Passion for candles

WHEN Richard Jongejan suggested his partner Kirsten Zeidler take up a hobby, he had no idea it would develop in a burning passion … and that he would be part of it!
The Yarra Glen couple recently opened Burning Passions in Bell Street, taking the candle-making business they started at home more than two years ago to the next level.
Kirsten took up making candles as a hobby to fill in the hours while Richard was on long-haul jobs as a truck driver.
Using natural waxes and scents, they have expanded their range to include more than 50 fragrances in a range of sizes and designs.
From the very start Kirsten insisted on working with natural waxes for both their environmental and health benefits over the old-style paraffin wax varieties.
“Because they burn at a much lower temperature than paraffin they last up to 50 per cent longer and they hold the fragrance much better so you get the beautiful scents coming through to the very end,” Kirsten explained.
The aromatherapy effect starts from the moment you walk through the door with the scents mingling to create a relaxing and inviting atmosphere.
But you will also find an excellent range of candles blended especially to cater for specific aromatherapy applications.
“We have a lot of people who ask for a fragrance to allay anxiety, promote relaxation or energy, or create some other particular response and we have really had to educate ourselves on that aspect,” Richard said.
Florals, such as lavender and sandalwood, are the biggest sellers, but Kirsten said perfume replicas, including channel No 5, Angel and Opium, are also very popular.
Richard and Kirsten can provide theme candles – scents and colours – for special occasions such as weddings and other functions or put together gift packs to suit individual requirements and budgets.
An additional bonus for the environment is their offer of a discount on purchases when customers return the glass containers to be re-used.
Burning Passions caters to retail and wholesale customers with the full range of products now available at the Bell Street shop, or order on-line at www.burningpassions.com.au.