Mary Susan Littlepage

There's a new buzz in the candle aisle. Soy wax, a biodegradable soybean byproduct, is moving in on paraffin and several local candle makers are hopping on the soybean bandwagon.

Why?

Soy wax burns up to fifty percent longer than traditional paraffin and produces no harmful smoke or soot. It also has a lower melting point than paraffin, allowing it to produce a cleaner, longer-lasting scent. Prices are generally comparable and availability is not an issue--Chicago stores are bursting at the soy seams.

Here are a few favorites:

Candle making at the Land of Ahz is a family affair. Bartender Adrienne Zohimsky pours the candles while her mother Marlena acts as the company webmaster. Their candles range from $8 to $25 and come in exotic scents like cucumber melon, sweet Thai coconut and Vineyardz, which comes in a reusable wine glass. Land of AHz, (312)375-1093, landofahz.com

Parisian-inspired Tatine Candles offers a French twist on soy wax. Owner Margo Breznik makes all the candles in her Wicker Park shop herself and perfumes them with the likes of pink sugar, ginger lily and sake. Candles run from $1.75 to $24. Tatine Candles, 1742 West Division, (773)342-1890, tatinecandles.com

Travel-themed body and bath company Blockhead Bath takes soy wax on the road. Owner Cindy Page packs her travel candles in nine-ounce reusable tins and names them after her favorite globe-trotting adventures. Look for "Moroccan Mint" (rosemary mint), "Tuscan Seduction" (sandalwood and vanilla) and "Frolic in Fiji" (tropical blend). $24 for a nine-ounce tin or $65 for a three-candle sampler. Blockhead Bath, (773)388-2214, blockheadbath.com

(2005-08-03)

Also by Mary Susan Littlepage

Flush with contentment
Gertrude Lias, 59, of the Pullman neighborhood, is working in Vision's biggest ladies' room, where she is part bathroom attendant and part doodads hustler
(2005-08-02)

Calling Aunt Jemima
Tall stacks of thick, big-ass pancakes--pancakes that take up more plate space than personal-pan pizzas do--sit on a table in front of a stage at the Filter coffee shop in Wicker Park
(2005-07-05)

Taken to the Cleaners
All kinds of items turn up in the pockets of customers' dry-cleaning clothes
(2005-05-17)

The Magic Klute
Although Tom Withers, better known as drum `n' bass DJ/producer Klute, was born in Connecticut and grew up in the UK, he says that his heart--in a musical sense, anyhow--is in Detroit
(2005-03-08)

Tip of the Week
(2005-02-15)

Special Requests
(2005-02-15)

Tip of the Week
(2005-01-25)

The Fast Lane
(2005-01-25)

Tip of the Week
(2005-01-04)

Industrial evolution
(2005-01-04)

Tip of the Week
(2004-12-14)

Sweet science
(2004-11-17)

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