meet the team

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I met JoanAnn Piper when my parents encouraged me to find employment my last few years of High School. I was walking around our local mall in Nampa, Idaho, and found her Christmas pop-up store. I had never seen a carved candle before, and their glass-like appearance blew me away. She took one look at me and said, "You look crafty, want a job?"

Offered an opportunity to apprentice at Kat’s Candles with JoanAnn as my mentor gave me an early appreciation for the business that is art, and working at the Shoppe my hands got to create little wax sculptures that helped people celebrate their life's greatest moments around the world.

JoanAnn was a two-time cancer survivor, and when she called and offered the company in 2019 after her terminal diagnosis, I accepted and rebranded to what you see here. I'm appreciative of the support and trust JoanAnn had in me from day 1, and honored to continue her legacy. 

I started teaching classes in Helena to make ends meet, met my (now) business partner Emily, & am honored to continue this business with such a special individual. We're so excited to share this art with the world!

Thank you JoanAnn, for everything.

-Joy Kelso, 

Master Chandler