Christmas is only 2 weeks away!
It's the HOLIDAYS!!!! My favorite tradition at this time of year is to make a big vat of wassail, or spiced punch. My husband was the first person to introduce me to this Christmas classic and now it just doesn't seem like the holidays with out it. Even better than the warm, sweet , spicy taste is the smell that lingers through the house. To get that scent all season long, just burn Beanpod's American Harvest candle and "Season" it with McIntosh Apple & Cranberry Clove soy beads.
Aaaah, Thanksgiving. It is my most favorite holiday of all. It's impossible to corrupt or commercialize. It is quite simply a chance to join with family and friends and be reminded at how much we have to be grateful for. Of course, the food helps, too! A traditional Thanksgiving dinner is one of the greatest collections of yumminess there is, and of course, what is dessert without a slice of Pumpkin Pie and a cup of coffee? So here is Beanpod's version to get you in the mood... To make the aroma of Thanksgiving Evening, burn one candle each: Vanilla Coffee, Pumpkin Pie and Toasted Hazelnut. Just mind your husband doesn't loosen his belt out of pure instinct!
It's that time of year again! Holidays are nearing, dinner invitations are more plentiful, waistbands are expanding and we don't mind one bit! I can't believe it's already time to start stock piling cookies in the freezer to have enough supply for the holidays! Here's one recipe to enjoy that won't even require breaking out the Kitchen aid mixer! To enjoy the scent of Lemon Coconut cookies, combine Beanpod Candle's Lemon Citrus soy beads along with their Beach Walk and Sugar Cookie soy beads in your fave melter! Mmmmmm.... tart and sweet and oh so yummy!
It's November! That means thoughts of corn husks, pumpkin pies, Underdog balloons, and horn-o-plentys! To make a traditional late-autumn scent combination, try today's recipe: Cornucopia. To make this recipe, burn one votive (or jar candle) each of Pumpkin Pie, Cedar Chest, and American Harvest. It's a delicious mixture of scents to keep you cozy on these dark evenings. Enjoy!
5 years ago this weekend we opened our doors here at Soyfire Candle! What a wonderful ride it's been, too! We could never have anticipated the overwhelming response an entire store devoted to soy wax candles would bring. We are so very grateful for all our customers and are pleased to be able to make a small difference in people's lives: helping them breathe better, save money, and stop painting their ceilings! So on this happy day, let us extend our heartfelt thanks to all our customers who have made these past 5 years possible! We truly appreciate your business and look forward to many more years of bringing you the best in Soy candles!
Paraffin candles are made with paraffin, a white waxy substance that is a bi-product of fuel. When burned and in liquid form, it emits soot and carcinogens, such as carbon monoxide, into the air. Since this is airborne, you, your loved ones and your pets can breathe these substances into your lungs. The gray-black residue that is left behind is known as "ghosting" and can be seen in excess on the tops of candles, curtains, walls, and in your air filters. High levels of these toxins have been known to cause illness in some who frequently burn paraffin-based candles. Symptoms can include headache, dizziness and nausea. Those with pet birds or reptiles should be extremely cautious burning paraffin candles since these animals are very sensitive to pollution. 
do not contain any of the toxins or soot that paraffin candles release. This means you can burn your candles without the worry of ghosting on your curtains and walls, or clogging up your air filters. You can also breathe a sigh of relief knowing that you and your family are enjoying cleaner air that isn't polluted with carcinogens. Some allergy sufferers find that soy candles are less irritating than paraffin candles because of the absence of soot and toxins. Soy candles are easy on the environment, not only do they not emit toxins, but they are a renewable source! Unused paraffin wax is not biodegradable, but soy candle wax burns clean. You can even use the jar for other purposes after you've cleaned it. Here's some more good news, soy wax can actually hold more fragrance than paraffin wax, so you get a strong fragrance throughout the life of the candle. You can also enjoy your candle much longer because soy wax burns at only 127 degrees fahrenheit, which is a much lower temperature than paraffin candles. 
Research has shown that our sense of smell is tied to our emotions and state of mind. Our sense of smell also enhances the foods we taste. In fact, over 20 different sensations that are normally thought of as tastes are in fact fragrances! Today hospitals, real estate agents and home owners are using scents to promote a positive and welcoming environment. Keep in mind that scents can't alter one's mood, but they can be a powerful tool for those who want to relieve stress, improve their spirits, or create a warm and cozy atmosphere. 
It's another perfect, crisp day in the Mt. Washington Valley. We've had two frost warnings and the heat in my house tried to kick on yesterday morning, but the afternoons are warm and sunny. It's just the best time of year and I wish this weather could last all year! It's extra exciting becasue this chill in the air means it's candle burning season again! There's nothing better than lighting a cozy, spicy scented candle on a cool Autumn evening! Here's a new recipe to get you in the mood: Combine Beanpod's Orange Spiced Tea, Fruit Slices, and Cinnamon Spice soybeads in a melter and snuggle up with your favorite book, dog or person!
The Fall & Holiday scents are officially back and it's time to work them into the recipe rotation! There's just nothing better than enjoying those warm, cozy scents as the nights and mornings get cooler and cooler! Here's one to get you in the mood to pull out your box of sweaters! Start with an Orange Spice Tea Candle and "Season" it with Pumpkin Pie and Oatmeal Cookies Soy Beads. Who cares if Summer went by in a blink? Long live Autumn!
Exciting News! 
this November. It's a big secret each year which local mountain will be featured and what the image will consist of, but we were offered a super-special sneak peak this week and it's AWESOME! So which mountain will it be? So far, they've featured Attitash, Cranmore, and Wildcat mountains. So what is your vote? Has your favorite mountain been featured yet? Will there be more funny hat wearing skiers in this one? Stay tuned this fall to find out the answers these burning questions!
It's hard to believe it but it's almost time to be back to school, Fall & Holiday scents are slowly sneaking their way back onto our shelves and more and more leaves are turning every day up here in New Hampshire. Ladies and Gentlemen, fall is nearly hear! And that makes me start leaning toward the bakery section once again. Fall is a time of sweet, spicy, cozy scents, and with that I give you today's recipe: Baked Apple. To make this recipe, combine McIntosh Apple, Cinnamon Spice, and Whipped Cream soy beads in the melter of your choice and warm. Be careful, though, this scent might make you want to pull out your sweaters again!
Soyfire is proud to offer fair-trade Soapstone candle accessories from Kenya in its flagship North Conway store. In 2008, civil war sent the peaceful country of Kenya spiraling out of control and hundreds of thousands of people ran for their lives to refugee camps in bordering countries of Tanzania and Uganda. Many innocent people lost their lives, their homes, their livelihoods.Joseph Obara (pictured) is the founder of the FATRINE SELF HELP GROUP, a registered community based group with an aim of creating self employment and creating awareness on poverty eradication. It has more that 20 members who produce quality soapstone products from soapstone mined in their local area of Kisii, Kenya.
Introducing Beanpod's new Belle Collection! Three new refined holiday fragrances that harken back to a rich heritage of traditional holiday seasons. All poured in a new timeless elegant glass jar with an attractive new label. It’s a new generation well versed in the family tradition!
Well, after much complaining, Summer has finally arrived in it's full hot, hazy & humid splendor. What was wrong with all that rain, again? Hmmmmm... 90 degrees is a bit much when you haven't had a chance to acclimate to it. You know how I prefer to deal with the sudden jump in temperature? With a frosty treat from the best coffeehouse in North Conway, the Met! And this inspires today's scrumptious recipe from Beanpod. To make a mocha Freeze, combine Beanpod's Chocolate, Whipped Cream, and Vanilla Coffee soy beads in a melter and warm. Careful, not too fast or you just might imagine yourself up an ice cream headache!
Want to have to have the perfect romantic evening? Who doesn't?? 
Aaah, despite the long, rainy Spring/ Summer we've had so far in New England, Strawberry season is once again here! And, while the strawberry's may be a little smaller than some years previous, they are just as sweet and delicious! So today, I'm making a Strawberry Cheesecake recipe to get me excited about the basket of fresh strawberries I brought home yesterday! Today's recipe is super simple, just start with Beanpod's Cheesecake candle in any size you please, then "season" it with Strawberry Cream soy beads! If you're feeling extra kicky, add a few Whipped Cream soy beads to the mix... why not!
We hear it all the time: Where can I get a Soy Wax taper? Well, we haven't found any quality 100% soy wax tapers, yet. Because Soy Wax is so soft, it naturally wants to liquefy when lit, and needs to be to be contained as with a jar or cup. The best answer we've found is Palm Wax tapers! Palm Wax, much like Soy Wax, burn cleaner and longer than Paraffin tapers and contain 100% cotton wicks. Palm Wax is a 100% vegetable renewable resource, derived from the fruit bunches of the oil palm tree. The oil is steam-pressed to create a white-flaked hard wax which has a beautiful crystalline appearance. We've carried these candles for years and always get a clean, dripless, long-lasting burn - about 10 hours per taper! We now can offer them online to all our customers who aren't lucky enough to live locally! They come 4-to a box, for $6.99 per box and are available in 10 gorgeous colors.
So Summer is FINALLY back in New Hampshire! We've had nearly a FULL MONTH of rain, but most of yesterday and (so far) all of today have been GORGEOUS! At long, long last! And that puts me in the mood for a hot fudge sundae! Alas I do believe that after a month of rain, my comfort-eating won't allow me to truly indulge, but I can fake it with Beanpod! Here's how to get the scent of a scrumptious hot fudge sundae: Start with a Vanilla candle and sprinkle Chocolate and Whipped Cream soy beads on top of it to "season" it. As for the cherry on top, well, that is one indulgence I'll allow myself!
I just don't know what to say about this rain anymore. We can't go 24 hours without rain up here, and it seems there's no end in sight. It's almost 4th of July, already! When will Summer arrive??? Oh well, no sense grousing about things one can't control, I suppose. Summer is still Summer - sun or no sun - and Summer is the perfect time to enjoy a tropical drink, right? Well if it's not hot enough where you are to enjoy the real thing, try faking it with Beanpod. Just combine Beachwalk, Whipped Cream, and Vanilla soy beads in a melter, close your windows and forget what it looks like outside. Throw yourself an indoor beach day!
One of my favorite things to do when I was about 12 was making Snickerdoodles with one of my friends! These have to be the fastest, easiest cookie to make and require no special ingredients to have on hand like chocolate chips or powdered sugar. In fact, I'm betting most of you could go mix up a bowl this very minute.... go ahead, I'll wait! ....
OK - it's officially summer now, but all that really means for s in North Conway is that now when it rains, it's also muggy. Out of the 23 days completed in June so far, 17 of them have had at least some rain. 17! And guess what, it's already rained today. Normally I don't mind rain that much, but enough already! The lawn doesn't need to get mowed, it needs to get hayed. So it the category of lemons to lemonade, I give you this soggy-inspired recipe. To make Beanpod's Summer Rain, combine this month's Fragrance of the month: Solitude, along with Aloe Vera and Bonsai Tree soy beads and warm. Now speaking of warm... how 'bout we see the sun again?
Aaaahh - I believe it hasn't rained in ALMOST 5 hours! That's it, I'm thinking Summer-y thoughts and hopefully this streak will continue! So here's today's "Summer-y" recipe: Start with Beanpod's Honeydew Melon candle and sprinkle Lemon Citrus and Fruit Slices soy beads on top to "season" it. It's a bountiful helping of Summer fruits which will make you feel as if the sun is shining brightly ... even if it's not!
As most of you know, my 2-year-old daughter is our store's unofficial mascot, appearing here several days a week. Well, needless to say with a 2-year-old in ow, from time to time it's very beneficial that we work in a pleasantly-scented candle store. Today was one of those days. So that got me thinking about one of my favorite fresh scented recipes: Light & Clean. To make this recipe, just combine Beanpod's Lemon Citrus, Harmony & Lavender soy beads in your melter and warm. It's sure to eradicate even the toughest odors and leave your home smelling as fresh as a Spring meadow. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some "fragrant" trash to take out!
OK - I'll be honest... my favorite things about Summer is consuming cocktails on the porch! There's something about sunshine and alcohol which just works for me! So as we approach the solstice, here's a recipe to try out: Mudslide! Just start with one of Beanpod's Angel Amaretto jar candles and "season" it with Beanpod's Chocolate and Whipped Cream soy beads. Aaaah... now we're talking!
Many of our faithful in-store customers, or faithful blog readers, are already acquainted with my daughter, Ryan. She is turning two years old this week! I can hardly believe it! She's a semi-permanent fixture in our North Conway store, coming in to work with me 3 or 4 days a week. However, she's spending this week with her Grandparents, being spoiled silly no-doubt! And for some reason this inspires today's recipe: Peace & Quiet. To make this recipe, sure to transport you to a restful and relaxing place, you get to use June's Fragrance of the Month! Just burn one candle each of Beanpod's Solitude, Harmony, and Serenity in close quarters (or combine the scents using soy beads) turn off the TV, disconnect the phone and sink into the silence!
Aaaaahhh - there are some true signs here in New Hampshire that summer is pushing Spring right out of the way: black flies are decreasing, motorcycles are increasing, and our majestic mountains are seeing a lot more happy hikers! Nothing says Summer to me like an ice-cold drink out on the porch, letting the sunshine warm your toes! So, in that spirit, here is today's "Summer-y drink" recipe. To make Beanpod's Strawberry Lemonade Cream, blend Strawberry Cream , Lemon Citrus, and Whipped Cream soy beads in your melter. Mmmmm..... now just bring that melter out to your porch or deck, strecth out your legs, kick off your shoes and enjoy!
Sherbet or Sherbert? Depends if you're a New Englander or not, I suppose! Either way you pronounce it, this is s delightful treat on a warm warm day and also makes for a delightful fragrance for your home! To make this recipe, try burning one Beanpod candle in each of the following scents: Orange Vanilla, Whipped Cream, & Vanilla. Best of all, this recipe won't go straight to your waistline!
Here's a way to get the best of the bakery and the fruit scents: Key Lime Pie! Mmmmmm... It's a nice blend that's sweet, but not too sweet. We'll try this recipe out with "seasoning" again. This is where you start with a jar candle, in this case Beanpod's Lime Cooler, and sprinkle a teaspoon or so of soy beads on top of it to blend different scents in for a layer. To make Key Lime Pie, we'll 
sprinkle a little bit of Graham Cracker and Whipped Cream soy beads on top of our Lime Cooler candle. Yum! Seasoning is a fun way to temporarily add or change scents of the candle you're burning. When the top layer burns off, the scent returns to the regular scent of the jar, so one jar can smell like a hundred different things before it burns out completely... it's just up to you, your imagination, and your different scents of soy beads. Have fun!
There's nothing more Summer-y to me than Beanpod's fruit scents! They are like sunshine in jars and there's nothing more pleasing to methan opening all the windows in the house, and lighting Beanpod's fruit scented candles. Everything is so fresh and clean and wonderful. So, if you're like me, here's a recipe sure to delight you all Summer: Fruit Cup. Just "season" Beanpod's Honeydew Melon candle with Fruit Slices and Strawberry Cream soy beads. It's feeling sunnier already!
Aaaaahhhh... welcome June and welcome back sunshine! It's been a while! Today is an absolutely gorgeous day in the Mt. Washington Valley. The rain is gone and everything seems brighter, fresher, and greener for it! It's always a relief to make it to June; you know that Summer really is here. Schools are getting out, black flies are almost gone and it's time to get out and breathe in the warmth. Today's recipe will bring the fresh, clean scent of the mountains right into your home. Just combine Beanpod's Evergreen, Fresh Linen & Lavender soy beads in a melter and start them warming. It's not quite as nice as actually getting out for a hike up the Moats, but it'll do in a pinch!
Last Day to get Lilac on Sale! Our June Fragrance of the Month will be announced tomorrow, so get those orders in today!! To give you a hint, today's recipe involves next month's featured fragrance... but which one is it? Hmmmmm.... The recipe is "Quiet evening" and it's a mix of Beanpod Candle's Solitude, Clarity, and Fresh Linen fragrances. You can make this mix any which way you like: soy beads in a melter, "seasoning" a jar candle, or simply burning one candle in each scent in the same location. It's up to you!
I don't know about where you are, but it has been a sultry, dusky, rainy week here in North Conway. It's the kind of weather that makes you want to just curl up and take a long afternoon nap. So, to abandon the decadent dessert theme for a day, I give you the Beanpod Candle recipe for Peaceful Rest. Combine Beanpod's Serenity, Fresh Linen, Lavender soy beads into your melter and warm. Now go grab that blanket, a nice cup of tea and a good book. "Rest your eyes" if you like... we won't tell!
Ok, clearly I'm in a foodie place this week, but I just can't help myself! Today's recipe is for Baked Apple. This will "hug" your house in warmth and sweetness. Today we'll skip the soy beads, and just go with the simplest way of creating a custom recipe: burning one candle in each scent. You can even play with the fragrance blend by burning different sizes, if you like! I prefer to start with a 16 oz. jar of Beanpod's Cinnamon Spice and compliment it with 4.5 oz. jars of Beanpod's McIntosh Apple & Whipped Cream.
Mmmmmmm.... truffles. Fruit truffles are even better! There's fruit, so they're not bad for you, right? That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Here's how to make your house smell just like a giant unwrapped Fruit Truffle. Simply mix equal parts of Beanpod's Fruit Slices, Whipped Cream, and Chocolate soy beads into your melter and warm. It's equal parts sweet and citrus-y, just like a warm summer's day.
Life is short. Eat your dessert first.
Ever start to feel a little overwhelmed by life? Who hasn't! Well, one of the best things about candles is that they are an extremely affordable form of relaxation! Here's today's recipe with that especially in mind: Herbal relaxation. Start with one each of Beanpod's Green Tea, Vanilla, Gingko & Ginseng candles in whichever size you prefer. Next simply light all three in the same space. The scents magically twirl together to form a fragrance so soothing and sweet it's like getting a massage - but with this you get to keep your clothes on!
Many of you who have been in our store are already familiar with my daughter, Ryan. She comes in with me several days a week and has become sort of a Soyfire mascot over the past two years. As the old saying goes, Ryan is definitely sugar & spice & everything nice, and - as such - she is also the inspiration for today's recipe. To make "Sugar & Spice" start with Beanpod's Sugar Cookie jar candle and "season it" with Whipped Cream & Cinnamon Spice soy beads. Ryan highly recommends it!
Aaaahhh... Sunshine! Remember that? We actually set a record here in NH with 90 degree temperatures a few weeks back! It was nice to think of our owners who were down in Florida at the time experiencing colder days than we were! Of course, those few days were not meant to last and Spring has settled back into much more seasonal temperatures. Unfortunately, once you get a taste for that sunshine, a cloudy, rainy week like the one we've been experiencing can be a bit of a downer. So here's my quick fix, to get that bright, warm, fresh feeling of a sunny day, try mixing Beanpod's Aloe Vera, Lemon Citrus, Ocean Mist soy beads in a melter. It may not make you feel like you need to turn your AC on, but it'll do until those 90 degree days return!
Happy Cinco de Mayo, everyone! On May the 5th, my thoughts naturally gravitate towards Margaritas (OK, so my thought gravitate towards Margaritas most other days, too, but I'm not alone on May the 5th!) Beanpod doesn't make a Margarita scented candle... yet... but here's a recipe that's sort of close, as well as involving my two favorite Margarita flavors. So today, as you cook up the enchiladas, nachos, and tacos and pour out the Margaritas, why not burn Beanpod's Lime Cooler and Raspberry Lemonade candles side by side? It's a fresh, fruity, tropical scent that will transport you south of the border. Ole!
I have to admit, this is one of the most sinfully delicious things I've ever eaten (no, not the candle, but the actual cheesecake)! Something about the sharpness of lemon mingling with the mellow sweetness of chocolate is just spectacular - and it's the same with the aromas as it is with the flavors! So here's another indulgent recipe: Burn Beanpod Candle's Cheesecake candle and season it with Lemon Citrus and Chocolate soy beads. It is simply heavenly! Enjoy!
