A Quiet Season. A Lot in the Works.
We haven't spoken in a while, so I have yet another "longer than I would like" post for you. Definitely have some updates that you should know about. Please read to the end. :)
Winter is winding down here in Northern Indiana, and my mind has already shifted to Spring. My phone wallpaper has officially changed from Christmas lights to Spring flowers, sunlight, bunnies, and clover. I love living in the northern Midwest (why is Indiana even considered Mid-“West”??). We get all four seasons in their full expression, and in my opinion, it’s the best of everything, especially since I enjoy the cold. There’s something that lifts the spirit and refreshes your body when the sunlight returns! Like a true Hoosier, I find myself rushing to get in my car just to soak up the rays — even when it’s still 20 degrees outside!
The most tedious things are now out of my way during the first quarter. A complete inventory and post-clearance sale was first on my list so taxes could be done. That took a couple weeks. Then off to the accountant, filed state reports for the year and paid some annual dues. And now…I am caught up and looking at 2026 with a bright future ahead. I want to go into 2027 big — my fifth year in business — so I’m using 2026 to position Candl•ogic for its strongest year yet!
And while it may look quiet from the outside, behind the scenes… it’s anything but.
New Scents (After Months of Testing)
After months of testing, I finally have No. 043 Sultry Poppy ready in candle form.
I quietly introduced it over the holidays as a Room Mist, but getting it dialed in for wax took time. It’s a beautiful blend of orange blossom (without reading floral), cedar, and just a hint of peppercorn. It doesn’t fall neatly into floral or woodsy. It lives somewhere in between. It reminds me of No. 006 Cardamom de Creme in how it feels — warm to the senses. Grounded. Subtle. One of those scents that need to be experienced, not described.
Then there’s my personal favorite right now: No. 044 Midnight Carajillo. Finding the right coffee fragrance was frustrating; it literally has taken a little over three years to find the perfect scent. I tested soooo many versions and most of them were terrible — artificial, flat, or too harsh. No. 044 Midnight Carajillo is deep, smooth, rich — without the chemical smell of a manufactured coffee scent. It’s layered and comforting, and as strong as a cup of your best coffee. It’s honestly my new favorite.
Next release is No. 041 Sea Orchid. Now, I don't like florals in my spaces, unless they are fresh, live flowers (I'm counting down the days to fresh lilacs). Months ago now, I had to discontinue a lavender scent because I couldn’t stand to even pour it. But this isn’t what you’d expect. There’s enough sea salt, marine air, and ozone freshness to perfectly balance the floral notes. It feels airy, clean and crisp rather than "perfume-y" and "slap your face" floral. It's already available in Room Mists and Wax Melts.
And if you've noticed a new pattern emerging with these Room Mists, new scents come out much faster in flameless applications because we get to bypass the wick testing! So here's a couple new scents for you that you may not have noticed: No. 039 Silver Mint...a classic eucalyptus + peppermint scent that gives you a clean, cool, and instantly refreshing scent to any space. And recently renamed, No. 012 Paper Birch (formerly Birch Atelier...because no one could pronounce it. LOL) which also throws that clean and refined feel. You get hints of pine, cool eucalyptus, crisp cypress, and a soft, lightly sweet ozone finish that reads like fresh air.
They're going to be a strong Summer option across candles, Room Mists, Reed Diffuser Sets, and Car Diffusers. Speaking of which...
Summer Means Flameless!
January through September is traditionally very, very slow in this industry. That’s just the rhythm. But Summer is when flameless options really shine. Good fragrance doesn't ever take a vacation...
Reed Diffuser Sets are truly set-it-and-forget-it. The vessel is the initial investment, but after that, Reed Diffuser Refills and Reeds are simple and affordable. Don't care for our choice of vessels? You can use your own and still choose a clean, plant-based diffuser fragrance and diffuser reeds separately from us.
Car Diffusers perform especially well in Summer as the heat helps release the fragrance. Just give it a tip over every once in a while, to keep the cap saturated (instructions on back of package).
Candle warmers are another option many of you already use — a great way to enjoy leftover candles without lighting them. Now, if you haven't shopped candle warmers in a while, they have come a LONG way...the design aesthetics are amazing!
Here are some ideas for you! Just click the images below for my Affiliate link and straight to Amazon you go to shop! Some are dimmable and you can choose the heat levels, giving you the perfect amount of scent throw for your space.
And my personal favorite flameless option? Room Mists. They come in two sizes — 8 oz and 2 oz. I use them nearly every day! I spray my living spaces, as well as my car, bathroom and even my shoes (for that I use No. 038 Linen Drift).
The 8 oz bottle lasts for months! The first bottle I ever poured has lasted well past four months with frequent, near daily use. Just one or two pumps is all you need as they are crafted to linger.
The 2 oz size is perfect for smaller spaces — bathrooms, offices, lockers — and even vehicles if you’d rather not use a car diffuser. They’re compact, practical, and easy to keep on hand. They’re also more affordable than comparable retail sprays, last significantly longer, and are made without the harmful toxins.
The Big Move: Wholesale Expansion
Now here’s the real reason I’ve been quiet and wanted to reach out to you.
Because of the early-year slump, it became clear that if I want long-term stability, I need to expand into additional markets — specifically wholesale. I already have a couple of local wholesalers I love, but I’m ready to grow beyond Indiana.
That’s why I’ve decided to join Faire Wholesale.
Faire connects brands directly with brick-and-mortar retailers across the U.S. and even internationally. It gives Candl•ogic exposure in stores and regions I could never reach on my own.
Here’s why that matters to you:
Greater volume allows me to purchase materials in larger quantities. Larger quantities typically improve bulk pricing. Over time, that helps me stabilize costs and absorb increases rather than immediately passing them on to you. It’s not about cutting prices overnight — it’s about building scale so I can protect the integrity of the Candl•ogic brand long term.
The candle industry just experienced another big jump in the cost of materials. Wax is up. Room Mist base is up. Fragrance oils — especially the higher-grade, more complex ones I have been so happy to find and test recently — have increased significantly since I began four years ago. And recently Shopify has raised the credit card processing fees, because they can no longer "cover" it for us. ***insert collective sigh***. Honestly, it's frustrating for everyone...
I won’t lower my standards. So, I have to do business smarter and grow with purpose. Now, we just need to believe Candl•ogic's application for Faire admission is accepted. If you're a person of faith, I would appreciate your agreement in prayer to see this thing grow!
Changes You’ll See
As I prepare for wholesale expansion (hopefully before next Fall), you’ll see some more changes as we go.
I am very likely going to introduce two, clearly defined, candle tiers for fair pricing. Not all fragrance oils cost the same. Some are beautifully composed and approachable in cost. Others are rare, layered, and significantly more expensive due to ingredient complexity.
Rather than raising every candle cost to cover the highest-priced fragrance, I’m exploring:
- A "core" collection — clean, well-crafted, approachable. Keeping with the amber jars which are more affordable.
- A "reserve" collection — a few dollars more, reflecting uncommon and more complex fragrance compositions in a more upscale, thick-walled glass jar, likely smoky gray in color with a black bamboo lid.
Both would meet my clean standards, as always. The difference would simply reflect ingredient complexity and cost — giving you options without compromise.
You may see in the next few weeks a price change to offset immediate costs in materials.
Clearance Sale Leftovers
A big thank you to everyone who has participated in the clearance sale. I don't do sales often, but that one was absolutely necessary.
There are still deeply discounted items available on the website that I intentionally made public. I truly need to clear them out before onboarding to Faire — I literally need the shelf space.
This isn’t just a promotion. It’s preparation. If you’ve been considering something, you still have time.
So, if I’ve seemed quiet, it’s because I’m preparing. I realize too, that I'm bad at social media. LOL! I simply don't have the time. I work the equivalent of two full time jobs and time management isn't always at its best, and sometimes, I just need refresh and stop for a minute...or a few days.
Building inventory and materials. Filing paperwork. Clearing shelves. Testing scents. Making major structural decisions.
This season is foundation.
And when 2027 arrives — my fifth year — I intend to step into it stronger than ever with you at my "side!"
Thank you for being part of this. And thank you for taking the time to read this. I don't get to connect with many of you on a personal basis so for now, this will have to do. I appreciate your support and believing in what Candl•ogic stands for.
Happy Spring and have a wonderful, blessed Resurrection season!
— Chad
