Family-owned candle company supports charities
Artisan Holly Eve leads the Leland, Mich.-based business Black & Light Co., wherein she has combined her two passions, helping others and a love for candles.

With the motto "We measure our success by how well we support those in greater need," Black & Light supports charitable causes and since mid-2007 has partnered with mentally and physically challenged adults to pack and fulfill its product.

Manufactured in the U.S., each fragrance-free, glowing candle requires more than three days in production and 20 man-hours to create. Designs are drawn by hand and take up to 50 hours to complete.

The company's inspirational candles, released in late 2008 and early 2009, bear one of three words, Faith, Hope or Love.

Each candle has a 15-hour-an-inch burn time, about three times the average store-bought candle, according to the company's Web site.

The candles are packaged in recycled and reusable boxes that require no wrapping paper, bow or ribbon.