I can't tell you how happy I get around this time of year.  I want to be washed in a bath of holiday scents.  Even before I made candles professionally, I would stock up on all of the holiday scents.  Some of my favorites were pine, peppermint, and cinnamon apple.  I even have to admit to an dirty little secret....I think I may have purchased and burned (gasp) a Yankee Candle or two in my time.....it wasn't until I went down the rabbit hole of de-toxifying our home that I realized how horrible that really was.  

The wax that a candle is made from makes a huge difference.  Wooly Beast Naturals uses only eco soy USA grown soy wax. However, many large candle companies primarily use petroleum-based wax such as paraffin.  There are several carcinogen compounds (cancer-causing agents) found in paraffin candles. Virtually all of them have been considered "toxic air agents."  A 2009 study out of South Carolina State University warns about chemicals emitted into the air upon burning petroleum (paraffin wax) candles.  According to this study, burning these over time could contribute to the development of health risks like cancer, common allergies, and even asthma.  Furthermore, paraffin wax causes a sooty residue that is left behind ruining walls, drapes, and furnishings (one can only imagine what it's doing to our lungs).  This petro-soot is a result of incomplete combustion of carbon containing fuels, primarily petroleum-based fuels.  Soy candles produce zero petro-soot.  

And it's not just the candle wax that's a cause for concern.  A 2014 study by Scientific American reported that a a study in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives shows a strong link between exposure to phthalates (chemicals found in air fresheners, many cheap fragrance oils, and often plastics) during pregnancy and the child's future risk of asthma. Furthermore, the study also reported that phthalates are known to impede the endocrine system, the regulatory mechanism that dictates hormonal distribution in the body, which has been linked to health problems including birth defects, cancers and diabetes. Many fragrance oils used in large candle companies contain chemicals like phthalates (ours do not).  Wooly Beast Naturals uses only essential oils (from nature), natural flavors, and phthalate-free and high-quality fragrances.  

Of further concern is the wicks used in the candles.  Our candles use high quality eco cotton core braided wicks coated in vegetable-based wax.  Most other large candle companies use zinc core wicks.  According to Dr. Edward Group, burning candles with lead-cored wicks is now known to cause lead poisoning, and there are similar concerns about zinc-cored wicks.

Finally, many companies use synthetic dyes to color their candles (we do not).  There is no such thing as a natural candle dye/colorant.  There are however natural, organic and plant derived dyes used in soaps (which we use) and cosmetics.  These dyes are water-soluble and candle dyes need to be oil-soluble.  Candle dyes are usually aniline dyes (chemical) with a very frightening .  We've chosen health over aesthetics and do not add any dye to our candles.  This is why you may notice that our candles are not always a pure white wax and take on the subtle color of the fragrance and/or essential oils that they contain.

Wooly Beast Naturals started in our very own home kitchen.  We were concerned about the chemicals in our home; about the chemicals in the products that we were breathing in and using on our children.  After doing a ton of research, we started making our own candles and soap.  This little home project took off and moved into our Portland-based studio where we make everything by hand and in small batches. 

All of our products are vegan, we use USA grown soy wax and eco cotton core wicks, and are they are free from phthalates, sulfites, and Palm oil.  Wooly Beast Naturals is committed to supporting local businesses and source many of our products locally.  We are also highly committed to efforts in sustainability.  For example, we reuse most of our packing supplies and have created a recycling program for our glass and tins (customers can return clean and undamaged Wooly glass and tins to Made Here PDX in the Pearl and at Workshop Vintage in NE Portland for a discount code) so we can reuse them.  

I know what you're thinking.....now I'm going to feel guilty for buying that Christmas Wreath scented candle (damn you for lifting the veil!).  But you don't have to sacrifice losing out on all of the winter and holiday smells that you've always loved.  We would love to provide you with all of your natural products for home and body!  You can feel good about your purchase of Wooly Beast Naturals products.  They are naturally derived and avoid all of the harmful chemicals that should be avoided.  Best of all, they work well and smell amazing!  Try one of our limited edition and seasonal candles and soap today!  Here are the ones available through winter:

- Winter Wonderland eco soy candle and soap is a classic pine and peppermint smell that feels as fresh as the snow that falls onto the ground this season.  

- Big + Spicy eco soy candle is a revamped take on the classic cinnamon apple and smells sweet like an apple with notes of warm clove and spicy cinnamon.  

-Whiskey by the Fir Tree eco soy candle (limited edition) smells like you are drinking a nice whiskey cocktail by your Pacific NW Douglas fir Christmas tree with notes of fir, pine cone, crisp snow, and Winter moss.  

-Stumptown eco soy candle smells woodsy and warm with notes of caramel, coffee, and wood.  

-Cream Top eco soy candle smells like freshly baked biscuits, vanilla, and pine.  

-Lumberjack (year-round bestseller) smells like crisp snow, fir trees, and has notes of tobacco and spice.  

-The Bearded Man (year round bestseller) smells spicy and sweet with notes of amber, musk, tobacco, vanilla, and spices.  

Wherever you decide to buy your home and body products from, please make sure that they aren't adding toxins into your life so you can just tis' the season to jolly or something of that nature.