Question 1

What inspired you to start your business?

Accepted Answer

During the pandemic my husband lost his job and my own job was put on hold. I needed to find a way to keep some form of income flowing. Having dabbled with candlemaking in the past I still had the equipment and supplies along with the supply contacts we needed to get started. At the same time Bernie Sanders mittens blew up on social media. Years ago I had tackled that project as a gift for some of my skating students. Having sewn on and off since childhood and having some wool sweaters tucked away I decided to try my hand at those as well. The lockdowns wore on and my first batch of mittens sold almost immediately to family and friends on social media. We decided to give the business a proper go. Naming the business was easy as mornings were being spent walking in nature around our home. Rouge River Crafts was born and we debuted at the local farmers market that summer. Life resumed but my husband's contract did not. I taught him all I knew about candlemaking and continue to sew whenever I'm not teaching skating.

I love the eco conscious aspect of repurposing textiles while providing useful and fashionable pieces for people to love. Our candles are equally environmentally conscious using only natural renewable sources wax, toxin free fragrance and reusable vessels. A business that started out of necessity has grown into a passion for beautiful sustainable things anyone can feel good about bringing home.

Question 2

How do you describe your business, Rouge River Crafts?

Accepted Answer

Our business is built on old world skills. The candle side of the business employs the science of candlemaking using natural waxes while sourcing Canadian fragrance suppliers committed to quality ingredients and safe formulations anyone can enjoy in their home. The craft side of our business is born from a lifelong love of sewing. Taking the raw material and making it into a garment or usable end product has enthralled me since watching my Mother sew clothes and skating dresses for my sister and I. I begged her to teach me how to use her machine. To this day my favourite and most reliable sewing machines are vintage Kenmore's I found while thrifting for sweaters. That same thrill of making something from a piece of fabric is twofold as I find creating something new from something old and unwanted both a challenge and a triumph.

Question 3

What's your bestselling product & why do you think it's so popular?

Accepted Answer

Our best selling product is our upcycled mittens.

I think the success of our mittens is twofold. Having spent many years as a fashion merchandiser and sales associate for Eaton's. I learned both about quality goods and colour strategy in fashion. When thrifting for the sweaters I look only for 100% wool and quality construction. (Anything I recognize from my Eaton days is a huge find!). Then I am able to match or pull the colours I want to highlight with the complimentary pieces. Every pair of mittens is made from at least 2, usually 3 different sweaters.

The second reason for their success is their warmth. Being a skating coach I am always in the cold. I can appreciate the need for layers of warmth and line the mittens with not 1 but two layers of fleece to provide maximum warmth for cold Canadian hands.

Question 4

What's your favourite product from your shop?

Accepted Answer

My personal favourite product right now is our collaboration candle. Working with a local potter whose work I love we created unique candles in our higher end fragrances for a limited release this Christmas. I love that I get to see her beautiful work in my home while enjoying my favourite candle fragrance in our clean burning soy wax. I also love that I can clean out the vessel and refill it over and over.

Question 5

What's one of your favourite local Ontario shops?

Accepted Answer

My favourite local business is Gather in Bowmanville.

Question 6

When did you open Rouge River Crafts & Candles?

Accepted Answer

ONTARIO Candle Brands

Rouge River Crafts & Candles

The Auders Collective

Royal Canadian Candles

Market Candle Company

Canada Candle Co.

Mala the Brand

Dark Horse Handcrafted

Deep Roots Candles

Rich Hill Candles

Wood & Heart

Superior Candle Co.

Planted