About

Hello, friend.

My name is Noraa, and this is my candle shop.

The Shop
How it started. I began brewing candles for sale under the name Gunn Dean Candle Co. in 2017 after really needing a creative outlet. My candles were predominately fandom-based, to begin with. What started with Robin Hood-themed candles soon took on a life of its own, and I made candles designed after anything from children’s classics to popular literature like The Secret History and Lord of the Rings. Just when I was finding my rhythm with candles based on mythology and archetypes, life swooped in and plucked my feathers mid-flight. I had to abruptly close my beloved candle shop in 2020 and deal with a series of life-altering changes, such as moving internationally (and then moving back). I went back to school to finish my bachelor’s degree. I bought a house.

In the years since, to be honest, I haven’t stopped thinking about candles. I’ve kept notes about candle ideas, bookmarked design inspirations and scent combinations, and kept brewing away candles in my heart. I’ve finally come to a place of stability where I feel I can blow away the dust on my old supplies and ideas and start again.

Foxbreath Studio was born.

Same timeless look, same complex scents, new ideas.

Me
I was born and raised in rural Oregon but now live in Washington state with my partner Dezzy and our two dogs Margot and Pippin. I have a bachelor’s in English and I’m currently in graduate school working on my masters in Book Publishing.

What are your candles inspired by?
Foremost, literature. I’m an avid reader and love discussing stories. Most of my candles are inspired by some idea of literature - whether a beloved character, an archetype, a mythological story, or a familiar legend. There will also be candles based off of historical figures or places, impactful or beautiful words, or even a song.

What are some of your favorite stories?
I have an entire shelf (and some overflow) dedicated to Robin Hood books. My favorite adaptions are Outlaws of Sherwood by Robin McKinley — and my favorite show of all time is the BBC Robin Hood from ‘06. I also really enjoy Arthurian legend! Le Monte d’Arthur by Thomas Mallory is a great place to start for literature, and I can talk about the show Merlin all day.

What is your favorite book?
My go-to answer to this question is We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson. If you’re looking for a quick read with all the gothic cottagecore vibes, I absolutely recommend. I also highly rate Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier, Juniper and Thorn by Ava Reid, The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang, Salt Slow by Julia Armfield, Legendborn by Tracy Deonn, The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo, Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor, The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell, and Joan by Katherine Chen.

What are you listening to?
Hozier—whose songs and vibe is a definite inspiration for a lot of the aesthetics for my candles. My constant companion of song, however, is The Amazing Devil. And other favorites I’m usually listening to are Paris Paloma, The Last Dinner Party, Ethel Cain, Florence + the Machine, Taylor Swift, Chapelle Roan, and Suki Waterhouse.