Sydney has a thriving community of artisan candle makers, but finding a brand that combines genuine quality ingredients, a distinctive local identity, and a range wide enough to cover every room and occasion takes some searching. This guide covers what to look for in a handmade soy candle, and why Smelty has become one of Sydney’s most trusted local candle brands.
What to Look for in a Quality Handmade Soy Candle
Wax type. Always look for 100% natural soy wax or a soy blend. Avoid paraffin — it’s a petroleum by-product that produces more soot and isn’t biodegradable. Read our full breakdown of soy wax vs paraffin.
Wick material. Cotton wicks only. Some cheap candles still use lead or zinc-core wicks, which release harmful particles when burned. Smelty uses only unbleached cotton wicks.
Fragrance oils. Look for phthalate-free fragrance oils. Phthalates are synthetic chemicals used as fragrance carriers in cheaper products that have been linked to health concerns with prolonged exposure.
Small batch and handmade. Mass-produced candles are poured by machine at scale. Hand-poured small-batch candles involve more care at every stage — from fragrance blending to wick placement — and typically result in a more consistent, higher-quality burn.
Transparency about ingredients. A quality maker tells you exactly what’s in their product. If a candle brand doesn’t list its ingredients, that’s a red flag.
About Smelty: Sydney’s Handmade Candle Studio
Smelty was founded by Paula Mitchell, a Brazilian-Australian maker based in Castle Cove on Sydney’s Lower North Shore. Paula started Smelty with a simple idea: that everyday life should smell better, and that the products doing that work should be honest about what’s inside them.
Every Smelty product — from candles and wax melts to soaps, body butter, and reed diffusers — is made by hand in small batches in the Castle Cove studio using 100% natural soy wax, cotton wicks, and phthalate-free fragrance oils. There are no hidden additives in the core Everyday Collection range.
Smelty has been recognised as a finalist in the Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards 2025 and the Inner West Business Awards 2025, and has been featured on Channel 7 Sunrise. The studio is open Wednesday to Friday 10am–6pm and Saturday 10am–4pm, and Smelty appears at Sydney markets most Sundays.
The Smelty Range at a Glance
Smelty’s product range is designed to cover every corner of your home and every occasion:
Everyday Collection candles — 20+ scents available in 170g and 270g sizes, from native Australian scents like Aussie Bush (Wattle & Eucalyptus) to internationally inspired blends like Bahia (Bergamot & Sandalwood).
Limited Edition candles — seasonal and event-inspired releases in commemorative jars, including the Granny Smith Festival Green Apple candle celebrating Eastwood’s annual heritage festival.
Soy wax melts — flameless fragrance for homes with children, pets, or anyone wanting scent without an open flame.
Bath & Body range — handmade olive oil soaps, body butter, perfume oils, and scented mists using the same clean ingredient philosophy as the candle range.
Candle making workshops — hands-on Sydney workshops where you pour your own soy candle, choose your scents, and take your creation home.
Where to Buy
Shop online at smelty.au/shop with flat rate $15 shipping Australia-wide, free on orders over $100. Visit the studio in person at 12D Denawen Avenue, Castle Cove NSW 2069, open Wednesday–Friday 10am–6pm and Saturday 10am–4pm. Or find Smelty at Sydney markets most Sundays — check the Events & Markets page for the current schedule.