Why I Started This Business ❤️

       Hello! I’m Kelli, the owner, creator, and designer behind Strictly Wicks Candle Company. I started
my candle business in July of 2020, and here’s why: I couldn’t burn mass-produced candles anymore.
They either smelled too strong, had a weird chemical smell, contained essential oils (which I’ll explain soon), or were made of soy wax (I’ll get into that too). It got to the point where I had to give up on candles altogether, but I still have the nearly full Yankee Candle that was the catalyst for starting this company!

       For years, I really missed the cozy vibe of a flickering candle and the lovely scents filling my home. So,
I decided to try making my own candles. 🤷🏼‍♀️ How hard could it be?? I mean, it's just some wax, a wick and some scent, right? WRONG! As you'll learn, there is a lot more to making a candle than throwing some stuff together, read on....

       The Long & Winding Road... After months of research on waxes and wicks (there are so many options!),
and learning about the dangers of inhaling phthalates in fragrance oils*, as well as the risks of essential oils** for pets in candles, diffusers, and wax melts, I dove in. I placed some orders, set up a workspace,
and got started!

       Let's Get Set Up! My first candle-making studio was in my formal dining room (check out the pic below). And honestly, I had no clue what I was getting myself into (lol). I definitely underestimated the whole process! But, being the persistent Irish girl I am, I didn’t let that stop me!

       Testing...Testing... I tested everything! Along the way, I discovered something surprising: I’m allergic to soy. I know, it sounds odd, but in the past, I’d jumped on the soy candle bandwagon because it was trendy and supposedly better. But, I quickly realized that every time I lit one, I’d get a migraine. At first, I thought it was the preservatives or the scent was too strong, but nope! Even during testing, I'd melt soy wax = I’d get a migraine. After a few tries (and the same migraine result), I talked to my doctor, and she confirmed that soy inhalation allergies are a thing. So, I knew I had to find a different type of wax to work with.

     Ugh! More Research???  After more research, I landed on FDA-approved, food-grade paraffin wax as my go-to candle making wax. It’s used in grocery stores to keep fruits and veggies fresh and shiny and can also be found in lip balms and even chocolates! So, without any fragrance or color, you could technically eat the wax I use in my candles! (it doesn't taste like anything, by the way).

      Putting It All Together! Next came jars and wicks, and after a lot of time, trial and error, tears, and a few bad words (sorry, Mom), I finally created my first successful candle! It took 3 months to perfect it! But, here is what I insisted on:

        - It had to be 100% safe for people, pets, and plants
        - It had to burn all the way down with no leftover wax
        - The scent had to be perfectly balanced—not too strong, not too weak
        - No preservatives that create a chemical smell
        - No phthalates in the fragrance oils*
        - No essential oils for pet safety**
        - The wax had to stay pure white and not turn that gross yellow/brown color some candles get
        - It needed a long burn time for maximum value
        - It had to be beautifully packaged and affordable

       I’m so proud of what I’ve created—both the candles and this company. I’ve worked hard to make sure you get the best candles available - for you, your family, your pets, and your plants (because plants
breathe too!)
                                                        I Hope You'll Make Me Part of Your Journey!
                                                                         With Love & Gratitude,
                                                                                        Kelli

* Phthalates are a group of chemical compounds that are often used as stabilizers and plasticizers. When inhaled or absorbed through the skin, they can cause serious health risks to humans, including:  Phthalates have multiple uses. Within the group, there are different types of phthalates that are used for different purposes, one of which is commonly used in fragrance oils. Fragrance oils that include phthalates are increasingly becoming a concern to consumers due to being labeled as potentially having serious health risks to humans such as:

• Worsening asthma and allergic symptoms

• Altering hormone levels

• Endocrine and reproductive health risks   READ MORE HERE
  

** Essential Oils - Many essential oils should be avoided entirely if you have pets, because they’re toxic to dogs, cats, and other small pets. Dogs have an enzyme in their liver that helps filter SOME essential oil scents. Cats DO NOT have this enzyme at all making them highly susceptible to poisoning. Birds are exceptionally prone to essential oil poisoning because of their extremely sensitive pulmonary systems. For safety's sake, DO NOT use candles, diffusers or wax melts containing essential oils.  Essential Oil toxicosis in veterinary patients can vary depending on the oil content. Symptoms range from mild gastrointestinal upset or vomiting, diarrhea and anorexia to neurologic signs involving ataxia or disorientation, seizures, coma and even death. Cats appear to be more sensitive to ingestion, resulting in more severe side effects.  READ MORE HERE

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