Behind the Pour: A Closer Look at Darkwave Candles

When I first started making candles, I had no idea how much experimenting would go into creating a good one. What seems as simple as melting wax and adding fragrance actually involves a lot of trial and error, patience, and attention to detail.

I hand-pour every Darkwave candle in small batches in my studio in Largo, Florida. Here's a little look at what goes into making them.

It All Starts with the Wax

I use a coconut-soy wax blend for its creamy texture, soft ivory color, and the way it works with my fragrances. I especially love how it looks against Darkwave's minimalist black vessels.

Each candle is paired with phthalate-free fragrance oils and wooden wicks, which I love for their subtle crackle and warm, flickering flame. Finding the Perfect Balance

One thing I've learned is that a fragrance can smell incredible straight out of the bottle but behave completely differently once it's blended with wax and burned.

That's why testing is such an important part of my process. I experiment with different wick sizes and fragrance combinations to find the right balance for each candle. The goal is a steady flame, an even melt pool, and a fragrance that comes through beautifully.

Sometimes a wick burns too hot, or a fragrance I love doesn't perform quite the way I expected. It can take a few rounds of testing, but I enjoy figuring out what works.

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From My Studio to Your Home Beyond making the candles themselves, I also develop the scent concepts and design all of Darkwave's labels and packaging. With over 20 years of experience in graphic design, this is one of my favorite parts of the process. I love seeing a fragrance come to life visually, from the initial idea to the finished candle sitting on my worktable.

There's a lot that happens between choosing a fragrance and sending a finished candle out the door. I get to be involved in every part of it, and that's what makes running Darkwave so rewarding.

There's something really satisfying about seeing a candle go from an idea in my head to something someone chooses to bring into their home.