My first serious hobby – and the first hobby I attempted to turn into a business – was candlemaking. Every year from junior high until after graduate school, I would commandeer the family kitchen shortly after Thanksgiving, convert it to a candle factory and make Christmas gifts for the extended family. In high school, I would rely on one or two snow days to provide adequate time for serious production. In college, I would come home after my last exam and make candles as fast as I could.

Christmas Candle Production circa 1989

Shortly after I quit graduate school, I attempted to support myself by making candles. It was an utter disaster. I almost got evicted and then almost went broke – at one point I was about a week from being homeless. I finally landed a temp job which lead to my career in the software industry and the candles were long forgotten.

One of my plans when I purchased my first house in Seattle was to start making candles again. It didn’t happen. One of my plans when we purchased this house was to buy a small stove for the shed and start making candles again. It didn’t happen, and then we bought alpacas instead.

For sixteen years, through five houses in three states, I have hauled my candle kitchen with me – paying to move a stack of boxes that I’ve never opened or used. I think it’s time to realize I will probably never use these candle molds again. It’s time to let go. I won’t be moving my candle kitchen to Huntsville.

Portions of my candle kitchen are currently listed on Ebay. The auction can be found here