We're often asked why we named our company after the Connecticut River. In looking back, there wasn't much thought given to what the company name should be. I had just begun researching the process of making soy candles for my own use and that was around the same time we were moving to a new house. You guessed it, the house is located on the Connecticut River. I remember my husband's face when I showed him that first soy candle sporting a label with the name "CT River Candles". I didn't have room on the label to spell out Connecticut, so used the state abbreviation. I didn't give much thought to the design of the label. To spruce it up and add some color, I chose one of the many photos I have of the river taken while we were boating. We looked for a house on the river because we love boating and what better place to do it then on the gorgeous the Connecticut River. So after I showed my husband that first candle, his response was that's a great name for a candle company.  I really thought he was just kidding but he wasn't and as you can see, I wasn't either.  I got to work testing and researching the art of candle making with soy wax and the rest is history. We continue to build our company around what inspired it's name. We've since trademarked the name and all candle labels display various photos that we have taken on our boating trips.  Always searching for a new photo to add to some of our favorites, such as the Goodspeed Opera House perched over the river. The Becky Thatcher making it way north or south with a load of passengers or that solo fisherman anchored, patiently waiting for a tug on his line. When pairing a photo with a scent, I often pick a season to compliment the scent. For example, Macintosh Apple is paired with a gorgeous stretch of Fall Foliage along the riverbank. My hope is I can pass the beauty that we feel so fortunate to see everyday to our customers in the form of a soy candle that will provide hours of fragrance using clean burning soy wax, the finest fragrances and cotton wicks.  Yes, it's about the river but more importantly, it's about providing the best soy candle for our customers enjoyment.

Written by Brenda Hunter, Founder and CEO of CT River Candles

Summit, our new Great Pyrenees Pup, come home on August 1, 2014. 
A fluffy ball of white fur and looking like a baby polar bear, he was just so adorable.


Now almost five months and many pounds bigger, but still many pounds to go, he is still adorable and so much fun. This photo was taken on Halloween in his costume :)


The reason I call him the New CT River Dog is because it was the name we gave my Yellow Lab, Dakota, when we first moved to our home on the Connecticut River. Dakota would love to make his way to the riverbank and jump around in the water.  Unfortunately Dakota went to The Rainbow Bridge this past December after giving us almost 14 years of devoted love. We miss him lots but are glad that we now have Summit to give us daily does of dog smooches.


The name CT River Dog also become known for one of the products I added to my candle line several year backs.  Our Soy Wax Dipped Plush Dog Air Fresheners.  You're thinking what are those?  Well it's simple, you take a small plush stuffed animal and dip it into scented soy wax.  Once it sets up you're left with an adorable air freshener, perfect for kid's room or anywhere you want scent without a flame.  While we started with a Yellow Lab, we now offer many dog breeds as well as a variety of cats.  This photo shows the how the air freshener looks after it's been dipped and placed on the wooden stand.

Lily of the Valley ~ Color: Natural White This is a wonderful fragrance which captures the scent of this flower beautifully. A clean, fresh floral.

     

Honeysuckle Jasmine ~ Color: Natural white soy Lot's of honeysuckle with just the right touch of jasmine. This may remind you of the one in the JM candle line.

Lavender ~ A lovely sweet, crisp floral scent like an enchanting meadow fringed with springs of lavender.

Lilac ~ Color: Light Purple Such beautiful flowers and this candle captures them perfectly. Smells like true lilacs in full bloom. A strong realistic scent.

In addition to boaters being inconvenienced by the debris laden river, those interested in seeing the fireworks at the Riverfest in Hartford were also disappointed.  This event was cancelled due to the high water, abundant debris and unsafe navigating conditions for the barges carrying fireworks.

Farther north in Hadley, Massachusetts, marina patrons were complaining it's been the worse boating season ever as they are having their boats taken out of the water for fear of  them being damaged by heavy logs in the strong current.

This photo taken from the river looking at Middlesex Yacht Club in Chester, Connecticut, show piled up debris and logs caught against the docks.