Behind the Glow: The Story of Witchy Philly Candle Co.
Hi, I'm Charlie. I make handmade crystal candles out of South Philadelphia, and if you're here for the first time, I'm really glad you found me. Before you browse the collection, I want to tell you a little bit about where all of this came from, because I think it matters.
It Started on a Coffee Table
Since my husband Kevin is a paramedic who normally works night shifts, I needed something to do with my hands. So in 2023, I picked up candle making, set up shop on our living room coffee table, and just started pouring. What began as a hyper-fixation hobby turned into something I genuinely couldn't have predicted, and I'm still a little surprised by it every time I think about it.
There was no business plan. No grand vision. Just me, some soy wax, a kitchen scale, and a truly embarrassing amount of fragrance testing. I did accidentally start one fire in the very beginning, but we don't talk about that, and my track record has been pretty solid ever since. What I did have was intention, and that has shaped everything about the way I make candles to this day.
Why Soy Wax, and Why It Matters
Every candle I make is hand-poured in small batches using 100% soy wax, and that's not just a talking point. It's a choice I made because I care about what goes into your home.
Soy wax is a natural, plant-based alternative to traditional paraffin wax. It burns cleaner, produces significantly less soot, and is free of toxins like benzene and toluene that conventional candles can release into the air. It's also renewable and biodegradable, which means it's a better choice for the environment too.
Our wicks are made from unbleached cotton and paper with no lead, zinc, or metal cores. They burn evenly, produce minimal soot, and are designed to self-trim for a consistent burn from the first light to the last.
The fragrance oils are free of parabens and carcinogens. You should be able to light a candle in your home without worrying about what you're breathing in. That's not a luxury, that's just the standard I hold myself to.
The Crystals Are the Whole Point
If you've ever seen a Witchy Philly candle in person, you know the crystals stop people in their tracks. I know because I watch it happen at every single show I do, and it never gets old.
Every crystal that goes on one of my candles has been charged under a full moon on a selenite plate. Selenite is known for its high vibration and calming energy and is one of the few crystals that can cleanse and charge others while clearing out anything that doesn't belong. It's the foundation the whole process is built on.
Not every full moon carries the same energy. During charging, crystals absorb the unique intentions of whichever full moon they're sitting under while releasing any energy they've picked up along the way. Each moon brings something different to the table: the Worm Moon in March brings renewal and fresh starts, the Flower Moon in May carries abundance and growth, the Hunter's Moon in October is about clarity and going after what you want.
When it's time to place them on a candle, I don't choose randomly. I pick the ones that call to me for that particular candle, that moment. Which means the one you end up with was always meant for you, even if neither of us knew it yet.
You don't have to be spiritual for any of this to resonate. You don't have to believe in moon charging or crystal energy to appreciate a beautiful, intentional, hand-poured soy candle. But if you're curious about it, or you've been quietly collecting crystals for years and can't fully explain why, you're especially welcome here.
Giving Back Is Part of the Deal
One of the things I'm most proud of is our For Kitty's Sake collection. For Kitty's Sake is a cat rescue that I care about deeply, and our FKS candles exist entirely because of them. Every candle in the collection is made specifically to support their mission, and every single dollar from each purchase goes directly back to the cats in their care. Not a portion. All of it.
These candles are only available at our pop-up events, and buying one means a cat somewhere gets a little closer to safe, healthy, and home. If you see us at a show, look for the FKS candles. They go fast.
You Can Find Us All Over Philadelphia
We're out in the community constantly, vending at festivals, flea markets, and local events across the Philadelphia area. We have a permanent presence at Cupid's Bookshop, Philadelphia's first brick-and-mortar romance bookstore, and at Thrillerdelphia, Philadelphia's home for horror, thrillers, and true crime. We also host candle and incense making classes at both locations throughout the year, so if you want to make something with your own hands, come find us.
If you've never shopped a small business vendor market, there's nothing quite like it. You get to smell everything, meet the person who made it, and leave with something that was chosen with intention. Kevin will probably be there too, carrying the heavy stuff and making sure I have coffee.
Why Any of This Exists
I started Witchy Philly Candle Co. because making things with my hands made my heart happy. It still does. Every candle I pour, every crystal I place, every show I set up for at 7am in a parking lot, it all comes back to that.
I think the people who find their way to this brand are curious, warm, and open to the idea that small things can hold a lot of meaning. Whether that's a candle that stops you in your tracks, a crystal that felt like it was made for you, or just the feeling of buying something made by a real person in your city who genuinely cares about what she puts into the world.
That's what this is. That's what it's always been.
Welcome. I'm really glad you're here.
