The Story Behind Opportune
The Background
There once was a lady who lived on her own,
With a fear of creepy crawlies she'd rather not know.
The windows stayed shut, the air turned stale,
lingering scents refused to sail.
Her solution? A candle, its fragrant light,
Flickering softly through the night.
At first, a habit, simple, unplanned,
But soon, a passion took her hand.
From wick to wax, her knowledge grew,
I am that lady, the tale is true.
And if the rhyme has given a clue,
This, my dear, is Opportune.
The Inspiration
If you've read the part above, you might find this next thing odd, but I simply could not resist adding kittens to the mix. I convinced myself they'd catch the bugs, freeing me to open my windows again. But as winter approached, the windows stayed shut most of the time.
With the addition of pet odours, my candles were working overtime. One day, I considered whether the candles could harm my cats' health. After some research, I discovered that most candles were made from paraffin wax, a petroleum byproduct that releases harmful fumes when burned. This wasn't just bad for my cats but also for me.
I wasn't ready to give up my love for candles, so I began researching safe options that were well suited for neutralising pet odours. Nothing on the market quite fit what I was looking for, so I decided to experiment and make my own. My first creation, Furry Friends, was designed to keep my home smelling fresh despite my playful new roommates.
That's when the idea for Opportune was born! Hand-poured in small batches, Opportune offers a collection of scents designed not just for ambience and odour elimination but for specific spaces, moments, and moods.
I wanted to go beyond the candles and create an experience with a personal touch by sharing my writing. Each Opportune candle comes with a short story that captures its essence. The stories feature semi-autobiographical elements and explore a range of themes. You can read or listen to them here.
The Promise
Opportune candles enhance everyday moments with fragrances that inspire reflection, connection, and relaxation.
My commitment to quality begins with responsibly sourced materials from trusted European suppliers. The candles are handmade in my home studio, with meticulous attention to detail—from preparing the equipment to melting the wax, blending the fragrance, pouring, curing, labelling, and packaging. Every step is undertaken with care to ensure that every candle meets the highest standard.
All Opportune candles are vegan and free of toxins. They are made with 100% natural coconut wax and premium fragrance oils that are free from phthalates and parabens. Each candle is crafted to deliver a slow, clean burn with minimal soot.
The vessels, classic whiskey-style glasses, were thoughtfully chosen for their timeless and versatile aesthetic, allowing them to complement any home decor. These can be repurposed or recycled, and the packaging is 100% recyclable, so together, we can leave little to no waste behind.