Mel: How it all started

Hi, I’m Candace, the hands (and heart) behind MEL.

Starting this candle business has been a labour of love and a journey that demanded patience, curiosity, and an unwavering commitment to my values. MEL wasn’t something I set out to create—it was something I followed, step by step, until there was no question that this was the path I was meant to take.

For years, I had been running My Little Mantra, a business built around gemstones and intentional living. But something wasn’t sitting right with me. As I started to get curious about and follow supply chains, I learned more and more about the gemstone industry, and started to realize how extractive and unsustainable it was—how it took more than it gave back. That realization grew louder until I couldn’t ignore it anymore. I wanted my work to be in harmony with the land, not at its expense.

At the time, I had been playing with the idea of adding altar pieces to My Little Mantra—things like candle holders, objects that people could use in their daily rituals. And then a small thought landed: If I’m making candle holders, wouldn’t it be beautiful to make the candles, too?

I’ve always loved beeswax candles. Whenever I found them, I’d buy them all because they were so rare. That idea quickly became an obsession with all things bees and beekeeping, and it all started with a single question. How are beeswax candles made?

And that was it. I was all in. Reading every book I could find. Watching documentaries. Listening to podcasts. Signing up for newsletters. Falling down rabbit hole after rabbit hole. Eventually, I signed up for a four-month beekeeping course with the Austrian master beekeeper Harald Hafner, in Portugal. By then, it was clear: this wasn’t just an idea anymore. MEL had already taken root.

Why Beeswax?

Because it’s real. It’s pure. It’s something that exists because of the work of bees, and that’s something I’ll never take for granted.

I source my wax directly from beekeepers in Portugal because I believe in keeping it local. Every candle is made the traditional way - tapers are hand-dipped, pillars are hand-poured. There’s something magical about the process of creating, especially when every choice is made with purpose. 

I wanted these candles to be pure, free from chemicals or anything that doesn’t belong in your home. That decision came with trade-offs. The smooth, glossy perfection you might expect from mass-produced candles? I traded it for the natural, irregular beauty of beeswax in its truest form. Each surface tells its own story, unique and imperfect. Character is etched into each one. If you look closely, each candle carries its own fingerprint, a little reminder that nature doesn’t do perfect.

Beeswax isn’t just beautiful—it’s also the cleanest and most sustainable choice for candles. Unlike paraffin, which releases toxins, or soy, which often comes from deforested land and undergoes heavy processing, beeswax, the gold standard of candles burns naturally clean, purifies the air, and carries the subtle, warm scent of honey straight from the hive.

More Than a Candle

MEL isn’t just about making candles—it’s about making space. A moment in the day to pause, breathe, and come back to yourself. A way to fill your home with something warm and real. A reminder that small, intentional choices matter.

I didn’t expect to end up here, but now I can’t imagine being anywhere else.

Welcome to MEL. I hope these candles bring you as much joy as they bring me.