“What is that delightful smell?” a guest asks.

“I found this place online that makes scented stuff,” you say. “Some of it’s honestly kind of magical.”

A few years back—when everyone was stuck inside and the world felt weird—I picked up a new hobby. I started blending fragrance oils. “Scentology,” “mixology,” whatever you want to call it. I just know I fell hard for the craft.

Here’s the part most people don’t see: candles and melts are finicky. Wicks, wax types, containers, cure time, ratios… a tiny change can swing the whole result. Some blends smell amazing at first and then fall apart. Others come together by accident and end up being the best thing you’ve ever made. Trial, error, and the occasional happy surprise taught me what works.

After months of testing (and yes, wasting material), plus feedback from long-suffering friends and family, I finally had melts and candles worth sharing. Not every nose agrees—but most of these blends passed the “walk into the room and smile” test.

That’s where the name A Familiar Flame comes from. The goal isn’t just “smells good.” It’s familiar: places, moments, people, nostalgia—those little sensory time machines. We started with candles, expanded into melts, and added flameless options for blends that shine best without a wick.

Everything is mixed and poured in southern Indiana using fragrance oils sourced from U.S. retailers. We pour in small batches, keep recipes consistent, and quality-check performance before it goes out.

Not sure where to start? Grab the seasonal sample pack—it’s the easiest way to find your lane without committing to a full clamshell.

We typically release 8—12 scents every six months. Some carry over, some return each year, and some retire. When a season ends, outgoing scents move to Special Deals to make room for what’s next.

Thanks for reading our story. If you catch a scent that feels like home… welcome to the flame.