The wall of spectacular
I’ve always loved a good candle. Maybe because they can invoke so many of the senses, the scent can transport you to a memory or keep you in the moment as you make new memories. The lighting and the dancing shadows can help a house feel like home or coerce your mind to escape to another place and time as you relax and unwind.
Secret Gardens Candle C.O. Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening
If the name sounds familiar, there’s a reason. Secret Gardens Candle Company has been around for almost 30 years. Recently Josh Perry and Brad Gragert took over the locally owned business. Josh knew the former owner quite well buying his first candle from him when he was a kid. Years later, when they met to talk over the possible, changing of the guard, if you will, it only seemed to solidify a good move for all those involved.
In a way, Josh and Brad apprenticed with the former owner, to learn everything and anything about the process of making hand poured candles. Then, they put their touch on every little detail. It’s that whole know where you come from type thing. The combination of tradition and innovation leads to unique products that are always fun to discover.
The store sits in a shopping center in South Tulsa at 101st and Mingo. I love this place for many reasons one of them being the people behind the company, obviously. They are kind, caring and constantly giving back to the community. Their candles are all hand-poured and made in the store. They work hard so you can have fun and enjoy the experience that is Secret Gardens Candle Company. They’re very proud of their product, as they should be, and say 99-percent of the candle will burn. Three of my favorite fragrances are ‘Desire’, ‘Oklahoma Sky’ and ‘Signature.’
Click here to follow Secret Gardens Candle C.O. on Instagram
The store sits in a shopping center in South Tulsa at 101st and Mingo. I love this place for many reasons one of them being the people behind the company, obviously. They are kind, caring and constantly giving back to the community. Their candles are all hand-poured and made in the store. They work hard so you can have fun and enjoy the experience that is Secret Gardens Candle Company. They’re very proud of their product, as they should be, and say 99-percent of the candle will burn. Three of my favorite fragrances are ‘Desire’, ‘Oklahoma Sky’ and ‘Signature.’
Click here to follow Secret Gardens C.O. on Facebook
On this night I got invited to the soft opening of the “Lux Pouring Experience.” When I walked in Josh, Brad and Ryan, the store manager, were all on hand to help everyone get situated and explain how it all works. This event was I think what’s often referred to as a soft-opening. So we were getting to try all this for the first time.
I was a few minutes late, but they were gracious enough to let me crash the party. The room looked so cute! The front of the store is all glass. The sun was setting with rays of lighting shining in highlighting the different faces on hand to enjoy the evening. I could tell everyone was relaxing and enjoying the moment.
Josh Perry instructs the group on the next steps in the candle making process
In the middle of the floor, just behind the display racks, I could see several tables each with four chic and inviting candle station set-ups. Everyone was enjoying snacks along with beer and wine while visiting and laughing with each other. I sat down at a table with two ladies I’d never met before and began to glance over the items on my tray.
These ladies were super fun and trying to catch me up as we all three giggled about fumbling through the items in front of us out of curiosity.
Next, we each picked a vessel, or item to house the candle. I chose a glass bowl shape. Then we each went to the wall of scents, as I call it, to pick the aroma for our candle. The blue glass bottles are all filled with oils to be mixed in with the melted wax. The bottles are clearly labeled offering all kinds of choices. I picked then went back to my place to learn what would come next.
Brad Gragert helps guest with setting the wicks
As the sun began to set the rays of light were shining through into the showroom highlighting different silhouettes. The glow danced through the glass on the tables and bounced off the walls creating light and shadows much like a lit candle.
I remember thinking how appropriate the timing was and smiling to myself as the light hit Josh’s hands. Those hands and that heart believed in this dream, and here we are today getting to witness it come to fruition. It was just a brief moment that shimmied across the room long enough to warm my heart. I know, I know, I can’t help it. I love to celebrate people making their dreams come true.
On this night I got invited to the soft opening of the “Lux Pouring Experience.” When I walked in Josh, Brad and Ryan, the store manager, were all on hand to help everyone get situated and explain how it all works. This event was I think what’s often referred to as a soft-opening. So we were getting to try all this for the first time.
I was a few minutes late, but they were gracious enough to let me crash the party. The room looked so cute! The front of the store is all glass. The sun was setting with rays of lighting shining in highlighting the different faces on hand to enjoy the evening. I could tell everyone was relaxing and enjoying the moment.
Brad Gragert helps guest with setting the wicks
In the middle of the floor, just behind the display racks, I could see several tables each with four chic and inviting candle station set-ups. Everyone was enjoying snacks along with beer and wine while visiting and laughing with each other. I sat down at a table with two ladies I’d never met before and began to glance over the items on my tray.
These ladies were super fun and trying to catch me up as we all three giggled about fumbling through the items in front of us out of curiosity.
Next, we each picked a vessel, or item to house the candle. I chose a glass bowl shape. Then we each went to the wall of scents, as I call it, to pick the aroma for our candle. The blue glass bottles are all filled with oils to be mixed in with the melted wax. The bottles are clearly labeled offering all kinds of choices. I picked then went back to my place to learn what would come next.
Josh Perry instructs the group on the next steps in the candle making process.
As the sun began to set the rays of light were shining through into the showroom highlighting different silhouettes. The glow danced through the glass on the tables and bounced off the walls creating light and shadows much like a lit candle.
I remember thinking how appropriate the timing was and smiling to myself as the light hit Josh’s hands. Those hands and that heart believed in this dream, and here we are today getting to witness it come to fruition. It was just a brief moment that shimmied across the room long enough to warm my heart. I know, I know, I can’t help it. I love to celebrate people making their dreams come true.
In the next hour, or so, we learned about the importance of measurements and the precisions of our mixtures. The team helped us pour, weigh, stir, and combine all the necessary ingredients to create our candles. We also learned about the wicks and exactly how to place them. I’m not going to tell you everything because I want you to get to experience it for yourself, but I loved it. 
Oh, I will say this, don’t expect to take your creation home right away.
Once we had everything ‘just so’ we learned, we had to let the wax cool and set, which can take several hours. But we got to choose if we wanted to come back and pick up our finished works or if we wanted to have them mailed to our homes. They really seem to have thought of everything.
I left feeling like I’d made some new friends and learned a little something about the art of making candles. I had so much fun that I have to admit I hope to go back with my husband for a date night.
In the next hour, or so, we learned about the importance of measurements and the precisions of our mixtures. The team helped us pour, weigh, stir, and combine all the necessary ingredients to create our candles. We also learned about the wicks and exactly how to place them. I’m not going to tell you everything because I want you to get to experience it for yourself, but I loved it. Oh, I will say this, don’t expect to take your creation home right away. Once we had everything ‘just so’ we learned, we had to let the wax cool and set, which can take several hours. But we got to choose if we wanted to come back and pick up our finished works or if we wanted to have them mailed to our homes. They really seem to have thought of everything.
I left feeling like I’d made some new friends and learned a little something about the art of making candles. I had so much fun that I have to admit I hope to go back with my husband for a date night.
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