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Sycamore Craftstead

Where Does Your Hearth Glow?

Published 10 days ago • 2 min read

Sycamore Craftstead | October 5, 2026

A little light for longer nights

October is always full of travel and celebrations at our house and it leads us right into the holiday season — which I know is too early to discuss in polite company. But we're among friends here, right?

After summer's blistering heat and humidity, the cooler weather draws us outdoors willingly, comfortably outfitted in hoodies and sweaters and jeans, enjoying nature's last hurrah before winter settles in. And as the nights grow longer, I look forward to filling them with little lights: twinkle lights, fires, candles. Candlelight can transform an entirely ordinary evening and I'm happy to have more occasions for it.

This time of year also brings me back to the idea of hearth. We each have our own sense of where the home fire burns (literally or figuratively) — the place where we feel safe and warm and finally able to let our guard down and rest.

For me, that place is the kitchen. This shouldn't be interpreted as an offer to cook every meal for everyone indefinitely... but taking care of that space usually makes me feel more grounded, more ready to face the hard things. There's something steadying when it's busy and warm, orderly yet well-used and smelling delicious, if I do say so.

And during the big family gatherings to come, when I'm tired and overwhelmed, that's probably where you'll find me: piddling away in the kitchen, doing little tasks, putting things in order. Or as I like to think of it, tending the hearth.

As we head into these longer nights and a season full of gatherings, I’d love to know: where (or what) is the hearth for you?

-Sarah

Made Here: Beeswax Candles

In case you couldn't tell, we love the way candles can transform ordinary activities like weeknight dinners or teleworking at the dining table during that afternoon slump. Beeswax candles emit a warm, bright light and give off a light honey-floral scent without the need for added fragrance.

Our candles begin with a sheet of beeswax, which we source already dyed from a family-owned business in California.

We cut each sheet to size and gently warm it with a very technical piece of equipment (an old hairdryer) then roll and press the wax edge around a square-braid cotton wick. Then we roll up the rest of the warmed wax around the wick to create a candle.

Each batch is tested, meaning we burn a few to check the total burn time and watch how evenly and consistently they burn, including checking for potential safety issues. This does mean candlelit afternoons occasionally count as work.

Our 8-inch tapers should provide a total of 6-8 hours of burn time with minimal drippiness when good burn practices are followed. You'll find tips on our candle care page to help you get the more from them. And always practice candle safety.

Around the Shop

We are currently working on an update to our Etsy shop with new listings for candles and brooms, to include mix-and-match candle sets, ready-made brooms and customizable made-to-order brooms! Favorite the shop for notifications when new listings go live.

In the meantime, we've scheduled ourselves for two more markets this year:

Saturday, Oct. 10 - Monster Market
​9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center
Solomons, MD
​Learn more about Monster Market​

Saturday, Dec. 12 - Daytime Holiday Market
9 a.m. to 2 p.m
Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center
Solomons, MD
​Learn more about the Dec. 12 Holiday Market​

We're already thinking about 2027 and will start planning our 2027 schedule soon after the holidays. Have a recommendation? Send us a note!​

Thanks for being here. We hope the fall brings you plenty to celebrate and a warm place to land at the end of the day.

Until next time,

Sarah & Keith
​Sycamore Craftstead​

Sycamore Craftstead

Sarah Ehman

Brooms, beeswax candles, and useful household goods handcrafted in Southern Maryland, inspired by traditional skills, made for modern life.

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