Hi, I’m Shelly Patterson, the heart and hands behind The Plaid Buffalo Candle Company—a small-batch candle studio based in Tucson, Arizona.

I was raised in the hills of West Virginia, where life moved at the pace of the seasons and the countryside was both a backdrop and a teacher. It’s where I learned to appreciate the simple things—quiet mornings, fresh air, and the feeling of home. That deep love for natural beauty and slow living is what first inspired the name Plaid Buffalo—a nod to rustic roots, cozy textures, and the strength found in both place and tradition.

Years later, I found myself in Tucson, completely captivated by the desert’s own kind of magic—its rugged mountains, quiet sunrises, and the scent of creosote after summer rain. It was here that I began pouring candles, blending my love for nature, comfort, and craft into something I could share.

Each candle is hand-poured in small batches using 100% clean-burning soy wax and phthalate-free fragrance oils—so they’re safer for your home and made to truly feel good. Inspired by both the desert and the countryside, my scents are grounded in nostalgia, warmth, and the spaces where memories live.

The Plaid Buffalo is more than a candle brand—it’s a reflection of where I’ve been and what I believe in: honest work, intentional living, and the kind of care you can feel with every light. Whether you’re unwinding at the end of the day or gifting a bit of calm to someone you love, you’re supporting something real—made with purpose and poured with heart.

Thanks for being here. I’m so glad our paths crossed.

— Shelly