It all started when I was around 12 years old in the car on a sunny spring day. I was sitting silently in the backseat looking out the window admiring the newly bloomed flowers when “She Talks To Angles” by The Black Crowes came on over the radio. I’ve heard the song before, but this was the first time I truly listened. By the end of it, I was somehow so touched that I decided right then and there “I need to learn to play guitar.” Since then, I have grown to love and appreciate music more than anything else. And yes, I learned the guitar. Then the ukulele. Then a little violin, a little piano. And then I picked up a banjo. Wow. I keep going back and forth to it. Not as advanced as with my other instruments, but messing around with the banjo gives me a feeling like no other.
I’ve always wished that others could feel what I feel in music.Appreciate it the same as me. I thought maybe I could do this by becoming a tour manager. So I went to school in Music City (Nashville, TN) for a year and studied music business. While everyone goes into it with good intentions, I quickly learned that in order to make a living, you have to sort of “sell out.” So after what was truly a great experience, I decided to leave that behind and come back home in search for something else. While I was stressed out looking for a new job, a new school, and trying to rediscover my plans in life, I searched for a new hobby. Of course I never gave up music, but I wanted to find some other sort of escape. One day while scrolling through Facebook, I saw a video for Kinkajou Bottle Cutting. I thought maybe I could make cool vases and pots out of different kinds of bottles so I bought one. It was extremely frustrating to figure out. I probably went through 50 bottles before I finally got one right but that one had me wanted more. I soon had more bottles than I had uses for so I looked into candle making, got all the supplies, and got going. The first few didn’t burn right, give off enough scent, or hold it’s color well, but something about making these candles was so relaxing that I found myself inthe kitchen for hours on end. At first, I had no intention on selling them but after I found the perfect method, I posted a photo on Facebook and immediately had messages from 7 people looking to buy one. Eventually I started calling them Wick’d Flickz and have since set up booths at flea markets and events.
Fast forward a little, after being asked a few times how I make the candles, I came up with an idea of having a little class for a few friends. We all lounged around, drank a few beers, listened to some music, and socialized/ bonded as they all learned how to make candles. It was such a good time, that I decided to offer a workshop service where I will come to a house party or bar to host similar sorts of events. In addition, I’ll bring my instruments and set up to play for a bit after so participants can chill out and listen to music while they wait for their candles to set. I’ll even open it up to an open mic or group jam session if that’s what people want. The goal is to bring people together to bond, socialize, and have a good and relaxing time. Doing this in a bar is a new and unique way to draw people in on what would normally be a slow night. It can be a one time thing, or can be incorporated into a weekly schedule. For example,a bar might have weekly trivia on Thursday nights and now have weekly candle workshops and open mic on Tuesday nights. For a more intimate event with a small group of friends, I am happy to help host a house part/event.
If you want to experience the magic of music, crafting, and good people, consider booking or attending an event hosted by Sydney Volpe. For more information, please go to banjobrewedcandles.weebly.com
Sydney Volpe 