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Saturday, November 14, 2009
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The sweet smell of success may just be from a soy candle collaboration
Senior Reporter An artistic connection between a candle maker and pottery artists is creating a green business at the Franklin Arts Center.
"It just became such a collaborative effort," said business owner Jess Cavazos. "It's just great. They have been extremely well received."
Cavazos moved to Brainerd from San Antonio. He said a candle making hobby expanded to craft shows and then into the Alamo City Candle Co. In February, Cavazos brought his art work and candle making experience here, initially pouring his candles into glass containers.
Then he met fellow resident artist at Franklin, Brainerd native Mike Weiss of Frankie Gumbo Potters studio.
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A green effort, the candle company uses natural materials and offers to refill candle holders. Brainerd Dispatch/Kelly Humphrey
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Faced with a difficult economy, the two decided to collaborate, creating Brainerd Lakes Artisan Candles. They hoped the candles would provide a way to support themselves as they continued to work on their art. The end result combines hand-poured natural soy candles and handcrafted pottery containers.
For consumers interested in recycling and reuse, the empty candle holders may be refilled at a cost savings. The turnaround time is about seven days for a refill. The candles range from $12 to $35 or more, depending on size and style. Weiss is the lead potter and provides custom orders, while pottery artists Jake Iten and Dawn Shequen also provide candle holders for the company.
Customers also may select an empty pot and pick a fragrance. Choices include pottery pieces fired by electric kiln and those wood fired, where the flame hits pieces for 14 hours. Variations in firing methods provide smooth and rough textures.
Artisan Candles reports a portion of the sales revenues is donated to improve and promote the Residents Arts Gallery at Franklin.
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Jess Cavazos, Brainerd Lakes Artisan Candles owner, said the collaborative work with pottery artists at Franklin Arts Center was created as an effort to sustain the artists while they continued to explore their mediums. Their candle creations have been well received, he said. Brainerd Dispatch/Kelly Humphrey
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To create the candles, Cavazos melts the soy wax and fragrance oils. Candles are then allowed to cure for five days. Cavazos said he uses the maximum ratio of wax and fragrance to create a lasting impression. He said 9-ounce candle should burn for 80 hours.
For the best burning experience, Cavazos said it's important to create a melt pool so a candle that is 1-inch in diameter should be burned for at least one hour. A 3-inch diameter candle should burn for at least three hours. The top pool should be melted to its edges and about a quarter-inch deep. Cavazos recommends that a candle is never burned for more than four hours a time and the wick should be trimmed before it is lit again.
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Hand-poured soy candles and hand-crafted pottery are blended in a collaboration of art with the newly formed Brainerd Lakes Artisan Candles company, which was created by resident artists at the Franklin Arts Center in Brainerd. Brainerd Dispatch/Kelly Humphrey
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He said the soy candles burn cooler and cleaner with virtually no soot. As they are plant based, he said they come from a natural and renewable resource.
Popular scents are pumpkin, vanilla, cinnamon, lavender, rain and clean cotton. Cavazos' artwork and mobiles hang in the studio where the candles are displayed. Cavazos said he has been working with candles now for 15 years, using research and testing to find the right mix because repeat business is critical.
The candles are available at Frankie Gumbo Potters and the Crossing Sales and Gift Shop at Franklin. Cavazos said they are continuing to work on a larger distribution or perhaps wholesale operation with the potential to add ceramic diffusers or baths soaps and salts.
RENEE RICHARDSON may be reached at renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5852.
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