When did you get into making candles?
I started making candles when my youngest daughter got married. She had a wedding shower and I was searching for candles to use as favors and I couldn’t stand the smell of commercial candles so I decided to make my own. The guests loved them, so I made some for friends and family and they loved them, which ultimately sparked the idea to sell them. My candles are made of all natural soy and natural oils.
When did you expand into bath products and deodorant?
I started doing deodorants, bath bombs and soaps a year ago. I had bought some natural deodorants at an indie market and realized I could make them myself. I sent the deodorant I made to my daughter to try and she thought it was amazing, so then my friends and co-workers started using it and now my deodorant has become one of my best sellers.
What’s the base of the deodorant and what scents are your customers favorites?
I use natural coconut oil, I love the way it smells. I also put baking soda, beeswax, and essential oils. Lip Balms are the same without the baking soda. Lemon Geranium and the Patchouli Citrus are our most popul.ar scents
What other bath products do you make?
I grew up being crafty so there’s no surprise I continue to create new products all the time. I make bath bombs, soaps, lotion bars, which are coconut and essential oils in the form of a disc that you can just rub on your skin. I also do a body butter in chocolate, lemon, rose and geranium. All my products are coconut oil based and my soaps are goat milk with essential oils.
Can you tell me about your medicinal oils?
I just started making infused medicinal oils using fresh herbs and am creating different skin balms which can be used to heal a variety of skin issues. I’m taking a master gardener class in March and will eventually sow my own seeds to grow the herbs and plants for these oils.
Do you create any other items?
I knit exfoliators out of crunchy yarn, blankets, hats, leg warmers, etc. I also do stamped hand kitchen towels or baby blankets. I also make jewelry, bracelets, stamped rings, and earrings.
How many different scents do you do for candles?
Right now I have seven, but I am adding some for the holidays. The Birch is my favorite scent, it smells like a Christmas tree.
What did you do before you started this business?
I was a sign language interpreter, I still do it part-time mostly at Flagler Hospital. I grew up in a deaf family, both my parents were deaf and they were both teachers at The Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, so sign language was the first language I learned as a child.
Who did your logo?
Ward Media designed my logo and I love it. I feel it represents who I am and what I am doing. Fox Trot does all my printing. I think it’s important to keep it local.
Are you from St. Augustine?
Born and raised, my whole family is here.
When you travel, where do you enjoy going?
I go out west, I love the mountains and my favorite is Puget Sound in Washington.
How do you feel about the changes happening around here?
Mixed feelings, it’s definitely evolving and some of it’s good but I do miss the times when US 1 had only one traffic light.
What are your plans for the business?
I started this about four years ago and I’m happy doing this at home. It’s been going well, I do have a couple of boutiques downtown and those are doing well too. Ultimately, I’d like to do more wholesale and get into more of the local shops and boutiques.
Where can people find your product?
Right now, I sell on Etsy, my website, Chop Shop on the island, the gift shop at the Fountain of Youth, Spanish Dutch. Keep checking my website for more updates.
Contact Jackye via Email
https://hippiewickchick.com
Comments