COCO Brown Candle Co. was established in the Spring of 2022. It started with a love of candles from a very young age. It always intrigued me the way a candle could create a mood with a fragrance or with the simple flicker of its flame. This not only sparked an interest in how they worked, but how to create them in a unique, safe and thoughtful way for myself and others to enjoy. Located in a small business studio in my hometown in Hampton Roads, Virgina, hours of testing and perfecting my candle making craft takes place. I’ve investing in the tools to make scented candles in both tin and glass vessels, hand poured and personally labeled and packaged for you. I put my stamp on every product that I make available because I believe in each one. Adding a bit of luxury and warmth to someone’s home or office in a safe and thoughtful way is the goal.
What’s in a name?
COCO Brown Candle Co was created in my home after having tested several candle waxes to use to make my very own candles for the fun of it as well as for the science. I’d been purchasing them for myself since I first moved into my own dorm in 1996. At that time, I’d purchased 3 amber colored and leopard printed pillar candles. They helped to create a warm and calming atmosphere on some of my most stressed and exhausting college days spent studying and balancing college, work life and of course a whole lot of fun! ("L" Yes! Go CARDS!) To me they were beautifully made, unique and something I treasured. Today I have 2 of them left. After completely burning one during a power outage, I could not bring myself to finishing off the other two. I cherish them as they remind me of a time when my life transitioned from child to adulthood. Candles are a product that can last for many years if you want it to, or a few days if you so prefer. (I see you power burners!)
The first time the spark to create candles came to me, I had been burning a scented candle I’d purchased from a large and well know retailer. The scent was by far my favorite, and I was nearly down to the last of it. Looking at the jar I could only see a small inch high melted pool at the bottom which gave me an idea. Usually after getting down to the end of a candle there would always be a little wax left but not enough of a wick to hold a flame and melt it, leaving a ring of wax to be discarded. To me this seemed like such a waste. This time I decided to save this wax by pouring it into an old plastic wax melt container; you know the ones with six cubes. Doing this gave me nearly 4 wax cubes to use in a small wax warmer for days to come, instead of discarding it, giving me that sweet aroma for a little longer. After doing this I thought that I could pour this into a votive jar and put my own wick in and have another candle. This is where my research began. I wanted to learn more about making my own candle. I purchased a candle making kit in 2019, and the need to perfect this craft continued to grow from there. I tested many wax and wax blends along with all premium phthalate free fragrances, until I happened upon a Coconut Soy wax, my wax of choice. Coco, short for coconut and Brown, my surname came to form COCO Brown Candle Co., after successfully making a great smelling candle from start to finish. It's been a whirlwind of testing, making and so much fun since.
What's Next?
I have been working tirelessly on a collection that is near and dear to my heart. The world is in a lot of pain right now and I want to do what small part that I can to help bring some light into all of this darkness. In many different spiritual traditions, the physical act of lighting candles is a sacred act. It is meant to express more than words can say. You will soon be introduced to the "Light of the World Collection". The vessel is magnificent, and each fragrance was carefully chosen to represent many aspects of our religious world. The collection of 5 each carry messages of light that can be appreciated by many and can help illuminate our current dark climate. More details to come on this striking COCO Brown Candle Co. collection. Stay up to date by registering!
“Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.” ― Buddha