A local entrepreneur is changing the way local residents embrace relaxation.
Karissa Wicker, 27, was born and raised in Plant City. She works in the heart of downtown, but in her free time she developed quite an eclectic and unique skillset. Last year she began experimenting with concrete after realizing her obsession with houseplants resulted in consistently being frustrated when she went to find the perfect pot for her newest green addition. She knew what she liked and what she aesthetically craved, so one day she decided to try to make a pot herself.
“I was obsessed with houseplants and pots are really expensive, especially if you’re getting some that look good and are a decent size,” Wicker said. “I just remember thinking, ‘Why don’t I make my own?’ I’m very spontaneous, so when I get an idea I just do it. I also really like to learn new things, so the challenge of figuring out how to pull this off was one I really looked forward to. There wasn’t really a particular influence. I just had a wild idea and went with it.”
After much trial and error, she got the formula down to a science and created unique pots not just for herself, but for clients all throughout the area. However, her passion soon took another turn.
Finding a candle that smells like heaven and also matches the ambiance of your home can be tricky. Once people find a brand they like, most tend to latch on to them with an iron grip. Eyeing her concrete and the stereotypical glass candle on her shelf, Wicker decided to try to use her new skillset to create a minimalist candle from scratch.
She dove headfirst into research hoping to find the best method of making a long-lasting and appealing product. She watched a slew of videos, read articles and practiced with the basic candle making supplies. Once the foundation was laid, she went even deeper into her research and eventually developed her own formula for the types of candles she would always be drawn to in a store.
Now her business, The Pottery Bar, is solely dedicated toward candle making. And unlike so many other candle companies, Wicker makes every part of the candle herself. The containers are concrete and come in oval and hexagonal shapes. The candles themselves are soy, hand-poured and feature a variety of scents to appeal to any shopper’s interests.
The scents range from seasonal aromas like Peppermint Bark and Cozy Cabin to more traditional aromatherapy-based scents like Eucalyptus and Rosemary. There are even unique listings available like the Plant City Strawberry Patch and Hippie Chic. The concrete can also be tweaked to the client’s preferences and can come in white, grey or marble.
“I try to keep a wide variety of scents because everyone likes something different,” Wicker said. “I even have unscented ones because some people get migraines from scents, but still like to have a candle burning in their home or office.”
Wicker will occasionally add a little extra flair to each piece and include pieces of rosemary or lavender or even sea shells she collected from the beach to the candles. She said the simplicity of the design of her candles gives it a modern vibe which her customers have frequently told her go with all of their preferred styles.
In fact, Wicker said one of the biggest surprises to come since starting the candle making in September was that a large portion of her clients have been men. Each order is a custom-tailored experience. The Pottery Bar now has a Facebook shop for easier navigation for each order. Wicker said when an order is placed, she goes and makes each individual piece just for that specific customer so all of the candles are freshly poured and delivered.
The large candles, which burn for approximately 24 hours, are $25. The medium-sized candles are $20 and the small is $8. She also sells a pack of tea lights where you get six candles for $7 and the burn time lasts for approximately eight hours. She also plans to add wax melts to her store soon.
Though her business is still relatively new, she said the community feedback has already been impactful. She had her first public event appearance at the Halloween event in downtown hosted by Plant City Main Street.
“In Plant City, so many people are making an effort to support local and will go out of their way to either visit my tent or message me asking for orders,” Wicker said. “Local businesses keep our community thriving, it keeps us going. And there is this passion here to support small businesses and to shop local. I can’t really explain how much it means to me that they’re supporting me. It’s my dream to own my own business and maybe one day have a candle shop downtown. That’s the real goal and it’s just been so inspiring to see that people here like what I’m creating.”
To order, head to @thepotterybar on Facebook and visit the online shop. You can also follow the Instagram at @the.pottery.bar. If you plan to get orders in by Christmas, do so as quickly as possible as each order has an approximate one-week turnaround.