Sarah Shackelford shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Sarah , thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
After taking a much needed break from the scene, in December of 2025, I agreed to participate in one of the Triangle’s largest oddities and eclectic art markets – Oddville. Committing to the event reminded me of the time, energy, determination and just pure grit that it takes in order to pull one of these things off. As a maker, a lot goes into not only the event itself, but the prep, promo, ensuring the vibe of your table or booth is just right… nevertheless, the night ended with feelings of deep gratitude. It’s in getting to meet my new customers, reconnecting to the ones who remember Enchanted year after year, and just being lucky enough to witness folks really appreciating my offerings and what I do that makes it all worth it. For that, I am super blessed and proud.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Fae, owner of Enchanted Essentials. I am passionate about spreading the healing benefits of plants by creating high-quality essential oil based products that promote a holistic and practical approach to well-being. I have a variety of offerings, including essential oil nasal inhalers, all-natural herbal soaps, and my personal favorite, my pure essential oil roller blends that are intentionally crafted to address physical and emotional ailments like stress, sleep, focus, energy & libido. At my events, I love offering a “Make n Take” option, where we can work together to create a custom blend based on your needs. It’s a really nice way to engage with my audience by sharing in that way.
For a while now, a best-selling Enchanted product has been my fragrance/dye-free soaps. Over the past handful of months, I have been working diligently to perfect my latest offering – natural, soy-based candles. I’ve even added a body massage candle to the shop. Both are hand-poured into vintage teacups to give them an extra whimsical touch.
The story behind what inspired the addition of candles is quite funny, and even a tad bit embarrassing. Over the course of 2025, the power went out in my place several times due to inclement weather. When it first started happening, it made me realize how ill-prepared I am for these types of situations. I swore to myself that, “before this happens again, I’m definitely going to purchase the basic emergency preparedness items!” Did I? Absolutely not. I did not have so much as a flashlight, let alone anything that would be of use if I was really in a pinch. Unless you count a healthy stash of pre-popped popcorn and a wealth of willpower.
I was home one night when, inevitably, the power cut out again. I dug around and came up with about 5 measly tealight candles – a couple of which were already almost dead. I laid my yoga mat out across my living room floor and laid there starring at the ceiling. Surrounded by the dim candle light, I surrendered to my circumstances. It dawned on me in those moments how a simple candle can create such a magical atmosphere. How they bring not only physical light to a space, but also act as a powerful means of accessing relaxation, softness, comfort, and sensuality. I knew right then that I needed to add Enchanted ambiance to my list of creative endeavors. To see that dream manifest into reality and be so well-received has been heartwarming.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
During 2024 and parts of 2025, I was faced with a particularly difficult situation in my personal life. Through that trying time, my Protector was front and center, doing it’s job to ensure my safety. I’m grateful that I was able to rely on that part of myself to do what it needed in order to get me through what I can now look back and call a blessing. While I don’t believe any part of ourselves ever truly vanishes, I do think my Protector has taken a back seat for the time being. I’ve gained more clarity than I’ve ever had before and wake up looking forward to each brand new day.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
I truly believe that the contrast of life is where the juice lies. If we lived lives free of challenge, we would never have the opportunity to push ourselves past our perceived limits and achieve what we never thought possible. Through hardship, I’ve learned I’m a lot more resilient than I have given myself credit for. It’s important to allow ourselves time to sit through the pain long enough to alchemize it, but to eventually lift ourselves up again and keep going. In the words of Eckhart Tolle, “Suffering is necessary until you realize it is unnecessary.”
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The most common resistance I am met with is the idea that essential oils are not safe. It is very true that not all essential oils are created equally, so you must choose your brands carefully. I have spent years researching these plant compounds and educating myself about proper usage and applications, and it is why I am so passionate about educating and empowering others to do the same. It’s fascinating to me how we don’t bat an eye at the chemical-laden products we put on our faces every day, or the ones we use in our homes where our families reside, or the funny-colored things we eat and drink without thought, yet essential oils somehow remain the enemy. Thankfully, this myth seems to be on the up & up.
I’ve never agreed with fear-based mentalities, but at this point in human history it is no secret that most store-bought products are questionable, at best. I have witnessed positive changes both personally and with my clients after making an intentional effort to reduce the overall toxic load of our lifestyles. It’s really much less intimidating than it may seem, and I am happy to stand by you and provide guidance along the way.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Absolutely – I think I’m just built that way. I won’t lie, recognition does feed my drive, but I try to remain focus on checking in with my heart and intuition to make sure what I’m putting my energy toward always feels aligned with my values. Practicing that skill is what keeps me motivated, outside of external validation.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://enchantedessentials.online
- Instagram: @living.enchanted
- Facebook: Sarah Shackelford (Fae)
Image Credits
Ezra Croft Photography
