Caring and Keeping of Candles

Our guiding principles for caring for candles

Candles add warmth and instant calm.

Does it sound trite to say we feel candles are more than light? Once a necessity, candles in the 21st century are windows to the past and an out-of-the-ordinary piece of calm after a busy day. They are small rituals, soft companions to reading, meditation, or a simple evening meal. To be fair, you don't need to tend them a great deal to appreciate their contribution to your life, but..it doesn't hurt. Tending to a candle is part of a ritual that soothes.

Our amazing stick candles are crafted by hand by a South Carolina maker. He gathers sticks locally, molds, and pours from home. A stunning table piece center.

So if you want candles that continue to be beautiful, long-burning, and safe here are a few of our tips:

Trim the Wick: Before each burn, trim the wick to about ¼ inch. A tidy wick means a steady flame, less smoke, and no odd mushroom-shaped ends. So set the stage before you light the match.

Honor the First Burn: The first time you light a new candle, give it time to form a full pool of melted wax across the surface. This simple patience prevents tunneling—the dreaded deep well that wastes wax and shortens a candle’s life. As a rule, allow one hour of burn for every inch of the candle’s diameter.

Mind the Timing: Candles like balance. Burning them too briefly causes tunneling, but burning them too long risks overheating containers or warping pillars. A happy middle is about three to four hours per burn session.

Keep Them Clean: A candle’s beauty lies in its flame, not soot. Wipe the rim of glass containers if smoke leaves a trace, and keep the surface free from dust or stray match heads.

Choose Their Place Wisely: Drafts, vents, or even an open window will cause uneven burning, dripping, and a flickering flame that looks more distressed than romantic. Keep candles away from direct sunlight too, which can fade colors or warp their shape.

Extinguish with Care: Instead of blowing out a candle (which can splatter wax and smoke up the air), use a snuffer if you have one. If not, blow gently and straighten the wick while the wax is still soft.

Store Them Thoughtfully: If you keep extra candles on hand, store them in a cool, dry place. Heat will bend them; humidity can dull their fragrance. Wrap them in parchment or tissue to protect their finish until you're ready to use them.

Safety First, Always: It almost goes without saying: never leave a candle unattended, and keep them out of reach of children, pets, or wandering sleeves (oh especially wandering sleeves! ) The beauty of candlelight is in its controlled flicker, not in surprise drama.

Once upon a time, before electric light this knowledge was learned quickly and part of a nightly ritual. Learn what your great-great-grandmother knew: A well-cared-for candle rewards you with hours of gentle light, fragrance, and atmosphere. More than that, it becomes a small ritual in your day: trim, light, tend, and savor. The care you give becomes part of the experience itself.