Meet the Artist #2: Orchid + Ash
BEHIND THE BRAND – Orchid + Ash
Candles have the remarkable ability to ignite our senses, transport us to a different time and place, and fill our hearts with warmth and comfort. The art and craft of candle creation is a time-honored tradition that has been passed down through generations, each candle crafted with care and intentionality. At the heart of this tradition lies a deep appreciation for the power of scent, light, and the emotional connections that we form with the world around us.
Initially, the idea was to curate all the items I love so much myself, a statement piece of jewelry, the coziest tee, a candle that takes me back to my first time experiencing the magic and mystique of the island of Oahu, but truth was, I was scared. So many people ahead of me did all the things so well, who am I to think I could do it too, perhaps even better. That fear, and a lack of resources and time, had me pivot and head out on a mission to find the best. And there we landed on Kristina, the founder and visionary behind Orchid + Ash, who takes us on a journey of sensory exploration, creative expression, and emotional connection. Through her carfefully curated candle scents and simple and sensical packaging, we discovered the beauty and power of this ancient craft, and learn how the simple act of lighting a candle can transform our homes, our minds, and our souls.
Kristina is a natural-born entrepreneur with a passion for creating things by hand. She started her journey with a bakery and later experienced autoimmune issues, which she healed holistically. Selling her bakery, Kristina pursued a new passion that aligned with her values of sustainability and a connection to nature. Today, she is committed to offering products that are inspired by the magic of nature, using clean ingredients and minimalist design to enhance daily rituals and everyday moments. Kristina is a testament to the power of following one’s heart and staying true to one’s values.
As part of Otito’s Women History Month special, enjoy 15% off all O+A products in the Otito boutique with the discount code: GIRLPOWER2023 throughout March. Check out the available inventory here.
Learn more about Kristina, our Otito’s Meet the Artist of the month:
- What inspires you…energizes you? Meaning you are in the zone creatively and unstoppable? I feel like I am inspired by so many things. Nature, food, other creatives. But when I am inspired to the point of knowing I need to create a new product, then I am truly in my zone. The entire process of product creation lights me up completely, and once I have a vision for something, there literally is no stopping me until it comes to fruition. A blessing and a curse, lol!
- Is there anything on the horizon to share in terms of launching additional brands or businesses? Or will you continue to focus on O+A for now? Right now, the focus is on O+A. I have a ton of stuff I am working on internally, and an expansion of the business I can already see in my head. I also am hoping to launch a podcast in the coming months, so I guess that kind of counts as something new!
- Love the names of O+A candles! How do you determine those names and What’s your favorite scent? Thank you! That is so sweet. Every scent really inspires its own name. Whether it totally embodies a specific word, or takes me back to a place I have been before, the names seem to naturally flow once the scent is created. It is so fun! I don’t like to play favorites, but my not-so-secret favorite child is definitely MOONSTRUCK. There is just something so cozy and familiar about an elevated vanilla scent.
- What advice would you offer to younger you/other up and coming artists/creatives? So many things. The biggest piece of advice I would tell my younger self is there is a reason I never felt super drawn to any particular major in college or subject in school. I was never meant to follow a path that was pre-paved for me. And that is MORE than okay. And advice for other creatives: please never stop doing the thing that lights you up the most. I promise you there are people out there who will value your work and vision, and it is always, always worth it.
- Anything else you want to share that someone who reads your bio wouldn’t know about you but should!? I have had to do a lot of soul-searching and personal healing on my journey to where I am now, but above all else, I now trust myself enough to let my intuition guide me. Every single aspect of my business is so authentic to me as a human, and comes directly from my heart. (Okay, how cheesy does that sound?) but it is so true!
- Have you accomplished everything you set out to do or is there more on the horizon for you personally or your brand specifically? I don’t think I will ever feel done. I truly feel like I have just started to gain my footing, and my vision for Orchid + Ash is clearer every day. I am totally letting it evolve as I go, I believe leaving room for pivots and new plans is essential to growth.
- Congrats on the cross country move! Now that you’re California-based, what’s your vote — east or west — which is the best? Dang! This question isn’t fair. There are so many amazing things about both – I do love a good snowstorm and California doesn’t have those for me, which may be the only bummer about it here! Dare I say, is the West Coast the best coast? My heart has always felt so drawn to Southern California, and I am truly soaking up the incredible opportunity of getting to live here.
- Where can people best connect with you? Instagram! I love love love connecting with people and my DMs are always open.
Grab one (or all) of our favorite scents at Otitojewelry.com and for the month of March get 15% off all Orchid + Ash products in the Otito boutique using the code: GIRLPOWER2023.
See the full O+A line of clean yumminess at orchidandash.com — use coupon code OTITO for 15% off your order. You’re welcome!