Today we’d like to introduce you to Carmen Allen.
Hi Carmen, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Carmen’s Custom Jars began when I was searching for a positive outlet while dealing with postpartum depression. As a seasoned mom of 3, my third birth threw me for a loop that was hard hitting and unexpected. However, one way I coped was by researching artistic and creative things that made me happy. Eventually, I stumbled upon gold leafing and candle making. I decided to try both and decorated recycled jars with gold leaf and made hand poured candles. The process was very calming and brought me joy. That was 2 years ago now, and I am happy to say I am doing well with therapy and the support of my husband, family and friends. If there is anything that I learned, it’s that we are stronger than we know and beautiful things can come from hard things.
Today, that passion has been transformed into the quality and beauty that you will find in my candles and jars. Carmen’s Custom Jars uses recycled glass to make beautiful flower jars and beeswax candles. I am inspired by beautiful yet simple things. So, each jar is hand foiled with a unique gold leaf design. It’s a delicate and intricate process that is completely therapeutic. You’ll also find hand poured candles in my shop, made from 100% beeswax-that is sourced from small farms in Massachusetts & made with plant based oil and pure essential oils. There are no heavy fragrances or toxins EVER and all materials are hand poured and decorated in Boston MA. Each candle and jar is made with love!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In two years of business, the one thing I have struggled with the most is raising capital to keep my business going. Online sales tend to be slower for me, while in person markets yield more sales but can be expensive and time consuming.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
In my early career, I was an elementary school teacher. However, I left teaching to have a better work life balance and moved on to the non-profit sector once I started a family. I will always be an educator at heart. This is why I enjoy teaching workshops on candle making with Carmen’s Custom Jars-it’s all about the connection and building relationships for me. Unfortunately, it isn’t enough to pay the bills at the moment! So, I am a Youth Development Specialist at a community center. I work with underserved teens to develop self confidence and body positivity through discussions, arts and crafts and sometimes candle making! There is a lot of relationship building with the teens and I take care to model being a good human and a self aware individual. I love that I get to do this while also sharing my passion of Carmen’s Custom Jars.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Something surprising that most people don’t know about me is that I love to draw and I am inspired by the arts-music, dance, fashion.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://carmenscustomjars.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carmenscustomjars/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Carmens-Custom-Jars-100084209777217/?locale=sw_KE
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/carmen-allen-208a172b