Kitchen Counter Confidential - by candlelight

I pay a great deal of attention to details; it is my belief that observation is one of the most important tools we have. Every single day, observation and awareness play a key role in our regular routines and not only help us to function – but to create new things based on what we see, hear, smell and feel.Something I have learned over many years, is the appreciation of simplicity. Simplicity is totally underrated and yet so essential to a well-balanced life. Things like the smell of a campfire, the sound of waves on the beach, the temperature of the air on a summer evening. The warmth of my dog Tulula (the purest joy I have experienced in my life) nestled beside me on the sofa as I write this. These simple things bring the greatest pleasures in life.

I love creating atmosphere (re-arranging regularly), making things (food, candles, gift baskets, paintings, photographs), giving new life to old things by re-purposing them (countless number of items abandoned curbside by previous owners … cleaned, painted, re-upolstered) and then lighting up a newly created environment with candlelight. These kinds of pursuits bring an incredible amount of satisfaction to me.

I must admit, I am not a huge fan of appliances or anything on the counter for that matter. My counters are white. My sink is white. The walls are white. I like space because my mind feels at ease when there is an absence of clutter. Having said that, my kitchen is quite large and doubles as an office, restaurant, laundry room and candle factory. All supplies for projects are compartmentalized until needed, and because there is nothing on the counters, there is lots of space to unpack and set up stations for specific tasks. Although for a time everything is everywhere, once a project is complete, everything goes back to its normal place of residence. Ahhh, clean counters once again – ready for another project.

Almost everything happens in the kitchen here. A clear sign of this is the worn out spots on the hardwood floors in front of the sink, refrigerator and my desk chair. When I look at these, I think of projects past and all those long telephone conversations that had me pacing the floors and multi-tasking. How could my little flip-flops have had such an impact on these floors?

Twenty cases of glass candle jars waiting to be poured, a couple of wooden wine crates containing a collection of essential oils, a stainless steel kettle, a jar of milk bones and a basket of bread.

I would love polished concrete counters with a molded double square sink that you can wipe right into – seamlessly. I still love the white though. Or, I could live with a light, natural tone.

My favourite thing to do on my kitchen counter is prepare dinner. The open window above my sink lets a warm breeze and the sounds of my neighbours preparing their dinners. A round multi-faceted crystal (given to me by my Mom) catches the last rays of late afternoon sun the making rainbows all over the counters and mellow music fills the room with sonic grooves. Wooden chopping blocks are filled with freshly prepared zucchini, mushrooms, strawberries and roasted almonds … and bowls of arugula, cherry tomatoes, olives and crumbly cheeses line up on the counter. The glow from a warm candle throws it’s light onto a glass of red wine … the company of friends arriving shortly to share this beautiful meal. For me, the simple act of making dinner is a peaceful pleasure.

(But I also like spreading out photographs, drawings and paintings across a clean, white surface to compare colour palettes and compositions.)

A photographer, a graphic designer, artiste and candle maker...how did you get into candle making?

I have always followed the desire for creative pursuits in many disciplines because the process of creating something gives me a great sense of satisfaction and confirms my own identity. Also, I believe that it is important to find a way to get what’s on the inside out – no matter what gifts an individual has been given (and we are all gifted in some way) your voice can be heard by using what you naturally have.

When I was beginning my career in communication and design, I wanted to find a way to thank all those who passed their work, experience and love on to me throughout the year. So, around Christmas time one year, I decided that a unique and appropriate gift would be a candle. What was appealing to me was the idea that on a cold winter night, a simple candle could bring light and warmth into the home of every person that I was grateful for.

Since then, every year at Christmas time, my kitchen is transformed into a candle-making workshop and each year I made more and more scents and sizes and my packaging evolved a great deal as well. A few years ago, my stepsister Vanessa said to me, “Alright. When are you going to start selling these things?”. And that’s when I seriously considered the idea of creating a real business out of my love for making soy candles. Something I enjoyed so much had started to come full circle; people started buying my candles for the very same reason I started making them in the first place – to give to people in their lives that they were grateful for.

Well, I can’t give away all my secrets, but I can tell you it is a creative and scientific process and there are several stages involved. It’s hot soy wax and glass and essential oils I am working with so timing, temperatures and ingredients are balanced in a structured format – especially when 300 – 400 candles are being made at a time. The other part that requires quite a bit of time is the packaging component – each jar is decoupaged by hand so each one is unique and individual in it’s appearance.

The best place to really experience Amy’s Place is here in my kitchen where the full sensory experience can be achieved. However, the four shoppes here in the beach that carry the candles have had great success in sales – especially when there is a candle burning somewhere in the store. I have been told that one of these candles transforms the atmosphere of a room. I believe the natural ingredients and aromatic benefits really promote a sense of well-being.

Vintage teacup candles. They are getting great response at shows and in the shoppes. I have a collection of teacups, which my mom and aunt have contributed to in years past, and wanted to do something with candles and nostalgia. Teacups seemed to be an appropriate choice and also a tribute to the women that made such an impact on my life. This is one item to be included in a division of Amy’s Place called ‘Amy’s Place Vintage’.

Also in the works, is the expansion to other natural relaxation products like lavender and rose waters, Dead Sea salt scrubs, Himalayan bath salts and vegetable based soaps. As always, all of these things will be made with the consideration of sustainable resources, recyclable materials, natural ingredients and lots of thought and care.

Thanks Amy! I think I need to stop by this kitchen...it sounds extraordinary! Wouldn't we all like to swing by for dinner? Or, maybe when the candle making factory is in full force. I hope you will head over to Amy's Place Handmade website...or look her candles in the shoppes in the Beach.

Have a great weekend everyone!