Published: April 21, 2008 01:44 am            

Sweet smell of success

Lee enjoying at-home candle making

Palestine resident Michelle Lee found an answer to her prayers to be a stay-at-home mom in the form of a fragrant soy candle — one that she makes herself through her at-home business, LumiNations.

“For three years I worked in a ‘regular’ job,” Lee said. “But I had been praying for something I could do from home that would let me be there for my family.”

A friend of Lee’s told her about the candle-making business endeavor, and after Lee spent some time with her friend “playing” with the candles, she was hooked.

“I started the business in the fall of 2007,” she said. “And I got so hooked on it that my husband had to make me slow it down for a while. I really enjoy doing it.”

The candles, made from NV’Soy™ wax, are made of all natural compounds that release no toxins when burned. With a low melting point, the soy wax burns cooler, longer and safer than paraffin candles.

“Soy wax is clean-burning and is easy to clean from the containers,” she said. “The warmed wax is also a good cuticle and hand softener.”

The candles come in a variety of colors and fragrances. Lee can take any container, as long as it holds heat, and make a candle to the customer’s specifications.

“It only takes about 45 minutes to make one candle,” Lee said. “I use a recipe card, colored wax chips and fragrance oils to make them.”

The price of the candle varies by the amount of wax used. Tea

lights are 50 cents and start at about $1.50 an ounce — but the more ounces used, the less the cost.

Candle refills, and filling containers provided by the customer are $1 an ounce.

“Business has been OK so far — I am in the ‘people still finding out’ stage,” Lee said. “I have done well on Valentine’s Day and at local local festivals. My gift baskets are also pretty popular.”

Lee also builds her business through parties and classes, where, for $10 each groups or individuals can make their own candles. She has held the classes for ladies groups and students.

“I plan to start the classes up again very soon,” Lee said. “I can have from six to seven people in a class and can schedule it as needed.”

While Lee enjoys making candles, she finds the greatest reward in being home for her daughter, Tiffany, who is an eighth grader at Neches School.

“While I was working, I only saw my family in the evenings,” she said. “I only had enough time to fix supper, help with homework and get my family to bed.

“I wanted to be at home for my daughter,” she added. “I wanted to be there for her when she is sick, and to be able to take a vacation with the family whenever I want.

“This business has been really great for me.”

Lee and her husband of almost 16 years, Wayland, came to Palestine just over 15 years ago from Houston. Only intending to stay a year, the Lee’s involvement at Palestine Church and the friendly community kept them in Palestine.

“We really love it here in Palestine,” she said. “We have great neighbors and have enjoyed being part of the community.”

In addition to candle making, Lee also enjoys drawing painting and sewing. He husband is an electronics technician at the Wal-Mart Distribution Center on Old Elkhart Road in Palestine.

Michelle Lee’s LumiNations candles are for sale at Judith Summerville Arts in Old Town Palestine, online at www.candlewealth.com/luminations or by calling Lee at 903-729-0782.

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Mary Rainwater may be reached via e-mail at mrainwater@palestineherald.com

        

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