Planning a wedding or special occassion?   Check out our custom candles for weddings & events!  People love these adorable candles personalized with your names and sentiments and will cherish

them (unlike many favors that end up in the trash :))  Not only are they adorable, smell great (custom scents available too!), and fun, but they are an earth friendly option that will portray your sustainable values.  Please use our contact form or call us to start your special candles for your special day!

-Amy

I am having so much fun making my American Scent Trip candles!  I've lived, or visited, almost every state in the USA and am now creating a candle series that takes you on a "scent trip" through the states!  Each candle is scented with the real deal (of course!) so it really smells like the real deal!  For instance, American Scent Trip- Washington is made using pure fir essential oil (Douglas Fir is the state tree!), organic apple flavor oil, and a hint of organic lavender & lilac oil.  It smells AMAZING and, coupled with my story on the label, it takes you on a scent journey through the state of Washington.  So far, I've created Washington, Oregon, Pennsylvania and California.  More coming soon!

 

Ever wonder why your soy candle looks like it has frosting on the top?  What about the bubble on the sides of the glass?  What about all those companies that say "soot free"?    Well, here are some answers!

1) Why DO soy candles start to change color and get a white "frosting" as they age? 

Answer:  This is actually a GOOD thing.  This is proof that the candle is made with real vegetable oils and not petroleum or synthetics.  It is just a natural occurance that doesn't affect the quality of the candle in the least bit.

2) What's up with the weird look on the sides of the glass? 

Answer:  This is the oil separating from the sides of the glass.  This is more common during the cold months.  It is perfectly normal and doesn't affect the quality of the candle.

3) So many companies claim their candles are "soot free" and  "smoke free", why don't Vance Family Soy Candles claim that?

ANSWER: Because  then we wouldn't be telling the truth.  In order to burn a candle, SOMETHING MUST BE BURNED.  When burning something, SOOT WILL HAPPEN.  Although soy candles (and especially our candles since we don't use petroleum in our scents either), and cottom wicks, let off  LESS soot than petroleum candles (parraffin), we don't claim things that aren't true.

 

Have any other questions?  We'd love to answer them!

I've just got to share this because I am so honored!  At the Portland Mayor's going away extravaganza, with thousands in the audience and him on the stage receiving awards, he had a Vance Family Soy Candle on his desk!  On the right of his desk you will see our Keep Portland Weird candle.  Out of all of the things he could have put on his desk, he chose my handiwork!  I think it is totally cool!   

Thank you, California, for a warm welcome to the California Gift Show!  I was in the LA Mart/Beckman's West division and the response was wonderful!  So many retailers are switching from synthetic fragrance and petroleum based candles.....it is wonderful!  Not only am I excited that business is booming, but I am so glad that more non-renewable resources are being saved and less toxins will be filling the air!  A great big thanks to my new clients!  You can now find my 100% natural soy candles (for real 100%, not 100% soy and then added toxic fragrance like most candles!) at these fine locations:

Splendid Things ( Paso Robles, CA)

Urban Farmhouse (Salinas, CA)

Topanga Home Grown (Topanga, CA)

Vintage Cousins (Whittier, CA)

Designer's Furniture (Glendale, CA)

The Washburne Cafe' (Springfield, OR)

Roxie's Charity Boutique and Gallery (Phoenix, AZ)

Etcetera (Portland, OR)

Designscape (Hanalei, Hawaii)

MADE art boutique (Phoenix, AZ)

Chris Hart Studio ( Grants Pass, OR)

and in the spring....Mono Lake Committee...Mono Lake, CA (Yosemite)

Hope you are near one! 

They're back!  Customers were going nuts awaiting the return of my massage candles and I am happy to say, they are back!  I had decided to remove them until I had labels that were worthy of the candle.  Vintage Paper Boutique has designed just that and I am proud to introduce my amazing, natural, nourishing, perfectly warm massage candle with its new, apothecary vintage style label.  As always, there are NO SYNTHETIC FRAGRANCES, PHALATES or Foreign Materials in The Perfect Massage Candle.  Enjoy!

 

Thanks to product placement in season 2 of Portlandia, I was honored to be able to attend the premier last night.  It was fun to see my company up on the screen, visit with the actors and get a sneek peak of the season.  But alas, despite a free flowing, hosted bar and ample food, I  couldn't wait to get back home to kiss my children goodnight and cuddle up in my warm bed!

I just found out that the wonderful woman, Jackie, with brain cancer ,

 

The Believe candle is still available at www.isabellacatalog.com and part of its proceeds will still continue to go to pay for Jackie's medical bills so that she can enjoy her new life and not worry about daunting bills.