Our Story
OUR STORY
Candles for lived-in rooms and the rituals that happen in them.
Sawdust & Embers began in 2016 when John and Brett Marquez turned a candle-making hobby into a small business in Garland, Texas.
The idea was simple: fragrance should feel like part of everyday life—not something reserved for special occasions. We create balanced, atmospheric candles shaped by distinctive places, natural materials, familiar textures, and the memories attached to them.
Our candles are made for quiet rituals: morning coffee at the kitchen table, evenings on the sofa, and the in-between moments that give a space its character. Each one is poured in Texas using a soy wax blend and cotton wick.
Four collections now express that idea in different ways. Foundations is our original amber-glass lineup. Botanica interprets the atmosphere and energy of living things. Folklore turns myth, landscape, and memory into fragrance. Ethereal Journeys explores introspection, atmosphere, and the inward journey.
Crafted from tradition. Inspired by nature.
Meet the Founders
Hi, we're John and Brett Marquez. What began as a shared candle-making hobby in 2016 became Sawdust & Embers—a fragrance company built from our Garland, Texas studio.
From developing fragrances and designing labels to pouring candles and packing orders, the brand remains closely connected to the people and ideas that shaped it. Every collection reflects something personal: a place we remember, a material with character, a story worth retelling, or a feeling we wanted to capture in scent.
Fun Facts
Our Favorite Candles: Brett loves Heathered Cashmere, while John prefers Muir Woods—the first fragrance he created, inspired by a special trip.
Husky Love: We're proud parents to two huskies, Kyra and Nala.
How We Met: A now-defunct gay dating app—gotta love modern romance.
Winding Down: Brett enjoys snacks and a good show, true crime, TLC, or a book. John usually keeps busy—it's hard to stop when you love what you do.
Thank you for making room for our candles in your home. Every order supports an independent Texas business and allows us to keep developing fragrances with atmosphere, character, and a genuine sense of place.
FIND YOUR NEXT FRAGRANCE
Begin with the candles that best represent the Sawdust & Embers world.