Notes from the Stash: retired vendors edition

As news of more wax shop closures spread this month, I’ve reflected on the many vendors I’ve seen come and go during my relatively short history as an indie wax buyer. Gathering my remaining wax piles from these vendors I pondered this phenomenon as the owners of one of my favorites, Southern Sisters’ Wax, announced they too decided to move on. Saddened by these closures, however, I understand the creators choosing to pursue other facets of their lives, personal and professional. I’ll bid my adieu by melting through my stash and savoring these scents, knowing there won’t be another order to follow them.   (top left-clockwise):

One last wax round-up with these brands, all but one from 2016:

Wild Vine Soapery- My first ever vendor wax purchase, in May of 2016, was Wild Vine Soapery. The maker Lindsey displayed the sweetest nature, often responding directly to her customers, many of whom still miss her. Some even starting a hashtag in support, after her disappearance from the wax world sometime last year. I have a handful of WVS scents left and as I melt through them, I’m surprised most improved with age. This is a business I hope returns someday.

House of Phoebe- I fell hard for HoP during the Fall/Winter of 2016, and although Casey only restocked maybe 5 times, I ordered from at least 3 or 4 openings and featured the shop on this blog. As my sister and a good friend were also customers, I’ve sampled nearly all of her blends. I’ll miss the excellent scents from the Women of Ice and Fire collection, especially Cersei and Margaery, the latter was the favorite rose note I’ve tried from any vendor yet. It reminded me of my grandma’s precious European-style rose garden. Though Casey quietly closed House of Phoebe last summer, I managed to acquire more of her wax through a swap with another generous vendor. 

Wax Junkie Melts- Sierra, the young entrepreneur behind Wax Junkie, still spreads her vendor love to deserving wax makers on social media, even though she no longer creates any herself. She has a good eye (and nose) and I always note her thoughts, not to mention her rambles are positively entertaining. Above was my remaining wax cup in Mahogany Coconut, and it aged well, throwing like a champ.

Lasting Scent Candles– I was able to grab only one pre-order from this beloved brand in 2017 and after many years in business, there’s been an outpouring of emotion and tributes to Pam since the announcement. I have 1.5 cups left plus a smidge of a loaf gifted by a friend. This brand stood out not only for incredible combinations but an interesting super sticky soy wax, that threw well. Also a stand-out to me because the scents I typically enjoy, such as earthy patchouli and minty mallow, I didn’t, but her bakery blends, I loved. I hear she’s selling the last of her stock soon, if any kind friend would take pity and also let me know as they are jumping to order, it would be wax-ban busting worthy! 

**Sugar Blossom Candles- Another soy wax vendor I enjoyed. Jessica’s Homemade Cranberry Bars blend smelled so much like the real thing, I couldn’t get enough. **Not actually fully retired, possibly retiring? There’s currently some products still available in the SBC etsy shop, but no update since summer of ’17.

Southern Sisters’ Wax- I will miss this brand most of all because of the special ladies behind it. Heather and Alyson’s creations with a Southern flair and sensibility were some of the first indie waxes I purchased and reviewed. They also held a giveaway where the generous prize I won introduced me to several new-to-me vendors at the time, including Candy Panda Wax.

SSW channeled the sass of Dolly Parton and the class of Gone With the Wind, with a little bit of Graceland flash thrown in, all were scent inspirations. Known for their cute piggy-shaped “Glitzy” molds and their fun samplers, I had a fondness for their fresh scents Blush and Bashful, Heather’s Dixieland Delight and Dixon Evander. Ladies and business owners who take time to lift up the others around them will be successful at whatever they do and I wish them both all of the prosperity their hearts desire.

House of Usher Wax Museum- House of Usher had a unique style and injected impressive amounts of detail into  collections, like the Halloween sampler above. I admit, I never found the black wax cups appealing and didn’t experience much throw, with one or two exceptions. But the themes! Gothic poets, literary classics and horror movies, it was always fun to see what was on offer. There have been many others who closed their virtual doors since 2016. I still have some scents from Smell Goods Wax and Save Your Scentses and Create Beauty Boutique. There are a few below who I wished to try but either missed out on or never got around to catching. 

• Lake Providence Lodge
• Moo Scents
• Scoopable Tart Wax (closing later this year) 

I can only imagine a fraction of what it must take to create a successful small business and I applaud the makers who can envision, establish and maintain a wax brand, not to mention the constant marketing required. Many makers also work, parent, or attend school full time; I’m exhausted at the thought. Bravo to these bright stars of the wax world, whether short-lived, or scenting homes for a decade, I thank you for enriching mine.

Any I’ve forgotten? Is there a vendor you hated to see go or wished to experience, but didn’t? Who is missed the most?