Heirloom Candles
Husser, Louisiana — Some of the most beautiful home fragrances today are coming from a pastoral cattle ranch called Bald Cypress Ranch in the heart of South Louisiana. It is the home of Heirloom Candles, owned by Karen and Hank Schumacher, who operate their working farm in the picturesque little town of Husser.
The Schumachers’
Her experiences working on the farm made creating a product that was 100 percent natural and sustainable the only option. She also discovered that the soy candles had a remarkable effect on her skin—it was incredibly soft, but not at all greasy. Even husband Hank, a natural salesman who worked with Karen in the early days cutting wicks, would offer his hand, saying in his thick Louisiana drawl: “Feel this old cowboy’s hands. Soft as a baby’s bottom.” Buyers were hooked.
Today, Heirloom Candles’ moisturizing candles contain nothing but pure soy oil, an all-cotton wick and skin-safe fragrance. There are no petroleum-based dyes or waxes.
Heirloom Candles are produced domestically using sustainable and environmentally-
o Soy candles are made from the biodegradable, renewable resources of soybeans and cotton (wicks).
o Pure soy oil is used, no waxes of any kind. It cleans up with soap and water, and may be used as a fragrant moisturizer.
o Recyclable glass containers are sourced domestically, thereby reducing transport emissions.
o Packaging is made with 50 percent or more post-consumer waste and no additional filler, and labels are printed with soy ink.
o Completely non-toxic and non-carcinogenic, the soy candles burn clean, producing little or no soot versus petroleum products that give off carbon dioxide when burned.
Having since outgrown the kitchen and all four gumbo pots, the Schumacher’s built a commercial production facility on Bald Cypress Ranch. Each soy candle is still poured by hand—many by Karen herself, to ensure each Heirloom Candle is produced to her rigorous standards of quality and hand-crafted care.
“We are so blessed to lead the lives we do,” says Karen. “Surrounded by family, living in God’s country, and doing what we love has turned a dream into a reality.”
Karen lives by the philosophies of the contemporary agrarian—one who balances tradition and innovation within the simple, organic beauty of living in a natural environment.
She continues: “We work the land as part of our livelihood. Everything we do is respectful of that heritage and Heirloom Candles is no exception. For me, creating a product for the body and home that is pure in form and sustainable in practice was a winner.” What Karen calls “comforting simplicity” in her return to classic fragrances is coupled with consumers’ desire for multi-purpose products, a knowledge of where those products originate, and a focus on luxury with affordability.
Heirloom Candles are fragranced with classic scents inspired by the gardens and countryside of the American South. Three fragrance collections make up the repertoire: Pastorale brings back warm memories of summers spent picking wildflower bouquets; Jardin where luxury is always in bloom; and Belle Maison reminiscent of favorite times at Grandma’s house.
Karen’s desire to stay connected with the land is coupled with her love of creating beautiful, fragrant soy candles. And she has found a responsive audience. Fans of Heirloom Candles love the silky soy oil as a moisturizer and the fact it’s a product made with handcrafted tradition. In the hectic pace of today’s culture, rediscovering one’s connection with the natural world is important. Meaningful, quality experiences mean incorporating the outdoors into indoor environments.
Clearly the Schumacher’s understand the best of both worlds.
~end~
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
