Spartans vs the Fae Folk.

Spartans vs the Fae Folk.

Yeah initially, it doesn’t sound like a fair fight and it’s not -  however, if the lousy Spartans only knew.

This is in reality a very unfair fight of product liability and personal injury via theft of product formulations by the Spartan Brands, Inc. www.spartanbrands.com. If you are unfamiliar with whom they are, please look at their web site.

I’m not in the business of liable and slander so, I shall keep this to my own personal experience with Spartan Brands, Inc. and what I found out about them and their practices.

I got an order for one of my Body Butters through my Etsy shop. I noticed that the buyer was a company (spartanbrands) so, naturally, I looked them up on the web. To my horror, I found that they are a big corporation (equipped with a Park Ave N.Y. address) that “creates” and “formulates” bath and beauty supplies for places such as Sally Beauty Supply as well as many other big businesses and distributors in my field of work. Luckily for me, I was not born yesterday and I asked they buyer (spartanbrands) what they were planning on doing with my body butter, and went on to explain that I was not interested in having my formula duplicated by a big corp. Here was their response: Hello

“kuhlwhip,

I would like to cancel my order #95477658, placed on Jul 10, 2013.

I apologize for the inconvenience and look forward to hearing back from you soon.

Thanks,

gary “

Apparently they are required by law to divulge their reasons for the purchase, and avoided the answer by cancelling the order.

Cheese noodle big corporations are trolling the little, un-established,  start up guys, (who are doing nothing more than trying to make a living off of their own honest hard work and legitimate research) to steal our formulations and have them patented under their own company’s name for their own exclusive use.  In other words, once they get their hands on your own formulation, and they decide they like it and wan to go forth and put a patent on it, and put it in to production, you, the creator of that formula, can now not use your own personal formula and sell it as your own because they now own the patent! Really! Is this what they call Capitalism? Because, if it is something needs to change.

I’m putting this out there as a warning to the little legitimate Bath and Beauty manufactures who do NOT steal other peoples formulas for their own use that this (and I’m sure many other) company Spartan Brands, Inc. is out there waiting to take you down, and actively searching for sitting ducks.

Scent memories, perfumes from the past.

Isn't it interesting how the smell of something, anything, not just perfumes, can bring back vivid memories in  just a flash?
Naturally, most of those scent flashbacks stem from our childhood. Mom's kitchen, grandma's kitchen, the smell of your favorite bookstore or library, your dad's aftershave, even a certain part of town seemed to have it's own individual fragrance.

As most of you know, I grew up in San Francisco in the Sunset District which is (in my case was a block or 2 from the beach). It was always foggy with a heavy scent of the ocean misting through cool moist the air.
My absolute 1st scent of nature aside from the enormous rhododendrons my dad was growing in the back yard, and of course my best friend "Gretchen" my super sweet and very protective German Sheppard.

While not too far away was Golden Gate Park, and just on the other side of it,  the Haight Ashbury District.
The Haight has not changed much over time. Just more expensive, over priced shops, a bit of gentrification, and of course the homeless, no longer Hippies but, mostly the mentally ill and drug addicts. As a teen, I was not all together very fond of the smell of Patchouli but, I was far from repelled by it. It was to me, a very comforting fragrance. Homey, woody, earthy and grounding. One could not avoid it's fragrance while wondering through the Haight, along with Nag Champa, and the smell of the eucalyptus tress that lay just on the other side of the street. All these scents still lofting around this district.
It took me several years to acquire a taste for Patchouli (but, then again, I hated mushrooms and their slimy texture in my youth, and now, I can't live without them :), but, Patchouli now, to me is my absolute favorite floral/plant. Perhaps, because I'm an earth sign (if you believe in all of that) but, to me it screams earthy sexy on a primal level. It's one of those perfumes that if Patchouli was in instrument, it would be an entire drum circle. It's incredibly versatile, and no matter what wacky idea of scent combos you throw at it, it seems to always be there agreeing with ones formulaic decision. No matter who extracts this essential oil, where it was grown or even it's age, there is no mistaking it's fragrance. To some, my little favorite reminds them of old dirty Hippies. (Now, when you say "Dirty Hippies" to me, I just smile as little tiny hearts go floating over my head ;)
I suppose not everyone "gets' Patchouli or even (I shudder to say) really don't like it but, truth be told, this is what makes the world go round. How many perfumes can I possibly make with Patchouli? I don't know but, I'm never going to stop trying. Off to the lab to continue....

The winners are...

Leanna B. & Rudella C.! I let Rafflecopter pick 2 names this time since so many of you got the answers right :)
Thanks for entering, and don't forget to send me a private message on Facebook with your 2 choices!
Congrats to you both!

Safety with essential oils

Most of my perfumes have a blending of several essential oils, and although my web site and Etsy shop list essential oils and their own sensitivity/pregnancy/allergy contraindications, I always like to keep you all as informed as I can :)
As always, allergy patch test your perfumes on a very small area of your arm, and leave it on for 24 hours before committing to applying a larger amount of your natural fragrances.

Here's a helpful list I thought you all might like:



ALLERGIES. People with skin allergies should do a test before extensive topical use of an oil. A good way is to put a small diluted amount on the inner side of the upper arm. The safest place to put essential oils is always the bottom of the feet.
FLAMABILITY. Some essential oils are flammable. Keep all essential oils away from fires, open flames, sparks, and electricity. Always remember to think of safety with essential oils.

BATH. All essential oils to be used in bath water should be mixed with a bath gel base or Epsom salts. Do not add them directly to the water. They will float on top of the water and this may cause skin irritation. Always Keep safety in mind.

EYES. All essential oils need to be kept away from the eyes. Do not even touch contact lenses. Be careful to not rub or touch your eyes when you have oils on your fingers. Essential oils will not do permanent damage to your eyes but will cause irritation - some may cause SEVERE irritation. Please be careful when using EO's.

EARS. Do not drip essential oils into ears. Be very cautious when applying oils on the ear that they do not drip or run into the ear. Essential oils may safely be used on the exterior of the ear using the Auricular Probe Technique.

TOUCHING. After using an essential oil, it will take approximately 20 minutes before all of the oil is absorbed into your skin. Please be careful with what you touch. You won't want to touch children, your face or other sensitive area, or go to the bathroom (especially MEN) within that time frame. Also be careful when touching objects - paint can be removed with essential oils and some plastics can begin to decompose. Just think about safety with essential oils first.

CHILDREN. Some essential oils should never be used on children 18 months and younger. And some shouldn't be used on children under 5 years! Remember, the safest place to put any essential oil is the bottom of the feet. Think - Safety with Essential Oils!

Do NOT use on children under 18 months of age: Basil, Cassia, Cinnamon Bark, Citrus Hystrix (Combava or Limette), Lemongrass, Mountain Savory, Mugwort, Thyme.

Do NOT use on children under 5 years of age: Bergamot, Birch, Calamus, Idaho Tansy, Nutmeg, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sage, Spearmint, Tarragon, Wintergreen.
Back to Safety with Essential Oils List

PHOTOSENSITIVITY. Some essential oils are photosensitive, which means sensitive to sunlight. When these oils are applied to the skin they can cause a rash or burn when exposed to sunlight. It is recommended that you simply stay out of the sun (or UV rays) for a few days. If you apply these oils to your feet or somewhere under clothing, you will be fine. Be extra safe - If you have very fair skin and usually burn in the sun you may want to double these times.

Avoid sun exposure for 12 hours: Cumin, Tangerine, ImmuPower

Avoid sun exposure for for 24 hours: Angelica, Citrus Hystrix (Combava or Limette), Ginger, Grapefruit, Lemon, Mandarin, Orange

Avoid sun exposure for 48 hours: Bergamot, White Angelica.

Avoid sun exposure for 72 hours: Lime.

ANTI-COAGULANTS. If you are taking anti-coagulant drugs these are the essential oils you should avoid: Birch, Clove, Ginger, Wintergreen.
EPILEPTICS. If you have epilepsy there are essential oils that you should avoid entirely and some you should use with caution.
Avoid: Basil, Birch, Hyssop, Idaho Tansy, Rosemary, Sage, Tarragon, Wintergreen.

Use with Caution*: Dill, Fennel, Nutmeg.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE. If you have high blood pressure you should avoid some essential oils and use others with caution.
Avoid: Hyssop.

Use with Caution*: Peppermint, Rosemary, Thyme, Envision.

PREGNANCY. If you are pregnant there are oils that you should avoid and some you should use with caution.
Avoid: Basil, Birch, Calamus, Hyssop, Idaho Tansy, Rosemary, Sage, Tarragon, Wintergreen.
Use with Caution*: Angelica, Cassia, Celery Seed, Cinnamon Bark, Citronella, Clary Sage, Eucalyptus Dives, Fennel, Marjoram, Mugwort, Nutmeg, Peppermint.

Some Carnival Macabre Team Love!

Over at our Etsy team "Carnival Macabre", we had a treasury contest where those who entered had to come up with a treasury with the title " Broken toys & lot's of noise " including items from only the team members.
We had some spectacular treasuries created by Charm at Escape from Reality's shop (her shop can be found here). She make wonderfully whimsical charms for jewelry making and other super fun stuff.

Here is her treasury:

 This was not a particularly easy subject to create a treasury for so give her some love!

The next fabulous treasury was created by Aldous at the "Obscurious Shop" (you can find his shop here) where you can find the most amazing vintage goodies, and curiousities! You wont get bored browsing there!

Here is his magnificent treasury:

The Consolation Giveaway Begins Saturday!

The Giveaway is on! It ends in 3 short day so make sure you enter soon :)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

"Wynter" Unisex Perfume Oil

Born from the extreme Summer heat, Wynter is a true unisex perfume oil that I so desperately needed an olfactory experience of, just to get some relief from the heat.
Another "different" fragrance that I have yet to smell that came from the depths of my imagination. How does that saying go? Something like: "Creativity is born from necessity". Yeah, in this case it's the truth. Love this one!

"Wynter" Gothic Victorian Fragrance for men and women. 

It's Summer and it's so hot. Hot like never before. The warmer it gets, the more I miss the icy cool days of the waning sun, cuddling up next to a warming fireplace, and wearing my super fuzzy socks.

I created a perfume that to me, smells exactly like Winter, with ice covered ponds, lush green forests, the scent of a distant fireplace burning with the smell of smokey woods, minty cool winds from the North, and freshly cut fire wood.

Fragrance Family: Modern/Wood/Green - Season: Any but, if I had to choose, wear it in the Summer - Mood: Lively

*This product contains essential oils which should be allergy tested on the skin prior to wearing*

So, now that we have a winner, onto the perfumes! The Unseelie Court

I've come out with a couple more perfumes this year, and have a few on the "aging shelf" to see what they will morph into. Also in the works; someone contacted me and wanted to see what I could create by musing on a couple of "Yes" songs. 
One being based on the song "South Side of the Sky' and/or the other song base on "Heart of the Sunrise" Challenge accepted! 
I'm so in love with music from days of old, and especially anything "trippy". I'm on it. I'm leaning more on the side of "Heart of the Sunrise". Lot's of base driven notes (double entrendre's) and some wacked out "Yes" style riffs. No one said it would be easy.

So on to the current. Earlier this year I released "The Seelie Court" which was to be the other half of a Duo Concept fragrance couple. The other half of the duo to be named "The Unseelie Court". The dark and the light, the feminine and masculine, the sweet and the not so sweet but, when combined, the grey, the balanced, the sultry and the mysterious. 2 more personal favorites of mine, even more so when I layer the 2 together.The Unseelie Court being the masculine, dark, not so sweet based on Irish/Scotish Fae "Folklore" (will post more at that at the end of this post). Notice the word "folklore" in quotations. I do that to be straight as, The Fae are not a Fairy Tale but, could be best understood as "Shamanic earth energies'. That is to say that everything alive has energy, and sometimes these energies can not be seen. Almost always the case with the Fae.  On with the second half of the duo.

http://www.enchanticals.biz/Unseelie-Court.html

The Unseelie Court or Unblessed Court contains the most malicious, malevolent and evil of the faeries, and a number of monsters of horrible appearance and fearsome abilities as well. They comprise the Slaugh, or The Host, the band of the unsanctified dead who fly above the earth, stealing mortals and take great pleasure in harming humans. 
Often called the ‘Unblessed Ones,’ the Unseelie were depicted as a dark cloud riding upon the wind from where their unnerving cackles and howls can be heard. Though not necessarily evil, they were far from kind. These unsavory characters tended towards evil and were often malignant. Some Scottish legends claim that the Unseelie were fallen Seelie, those who could not live up to the strict standards of chivalry of the shining court. They have no method of reproduction, so they enslave mortals whom they think would never be missed and carry them along to become one of them. The Unseelie Court was almost always out to harm, or at least bedevil and trick, humankind.
Some of the members of the Unseelie Court included:
The sluagh (the Hosts of the Unforgiven dead, akin to the Wild Hunt)Shellycoat (a trickster of the coasts)Redcap (a vicious fairy who drenched his cap with human blood)
Thanks to Montrous.com for the text

Although The Unseelie Court is a Unisex fragrance, it leans more towards the masculine, evoking a deep, hidden wooded forest. Dry woody notes of patchouli & black coffee essential oils, lush fir balsam essential oil, sandalwood, oud (agar wood) essential oil, oakmoss, and some other Fae secrets.
Fragrance Family: Wood/Green - Season: Any - Mood: Masculine/Sexy

Ladies, blend the 2 together. You'll smell unforgettable.

And the winner is....

Congrats to Rebecca G!! Rafflecopter picked your name as the big winner of the 1,000 likes giveaway!
Rebecca, please contact me within 3 days through my Facbook to claim your goodies!
Thanks so everyone that entered, and don't be sad if you lost. There will be more contests coming up!

Rebecca, you have until Wednesday June 19th at 7:00 am to claim your prize. If, not I will pick another winner so stay tuned everyone!

The 1,000 Facebook Likes Giveaway Is now on at Enchanticals Perfume!

What are the Prizes? 

One 6 oz jar of Enchanticals Perfume Sugar Scrub, On 5 oz Jar of our Whipped Cream Soap, one 3.5 ounce jar of our Whipped Shea Butter, and Six 1/4 oz Moisturizing Body Spray, all in your choice of scents.

For my international fans; Obviously the box would cost me $75.00 to ship but it's only fair that the prize to you be as valuable! The International winner receive Eight 1/8 oz bottle of Perfume Oils of their choice & one 12 pack of perfume samples of their choice!

Everyone must follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter widget below, 100% in order to win!
Don't skip a step or you will be disqualified. The winner will be announced on this Blog so, you must be following and checking in. You will have 3 days to claim your prize once the name has been announced. If you do not claim your prize, another entrant will be chosen.  Good Luck everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Buy 3 get 1 free sale is on!

It's almost my uN-Birthday so I'm sharing the fun  Buy 3 get one free is now on at both www.enchanticals.biz www.enchanticals.biz& https://www.etsy.com/shop/EnchanticalsPerfume

Meet the Fantastical LaTeefah, Doll Maker Extraordinaire

I love to give kudos to artisans that I am in awe of. LaTeefah is one of them. There is such great vintage style to her mysterious creations that they find their way both in your sub-conscious and the forefront of your thoughts, in wanton desire of owning them all. I first discovered her dolls in a gallery down in New Orleans post Catrina. While I wanted desperately to buy 2 of her dolls, the gallery owner refused to sell them to me (don't have a clue why) leaving me in search for the doll maker all on my own. Much to my elation, I found her on Etsy a few years later.  Can you hear me squealing with joy!? teehee


Here she is, Ms. LaTeefa herself :)

I’m a huge fan of your work (as you know). What made you decide to start creating with ceramics?

LW: Thank you for your support, Monica. i sculpt whilst smelling like the most wonderful carnival FreakShow, thanks to your yummy enchanticals…my hands would crack and fall off without your beautiful butter!

siGh…i have always loved earthen clay…but, after university, and having run for the hills, so to speak, i was of course in need of employment to better afford the stay. I stumbled upon the Colorado gem of Van Briggle Art Pottery. www.vanbriggle.com/history.html
adoring all things old century, i applied and took every job as a lesson…cleaning the seams and signing wet clay pieces, running the steam powered tile- press, pugging clay cogs, hand crafting large batches of clay and glaze, firing kilns, casting, and eventually becoming their Master Glazer. It was an honor at best to be within the walls of such an antiquated American treasure. Art Nouveau has always been one of my motivators, and Artus & Anna Van Briggle were indeed some of the finest clay artists in the medium. 


When creating a specific doll, how do you come up the names for them? Do they speak to you after they are made or have you already come up with a name for them before they go into the kiln?

LW: By far, one of the best bits is naming dolls and pieces. at all times, i've a clay-smudged pocket mole-skin on hand, and dolly inspiration comes on far too often to ever run out of handles and names. i am truly most fond of medical dictionaries and semiotics manuals…but often times, clients own surnames and stories arouse a true title. other times, the little doLL ladies will just tell me their name, and i haven't a choice in the matter.


Do you work with other mediums?

LW: i miss welding…very much. the fire is hotter, closer and brighter than with pottery. but in time…wheneVer i can, I paint. Gouache, oil, encaustic, watercolor; but as of now, merely for family and friends. The dolls alone, afford me a large realm of mediums with components of sculpting, crocheting, dyeing, sewing and original recorded song and sounds. i am currently trying my hand at making doll eyes using glaze and glass in the test kiln. i would love to have more control over their variety of shapes.


Your work is so hauntingly enchanting and so original. What inspires you to create you sculptures and dolls?
LW: Historical heroins and insomnia. i devour historical non-fiction, always preferring the trials and tribulations of the dames of the past. Nothing against the lads…i read that as well, yet my ignition is best lit fantasizing myself into an 1890s situation of stress, whilst laced into stays, or better still, remembering what i did to burn the plantation to the ground, whilst sparing my kittens and kin. 


I love the fact that you are so fearless in some of your adult rated works (which I own a few of) Were you ever in fear that the public would not be so accepting of some them?

LW:You own two of my most cherished…I never gave a thought about the reception, as i view them as the perfect delivery for my 'perverted puppet'. Most fear of sexuality stems from a misconception that it is none but deviant..which is such a shame! Consenting adults have every right to play, and most of us adore toys and dolls and thwart repression. Raised strictly, and Catholic, i found outlets for my virginal existence in bawdy altar egos and Aubrey Beardsley type drollery…Herman Makkink's butt-dick, rocking machine came to mind before anything else. that is why they sit cradled on their haunch. I adore my collectors so! An eclectic New Orleans couple gave them the use as custom wedding cake toppers, (stabbed right into the cake), before the big night, and it has caught on rather well!



What have you not yet created that you have plans for in the future?

LW: 
There are half a dozen or so life-size statues of saints and maidens that i sculpted too large to fit in any of my kilns…i got carried away with their forms and they will delicately need to be relocated to fire, or i must buy a larger kiln, studio, land…etc. as well, i would like to incorporate welding into my forms. Interactive automatons are high on my list of future fumblings. 
My girl-pressed tile production, "lateefahTile1898" is in the making with my goal toward enough inventory of hand pressed tiles to be available before the end of summer. 


I discovered your work when I was visiting New Orleans, and it fit right in. Is that where you were raised?

LW: I was actually born in Canada & did not officially live in the US until i was 16. My parents both have family ties to New Orleans. For most of my childhood, my maternal Grandmother and Uncle resided in the French Quarter. Summer visits would find me boiling in the beauty of New Orleans before returning to The Middle East, Scandinavia or the UK, where i was raised. My imagination is definitely modeled most, by my many travels, and New Orleans enchants me very, very dearly.



Is this your primary work?

LW: Yes. Commissions are my bread and wine! Large pieces that are available from my website and Etsy, are generally three dimensional sketches for commission work. The custom orders fund my play, materials and equipment repairs. People are getting more and more adventurous, and it NEVER gets tiresome. I have met some of the best art lovers in the world since i created Kil Studios in 1999.



Where can we find your work?

LW: for archives, inquiries and such:
www.kilstudios1898.com/
kilstudios.com/wp/studio/
to purchase ready to ship, please visit:
www.etsy.com/shop/laTeefahDoLLs1898
Dolls and sculpture are on permanent private display in The Crescent City, and currently, a future gallery opportunity in New Orleans is brewing: www.facebook.com/pages/La-Madama-Bazarre/535624213149286?ref=stream
Please feel free to email request and such, personally to:
www.kilstudios@yahoo.com



Do you have any social media for your fans to follow?

LW: i am rather shy...but:
www.facebook.com/pages/kil-StuDios/179897438765217



Is there anything that you would like to share with us that I have not covered?

LW: Tarantellas, Sergei Prokofiev and Jelly Roll Morton each cause me to smile, and when played all at once, cause me to sew much faster than the average gal…i long for a cat that does not feast on bunny angora, so that she can frequent the studio…oh…and please be patient with me as i ease into this centuries' persistent pull toward social media. i am coming round, and may even tweet or twitter some day real soon…
thank you so much Monica!