Learn about Osage Candles!

I'm always amazed at just how quickly each year seems to pass me by. Reflecting back over time, I've seen many changes here at the lake. A few things still remain the same; others are quickly changing. This is where I grew up, where I went to school, and where I'm truly at home. I'm blessed to live in such a great community and to be able to go to work and say that I really do love my job. Allow me the opportunity to introduce you to my family and the business we've created.

I have the privilege of owning a second-generation, family business. I didn't always view it as a privilege or a blessing, but over the years have come to realize just how lucky I really am.; My folks are Dave and Dora Stewart, founders of the Osage Candle Factory. Simple, friendly, humble,
and respectable is the first that comes to mind.
My Mother is the original candle maker in the family. Born in Sikeston, MO. She was number 7 of 10 kids. They migrated to Phoenix, Arizona when she was 10, due to my Grandfather developing tuberculosis. At that time, Phoenix wasn't the metropolis that it is today. She went to a one-room schoolhouse in Palo Verde, Arizona and lived the life of a farmer's daughter. Her school teacher happened to be a candle maker. She took my Mother under her wing and inspired in her a love of the craft. From that point on, my Mother knew what she wanted to do for the rest of her life.
My Dad is a Arizona native, born and raised in Phoenix and the only surviving child of my Grandmother, who was separated from her family in Hungary during the war, lost her husband to a heart attack when my Dad was a baby and lost her first born son before my Dad was born. She was a strong woman; she didn't have a choice and she raised my Dad to be the strong man
he has been my entire life.

My folks met, in their early twenties, while working at Valley National Bank in Phoenix. It was love at first sight and if you ask them, they can tell you what each other was wearing the first time they met.They married in February of 1966. Evidently the bug to make candles was infectious and my
Dad was a quick study as he has always been a Jack of all trades It became the gift they gave during the Holidays, and at that time, they didn't have much else to give. They also became the proud parents of two ornery kids; my brother, David, born in Alameda, California and myself, MaTonya, born in Oakland, California.

Our family moved to Missouri in 1977. As time went on, my folks always had the dream to turn their hobby into a full-time business, but that wasn't to be until 1993. In 1979 they bought out their first candle factory in Columbia, Missouri (which was basically a small amount of equipment). They
continued to make candles part-time, buying out two more factories until they opened up their shop here at Lake Ozark in 1993. My Brother and I both went off into the world, and lived our lives like all kids do leaving the nest. He was to settled in Oklahoma City where he is the proud father of 4 beautiful boys and he continues to be involved in the family business as he is the co-caretaker of our website, which he and my Dad do together. I moved back to Missouri, from Florida in 1995, transfered schools and became a career college student for about 10 years. I would commute back and forth from the lake to Mizzou while working here at the factory and here I am today. I guess I have developed the candle-making bug as well. We have a family joke that we must have wax running through our veins. And as for my folks, approaching 43 years together, they are still very Factory is not just an occupation or a business. It's a place where we can work together, doing what we love to do, together.

So, during the hustle and bustle of your everyday life, take a few minutes to reflect, and appreciate what we sometimes take for granted. It's often the little things and simple pleasures that count in the long run and enrich our lives from one day to the next. For me, today, it's having my health, my dog Chato (who does come to work with me every day), and such a wonderful family. I'm truly blessed. Please stop by and meet me and my family in person.

Tonya