The Story Behind Little Mill: Natural Beeswax Candles Made in Canada

As The Green Kiss approaches its 15th anniversary, I've been thinking a lot about connection. In a world that feels increasingly shaped by algorithms, AI, endless scrolling, and a whole lot of noise, I keep coming back to the original reason I started this business: to connect people with thoughtful products, the people who make them, and the little everyday choices that can make a difference.

Part of that means looking closer to home. It means getting to know the makers behind the brands we carry, understanding their stories, and sharing with our community why we believe in what they do. And sometimes, those stories begin long before a product ever finds its way onto our shelves.

I've known Bryn Milward of Little Mill for years. If I'm remembering correctly, our first encounter may have been at one of those quintessential underage high school parties in the woods, where Bacardi Breezers were practically a rite of passage. A slightly questionable setting for a first meeting, perhaps, but a very millennial origin story! Through the years, Bryn became one of those familiar, genuinely lovely faces I'd see around town. When The Green Kiss launched in 2011, Bryn became a longtime customer, finding natural personal care favourites for herself and, eventually, her growing family.

Then, seemingly out of nowhere, my Instagram feed began filling up with Bryn's gorgeous, hand-dipped beeswax candles. I was immediately drawn to the beauty of her work, but also to what she was creating: something thoughtful, tactile, and rooted in a slower, more intentional way of doing things. I knew right away that I wanted to bring Little Mill to The Green Kiss and introduce our community to the beauty of naturally made, fragrance-free beeswax candles.

In fact, I've joked with fellow local makers, including Jaime from Glow Jar Beauty, that watching Bryn's videos makes us want to sell our businesses, move to her farm, and spend our days dipping candles alongside her. (We're only kind of kidding.)

We introduced Little Mill to The Green Kiss this spring, and it now feels like the perfect time to share the story behind the brand, the hands that make these beautiful candles, and why we're so excited to have them in our community.

I sat down with Bryn to talk about her journey into candle making, the process behind Little Mill, what makes beeswax candles special, and why being thoughtful about what we burn in our homes matters. Most of all, we talked about the value of buying from people whose stories, values, and care for their craft make us feel a little more connected to the things we bring into our lives.

So, without further ado, let me introduce you to Bryn Millward and her beautiful Canadian-made beeswax candle brand, Little Mill. 

xo - Meg (Founder + Owner at The Green Kiss). 

A Little More Connection: The Story Behind Little Mill

For those who are just discovering Little Mill, can you tell us a little about yourself and how the business came to be?

Before starting Little Mill, I spent over a decade working in residential interior design. I’ve always been drawn to thoughtful details, natural materials, and the little things that make a home feel warm and welcoming. After having my daughters, I stepped away from full-time interior design and found myself looking for a creative outlet, one that still allowed me to help people create homes that felt cozy and lived in. I discovered beeswax candle making and quickly fell in love with the process. What started as a hobby at my kitchen table has grown into Little Mill, where I now handcraft candles from my home studio in the Cowichan Valley using 100% Canadian beeswax. I love that candles are both beautiful and practical, and I hope they become part of the everyday moments that make a house feel like home.

What first drew you to making beeswax candles? Was there a particular moment when you realized this was something you wanted to pursue?

When I met my husband, I noticed he would only burn beeswax candles. He's sensitive to scents, and this opened my eyes to the ingredients we bring into our homes without really thinking about them. I started buying beeswax candles to give him for birthdays and Christmas, and eventually I found myself wondering, "I wonder if I could make these myself?" I ordered a few supplies and quickly fell in love with the process. I loved that beeswax is a natural material and that each candle is made by hand. It felt like the perfect blend of creativity and craftsmanship. Looking back, I don't think there was one moment when I decided to pursue it as a business. It happened gradually as I kept making candles, sharing them with others, and realizing there was a genuine appreciation for them.

Your work feels so connected to a slower, more intentional way of living. What does that look like for you day to day, and how does it influence the way you run Little Mill?

Slowing down has become something I really value, especially after moving from the city to our little acreage in the Cowichan Valley. Life looks quite different now. My days are often filled with raising my two daughters, tending the garden, baking sourdough, making candles, working on projects around our home, and planning our future lavender farm and apple orchard. I find a lot of inspiration in the changing seasons and the simple rituals of home. I think that's naturally reflected in Little Mill. I don't chase trends or rush to release new products. I prefer to create timeless pieces for everyday use that encourage people to slow down, even if it's just for a few quiet moments.

Can you walk us through the process of making one of your candles, from sourcing the wax to the finished piece?

Every candle begins with 100% Canadian beeswax, which I source directly from an apiary in Alberta. From there, the process depends on the style of candle I'm making. Some are hand-dipped, with each wick dipped dozens of times until the candle gradually reaches its final shape, while others are hand-poured into moulds and carefully finished by hand. One part of the process people don't always see is the research and testing that happens behind the scenes. Before a candle ever becomes part of the collection, I spend time testing different wick sizes and burning each candle to make sure it performs beautifully. It's often the most time-consuming part of creating a new design, but it's also one of the most important.

Your candles are made on Vancouver Island using beeswax sourced from Alberta. Can you tell us more about where your materials come from and why sourcing matters to you?

Using Canadian beeswax has always been one of my priorities. I source my beeswax directly from an apiary in Alberta because I wanted a high-quality wax with a beautiful natural colour. I spent a long time searching for exactly the right beeswax, with a soft, buttery-yellow hue rather than a bright yellow, because those little details really matter to me. I also love knowing where my materials come from and supporting Canadian producers whenever I can. It feels important that Little Mill reflects that same care and thoughtfulness from the very beginning of the process.

What is something about the candle-making process that might surprise people?

Probably how much patience it requires! Beeswax is a wonderful material to work with, but it's also very particular. A few degrees can make a big difference, whether you're dipping or pouring. If the wax is too hot or too cool, it can completely change the finished result. I also think people are often surprised by how much time goes into developing a new candle. There's a lot of testing, adjusting, and conducting burn tests before I ever feel confident adding a design to the Little Mill collection.

There are so many types of candles on the market, from paraffin and soy to scented candles made with fragrance oils. What should shoppers know about the differences, and what drew you specifically to beeswax?

I think the most important thing is simply knowing what your candle is made from. Different waxes have different qualities, and I always encourage people to read the label and understand what they're bringing into their homes. What drew me to beeswax was that it's a simple, natural material. It has a beautiful warm colour, a subtle honey aroma, and burns beautifully without the need for added fragrance. It also has an incredibly long burn time compared to many other waxes, which is something I really appreciate. I love that it's a renewable resource that's been used for centuries. There's something timeless about working with a material that has such a long history.

Your candles are naturally made and fragrance-free. Why is that important to you, and what do you wish more people understood about the ingredients in the candles they burn at home?

For me, it comes back to simplicity and transparency. I like knowing exactly what's in the products I bring into my home, and I wanted Little Mill to reflect those same values. My candles are made with 100% Canadian beeswax, cotton wicks, and, in some designs, natural pigments. I don't use added fragrance, and I love that beeswax has its own subtle honey aroma. It doesn't need anything added to create a warm, inviting atmosphere. I think many people are becoming more mindful of the products they use every day, and candles are no exception. Understanding what a candle is made from allows you to make an informed choice for your home.

Beeswax has been used for centuries. What are some of its unique qualities, from its natural colour and subtle honey aroma to the way it burns?

Beeswax has been used for thousands of years, dating back to ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians and Romans, who valued it for its clean, bright flame and natural beauty. I love carrying on that tradition in a small way through Little Mill. One of the things I love most about beeswax is that so much of its character comes naturally. Its soft golden colour isn't added. It's simply the colour of the wax itself. Both the colour and subtle honey aroma can vary slightly from batch to batch, depending on the season and the flowers the bees have visited. Beeswax also burns for a long time and is a renewable by-product of honey production. I think those qualities, combined with its rich history, are what make it such a special material to work with.

What are your top tips for burning and caring for beeswax candles? Are there any common mistakes people should avoid?

The biggest tip is to trim the wick to about ¼ inch before each burn. A properly trimmed wick helps create a steady flame, reduces soot, and prevents the candle from burning faster than it should. For pillar candles, the first burn is especially important. Allow the candle to burn for a few hours, long enough for the melt pool to reach close to the edge. This helps establish an even burn and reduces the chance of tunnelling throughout the life of the candle. Taper candles are different. They don't have a “memory,” so you don't need to worry about how long they're lit. Whether you burn them for five minutes during dinner or for several hours, they'll continue to burn beautifully the next time you light them. Finally, don't be afraid to extinguish a candle if something doesn't look quite right. If the wick has become too long or developed a mushroom-shaped tip, simply let the candle cool, trim the wick, and relight it. A little care goes a long way in helping a candle perform beautifully.

How can someone tell when a beeswax candle is burning as it should, and what can they do if they experience tunnelling, uneven burning, or other common issues?

A candle burning well should have a steady flame and melt evenly without excessive smoking or dripping. Every candle has its own personality, but overall, the flame should feel calm and consistent. If a candle begins to tunnel, it may need a longer burn so the wax has time to melt evenly across the surface. If the flame becomes too large or starts producing soot, the wick is often too long and simply needs trimming. The nice thing is that most common candle issues are easy to correct with a few small adjustments. With a little care, a well-made beeswax candle should provide many hours of beautiful, reliable light.

What do you hope people experience when they bring a Little Mill candle into their homes? And what's next for you and the business?

I hope my candles become part of the quiet, everyday moments that make a house feel like home. Whether it's lighting one while cooking dinner, gathering around the table with family, curling up with a book, or simply marking the end of a busy day, I love the idea that a handmade candle can become part of those little rituals. As for what's next, I'm excited to continue growing Little Mill thoughtfully. I'm always experimenting with new candle designs and looking for ways to share more of what I've learned about beeswax candle-making. One of my biggest dreams is to transform our garage into a Little Mill studio and shop: a place where I can welcome people in, share the candle-making process, and connect with the community in person. I also can't help but dream about designing the space itself. After so many years in interior design, creating a warm, welcoming studio feels just as exciting as making the candles that will fill it. More than anything, I hope to continue creating products and spaces that encourage people to slow down and enjoy the simple moments at home.

One last dip before we go, just for fun: as a longtime Green Kiss customer, which product (or products) could you never live without? (Other than Little Mill, of course!)

This is like asking me to choose a favourite child! If I may pick a few, I love the Sunna Tan Face Water for the most natural-looking glow. It gives me just enough colour to look a little more awake and refreshed, even when I'm not.

I've also been loving toners lately, and Glow Jar Beauty's Hydrating Rose Essence has become a favourite, along with their Maracuja Eye Complex, which is especially lovely for tired eyes (because, well, life!). All three have earned a permanent spot in my skincare routine.

Final Thoughts:

Thank you to Bryn for sharing her story, and for reminding me why I love this work after almost 15 years. Behind every product on our shelves is a person with a story, a reason, and a whole lot of care, and I never want us to lose sight of that.

If this has you craving a slower evening, the full Little Mill collection is waiting for you. Hand-dipped tapers and pillars are ready to turn dinner, a good book, or an ordinary Tuesday into something a little more special. Light one, trim that wick to ¼ inch, and give yourself a few quiet minutes. (Bryn says it counts.)

Here’s to a little more connection, and a lot more candlelight.

Sealed with a green kiss,
Meg

All copy found on The Green Kiss website is written for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.