Making Scents

—STEPHEN KAMIFUJI

From her Venice hybrid boutique-studio-factory, Heather Beaudoin and her trusty sidekick, Kianna Koprowski, are busy handcrafting their Tiny Bandit candles using a 100% natural coconut wax blend, lead-free braided cotton wicks, and perfume oil.

“Every item we make is organically one-of-a-kind and full of energy and beauty,” says Heather, holding a Moon Milk-scented candle (her best seller). The sexy beachy scent—like all her fragrances—comes in candles (some with crystals), a room spray, a diffuser, a body spray, cuticle oil, and crystal ritual oil. Soon, Heather hopes to add lotions to the mix.

Aside from the fragrance sets, you’ll also find beautiful baskets, indigo textiles, sea glass from Africa, and loads of crystals from Morocco. There are utensils, jewelry, tea towels, books, rings, and cute carved crystal mushrooms. “We sell a lot of things in the shape of mushrooms—they’re definitely having their moment,” Heather injects with a nod and a wink.

A breast cancer survivor, Heather was diagnosed at only 29. “I was one of the youngest, so Cedars Sinai worked diligently on a chemo-cocktail to keep me from going into menopause,” she says, adding, “So giving back is very important to me.” Currently, her Sea Elixir candle benefits the Surfrider Foundation, and in October, during breast cancer awareness month, proceeds from one of the Tiny Bandit candles will help the Young Survival Coalition.

Heather is not at all surprised by having manifested her success: “Since I was young, I always knew I’d figure out how to use my creativity to pay the bills and satisfy my spirit—it’s cool that it’s come to fruition.”

You’ll find Tiny Bandit products at The Beverly Hills Hotel, The Butcher’s Daughter, and Burke Decor, or by visiting the Tiny Bandit boutique and studio, 350 Sunset Ave., Suite 2, Venice, California 90291, 213-422-6934, tinybandit.com

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LEFT: TINY BANDIT SEA ELIXIR CANDLE WHOSE PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE SURFRIDER FOUNDATION. CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: HEATHER BEAUDOIN PLACING CRYSTALS IN HER CANDLES; MINI CRYSTAL MUSH ROOMS GUARANTEED TO SPARK JOY, $6.

EA; 9 OZ MOON MILK CANDLE IN COTTON DRAWSTRING BAG, $64; THREEPIECE WELLNESS GIFT SET CONTAINING SIGNA TURE CRYSTAL CANDLE, CLOUD MIST BODY + ROOM SPRAY, AND CRYSTAL RITUAL OIL IN A HANDSOME WOOD BOX, $118.