Welcome to First Flame

Hi, I’m Michelle—founder, maker, and heart behind First Flame.

I grew up in a fire station. My dad, his dad, and his dad before him all served as firefighters. Fire was never just an element in our house—it was legacy, responsibility, and respect. Maybe that’s why candles feel so natural to me. They’re a quiet nod to that lineage—a way of working with fire that’s gentle, intentional, and beautiful.

In 2020, after more than 15 years in community work—including projects that helped shape the NDIS and launch some of Australia’s first mental health and suicide prevention trial sites—I stepped back. Like many people during the COVID years, I felt the call to slow down, to reconnect with creativity, and to make more space for family, soul, and meaning.

That’s how First Flame was born. What started as a kitchen-table project with my daughter Taylah in 2021 has grown into a thriving artisan candle brand. While Taylah has stepped back to welcome her second child, First Flame continues to glow—supported by a beautiful community of customers, collaborators, and curious minds we’ve met at markets, events, and online.

Every candle we make is designed to spark something—a memory, a moment, a sense of joy. Our sculptural candles and scent collections have found their way into homes, rituals, and hearts across the country. Along the way, we’ve been lucky to collaborate with inspiring creatives, including the award-winning Scene:Scents project with Thinkerbell and Binge.

These days, I split my time between pouring candles, updating the First Flame story, and exploring the skies as a part-time astrologer. I never imagined I’d be doing this—but I pinch myself often. It’s a gift to create, to connect, and to bring something a little bit magical into people’s everyday lives.

Thank you for being here. Whether you’re lighting a candle for ambience, ceremony, or simple pleasure—I hope it adds warmth to your world.

Big love
Michelle