Nov 07, 2022

My Visit to a Candle-Making Workshop in Red Bank

By Julia Mortimer

Fall has finally graced us with its crisp air this year. We are able to get a break from the oh so humid summer air and cozy up with pumpkin-scented candles and “Hocus Pocus” on repeat. I am always looking for fun activities that are organized by local businesses, so when I came across The Local Line, a Red Bank shop, post about a candle-making workshop, I was all over it. What better way to ring in the new season than with fall-scented candles?

The event was posted on the Local Line’s website thelocallinenj.com, and I purchased the candle-making workshop tickets online for my boyfriend and me. This was one of the activities we decided on to celebrate our one-year anniversary. The ticket includes two 16-ounce hand-poured (by you!) scented cotton wick soy candles, and the opportunity to pick and create your own candle name, scent and label! You also meet the founder of Handmade NJ Candles. It is also BYOB and began at noon, so it was perfect mimosa time!

My boyfriend and I stopped for coffees at Rook and headed over to The Local Line, nestled on Wallace Street, just off Broad Street in Red Bank. The founder of Handmade NJ Candles was so sweet and helpful. Picking the scents was a more difficult task than I had anticipated! I chose fall scents for one candle and clean scents for the other. After your fragrances are mixed in with the wax, they have to sit for 45 minutes or so. We decided to take a stroll around Red Bank on this crisp fall day. 

On our walk, we decided to stop at Green Street Consignment on Broad Street. They have such a great selection. I am a purse lover and they had really cute designer options. As someone that lives in Red Bank, I rarely walk the downtown area. Doing so makes me appreciate the place I call home so much. 

Forty five minutes came and went, so we headed back to The Local Line. Our wax had hardened, so it was time to decorate the mason jar lids. We were supplied with stamps, markers and crayons. We put small labels on the top. I wrote “one year” on one of mine, and Joe labeled his with the different scents so he could remember. 

Getting our creative juices flowing built up our appetites. We decided to grab dinner at Atlantic House in Atlantic Highlands. It is relatively new, and I have been meaning to go! I got the Birraqueso Melt, and Joe got the burger. Both were delicious! It is a great spot to watch football while enjoying a yummy cocktail.

This was such a fun and different experience. I love the idea of lighting a candle that incites a fond memory. 

The Local Line has many creative workshops at their adorable Red Bank shop. I personally love taking the time to create things as it’s a therapeutic outlet! And nothing warms the soul like a stroll through your hometown and a candle to commemorate the day.