A Candle, a Conversation and an Unexpected Opportunity

Krish Waje rarely goes anywhere without a Lunaire candle. It turned out to be a particularly useful habit at her first MTNS MADE Salon.

Lunaire Lifestyle was born from a desire to create beautiful objects that don’t become waste. Alongside her husband Quincy, an industrial designer, Krish created what they describe as the world’s first lifetime refillable candle system: an anodised aluminium “Forever Jar” designed to be refilled again and again, rather than thrown away after a single use.

The candles and refills are hand-poured in their Hazelbrook studio, using soy wax, perfume-grade fragrance oils, FSC wooden wicks and plastic-free packaging. It’s a business grounded in sustainability, craftsmanship and thoughtful design and one that feels very much at home in the Blue Mountains.

So, when Krish first heard about MTNS MADE from Nicola Taylor, Project Officer for Economic Outcomes at Blue Mountains City Council, she immediately felt there was a natural fit.

“I knew I wanted to be involved,” she says.

Krish joined MTNS MADE and signed up for the upcoming Salon, not quite knowing what to expect. The evening centred around sustainable fashion, a subject she is deeply passionate about, and she quickly discovered that she was surrounded by people who shared many of the same values.

“It was a beautiful space to connect, have meaningful conversations and discover what other local creatives were doing.”

For Krish, that sense of connection was the real reason for being there. She wanted to meet other local makers and creatives, discover what was happening in the Mountains and become part of a community that valued sustainability, creativity and local enterprise.

She didn't go to the Salon looking for a retail opportunity.

But she did go prepared.

During the evening, Krish was chatting with Hannah when she was encouraged to introduce herself to Liz, a local buyer for the Visitor Information Centre.

On her way out, she finally got the opportunity.

And, naturally, she had a Lunaire Forever Candle with her.

Krish was able to demonstrate the refillable system, explain the thinking behind the product and share the story of why she and Quincy had created it.

That face-to-face experience mattered.

“It's hard to smell a candle online!”

But the conversation wasn't simply about the candle. Krish was also part of the MTNS MADE community, surrounded by other local makers and creatives, and able to share the story of her business in person.

They exchanged details, and that initial conversation eventually led to a connection with Blue Mountains City Council and Lunaire being stocked at the Echo Point Visitor Centre.

For Krish, seeing Lunaire sitting on the shelf alongside other local makers and creatives has been a particularly proud moment.

And it is a reminder that sometimes opportunities don't arrive through a carefully planned pitch or a cold email. Sometimes they start with being in the right room, having a genuine conversation and being ready to share what you make.

Lunaire's approach to making feels closely connected to the place where it began.

Everything is made in the couple's Hazelbrook studio, with an emphasis on quality, sustainability and meaningful design. Their Forever Jars are designed to become part of people's lives rather than something destined for the bin, while complimentary engraving allows each piece to become personal, a gift, a keepsake or part of an everyday ritual.

The couple also run candle-making and mindfulness workshops in the Blue Mountains, creating opportunities for people to slow down, connect and make something with their hands.

For Krish, that idea of slowing down and connecting is just as important as the product itself.

And perhaps that is why MTNS MADE felt like such a natural fit.

For other makers looking to grow their retail presence, Krish's advice is simple: don't wait for opportunities to come to you.

“Put yourself in the rooms where the right people are, start conversations and make it easy for people to experience and understand your product or service.”

She also believes strongly in the value of genuine relationships. A conversation that feels completely casual or unrelated to sales can sometimes become the beginning of something much bigger.

Her own experience with MTNS MADE is a perfect example.

Krish joined because she wanted to connect with other local creatives. She went to an event, brought her product, met people and started a conversation.

And that conversation eventually led to Lunaire finding a place on the shelves at one of the Blue Mountains' most visited destinations.

As Krish puts it:

“Sometimes you just have to show up, bring your product, and start the conversation.”