Let’s Chat About Our Pillar Candles (And the Learning Curve!)

If you’ve been following along with Fosters Fields for a while, you know I’ve been pouring our soy candles into jars and other vessels for years. It’s a process I know like the back of my hand. But about a year ago, I decided to try something totally new, and honestly? It completely kicked my butt for a minute!

I decided to dive into making freestanding pillar candles.

Now, you’d think after being a candle maker for so long, a candle is a candle, right? Nope! It turns out that when you take away the safety net of a glass jar, the wax burns in a completely different way. It took months of trial and error, testing different wicks, and watching melt pools like a hawk to get it right. It was a massive learning curve, but I wanted to make sure they burned beautifully and safely for you.

And now that I have burned a number of them, I am completely in love with them.

Why I’m Obsessed with the "No Vessel" Look

What really drew me to pillars is just how simple and clean they are. There’s no glass, no metal tin—just pure wax and a warm, glowing flame. They have this gorgeous, minimalist look that instantly makes a room feel cozier.

Right now, I’m making them in a classic small size, and I kept them completely unscented. I did that on purpose because sometimes you just want the atmosphere without the fragrance. They are absolutely perfect for:

-The Dinner Table: You can light a few for a cozy dinner vibe without a strong scent competing with your cooking.

-Your Desk: A little gentle, quiet glow while you’re working to keep things calm.

-Sensitive Noses: Perfect for those days when you (or someone in your house) just want pure ambiance without any perfume.

Mix, Match, and Style Them Your Way

Because they don't have a jar, you get to be creative with how you display them. The possiblities are endless for displaying Fosters Fields Pillar Candles.

Right now, since they’re in our standard small size, I love grouping a few of them together. When you mix and match them on a heat-safe surface, it creates this beautiful, tiered look that looks like a piece of decor even when they aren’t lit.

(And just between us—I definitely have plans down the road to add some different shapes and sizes to the mix, so you can really play around with your displays!)

 

Two Quick Tips for the Best Burn

Since pillars are a little different than jar candles, they need a tiny bit of love to keep them burning perfectly. If you grab one, just remember these two things:

-Give it time on the first light: Let it burn until the melted wax gets close to the edge. This teaches the candle how to burn straight down instead of creating a messy tunnel.

-Give it a "hug": As the candle burns down and the top edges get warm and soft, gently use your fingers to press the edges inward toward the flame. We call it "hugging" the candle, and it helps ensure none of that beautiful wax goes to waste.

I’m so proud of how these turned out after all that testing. If you want to add a little quiet, cozy glow to your space, you can check them out right here on the site.

Happy Pillar Candle Burning,

Carrie