The Woman behind the Wax, Interview with the Owner K's Kreations!

I am pleased to announce my interview with the owner of K's Kreations. I have been a satisfied customer of hers, so when I got the opportunity to ask her some questions I couldn't say no!
I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I've enjoyed writing them. 

How did you discover your love for wax and scents?

Kathy from K's Kreations!

Having a hard time answering this one, who doesn't love wonderful smelling things in their home?!  

How did you learn to make your own candles?
Back when I started making candles, there was no Facebook and not a lot of information on the internet. Books on the subject were not always full of complete information, so much of what I learned was with on the job training. It took months of trial and error to find the best combination of wax, fragrance, and dye to be confident that I was making a quality product. It takes MONTHS of testing, testing, and more testing, before a wax product can go on the market safely.

What made you decide to start K's Kreations?
I had worked in manufacturing and inventory management for many years, but after my youngest sons got to be too old for daycare, I decided it was time to make the change to be a stay at home mom for them during the summer. I actually taught painting shortly after I quit my "real" job and was buying candles wholesale to paint on. I decided to try my own to paint, and hence, K's Kreations was born.

Perpetual Pillar Candles

Is candle and tart making your full time job? How do you carve out special time just for you? 
Special time? What is that? Seriously though, this is my full time job and I take it very serioiusly. I am often reminded (by Tom) that it is the weekend or holiday. When I have orders in the house I am very committed to making sure they are complete and perfect within my short turnaround time.

What makes K's Kreations special?
 My customer service. I have customers who have been with me for years. I know my product sells itself, but my special touch of keeping in touch with customers throughout the ordering process makes them feel comfortable. Ordering from the internet can be scary for people when they cannot touch or smell my product, and many times I have been asked for suggestions on fragrances. I contact the customer, find out their likes and dislikes and can recommend from there. I have had a huge success rate from that!

What type of wax do you use, and why?

Pumpkin Tarts

I use soy wax. I live in Northern Indiana and everywhere you turn there is either a corn field or a soybean field. It felt like a great fit to be able to support American farmers. My container wax is 100% soy, and my tart wax has additives for hardening.

Do you change your scents with the seasons?
Yes, I do have seasonal scents, but I generally bring them back a few months before the "season" begins again. Many of my holiday scents are great sellers year round.

What is your all time best selling scent?
Wow, that varies from season to season. But without a doubt, the best seller throughout the year is Cranberry Orange & Spice.

Do you have a favorite scent?
Yes, Vanilla Bean Noel was one of my first favorites, and almost 10 years later, it still is.

Is your favorite scent the same as your family's favorite?
Tom (my husband) and I generally agree on the same scents. Alex's favorites was Blueberry Cheesecake, and Nick love Chocolate Kisses. 

The Alex's Rainbow's line is a beautiful tribute, will you be expanding this line even more?

Alex's Rainbows Candle

  Yes, without a doubt. Alex was a huge influence on my business and my biggest supporter (after Tom). He and I worked together very well and he loved helping me. He was the one who picked the status jars to add to my line earlier this year. I am going to be adding more of the rainbow chunk candles in containers and also more rainbow styles as soon as they are tested. We are also donating a portion of the proceeds from the sale of these candles to a charity in Alex's name. The rainbow design is in support of the gay community, and Alex was openly gay and bullied. We are still researching funding of the various charities and want to donate to one where the needs of young gays are met.  

Any other new scents or products coming soon? 
There are always new scents and products in the works. I have been working with other experienced, professional candle makers in the Veteran Candle Makers Association (VCMA) and we are coming up iwth our own exclusive blends to offer our customers. This is an exciting project and I cannot wait to add more of these blends to my line. 

What types of products do you like to make the most? 

Blueberry Cheesecake Whip

Great question! My favorite thing to pour has always been candles. This year I added the Specialty Jar Candles and they are so much fun. I am able to add more of my own spin on those and it feels great to create a beautiful new product. I have received a great deal of compliments on these at local shows, as they are not seen much in this area.

Do do have a "candle making room" or special workplace where all the magic happens?
Truthfully, my business is spread out throughout my house. I have an office on the second floor, a huge storage room in my basement, but the majority of the "magic" happens in my kitchen and dining room. I have a huge island where my pour pots, scale, dyes, ect. are all within easy reach. Oh, I almost forgot my garage where all the packaging materials are stocked. Time for a dedicated building, lol!

Is there anything you wished all wax customers would know?
Yes. I have read quite a bit lately that people don't believe that there is a science to making candles. But there is. It is not as simple as placing a wick in a jar and pouring wax on it to make a candle. You have to test, test, test, to get the perfect combination of wick, wax, fragrance, and dye. Not all fragrance and dye combinations burn the same. It takes months of testing before I will put a new jar or style in my line. 

As a small business owner who (other than your customers of course!) has been your biggest supporter? 

Grubby Gingerbread Candles

Without a doubt, it has been my husband Tom, with my twin sons, Alex and Nick, a close second. Leaving a full time job was a sacrifice for the family, but one I would never change. Being able to be home for all my boys' needs during their growing up years is something I would never change.

Do you do online candles parties?
I have not done online parties, but I do parties locally and offer fundraising and wholesale. It is something I am looking into for next year.

Do you have a funny or amusing "waxident" (wax accident!) to share?
Though no waxident is really funny at the time, Tom and I were working on a large wholesale order a few years back and one of us (depends on who you ask), knocked over a pticher of wax and it was all over the counter and floor. Thank goodness for my loyal heat gun in cleaning that one up.

Melting Snowman Candles

Kathy is offering a special sale for my readers. If you use the code "blog" you can receive 15% off your order until October 9th 11:59pm Eastern Time.

Thank you so much Kathy for the interview, and the sale!

You can visit the K's Kreations on Facebook
or the K's Kreations website.