Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathryn Hutson
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve always had a passion for DIY crafts and a wide variety of hobbies, with candle making and jewelry design being two that truly stuck with me. At the time, I was crafting jewelry for a local store, Angie Star Jewelry, when I received an unexpected message on Christmas Day. Angie reached out to me, offering me the opportunity to take over her space as she shifted her focus to her Boulder location. While the space was small, it was in the heart of Old Town Square, Fort Collins—an ideal location that I simply couldn’t pass up.
Once I had the space, I faced the decision of whether to focus on candles or jewelry. My husband and I love going out for date nights, but often found ourselves having to travel to Denver for something unique and memorable. I wanted to bring that same experience to the town I love so much, and that’s when the idea hit me—why not open a make-your-own candle shop? It felt like the perfect way to offer something fresh and interactive to the Fort Collins community, and I couldn’t wait to bring it to life.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Opening my first brick-and-mortar store was a true learning experience. Transforming a space designed for shopping and browsing into one that fosters relaxation and creativity took a lot of work. With a tight budget and my DIY spirit driving me, I was determined to handle as much of the work myself as possible. The first several months were a whirlwind—spending countless hours at the shop with my one-year-old by my side, while my husband and I worked tirelessly to bring the vision to life. It was challenging, but every step brought us closer to creating a space that felt like home for our customers.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about burn. Candle Bar?
Join us for a bespoke pour-your-own candle experience to forge a connection, spark creativity, and invoke the memory long after you’re gone. Our DIY candle bar is fully outfitted with clean-burning soy wax, reusable vessels, dye options and over sixty clean fragrance options for a piece that’s uniquely your own, offering a fit for every budget and any crowd.
Scent is our sense most closely associated with memory. At burn., you’ll be just as excited to remember the moment as you are experiencing it.
If you have business here, crafting is one of the many incredible team-building activities in Colorado, encouraging your team to bond and boost morale outside of the office.
Bachelorettes love it too, offering a personalized keepsake to remember this moment with the bride-to-be.
Whether you’d like to hold on to memories of a birthday, family reunion, or a romantic evening, burn. has a night out for you.
We will host your event for parties less than 10, or we can come to you for bigger events. We have also teamed up with local wineries and breweries to host your special moments.
Not into pouring your own? No problem! Browse our online candle bar to create your bespoke piece from the comfort of your couch.
Come create your own personalized candle, reed diffuser, room spray, or explore our newest addition—custom fragrance perfumes!
I’m incredibly proud of my team and the way we create a fun, welcoming atmosphere, making every DIY experience enjoyable and memorable for you.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I truly believe that luck plays a role in everyone’s success. The timing of the space becoming available when it did felt like a fortunate stroke of luck that couldn’t have been more perfect.
Pricing:
- DIY Candle Experience $25-50, depending on the vessel you choose
- DIY Room Spray $30
- DIY Reed Diffusers $35-50
Contact Info:
- Website: https://burncandlebar.com
- Instagram: @burn.candlebar
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558552624010
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/burn-candle-bar-fort-collins
Image Credits
Olive Thompson Photography
