Hi, I’m Chloe Bennett, and welcome to The Candlory.
If you’re here because you love the cozy glow of a candle, the creamy slip of a good bar of soap, or the thrill of making something with your own hands, you’re in the right place. I’ve been pouring candles and making cold-process soap for over a decade, and I still get a little giddy every time a wick burns cleanly to the bottom or a fresh loaf unmolds without a single crack.
How it started
My journey with wax and lye started for a very simple reason: I wanted to make personalized, simpler-ingredient holiday gifts for my family. I had big wholesome dreams and a very small kitchen.
That first weekend was messy in the most honest way. Wax cooled too fast. A wick drifted off-center like it had a mind of its own. My early soaps had that “rustic” look people politely compliment. But the moment I realized I could create a scent that felt like a memory, and a bar of soap that left skin comfortable (at least in my experience), I was hooked.
From there it turned into late-night research, weekend test batches, and a very patient household who learned to live with curing racks and the occasional fragrance audition in the living room.
Lessons learned
I’m not a perfectionist in the tense, white-knuckle way, but I am meticulous about process. I love the tiny details that make homemade goods feel truly finished.
Over the years, my trial-and-error education has included:
- Reducing soy wax frosting and learning when it is purely cosmetic versus when it can sometimes hint at a temperature, pour, or formulation issue.
- Dialing in wick sizes for different jars so you get an appropriate melt pool for that jar and wax without soot, tunneling, or an overheated container.
- Saving seized cold-process soap when a batch suddenly turns into soap mashed potatoes at the worst possible moment.
- Blending scents so they smell balanced in the bottle and stay true when warmed or lathered.
- Working with natural colorants like clays and botanicals while keeping expectations realistic and skin-friendly for many people.
I also keep a happy accidents philosophy close. Some of my favorite designs happened because I spilled a mica, misjudged a trace, or decided to try one more swirl even though my soap batter was clearly ready to be left alone.
My mission
The Candlory exists to make candle and soap making feel approachable, safe, and genuinely fun. These crafts can look intimidating online, especially when you see flawless labels, perfect tops, and elaborate swirls. Behind most of that perfection is a lot of testing, a few flops, and someone who learned what to do when things go sideways.
My goal is to demystify the process and give you the kind of guidance I wish I had when I started: clear steps, realistic expectations, and troubleshooting that actually helps.
To keep things grounded, I test-burn in 2 to 4 hour cycles, take notes, and adjust one variable at a time. For fragrance, I stick to supplier guidance and IFRA usage rates where applicable.
Start here
If you like a clear path, start with the basics, then build from there:
- Your first soy container candle, plus how to do a simple burn test.
- Your first cold-process soap batch with a straightforward recipe and a calm walkthrough.
- My essential tools list, including what matters and what can wait.
And a quick safety note, because it matters: candle making involves hot wax and open flame, and soap making uses sodium hydroxide (lye). I’ll always encourage goggles, gloves, good ventilation, careful measuring, and a slow, focused pace. If you ever feel unsure, pause and troubleshoot before you pour.
What you’ll find here
When you read The Candlory, you’ll find a mix of cozy inspiration and practical instruction. I write like I’m standing beside you at the counter, gently reminding you to slow down and double-check the temperature.
Candles
- Wax basics (especially soy), including temperature cues and how to get smoother tops.
- Wick guidance and burn-testing habits that lead to cleaner, safer candles.
- Scent blending ideas, from soft spa vibes to deep, resinous winter blends.
- Fix-it help for tunneling, wet spots, sinkholes, and stubborn frosting.
Soap
- Cold-process fundamentals, explained in calm, step-by-step language.
- Formulation tips for gentle-feeling bars, bubbly lather, and longer-lasting soap.
- Color and texture play using clays, botanicals, and simple design techniques.
- Troubleshooting for ricing, acceleration, separation, and those mysterious “why did this happen?” moments.
Most importantly, I prioritize safety. That means respecting lye, understanding fragrance usage, and building good habits that let you craft confidently.
Welcome
If you’re brand new, I’m truly glad you found your way here. You do not need a fancy studio or a perfectly curated craft cart. You need a few solid supplies, a little patience, and the willingness to learn from a batch that does not go exactly as planned.
If you’ve been making for years, I hope The Candlory feels like a creative exhale. A place to swap notes, refine technique, and fall in love with the process all over again.
Thank you for being here. I can’t wait to help you make something that smells incredible, feels luxurious, and makes you think, I made this.
Welcome to The Candlory.
