Dan Bracken 8/29/25 Dan Bracken 8/29/25

The Flame, the Fail and the Cost of a Logo

A logo change must be rooted in understanding your people. Who is your family, and what do they care about? Can you keep them while evolving to reach new people? Or must you sacrifice the base to move forward? And if you’re ok purging your most loyal customers, aren’t you becoming something entirely new?

Dan Bracken 8/22/25 Dan Bracken 8/22/25

The Photo That Started It All

I must admit, every time I ask someone to make eye contact with the camera, I get nervous. Exposure takes double-meaning. To have your picture taken almost grants you immortality. A photograph... a moment in time... a person staring into the camera is a person worth remembering. There is sacred worth in a photograph. It says that person matters.

Dan Bracken 8/16/25 Dan Bracken 8/16/25

Trading Facts for Care

Empathy deprivation isn’t a lack of compassion; it’s the inability to fully inhabit someone’s perspective because critical context is intentionally or unintentionally withheld. The result? You’re left empathizing in the abstract.

That’s where grace has to take over. When understanding is less than black and white, you let go of facts and focus on care.

Dan Bracken 8/8/25 Dan Bracken 8/8/25

Through the Smoke

The first time you face your fear, it starts to lose its grip. That’s the essence of empathy: stepping into what you do not understand, and finding out it’s not so scary after all.

Dan Bracken 7/4/25 Dan Bracken 7/4/25

Love Begets Love

I grow more and more frustrated with keyboard warriors who think their opinion carries more weight than journalists, scientists, educators, researchers—people who spend their lives doing the work. I love globalization. I see human migration as an opportunity to taste new flavors and hear new stories. I struggle to understand why we see “The United States” before we see “Earth.” Tribalism is a cancer.

So I’m working on micro-actions.

Dan Bracken 1/1/25 Dan Bracken 1/1/25

Stay Curious

It's not art unless it makes you feel something. Art is subjective in that regard. Looking back through 2024, any creative output connected to my feelings are connected to people – either projects I've created with someone, for someone or because of someone. Sometimes it was just for me...for expression, sabbath or exploration. I love that my circumstance affords me fluidity between career and curiosity; provision and play; job and joy. Being alive is really interesting. I find the experience of it hinges upon your mindset.

Dan Bracken 12/13/24 Dan Bracken 12/13/24

Cute logos, Family Portraits and… custom puzzles?

This fall, we had fun taking family portraits for the Eshlemen and Roach families. If you have a moment to capture, we would love to help. We’ve learned that if you put the kids at ease, everyone else follows. The best ideas flow from giving the kids creative freedom!

Dan Bracken 9/23/24 Dan Bracken 9/23/24

2024 Fall Candle Sale

The 2024 Bracken Candle Fall Sale is upon us! We're thinning inventory this year, meaning our shelves are stocked with seasonal favorites. Vanilla Peppermint, Cranberry Woods, Frosted Juniper and Spiced Cinnamon. If you're close, we'll deliver! If not, we ship!

Dan Bracken 6/25/24 Dan Bracken 6/25/24

Lake Michigan

I had one hard goal: to scope the shore each night for a sunset photo. I love sunsets and waterfronts without the camera… adding my favorite craft to the mix offered a perfect blend of sabbath and creativity. Those nightly scopes were the only destinations the camera went to. Everything else, came to the camera.

Dan Bracken 12/4/23 Dan Bracken 12/4/23

You Own a Bracken Candle. Now What?

Thank you! Our 2023 Holiday Sale was so much fun! If you are lucky enough to have a Bracken Candle, here’s what you need to do next.

Dan Bracken 11/12/23 Dan Bracken 11/12/23

2023 Holiday Sale now OPEN !

Bracken Candle 2023 holiday sale has officially begun! Only 116 candles available. Frosted Juniper, Vanilla Peppermint, Cranberry Woods and Spiced Cinnamon. Crafted with Golden 464 soy wax in ceramic tumblers and glass jars.

Dan Bracken 10/29/23 Dan Bracken 10/29/23

Two New Decorative Prints Available

Dan Bracken 10/29/23 Dan Bracken 10/29/23

How Our Candles Are Made

How do we make our candles? What kind of wax do we use? Who sources our fragrances? Let’s demystify the process and get familiar with what makes Bracken Candles so pleasant.