The Story of Klasse Candles
I started
making candles when I
was nine years old. This is the story of how it began, grew, and
turned into a business.
In 2004, my two brothers Corbyn and
Carsyn, built a violin. I was offered the chance to join them,
but at the time I didn’t really have an interest in it. So, on
the nights when they went to build their violin, Mom and I made
candles. We researched the project and collected supplies. We
had already decided beeswax would be a healthier option than
paraffin wax.
While shopping one day, Mom
discovered three maple syrup jars shaped like violins, a small
one, a medium one, and a big one. She bought them thinking we
could make molds with them using latex rubber. A few small
violin candles turned out well. Unfortunately, the larger violin
molds didn’t work so well. The latex rubber was too flexible; it
couldn’t hold the pressure of the wax.
After this disappointment, the
project went on hold for a few years. During this time, we
collected vases and things, anything that “might make a good
candle”. We also looked for a better material to make the molds
out of. In spring of 2010, we made our first silicone rubber
molds. I had already
tried pouring some candles in hard plastic molds, but decided
that I didn't want that. I was also using the wrong wicking.
The
silicone rubber molds turned out well, so I started
experimenting with the wax: fixing mistakes, learning new
techniques, and troubleshooting.
After I had a few different designs
perfected I started bringing them to the Brandon farmers market
where we were attending . Here the sales slowly picked up as new
designs were added. Now I am happy to say we have over 20
different,
one-of-a-kind designs. Including all three violin candles
which were finished in 2011. We are continuing to work on
expanding the product line to include more designs and also other
items related to the main product “beeswax candles”.
Currently there are two health food
stores (Portage
and Winkler) that sell my candles. I also attend local craft
sales and the Farmers markets as opportunity provides. In the
future I would like to sell all kinds of beeswax products and a
wide variety of candles.
Brayden Klassen
@
Klasse Candles
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