03/09/2026
Okay… this is a post I’ve been putting off because I didn’t quite know how to say it.
If I’ve been quiet lately, it’s because life has been doing what life does — growing, shifting, and changing. And with that comes a few changes here too.
This year both of my boys started at a new school, and what used to be a less than 10-minute drive has turned into close to a 30-minute drive each way every day. It’s been a big adjustment for our family, and honestly I don’t ever want to have to tell them no to after-school activities or things they’re excited about just because we need to rush home so I can work on candles.
To be really honest, I’ve also been in a bit of a candle slump since the last round of craft shows. I found myself dragging to make enough product, and that feeling told me I needed to pause and reset before I lose the love I have for this little business.
Crafty Mom Candles has grown into something bigger than I ever imagined. I’ve loved every bit of this journey — the shows, the late-night pours, the lessons learned, and especially having my kids be part of it. Those experiences will stay with me forever.
This business also carried my family through a really tough season. When I was out of full-time work for 8 months, Crafty Mom Candles helped keep things going. And we even had one of the wildest moments of this journey when we went viral in April 2022 with over 2,300 website orders for that “special candle.” I’m still amazed when I think about it.
This is NOT goodbye. It’s just a step back.
Since January 1, life has gotten a little fuller. I took on a contract role supporting one of my favorite small businesses, Wendi’s Good Things Market, as their Wholesale Manager and helping build their CRM system in HubSpot from the ground up. I also started a new role as an Executive Assistant to a CEO and two VPs at a really cool company. It’s a 100% return-to-office role (not originally my plan), but the compensation and long-term stability for my family made it the right decision.
At the same time, one of the amazing small businesses I partnered with for scrubs and lotions has stepped back to focus on her career and family — which I’m so happy for — but that means those products won’t be returning right now. I’m not quite ready to jump into making them myself yet… although foaming hand soaps for fall/winter might be on my radar.
So here’s what this step back looks like:
• The website will close at the end of March
• It will reopen seasonally from the last week of August through my usual December shutdown for this year at least
• I will still be doing two spring shows and a few of my favorite fall shows — including the Handmade Holiday Market at St. Valentine in November
I’m also still happy to take orders if you reach out! I’ll just be doing monthly pours instead of a few times a week, so turnaround times may be a little longer.
And who knows… I may still get in a mood and do a “pour and post” drop when I make extras.
One last thing — I’ll be placing one more big fragrance oil order. If you have favorite scents you want to stock up on, please reach out before March 15th. I plan to place the order and do a big pour starting March 16th.
And if you’ve been thinking about grabbing a candle or stocking up on your favorites, now is the time. This will be the last chance to order before the website closes at the end of March until the seasonal reopen in August.
Thank you all for supporting this little dream of mine. Truly. It has meant more than you probably realize. 💛
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Katlyn
Crafty Mom Candles LLC
www.craftymomcandlesllc.com
