We recently connected with Meggie Bailey and have shared our conversation below.

Meggie , appreciate you joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I have always been obsessed with candles. There is something incredibly comforting and primal about a live flame. When something is an important part of your lifestyle, I believe it’s both important and satisfying to know how it’s made. Curious about the process, I purchased my first candle-making supplies in the winter of 2020. Candle-making is as much an art as it is a science, a mindful dance between time, temperature, and ratios. Making your own candles also allows you to control the ingredients, unlike commercially manufactured candles. For the first time I was able to create candles that were made of all natural ingredients: organic soy wax, beeswax, and 100% pure essential oils.

Naturally there was a learning curve to learning the craft. I had my fair share of lopsided candles, under-scented combinations, and of course wax cures that were less than pretty! After much trial and error, and many notes, I finally have my own recipes and techniques that ensure the product I want, without the unknown variables. Once I was comfortable with the basics, I delved into a new facet of candle-making, shaped candles. In this new venture, I found my stride. Last fall I started working with candle molds and have been in love with the process ever since.

My favorite part about working with and creating my own candle molds is that I am able to also express my artistic voice. Through candle-making my art becomes 3D and sculptural. I make candles of the content that inspires my 2D art, such as bones, skulls, ghosts, snakes, and of course relics of the occult. For the structural needs of shaped candles I have created new wax recipes to accommodate these needs, but like with any artistic method I am always learning!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Meggie Bailey, I am an artist and maker from Cincinnati, OH. I started my entrepreneurial career with my BFA in Fine Arts from the University of Cincinnati, DAAP. I have always been making things, but I never saw myself as an entrepreneur until recently. I am greatly inspired by the horror genre, the occult, tattoo art, and the natural world. I make a variety physical and home adornments under these themes including artist prints, candles, clothing, and jewelry.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I think that the best was society can support artists and a thriving creative ecosystem is to invest in the artists and small businesses in your local community. I can’t tell you how great it feels to have followers, customers, and clients choose to support my artistic practice over art and products that are mass-produced. It can feel like we are putting our creative products out into the void, so support even in the form of likes and follows can go a long way to help artists keep doing what they’re doing.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the opportunity to be the greatest expression of my truest self. As a creative you can be as weird and wild as you naturally are, and someone will always be able to connect with that. The more personal your work becomes, the greater connection your audience can have with you. It’s easy to worry that you won’t find your audience, but if you lead your creative process with authenticity your audience will find you.      

Contact Info:

• Website: etsy.com/shop/indarkcircles
• Instagram: instagram.com/indarkcircles