Today we’d like to introduce you to Rileigh Russell
Hi Rileigh, 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?
I first fell in love with the art of stained glass and candle making at my alma mater, College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Missouri. This school is unique in that it is a work college, where every student is assigned to a workstation and required to work 15 hours a week. This work model covers the cost of tuition, which is an incredible blessing! During my sophomore year, I applied to work in the campus’s stained glass and candle studio. I’ve always loved crafting and working with my hands, so it simply sounded fun. All that to say, I wasn’t prepared for that experience to spark a lasting passion for the art. I found so much beauty and joy in the process of making stained glass and was incredibly grateful for the opportunity to learn the skill..
After graduating in 2019 and leaving that role behind, stained glass remained in the back of my mind as a hobby I wanted to return to. However, for years, I either lacked the capacity or the physical space for it, so it stayed on the back burner. I would often dream with my husband about pursuing it as more than just a hobby but frequently questioned whether a full-time career in art was a worthwhile ambition. Up to that point, my background was in the world of social work and ministry. While I certainly found purpose and meaning in those fields, I never truly felt like I was thriving in my day-to-day roles.
During that season of dreaming and questioning, I came across this quote:
“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” – Howard Thurman
I felt deeply compelled by this and wanted to do something that truly made me “come alive.”
In 2023, I felt the Lord teaching me a lot about creativity, art, and their place in His kingdom. I sensed He was leading me to pursue stained glass and candle making in a more significant way. I came to realize that craftsmanship is, in itself, a spiritual gift and that I could find meaning and purpose in it because it points back to HIs beauty.
“Something of the Creator is always reflected in the creation. As we create and consume beautiful things, out of the materials and forces God has provided, we participate in the ever-expanding narrative of His beauty and goodness and contribute one more piece of evidence that testifies to His love for us.” – 5 Reasons Why Art + Media Should Matter to Christians
This is the heart behind what I do today – to be part of this glorious narrative.
In March 2024, I officially gave my notice at my ministry job, and we took the leap to start Understory Creative. My husband actually came up with the name. “Understory” is a forestry term and the name of one of the layers in a forest that’s described as warm, sheltered, and still. It acts as a refuge for much of life that dwells in the woods. The hope is that our handmade goods would be part of what makes someone’s home a place of warmth, stillness, and shelter for those in their orbit. A place of lingering and retreat; presence and delight.
Our first offerings were all natural soy candles and over time have incorporated stained glass pieces. We started with a website and an Instagram page and have really just tried to show up in as many spaces and participate in as many markets as possible to introduce people to our goods.
Where are we now? This past year has been full of learning – figuring out how to best use my time, exploring different avenues to sell my work, and determining which events and markets are worth participating in. We officially have products in a couple of shops along the Marietta Square. You can find our candles at The Local Exchange and Cool Beans Coffee Shop! From here, our goal is to continue expanding into different stores around the city, offer on-location candle-making classes, participate in all the markets we can, and take on requests for commissioned stained glass pieces. Here’s to 2025!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The short answer: No.
The biggest challenge I’ve faced so far is the wearing of multiple hats. I made the leap into this business because I love creating art – not because I love managing social media or handling finances. Yet, as a small business owner, I have to juggle everything, from remitting monthly sales tax to attempting (and often failing, haha) to develop a marketing strategy. It can be overwhelming to manage all these responsibilities when my heart longs to be in my home studio, working with glass or pouring candles. I often feel like I have no clue what I’m doing – I’m sure (or I’m hoping) many new small business owners can relate!
Another hard lesson I’ve learned along the way is that not everyone will like your work. Candle scent preferences and designs for glass pieces are incredibly subjective. I think it’s just important to make work that you’re proud of and enjoy creating. The right people will appreciate what you’re trying to do.
A perfect example: I once received an order from Michigan through my website. It was exciting because it was my first-ever “organic” sale from someone who stumbled upon my shop! I shipped the candles right away, but unfortunately, they were delayed in transit and arrived days later than expected. Since this sale felt like a big milestone, I wanted to ensure a great experience for the customer. I reached out, apologized for the delay, and refunded their shipping fees.
When the candles finally arrived, the customer emailed me saying the scents were too strong and asked if they could return them. Then, they mentioned they had been hoping to reorder candles they had purchased before, which is when I realized they had confused my shop with another similarly named business based in Michigan. So not only had they not intended to order from me, but they also didn’t like my products! In the end, we paid the return shipping fees, and the whole thing was a loss. But looking back, that experience didn’t make me any less proud of the products I had created and now makes me laugh.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As mentioned earlier, I specialize in stained glass and candle making!
Historically, stained glass has been made with lead solder because it’s durable and easy to work with. However, I am committed to using lead-free solder in all my pieces – not just to protect my own health in the creation process but also to ensure the safety of my customers. Fortunately, there are many great alternatives to lead that are becoming more widely available.
Additionally, our candles are made with all-natural soy wax, and I only use fragrance oils that are free of harmful substances such as phthalates, carcinogens, mutagens, reproductive toxins, organ toxins, acute toxins, or any ingredients listed on California’s Proposition 65 list.
I would never create something I wouldn’t feel comfortable using or having in my own home. From the beginning, my goal has been to use the cleanest materials possible, and I take great pride in that!
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I’m not sure I would use the word luck, but there is definitely power in showing up. There have been countless moments when simply being present – like at a market – has led to a seemingly random interaction that provided valuable insight for my business.
I also believe you will go way further with a community who is willing to champion you. I wouldn’t have been able to take this leap without the love and support of my husband, Jacob. He jumped with me and has been my biggest encourager. Along with him, I am so grateful for the friends who have been cheering me on since the beginning. I owe all of them my deepest thanks and appreciation for being in my corner.
Pricing:
- 12oz Soy Candles: $26
- Stained glass pieces range in price depending on the size of the piece and the complexity of it’s design.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://understoryshop.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/understory.shop/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563772685332
