http://www.oswegorivercandlecompany.com/

Oswego River Candle Co., Fulton, NY (2026)

06/19/2026

A quick update for everyone asking about the website and payments.

Honestly… it’s been a mess.

Between Shopify and PayPal, I’ve been stuck in this loop of chat support only—no real phone calls, no direct answers—just being passed back and forth while they point fingers at each other. In the meantime, payments are on hold, and I’m not even getting paid while hours and hours of my time go into trying to fix something that should be pretty straightforward.

What’s been the most frustrating part is how much time this has taken away from actually running the business—creating, packing orders, moving forward—because instead I’m stuck in support chats trying to untangle systems that don’t seem to communicate with each other.

I’m working through it and pushing to get it resolved, but I just want to be transparent that the website delay isn’t from a lack of effort on my end—it’s been an ongoing backend/payment issue that’s taking far longer than it should.

For those who are local, my shops will always be the most reliable place to grab my products—and I truly love that connection because it keeps things rooted right here in the community.

And for those who have moved away or aren’t nearby anymore, I don’t want you forgotten in this. The goal has always been to bring a piece of home to you—something familiar, something tied to the Oswego River, the towns, and the memories that come with it—no matter where you are now.

I appreciate everyone’s patience more than you know. I’ll update as soon as everything is fully live and running the way it should be.

06/18/2026

Monday marked the start of a new chapter in our household as my partner began a new work-from-home position. It's been exciting having them home during the day, though we're both still adjusting to a new routine. After years of structured schedules, commutes, and the traditional 9-to-5 rhythm, there’s been a noticeable shift in how the days feel. It’s not just about being home more—it’s about the small freedom that comes with it. More space to breathe, more moments to be present, and more opportunities to step out and enjoy the world around us when the timing feels right.

Yesterday, we took full advantage of that and spent the afternoon exploring the Village of Phoenix. Having grown up there, it was a strange and meaningful feeling to walk those same streets again—this time with a slower pace and a different perspective. Places that once felt so ordinary carried a quiet sense of nostalgia. The village park, the familiar sidewalks, and the historic buildings all felt like pieces of a story I didn’t realize I still knew by heart.

We spent time wandering through the local park, sitting for a while, and just enjoying the simplicity of it. From there, we walked the sidewalks lined with historic buildings—structures that have stood for generations, each one holding its own piece of the village’s history. Phoenix has a way of blending the past and present together, especially with its connection to the Oswego River and the canal system that helped shape so many of the communities in our region. Watching the water nearby and thinking about how many lives have passed through that same corridor over time adds a quiet depth to even a simple afternoon walk.

One of the things I did last year that I still think about was delivering candles to Phoenix by jet ski on Clementine. I packed them carefully in a cooler and made the run from our cottage down to the village. There was something surreal about it—bringing something I created into town the same way the canal was originally meant to connect communities: by water. In that moment, it felt like I was part of something older than myself, like I was briefly stepping into the history of the canal system and the way it was built to move goods, people, and stories between towns.

It’s an experience I want to do again. There’s something about that route, the water, and the feeling of arriving in Phoenix that stays with you.

At the same time, it also gave me a real appreciation for the practical side of it. Coming from the Fulton side, docking in Phoenix isn’t always simple unless you go through the locks. It’s one of those reminders that while the waterways are beautiful and historic, they still require respect, planning, and a bit of patience to navigate properly.

Of course, no visit would be complete without stopping at Tones Tone's Cones. We grabbed one of their Pride shakes before heading over to watch the boats move through the locks. There’s something endlessly calming about it—just sitting by the water, watching people navigate their journeys, whether it’s a first-time experience or a familiar route they’ve taken many times before. It’s one of those simple moments that reminds you how connected everything is to the river.

As the evening approached, we made our way to Lock 1 Distilling Company, where we spent the night enjoying drinks, live music, and the atmosphere of the waterfront. The combination of music drifting through the air, conversations at nearby tables, and boats passing through the canal made for one of those evenings that feels both peaceful and alive at the same time. Nights like that are a reminder of how special it is to live in a place where local businesses, history, and community all intersect so naturally.

One of the things I’ve come to appreciate most is how those same local businesses continue to give back in meaningful ways. If you stop by Lock 1, you’ll find Oswego River Candle Co. products available, including our Inferno 101 candle. Inspired by Lock 1’s Inferno 101 whiskey—which itself pays tribute to the devastating 1916 fire that swept through the Village of Phoenix—this candle carries that history forward in a different form. In honor of that legacy and the community it affected, 25% of every Inferno 101 candle sold is donated directly to the local fire department.

You’ll also find our Erin’s Angels candle available at Lock 1. This one holds a different kind of mission—supporting efforts to combat childhood hunger throughout Central New York. Through Erin’s Angels, 25% of proceeds go directly toward feeding children and supporting families in need. Lock 1 also offers an Erin’s Angels drink, with proceeds helping further that same cause, turning something as simple as a night out into something that can make a real difference.

Moments like these—walking historic streets, watching boats pass through the locks, listening to live music by the water, and even remembering what it felt like to arrive by water—are what make days like this hard to forget.

Sometimes the best days aren’t the ones that are planned in detail. They’re the ones that unfold naturally, shaped by familiar places, good company, and a community that quietly continues to take care of its own.

06/17/2026

I had every intention of getting Clementine back out on the river this week, but the weather has had other plans.

Yesterday morning looked promising. The sun was shining, the sky was blue, and from the cottage it felt like a perfect day to be on the water. The river, however, had a different opinion. Between the cold water and the cool air coming off the surface, I don't think I lasted more than five minutes before heading back to shore.

I was hoping to try again later that afternoon, but that strange storm that seemed to hover over Fulton for most of the day had other plans. After spending hours building in the distance, it finally let loose with a torrential downpour, putting any hopes of a second ride to rest.

So while I wait for better weather, I figured I'd share a photo from a recent trip down the river.

This photo was taken near the Hinmanville Bridge after passing through Guard Lock 2. It's one of those landmarks I've come to appreciate more each time I pass beneath it. Most people experience it from the road, but from the water it's an entirely different perspective. The river has a way of revealing familiar places in unfamiliar ways.

The bridge itself has been part of this stretch of river for generations. The current steel truss bridge was built in 1915 during the construction of the New York State Barge Canal, a project that transformed the Oswego River into the canal system we know today. More than a century later, it still serves as an important crossing between the surrounding towns, carrying travelers over the same waterway that has shaped so much of the region’s movement and history.

Back at the cottage, life on this stretch of the river comes with its own challenges. Because we're situated on a bend, seaweed, floating vegetation, and other debris naturally collect along the shoreline. While the view is worth it, getting Clementine into open water can sometimes be more complicated than simply turning the key and heading out.

To help with that, we're tackling the issue in two phases.

The first is a floating dock, which we've already ordered and will be installing soon. This will allow Clementine to be lifted out of the water when not in use, provide a safer place to keep her when larger boats pass through, and help reduce the amount of vegetation that can build up around the hull. Keeping debris away from the intake is especially important, as even small obstructions can quickly become a problem.

The second phase will be an Aqua Thruster. By keeping water circulating around the dock area, it will help reduce the buildup of seaweed and other debris, creating a cleaner path in and out of the river and making each launch a little easier.

Life at the cottage comes with its share of challenges, but days spent exploring places like Guard Lock 2 and passing beneath the Hinmanville Bridge make every bit of it worthwhile.

For now, though, Clementine is staying tied up while I wait for the weather to cooperate.

Hopefully the next update comes from the water instead of my window.

06/12/2026

June is Pride Month, and I'd like to share a personal experience that taught me a lot about both discrimination and humanity.

A little over a year ago, my partner and I were working to refinance our cottage. We weren't trying to do anything extravagant. We were hoping to make much-needed improvements, consolidate some things, and create a little more stability in our lives. Like many people, we were simply trying to move forward.

As part of that process, we needed an appraisal.

When the appraisal came back, everyone was stunned.

Not just us. The bank was surprised. Our real estate professionals were surprised. The value came in dramatically lower than anyone expected. As I reviewed the report, I became concerned about more than just the number. There were statements about me and the property that I knew were inaccurate.

I had gone out of my way to be welcoming during the appraisal. As someone who struggles with anxiety, I understand how uncomfortable it can be to walk into unfamiliar situations, so I always try to make people feel at home when they are in mine. Reading those statements left me confused and hurt.

Rather than immediately assuming the worst, I reached out directly and professionally. I explained my concerns and pointed out the inaccuracies. I simply wanted honesty and a fair evaluation.

What happened next only deepened my concerns.

The inaccuracies remained. Statements that could be proven false continued to be defended. Despite my attempts to communicate directly, I never received the honest conversation I had hoped for. Instead, communication continued through the bank, and the situation became increasingly frustrating.

At that point, I felt something wasn't right.

I couldn't tell you exactly what was in another person's mind. I still can't. But I knew what I had experienced, and I knew the report did not accurately reflect either me or the property.

The part of this story that matters most is what happened afterward.

People listened.

My contact at the local bank listened.

Bank leadership listened.

Other lending professionals listened.

They reviewed the situation for themselves. They looked at the facts. They examined the report, the concerns that had been raised, and the circumstances surrounding it. Nobody dismissed what I was saying. Nobody told me I was imagining things. Nobody brushed it aside because it would have been easier to do so.

Ultimately, they came to their own conclusion: they believed discrimination was likely a factor.

Because of that, a second appraisal was ordered at the bank's expense.

The experience with the second appraiser could not have been more different. He was professional, respectful, thorough, and fair. When his report came back, the property was valued approximately $50,000 higher than the original appraisal and even exceeded what we had expected.

Think about that for a moment.

One person's bias, assumptions, or prejudice had the potential to significantly affect our finances, our plans, and our future. It delayed important decisions. It created stress that didn't need to exist. It forced us to defend ourselves when we should have simply been treated fairly from the beginning.

Discrimination is real.

It doesn't always come in the form of slurs, threats, or obvious acts of hate.

Sometimes it shows up in quieter ways.

Sometimes it looks like being judged differently.

Sometimes it looks like assumptions being made before someone gets to know you.

Sometimes it looks like decisions that don't quite add up.

And sometimes it leaves the people experiencing it wondering whether they're imagining things at all.

What stayed with me from this experience wasn't the discrimination.

It was the response.

It was the people who chose fairness.

It was the people who chose integrity.

It was the people who were willing to stand up and say, "Something here isn't right."

Social media often makes it seem as though the world is filled with nothing but anger, division, and hostility. It can make it feel like hate is everywhere.

My experience taught me something different.

Yes, discrimination exists.

Yes, prejudice still affects people's lives.

But there are also countless people who believe in fairness. Countless people who will do the right thing when it matters. Countless people who will look past differences and see another human being deserving of dignity and respect.

The loudest voices are not always the most representative voices.

Noise does not equal substance.

For every person who chooses prejudice, there are many more who choose compassion.

For every person who tries to close a door, there are others willing to open one.

As Pride Month continues, I find myself reflecting on those people.

In a few short weeks, Pride Month will come to an end. The flags will come down. The social media posts will slow. The calendar will move on.

But for my partner and me, Pride isn't something that exists for one month out of the year.

It's every day.

It's the life we've built together.

It's the challenges we've faced.

It's the strength we've found in one another.

And it's the community that helped us become who we are.

When we encountered discrimination, we also encountered compassion. When we faced obstacles, we found people willing to help remove them. When we needed support, we found it in friends, neighbors, professionals, customers, and community members who chose kindness over judgment.

Those people are the reason we feel safe.

They are the reason we feel supported.

They are the reason we have been able to build a life, a home, and a business that we are proud of.

The people who try to divide us are often the loudest, but they are not the majority. They do not define our communities. They do not define our future. And they certainly do not define us.

Long after Pride Month ends, we will still be here.

We will still be living authentically.

We will still be contributing to our community.

We will still be building our future together.

And when July arrives, you'll still be supporting a veteran-owned business.

You'll also still be supporting an LGBTQ+ owned business.

For that support, for that acceptance, and for the countless people who have shown us kindness throughout the years, we are deeply grateful.

Happy Pride Month.

06/11/2026

A few weeks ago, I shared that I would be slowing things down at Oswego River Candle Co.

That hasn’t changed—but I want to be very clear about what that actually means. Slowing down has never meant stepping away. It means I’ve been refusing to rush anything that carries this name.

Many of you have been asking about car fresheners for quite some time. I’ve seen every message, every comment, every suggestion—and I’ve had this idea in mind for a long time. But I didn’t want to release something quickly just to meet demand. I also didn’t want to release something that felt unfinished, overly complicated, or anything less than exactly what I had envisioned.

Every version I tested came back to the same question: would I feel comfortable putting this in my own vehicle, knowing exactly how it performs over time, how it holds up, and what happens if it’s used every single day?

That standard is what slowed this down.

I’ve used liquid-filled car fresheners before, and I’ve never liked what came with them—the risk of leaks, the mess, the complexity, and the concern of what happens if something goes wrong inside your car. I didn’t want to create that experience. I wanted the opposite.

Something simple. Something safe. Something reusable. Something that feels intentional every time you reach for it.

Over the past week, I’ve been testing what is now the final approved prototype using a high-quality fragrance blend. I’ve been evaluating everything—the scent throw, the finish of the wood, the weight, the way it sits visually in a space, and how it holds up in daily use. Nothing was overlooked, because nothing about this product was meant to be rushed.

The final design features premium wood, our Oswego River Candle Co. branding, and a clean, nautical-inspired aesthetic that reflects exactly what this brand stands for. It looks like it belongs. It feels like it belongs.

This has been years in the making—not because it was difficult to create an idea, but because every detail had to be right before I was willing to move forward. That’s how I’ve approached this entire process, and it’s how I want to continue building this business.

It’s easy to move fast. It’s easy to release things just to keep momentum. But I’m not interested in that version of growth. I want every product to earn its place in the lineup. I want it to feel worth your support, especially when that support is choosing a small business over something mass-produced.

Right now, I’m preparing to place a larger production order. I’m waiting on an email from the supplier to confirm timing, quantity, and delivery details, and once I have that, I’ll move immediately to get everything ordered and on its way here as quickly as possible.

At the same time, I’m finishing the packaging design. I’ve gone back and forth on details because I don’t want anything to feel rushed or unresolved. I’m still refining a few final pieces, but it’s coming together exactly the way it needs to.

What excites me most is that this isn’t a disposable product. It’s designed to be reused again and again, with the ability to expand into a growing selection of fragrances over time. And just as importantly, it was created with the Oswego River in mind. This river is part of the foundation of this business, and whenever possible, I try to make decisions that reflect care for it—choosing longevity, reducing waste where I can, and building products that are meant to last instead of be thrown away.

Everything about this release has been measured. Tested. Reworked. Refined. Not because it needed to be complicated—but because it needed to be right.

And now, it is.

05/20/2026

I’ve always tried to be transparent with this community, because Oswego River Candle Co. was never built to be just another business to me. It was built out of real life, real struggles, real healing, and a genuine love for the communities around me. At the same time, I also try to maintain a certain level of privacy, because at the end of the day, this business is still being run out of our little cottage on the river by my partner and I.
Recently, I’ve unfortunately had to decline a few candle requests and collaborations, and I wanted to explain why.

Our cottage is small. Very small. Part of it can’t even fully function year-round yet because of seasonal limitations, which means during parts of the winter and even some hotter or colder stretches, our usable space becomes even smaller. Every inch of this home has been carefully balanced between being a place to live and a place to create.

For a while, the plan was to build a dedicated space for the business. However, life shifted a little recently in the best way possible. My partner accepted a new job opportunity that comes with a substantial pay increase, something we are incredibly grateful for. But with that change also comes working from home full-time, which means our already limited space now has to serve even more purposes.

Over the last few weeks, we’ve had to really sit down and reevaluate what we need — not just for the business, but for ourselves and our home. There are still many things we need to improve around the cottage to make it more comfortably livable before we can realistically expand the business the way we originally imagined.

I also want to be honest about something personal.

Part of the reason this business works for me is because it allows me to work in an environment where I feel safe and grounded. Living with depression and social anxiety can make traditional business models feel overwhelming at times, and creating from home has given me a sense of peace and stability that honestly means more to me than I can fully explain. The thought of renting a storefront or commercial space may sound like the “next step” to some people, but for me, it’s not that simple.

At the same time, there’s another side to running a home-based business that people don’t always see. When your business exists inside your home, there really is no true “clocking out.” The business doesn’t stay neatly contained in one office or one room. Depending on what I’m working on, it spills into other areas of the cottage. I’ll have boxes of candles stacked for weeks while processing orders, organizing inventory, preparing launches, or waiting on deliveries. Supplies slowly take over corners of rooms. Fragrances, labels, wax, and shipping materials become part of everyday life.

And while I’m incredibly grateful for the growth and support, constantly living inside the business can become mentally exhausting at times. There are moments where I genuinely cannot escape it. I wake up around it, work around it, and rest around it. Sometimes there’s almost no separation between home life and business life at all, and not getting that mental break can be incredibly draining.
That’s also part of why I’m trying to move carefully and thoughtfully with future decisions instead of rushing into growth before we’re truly ready for it. I want to build something sustainable not only for the business itself, but for our lives and wellbeing too.

And truthfully, I don’t necessarily want the business to become something overly commercialized either.

One of the things I value most about this business is that it encourages people to continue supporting the amazing local shops that carry my candles. Those shops matter deeply to me, and I never want Oswego River Candle Co. to grow in a way that unintentionally pulls support away from the very small businesses that helped support me first.

There are also many products and ideas I want to create beyond candles. Soaps are a perfect example. I actually began making soaps, and I truly enjoyed it, but earlier this winter our stove unexpectedly died. Since I use the stove during part of the soap-making process, it brought everything to a stop.

At the time, our driveway situation also made replacing it incredibly difficult. Living on a hill in the middle of winter while trying to navigate major repairs just wasn’t realistic. Now that the driveway has been fixed and we’re in a better position financially to replace the stove, we’ve reached another crossroads: we honestly don’t know what direction we want to take the cottage yet.

There’s potential of redoing the kitchen entirely. There’s potential of major renovations throughout the cottage. There’s even the possibility of eventually rebuilding sections altogether. Because of that, I’m trying to be intentional with the decisions we make instead of rushing out to buy expensive appliances or make large changes before we fully know what direction we’re heading in.

I don’t want to spend a significant amount of money on a brand new stove right now only to realize six months from now that we’ve redesigned the kitchen entirely and the stove no longer fits the layout, style, or plans we ultimately chose for the cottage. Right now, we’re trying to think long-term instead of making rushed short-term decisions that may not make sense later.

And because this isn’t just a business location — it’s our home — every decision carries a little more weight and thought behind it.

And because of that, I’m not rushing.
I’m not rushing Oswego River Candle Co. I’m not rushing decisions about our cottage. And I’m not rushing growth simply for the sake of looking bigger or moving faster.

I’ve learned that rushing into major decisions usually creates more problems than solutions, and I want whatever we build — whether it’s this business, this cottage, or our future plans — to be something stable, meaningful, and lasting.

At the heart of all of this, what I’m really trying to build is trust within this community.

I want people to know that I am working hard behind the scenes every single day to build something genuine. Something that lasts. Something that resonates with people in a real way instead of chasing trends or trying to become something I’m not.

I also know that no matter how hard I work, I’ll never be able to make everyone happy. That’s just the reality of owning a business, especially one that is so personal to me. But as long as I continue putting care into what I create, continue trying my best, and continue operating from a place of honesty and heart, I truly believe it will become something worthwhile.

That said, this does not mean I’m done dreaming.

One thing I would absolutely love in the future is creating a small creative space where I could host candle-making workshops or intimate gatherings. Not in a huge commercial way, and not open-house style to the public, but something thoughtful, intentional, and personal. A space that still feels safe, calm, and genuine to who I am and what this business was built on.

I know I haven’t posted much lately, and part of that is because we’ve been navigating all of these changes behind the scenes. But I wanted to share this because you all deserve honesty from me, especially the people who have supported this business from the beginning.

Thank you for understanding. Thank you for reading. And thank you for continuing to support a small candle business being built one step, one room, and one candle at a time inside a little cottage on the Oswego River.

05/08/2026

Post #2 because this video was too good not to share. 🤣

Piraino's Paving & Sealing LLC understood the driveway struggle lore perfectly.

05/08/2026

Some projects are more than just a project.

When we bought our cottage, the driveway was already steep and badly eroded, but after the winters we’ve had the last couple years, it became its own adventure. For two winters straight, we climbed up and down that hill through snow, ice, mud, and ruts carrying literally everything by hand.

45 pound boxes of wax down the hill.

Cases of empty candle jars down the hill.

Then carrying all of it back up once the jars were filled with wax.

And somewhere in between all of that… groceries, supplies, and everything else life throws at you.

At one point, the erosion got so bad there was a hole in the driveway deep enough I swear it almost swallowed me whole.

The funny part is the winter before we moved in barely had snow. Ever since we bought the cottage, Upstate NY decided to remember what winter actually is.
Huge shoutout to Piraino’s Paving & sealing llc for completely transforming it. They did an incredible job, and for the first time in a long time, the driveway feels safe, solid, and finished the way it should have been years ago.

Good people, great work, and a crew that clearly takes pride in what they do.

Also, in a very rare moment… I’m posting TWICE today. This post, and then next I have to share the absolutely hilarious video they made because it’s too good not to post.

Oswego River Candle Co.

06/19/2026

06/18/2026

06/17/2026

06/12/2026

06/11/2026

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05/08/2026

05/08/2026

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