If you’re a fellow candle enthusiast like me, you probably have some sort of drawer/basket/cabinet dedicated to jars of scented wax that trigger all sorts of nostalgia when lit. They say our sense of smell is the closet tie to our memories & it couldn’t be more true whenever I get a whiff of pine during Christmastime or that coconut-vanilla aroma of sunscreen on sandy skin.

So it’s totally valid why we end up collecting these scented jars of memories, as well as why we’re often selective of when & where we choose to light them. As the proud fur parent of a curious cat & rambunctious pup, the times I light candles are few & far between these days. But that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy them in other ways! There’s so much satisfaction decorating the home with unlit candles as works of art & decor; dare I say it may be more gratifying than lighting them? But I guess that depends on how strong your candle stands alone, in aesthetic as well as scent.

In partnership with Artistscent, I’ve been exposed to the most BEAUTIFUL candles that check all the boxes – from the overall look to the scent – lit & unlit. Most importantly, it’s what this unique brand of candles represent that ultimately sold me as a new fan & customer of this NJ-based small family-run business. Connecting artists & their work with a custom fragrance that compliments each piece & brings it to a new dimension – a screen-printed work of art on a glass reusable candle jar.

^ You see I mentioned the term “reusable” here. And yes, while most candles can be cleaned out and repurposed as vessels themselves, rarely do the original labels stand a chance against soapy water or, dare I say, a dishwasher cycle. The artwork on an Artistscent Candle is screen-printed, which means it can withstand the dishwasher without losing its original luster. Simply AMAZING!

I’ll admit there are many candle brands I admire, but I’ve never witnessed such a unique concept behind the gorgeous lines of Artistscent. Not only do these candles spotlight talented artists and their work in a tangible medium, but they’re also representative of a new way to tie scent with nostalgia – as envisioned by the artist. When you look at a piece of art & wonder what inspired it, chances are that moment in time can be brought to front of mind with a simple sniff of relevancy.

Check out the complete lines of each artist’s collection:

Elizabeth Karlson | Ronnie Queenan | Ron Chereskin

For example, you’d think a candle called “Dockside Morning” would have hints of sea salt and pine but instead, it gives off aromas of coffee, vanilla & cinnamon buns in the oven. Why? Because that’s what the artist remembers smelling in the air one morning at a Lake house where she got inspired to paint the colors she saw dancing on the water at daybreak.

Here are some ways to artfully style (unlit) candles in the home

Top Spaces: Entryway, Home Office/Study, Powder Room

Don’t get me wrong, I love a well-styled coffee table or kitchen counter with a yummy-smelling candle on display. But in these highly-trafficked areas of the home, these spaces aren’t ideal for the placement of anything with the potential to set fire if knocked over (when lit) or if there’s potential to be accidentally lit (or consumed) by curious tiny humans &/or animals. Unless you can supervise & fully trust yourself not to forget to smother the flame, best to use vertical height and small rooms with doors to your advantage should you decide to display a lit candle.

However, there’s a reason why I mentioned the importance of a quality candle’s ability to stand strongly on its own; with a scent that can be enjoyed with or without the flame. I’ll have you know that I left these Artistscent candles (fully packaged) in my car for one day and it still smells like a heavenly air freshener inside 4 days later! Our home is small, so styling these candles unlit has proven to be a winning solution for the designated spaces we’ve assigned them to.

Top Surfaces: Shelves, Tabletops, Counters

Consider a tall bookshelf or sturdy floating shelf with enough height from the ground | the tops of bedside tables, desks, dressers, free-standing consoles | the corners of kitchen & bathroom counters that are less likely to be bumped or have to be moved out of the way. *PLEASE do not place a lit candle on the top portion of a toilet – it’s the easiest way to accidentally ignite someone’s hair when their back is turned & while focusing on other things…

When it comes to styling candles on any of the top surfaces listed above, consider the rule of thirds and layering items to your advantage. Similar to the photography concept, aim staging your candle more off-center with an odd number of accompanying items surrounding it. I personally love using my real (or faux) plants as decorative accessories to my unlit candles, as well as a cute match holder & striker situation for when I do choose to light them. Although I’ll admit the latter was purchased more for aesthetic display than intended use.

Layering items can be anything from a decorative tray, to a stack of coffee table books, to a ceramic drinking coaster (or several) to elevate your designated candle on display. Personally, I like utilizing a solid-base ceramic/marble tray for most of my candles to ensure stability should I choose to light it up. I also greatly appreciate a glass photophore for when I want to keep a lit (or unlit) candle on display with another layer of protection.

Another great idea of displaying decorative items with your candles are those that serve a double purpose, such as tools found in a candle care kit. Anytime I light a candle, I trim the wick to ensure an even burn every time – something new I’ve learned in the last year & works wonders. A snuffer is useful for when you want to quickly extinguish the flame without a smoky result filling the air. And a wick dipper works similarly in the sense of eliminating the flame, but a cleaner process by allowing you to dip the lit wick into the melted wax pool around it. Personally, I find these bend the wick too much and prefer the snuffer but to each their own.

Mother’s Day Giveaway

I’m so excited about this giveaway opportunity because the prize(s) are beyond amazing for anyone who appreciates a good-smelling candle that’s beautifully made and meant to display, especially one from a local small business! With Mother’s Day fast approaching, here’s your chance to win a handful of these amazing candles to gift to her or to gift yourself with – I wouldn’t blame you if you kept them all, just sayin’. The best part: Artistscent has been so generous that they’ve elected to have not one but THREE prize winners chosen at the conclusion of the giveaway!

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Check out the complete lines of each artist’s collection:

Elizabeth Karlson | Ronnie Queenan | Ron Chereskin

FIRST PRIZE WINNER

Choice of (3) candles from any of the artist collections

SECOND PRIZE WINNER

Choice of (2) candles from either Elizabeth Karlson or Ronnie Queenan Collections

THIRD PRIZE WINNER

Choice of (1) candle from either Elizabeth Karlson or Ronnie Queenan Collections

AND AS A BONUS

We will select two more winners to receive a Mini Sample Flight Box each!

ENTER BELOW FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway will run from Tuesday, May 3 through Thursday, May 5

Winners will be announced here as well as on my Instagram & contacted for their mailing information *Open to US Entries only & we cannot guarantee delivery in time for Mother’s Day due to postage shipping delays nationwide*

PS — use my code TOBEBRIGHT during the month of May to receive 10% off your purchase!

*valid 1 use per customer – expires June 1, 2022*