When I lived in Bangkok, Thailand is where my love for candles truly began. There was a candle shop near my home and the fragrance is so heavenly it’s almost as if it is floating in the air. There was only one distinct fragrance, and it smelled like an ancient temple which made me calm despite the chaotic Bangkok traffic. I am so amazed with the different candle shapes and styles, and it made me dream of having my own candle shop one day. I eventually bought a lot of candles from this candle shop andkept some of those until now in my little teakwood candle cabinet. Two decades came and went and the scent is still there. Like that one fateful day when I first saw that candle shop near my home.
I grew up in an island in the Philippines and even though I lived abroad soon after, I still miss the smell of the sea, the warm weather, the golden sunny days, the beautiful sunset, the white beaches, the beautiful flowers, the fruit drinks, the coconut trees and all the exotic food. I want to travel back in time to tell the story by creating nostalgic scents and relive those precious moments again and again as child back in the Philippines; carefree, innocent and yet learned, happy and yet sad, young and yet old.
My soap-making story began …
… when I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021. It was the scariest news I’ve ever received in my life. So many emotions from fear, shock and sadness began ruling my head and I went through a difficult time. It was overwhelming. I went through all the treatments of chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiotherapy. I am thankful that I’m now in complete remission but there are many tradeoffs or side effects and one of them is having a very dry skin. I cannot find any commercial soaps that is ‘truly’ moisturizing. This is when I started to dream of making my own natural soap.
At the same year, the company I am working for announced that the company will be moved outside Switzerland, and I will lose my job in 2024. I took this as an opportunity to do something different, despite the odds and day-to-day challenges. This is when I decided to be a candle and soap maker.
I took some courses in candle making and soap making here in Switzerland. I also took a course in the perfume capital of the world – Grasse in France, in perfume making and learned a lot; blending, identifying and discovering rituals I have never known before. I thought about creating and found out that through creating, there is a sense of wonder, a sense of giving life a go and eventually surviving this oftentimes stressful life with beauty and love.
With nothing but passion and commitment, I started to create handmade candles and soaps in my basement with the help of my husband. In a snap, I transformed my basement into my own workshop. I chose the name “Home Swiss Home” for my brand because it evokes the warmth and comfort I felt while recovering at home, surrounded by love and beauty. My firstborn son designed the logo featuring mountains, symbolizing my deep affection for the stunning country of Switzerland. He also crafted the labels, adding unique icons to complement the beautiful candle jars.
My candles offer a unique experience. You need to try them because…
I only use soy wax for my candles which is non-toxic because it is a vegetable-based wax. As a cancer survivor, it is very important for me that my candles are free of harmful substances. The scented oils I use are carefully selected to make sure they are free of Phthalates* and CMR* substances. With this, I may also want to mention that my candle jars are sustainable because they are reusable and refillable. I also use kraft cartons because I am an advocate of eco and enviro-friendly items.
I created different scents that will capture my childhood memories, my longing for lifestyle wellness balance and the heavenly scents of Switzerland. I am not only reliving my memories but also sharing them to you. As we know, candles have a timeless beauty that transcends their practical function of providing light.
My handmade soaps are worth experiencing too because …
My soaps are cold processed which is better for the skin because they contain nourishing natural ingredients, and these are preserved by allowing them to cure naturally without heat, so the soaps are ultra-hydrating. The vegetable oils I use are biodegradable, thus, less pollution will happen as a result. The additives like scented oils and colored mica* powder allows me to offer my customers a choice of natural, colorful and most of all high-quality moisturizing soaps. The mica* powder I use does not contain any artificial coloring and nanoparticles, so I use it as a natural coloring in my soaps and it is safe to use on almost all skin types. The scented oils I use are carefully selected and free of Phthalates* and CMR* substances. My recipes are original with high quality food grade ingredients and tested.
In essence, taking a bath is a multisensory and holistic experience that can enhance both your physical and emotional well-being. It offers a chance to escape, relax, and indulge in self-care, promoting a sense of beauty that goes beyond the physical appearance. And using the right soap will always transform your day into a special one . . . every single day.
Every scent has a story, and I am excited to share them to you. They are great as a gift for yourself and for your loved ones. I hope you will enjoy my products as much as I do.
You deserve love. You deserve beauty.
Wendra Mae Mari-Berger
Owner and Master Crafter
Notes
*Mica is a naturally occurring mineral found in rocks all over the world. The biggest benefit of mica is its ability to create a natural shimmery finish and because it is naturally produced it is safe to use on almost all skin types.
*Phthalates are chemicals that make plastic soft and flexible. As the candles burn, phthalates are released into the air and can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin. When the phthalates enter the bloodstream, they can exacerbate allergic symptoms and asthma and alter hormone levels.
*CMR means Carcinogenic, Mutagenic and Reprotoxic and it defines a category of particularly dangerous chemical substances that can cause harmful effects to human health if inhaled.