Factory Tours
Concrete Garden Candles
In a cozy apartment in Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Brooklyn, Charisse Adams, affectionately known as Char or “candle girl,” has been passionately crafting Concrete Garden Candles since November 2019. Her journey into the world of candle-making began after a series of entrepreneurial endeavors failed to take off, pushing her to find a niche that resonated more personally. Encouraged by her mother, who had taught her the craft, Charisse saw potential in candles as a product that could combine her love for crafting with a viable business model.
Concrete Garden Candles emerged from a deeply personal space for Charisse, inspired by her own life’s challenges amidst the concrete jungle of New York. “I wanted to create my secret garden, a place of escape, and also a place where you have more memorable moments — not so focused on the hustle and responsibilities.“ The brand name is a fusion of ‘concrete jungle’ and ‘secret garden.’
Starting small, Charisse initially offered a limited range of candles, but her unique approach quickly garnered attention. Today, Concrete Garden Candles boasts 19 different fragrances and a variety of vessels, including her signature concrete containers and dry-pressed flower candles. The concrete vessels range from simple pillars to playful women and are handmade by Charisse. “I wanted to be more intentional about the vessel,” Charisse says, “so that after the candle was done, customers have something that would tie into their aesthetic at home and that they could use long term.”
Charisse’s process is meticulous and hands-on. Creating a batch of her signature concrete vessels takes about 15 hours, involving the mixing of concrete with water reducers, fibers, and dyes, and carefully pouring the mixture into silicone molds. Once set, she demolds and seals them with hot wax before pouring the candles, which involves heating wax to precise temperatures, adding fragrances, and hand-pouring into the vessels. For her dry-pressed flower candles, she adds an additional step, placing the flowers into the semi-solid wax before the final set.
Her customers are predominantly women aged 25 to 40, though she notes a growing number of men and non-binary individuals appreciating her candles. Many of her customers are either looking for a personal treat or a thoughtful gift for occasions like birthdays, Mother’s Day, or housewarmings. Charisse believes that what sets her brand apart is not just the product, but the story and intention behind it. She aims to connect with her customers on a deeper level, offering not just a candle, but a piece of her journey and a reminder to find joy and relaxation amidst life’s responsibilities.
Operating in New York City presents its own set of challenges, particularly with space constraints and high costs. Despite these hurdles, Charisse finds the city’s vibrant artistic community and supportive network of small businesses to be invaluable. “Every project in New York is a learning experience,” says Charisse. “The city’s pace and complexity have taught me to be more adaptable and resourceful.” She appreciates the accessibility to materials and the diverse, creative energy that New York offers, which continually inspires and supports her craft.
Charisse’s mother remains a significant influence and collaborator in her business, often serving as a sounding board for challenges and new ideas. “When I even first started the company, I wanted to have special names for all the fragrances. I went home, and we were testing some stuff out, and we would just sit together, close our eyes, smell the candles… those are the names that I put on the vessels.”
As Charisse continues to grow her business, she remains committed to creating beauty and joy in the midst of life’s concrete jungles