I have been afflicted with a bug :( It so happens that when I'm under the weather, my muse(s) leave me to fend for myself. Never a good creative space to work from but, when these things happen, I usually purchase a bunch of essential oils that I have yet to work with. Not that my Organ isn't overwhelmingly huge as it is, and it is but, I like to see what new fantastical perfume creations I can conjure up.
My lot just arrived, and I think the one that most intrigues me is the Butter CO2 that came in the package.
I love the smell of fresh, real butter, and it's soft gentle creamy notes I imagined this essential oil to add smoothness to some of my perfume oils but, when I opened the bottle, it was not at all subtle or really even smooth. It's more like an intense, to the 10th power smell of a stick of butter. Hmmmm, this I can see going nicely with sharp citrus' especially lemon. Maybe some 100% natural Maraschino Cherry, and possibly some fresh coriander e.o. Not really sure how this will integrate into florals or resins but, perhaps spice fragrances might work well. So, once I'm feeling better, I'll see if I can muster my muse(s) back and start creating again.
On a very happy note Dee has a couple of really good blogs and she did some really awesome reviews of Enchanticals Perfume! You can read about them here on her "365 Days of Smell" here (which is an incredibly ambitious endeavor) and on her blog called "Miss Prissy Pants" :) here. Both are wonderful and interesting blogs to follow and well worth the read!
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
International Shipping Update
Still no real accurate International chart from USPS but I was able to get an idea of what it looks like.
Anything that would have shipped for $6.90 is now $12.75 and this is now including Canada.
This is for up to 8 oz's. Nothing I ship is under 4 oz's but, from 1 to 4 oz's it's $9.75 and then it jumps to $12.75 until you get to 12 oz's and then it jumps to $14.90. From 12 to 15 oz's it still $14.90
So, accurately assessing shipping costs is still extremely touchy when listing on Etsy or in my Web Store. I have the Etsy shop listed at $12.75 for each perfume for the international shoppers. If you want to combine shipping on multiple orders, it can be done but, it looks like there may be a bunch of refunds sent back to the buyer. I recommend that you pay through Paypal for that reason.
*Still angry as all get out at USPS but, plodding along.
Anything that would have shipped for $6.90 is now $12.75 and this is now including Canada.
This is for up to 8 oz's. Nothing I ship is under 4 oz's but, from 1 to 4 oz's it's $9.75 and then it jumps to $12.75 until you get to 12 oz's and then it jumps to $14.90. From 12 to 15 oz's it still $14.90
So, accurately assessing shipping costs is still extremely touchy when listing on Etsy or in my Web Store. I have the Etsy shop listed at $12.75 for each perfume for the international shoppers. If you want to combine shipping on multiple orders, it can be done but, it looks like there may be a bunch of refunds sent back to the buyer. I recommend that you pay through Paypal for that reason.
*Still angry as all get out at USPS but, plodding along.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Shipping internationally temporarily halted
*** SHOP ANNOUNCEMENT! DUE TO THE LACK OF ACCURATE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING INCREASES, ALL SHIPPING OUTSIDE OF THE UNITES STATES WILL BE UNAVAILABLE. WORLDWIDE SHIPPING WILL BE AVAILABLE WHEN THE EXACT COSTS ARE AVAILABLE FROM USPS***
I'm so sorry everyone. It looks like the prices for shipping internationally have doubled. I'm waiting for USPS to come out with an accurate zone chart to give me proper pricing.
I'm so sorry everyone. It looks like the prices for shipping internationally have doubled. I'm waiting for USPS to come out with an accurate zone chart to give me proper pricing.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Postal Rate Increases for 2013
This means that it's going to be a whole lot cheaper to order larger amounts at one time in order to get the flat rate shipping fee in the U.S. This dos not apply to international orders as the flat rate boxes cost a small fortune to ship abroad.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Enchanticals Perfume's most popular perfumes for 2012
Tallying up last years most purchased perfumes this week, and the leader board has changed from the year prior. These numbers are for full sized bottles, and not sample sizes.
Here are the results for the top 25:
1) Knocking Woodstock down a notch this year was Harvesting Zombies at number 1!
2) Woodstock in 2nd Place
3) Zombie Juice took 3rd
4) Love's 1st Kiss
5) Lucretia
6) Mephistopheles
7) The Fat Lady still in the top 10
8) Nocturn
9) Rama
10) Go Ask Alice
11) Sara's Dragon
12) Ghouls Night Out
13) Typsy Gypsy
14) Blue Moon
15) The Red Queen
16) Mysteire Noir
17) Pride
18) Haight Street
19) Nag Champa
20) Corrosion for Men
21) Love Potion #9
22) Sinta
23) Shakti Moon
24) Levesque Burlesque
25) Sushi With Mermaids
The popularity may also be based on what time last year some of these were release.
Check back next January!
Here are the results for the top 25:
1) Knocking Woodstock down a notch this year was Harvesting Zombies at number 1!
2) Woodstock in 2nd Place
3) Zombie Juice took 3rd
4) Love's 1st Kiss
5) Lucretia
6) Mephistopheles
7) The Fat Lady still in the top 10
8) Nocturn
9) Rama
10) Go Ask Alice
11) Sara's Dragon
12) Ghouls Night Out
13) Typsy Gypsy
14) Blue Moon
15) The Red Queen
16) Mysteire Noir
17) Pride
18) Haight Street
19) Nag Champa
20) Corrosion for Men
21) Love Potion #9
22) Sinta
23) Shakti Moon
24) Levesque Burlesque
25) Sushi With Mermaids
The popularity may also be based on what time last year some of these were release.
Check back next January!
Monday, January 14, 2013
Enchanticals Perfume Collections
Coming up with a concept or a collection of fragrances with a particular concept, is often times both full of fun & challenging. Sometimes I come up with either "what" or "who" I'll be designing a particular fragrance for and other times, I create a perfume, and find a perfect name for it later.
When I decided to make the "Seven Deadly Sins" Collection, I mused painstakingly over each sin, what they felt like, and what they looked like when acted upon. Once I was fully engaged, I went to work on a fragrance that fit the emotions that lay behind the sin.
I'm inspired by many, many things other-worldly, Gothic, spooky, fantasy, Victorian, magikal, musical, and Zeitgeists.
I had been strongly desirous to create at least one perfume inspired by the song "Go Ask Alice" by the Jefferson Airplane for ages. (Something about that song is just so hauntingly beautiful, and trippy). It ended up that I went hog wild, and started an entire line of perfumes based on that one song.
I'm sure everyone is curious as to why I picked the fragrance combos for each of the characters, and what inspired me. Down the rabbit Hole for example, gave me lot's of ideas. Aether, space, wet soil, plant roots, air but, those all seemed so obvious. And then I started thinking about the scents that one might smell while heading into Wonderland. Fruits, tea & cakes, flora and fauna....in the end, I decided upon a very happy summer fruit combination based solely on the fact that I personally would be rejoicing in the fact that I was about to enter the infamous Wonderland itself.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, when deciding to create a fragrance for "The Hookah Smokin' Caterpillar" I could not wait to create the obvious! I wanted so badly to make this particular perfume smell exactly what I imagined his hookah would smell like. Opium, ganja, pipe tobacco & hookah tobacco and several woods.. This would have to be a more masculine fragrance due to the strong dry wood notes but, it's one that I very much enjoy wearing myself.
When it came time to create a perfume for Alice herself (Go Ask Alice), it seemed to be a no brainer. I just imaged exactly what I thought Alice would smell like. Top notes of Passion Fruit & Nectarines with a hint of Ruby Red Grapefruits followed by an English Garden full of freshly cut Roses, Lily of the Valley, & Tuberose with Rosewood essential oil, Sandalwood, and a hint of Vanilla e.o. - Soft, pretty & sweet.
I wasn't sure if I was going to do a fragrance for the concept of "Happy Un-Birthday Cake" until I had a sweet tooth one day and decided I so desperately wanted to create a perfume that smelled like nothing but sweet sugars. I wanted it all to smell of white (for the un-color) cakes, sugars and fillings. Although lemon is certainly yellow on the outside, once you squeeze them, the juice has no color at all so, I included a bit of lemon curd filling. It cures any sweet tooth indeed but, this particular collection was intended to be a purely fun olfactory experience, and that's what it is.
Cheshire Cat...what can I say. I have a major mystical crush on that Cheshire Cat. I'm a huge cat lover to start with, and Lewis Carroll did a magnificent job on that character (as well as many others). This one required the highest praise from me. I went in the obvious direction of "purple" smells with the berries, but Cheshire lives in and above, and around trees, in a very enchanting English forest, in the middle of Wonderland and I could spare no expense in the price of the essential oils for this one so, I included the elusive Oud (agarwood) for the scent of the trees, & then naturally it required oak moss absolute because, no tree in the woods is without it's moss, followed by the very earthy fragrance of dark Indonesian patchouli essential oil, a light swirl of romantic flora, and some tree dropped resins to add to it's mystery. I adore the combo of this one but, no one ever thought I was anything but eccentric ;)
On the opposite end of the spectrum, when deciding to create a fragrance for "The Hookah Smokin' Caterpillar" I could not wait to create the obvious! I wanted so badly to make this particular perfume smell exactly what I imagined his hookah would smell like. Opium, ganja, pipe tobacco & hookah tobacco and several woods.. This would have to be a more masculine fragrance due to the strong dry wood notes but, it's one that I very much enjoy wearing myself.
When it came time to create a perfume for Alice herself (Go Ask Alice), it seemed to be a no brainer. I just imaged exactly what I thought Alice would smell like. Top notes of Passion Fruit & Nectarines with a hint of Ruby Red Grapefruits followed by an English Garden full of freshly cut Roses, Lily of the Valley, & Tuberose with Rosewood essential oil, Sandalwood, and a hint of Vanilla e.o. - Soft, pretty & sweet.
I wasn't sure if I was going to do a fragrance for the concept of "Happy Un-Birthday Cake" until I had a sweet tooth one day and decided I so desperately wanted to create a perfume that smelled like nothing but sweet sugars. I wanted it all to smell of white (for the un-color) cakes, sugars and fillings. Although lemon is certainly yellow on the outside, once you squeeze them, the juice has no color at all so, I included a bit of lemon curd filling. It cures any sweet tooth indeed but, this particular collection was intended to be a purely fun olfactory experience, and that's what it is.
Cheshire Cat...what can I say. I have a major mystical crush on that Cheshire Cat. I'm a huge cat lover to start with, and Lewis Carroll did a magnificent job on that character (as well as many others). This one required the highest praise from me. I went in the obvious direction of "purple" smells with the berries, but Cheshire lives in and above, and around trees, in a very enchanting English forest, in the middle of Wonderland and I could spare no expense in the price of the essential oils for this one so, I included the elusive Oud (agarwood) for the scent of the trees, & then naturally it required oak moss absolute because, no tree in the woods is without it's moss, followed by the very earthy fragrance of dark Indonesian patchouli essential oil, a light swirl of romantic flora, and some tree dropped resins to add to it's mystery. I adore the combo of this one but, no one ever thought I was anything but eccentric ;)
More to come!
Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum Artisan Perfume oil from the "Go Ask Alice" Collection
"Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum" Gothic Artisan perfume oil from the "Go Ask Alice Collection"
1/8 fl oz in an amber colored apothecary bottle, inspired by the Alice in Wonderland story..
"Tweedle-dee Dum and Tweedle-dee Dee
They’re throwing knives into the tree
Two big bags of dead man’s bones
Got their noses to the grindstones
Living in the Land of Nod
Trustin’ their fate to the Hands of God
They pass by so silently
Tweedle-dee Dum and Tweedle-dee Dee
Well, they’re going to the country, they’re gonna retire
They’re taking a street car named Desire
Looking in the window at the pecan pie
Lot of things they’d like they would never buy
Neither one gonna turn and run
They’re making a voyage to the sun
“His Master’s voice is calling me”
Says Tweedle-dee Dum to Tweedle-dee Dee
Tweedle-dee Dee and Tweedle-dee Dum
All that and more and then some
They walk among the stately trees
They know the secrets of the breeze
Tweedle-dee Dum said to Tweedle-dee Dee
“Your presence is obnoxious to me”
They’re like babies sittin’ on a woman’s knee
Tweedle-dee Dum and Tweedle-dee Dee
Well, the rain beating down on my window pane
I got love for you and it’s all in vain
Brains in the pot, they’re beginning to boil
They’re dripping with garlic and olive oil
Tweedle-dee Dee—he’s on his hands and his knees
Saying, “Throw me somethin’, Mister, please”
“What’s good for you is good for me”
Says Tweedle-dee Dum to Tweedle-dee Dee
Well, they’re living in a happy harmony
Tweedle-dee Dum and Tweedle-dee Dee
They’re one day older and a dollar short
They’ve got a parade permit and a police escort
They’re lying low and they’re makin’ hay
They seem determined to go all the way
They run a brick-and-tile company
Tweedle-dee Dum and Tweedle-dee Dee
Well a childish dream is a deathless need
And a noble truth is a sacred dream
My pretty baby, she’s lookin’ around
She’s wearin’ a multi-thousand dollar gown
Tweedle-dee Dee is a lowdown, sorry old man
Tweedle-dee Dum, he’ll stab you where you stand
“I’ve had too much of your company,”
Says Tweedle-dee Dum to Tweedle-dee Dee"
Lyrics by Bob Dylan
I would not expect these two to agree on what to drink at a tea party but, as silly as these 2 are, I can only imagine what they would desire.
Starts off rather sassy with top notes of coffee, and spiced chai tea, then mellowing out with a plethora of woods, some milk, and a bit of honey to make a perfect cup of black tea, and then grounded ever so lightly by a hint of earthy floral's.
Super gorgeous, gently sweet, and a tad floral in the end.
Fragrance Family: Wet Wood/Floral/Sweet - Season: Any - Time of Day: Any - Mood: Mysterious
Not sure if his fragrance will work for you? It's always best to try before you buy so, we have samples sets of the perfumes that you can purchase here:http://www.etsy.com/listing/77020539/3-sample-size-perfume-oils-of-your
1/8 fl oz in an amber colored apothecary bottle, inspired by the Alice in Wonderland story..
"Tweedle-dee Dum and Tweedle-dee Dee
They’re throwing knives into the tree
Two big bags of dead man’s bones
Got their noses to the grindstones
Living in the Land of Nod
Trustin’ their fate to the Hands of God
They pass by so silently
Tweedle-dee Dum and Tweedle-dee Dee
Well, they’re going to the country, they’re gonna retire
They’re taking a street car named Desire
Looking in the window at the pecan pie
Lot of things they’d like they would never buy
Neither one gonna turn and run
They’re making a voyage to the sun
“His Master’s voice is calling me”
Says Tweedle-dee Dum to Tweedle-dee Dee
Tweedle-dee Dee and Tweedle-dee Dum
All that and more and then some
They walk among the stately trees
They know the secrets of the breeze
Tweedle-dee Dum said to Tweedle-dee Dee
“Your presence is obnoxious to me”
They’re like babies sittin’ on a woman’s knee
Tweedle-dee Dum and Tweedle-dee Dee
Well, the rain beating down on my window pane
I got love for you and it’s all in vain
Brains in the pot, they’re beginning to boil
They’re dripping with garlic and olive oil
Tweedle-dee Dee—he’s on his hands and his knees
Saying, “Throw me somethin’, Mister, please”
“What’s good for you is good for me”
Says Tweedle-dee Dum to Tweedle-dee Dee
Well, they’re living in a happy harmony
Tweedle-dee Dum and Tweedle-dee Dee
They’re one day older and a dollar short
They’ve got a parade permit and a police escort
They’re lying low and they’re makin’ hay
They seem determined to go all the way
They run a brick-and-tile company
Tweedle-dee Dum and Tweedle-dee Dee
Well a childish dream is a deathless need
And a noble truth is a sacred dream
My pretty baby, she’s lookin’ around
She’s wearin’ a multi-thousand dollar gown
Tweedle-dee Dee is a lowdown, sorry old man
Tweedle-dee Dum, he’ll stab you where you stand
“I’ve had too much of your company,”
Says Tweedle-dee Dum to Tweedle-dee Dee"
Lyrics by Bob Dylan
I would not expect these two to agree on what to drink at a tea party but, as silly as these 2 are, I can only imagine what they would desire.
Starts off rather sassy with top notes of coffee, and spiced chai tea, then mellowing out with a plethora of woods, some milk, and a bit of honey to make a perfect cup of black tea, and then grounded ever so lightly by a hint of earthy floral's.
Super gorgeous, gently sweet, and a tad floral in the end.
Fragrance Family: Wet Wood/Floral/Sweet - Season: Any - Time of Day: Any - Mood: Mysterious
Not sure if his fragrance will work for you? It's always best to try before you buy so, we have samples sets of the perfumes that you can purchase here:http://www.etsy.com/listing/77020539/3-sample-size-perfume-oils-of-your
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Common scents...
Why get samples of perfume before purchasing a larger bottle?
Perfumes absolutely must be tried on your skin in order to see how your own personal chemistry reacts with the mul-
titude of fragrances blended to create any one particular Perfume.
Everyone's chemistry is different, and what may smell gorgeous on one person, may smell just terrible on another.
For example; Many moons ago I was in search of a new fragrance. I had heard so much about "Shalimar" and how exotic it was, and that's exactly what I was looking for at the time. I went to the perfume counter of a large dept. store, and bought outright a bottle of it without even trying it on 1st. I sprayed some on me, and continued to browse through the store. I'm noticing this foul smell. I thought "there's no way it's me" but, I checked my wrist anyway. Alas, it was indeed the perfume. It smelled like (for lack of a nicer description) like a baby's poopie diaper.
How could such a reputable fragrance go south?!, I wondered but, it had nothing to do with them. It was my chemistry that disagreed with it.
My bad on not sampling it 1st.
Another reason to buy samples 1st, is again because you need to try it on.
Many perfumes are complex, and you may not pick up on the subtle middle and low notes just by sniffing the perfume out of the bottle. Top notes are what most large perfume houses count on to sell their fragrances but, after dry down, the top notes fade and you are left with the middle and base notes as the primary scents that linger on your skin. Complex perfumes morph and transmutate on your skin as time goes by. After about 5 minutes of applying the fragrance, you will know what it will smell like on you for the rest of the day.
Not every perfume works on everyone, and for the most part, many perfume fanatics (like myself), have many different moods when it comes to fragrances which is why I make so many :)
Each one my favorite of the moment, and just what I was in the mood for.
Written by Monica @ Enchanticals Perfume, January 2013
Written by Monica @ Enchanticals Perfume, January 2013
Friday, January 4, 2013
New Solid Perfumes, 100% vegan friendly by Enchanticals Perfume
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