The holidays just don't feel right without flickering candles accenting our festive decor. Richmond-based chandler Robert Wade, who has been making scented candles for several years, has a simple formula for success: quality.
"We buy bulk soy wax, the essential oils and 100% cotton wicks. We hand melt and hand blend every candle one at a time. We don't use chemicals or dyes, so our candles are visually identical. We pride ourselves on the simple, elegant look."
Robert's brand, Pure Light Candles, is sold throughout suburban DC, Richmond, Alexandria, and Charlottesville. "Our style," he explains, "is very simple. We say 'Naturally Elegant.'" Here, we asked Robert for a bit more information on his experience, fragrance selection, and what it takes to stand out from the candle crowd.
How did you learn candle making?
Lots of trial and
error…especially the trial part. It really is just mixing and blending and taking
candles to market to determine what exactly the customer really wants from a
fragrance perspective.
What motivates your art at the moment?
Honestly? It’s really all
about getting out every Saturday and Sunday and relating to the customer…giving
them exactly what they want every week. It doesn’t get better than that.
What is your newest item?
Our autumn and holiday
fragrances, which include berries, pines and spruces, pumpkin, cinnamon and
spices.
What are people’s favorite fragrances?
Our top selling candles year
round are White Tea & Ginger, followed by Grapefruit & Mangosteen. They
really are special, although on opposite ends of the fragrance spectrum. The
White Tea & Ginger is subtle, almost sensual, while Grapefruit &
Mangosteen is a surprisingly pleasant blend of citrus (the grapefruit) with a
light sweetness (the Mangosteen). We usually sell out of these at every market
we do. Then in September, we start selling the popular autumn scents. The most
popular of these are Cranberry Marmalade and Mistletoe.
Why do your customers shop with you?
We hear it every single
week. Whether we are in Georgetown, Charlottesville, Richmond, Alexandria or
Bethesda…our customer really appreciates 1st) the quality and 2nd the value of
our candles. They know that they consistently will get the best product
available every time.
What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received?
We are very humbled by it,
but we hear it several times each week. We have many repeat customers, and they
are not shy about telling us, or telling nearby customers that ours are the
best candles they have ever burned. The ultimate compliment: “I came to market
just for the candle”.
Do you pursue any other forms of art?
My other art is similar to
candle making. My other real passion is cooking. I love to cook for others, and
I am guided by the same principles: make exceptionally good food that I would
eat every time.
How did you learn pottery? 
My large mugs. People love
the texture, size and the way the handle feels. My medallions are popular as
well—people are attracted to them, and then I tell them how they originated. 
One day he came in and saw
me with the stamped pots and said, “So you’re Two Owls.” Well this just resonated with me because I
had recently found my birth family and discovered that I am Native American. Native
Americans are named at birth according to what is happening around them at the
time of their birth, usually associated with nature. Later in life, society bestows them a new
name, one that is earned by their life experiences and accomplishments. So thank
you, Tom!
