SURREY HILLS, U.K. — Sex Toy Candle Co., recently founded by 25-year-old Em Newton, is now offering a range of candles shaped, as the company name suggests, like a variety of pleasure products.
The pandemic has seen sales of candles "skyrocket," noted a company rep. "With the nation confined to their homes, demand for scented candles, potpourri and essential oils was up by almost a third."
When Newton lost her job in travel marketing during the lockdown, the rep explained, she "found a way to combine the two trends."
Four designs are currently available in the shape of anal plugs and dildos.
“I was looking for Christmas presents on Etsy and noticed female torso candles were really popular," Newton told XBIZ. "I thought, 'Let’s take this a step further.' When I shared my idea, my mum was skeptical while my grandad was utterly horrified."
"My friends, on the other hand, were keen to make pre-orders," she added. "So I bought a collection of interestingly shaped sex toys and set about learning how to mold candles."
The candles are vegan, sustainably packaged — the eco-friendly aspect was "non-negotiable," Newton said — and "surprisingly cute."
The entrepreneur, who crafts the molds herself and hand-pours the candles in her kitchen, has relied on her marketing background when crafting the company website and building a social media following,
“Since the end of January, I’ve sold around 450 candles and I am currently in discussions with a number of online retailers who want to make wholesale orders," she said. "My customers include everyone from students looking for a novelty birthday gift to 'mum bloggers' searching for some quirky interior design additions. Even my dad bought his partner a set for Valentine’s Day and my stepdad bought an eight-inch dildo candle for his 78-year-old mum for Mother’s Day."
"I’ve also had a lot of support from sex educators and body-positive influencers on social media," she added.
Pricing starts at £12; Newton stressed her candles are novelty gifts and not intended for use as sex toys.
Visit SexToyCandleCo.com and follow the company on Etsy and Instagram.
