History
Carrie in her mother's garden
The Aurum Story: Aurum Naturals began as an idea in late 2008 and developed into a complete product line and website launch in 2010. Founder and owner Carrie Burdzinski says the business was "born of necessity." She grew increasingly frustrated by the lack of available high-quality, organic, plastic-free bath and beauty products. Drawing from her background as public relations manager at Eden Organic Foods, Carrie began sourcing raw ingredients from independent, small-scale, organic suppliers. She developed lip balm and toothpaste recipes using these ingredients so that she and her friends could enjoy safe products that were also fun to use. The product line expanded to include bath and hair oil, facial moisturizers, beeswax candles, and organic nut butters in glass jars... with more to come. Today, the handmade 100% beeswax candles are the most popular items. In addition to an online storefront at eBay, Aurum products are also available at several farmers markets, craft shows, and select retailers throughout Michigan.
Carrie's Candle Story: "I have always liked candles. While other kids played 'house,' I liked to play 'candle shop.' I still have the first candles I ever owned—a pair of tapers my dad bought for me when I was five years old. One day after kindergarten class we went to Pier One Imports downtown and he let me choose one thing from the store. Hanging from a rotating rack were assorted paired taper candles in various colors. A vibrant, deep cranberry red stood out to me and I became the proud owner of my very first candles. There is pleasure, pride, and responsibility in ownership, and it helps teach children to respect and honor the value of property. I cherished those first candles very much. The candles have long since faded to a dull orange-red and warped from trying to stand upright one too many hot summers. Still, I think fondly of these candles and haven't burned them after all this time. In fact, they are safely stored in the upper drawer of my dresser. I am so excited that, as an adult, I get to make candles every day and share that enthusiasm with others. One of my favorite recent memories was meeting a young girl at the Plymouth farmers market. She seemed as fascinated by my lip balms as I was about my first childhood candles. I hope that I might have played some small role in fostering her interest in natural crafts, and her joy for living."
Carrie's Candle Story: "I have always liked candles. While other kids played 'house,' I liked to play 'candle shop.' I still have the first candles I ever owned—a pair of tapers my dad bought for me when I was five years old. One day after kindergarten class we went to Pier One Imports downtown and he let me choose one thing from the store. Hanging from a rotating rack were assorted paired taper candles in various colors. A vibrant, deep cranberry red stood out to me and I became the proud owner of my very first candles. There is pleasure, pride, and responsibility in ownership, and it helps teach children to respect and honor the value of property. I cherished those first candles very much. The candles have long since faded to a dull orange-red and warped from trying to stand upright one too many hot summers. Still, I think fondly of these candles and haven't burned them after all this time. In fact, they are safely stored in the upper drawer of my dresser. I am so excited that, as an adult, I get to make candles every day and share that enthusiasm with others. One of my favorite recent memories was meeting a young girl at the Plymouth farmers market. She seemed as fascinated by my lip balms as I was about my first childhood candles. I hope that I might have played some small role in fostering her interest in natural crafts, and her joy for living."
