ABOUT WAXWING
Waxwing Candle Co. is a small boutique business fully owned and operated by a wife-and-husband team. We craft our products to demanding specifications, affording great thought and care to each step of the process. We blend our own all-natural soy-coconut wax, and we mix our in-house fragrances in small batches to ensure the truest scent profiles possible. Each candle is hand-poured and cured for a minimum of two weeks to maximize its fragrance potential throughout its burn life. Our goal is to provide you with a product and an experience that feels bespoke and satisfying — every single time.
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The Waxwing Candle workshop sits perched above a scenic brook in the Quiet Corner of Connecticut. We're a stone's throw from the Fenton River and a quick bike ride from downtown Storrs and the University of Connecticut. While our candles draw on inspiration from locales, landscapes, and experiences all over the world, on most days we take our cues from the wonder and beauty that's right here in our backyard.
WHAT'S IN A WAXWING CANDLE?
Our candles are handcrafted using all-natural, premium plant-based waxes; our container wax is a fusion of soy and coconut, while our pillars and free-standing candles are a combination of beeswax and soy. We don't use synthetic additives, we don't add any dyes or chemicals, and we don't add any potentially hazardous gimmicks like glitter or other combustibles.
*Learn more about our focus on safety including tips for proper candle care and maintenance in our Waxwing Blog!
Our wicks are made from textile-grade cotton with paper filaments woven throughout, and they do not contain metal cores like some other candles — no tin, zinc, or lead.
All of our custom scents are blended in-house from the highest quality paraben-free and phthalate-free fragrance oils available.
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Our goal is zero waste, and we're doing everything we can to get there. The vessels we use are completely recyclable! Just remove the liner from the lid, remove excess wax from the jar, and reuse or toss in the recycle bin. We always use recycled paper and cardboard packing materials or repurposed materials that can be recycled or reused again.
OUR SOY-COCONUT BLEND IS THE BEST OF ALL WORLDS:
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It's a dense, all-natural blend with a low melting point, resulting in a clean-burning candle that lasts up to 50% longer than paraffin by volume.
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It has a creamy, snow-white visual appearance.
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Its bright, golden flame creates virtually no soot, and its melt pool produces a superb scent throw.
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Its high molecular density prevents the fragrance from fading over time (a common problem with paraffin candles).
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Soy and coconut waxes produce a stronger, more accurate fragrance profile compared to paraffin, because there are fewer chemicals released that interfere with scent throw (burning paraffin releases 11 known toxins, two of which are carcinogenic).
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Our soy wax is made from soybeans grown on American farms, supporting domestic agriculture.
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It's vegan and cruelty-free.
WHY WE CHOSE SOY
There's a long-raging debate in the candle world over the pros and cons of the two most popular base materials (soy vs. paraffin), and both candlemakers and candle lovers have plenty to say on both sides. Some proponents of soy wax argue that it is a more sustainable and eco-friendly option compared to paraffin wax, which is derived from non-renewable petroleum. They also claim that soy wax burns significantly cleaner, produces less soot, and may have better scent throw once the candle warms up. However, paraffin wax supporters argue that it is more affordable and easier to work with than soy wax, and they claim that paraffin has better scent throw than soy. Some also argue that the environmental impact of soy wax production, which involves extensive land use and pesticide use in soybean farming, must be taken into account. We think there's merit to both arguments and that both sides make compelling points.
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Ultimately, at Waxwing Candle, we've made the choice to use exclusively plant-based products sourced in the most sustainable and environmentally responsible way possible. We don't feel that there's an ethical way to consume fossil-based waxes like paraffin, even if they are a byproduct of refining crude oil, due to the fact that it continues to support the petrochemical industry. We acknowledge that there are still hurdles to overcome in production and sourcing of the soy, coconut, and beeswax products that we use, but we are fully committed to using whatever clout we have to support the companies and suppliers making the most environmentally responsible choices. We promise to continuously re-assess our supply chain so that you can rest assured knowing you're purchasing a product that minimizes environmental impact.
