Editor’s note: This is the latest in a series of articles on where to “shop local, shop small” in and around Waynesboro.
WAYNESBORO—What would the holidays or winter be without the warmth of a flickering glow?
Brook Stanbery wants to bring light and warmth to the Waynesboro community and beyond.
Stanbery, also known as the Auburn Lady, makes unique custom candles.
What began as a hobby turned into a business in October.
“I was making candles for fun and had thought about doing some vendor shows. I started with Founder’s Day in Waynesboro and discovered that I love doing vendor shows,” she recalled. “I can get to know the community and people are so sweet and encouraging.”
Stanbery, a Waynesboro resident and graduate of Mason Dixon Homeschoolers Association, gets a little help from her husband, Joshua.
She has expanded from vendor shows into an Etsy shop.
Stanbery makes a variety of unique candles—all made to order.
“On October 1, I officially opened as a sole proprietorship,” she said.
“I have 15 fragrances,” Stanbery said. “I do wood wicks and cotton wicks. A lot of people like the wood wicks because they crackle like a fireplace.”
Stanbery has a variety of recipes for her wares.
“I do dried flowers in some of my candles or sprinkles in some of my candles,” she said. “I do candle mugs. I have a hot chocolate mug that has wax whipped cream and real cinnamon sticks in it. Getting creative with the different colors and scents is always a lot of fun.”
The Auburn Lady isn’t a big box operation. Everything is done by Stanbery from her home.
Stanbery said it takes about a half hour to make one candle, plus about four hours for it to set.
“If somebody orders a candle, I promise that it will be ready at the latest in two weeks, but I can often get them ready within a day or two,” she said.
Candles cost between $10 and $20.
“My little seven-ounce cotton wick is $10; a 16-oz. wood wick is $20 and then there’s everything in between,” she said.
She also has plans for a unique new scents in 2022.
“I’m going to start a new line of candles based on classic works of literature—I have one called Kindred Spirits based on ‘Anne of Green Gables’ and one based on “Pride and Prejudice,’” she explained. “They should smell pretty good.”
She’s also looking for a local shop to partner with to sell her candles. In the meantime, to shop Stanbery’s candles, find her on Etsy at theAuburnLady.
