Kym Terribile, Founder and Maker Featured in the March 2023 Vellabox

Wax Crescent was founded in 2019 in Colorado with the intention of creating luxury and intriguing candles.

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How did Wax Crescent get started?

I started making candles when I found out how toxic they could be. My migraines were really bad from most candles because of the ingredients. I couldn’t even walk by a candle shop in the mall without getting a headache.

Once I discovered that I could source clean and non-toxic ingredients, I started making candles for myself in 2017. After awhile friends started buying them and then it just grew from there. With my background in cooking and wine, layers and complex scent components are one of my favorite aspects of candle making. I love blending new scents!

I wanted to create a product that embodied everything that I believed in—the purest ingredients and the idea of intentional self-care. Wax Crescent was founded in 2019 in Colorado with the intention of creating luxury and intriguing candles that are eco-friendly and clean-burning.

 “These clean and elevated fragrances are inspired by my favorite memories and connected to meaningful moments and experiences.“

Kym Terribile, Founder of Wax Crescent

Can you describe the scents featured in this month’s Vellabox?

Lighting a candle is a ritual for me. It’s the first thing that I do every morning. This practice allows me to start my day with intention. It signifies that I am creating a sacred space for myself, and taking time to move into my day thoughtfully and with purpose. So I couldn’t be more thrilled for Vellabox subscribers to experience these scents–that give that spa-like feeling when burning.

Gardenia & Grass was a scent I made for my mother. Her father had a gardenia tree when she was a kid, so this scent is very nostalgic for her. I blended it with grass, lemon peel, green floral, jasmine and tuberose to bring that child-like warm weather, tumbling-in-the-grass feel to this candle.

White Tea & Ginger is the ultimate spa-like scent. Burning it feels like you are vacationing at a fancy hotel or at a luxury spa with notes of mandarin, bergamot, ginger, jasmine, white tea, and saffron.

Bamboo & Bergamot was created for me. I love the ocean and that elevated tropical feel. Again, that luxury-spa-like feeling but make it on a beach! Notes of aloe, bamboo, lemon & tea leaves.

These featured scents are available in the Vellabox candle shop!

What is your favorite candle that you’ve created?

My favorite candle might be Bergamot & Bamboo. I knew how I wanted it to smell before I started making it, and close was just not good enough. I was set to release it in Spring of 2022, but by the time I actually got it right, it was fall. It took me over nine months and dozens of renditions to get it right, but I was determined!

My favorite non-candle product is wick trimmers. Candle care is key, my friends.

What values or pillars does your business take pride in?

At Wax Crescent, we value sustainability and clean toxin-free home goods and products. Our wax is all USA-grown soy which is non-toxic, clean-burning, and sustainable. The oils that we use for our candle blends are high-end, phthalate-free fragrance oils. Our paper labels are printed locally using water-based inks.

We believe in transparency, customer education, and supporting other local businesses as much as possible. Accessible luxury is a core value at Wax Crescent. We strive to produce quality, safe candles at affordable prices.

Wax Crescent Values: sustainability, transparency, community, connection, integrity, accessibility

I believe in showing up authentically and honestly and always striving to do better as I further my education as a business owner and artisan.

Our highest value is integrity–of our products as well as how we show up in the world –whether on social media or at markets.

What has been the most rewarding part of running your own business?

The most rewarding part of running my own business has been learning to believe in myself. Running a small business is a journey of self-exploration and trust. There have been so many moments in the past where I have wanted to give up and thought that I was in way over my head, but somehow I summoned the courage to continue on.

Having a small business has completely changed my life. I love being my own boss and choosing how to shape and schedule my days. It has given me immense freedom and power over my time. Also doing in-person markets has been love at first light with getting to meet my customers.

“It’s so magical to watch someone fall in love with one of my candles, or share their experience of how one of my scents reminds them of a memory. It brings even more love and beauty to what I do.”

Kym Terribile

What has surprised you most about candle making?

I love how different everyone’s preferences are! Smell is so subjective. What one person really loves and gravitates towards, might not be another person’s cup of tea. I also love smell’s link to memory. I love watching someone smell something and seeing that flicker in their eyes knowing that it is conjuring a memory for them.

Any fun facts to share?

My grandmother also made candles! She had a small craft studio in her basement and would make candles shaped like ice cream sundaes in fancy glassware. She gifted her candles to loved ones and would sell them for a little extra money. I like to think that she is proud of me for the company that I have built. Being a candle maker feels like this very special connection to her.

Any exciting launches coming up that we can look forward to?

Farmers markets will be in full swing again starting in May and I usually do 3-4 markets a week through December! It’s a great opportunity for people to come out and smell my entire line of candles.

I also may be blending up a new line of candles (hint: I study astrology), so stay tuned!