Meet Maranda | A Local Mama with a Heart for Light, Faith, and Clean Living

One of my favorite parts about running my small business is connecting with other hardworking, faith-filled women who pour their hearts into what they create. Today, I’m so honored to introduce you to one of them — Maranda, the owner and maker behind Maranda’s Hometown Candles, right here in Cottage Grove, Oregon.

I had the blessing of collaborating with Maranda to bring you our Prayer Candles, now available in our Mother’s Day Gift Bundles. These candles aren’t just beautiful additions to your home — they carry a story of faith, motherhood, and transformation that I felt led to share.

Maranda shared her heart with me, and her words truly inspired me. She said:

"The spark that inspired me to start my business came after I became a mother to my wonderful son. As motherhood embraced me, I was drawn into the world of do-it-yourself craftsmanship after realizing our home needed a transformation towards sustainability and clean living, especially with a precious new member in our family. At the time, I was working two jobs and spending more time away from my family than I wanted to. Then the Lord blessed me — uncovering my talent for candle-making and lighting a new path for me."

Through this gift, Maranda not only found a way to spend more time with her family but also discovered a calling.

“He lit a path for me so I could walk with Him, grow in my faith, and spread light to others. That’s why we offer faith-based candles — as a testimony to the goodness of God and what He has done for me and my family since the moment He lit the candle within me.”

Maranda’s Hometown Candles are lovingly hand-poured in small batches using 100% American soy wax and non-toxic, phthalate-free fragrances. Maranda’s commitment to clean, sustainable, and intentional living is reflected in every candle she makes. The long-lasting, eco-friendly burn allows you to fill your space with peace and beautiful fragrance, free from harmful chemicals — so you can light up your home with confidence.

I’m so grateful for this collaboration and proud to offer her Prayer Candles in our Mother’s Day bundles. Each candle is crafted with intention, carrying a message of hope, light, and faith — perfect for gifting a mama you love, or treating yourself to a little moment of peace.

Supporting local, faith-led businesses like Maranda’s is exactly what makes this community so special. I hope you feel the warmth of her story and the heart behind every candle.

A Final Note From My

Heart to Yours

In these tender days, as we mourn the passing of our Holy Pope, I feel it’s more important than ever to remind one another to slow down, pray, and welcome peace into the quiet corners of our homes and hearts. Lighting a prayer candle has long been a sacred tradition — a visible sign of our prayers rising to heaven, and a simple but powerful reminder that Christ’s light is with us, even in the hardest moments.

As mothers, we carry so much — the weight of our families, our worries, and our hopes. These Prayer Candles offer us a tender way to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the One who carries us. Whether during your morning devotional, a quiet nap time, or those late evening moments when you finally have a breath to yourself, may this candle be a small but sacred reminder that you are never alone.

I’d love to leave you with this beautiful verse:

“The light shines in the darkness,

and the darkness has not

overcome it.” — John 1:5

This Mother’s Day, consider gifting one of these candles to a special mama in your life, your own mother, or yourself. May it be a source of warmth, hope, and comfort, and a gentle reminder that you are seen, loved, and held by the goodness of God.

A little light carries us through so much.