A candle brings light to the darkness. Jennifer Ingram provides that illumination.

She founded Pittsburgh Candle Works last year. Her candles are made from soy wax and hand-poured in her home studio in Marshall Township. She collaborates with local artists on the label designs.

Ingram created a specific candle in response to covid-19. It’s called “Hope.” It features a simple red heart shape and is intended to inspire.

The 8.5 ounce candle has the scent of cedarwood vanilla and is infused with natural essential oils including cedar, moss, oak and vanilla.

Courtesy of Jennifer Ingram Proceeds from the Pittsburgh Candle Work’s "Hope" candle will be donated to the Light of Life Rescue Mission on Pittsburgh’s North Side through May 31.  

“This candle would be the perfect gift to send to a medical professional or someone on the front lines of this pandemic,” she said. “It’s a small way to show them you love them and are thinking of them.”

Proceeds from the “Hope” candle through May 31 will be donated to the Light of Life Rescue Mission on Pittsburgh’s North Side. Those funds will be in addition to $1 from the sale of all of the other candles in her collection.

“I’ve been feeling like I wanted to do something to help,” said Ingram, 34. “And while staying at home is helpful, I’m more of an action gal.”

Light of Life is a Christian nonprofit that “provides life-changing recovery programs, food and shelter for Pittsburgh’s poor and homeless,” according to its mission statement. The organization has seen a significant increase in the need for meals at the mission and throughout the Pittsburgh community, said Kelly Kepner, marketing and communications manager.

“Thanks to the generosity of donors and business owners, we’re able to continue to provide during this time,” Kepner said. “We’re so grateful to be a part of a community that cares for and loves one another.”

Ingram said by creating the candle she can give back to the community.

“It’s a ‘rising tide raises all boats’ mentality,” she said. “And our mission of creating warm atmospheres just went so well with the Light of Life’s mission.”

Ingram started Pittsburgh Candle Co. last August. Candles became a second business that formed while she was working on her do-it-yourself furniture company.

She decided on a hometown theme for the candles because “there is such a spirit of pride here in Pittsburgh.”

She creates scents by trial and error, having friends and family members test them. Her candles smell good even when they aren’t burning. One collection, “The Yinzer,” includes “Nebby,” “Redd Up” and “Jagoff.”

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You know the warning label on every candle that says "only burn 4 hours at a time"? - I never knew what that was all about, I'm a burn a candle all day kind of gal (still am). ? - But if you have too large of a wax pool your wick can sink (ruining your candle), or your flame can get a little too big due to carbon build up on the wick (fire hazard). - So that's why 4 hours is the perfect amount of time to burn. And now you know what to look out for... in case you are an all day candle burner like me. ? #soycandles #smallbusinesspittsburgh #pghcandleworks #candlemaker

A post shared by Pittsburgh Candle Works (@pittsburghcandleworks) on May 12, 2020 at 3:10pm PDT

Ingram grew up in Tempe, Ariz. She moved to Pittsburgh with her husband, Shawn, and their children ages 11, 9 and 7.

“Pittsburgh immediately felt like home,” Ingram said. “The business allows me to have the flexibility to care for my children.”

The candles come in votives and 8.5 oz. glass jars. She begins the process by attaching a wick to the bottom of a jar while heating wax to 185 degrees , adding fragrance oil, cooling the wax, pouring into the jars and allowing it to set for a few hours before labeling and putting a top on the jar.

Courtesy of Jennifer Ingram Candles from the "Yinzer" collection at the Pittsburgh Candle Works, which donates $1 from every sale to the Light of Life Rescue Mission on Pittsburgh’s North Side.  

“The ‘maker community’ in Pittsburgh is something special,” Ingram said. “It has such positive vibe. I have met so many talented people in this city.”

A city that she wants to help during this challenging time.

“We’ve had a great response to those so far, “Ingram said. “I think Pittsburghers are strong and resilient even in tough times. I hope these candles bring a smile.”

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