Rising Stars: Meet Blesseth Palmer of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Blesseth Palmer.

Hi Blesseth , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
SETH 2°17 was born from both memory and intention. In my early twenties, after getting my first apartment, I bought a candle that completely changed the way I experienced my home. The fragrance filled the space with this warm, sophisticated atmosphere that I became emotionally attached to. I would light it every night. When I eventually went back to purchase another one, the company had disappeared, and I remember feeling devastated that I might never experience that scent again.
That moment stayed with me and quietly introduced me to candle making. At first, it was personal, I wanted to recreate that same feeling for myself forever. Over time, it evolved into something much deeper. Coming from costume design and a family of creatives who worked with their hands, I became fascinated by the idea of creating not just a candle, but an object that felt artistic and lasting.
Concrete immediately stood out to me because it represented strength, permanence, and structure, while the flame and fragrance introduced softness, intimacy, and atmosphere. That duality felt deeply aligned with who I am creatively and personally. Being originally from Brooklyn, New York aka “the concrete jungle” made the material feel even more personal. I also loved that no two concrete pours are ever exactly alike, meaning each piece carries its own individuality and imperfections, much like people do.
The name SETH 2°17 is deeply personal as well. “Seth” comes from my own name, Blesseth, while 2°17 references my birthday. The number has always called out to me throughout my life, almost like a reminder to trust my path and creativity. The degree symbol represents precision and balance, qualities that exist in both candle making and concrete work, where temperature, timing, and patience matter deeply.
Today, I’m still evolving both personally and creatively, but more than anything, I want each piece to feel emotionally connected and intentional. Whether someone uses the vessel as a candle, decor piece, or keepsake after the burn, I want it to feel like they’re bringing home a functional piece of art with real meaning behind it.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, but honestly, I think that’s been one of the most defining parts of building SETH 2°17.
When I first had the idea to create concrete candles, I had a very clear vision for how I wanted the vessels to feel and look, but I had no idea how to actually bring that vision to life. Back in 2021, it took me nearly a year just to find someone who could create a custom mold for me. At the time, I didn’t even fully understand the terminology behind what I was searching for. I just knew I wanted to create something different.
I was bootstrapping everything on my own while learning an entirely new industry outside of costume design. Candle making itself is already expensive, but introducing concrete added an entirely different layer of materials, testing, production, and problem solving. I spent countless hours experimenting with one mold, refining the process, and trying to create something that felt intentional and elevated.
One of the hardest parts has been introducing people to something unfamiliar. Concrete candles exist in a niche space, and while many people are immediately drawn to them visually, helping others understand the artistry, craftsmanship, and emotional value behind them has taken time. There were moments where I questioned whether I should continue at all.
At the same time, I’ve been balancing life in the film industry, which can also be unpredictable and unstable. Building a business while navigating freelance creative work requires an incredible amount of faith, discipline, and resilience. Behind the scenes, I’ve worn every hat myself—from production and inventory to website design, content creation, marketing, customer experience, and wholesale outreach.
But through all of it, I’ve learned that sometimes the most important thing you can do as a creative is believe in your vision long enough for other people to eventually see it too.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My work is rooted in storytelling, emotion, and the balance between softness and strength. As both a costume designer and founder of SETH 2°17, I’m deeply drawn to how texture, material, and detail can completely change the feeling behind something. In costume design, I love exploring how different fabrics can create the same silhouette while carrying entirely different emotional intentions. That same curiosity exists within my candle work.
Growing up between Brooklyn, New York and Washington, D.C. shaped my creative perspective. Both cities embrace art, individuality, community, and Black culture in ways that taught me to see creativity as both personal expression and legacy. I’m known for creating work that feels rich, soft, intentional, and feminine, while still grounded in strength and structure.
The idea for my concrete candles came from experimenting with materials and wanting to introduce a vessel that felt sculptural, calming, and emotionally connected. From the embossed figure to the debossed logo, every detail is intentional. I love knowing that the same calmness and creativity I feel while creating is often what people experience when bringing the pieces into their homes.
One of my proudest moments was having my candles featured in HBO Max’s Peacemaker (Season 2), which happened organically through production use. It affirmed that the work resonates not only with individual consumers, but also within larger visual storytelling environments.
More than anything, I’m focused on creating work that feels intentional, immersive, and lasting whether it lives on screen or in someone’s home.

What makes you happy?
What makes me happiest is knowing that I’ve honored something that’s always been inside of me.
As a child, I always believed I would be in the film industry, originally imagining that path as an actress. Over time, that vision evolved, and I discovered that my true gift was in creating, working with my hands to bring ideas to life through garments, objects, and environments. Being able to see something that once existed only in my mind become tangible is deeply fulfilling.
I also come from a lineage of creativity and entrepreneurship. My mother owned multiple hair salons in Bed-Stuy and worked as a hairstylist for artists like Natalie Cole, while also creating garments for our family without patterns. My great-grandmother was a pianist. That foundation shaped how I see creativity not just as expression, but as legacy.
Today, whether I’m designing costumes or building my candle brand, I feel a deep sense of alignment. More than anything, I’m proud to carry that legacy forward and expand it in my own way.

Pricing:

• Signature Concrete Candles (Refillable): $28–$42
• 5 oz Tin Candles: $12–$18
• Room Sprays: $14–$22
• Mini Gift Sets (2.5 oz): $15–$28
• Refill Inserts: $12–$18

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.seth217.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seth217concretecandles
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SETH217Candles