Our Story
Craftsmanship. Conservation. Community.
Craftsmanship.
When I was a young girl, I used to sit in my manzanita tree fort and craft things. There wasn’t a twig, rock, or leaf I didn’t find a purpose for. In short time, I had crafted a lovely pallet house complete with circular walkway and adorned in handcrafted goodness.
Fastforward a few decades – a corporate career and a PhD later – and you would find me longing for something a bit simpler and closer to home. Something like my childhood. Something called Manzanita Craft Company.
I no longer work with twigs and rocks, but the essence of my work is the same: to handcraft items that help make a house a home. Each item in the store is handcrafted here in Grass Valley, California from materials sourced in the USA. Our products are produced in small batches so we can pay attention to the details that constitute craftsmanship.
Afterall, we’re not just creating items to be placed in a house. We’re helping you create a home.
All-Natural
Wicks
Phthalate-Free
Sustainably Sourced
Thoroughly safety tested
Earth safe finishes
Conservation.
Conservation and sustainability have long been a part of our lifestyles. My husband (David), is a consulting arborist, horticulturalist, beekeeper, and firefighter from Australia. He loves permaculture, food preservation, and crafting items from reclaimed wood. My eldest son (Thomas) studied horticulture and nursery management and loves growing succulents that can survive a Nevada County winter. Even my youngest (Sammy) helps chip in with recycling and upcycling items with his artwork.
Here at Manzanita Craft Company, we strive to make a positive impact with each item we make. From picking our materials for their low environmental impact to actively working to reduce our carbon footprint. We encourage reuse of our candle vessels through projects featured on our blog and by providing affordable (and sustainable!) soy wax refills.
We even finish off our products with earth safe finishes and eco-safe micas and colorants.
Our Mission
To provide our customers with high-quality and earth-friendly handcrafted home décor and candles at an affordable price so they may create the home of their dreams.
Community.
Our products are inspired by the Sierra Nevada community we live in. Steeped in Gold Rush history, the city of Grass Valley was founded in 1860 and is home to two of the richest gold mines in California. Living on the edge of the Tahoe National Forest, we are blessed to be surrounded by towering trees, crystal blue lakes, and breathtaking views.
We are also fortunate to live in a community surrounded by people who are kind and generous of spirit. Nevada county is the home of over 800 non-profits, and it is not unusual to run into a volunteer group cleaning up the Yuba River, building parks for kids, or feeding people in need. We’re proud to support our neighbors through donations of time and money to local community groups.
