Ana candles started with a gift idea on the New Jersey Turnpike, and fifteen years later the original striped taper still brightens dinner tables across the country.
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Over 15 years ago, Frank Weeden was driving down the New Jersey Turnpike thinking of a gift for his girlfriend. That is when he devised the idea for Ana Candles – the original striped taper candle. That was over 15 yeas ago. Since then they’ve graced the O List and many exquisite homes across the country.
Ana Design started on the first level of Frank’s historic factory building in the old Trenton Window Washing Factory where the business still resides. Each year Ana Candles creates new color combinations to keep things fresh and current.
Look for Ana Candles in the set backdrop for a scene in Janet Evanovich’s “One for the Money” movie starting Katherine Heigl. Evanovich is a Trenton native who’s novels about private detective Stephanie Plum all take Place in Trenton, NJ.
Ana Candles can be found in art museum shops, resorts and specialty boutiques nationwide.
The story behind the stripe
I love origin stories that start with a small, ordinary moment, like a drive and a thought about a present. It reminds me that most good products begin with someone trying to be kind.
Over 15 years ago, Frank Weeden was driving down the New Jersey Turnpike thinking about a present for his girlfriend. That is when the idea for Ana Candles took shape, the original striped taper. Since then the candles have graced the O List and many exquisite homes.
The business began on the first level of Frank’s historic factory building, the old Trenton Window Washing Factory, where it still operates.
Frank wanted a gift that felt personal and different. I can relate, since that is the problem we try to solve in our shop every holiday season. Appearing on the O List is the kind of recognition most small makers dream about.
The factory setting adds charm. Old industrial buildings have a way of turning into creative spaces, and a candle made in one carries a bit of that history.
What makes Ana candles special
A taper is simple: a long, slim candle that sits in a holder. Stripes turn it into decoration, even when it is not lit. Ana creates new color combinations each year to keep things fresh and current.
You can read about the setting on the Wikipedia page for Trenton, New Jersey. It is the same city that anchors Janet Evanovich’s novels.
Stripes make tapers feel playful. A single color can look formal, but a candle with bands of color looks like a party before it is even lit.
New color combinations each year give collectors something to watch for. If you love one season’s palette, buy it early, since colors may change.
A table set with Ana candles needs very little else. Add white plates and a bowl of fruit and you have a table with personality.
Wooden and brass holders both suit them. Pick a holder that grips the base snugly so the taper stands straight.
Tapers are also the most flexible candle for a dinner. They add height, light and color without any competing smell, which makes them good company for a meal.
Tapers on screen
Look for Ana candles in the set backdrop of the movie One for the Money, starring Katherine Heigl. Janet Evanovich is a Trenton native, and her Stephanie Plum novels all take place in Trenton.
Candles in a set backdrop do quiet work, making a room look lived in without drawing attention.
Ana candles can also be found in art museum shops, resorts and specialty boutiques nationwide.
Specialty boutiques, resorts and art museum shops carry them, so you might spot a set on your next trip. Keep an eye out for the stripes.
If you are a reader of detective novels, the connection is a fun bit of trivia to share at the table. Light a pair of tapers and tell the story.
Using tapers at home
Tapers need a stable holder and a spot away from curtains or paper. Trim the wick before each lighting and keep them out of drafts so they burn evenly. Never leave them unattended.
The Ana candles work well in pairs on a table, and bundled colors look cheerful on a mantel. Unscented tapers also let your food and flowers take the lead.
For gift ideas, look at our 2011 holiday gift guide and the wedding gift ideas post.
To make tapers drip less, trim the wick, place them away from drafts and let them burn evenly. Dripping often happens when moving air pushes the flame sideways.
Store tapers flat, in a cool place, so they do not bend. A warm drawer in summer can ruin a set.
As gifts, Ana candles are easy to wrap and travel well. Add a pair of holders and you have a present for a host or a new neighbor.
For the extra careful: when the taper burns down to the last inch or two, blow it out rather than letting it flicker in the holder.
Whatever color you pick, light tapers in pairs for the best effect, and keep a pair of snuffers or a small bowl of water on hand for safety.
Candles like these also look good unlit, so leave a set in a holder on the sideboard between dinners.
