Meet the Candles Almost Too Pretty to Light

June 6, 2023

Lifestyle

Nesha Ruther

Writer at Bond & Grace

When Margot Janks began painting candles as a hobby in college, she never imagined she had a real business on her hands. Now, she is the founder and director of MJ Tablescapes, a candle company that sells intricate, hand-painted candles all made by Margot herself.

After graduating from the University of Southern California, Margot began working with luxury brands such as L’Occitane en Provence, Elizabeth Arden, and Tiffany & Co. For over 15 years she helped brands relaunch homeware and developed a keen eye for what products evoked the sense of comfort and community that make meals so special. She developed a particular affinity for layered textures, florals, and of course, candles.

To de-stress from work, she took up painting once again. One day, she came across a class specifically teaching how to paint candles. “When friends started asking if they could buy them, I was shocked,” Margot says. “But I figured why not, let’s see where this goes - it was one of the best decisions I made.”

Margot had always loved entertaining, particularly developing the lush, vibrant tablescapes that set the tone and ambiance of a meal. This love would become the focal point of her business. “Tablescapes have been something I enjoyed since I was a young girl. I have extremely fond memories of setting tables with my mom and aunt,” she says. “Selecting the china, linens, flowers and candles were always such a fun and bonding activity. I knew when I began this small business that I wanted the candles to be seen as part of that larger process of celebrating and enjoying a meal together.”

What makes MJ Tablescapes’ product so unique is the love and care put into each individual candle. The dripless taper candles are all hand-painted by Margot in her New York studio. Such care is given to them because for Margot, candles are not just candles, but part of a larger emotional landscape created by intimate dining experiences. “Candles for me are a beautiful way to bring warmth to any occasion and set a mood. They also hold a lot of spiritual significance representing love and friendship and a path to see through darkness. When you light our candles or bring them as a gift we feel that it allows you to tap into that spirituality and warmth,” she says.

Nearly all MJ Tablescapes candles use flowers as their artistic focal point. “I have always loved florals so they often play a large part in my designs,” Margot says. “My mom is an avid gardener and always had flowers in our home growing up. Her appreciation for natural beauty and what nature can bring is something I connected with at a young age.”

Margot also draws inspiration from fabrics, textures, and vintage china. Additionally, she allows the natural changing of the seasons and the places she loves to inform what she paints. “Our Summer Hydrangea candles remind me of Nantucket, while our California Poppy Candles remind me of my home state,” she adds.

When approached by Bond & Grace to create a set of candles inspired by Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic novel, The Secret Garden, it felt like a perfect fit. Available in Hyacinth and Lily of the Valley, the delicately adorned candles perfectly capture the healing power of spring. “For these candles I tapped into florals that were seen throughout the story and also colors which were found in some of the beautiful art featured [in The Secret Garden Art Novel]. I wanted the candles to carry the same whimsical magic the book held and capture the mood and mystery of the novel,” Margot says.

In addition to a mutual love of flowers, Bond & Grace and MJ Tablescapes connected over being woman-owned businesses. This too has had a large influence on Margot’s work. “I have had a really positive experience being a female business owner,” she says. “It has allowed me to tap into a variety of skills and gain clarity on what I value in life and work. I actually feel like my biggest strength as a business owner has come from being a mother. It allows me to prioritize, problem solve, have immense patience and persevere when things seem difficult. These are all qualities I have honed through motherhood and adapted to fit my working life.”

“What I have loved most is seeing women tap into their creativity and build thriving businesses from that creativity.” A thriving, creative business, Margot has most certainly built.

The Secret Garden special edition candles from MJ Tablescapes and Bond & Grace are available for purchase.

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