
Announcement
Flaming Idols are altar candles featuring inspiring figures of the LGBTQ community.
Follow on Instagram @flamingidols to be the first to know about promotions, sales, and new listings!
If you live in Philadelphia and would like to pick up a candle in person, use coupon code STUDIOPICKUP in your order for free shipping, and send me a message to arrange date and time. My studio is located in West Philly near 49th St & Baltimore Ave, easily accessible by the 34 trolley.
Flaming Idols are available wholesale - send me a message or e-mail flamingidols [!at] gmail.com!
In Philly I stock at:
Nice Things Handmade (South Philly)
Open House (Center City)
The Outrage (Center City)
VIX Emporium (West Philly)
Items
All Items
Reviews
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Ani on Nov 15, 2022
5 out of 5 starsGreat customer service there was a tiny delay in my order and they shipped it right after I got in touch with them and were super helpful!
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Lex on Jan 18, 2023
5 out of 5 starsI got this as a gift for my friend and she absolutely loved it. Great quality.
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Ambrose Alcoser on Dec 29, 2022
5 out of 5 starsThe item purchased was what I expected. Great Seller.
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npd2983 on Dec 11, 2022
5 out of 5 starsA fun concept and quality made, too. Highly recommend for a bit of joy.
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Emily on Dec 7, 2022
5 out of 5 starsMy friend loved her Tegan and Sara candle and was so excited to received it as an early Christmas gift!
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spencet4 on Dec 2, 2022
5 out of 5 starsThese are so cute! The seller had great communication and helped with an issue I was having. Highly recommend!
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cindi on Dec 1, 2022
5 out of 5 starsMy second purchase from FlamingIdols to gift a friend! Both times, the candles (Tracy Chapman & now Lizzo) were absolutely adored. I have seen them in person myself and they're beautiful and such a fun keepsake for our queer altars. I also should mention that I reached out to the seller, Robin, to ask some questions about the cost of shipping for "bulk" orders. They were incredibly kind and responsive (and very prompt) to my direct message. I am excited to know they have even more designs beyond the etsy shop and I look forward to supporting Robin's business again in the future!
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About FlamingIdols
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Idols
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George Takei altar
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Kate Bush altar
Flaming Idols is about the support and inspiration queer people give each other across generations and dimensions.
Flaming Idols comes out of my deep love for my queer community and the support we give one another. While the Luminaries Collection is only a small part of my inventory, it was the inspiration for the entire project. The first candles I made had an image of Grace Lee Boggs, and I made just six, one for each member of my queer anarchist study group. Over the 3+ years we have studied together, we have read many pieces by Grace, and she is a source of great inspiration to us. I wanted to be able to light a candle when I had a tough question and ask Grace what she would do. After I made the initial six, I started thinking about the many other people, especially queer people and queer elders, who I would love to have an idol of to call on for guidance. Thus, Flaming Idols was born!
I choose people to draw who have been influential or inspirational to me and my friends. I try to represent and appeal to a wide array of the queer community and our allies. Some idols, like TLC, gave me affirmation in my childhood and preteen years, while others, like Rachel Maddow, I didn’t come to know until much later.
The Luminaries Collection is the part of Flaming Idols that I am most proud of. My passion as an artist is to make art in service of social change and radical social movements. Through the Luminaries Collection, featuring portraits of queer artists and activists who have passed on, I am able to help financially support organizations that continue the legacy of these brave ancestors. The proceeds from the sales of different Luminary candles go to organizations that organize and advocate for queer people.
Each candle begins with an inspirational figure. I then use photo references to draw the person. Next I scan the drawing and color it digitally. When I am satisfied with the color palette, I print the image on a glossy adhesive paper. I then hand-cut each image and affix it to a plain candle.
Flaming Idols is an inherently political project for me. To read more about me and my art and activism please visit http://www.robinmarkle.com
Shop members
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Robin Markle
Owner, Designer, Assembler, Shipper
I'm an artist/activist living in West Philadelphia, striving to use art as an agent for social change and community building.
Shop policies
Yes I do take wholesale orders! Message me or e-mail flamingidols-AT-gmail.com for more info!
Accepted payment methods
Returns & exchanges
Cancellations
Cancellations: accepted
Request a cancellation: within 24 hours of purchase