FAQs
Product Questions
Q: What are your products, exactly? I thought you sold candles, but I see a lot of empty glass.
A: Great question — we’re a little different by design!
We do offer a limited selection of pre-made, ready-to-ship candles — but the heart of our business is custom-crafted heirloom candles made in one-of-a-kind vintage glass vessels. Because each piece of glass is truly unique and often more valuable than mass-produced containers, we emphasize a made-to-order approach to ensure your purchase is exactly what you want.
Here’s how it works:
You start by selecting your favorite available empty glass vessel from our curated collection. On the order page, you’ll choose your scent, wax color, and any optional additions like crystals, dried botanicals, or symbolic intention elements. We then hand-pour your candle to your specifications.
In addition to our candles, we also design and restore vintage lighting — including chandeliers, wall sconces, pendant lights, and table lamps — all made using reclaimed glass and antique hardware.
We also create stacked vintage glass organizers and tiered servers perfect for home, office, or altar use.
Every product is handcrafted with a focus on sustainability, beauty, and lasting quality.
Q: What type of wax and wicks do you use, and can I request different materials for my custom candle?
A: Our candles are made with a proprietary coconut soy wax blend carefully selected for its all-natural ingredients, clean burning properties, and low melt temperature, which protects vintage glass from thermal shock.
We use CD (Stabilo) wicks, a flat braided cotton wick coreless and lead-free, designed for optimized capillary flow and consistent performance in container candles. These wicks are known for their reliability, clean burn, and minimized soot.
We use multiple wick sizes and configurations, calculating the safest and most effective wick setup on a vessel-by-vessel basis. Since wicking is the single most important factor in making sure vintage glass can be safely used and reused for candles, we do not accept custom material substitutions. Our wax and wicks are essential to our commitment to producing safe, ethical, and sustainable products.
Q: Are your fragrance oils clean and safe?
A: Yes! All of our fragrance oils are free from phthalates and harmful chemicals, and are cruelty-free and skin-safe.
Q: Where and how do you source your glass?
A: Every Flicker & Found vessel is a carefully chosen vintage treasure. We source our glass through estate sales, architectural salvage, antique dealers, resale shops, auctions, and private collectors across the Midwest and beyond.
We’re highly selective—our team are experts in identifying glass that offers timeless style, lasting durability, and heirloom-quality craftsmanship. We look for standout pieces from makers like Fenton, Indiana Glass, Anchor Hocking, Jeannette Glass, and other historic producers known for their artistry.
By reviving and repurposing these exceptional vintage finds, we reduce waste and offer candles that are truly one-of-a-kind—each with a story, a soul, and a sparkle all its own.
Custom Orders & Refills
Q: How do custom candle orders work? What aspects can I customize?
A: We love bringing your vision to life! With a custom order, you can select:
- Preferred scent from our curated fragrance menu
-Wax color
- Additional elements such as dried botanicals and crystals
We then choose the perfect vintage vessel from our inventory to match your preferences in size, style, and color. Every custom candle is designed to be as unique as you are—expertly poured, safely wicked, and made to last.
Q: How does your refill service work?
A: We offer two convenient ways to refill your Flicker & Found candle:
– Ship it back to us (or drop off* if you're local) and we’ll clean, rewick, and refill it in the scent of your choice
– Order a refill kit to DIY at home (includes wax, wick(s), scent, holder, and instructions)
We calculate the exact refill materials based on the specific vessel you purchased to ensure safe burning and long-term durability. Refills are an affordable, sustainable way to relight your favorite candle again and again.
Q: Will you turn my vintage glass into a custom candle?
A: Unfortunately, no. While we admire your glass and love that you want to give it new life, we only pour into vessels we've personally vetted. Vintage glass varies wildly in thickness, composition, and heat tolerance—and safety depends on selecting the right wick size, quantity, and placement. This level of calculation is critical to prevent overheating or breakage, and it's something we take very seriously.
That said, feel free to reach out—we’re always happy to offer tips and advice to help you safely reuse vintage pieces on your own.
Q: Can I buy refill kits for my own vintage glass or empty candle container?
A: For safety reasons, we only sell refill kits for containers we’ve previously poured. Just like with new candles, refill safety depends on exact wick sizing and placement—especially with fragile or irregular vintage glass.
We do not offer refill kits for outside containers, but we’re more than happy to answer your questions and share guidance if you’re planning to experiment with your own vessels at home. Just shoot us a message!
*Drop off location can be our Ferndale. MI workshop, any retail location where our products are sold, or at our booth during scheduled artisan markets. Contact us at Contact@flickerandfound.com to arrange drop off and pick up services.
Shipping & Returns
Q: Where do you ship?
A: We currently ship throughout the United States and Canada. If you're located elsewhere and would like to place an order, feel free to reach out—we're always happy to explore custom shipping options when possible.
Q: How long will my candle take to arrive?
A: Shipping time depends on whether your item is in stock or custom-made:
– In-stock candles typically ship within 2–4 business days
– Custom candles take 7–10 business days to create before shipping
We offer multiple shipping options at checkout—from standard delivery to 2-day express—via USPS and UPS. Shipping rates and estimated delivery times are calculated based on your location and preferred method. You'll receive tracking info as soon as your order ships!
Q: Do you accept returns?
A: Due to the handmade and one-of-a-kind nature of our products, we do not accept returns or exchanges. However, if you order arrives incorrect or damaged, please contact us right away at support@flickerandfound.com, and we’ll make it right.
Vintage Glass Disclaimers & Essential Safety Information
About Our Vintage Glass Vessels
Q: Is it safe to use vintage glass for candles?
A: Every Flicker & Found candle is poured into a hand-selected vintage vessel that has passed our visual inspection and heat-testing process. We test for durability, look for flaws, and carefully calculate wick placement to minimize heat exposure to delicate glass areas.
That said, no vintage glass is ever 100% risk-free.
Glass made decades ago can develop hidden flaws or microfractures. While rare, unexpected cracks or breaks due to heat can happen.
If you believe your candle vessel has broken due to a heat-related defect (not due to dropping or external damage), please contact us. We may be able to offer a replacement candle in a similar vintage vessel.
Candle Safety Guidelines
Q: What are the best safety practices when burning your candles?
A: Safe use is essential with any candle, and especially when using vintage containers. We recommend the following guidelines:
– Trim the wick to ¼ inch before each use
– Burn on a level, heat-safe surface away from drafts, pets, and children
– Never burn a candle for more than 4 hours at a time
– Never leave a burning candle unattended
– Stop burning when ½ inch of wax remains
– Avoid burning near vents, fans, or open windows—moving air increases flame size
– Keep the flame centered and low to reduce radiant heat on the glass sides
Vintage vessels can become hot! Do not touch, move, or refill a lit or recently extinguished candle. If you're ever unsure whether your candle is burning safely, please reach out to us—we’re happy to help.
Signs of Age & Wear in Vintage Items
Q: Why does my item have small imperfections?
A: Vintage glassware and décor are pre-loved heirlooms, which means minor signs of age—like surface scratches, flea bites, small chips, cloudiness, or pattern wear—are common and expected. These do not affect the function or integrity of the piece and are considered part of its character and charm.
We do our best to photograph and describe all items accurately, but we do not offer refunds, exchanges, or warranties for minor cosmetic defects. By purchasing a vintage item, you’re embracing its history and uniqueness.
This policy also applies to other vintage products we offer, such as matchboxes, table lighters, and lighting fixtures.
If you have any concerns about your item or want help using it safely, don’t hesitate to reach out at contact@flickerandfound.com. We’re here to ensure your vintage treasure is something you can enjoy for many years to come.