La Tía | Oaxacan Flower Beeswax Candle

La Tía is a beeswax candle handmade by the women of Casa Viviana, an artisanal candle-making studio in Teotitlan del Valle, Oaxaca.  -approximately 7 inches tall -made of beeswax from Chiapas -available only in black Story For multiple generations candles have been an important part of the culture in the Zapotec town of Teotitlan del Valle. Traditionally, candles were used as an offering when asking a woman’s hand in marriage, and on church alters. Casa Viviana is named after Viviana Alavez, a 73 year old woman who has been an integral part of keeping the craft alive in this region. Viviana began learning to make candles when she was eight years old. At that time, candles were not a product sold for money, candle makers worked in a barter system where they exchanged candles for food with the Catholic Church; a practice that ran many candlemakers out of business. However, in the 1970’s Viviana husband became ill and she needed to generate income to provide for her family. She began lo