Our Story

Don’t let the name fool you, Brooklyn Candle Factory is a one woman show. Hence our small batch numbers. Each candle is hand poured and packaged by me, Jennifer Shagawat, at our warehouse in, you guessed it, Brooklyn NY. Greenpoint to be exact. Home to many other artisans whose support and encouragement has thankfully brought us here.

We are excited to offer our candles directly to you after years of friends and family suggesting we do so. Feels good to follow tradition by mentioning our supportive community in our name as well . Myself and my life partner are independent artists who owe our success in great part to this town and it’s inspiring self made people who have helped sustain us these past 18 years.

I’ve been in love with candles for a long time. I have ceremoniously lit a candle  for friends and family for as long as I can remember. I have set intentions and lit candles of all kinds long before I poured my own. Candles give me a sense of hope and optimism. Their simplicity and outpouring of light disposes me somewhat toward mysticism I suppose. I feel in touch with people when I burn candles for them. They are also my favorite gift to give.  

Of course they look gorgeous, evoke romanticism and elevate any environment I may find myself in. I almost always have a candle burning. Which naturally inspired me to make my own. My original demands were simple.  No branding, no paraffin wax or toxic chemicals. My newer demands are exciting goals that you can read more about in my journal section above.

I’d say about 15 years ago my quest for a “healthy” candle began. My sensitivity to scented candles became unbearable. I cannot even walk into a store that has “scented” candles. They really do make me dizzy and nauseous.  I find them counter intuitive.

My candles are the closest I’ve come to creating a healthy candle that I feel good about burning, but as you may imagine, the quest for perfection always remains.  Especially when combining the notions of good health and candles. See my journal above to keep up with my candle research.

I am growing everyday in hot pursuit of longer burns, healthier wicks, and new blends of organic essential oils. So light a candle for me please and burn with intent. Thank you. I look forward to making your candle.

- Jen