Sweet smells shine through trial and error
By Darrell Neale
Staff Writer
Shirley Kratz wants you to feel a sense of peace when you enter her store and workshop, A Touch of Scent, located at
“I want to create a space for people to be able to come in and be at peace,” said Kratz, who has been a making candles and other hand-made goods since 2002.
The candle making began after she was diagnosed with scleroderma and became unemployed.
“I was just trying to make some extra money,” said Kratz.
Combining her love of gardening, aromatherapy and herbology, she began to make candles, learning much by trial and error. The candles were first made of pariffin but she switched to to soy because it was healthier for her customers and the environment. Then came bees wax and now palm wax.
Kratz said palm wax is a natural wax produced from palm oil. The fruits of the oil palm tree are pressed to extract the oil and then distilled to produce the wax.
“Palm wax candles are now my top seller,” said Kratz. “But it is very tough to work with.”
Through trial and error, not only of the wax but also the type of wicks and the amount of scent to use, Kratz believes she has found the right combination.
In the back room are vats to melt the wax, molds holding newly-made candles and lots of bottles of different aromas that are combined to make the different scented candles.
But the store is about more than just candles, it includes soaps, lotions, foot soaks, tea baths and bath salts, all made by hand.
“I am so fortunate to network with other artists who specialize in products to help us accomplish our goal,” said Kratz. “My sister Sharon from
“I want to branch out, but keep all of it hand-made,” she said.
While this is the prime season for candles, Kratz also makes custom candles for weddings, anniversaries, baby showers, or a celebration of life.
In addition to candles for Christmas another big seller is the Bayberry candle. Tradition holds that burning a candle on New Year’s Eve will guarantee health and wealth for the new year. Kratz can also make one-of-a-kind candles for special events.
The store was moved on Nov. 10 from its old location in the old Ice Plant to the new location on
“It is a blessing to be able to do something you want to do,” said Kratz. “Not only do I get to enjoy the benefits of working by doing something I love, I get to meet incredible people who walk in the store as a customer and end up with a friend.”
