Kel's Kitchen:

In 1998 in Atlanta, GA, sitting cross-legged in the living room of my best friend, I realized the magnificence of making candles at home. She described to me all the creative tips and cool ways to make interesting designs in homemade candles. My best friend and I spent many hours exchanging new creative ideas and sharing quality time with crafts projects. We produced many fine works in paints, wax and clay. In November of 2001 I needed a cathartic release more than ever. I began to expand my knowledge and experience with candle making with trial and error and various forms of experimentation. My electric burners reeked of burning wax and my ceilings and floors were literally caked with spattered candle wax - hence the name Kel's Kitchen. I was hooked and it has been apart of my life ever since. I have since expanded my practice to making matching soaps and themed candle shades as gifts. To this day, my best friend and I still make time for crafts night and figure out new occasions to make special candles.

Kel's Kitchen Philosophy:

Deconstruct to re-construct. That is the fundamental basis of the Kel's Kitchen existence. Once I started making my own candles, I never burned any un-original candles again. It is all home-made, original work as a rule in my home. This concept is not limited to candles and soaps, but to photography, paintings and music as well. I love the rustic character and artful personality of home-made work. In Kel's Kitchen, it is a constant drive to re-invent art. I began to take all my burned down candles, the "refuse" one might otherwise throw away after the wick has completely burned, and incorporate them back into the cycle of re-creation.

Most of the candles that I create have lived many lives before. Each candle carries the essence of the wax from which it is made. As it is more difficult to impose this same philosophy on soap-making, I still try to ensure that each soap contains fragments of other existent soaps. Whether it is shavings or chunks of other 'flavors', each soap perpetuates the life of another. I live for customization and customer familiarity, as the most important adage in this work next to "Know Thyself" is "Know Thy Customer". Kel's Kitchen encourages constant re-invention. Never settle for flawlessness, always strive for imperfection and personality.

This Week's Featured Item

My Special Memory Bear for my son Cailen (Cailen Bear) Click Here to View Item Description