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Small batches.
Big memories. Handmade with purpose.
How We Got Started.
Our story started with a long-time love for bougie candles and a nostalgic spark from watching The Karate Kid with my kids. That moment—the warmth of family, the underdog energy, the feeling of rooting for someone to rise—captured something I wanted to bottle up and share.
ExtraLit was born from that spark: scents inspired by the moments that matter most.But this business has grown into something bigger than candles. After years in the corporate world, I stepped away to build a life with more intention, more creativity, and more connection to the people who mean the most to me.
ExtraLit became the place where I could blend all of that—craft, purpose, family, and the simple joy of making something with my hands.My kids create the artwork you see across our brand, my husband keeps the tech running, and I pour every candle in small batches using clean, non-toxic fragrances and natural wax from a woman-owned business. Every detail is intentional, thoughtful, and designed so you can feel good about what comes into your home.
Made with Rage.
Some people meditate. I throw clay.
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Made With Rage is my founder pottery line—born from late nights, loud thoughts, and the kind of grown-woman rage that doesn’t destroy things…it makes them. Every piece is hand-thrown, one-of-a-kind, and unapologetically honest. No filters, no perfectionism, no pretending everything is calm when the world is on fire.
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This is pottery for the girls, gays, and grown-ass adults who hold it together all day and then remember: you’re allowed to make something just for you.
It’s functional art shaped by frustration, softened with humor, and glazed in “I survived another Tuesday.”
Every mug, bowl, and candle holder carries fingerprints, attitude, and the quiet rebellion of choosing creativity over chaos.
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This line isn’t delicate.
It’s durable.
It’s therapy… but hotter.
Our Values.
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ExtraLit is more than a candle brand; it’s a reflection of who we are, the memories we hold dear, and the future we’re committed to building. Minimalist yet luxurious, nostalgic yet modern, every candle is crafted to blend into your space while standing for something more.
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We believe the things you light should reflect what you value. That’s why we use clean ingredients, work with women-owned suppliers, and create products with intention rather than volume.
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Through our HumanKind collection, a portion of every sale supports organizations advancing human rights, women’s rights, LGBTQ+ safety, and community care. We believe in equality, dignity, and the right for every person to show up as themselves—and to be safe doing it. Light should do more than glow; it should help light the way.
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We’re also proud members of the Little Blue Cart, Local Liberl, and the Seattle Good Business Network, standing alongside small businesses working toward a more sustainable, equitable, community-centered local economy. Being part of these networks matters to us—because your dollars deserve to support companies that give a damn.
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Progressive values, clean craft, meaningful impact.
It’s all woven into what we make and how we show up.
Why We're Worth it.
We believe what you light should reflect what you value. That’s why we craft every candle with care, using clean ingredients, sustainable materials, and a whole lot of heart. We're not just here to smell good—we’re here to do good. From the scents that spark connection to the causes we support, everything we do is designed to shine a little brighter.
Natural AF.
Seriously.
We use 100% all natural, vegan soy-coconut wax, poured into infinitely recyclable tin or glass containers. Our packaging? 100% plastic-free, eco-friendly, and crafted entirely from recycled and recyclable materials.
Small-Batch, Hand Poured.
Small-batch. Hand-poured. Zero shortcuts. We craft every candle with clean ingredients and obsessive attention to detail—because your moments deserve better than mass-produced “meh.” This is quality you can light, feel, and trust.
Supports
Social Causes.
Kindness is the light that guides us. $5 from each sale of our HumanKind, Glow Up, and Love is Lit candles goes to charity, helping us give back to causes we care about.
We use fragrance oils that are phthalate-free and Proposition 65 compliant, excluding carcinogens, mutagens, reproductive toxins, organ toxins, and acute toxins.
Hi, I’m Vanessa.
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The hands, heart, and occasional chaos behind ExtraLit.​ I started this brand because scent has always been my way of holding onto the moments that matter. A single fragrance can pull you back to a season of your life you didn’t even realize you missed. After years of pouring myself into corporate roles, I wanted to build something that felt more human, something rooted in craft, creativity, and the kind of intention that gets lost when life moves too fast.
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What began as small-batch candles quickly turned into a much bigger journey. I fell in love with making things by hand—the slow process, the imperfect edges, the feeling of creating something real. When sourcing quality vessels became a challenge, I learned pottery. Now, each piece I make carries its own character and a bit of the world we’re all navigating. Some pieces speak softly, others say the thing out loud, but all of them are honest.
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ExtraLit is a family effort. My kids help shape the visuals you see across our brand, my husband keeps the tech from crashing, and I pour, glaze, and obsess over every detail so what ends up in your home feels intentional. Clean ingredients, small batches, and thoughtful design are non-negotiables for us. So is purpose. Through our HumanKind line, we support movements working to protect rights, dignity, and people—because lighting a candle should feel good in more ways than one.
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This brand has grown with me. I’ve learned a lot, stretched a lot, and found so much joy in building something that reflects the life I want to live—creative, meaningful, and connected.
Thank you for being here, for supporting a small family business, and for letting our work become part of your moments. It means more than you know.
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