Inside Eave Collective’s Hand-Poured Craft
Writer & Photographer / Christina Cochran
On a lively stretch of downtown Franklin, just steps from the historic Artcraft Theatre, Eave Collective fits naturally into the rhythm of the street. The shop is calm but not quiet, inviting without asking for attention.
Inside, the first thing most people notice is the scent. It’s present without being overpowering — familiar, but hard to place. It’s the kind of fragrance that makes people pause for a second longer than they intended, then take another breath. Reactions tend to come quietly: a smile, a nod, a simple “this is really good.”
That moment is intentional. For owner Janelle George, scent isn’t just about atmosphere — it’s about comfort, memory and creating spaces that feel lived in and welcoming.
Rooted in Franklin
George doesn’t just operate a business in Franklin — she lives here. She grew up here. And that local connection shapes nearly every decision she makes, from the products she creates to the way she engages with customers.
“I live in a community I love,” she says. “That reinforces my commitment to only making things I genuinely love and would want in my own home.”
Serving a place where customers are also neighbors adds another layer of responsibility. Feedback comes honestly and often, and George takes it seriously. In fact, several future scent ideas have grown directly out of conversations with customers who stopped in, shared a memory or described what they wish they could bottle.
That sense of mutual investment has also led to collaborations with local businesses George has supported for years. Through custom scents and candle-making workshops hosted around town, Eave Collective has become part of a broader creative ecosystem — one that feels deeply personal rather than transactional.
“It feels very full circle,” she says.
Designing a Space That Feels Like Home
George often describes Eave Collective as feeling like a second home, and the shop reflects that idea in deliberate ways.
To her, home should feel cozy, calm and organized. The space is built around a neutral, earth-tone palette — warm woods, wicker, plants and natural textures — rather than stark whites or dramatic contrast. Lamps and thoughtfully placed lighting create a soft, welcoming glow. Rugs ground the room, and music hums quietly in the background.
“I wanted it to feel luxurious, but not untouchable,” she says. “I want people to feel comfortable picking things up, taking their time and being here.”
Consistency plays a key role. George describes herself as highly organized, and that trait carries through every part of her brand. From packaging to displays to limited-edition collections, there’s a visual cohesion that makes Eave Collective instantly recognizable.
“Even when I release something new or create custom candles for a business, I stay true to my core design,” she says. “That consistency is part of what makes it feel personal.”
What Makes a Good Candle
Ask George what separates a good candle from a great one, and her answer goes well beyond scent alone.
Safety is foundational. She hears regularly from people who experience headaches or discomfort from candles, and that concern guided her early decisions as a maker. Every Eave Collective candle is made with 100% natural soy wax and clean fragrances free of toxins, carcinogens, parabens, phthalates and harsh chemicals.
“I wanted to create something that feels safe for everyone’s home,” she says. “Including homes with pets.”
The result is a candle that burns cleaner and longer, with a scent strong enough to fill a room without feeling artificial or overwhelming. It’s designed to be part of everyday life — not something saved for special occasions.
“You’re getting a high-quality candle that people feel good about burning,” George says. “One that’s worth the investment.”
Scent as Memory
When developing a fragrance, George isn’t chasing trends. She’s thinking about emotional response.
“Often, it’s nostalgia,” she says. “I love when someone tells me a scent reminds them of a place or a person they love.”
Scent, she notes, is closely tied to memory and emotion. While candles can certainly create ambiance, she sees their role as something deeper — enhancing mood, encouraging calm and supporting well-being in subtle but meaningful ways.
That philosophy shows up in the way she builds fragrances. The process involves extensive trial and error, careful layering and a strong filter: she won’t sell a scent unless she truly loves it.
“I won’t create something just because it might be profitable,” she says. “Keeping my collection curated feels more personal.”
The Love Notes Collection
The Love Notes CollectionThis February, Eave Collective introduces the Love Notes Collection, a candle line inspired by Valentine’s Day but designed to carry well beyond it.
“Winter can feel long,” George says. “We need something new and uplifting to get through it.”
The collection leans slightly more romantic than her year-round offerings, with notes like rose, strawberry, amber and cherry. Still, George was intentional about balance.
There’s Rose Garden for floral lovers, After Hours for those drawn to deeper, more traditionally masculine scents, Daydream for fans of light, fruity fragrances, and Mon Cheri, George’s personal favorite, blending cherry, almond and vanilla.
Even the names were carefully chosen.
“I wanted them to feel relevant long after Valentine’s Day,” she says.
Handmade, Start to Finish
Behind the calm of the shop is a hands-on process many customers don’t expect.
George curates every fragrance, pours every candle, designs every label and even creates her own warning labels. Designing the labels is her favorite part of the process — finding just the right color, font and tone for each scent, while making sure it fits seamlessly within the Eave Collective brand.
Completely self-taught, George still finds it surreal that candle-making has become her full-time work.
“For a long time, I didn’t feel sure about what I wanted to do or where I belonged,” she says. “Finding this has been really freeing.”
Today, she feels grounded in a way she hadn’t before.
“I truly feel like I’m living a dream.”
Strength, Balance, and Another Kind of Space
While candles are about comfort and pause, George’s life includes another passion rooted in movement and strength.
She is also the owner of District 135 Fitness, a functional fitness gym in Bargersville. Functional fitness focuses on movements that support everyday life — lifting, pushing, pulling and building strength that carries beyond the gym.
District 135 offers coached classes for all fitness levels in a supportive, approachable environment.
“Everyone works hard,” George says, “but it’s a laid-back, welcoming group. Just normal people showing up.”
Though the gym and candle studio may seem unrelated, George sees a clear connection.
“Both are about taking care of yourself,” she says. “Creating balance.”
Small Moments, Everyday Comfort
When someone brings an Eave Collective candle home, George hopes it becomes part of their everyday life — something that adds comfort and intention to ordinary moments.
“I love when people tell me they light a candle while they’re doing something simple, like laundry or winding down at night,” she says. “It’s such an easy way to make everyday moments feel a little better.”
That idea — finding comfort in small moments — is at the heart of Eave Collective. Not perfection, but presence. Not luxury for luxury’s sake, but care woven into everyday routines.
Looking Ahead
As Eave Collective continues to grow, George is focused on expanding thoughtfully. Plans for 2026 include candle-making workshops throughout Franklin and Central Indiana, new product offerings beyond candles and wax melts, continued participation in markets and festivals, and additional retail partnerships.
“This is a year of growth,” she says. “But I want it to stay personal.”
Much like her candles, George’s work is intentional, carefully crafted and rooted in care. Under the eaves of her shop — warm light, familiar scent and steady calm — she has created more than a business. She has created a space that feels like home, right in the heart of downtown Franklin.
