Begonia & Bench

Do you have a story behind your business name?
"Begonia" symbolizes our love for nature and beauty, and is also a nod to Darren’s mom’s favorite flower. "Bench" represents our dedication to craftsmanship and creativity. Together, they capture the harmony between art and the environment that inspires everything we do.

How did it all get started?

When we began, we were shocked by the waste generated in the candle-making industry and knew we wanted to do something different. Determined to make a change, we committed to planting a tree for every candle we make, not just sell (that’s a marketing tactic).

We also support local non-profits focused on community and environmental needs. This mission drives us as two artists passionate about creating something that doesn’t just go in the landfill.

To date, we’ve had over 11,500 trees planted in a US National Forest—all from just a 10x10 pop-up tent.

That is incredible! What is your favorite part of the maker process?
The most rewarding part of our process is working with a unique Japanese rice bran wax, known for its smokeless and dripless properties, despite its challenges. Blending this rare plant wax with our soy and coconut waxes is where art and science meet. We use a multi-pour technique, rather than a single pour, to ensure a perfect blend and finish. Each candle is then aged and cured like a fine cheese or wine, allowing the complex scent blends to mature and develop. The stability and slow-burning nature of rice bran wax, combined with our unique fragrances, provides a burn time of around 90 hours—much longer than traditional soy candles. This meticulous process is incredibly fulfilling and truly sets our candles apart.

Where do you draw inspiration to create?

Nature is our greatest muse. The changing seasons, the vibrant colors of flowers, and the serene beauty of the forests all inspire us. With an artist's eye, we see the world a little differently, finding beauty in the everyday moments like the first light of sunrise or the delicate patterns of a leaf. These perspectives fuel our creativity and drive us to create candles that are more than just a source of light.

What is your favorite candle that you have created and why?

One of our favorite creations is the "Cozy Campfire" candle, which captures the essence of an outdoor campfire with its earthy notes. This candle is special because it was inspired by our favorite camping moments in Minnesota and took over six months to perfect. Due to its sensitivity to humidity and heat, we can't always bring it to events, and we only make a very limited batch at a time. They sell out quickly, but you can also watch for them on our website!

What’s a typical day in the studio like for you?

A day in our studio is a blend of creativity, craftsmanship, and behind-the-scenes work. It also usually begins with a cup of coffee and a walk in the woods 😊. Every day is different, but it always ends with us feeling grateful for the opportunity to create something meaningful.

What can we expect to see from you at Jackalope?
We’re thrilled to be a part of the Jackalope art fair, where we’ll be showcasing our latest collection of Artisan candles. This includes some exclusive new scents inspired by the vibrant summer season. Alongside our new creations, we'll also have our bestsellers and a few surprises up our sleeves 😉. Make sure to follow us on social media to stay updated and catch all the excitement!

What do you love most about Minnesota?

Minnesota’s natural beauty is unparalleled. The forests, the pristine lakes, and the vibrant seasons all provide endless inspiration for us! We also love the strong sense of community and the support for local artisans, which makes Minnesota the perfect place for art to grow and thrive!

Anything special you’d like to share?
At Begonia & Bench, we believe in giving back. For every candle we make, not just sell, we plant a tree in a US National Forest. This commitment has recently earned us recognition as a Sapling Partner by the National Forest Foundation on their website! We're proud of our efforts to make a positive impact on the environment, and you can learn more about our partnership here: https://www.nationalforests.org/tree-planting-programs/small-business-tree-planting-partnerships

Find Begonia & Bench at The Downtown Minneapolis Street Art Festival on August 10th & 11th, 2024.
Website: www.begoniaandbench.com

Instagram: @begoniaandbench

Alyssa Webb

Who / what are your biggest artistic influences?

I have many influences in the world of candle makers, but as far as main influence, I enjoy the candle makers that follow sustainable practices using high-quality ingredients and are transparent with their customers on best candle burning practices.

How do you define success as an artist?

Being able to adapt to change quickly.  What might be popular in scent right now might not be popular next season.  I am always reading about trending accords in the fragrance world and trying to incorporate them into my custom blends in one way or another for seasonal changes.  

Does your art help you in other areas of your life?

Being a candle maker is therapeutic for me.  Luxe Intuition was born during the pandemic, and candle making was a way for me to disconnect from all the turmoil and uncertainty.  Three years later, it is still a way for me to disconnect from this crazy world we live in.  Creating candles for people knowing they typically light them for relaxation or some form of enjoyment, brings me joy in knowing I can spread light to them in their time of disconnecting from the world.     

How have you developed your skill at your craft?

Through education and trial and error.  With candle making, there is an exorbitant amount of testing and retesting needed before you can sell a successfully made candle.  A candle that burns evenly down and burns clean without sooting has gone through extensive research to perfect that blend.  Luxe Intuitions custom blended scents undergo about 4-6 months of full testing to ensure our customers' best possible high-quality candles. 

We only use high-grade vegan-friendly oils that blend well into our sustainable coconut-apricot wax blend.  Our coconut wax will burn cleaner and longer than traditional soy wax, and our coconut wax blend will give an amazing hot throw from start to finish giving you an enjoyable aroma versus an over the top hit you in the face scent.  We are not about having the strongest candle in the room, as most of those are extremely toxic and have exceeded the limit of how much oil they should be using in the candle.  Luxe Intuition Candles create an ambiance like no other and last a very long time, up to 80 hours for our 12 oz candles, and we are proud to say our customers enjoy this the most about our line.   

Very cool! What’s the hardest part of your creation process?

Creating the perfect scent.  Scent if so subjective, and only some people enjoy the same aromas.  So to ease this never ending battle we try to have something for everyone throughout our collections that are still unique and intriguing to our customers.  We pride ourselves in creating custom scent blends you won't find anywhere else.  

What’s the best thing about being an artist?

The best thing about candle making is when I am at an event and a customer comes up to me and says “Your candles last forever and I don't get headaches from them!”  You will not believe how many people I get that tell me they can't burn candles because they get nauseous or extreme migraines, and then once they have had ours burning and it doesn't happen to them, it is such a relief and breath of fresh air.  This is actually how Luxe Intuition came to fruition.  I am extremely sensitive to scent.  I developed the line around my sensitivities and created candles that were enjoyable and safe to burn.  I have attracted this type of customer and now I have a growing community of customers that can now enjoy candles safely without having headaches or nausea.  

What is your favorite item you’ve created and why?

I have a love for nature and being outdoors.  One of my favorite places to go, and is also very close in distance to where I live, is Waterton Canyon.  When I developed my Colorado candle collection, I knew I had to incorporate notes that made me feel like I was there even if I wasn't.  And wouldn't you know, this custom blended scent creation happens to be our top seller for 2023.  We also ended up calling it Waterton Canyon, and this candle is gifted time and time again with return purchases, and we hope to keep this scent around for a long time as long as our customers keep enjoying it.  

And finally, what do you love most about Colorado?

The ever-evolving landscape of makers.  I have met many talented artists over the last few years of attending events, and their talent always blows me away.  We have a huge amount of artisans that continue to emerge, and I love the appreciation from customers that understand what it takes to make our products, and they value a quality over-quantity approach in consumed goods.       

We will plant a tree with every purchase you make with Luxe Intuition through a global organization called One Tree Planted.  They go into areas devastated by fires and destruction and create biodiversity through reforestation programs.  Something else I would like to share is our wedding candle collection.  This special collection is fully customizable and makes great gifts for out-of-town guests, bridal parties, bridal showers; and we even have a special candle engraved with the words I Do for the couple to light on their special day to calm the wedding day jitters and to relight at anniversaries.  We also recently launched room & linen sprays.  These are also made with vegan-friendly oils and complement the candles in our collections.   

Catch Luxe Intuition at Jackalope Arvada on October 14th, & 15th

Website: www.luxeintuition.com

Facebook: www.facebnook.com/luxeintuition

Instagram: @luxeintuition

Sara of Slow Burn

Where are you from and does that affect your work?  

Como Park (St Paul, MN) is my home. Minnesota has a beautiful landscape of lakes and the simplicity of the prairie has always had a profound impact on me. I realize that part of my passion and love for candle making comes from the simplicity of this landscape. For me, there is no reason to alter beeswax from its pure form (color and scent) which allows me to practice simplicity in my production efforts. Additionally, I proudly source my beeswax locally. In doing so, I support the local economy, the family-run apiary who supplies me with my wax, and the local bees!

Love that! Who / what are your biggest artistic influences?

I am currently obsessed with Lex Lazarewicz (@buttermilk_ceramics), Clara Infante (@shopcopito), and Liz Spencer (@thedogwooddyer).

How do you define success as an artist?

I feel successful when I experience pride in my work and business efforts. Acknowledgement from others of my efforts doesn't hurt either ;)

Does your art help you in other areas of your life?

Slow Burn is the result of my mindfulness practice. It all started as a part of my morning routine to ground my energy and center my mind, but it has grown into so much more than I ever imagined. As the business grows I continuously remind myself of the love I have for the process of candle making and try not to get caught up in the stress of a growing business.

How have you developed your skill at your craft?

One of the mottos I live by is "when you stop learning, you stop growing" and through extensive research, I have refined my process a few times over. When I first started making candles I would follow the guidelines provided by the mold making manufacturers; specifically with wick sizes. Through countless hours of test burns I have refined the wick selection for each candle style based on which wick will provide the longest and cleanest (drip-free) burn. Additionally, I have a cleaning process that goes above and beyond the standard recommendation and provides an even longer burn time.

What’s the hardest part of your creation process?

Getting the temperature of the air in my workshop just right. It's wild but if the temp is too cold by a few degrees it messes with the way the candles cure. Since my workshop is in the (unfinished) basement of my home, controlling the air temperature can be really tricky.

Oh interesting! What’s your favorite item that you’re created, and why?

Currently it's the Funky Taper. This candle gives you the burn of a classic taper AND a decorative pillar. It's really fun to watch it burn and create an intimate vibe at the dinner table.

What’s the best part about being an artist?

Creating art is a fulfilling journey that I cherish for multiple reasons. Firstly, the immense freedom that accompanies being an artist empowers me to shape my own creative path. Without the constraints of a boss or rigid timelines, I revel in the liberty to experiment with my process and manifest my unique visions. This autonomy not only fosters personal growth but also infuses each candle with authenticity and a true reflection of my inner self.

What do you love most about Minneapolis?

Minneapolis captivates me with its vibrant blend of culture and arts. The city's rich cultural tapestry, manifested through its diverse neighborhoods, offers a constant source of exploration and connection. I am enamored by the thriving arts scene, from the iconic Walker Art Center to the intimate galleries tucked away, each fostering an atmosphere of creativity and expression. The city's commitment to public art and innovative installations further adds to its allure, creating a dynamic environment that continuously ignites my inspiration.

Anything special you’d like to share? One in every three bites of food we eat depends on bees for pollination 🐝💛 Thank you bees!!!

Catch Slow Burn at Jackalope Minneapolis on September 23rd & 24th, 2023.

Web: Slowburncandles.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/slow.burn.mn

Instagram: @slow.burn.mn

How did you get your start in the handmade community?

I started in December of 2015 and basically taught myself how to make candles.  With only a couple instructional books and no one showing my the ropes, there was a lot of trial and error and definitely costs that came along with those mistakes.  But with repetition, I got better and better until I created a quality product, which was eventually turned into a concept for the business that I have today!

What or who inspires you?

Generally speaking, other entrepreneurs and small business owners who are successful definitely inspire me to achieve great things. I always look for inspiration from other creative individuals who are not afraid to take risks and think outside the box.  When I decided to start a business, i knew that I had to be unique and different in order to be successful.  I enjoy meeting people who love to go against the grain.  More specifically speaking, the inspiration for the collection of candles is mostly what I personally perceive as a cool looking and good smelling product.  I try to put myself in the customer's shoes, while also trusting my gut instinct on what makes a product work.  70% of my customer base is female, so I have definitely learned how to look at things from a woman's perspective and subsequently market my brand appropriately. 

When do you feel the most creative? 

I feel the most creative when I am either sitting in a coffee shop with my earbuds in, or when I am sitting on a plane traveling somewhere.  I rarely purchase the WIFI on the plane and solely use that time to just focus on writing down ideas in Microsoft Word.  Good coffee, good music, and traveling are keys to creativity for me!

What can we expect to see from you at Jackalope?

My product is unique, different and will make a great gift!  The scents in the collection are perfectly accurate to their description and definitely surprise some people! I can't wait to be a part of the Holiday season.

What is the coolest artistic tip you've ever received?

Break the rules!  Don't break the law, but break the rules.  It's impossible to be a maverick or true original if your always following the "rules".

• What do you feel makes your work unique and truly your own?  Seasonally I curate a candle collection that showcases my passion for the southwest, handcrafted products and quality ingredients. The Prickly Pear Sorbet scented candle is my most unique candle. The fragrance is a custom blend that I created to make the perfect fragrance of the delicately flavored prickly pear fruit.

• What sort of things inspire you?  Where do you look for inspiration?  I celebrate the culture and style of this region by selecting scents influenced from the southwest. The stunning deserts, mountains, canyons and rivers are purely inspirational. I also look for inspiration in my daughter Brooke because while I try to teach her the meaning of life, I realize she continues to teach me what life is all about.

• When do you feel the most creative? In the morning after a cup of coffee.😬😂

• Where can we learn more about you?  Instagram. Photography is another passion of mine, equally along side candle-making, crafting, a love of the outdoors and being a mom and I document it all through pictures on Instagram. All of the photos in my feed are taken by me, unless it's a repost from another Instagram account. @sunnybrookeco