A spark of connection

Walt Disney once expressed, “money doesn’t excite me, my ideas excite me.” Well, I’m with you big guy, and I’m sure many creative souls would agree with me in saying so.

As a divergent thinker who used to spend her pocket money exclusively on stationary, I am unapologetically in love with exploring and creating. Bringing novel idea’s together to create something unique, experimenting and exploring with our hands, heart and mind – is there anything more invigorating?

Like many other creatives, being asked to pick ‘’one’’ speciality is like telling a starving person they can only choose one dish at a buffet – I love a bit of everything - and the hunger is real.

Creative writing, scrapbooking, painting, creating music, graphic design; you name it. I am told as a youngster, my mum had the ‘’privilege’’ (and patience) of coming home to something new each day. Recounts include turning our toy room into a gift store, using the sophisticated software of Microsoft Paint to design a magazine exclusively for 8-year-old or asking to be addressed as an imaginary character’s name, that had a rich back-story privy to my imagination.

One thing that stayed consistent – exploring novel, new idea’s involving creativity sustained my equilibrium – my happiness.

Can you guess I wasn’t an A+ maths student?

As an adult, not a lot has changed. My frequent trips to stationary/craft stores are comparable to watching a kid in a candy shop, my friends are well accustomed to receiving hand-made gifts for special occasions (some I’ve made up) and I am that terribly frustrating relative that insists on folding and keeping the gift-wrapping paper at Christmas and birthdays.

Also, my spare room serves as a creative arts and craft studio; filled with an accumulation of art materials, fabrics, crafts, and any design/print equipment that allows me to spend a peaceful Sunday macgyver-ing something new.

With all that in mind - choosing which craft to share was a tough one. This particular craft is a relatively new passion and was bred under unusual circumstances.

Last year was tough, wasn’t it? An educator in Georgia, US adapted a well-known quote during COVID-19 to ‘’unusual times call for unusual measures.’’ Without getting on any political tangent, in reflecting on the year that was 2020, I adapt the quote further to ‘’unusual times call for unusual ideas.’’

As a single 28-year old cat-mum who lives by herself in Melbourne, Australia, the 6-month lockdown we experienced last year brought many challenges and opportunities - and my goodness, an abundance of time.

As is the case with many, my default mode in a crisis is to look towards a silver lining and what opportunities are there to create happiness for myself and those around me. Or in this particular case, what new project can I embark on to improve the darker times we all endured.

Around August, a new craft I yearned to teach myself was candle-making. This was partly inspired by having exhausted every ‘’special occasion’’ candle in my house at the 3-month lockdown point. I imagined there may be beautiful grounding benefits to the candle-making process as well.

A big shout-out to online shopping during the stage 4 restrictions, as over the next 3 weeks 1kg of waxes, equipment and scents started sporadically arriving at my doorstep.

The learning and experimentation stage was chaotic, messy, and delightful. I trialled different wax compounds (settling with soy), melting temperatures, fragrance oils vs essential oils, moulds, wick lengths and types for burn quality – until I could create a candle that didn’t burn the house down and looked and smelt luxurious enough to gift.

I touched on gift-giving, which falls into a similar category as art and creating to me. I adore giving gifts to loved ones; and aligned with Walt Disney, I tend to get more excited by the thoughtfulness and idea behind a gift, rather than the monetary value.

Last year was no exception; in fact, the need for connection was at an all-time high.

In the abundance of time available, I contemplated the candle as a gift, and how there's an element of stigma towards it being a ''safe'' or ''work colleague'' or ''basic-bitch'' present. More notably, I thought about what was great about receiving a candle - and I personally felt this isn't the burning stage. For me, it is the introductory. The receiving, the opening of the box, admiring the aesthetic and the first smell of scent. And of course, the person who gave it to you.

So, how could I turn what one might categorise as a ‘’pretty standard’’ gift into something special? What novel way could a candle provide more than aromatic pleasures in the home, and promoted connection – and dare I say - happiness to each receiver?

I decided each candle; based on the scent, occasion, and recipient – would tell a story.

The first batch started off with a (debatable) comedic approach – a candle that is ‘’made up’’ of qualities relevant to the individual.

A good friend Carl, is known for his holistic preferences and quirky habits. With the goal of making a candle he would love whilst also wet himself, I used my graphic design software and sticker printer to whip up the following label: attached to a homemade candle (that only includes the first two scents.)

Next was my good friend Dwayne, who was having nasal surgery due to sinus issues. Again, arguable humour mixed with personality traits and in-jokes led me to this:

My brother celebrated his 30th birthday, which presented opportunities to tell a story that reflected his evolving traits:

And on the theme of making up occasions – my best friend Pete and I finally had the opportunity to see each other once the single bubble was instated, which inspired the below:

Gifting the first batch came with laughter, gratitude and requests ''for more.''

So, fellow creatives, in native tongue; why stop there?

I took great pleasure in the different steps to this creative process.

The craft of making the candle: preparing candle jars beautifully with hot glued wick, discovering the optimal oil to wax ratio and temperatures for pouring, all while filling my kitchen with warming aromas.

The thought-process for each label story: What scent reminds me of my loved one, what label design accurately reflects their taste and style, and how can I eloquently (or comedically) express individual's positive traits and celebrate through their scent story.

The design and print: Finalising the design and generating the candle label through a sticker printer, cutting the wick to an aesthetic and effective length, and assembling the final touches of decoration so the candle is ready to present and gift.

The greatest pleasure of this craft was the final step, the giving. As much pride as I took in the physical creation and quality of the candle, the sentimentality attached is what turned this from a hobby to a passion.

The joy each recipient expressed upon receiving a gift, tailored to the individual and our relationship - was invaluable.

Creating has a soulful calling to me. I see creation as a foundation for optimism and hope - during a global pandemic, sure, but since the dawn of time. Creating encourages us to be playful, to look forward, backwards, zig-zag and beyond. To expand our thinking, to consider new possibilities, to innovate and find solutions. Creating brings our imagination into fruition, sparks a belief in magic (final Walt Disney call-back) and heck - it is why we’re all here.

But sharing your creations in the pursuit of connecting with ourselves and others - that is where my true happiness lies.