It took a year of experimenting before they got it right, and they began packaging the candles in gift totes for which Traci hand-sewed velvet bags. Saks Fifth Avenue was their first major client. It took three days for Traci to sew 500 bags to complete the order.
Now, the Arntsens sit atop a growing empire with their Voluspa candles, arguably one of the hottest names in luxury candles.
The name, pronounced Vuh-lus-pa, means "Scandinavian goddess of wisdom." Traci came across it in a library while searching for possible names. It took a while for people to warm to it, though Traci says the candles also have a big fan base in - where else? - Scandinavia.
Though most candles today are filled by machine injection, the Arntsens use an age-old technique of hand-pouring from large pitchers. The wick also is inserted by hand.
Troy Arntsen has been credited with developing one of the purest-burning wax formulas in the industry. Voluspa candles are designed so they don't smoke when burning. The wax is warm, never hot, to the touch.
"The wax also has to hold lots of fragrance. How long a fragrance lasts, that's what's propelled our brand," says Troy.
Traci is responsible for crafting fragrances and package design. She's created more than 200 scents, drawing from a library of more than 1,000 ingredients like sandalwood and assorted Indian and European botanicals. Inspiration, she says, comes from everywhere.
"What's happening in fashion inspires me. For example, there were florals all over the runway for spring, so I decided on a floral base for all the fragrances.
"And sometimes colors, too. For gray, I think maybe I could use charcoal and a gray lavender. And when I see fabric patterns, I think about whether I could use [them] for packaging."
