Marginalia
The Reading Room
Scent stories, candle care, and notes from the studio.
September 25, 2026
Candle Safety Tips: How to Burn Candles Safely at Home
Simple candle safety tips every household should know, from where to set a candle to how to put it out.
September 24, 2026
How Candle Scents Are Created (A Simple Guide to Scent Notes)
Top notes, heart notes, and base notes, explained simply. How are candle scents made, and how to read a candle's scent notes.
September 24, 2026
Scent Layering With Wax Melts
How to use wax melts to scent more than one room, try new combinations, and get more from your favorite candles.
September 23, 2026
Fragrance Oils vs Essential Oils in Candles: What's the Difference?
Natural sounds better, but it isn't the whole story. Fragrance oils vs essential oils in candles: how they differ in scent, throw, and safety.
September 23, 2026
Autumn Candle Scents by Mood
Match your fall candle to the mood you want: cozy, crisp, moody, or festive. A simple guide to choosing autumn scents.
September 22, 2026
What Is Scent Throw? (And Why Some Candles Smell Stronger)
Cold throw, hot throw, and why one candle fills a room while another barely whispers. What is scent throw, explained simply.
September 22, 2026
Why Every Hand-Marbled Candle Looks Different
Each of our candles is hand-marbled, so the swirls of color are one of a kind. Here is what that means and what to expect.
September 21, 2026
Are Paraffin Candles Bad?
Paraffin gets a bad reputation online. Here is a balanced look at the evidence, the tradeoffs, and why we use a coconut-paraffin blend.
September 21, 2026
A Pumpkin Candle Scent Guide: Sweet, Spiced, or Smoky
Not all pumpkin candles smell alike. Learn the difference between sweet, spiced, and smoky pumpkin scents and which one suits you.
September 20, 2026
Why Candles Soot (And How to Stop It)
Black smoke and gray jar rims have simple causes. Here's why candles soot, and the easy fixes that stop it.
September 20, 2026
What "Hand-Poured" Candles Actually Means
Hand-poured is printed on a lot of candle labels. Here is what it means, what it does not mean, and how it is done in our studio.
September 19, 2026
How to Burn a Candle Properly (To Prevent Tunneling and Soot)
The first burn sets the tone for a candle's whole life. Learn how to burn a candle properly so it melts evenly, smells its best, and lasts.
September 19, 2026
The Best Fall Candles: A Guide to the Cult Classic Compendium
Our favorite fall candles, from cozy vanilla pumpkin to smoky bonfire and cold autumn air, and how to pick the right one for your home.
September 18, 2026
How to Remove Candle Wax From Any Surface (Wood, Fabric, Carpet, Glass)
Spilled wax isn't a disaster. Here's how to remove candle wax from wood, fabric, carpet, and glass without damaging the surface.