What My First Candle Taught Me About Patience

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My first attempt at making candles actually was in 2015, ten years ago. I first tried candle making right after college, when it was more of a hobby than a serious pursuit. I didn’t stick with it for long—partly because I didn’t understand much of the process and quickly became overwhelmed by the equipment, ingredients, and especially the science behind it all.

One of the most challenging parts of candle making is the math. The formula you use determines everything about your candle’s burn quality. Back then, I didn’t own a candy thermometer or a scale. I thought I could just “eyeball it” and see what happened.

As you can probably guess, it didn’t go well.

I remember pouring my very first candle into a simple mason jar with a strawberry fragrance oil. Out of the bottle, it smelled amazing. But once it set in the wax, the scent all but disappeared. The little fragrance that came through was weak, fading, and had that old potpourri smell you find in a dusty bowl that hasn’t been refreshed in years. Needless to say—I hated my first candle.

But that experience taught me something important: if you want to do something well, you have to respect the process. You need patience, the right tools, and the willingness to invest your energy fully. Candle making isn’t about rushing—it’s about slowing down and crafting something with care.

Why Brighter Blaze Exists

Years later, when I returned to candle making, I came back with that lesson at the forefront of my mind. This time, I dedicated myself to learning the science, investing in the right equipment, and perfecting each detail so that every candle would burn cleanly and smell as wonderful in wax as it does in the bottle.

Brighter Blaze was born from that commitment—not just to create better candles, but to create an experience made possible through growing and evolving. My first candle may have been a failure, but it lit the spark that led me here. I’m documenting my experience building Brighter Blaze so that I can share my wins, losses, and everything inbetween and help others recognize their own light within.