What goes into the quintessential smell of a home? That's the question some local candlemakers answer every day, when they carefully craft and perfect scents to add atmosphere to life's moments.
“We are a family-owned and operated business,” says Gwendolyn Penn, owner of Lotus Candles. “So our candles will remind you of home: soothing, comfortable and memorable. It’s a passion that has given us the opportunity to connect with people from near and far, and it’s been a beautiful journey.”
Find a scent worth remembering from one of these six candle makers, all based in Greater Cleveland.
Lotus Candles
These hand-poured candles reinvent beloved scents like lavender, vanilla and teakwood, and patent unique favorites like “Egyptian Amber”, “Strawnanaberries” and “Diva!” — strutting their stuff with hints of daisy, lemon and amber. With palettes for fruit, earth and floral notes, plus six variants of mint alone, you’ll never have to settle for the same fragrance twice. $5+, shoplotuscandles.com
LOABuffet
With a focus on candles as a healing agent, these candles are made specially for meditation, manifestation and spirituality. Find candles for each color of the rainbow, candles labeled with positive affirmations and even candles shaped like fairies, all radiating good vibes and good smells. $9+, etsy.com
Hyggelight
With a mission to “craft thoughtful products that also reduce everyday waste”, this is the candle you’ll never have to throw away. Each hand-made soy candle is poured into a hand-made ceramic container and comes with seeds for a wildflower, so once the wax burns, the candle container can be used as a planter. Savvy and sustainable, it’s the two-in-one gift that keeps on giving. $30+, 1442 W. 28th St., thegrowingcandle.com
RELATED: Hyggelight Candles and Nine Other Mom-Approved Gifts from Cleveland Shops
Hope’s Landing
Soothing scents of sea salt and orchid, warm cashmere and “Mama Ruth’s Lemon Bars” land close to home, among other seasonal and custom options. Crafting for a cause, each candle is hand-poured by survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence, and 100% of profits go directly back to the workers. $10+, Available at Various Locations, hopes-landing.com
1820 Candle Co.
Featured as a Best of Cleveland pick in 2023 for its Midwest-inspired Rust Belt candle collection, this East Palestine-based farmstead hand-pours candles made with a blend of vegetable- and plant-based wax, supporting sustainable agriculture. Matching its rustic, rural ambiance, the company’s family of signature scents includes mixtures ranging from olive wood and fig, whiskey and pear and rice flower. $15+, 135 N. Market St., East Palestine, 1820co.com
EnchantedbyK
True to its name, each of these hand-poured candles is an enchanting potion of coconut soy wax and cruelty-free oils, conjuring scents inspired by Halloween, Harry Potter and Disney. Decorated with glitter, crystals and flowers, these crafts make magic happen in your home, and out of it, as a portion of all purchases are donated to children at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. $20+, etsy.com
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