us through picking a scent, measuring the wax, mixing the ingredients together, and pouring the candles. We poured our candles and finished our shopping—making good use of the10% class discount. The candles must sit overnight for the wax to harden, and are ready for pick up the next day. This isn’t just another lovely shop. Candlefish is an innovative learning space with an expertly curated collection of the finest candles and goods around.
Candlefish
71 Wentworth Street
Downtown Charleston
843.371.1434
candlefish.com
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