Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffany “Tippy” Gammell.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started pouring candles during quarantine in 2020. It was a tough time for so many and I was feeling left without that spark of creativity that usually kept me going. I lost my grandmother three months into the lockdown and through that pain, I flocked to projects that made me feel closer to her. Through this work, Candle Damsel was born. My grandmother was a lover of flowers, specifically magnolia, jasmine, gardenia, and hydrangeas (those true “Southern scents”). The sense of smell is so closely linked with memory, perhaps more so than all of our other senses. A gardenia candle gives me her perfume, a magnolia scent puts me in her backyard for a family picnic. We also shared a love of vintage glass. She taught me about depression glass and milk glass patterns and we even started a collection of vintage teacups that I’m now proudly displaying in my kitchen. I married this love of vintage glassware, specifically drinkware, with a custom candle venture in an effort to give these antique, special things a new life.
The Charleston maker and small business community welcomed me with open arms. I started doing a few pop-ups here and there and grew into a blossoming online store with some wholesale accounts sprinkled throughout the community. I’m just getting started and I’m so proud of the growth and thankful for the support I’ve had near and far.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There are definitely bumps along the way but I try to use those obstacles to make the business stronger in the long run. I truly learn something new every day!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Candle Damsel offers a unique array of small batch, hand-poured candles using antique vessel ware sourced from various collectors in and around the Lowcountry.
Each Candle Damsel piece is a little slice of history. I only source products that I can trace the origins of the glassware or glassmaker to tell the customer the exact year their vessel was produced. Through my store, you’ll find a candle housed in a coupe glass from 1933 or an Art Deco powder box that has been passed down for generations.
I am truly a “party of one” in day-to-day operations. I source each and every piece, develop scent profiles, and pour every candle by hand. These days, a small business owner is also a marketing coordinator, graphic designer, shipping service, and a content creator (and so much more!).
I’m most proud that at the time of this interview, Candle Damsel has sold over 1200 custom candles locally and online in its first 17 months! I’m also very proud that even with the increase in workload and the rising cost of safe ingredients, that the Candle Damsel brand remains committed to sourcing genuine vintage pieces and maintaining clean and safe burning candles. All Candle Damsel pieces maintain the highest standards by excluding cancer-causing ingredients that would require a Proposition 65 warning in California, as well as similar ingredients not on the Prop 65 list. All Candle Damsel candles are 100% phthalate-free. Because of the measures taken for safety, each piece is perfectly fit for drinking a nice Champagne from or adding to your dinner party spread once your candle has burned (by following the proper cleaning tips on my website, of course!). I also offer candle refills!
I believe that the dedication to preserving the history of these pieces sets Candle Damsel apart from other makers who may dabble with pouring in vintage vessels. Each sustainable piece tells a story that you get to continue after the burn!
Who else deserves credit in your story?
SO many people deserve credit for their generous mentorship and support. My opening week was unbelievable due to the encouragement of my friends and family which has continued throughout this journey. I always joke that when I started this that I didn’t expect anyone to care. I’m so glad I was wrong!
The Charleston maker community has championed me and held me up when the market and holiday seasons were wearing me down. Small businesses and restaurants have hosted me for solo pop-ups which have greatly helped with local exposure. Friends I’ve met through Instagram have shared my products and recommended me to potential buyers. And most of all, my customers (!!!) who have supported my business in such a big, big way. For however long I get to do this, they’ve made it possible.
And a big thank you to my husband who didn’t bat an eye when I turned our guest room into a full workroom while I’m looking for studio space. He has also carried many a market tent for me at no charge!
Pricing:
- Pieces range from $28-$150
Contact Info:
- Website: candledamsel.com
- Instagram: @candledamsel
- Facebook: @candledamselco
Image Credits
Elizabeth Ervin
Aneris Photography
Aleece Sophia
The Scout Guide Charleston
Abby Murphy
