I'm Shelby - a single mom, full-time employee, and the hands behind The Handmade House.
If you're wondering how a candle and sewing business fits into an already packed life, the honest answer is: it doesn't always fit neatly. But it fills me up in a way nothing else does.
How It Started
The Handmade House didn't start with a business plan. It started with a love for crafting and a need to create something with my own hands. After long days at work and busy nights as a mom, crafting became my thing - the one place where I could slow down, be creative, and make something I was proud of.
Escape the Ordinary
That's my tagline, and I mean it. I've always been drawn to things that are a little different - fun prints, bright colors, bold choices. Life's too short for boring.
You'll see it in everything I make. Our candle labels aren't plain and simple - they're colorful and fun, each one designed to match the personality of the scent. Our hand-sewn pouches come in vibrant fabrics with wild patterns - birds, butterflies, rainbows, fruit. No beige. No boring. Every single piece is unique and never recreated.
If it doesn't make me smile when I look at it, I'm not putting it in your hands.
Why Beeswax?
When I started making candles, I did my research. I wanted to create something I'd feel good about burning in my own home around my own kid.
Beeswax was the clear winner. It's less toxic than soy and paraffin, it burns 30% longer than soy candles, and it's completely natural. Pair that with phthalate-free fragrance oils and cotton wicks, and you've got a candle you can feel good about.
Every candle is 8oz, gives you about 45 hours of burn time, and is hand poured in small batches right here in Oklahoma. Cozy scents, fun labels, clean burn. That's the formula.
Hand-Sewn with Heart
The sewing side of The Handmade House is where my love for bold fabric really shines. I use quality cotton fabric to make quilted pouches and bags that are built to last and impossible to ignore.
Here's the thing I love most about the sewn goods: no two are ever the same. I pick the fabric combinations by hand, and once a piece is made, that's it. You're getting something truly one of a kind. When it's gone, it's gone.
Shopping with a Purpose
One thing that's really important to me is keeping prices affordable. I know what it's like to love handmade goods but feel like they're out of reach. I want everyone to be able to shop here - not just people with big budgets.
When you buy from The Handmade House, you're choosing sustainable products, supporting a small business, and getting something made with real care. That's shopping with a purpose.
What This Means to Me
I'm not going to pretend this is easy. Balancing a full-time job, being a mom, and running a business means a lot of late nights and early mornings. But every time someone tells me how much they love a candle or how perfect a pouch was as a gift, it reminds me why I do this.
I truly love crafting. Sharing it with everyone is just a plus.
Thank you for being here and supporting a small business that puts love into every single thing we make. Whether you've been following along since day one or you just found us, welcome to The Handmade House.
Escape the ordinary.
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Want to keep up with what we're making? Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for new scents, new fabrics, and behind-the-scenes peeks at the creative chaos.