Illuminated Perfume: Chrysalis

"What the caterpillar calls the end of the world the master calls a butterfly."

~ Richard Bach

The seasonal shift has arrived once more, although it is not very visible here in the woodland, there is no doubt that she is here. The only obvious sign is a subtle golden coloration to the light and some dry leaves on trees like the native Sycamores.

Generally here in the Los Angeles area, especially on the Northern side of the Santa Monica Mountains, we may experience the highest temperatures of the summer now. Although it's been cooler the last few days, giving a nice impression of Autumn, record heat could invade at any moment, thus I don't want to get too attach to an illusion.

Speaking of attachment, change and weather, a tempest of sorts has descended on Roxana Illuminated Perfume. As of today the hatches are being battened down as we begin our journey into a chrysalis phase to emerge as a butterfly on January 1st, 2014. At this point you are all probably thinking, what the heck is she talking about?

As many of you know Roxana Illuminated Perfume has been homegrown very organically with no rush or pressure. Over the last year I've longed to evolve the business so that we could breath some of that higher altitude, pristine air of success. Since funds have been limited I wasn't quite sure how to climb those rocky peaks.

After quite a bit of research, discussions and calculations I've realized that my work, particularly the solid perfumes, are way underpriced. For example a solid perfume mini compact which I sell for $30. in my shop should actually be priced at $119. I had already sensed that my work was underpriced and that in order to move into retail venues that pricing would need to be adjusted.

Thus, dear readers and valued patrons, please note that pricing will slowly be shifting with the final mutation occurring on the 1st of the year. I am not clear yet and how this will look. My intention is to retain the depth, quality and integrity of my work and create new items in the older price range. I hold a very clear intention as to continue working with very high grade plant materials and not compromising on the vision or the skilled handwork. The biggest dramatic change, as mentioned will be that the pricing will reflect all the time, value and costs that go into each item. Along with these shifts I'm intending to move into a space separate from the house so that I can have more room to grow and expand the line.