Cranberry Barn Candle Company: About Cranberry Barn Candle Company

ALL ABOUT US
By Susan Johnson
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Staring blankly out of my window at our wonderful old barn and it's surrounding beauty, sometimes thinking about all of the history and families and love and hard work that once possessed that sturdy old barn...there it was, plain and simple. That was it...the Cranberry Barn. I had a name and I had a mission. From that point forward it was a labor of love.  

January 2001
 
Five years ago we happened upon a beautiful old white farmhouse which had been beautifully restored, nestled on 10 rolling acres with a pond, a babbling brook and the most awesome, character filled, cranberry colored barn. We knew in an instant that we had found a picturesque homestead to spend our retirement years. (Although, unfortunately, neither of us were retired) But at least we could dream!

We had found the perfect place for our four children and grandchildren to come and enjoy with us, to spend holidays and vacations and cold winter weekends. A warm inviting place to call home. Our first order of business was for Grandpa to build two old swings to hang from the huge old walnut trees that had seen generations come and go and to beckon to our grandchildren, Megan, Morgan, Hanna, Sarah, Katerina, Baker, Gus, Willa and babies yet to come. With that mission accomplished we then set out to decorate this charming old house.

The restoration had left white walls, nothing but massive white walls with high ceilings and nooks and crannies galore. We knew we had our work cut out for us. With both of us having a life long love of antiques, we had finally found a place that would afford us the opportunity to start "gathering" the things we loved. Weekends were spent in antique shops, poking around and uncovering the most wonderful old junk. We stood in rain and snow at auctions waiting for the "priceless" old broken things we had discovered to finally be offered. Weekend after weekend we returned with things that only a true lover of primitives could possibly appreciate.

Gone were the days of painstaking refinishing and perfecting..we found that all we really need to do was simply remove the biggest pieces of dirt and the piece was ready for placing. We found wonderful and imaginative uses for pieces whose original intent was not possibly a coffee table or wall shelf. We marveled at our trash. If it was dirty or dingy or dusty, or ragged or rotten or rusty, we loved it. We laughed at how years before we had removed that priceless cracked paint on dressers to replace it with shiny new varnish. Not any more, if that was how we found it, that was how it was going to stay.

After finding troves of wonderful treasures to fill the big spots, we found it was time to attempt to add the small touches that would make this house our home. That is when the trouble began!! One thing we both loved was walking into a home or a shop and being greeted with wonderful fragrances. We wanted the smells that brought sunshine and flowers inside on a cool spring day, and warm spices and cinnamon scents that beckoned you in on a cold blustery Michigan winter's day. We loved candlelight and the fragrance it brings with it, but we didn't like the typical look of the candles that we found readily available. Their fragrances were yummy, but the cold, sometimes modern look of the jars they were poured in, just didn't fit in with this old house.

I was constantly in search of a candle that smelled wonderful, yet truly looked primitive in appearance. I was constantly "if onlying". This candle smells so good, if only the container looked old, if only the container fit in with all of this wonderful old stuff. I suspect, tiring of my constant mumbling and half in jest, Ken said to me, "You find a jar that looks the way you want, and I will learn how to make candles for you." This man, an electrician by trade and now running a rather large technology company, actually made me laugh out loud. "No, I really mean it" he said in earnest. "Sure you do", was my response.

Little did I know then, what commitment and time he was willing to devote to make my mumblings cease. The next weekend, he purchased an electric burner from the local hardware and fashioned a double boiler out of my home canner, he bought several pounds of wax, a handful of wicks, a paltry few blocks of dye and took some leftover oil from my potpourri burner. He gathered an odd assortment of jelly jars from the pantry and headed to the garage. He had also purchased a small soft cover book on candle making at home. To my surprise and delight, that evening he presented me with my first homemade candle. A bit of a sinkhole, an off center wick that produced smoke and a huge mushroom as it burned unevenly down the side of the jar. As he intently sat watching that first "apple pie" candle burn askew, he said "I think I know what I did wrong." I smiled lovingly and thanked him for all of his efforts, believing that not even he could ever figure out all that he had done wrong.

Weekend after weekend, wonderful smells rose from the garage as one by one he painstakingly corrected each of the flaws that the first candle possessed. Better wax, different wicks, an assortment of hardening additives, stronger and more compatible fragrances, sinkholes that were shrinking, colors that no longer made me ask, "What do you call this?" Test jars burning in every room in this house. Months passed, years passed, more corrections, more changes and suddenly I found myself actually giving these creations as gifts. I heaped them on family members, friends and neighbors and then those fateful words were uttered. "Why don't you sell these candles, they are wonderful." I shall never forget his reply..."Because Susan hasn't come up with a jar she likes, for me to pour them in." I honestly didn't think he would do it...that he would really come up with the perfect candle.

I suddenly realized that maybe we really could sell these. The fragrances were wonderful, the two wicks he had begun using provided a clean burn all the way down the jar. Long ago, they had stopped smoking and mushrooming and I couldn't remember the last time I had seen a sinkhole. Without my realizing it, he actually had figured out all of the things that he had originally done wrong. While I was busy trying to decorate this house, he had carefully and lovingly created the perfect candle and all he was waiting for was for me to provide him the "perfect" jar.

But I reasoned, I haven't had time to do that, because on my quest to find those wonderful finishing touches, that I mentioned earlier, the ones that just make that little nook or cranny standout or just the right pieces to go on the mantle or hang in the family room, or adorn the walls, I was making a painful discovery. The shops that sold the pieces I truly loved, were few and far between. It took weeks on end of searching and many miles in between to come up with those special pieces..you know, the ones that looked, old and weathered and worn. So many times I heard myself muttering...if only I could find all of these treasures in just one place, think of the time I would save.

After kindly listening to me complain for the umpteenth time, he looked at me and said, "Why don't you open a shop of your own and put all of the things you love so much, together in one place? There have to be others out there who like the same things you do." ME, open a shop of my own? He had made me laugh out loud again, just like when he told me he would pour me perfect candles in jars that I loved. I thought about his commitment, his earnest and tireless effort to make me a perfect candle. He had done it, and so could I. With the help of the internet, two good friends who owned their own businesses and a husband who was behind me all of the way, I decided to do it.

Staring blankly out of my window at our wonderful old barn and it's surrounding beauty, sometimes thinking about all of the history and families and love and hard work that once possessed that sturdy old barn...there it was, plain and simple...that was it...the Cranberry Barn. I had a name and I had a mission. From that point forward it was a labor of love.

I started small with just a tiny rented booth space in a well-traveled antique mall, here close to home. I filled that little shop with the things I loved most and decorated its walls with the things just like I had chosen for our home. I made potpourri and poured fragrance oils and taught myself to make grunge candles. That little shop was so well received and the comments so positive. I paid us back all of the money I had "borrowed" and continued to thrive. But there was something very important, I had not yet done. I still hadn't come up with the candle jar. I was convinced that with all of the other offerings doing so well, I needed to market that "perfect" candle that Ken had so lovingly created for me.

It didn't take me long with my newfound confidence and my ability to navigate the Internet to start to put together the look I had yearned for. I quickly found the jars, in varying sizes, but now I had to come up with "the look", the primitive, worn old look that I had always envisioned. I wanted the appearance of shabby wood and rust and a tired looking old label, now I had to put those visions together. A matter of trial and error was all it took and I presented Ken with my "masterpiece". He actually liked it and we decided to order the jars. As I place orders today for truckloads of them, I smile as I think about my first order. "One case of each size please." What was I going to do with 36 jars if no one liked them?

At the same time, I had taken the big step. I was ready to open another shop. A little bigger a little more traveled location... then another and then a fourth. Could I really be earning a living doing something that we both loved this much? I thought that was only what people dreamed about. It was time to introduce the candles along with all of the other dirty dingy rusty stuff. I can honestly say we weren't prepared for the excitement the candles generated. Our daughters took them to their offices and starting faxing in orders to us, they held home parties and people started calling and asking if we could send them more. The ladies in our dentist's office called me on the days they knew I was coming in for an appointment and asked me to bring in candles. I then opened another shop just for the candles and they have been a phenomenal success. We now have a total of 3 locations and to think, all because I wanted a candle in my own home that looked like it belonged there.

We still have more goals, greater ambitions...someday a really big store that people come from miles to visit, but in the meantime, we have decided that the Internet is a wonderful way to share our treasures with people who don't have time to come from miles. We offer to you the things we love, the things that make our houses our homes, and the wonderful fragrances that emit from each of the candles my candleman pours. We have now moved into our new building and out of the garage. Cranberry Barn finally has a home of it's own. Wonderful fragrances continue to fill the air and we now have four dedicated employees who work diligently night and day to bring these treasures to you. The "candleman" has long since returned to his "real" job and the "ladies" have taken over. We are on our way and we invite you to come with us!!

We wish you hours of enjoyable shopping and look forward to hearing from you! 

Sincerely, 

Susan Johnson


June 10th, 2002

"An Update to Our Journey"

Today we took our biggest leap of Faith in what the future may have in store for us. This business has evolved from our kitchen, to the garage, to a building here on our homestead, and now today to a "REAL" 6,000 square foot warehouse with two offices, a loading dock (no more unloading from the back of a semi to the back of our trusty pickup truck) and parking spaces for all of us!!! We feel like the Clampetts moving to Beverly Hills. We aren't sure that we are going to know how to behave in the "real" world, but we will give it our best shot.

The message though that we would really like to share with you is that things like this only happen in America, this land of great freedoms and opportunities. Only here in the Good Ole USA, could a simple woman on a shoestring of capital do what we have done. We are proud not of our accomplishments but of the fact that we live in a country that allowed us to do this. 

The horrific events of September 11, 2001 had a very close and personal impact on this family. Out oldest son who is a Lt. with the United States Army was sent to the Middle East shortly after the attacks and our youngest son who completed his tour of duty with the Army and is currently a member of the NY National Guard was sent to do clean up at Ground Zero. Our hearts ached for the victims and their families and our fears for the safety of our own sons were foremost in our minds. It was then that we created our "Salute to America" candle with profits from the sale of those going to the American Red Cross.

Somehow, as the orders rolled in for those simple candles, each one of us felt that in some small way we were doing "something" to help the cause of this great country of ours. With heartfelt gratitude we were able to turn over thousands of dollars to the Red Cross. If you have been a frequent visitor to our website over the past few years you are aware that the theme of our site and the bulk of our product has a patriotic note. It is something that mattered to this family and this business long before that dreadful day and now means more than ever. So my message to each of you is that if you have a dream...follow it !!! In this country you can make it happen!!! You just have to want it badly enough and believe in yourself, and take it from me...dreams really do come true!!!

Please allow me to say thank you to my loving family and devoted employees:

To my wonderful husband Ken, who believed in me and without whom the Cranberry Barn would not exist. You make life worth living! Long live the self-taught man!! 

To my loving parents, Harold and Lois who are as involved in this business via long distance as they would be if they were right here with me everyday. Thank you for always encouraging me, supporting me and believing in me. 

To our beautiful children, Aaron, Angie, Greg & Beth Ann and their families, Kimmie, Randy, and Jay, whose gracious tolerance of parents who aren't always where they are supposed to be is appreciated more than you will ever know. We love you so much !! 

To our cherub faced and joy giving grandchildren, Megan, Morgan, Hanna, Sarah, Katerina, Baker, August (Gus to us) and Willa...You light up our lives!

To my sister Deborah Ann, better known to me as Webster, you have believed in me when I didn't believe in myself. You are cherished always! 

To my faithful employees who happen to be some of my very best friends as well, 

Janice Ross - General Manager

Sue Moreno - Production Manager

Teresa (Terri) Stevenson- Shipping Manager

Donna Wotring and Tammy Leonard.

Nowhere could I find a more loyal and dedicated staff of employees. You make my job easy!!! 

To Alan, for sharing with me your wisdom and knowledge of the fragrance and botanical industry and to Larry, who believed in me then, and believes in me still. 

And a very special thanks to those two trusted, supportive, caring, individuals whose input and guidance allowed me to follow my dreams...Greg and Kelly. I could not have done this without you! To both of you, my deepest gratitude. The Good Lord shines down on me each and every day and all of you are proof of that!!! 

My love, 

Susan 
 
December 2005

Greetings!

Welcome to the New Cranberry Barn Website!!!!!

I can not believe it has been 3 1/2 years since we made the "big move" to our present location here in Elkhart.  In hindsight, it was the best thing we possibly could have done for this business.  Room to grow was all that we needed and grown we have!  We have continually added to our product lines and we hope that as you view our new website you will be delighted with all of our wonderful new additions.  

I apologize for the length of time it has taken us to finally get a site that truly showcases everything we now have available, but it was worth the wait.  We are so excited about the new website and it's ease of use.  No more pop ups to deal with, no more not being able to find a scent on-line that you found in a store, because the new scent never made it to the site.  I am now able to make additions and changes on a daily basis so you will be constantly updated with our new products.

You will also be able to check frequently for specials and new information about upcoming products and scents.  We truly believe this new site is going to be so much better for you and for us.  

Please feel free to email me with any feedback you might have about your experiences using the new site.  

Believe it or not, we are all still here!  I have been blessed with the most wonderful group of employees who have remained loyal to the Cranberry Barn through thick and thin.  I mean it when I say; I could not do any of this without each one of them!  There is a section on the site where employee pictures are posted, because we know it's nice to put a face with a voice when you call in to talk to us.

This past year has been a tumultuous one with regard to the economy and the effect it has had on small businesses across the country.  Gasoline prices have hurt all of us in one way or another.  Not only has Cranberry Barn had to deal with increased fuel surcharges on the raw materials that we bring in, our most basic item, WAX was seriously affected by the two hurricanes.  Since wax is a petroleum by-product, the shut down of the oil platforms in the south had a profound impact on the prices we are paying for wax. 

So far, we have chosen to continue to absorb those price increases and not pass them on to you, our valued customers.  Hopefully, things will stabilize soon and we will be able to look forward to a far less uncertain 2006.  

As I have said previously, I want to thank all of you for the many many words of encouragement and for all for all of the prayers for our son Aaron as well as for all of the soldiers who continue to risk it all for this country's freedom.  

Aaron just completed his second tour in Iraq and is at last home with our family.  Sleep will come to me again and for that I am grateful.  To each of you military family members I want you to know that my heart and my prayers are with you each and everyday and that I thank you for the service your loved one is giving this country.  God Bless them and God Bless you, for they couldn't do it without the love and support of their families back home.  

Perhaps some of you noticed about a month ago we had to remove our soldier's prayer bulletin board.  It wasn't what we wanted to do, but we felt it was what we had to do.  Evil people, posted evil things about this country and we are appreciative to the customer who immediately made us aware of the postings.  We could have simply removed the postings, but we feared they would just continue to do it over and over again.  I am saddened by this but could not tolerate the rantings of disturbed people, because for as long as I breathe I will continue to say "God Bless the USA".

I guess that's all for now, but please contact us with any input or comments you might have.  It has truly been a pleasure for each of us over the past 6 years to do business with you.  We have the best customers anywhere!

God Bless you all...Warm regards, Susan