Interview with Flower of Big Dipper Wax Works
Flower with Big Dipper Wax Works and Life by Ritual has been making candles for more than 20 years. She loves sharing the gift of light with others. On top of that, she makes soap, herbal body products, and pottery. Over the next few months, Flower will be sharing her creative energy and beeswax expertise with you! She designed several candle projects for Bramble Berry and she'll be featured in upcoming videos. Flower is also collaborating with our creative team to bring you even more projects in the future. Stay tuned for more!
How long have
you been making candles and how did you get started?
I have been making candles just over 20 years now! Big Dipper Wax Works
founder, Brent Roose, was making candles out of his garage a few years before we
became friends. I was fascinated by the process and materials, and when Brent
decided to take Big Dipper Wax Works to the next level, I was fully on
board!
How did you get started
at Big Dipper Wax Works, and what is your role now?
Throughout the years I have had the opportunity to wear all of the hats. I
began as a maker and shipper, salesperson, creative, brand manager, HR manager; and
now I have settled on the title general manager. With every year, we have grown in
size and my job responsibilities continue to change. I love the community of
craftspeople at Big Dipper Wax Works and I try to cultivate and nourish it.
I love developing new scents and products, but I also relish in the steady rhythm
supplied by being in business for over 20
years.
What’s your favorite type
of candle to make?
I love dipping tapers, which is
the first product Big Dipper Wax Works created. It's a foundation of our product
line. It takes time, patience, repetition, and devotion to the task. It is very
meditative and so fulfilling when completed!
Why do you
prefer beeswax?
Beeswax is the least
processed of all candle waxes and comes from the sustainable industry of honey
farming. It has a naturally sweet smell and a brilliant golden
light…what’s not to love? It is infused with the energy of the
hive and contributes to the proliferation and health of honey bees, which are a
keystone species. Bees are a primary pollinator to one third of the food crops in
the United States. Without bees and other pollinators, the landscape of our lives
would drastically change!
What essential
oil blend are you loving right now?
I am so
in love with lemon essential
oil right now. I have two blends I adore, lemon blended with
geranium and lemon blended with cedar, nutmeg, and ylang
ylang.
What advice would you give to
someone who wants to start making candles?
My
greatest piece of advice would be to be authentic! It is easy to be influenced by
other companies and trends. To be successful, we have to find what lights us up and
is in alignment with our values and ideals. When we work from our own singular,
unique purpose, success is right around the
corner!
What inspires you to
create?
The world around me. I am deeply
inspired by nature, but also by moving through life in a conscious way. Art and
beauty can be found in everything.
What
is your favorite Bramble Berry product and why?
As a
hobby soap maker, I purchase all my soap making materials from Bramble Berry. There
always seems to be a few additions to my cart; there are so many products that stoke
my creativity!
Tell us something unusual
or unique about yourself!
I love the opportunity to
create and grow! I am always learning and challenging myself to gain new skills and
knowledge in a variety of areas. I love all the possibilities that life has to
offer!
What advice would you give to
makers who want to sell candles?
Part of
our success is to never compromise or cut corners on quality ingredients. Also,
great customer service goes a long way!!
What are
some of your other hobbies and interests?
I love to
craft and make soap and herbal body products. I also make pottery, teach yoga and
meditation, garden, and have a general love of
living!
Have you ever experienced a candle
fail? How did you work through it, and what did you learn?
I am built on candle fails! Beeswax can be tricky to work with; there are
so many variables to create a truly quality-looking and well-burning candle. When
failure happens, I just hone in on variables and start to pick apart where it went
wrong. Wax temperature, room temperature, tools, wick options, and essential oil
variables can all have a play in the outcome of a candle. Patience is key in any
learning adventure. Taking good notes can help a lot
too!
What do you love most about creating
candles?
I like the process but I really LOVE the
outcome. There is something so satisfying about sharing the gift of light with
others. I get warm and fuzzy knowing that there are people all over the world
bringing the power of the hive and the warmth of our dedication to our craft into
their homes!
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