Makers & Shakers: Wax Crescent

Wax Crescent

Woman-Owned Business

Instagram: @waxcrescent

Website: www.waxcrescent.com

Current Gum Pop Presents Events: Holiday BAZAAR, Valentine’s BAZAAR, Fall BAZAAR , Night BAZAAR

Location: Longmont, CO

“Creating a new scent takes a lot of time and patience. I've worked on some candle blends for months before releasing them. “

Tell us about yourself! What’s your background and what do you do?

I’m Kym, the founder and maker behind Wax Crescent. I started making candles in 2016 when I found out just how toxic candles were. I would get terrible migraines from just smelling a candle. After a lot of research to source clean, eco-friendly and non-toxic ingredients, and years spent developing and fine-tuning recipes, I officially launched Wax Crescent in 2019.

One of my favorite parts about being a candle maker is creating unique and interesting scent combinations. I have a background in cooking and in wine which I feel really adds a layer of depth and knowledge when it comes to creating my candle blends.

I am truly fascinated how scent is our strongest tie to memory! My candle scents are tied to memories from important and meaningful moments in my life. Whether it is the tart pomegranate my mother would bring home every christmas (pomegranate & evergreen candle) or the smell of rosemary from my grandmother’s kitchen (rosemary & cedarwood candle), my scents are linked to important moments from my past.

I am truly grateful that I am able to create a product that is clean burning, non-toxic and eco-friendly that also brings joy and serenity to my customers.

How did you learn your craft? Tell us about your first finished product.

I started playing around with candle making back in 2016. I would get terrible migraines anytime I would smell a candle, and I found out that it was because of all of the toxins and chemicals in the fragrance oils, waxes and even wicks. Being someone who loves scent so much, I set out to create a candle that was non-toxic and clean-burning. The process of learning how to make candles took a really long time--it is surprisingly quite a bit of science. In 2019 I launched Wax Crescent.

Where does the name of your business come from?

Wax Crescent comes from the idea of the waxing crescent moon. After a new moon where we plant our seeds of intention and desires, the moon then moves into her waxing phase where she is growing and we can see our hopes and dreams coming into fruition. I also love a good pun!

How long does it take to make your product and what’s involved in the process?

Product development takes quite a bit of time. Scent blending is a pretty nuanced science. A sent blend can smell amazing when you mix the oils and then smell completely different once it is added to wax or once the candle is lit. Creating a new scent takes a lot of time and patience. I've worked on some candle blends for months before releasing them.
Once I have a scent blend and recipe perfected I pour them in small batches of about 12 candle at a time, and then I let them cure for a minimum of 2 weeks before I sell the candle. The longer a candle cures for, the stronger the scent can become and the more complex layers and notes reveal themselves.

Where does your inspiration come from?

All of my scents come from memories. Moments in my life that are ingrained into my mind because of the smells that where dancing in the air in those precious moments.

What three words would you use to describe your product/service?

Intentional, self-care & sustainable.

What’s your favorite product that you’ve created?

I guess my favorite candle blend that I have created would be the bamboo & bergamot. This candle took me forever to create. I tried for months and months to get the blend right, and it those bamboo notes just would not show the way that I wanted. It was incredibly frustrating and I really wanted to give up. I think the only reason that I kept going was because I had already ordered the labels for the product. I am glad that I stuck with it because bamboo & bergamot is one of my most popular and personal favorite scents.

What question do you get asked the most at pop-up markets?

How do you come up with your scent blends?

What is your favorite Gum Pop Presents event?

I love the Fall Bazaar Series. Fall is candle season!

“Shopping small and supporting local businesses is a way of life in this community, and I feel very blessed for that.”

What’s something unique about you that most people don’t know (or wouldn’t guess)?

I have a background in cooking. A long time ago I worked as a cook on movie and television shows. At the time, I cooked for some of the top actors and actresses. I feel like my experience in the kitchen as well as a (minor) background in wine has really contributed to my ability to create beautiful and complex scents.

What is your favorite thing about being a creator in Colorado?

I love Colorado! Shopping small and supporting local businesses is a way of life in this community, and I feel very blessed for that.

What’s your go-to hang out spot in Denver?

Any cute coffee shop!