Lilac Buddha
Enchanting Buddhas, lovely scented and environmentally-friendly candles, chemical-free handmade soaps, paper lanterns, glasses, and youthful affordable gifts.
Amber Green is the 20-year-old owner of the Lilac Buddha, a small, home-based business in Republic, Washington. She credits her father, a fine wood worker, with providing her with the name for her business. He set aside a beautiful piece of lilac, to create a Buddha for Amber and dubbed it the “Lilac Buddha.” The name soon became the name of Green's business.
"I created the Lilac Buddha because, as a single mother, I wanted to be able to support my daughter and myself without missing out on the best parts of being a mom." Looking for a way to work and raise her daughter, "without having to constantly put her in daycare" she decided that the self-employment was the only solution.
"I have always dreamed of having a job that allows me to travel," she says, and believes that is the reason she's drawn to the import side of her business which includes decorative glasses, Buddha carvings and tiles, decorative pouches, and fun purses. “All of my imports are purchased from environmentally responsible companies,” she states. “Their products are made from sustainably harvested and renewable materials. I have a variety of imports that are fun for every age.”
"I love candles and paraffin is the only kind available in Republic, so I decided to change that."
After the original concept of the Lilac Buddha was formed, Green made the decision to add her own personal handmade soap to her product line. “My soap is nourishing to the skin and free of any chemicals,” she explains. “It is enhanced with natural herbs and their healing properties. For example, the baby soap is made with calming lavender and chamomile, healing comfrey, and soothing calendula. My gardener’s garlic soap, which is my favorite, is designed to be naturally antimicrobial with garlic, myrrh, horsetail and mullein. This soap is great for getting tough dirt and grime off of your hands. I make my soaps from the finest oils, fragrances, and natural herbs. No chemical dyes are used.”
Amber also introduced her line of soy candles to the area. "I love candles, and paraffin is the only kind of candle available in Republic, so I decided to change that." Green began making her candles out of soy wax after learning that traditional paraffin candles can pollute the air in your home. "Paraffin candles are petroleum based and release large amounts of soot and petrochemicals in the air," she explains. "This causes allergies and asthma attacks for many people. Soy wax releases less pollutants when it burns, making it friendly for people with allergies and asthma. This is why all of my candles are made from 100% soy wax."
"Venezia is a combination of espresso, chocolate and orange. This candle is so delicious that it will make your friends wonder what you are baking."
Her candles are inspired by her love for the outdoors and good food. “Some of my candles capture the wonderful fragrances of nature, like Hana, which is reminiscent of Hawaii during the beginning of mango season, with fragrances of mango, lime and coconut. While other candles are more inspired by food and are almost yummy enough to eat, Venezia is a combination of espresso, chocolate and orange. This candle is so delicious that it will make your friends wonder what you are baking.”
Green describes her business philosophy, saying, "The Lilac Buddha is committed to buying its products from environmentally responsible companies and making every effort to sell products that perpetuate a vision of peace and a happy, healthy environment for my daughter, Hope, and generations to come."
Location
Lilac Buddha products are available at:
WisherWood Gallery & Yarn Studio
1003 South Clark Avenue
(next to City Hall)
Republic, WA 99166
509-775-0441
Hours
WishWood Gallery & Yarn Studio is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Note: The gallery is a family-owned and operated business. If you are traveling there from a distance, please call the gallery to verify that they are open.
