Today we’d like to introduce you to Edward Brown
Hi Edward, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started over 10 years ago after I was severely frustrated by the Vanilla Candles you find in stores. I remember going through the isles and smelling them while noticing each one smelled different. They had that synthetic manufactured smell and I couldn’t stand it. I have always had a passion for arts and crafts but I could never draw to save my life so I decided to try making candles. It was a very small start. I focused on making Vanilla candles and spent so many nights doing it. It was hard but I figured it out. I gave them to friends and family and slowly grew into where I am now getting to create more fragrance products and having fun mixing things together. The best part of it is seeing the smile it has on others faces when they get them knowing its all natural and healthier for them. Even facing hard times like cancer, being hospitalized, and having everything crumble and fall apart around me I never have given up. The joy and relaxation of making the soaps and candles is so therapeutic, but the smiles I get to enjoy with others always outweighs the worst of days.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The journey to where I have gotten was not easy in any way shape or form. Even in the beginning the learning process along had it’s own challenges. I remember many batches that failed, to the point one candle was even a fireball when lit. It took months for me to properly learn and get it right when it came to making candles alone and even when I thought it was perfect new issues always came. During summer months I learned fast how things can go when I had over 200 candles melt on me and completely go to waste. But even with that I kept pushing and made sure to not let it stop me. This took years for me to get it to where i was finally happy and it means a lot more to me knowing they are natural soy and the way candles should be. Even when branching out into soaps, there was a lot of batches of soaps that completely failed on me costing hundreds of dollars. But even with the setback I knew it would be worth it. The fun in not only learning something new but having something better for others meant way more to me. The hardest bump in the road was last year for me when I was diagnosed with cancer and lost my dog to cancer at the same time. For months I had to undergo surgery, then chemotherapy, and so many doctor visits and check ups. My dog of 10 years succumbed to cancer at the same time I was finishing chemotherapy. It hurt a lot losing him and even in remission the side effects are painful and effecting me to this day. I don’t always show it but some days I am in a lot of pain and it hurts to move. But no matter what I don’t give up. The support of all the customers and family and friends is what drives me to keep going. Without the support and help of customers and the community I honestly don’t know where I would be or how I would have gotten through it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am known for being a fragrance artist. I never wanted to limit myself and with the goal to create natural things that are healthier it has been my mission to blue the line of the normal. My candles, and soaps, and body butters are made not only with no preservatives and such, but with an artistic flair that allows them to be as much of a decorative piece as they are functional. I never will cut the cost of making stuff for profit. IT’s about making it pure and natural and the way it should be.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Never giving up is the hardest thing to face at times. From being diagnosed with cancer, losing my dog, facing death so many times, it really can be hard some days to even get out of bed. Even doing market events and such in 110 degrees, or having the ones where I don’t even make a sale. As an artist, it takes time and patience in order to get there. I have had many days where I have broken down into tears and wanted it to end but I never stopped. Pushing forward has given me so much hope and appreciation for everything. Your journey as an artist may not be easy and may take a long time, but like a good loaf of bread, with time and patience the smiles on others faces and the things you learn along the way as well as the friends you make turn it into the best thing you could ever ask for.
Pricing:
- 15 oz Soy Candles- $20
- 8oz Soy Candles- $15
- Soap Bars- $8
- 4oz Body Butter- $24.99
- Room Sprays- $15
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.craftfoxboutique.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craft_fox_boutique/
