Creating a fragrance is an intricate, deeply personal journey. Each scent begins with a story or an emotion I wish to capture, or a request from a client. It can be visual, a photograph or illustration, or a list of scent notes. I draw inspiration from the rich history of perfumery, the natural beauty surrounding my home, and my personal life experiences.

1. Conceptualization: I envision the essence of the fragrance, inspired, perhaps, by a memory, a place, or a piece of art. I sketch ideas and make notes, blending them into an imagined narrative.

2. Selection of Ingredients: I meticulously choose high-quality natural ingredients, often sourced from my forest garden and local suppliers. Each component is selected for its unique properties and the manner in which it contributes to the overall composition. Each blend features our proprietary carrier-oil-blend for long-lasting wear. I include argan, apricot, organic coconut, and grapeseed oils, ensuring gentleness for your skin. Phthalate-free, paraben-free, and cruelty-free, they’re a celebration of nature and well-being. My essential oils are steam distillate, fragrance oils are blended by master IFRA perfumers, manufactured in an FDA-registered facility in America using CGMPs (Current Good Manufacturing Practice) regulations, enforced by the FDA.

3. Oils and Fragrances: I use no pre-made or stock fragrance blends; all blends are multi-layered, complex, and proprietary. The combinations are created here. I fill each 10ml bottle individually, by hand, according to special order.

4. Blending: This is where the magic happens. I experiment with numerous combinations, carefully balancing top, middle, and base notes to create a harmonious blend. This process can take weeks (sometimes months ) to perfect, depending on its complexity. K23 took many years to develop.

5. Aging and Testing: Once blended, the final step is bottling . Each filled bottle is treated as a piece of art, designed to enhance the sensory experience. I retain the fragrance for a few days before delivering it, allowing the ingredients to live together. I test the scent at various stages, tweaking as merited, ensuring it evolves beautifully...over time.

Throughout this meticulous process, I endeavor to create fragrances that stimulate emotions, tell stories, and connect deeply with those wearing them. I support local and small businesses; I hope you will, too.

Important Note: Bottles depicted are fantasy representations of bottles I visualize for each scent...not bottles currently in our inventory. Our perfume blends are presented in easy-to-use 10ml RollerBall applicators with a black cap. If you prefer, I can supply your perfume, alcohol-based, in a Spray Atomizer. Please SPECIFY when you place your order. Thank you.

My journey learning and trying to master some aspect of the art of perfumery from 1993 to now has seen significant evolution, driven by advancements in technology, increased access to information, and a growing appreciation for artisanal craftsmanship.

1. Early Stages (1993-2000s)

In the early 1990s, I had limited resources. Learning was primarily through apprenticeships, formal education at specialized institutions, or self-study using available literature, all of which I had NONE! I visited Powell’s Books and began to collect material on aromatherapy, perfumery, foraging, and distillation methods:

• Traditional Methods: Perfumers relied heavily on traditional methods and natural ingredients. Understanding the balance of notes required extensive hands-on experience and mentorship.

• Limited Access: Access to rare ingredients and advanced techniques was often restricted to established perfumeries and large fragrance houses.

2. The Digital Revolution (2000s-2010s)

The advent of the internet and digital resources transformed my learning landscape:

• Online Resources: Aspiring perfumers gained access to a wealth of information through online courses, forums, and digital libraries. This democratized knowledge and allowed for a broader exchange of ideas. I began classes in aromatherapy and herbal medicine.

• Innovation in Ingredients: Advances in synthetic chemistry introduced new aroma molecules, expanding the perfumer’s palette and enabling more complex and innovative creations. In 2004, I discovered Luca Turin’s work through “The Emperor of Scent,” by Chandler Burr.

3. Modern Era (2010s-Present)

Today, the learning curve continues to evolve with further technological advancements and a resurgence in artisanal practices. I use my experience in herbs, aromatherapy and brewing to create new combinations of accords and notes. Despite new technology, my cabin laboratory remains quite simple as I blend each bottle by hand:

• Advanced Tools: Modern perfumers use sophisticated tools and software to analyze and create fragrances. Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, for example, allow for precise analysis of scent compositions (and synthetic notes that are exact replicas!).

• Sustainability and Ethics: There is a growing emphasis on sustainable and ethical sourcing of ingredients, reflecting a broader societal shift towards environmental consciousness. Upcycled scents are a great example of the shift towards responsible stewardship of fragrance materials,

Understanding the Balance of Notes

Creating a balanced perfume involves a deep understanding of how different notes interact:

• Top, Middle, and Base Notes: Perfumers learn to balance these layers to ensure a harmonious and evolving scent experience. Top notes provide the initial impression, middle notes form the heart of the fragrance, and base notes offer lasting depth.

• Accords and Blends: Mastering the creation of accords (combinations of notes that form a new, unified scent) is crucial. This requires both technical knowledge and an intuitive sense of smell.

Differences from Using Stock Fragrances

1. Custom Blending vs. Stock Fragrances

• Customization: Custom blending involves selecting and combining individual notes to create a unique fragrance. This process is highly personalized and allows for creative expression.

• Stock Fragrances: These are pre-made blends from bulk suppliers, designed to replicate popular scents. They offer consistency and cost-effectiveness but lack the uniqueness of custom creations.

2. Quality and Complexity

• Pure Ingredients: Custom perfumes often use high-quality, pure essential oils and natural ingredients, resulting in richer and more complex scents.

• Synthetic Blends: Stock fragrances may rely more on synthetic ingredients, which can sometimes lack the depth and authenticity of natural components.

3. Skill and Artistry

• Perfumers’ Expertise: Creating a custom fragrance requires a deep understanding of olfactory science, creativity, and years of practice. It’s an art form that involves both technical skill and artistic intuition.

• Fragrance Dealers: Using stock blends requires less specialized knowledge. The focus is on efficiency and replication rather than innovation and artistry.

My journey from 1993 to now has seen significant advancements in the field of perfumery. Luca Turin was the hinge pin for me, as I began understanding the balance of notes.

The differences between custom blending and stock fragrances highlights the importance of skill, creativity, and quality in creating unique and memorable scents. Whether you appreciate the artistry of a bespoke perfume or the accessibility of a stock fragrance, knowing these distinctions enriches your olfactory experience.