Jenn Holliday of JennuineCandles
October 08, 2009 | By
Name: Jenn Holliday
Location: Glendale, AZ
Shop Name: Jennuine Candles
How did you come up with the name of your shop?
Well, it’s actually kind of cheesy. I was looking for a unique screen name quite a few years ago; one that my friends would recognize but that wouldn’t be super long. And, I came up with Jennuine. It has kind of stuck over the years, so I figured it would be a great name for my candle shop since the candle are “genuine”; made completely by me.
Tell us a bit about your craft/medium:
I only use Palm Wax to make my candles. It is a natural and sustainable wax produced from palm oil, which comes from the fruit of the oil palm tree. The palm wax used in every one of my candles is obtained from suppliers that are partnered with the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil to prevent deforestation. It is a much cleaner burning wax than paraffin wax, resulting in minimal to no soot production and a significantly reduced potential for harmful emissions. Palm wax candles burn longer, have a superior ability to "hold" fragrance (hot and cold) and have a whiter flame than paraffin candles. But, maybe most importantly…it resists melting during the hot summer months (a necessity when you live in AZ) and has the most beautiful crystalline designs.
What is the most difficult part of your craft?
Hmm…that is a good question. Initially, it was “perfecting” the basics of candle making – how much fragrance oil to use, how much liquid dye to use, what wick to use, etc. Well, I obviously have that down now. I would say the most difficult part now is naming each candle fragrance! In wanting to keep with the “genuine” in my shop name, I thought having unique names would be a key component to making my candles truly genuine and unique. I have been known to spend up to an hour “creating” the perfect name.
Do you have your own space to create or has it taken over the entire house?
Well, it is slowly taking over the whole house! I “create” in the kitchen area, I photograph in the dining area, I store all of my supplies in our downstairs closet and I store my finished candles and all of my packing supplies in our office.
My husband just recently mentioned wishing for the ability to add on a room so that I could have an area all to myself!
What kind of music do you listen to (if any) when you create?
I actually listen to easy listening music; nice background music that isn’t too distracting. I have it on right now as a matter of fact. But, I have been known to revert to my “normal” music preference of alternative and Top 20-type music.
What are your most productive times?
Saturday mornings! My husband likes to sleep in and I am an early bird. I usually have a 2-3 hours to myself which allows me enough time to create anywhere from 5-15 candles, depending on how fast I am moving.
Where can we find your work?
Currently, I have two active shops – On ArtFire-jennuinecandles.artfire.com and Etsy jennuinecandles.etsy.com
How about some of your favorites?
Color? Purple
Food? Anything Chocolate!
Movie? Billy Madison
TV show? Grey’s Anatomy
Quote? “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” ~Ferris Bueller
Holiday? My husband (our last name is Holliday )
Do you have a favorite handmade item that you like to buy for yourself?
I can only pick one? I really like to buy jewelry. My most recent purchases were from Jewelry WorksbyKim and The Joyful Gem . I am incredibly happy with my purchases and will definitely be a repeat customer.
Do you have a favorite item that you have made?
Honestly, it has nothing to do with candles. I made a pillow without a pattern, complete with a zipper for easy cleaning, for my nephew when he was born. It doesn’t sound like much, but if you knew my sewing abilities, you would understand! Three years later, it is still on his bed! And, I am now tackling a blanket with a block pattern on one side for my niece/nephew; expected to arrive in the next month. Now that I think about it, I better get moving on it!
What’s your supply addiction; is there a specific color or type of supply you just can’t pass up?
I have to be really diligent about not buying containers! I will look at a container and think “that would make a really nice candle” and then my husband usually says…”do you really need another container?” I am trying very hard to stick to the same size and style jars so that my customers will know what to expect from me time after time. However, sometimes I just need to buy “that” one jar that is just screaming my name! I am also in love with silicone molds, especially now that the holidays are sneaking up on us; tarts/melts make great stocking stuffers. I can see this being my latest addiction.
What is the best thing and the worst thing about being your own boss?
They are the same – I don’t have anyone managing me to make sure I am devoting enough time to all aspects of my business. And…I don’t have anyone managing me to make sure I am devoting enough time to all aspects of my business.
Do you belong to any clubs, groups or guilds?
Yes, as a matter of fact I do. On ArtFire, I belong to the Artisans in Arizona Guild, You Can Sell It Guild, The Stalkers Guild and the Hot N Wicked ArtFire Chandlers Guild.
And, on Etsy I belong to the Handmade Artist’s Forum Team.
What is one adjective people would describe you as – A Thinker
Who is your hero - artistic or otherwise? and why?
I honestly don’t have one specific hero. There have been many people in my life that have had a positive and a negative effect on who I am today and who I have become. If it wasn’t for each and everyone one of them, who would I be, both professionally and personally? So, therefore, they can all be considered heroes in the sense that they have helped to make me the best person I can be.
Photos courtesy of Jenn Holliday
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