Women Who Move Buffalo {Amy, Linwood Candle Co.}

This week I am featuring Amy from Linwood Candle Co. on my Women Who Move Buffalo series. I have become obsessed and love the candles she hand pours right here in Buffalo. Learn more about Amy and Linwood Candle Co. below.

-B

How did it all get started? How did Linwood Candles come about?

Browsing around the shops on Elmwood Avenue I noticed beautiful and interesting items that were handmade, hand-poured, hand crafted, but in Brooklyn. I absolutely loved the items as well as the packaging and I would frequently purchase them. When it occurred to me that we should have more items that boast "hand-made in Buffalo, NY."

The name Linwood candle Co. came about from the walks down Linwood Avenue and simply admiring the architecture of the homes and the streetscape. One house in particular always stood out, so we sketched it and brought it to a friend and local designer Brett Mikoll (who also has a local company that creates beautiful hand crafted pennants called Oxford Pennant) and he took our sketch and created our logo from it.

Our company was also founded on Linwood Avenue and in a way we wanted to pay homage to one of our favorite streets in Buffalo.

Are the candles affordable for everyone?

All of the raw materials that create a Linwood Candle are chosen with care. From the kind of soy wax, the cotton braided wicks, the jars and the fragrance oils - everything has been researched and thought through. All of the fragrances I use are free of harmful phthalates, the wicks are lead free and the soy wax burns clean. All of my raw materials are sourced from American made companies- even the jar and the lid.

While it's difficult to compete with large companies, I'm confident that the saying holds true, " what you get is what you pay for." An inexpensive item is inexpensive for a reason. The quality, raw materials, or labor to produce that item might not be the best. Our candles are made in small batches of 5 at a time, which ensures the highest quality and the utmost care. We consider the air temperature in the room, the correct blend of ingredients and the technique in which we stir the wax. Some might view candle making as tedious, but I embrace the process. It forces you to slow down, focus and think about the way in which you are creating the product. It can't be rushed.

{Photo above taken from Linwood Candle Instagram}

If people want to learn more, or purchase your product, where can they go to information?

With our company still some-what new, we have a few company goals. One of which is to produce a website with great product photos. Once we have a website, people will be able to find more information regarding our process, list of items, etc., but for now we relay on Instagram as well as Etsy.

Do you make customizable scents for people if they ask?

Absolutely! That's one of my favorite aspects of candle making. If someone gives me a few scent notes that they like, I can concoct a one of a kind fragrance tailored specifically to them.

{Photo above taken from Linwood's Instagram account}

Has anyone ever done private parties with a bunch of their girlfriends - like a candle making class?

I've had several people ask me about this and I would love to host a private party or candle making class. We haven't done so yet, but we would love to in the future. We've thought about how it would work, since the candle typically takes about 45 minutes to completely cure.

Do you offer any specials, promotions? Or would you like to share any fun events you have coming up?

Recently I've been receiving orders from my Etsy shop from people who live in Buffalo . Its been really cool because they will order online and since they offer to pick it up, I'll include a "free shipping" coupon. I love this because I get to meet and chat with my customers face to face. With my candles primarily being wholesale I miss the customer contact and seeing who purchases my product. The whole aspect of re-establishing the connection between producer and consumer is a passion of mine as well.

We are very excited that we were invited to participate in Steelfest on Saturday, May 16th from 10-5pm at the Heritage Discovery Center on 100 Lee Street in Buffalo. As well as Bases Merloted on June 6th from 5-8pm at Coca-Cola Field.

How did you land in Buffalo? Are you originally from here, what made you stay?

I was born and raised in Buffalo. I feel as though something exicting is happening in Buffalo right now. There are so many entrepreneurs, small businesses and companies choosing to live and work in Buffalo. I can't help, but contribute my own small business endeavor to the beautiful architecture, the rich history of the area and the creative minds that I've met along the way. Especially those who have inspired me  {Ro and Anna Grace}.

Thank you Amy for letting me share your story!

{Photo above taken from Linwood Candle Co. Instagram}