A catch up with Illumina Candles’ founder

We caught up with ’ founder Jennifer Del Bel and she was alight with passion (pun intended) for her gorgeous soy wax candle brand. Read on to enter the world of Illumina and learn why it’s different…

Why candles – what inspired you to get into candle-making?

I have always pursued some sort of craft style hobby. I attribute this to being born in Northern Canada where you have long months hiding inside from the cold. So when I tried making a few candles for myself, I found the process fascinating and decided I wanted to perfect my skill. My children complained about our food tasting like candles as I made them in my kitchen for the first year, heating up jars in my oven and pouring candles on my dining room table. I simply fell in love with the timeless nature of the trade.

What’s different about Illumina?

We are a team of artisans committed to hand pouring the perfect candle using beautiful reusable vessels and exceptional scents.  Our fragrances are developed in conjunction with Francois Merle-Baudoin, a 5th generation Perfumer, to suit the style of candle we are launching for the season and to invoke a sensual memory.  Every fragrance is rigorously wick tested to ensure our customers have a slow, even burn pool. We love the bespoke work we do for our clients and this service has become a trademark of our business. Illumina Soy Candles is more than a group of New Zealand people who operate a candle business. We are conscientious artisans who are passionate about skilled techniques and can proudly say we are hand poured in New Zealand.

Why do you use soy wax instead of regular wax?

In New Zealand, the general public is more aware of nasty chemicals. The soy wax we use is free of GMO’s, paraffin’s, unnatural additives, is 100% biodegradable and there is no lead or zinc in the wicks.

The style of wax we use is also resistant to frosting and wet spots, with a beautiful creamy texture. Importantly for the consumer, soy wax has a slower burn time than other waxes available on the market so they get more value for their dollar.

What has been your most popular candle variant to date?

It is actually a 50-50 split. The Quilted Jelly Jar Range launched Illumina and its longevity in popularity has actually surprised me.  When we launched our Crystal Cut Range, the business simply expanded into different styles of retail shops. They are opposite in look but both stem from a historical appeal, like something that reminds you of your grandmother, so sort of the same “roots”.

Where do you get the inspiration from for each candle?

It will come from one of two places.  I am either working with Francois on a new fragrance and the notes bring back a memory that influences vessel design or I find a container and it inspires the type of fragrance I want to use. I have always loved looking in shops at glassware, china and crystal. They seem to tell a story, just like fragrance .

What’s in the pipeline for Illumina candles?

We are very excited about a collaboration we are doing with Homes of Hope Charity.  We are launching a new fragrance in August called “Hope” and we are currently investigating all possible avenues for this limited edition candle to help raise funds and awareness for a serious social issue in the South Pacific.