Our
Story
A candle loses nothing by lighting another.
– James Keller
The Farmer and the Belle is a family business owned and operated by me, Selena Gibbons, and my husband, Danno Gibbons. Dreaming and dancing together through life, we decided that we wanted to work together on a creative project where we use our God-given gifts and passions. We put our heads and prayers together and Farmer and the Belle was born. It was a simple concept that began to have a lot of depth and connection with our families and our testimonies as it began to unfold.
You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.
No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket.
Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your Heavenly Father.
-Matthew 5:14-16
Our company’s name, The Farmer and the Belle, is in honor of my grandparents, Jim and Janet Scott. They began their romance on a dance floor. They are from a very small town in Indiana where they fell in love and started their family. My grandpa, our Farmer, is a retired Marine and Army soldier. He loves to be outdoors and work with his hands to create beautiful paintings, landscapes, and woodwork. My Nana, our Belle, encompassed all things feminine. She was beautiful and her smile would light up an entire room. Although the military brought my grandpa all around the world they decided to bring their family back to their roots and settle in Bremen, Indiana.Together they modeled hard work and a beautiful love.
Danno and I have a similar beginning. We met dancing in Annapolis, MD during our senior years of college. A quick game of rock, paper, scissors with his roommate gave him the first chance to dance with me. He won the game and danced the rest of the night away holding me in his arms.
After 10 years of service, Danno has transferred from active duty and is now a reservist in the Marine Corps. Like my grandfather he loves to work with his hands. He is our “fixer” of all things. He fills our house with so much laughter and teaches me and our boys something new every day. I, like my Nana, embrace my girly side and love to be creative and make my home our family’s sanctuary. We are blessed to have two healthy and energetic little boys that make us jump in puddles and swing higher than we ever have before!
One of the trends I noticed in my life was how the power of scent can bring back so many memories. A familiar fragrance can make you feel at home, comfortable, and safe. You may smell a familiar scent and you are automatically taken back to a chapter of your life. I remember growing up and always smelling a certain candle burning at my family home or traveling to visit my Nana and Grandpa I remember the smell of freshly baked cookies and pies in her kitchen. The smell of fresh cut grass can bring you back to summer days as a child or clean cotton on the laundry line. I wanted to create that for other families.
I love our story. I love how God started two marriages with a simple dance and how that story has inspired my husband and me in so many different areas of our lives. Thank you so much for visiting our site and reading our story. I hope that you are able to bring back memories, make some new ones, and shine your light for the world to see!
Be Well,
Selena Gibbons
Our Team
Danno Gibbons
Operations/Marketing Lead and Owner
Danno is an adventurer at heart. California born, he set off on his journey joining the military at 18. After 13 moves, 10 years, 3 deployments, and a couple of college degrees, he decided to settle down in North Carolina with Selena and their two sons. Candlemaking has become a passion in his life because it allows him to use his hands to make a lasting gift in someone's home.
Selena Gibbons
Creative Lead and Owner
Selena’s faith and family are at the core of her passion. She also loves to create beautiful spaces and a place where her family and friends feels happy, safe, and comfortable. She believes that a home is so special and needs to be a place of rest and sanctuary. Selena currently stays at home with her two sons and is blessed to be able to use her creativity to design the Farmer and the Belle products. She is so excited to be able to share a piece of her home and heart with your family!