Today, we're introducing you to a maker that we know you're going to LUV! Candyce is a multi-talented maker whose natural, vegan-friendly aromatherapy products include shower steamers, lip balm, candles, and sugar scrubs that are good for the body AND soul! Without further ado, meet Candyce from Love Bug Luv Products!
Thanks so much for sharing your story with us today! Can you please tell us a little bit about yourself?
Hello, I am Candyce! I was born and raised in a little town called Littlerock, California. At that time, I was fresh out of Culinary School and decided to move out of California. I was traveling to Florida but stopped in Texas and never left.
I am a mother of 2 amazing children; we call them Lil Love Bug and Baby Love Bug in the company. They help out a lot. I am also married to a wonderful husband who supported my dream to make soap from the beginning.
I have a German Shepherd and 2 cats. I love all art and still play in the kitchen from time to time, but I feel I can be more creative with skincare, and making new recipes is by far my favorite.
Love Bug Luv process
We're so glad you stopped in Texas and stayed! Who inspires you?
When we talk about inspiration, I would have to say my family inspires me. I just want to show my mom all that I can do. I want to show her that she raised me to think without limits and not to stop until I reach what I am after. I also want to show these same traits to my children. I want to show them they can live their dreams and not have to settle for a life that does not make them completely happy.
What a beautiful way to take what your mother taught you and pass it on to the next generation! Tell us about Love Bug Luv— what do you make, and how long have you been doing it?
We are Love Bug Luv Products LLC. I created our name before I completely created the company. I really wanted something that was family oriented. Love Bug is a name my mom had called me my whole life, and it is also what I call my children, and I wanted to pull the generations together in one single name, and that is how "Love Bug" became. Now the Luv was my way of saying, "I care for you." It was created out of a space of humanity endearment. I wanted to say relax for a moment in your never-stopping life and breathe because I care about your health.
We love that your love for your family has overflowed to all of your customers! How has Love Bug Luv changed since you first started?
I started out with facial masks and soap and have grown into a complete skincare line. Every time I would complete a new area, another idea would come flowing in. I make all-natural, vegan-friendly aromatherapy bath and body products with skin-loving additives.
As of right now, I feel my collection is complete, and I have decided to channel my need to create into teaching classes. I teach workshops on Bath and Body Products at the Zula Wylie Library in Cedar Hill, and I am starting to branch out and teach some classes here at Mosaic. I am very excited to see where my future takes me.
I have been making bath and body products continuously for the last 3 years. I had played with the idea when I was a child, but it was much more of a hobby in those days. I am very happy my hobby is also now my career. I really wanted to work with essential oils because, with my grandmother being a massage therapist, I grew up surrounded by essential oils and their fantastic benefits. I wanted to make sure I continued to share those benefits with the world. Also, I wanted to add extra benefits with clays and skin-loving additives like Turmeric and Activated Charcoal. I truly believe that these added ingredients help to heal your skin from all of the harsh environmental conditions we expose our skin to daily.
Love Bug Luv bath bombs
I am truly here to help others with the relaxing effects of the scents I blend, as well as the added benefits you receive from the vitamins and minerals of all of my products.
What advice would you give a young artist?
The biggest piece of advice that I would give a young artist would be to never give up and always be authentic. No matter how hard it gets sometimes, and no matter what anyone says you should do. Just stay strong, take a deep breath, and keep on being your amazing self because one day, you'll look back and see all you have created; it will be the best moment of your life.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I would say my favorite part of my job is hearing/reading the reviews. I love hearing how happy people are after using my products and learning about the struggles they had before my products and how I have helped them. The second would be teaching. I love coaching and educating people about healthy skin care.
Love Bug Luv Calm and Tranquility
If you could have any superpower, what would you choose?
If I could have any super power, it would be the power of speed. I feel like I would be way more productive in my work/life balance if I could finish things as fast as I could think of them. Plus, my youngest loves Sonic, so I would score major cool points in his book.
Cool points AND productivity! That sounds like a winning combination! Thanks so much for sharing your story with us today, Candyce. We're so glad to have you as a maker at Mosaic Makers Collective!
Want to learn more about our makers or shop Love Bug Luv? Check out these additional resources:
- Visit our shop in the Bishop Arts District
- Shop Love Bug Luv online
- Meet more of our Mosaic Makers on the Blog