Illuminated Perfume

The Etsy featured seller this weekend has been the shop Vera Vague, is comprised of the dynamic duo Vera & Victor Vague, aka Anastasia and Eric, in Kalamazoo. Their focus is on the Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco period items. I've been a long time fan of their shop and photos...mostly the Victorian boots or these Edwardian black leather "Witch" shoes from 1910.

As I was checking out the feature when all of a sudden I noticed that Anastasia was wearing our Victorian inspired perfume locket in the photo of them! I know its ours because about a month ago Eric bought it filled with Vespertina, obviously for Anastasia, what a perfect fragrance for her.

Besides the fabulous items they offer you gotta love their sense of style!

All photos except the Victorian inspired perfume locket belong the VeraVague.

Whoosh, here we are at the point of endings and beginnings as we fly our magic carpet into the year 2013!

As a refresher, I looked through the posts here at the journal and on my facebook page because I knew that besides the Etsy feature, there were other stellar moments worth mentioning.

2012 brought more sales than ever in the history of this uber niche natural perfume biz. Pretty amazing given that so many people don't quite "get" natural" perfume and the economic situation. I'm looking forward with excitement to 2013, here are some highlights of 2012.

~ As mentioned above, being Etsy featured seller was one of the most stellar things to happen this year. Several factors played a role in making it the stellar experience.

1. I had myself, the studio and my perfume making process professionally photographed.

2. I systemized the perfume making and order filling processes.

3. I put all the packaging materials in the living room under three long tables for organizing and fulfilling orders. This left my studio space as a creative mecca for me, while helpers work in the living room. The living room is now the shipping and receiving, for better or worse, until we either move or find another space for my business.

~ In the Best of 2011 report I marveled that my perfumes had sold to people in all the states of the US and in over 60 countries. This year has not only surpassed those figures considerably but October produced a stack of invoices taller than the stack of the entire year of 2011, whoa!

~ Roxana Illuminated Perfume turned 5 and I turned 50!

~ Eve was accepted to theater school in London.

~ I participated in two Artisan Fragrance Salons this past year which was a great opportunity to meet and greet fans in person and continue to get the brand out there.

~ This year we added a few new items and packaging updates, in 2013 expect even more.

~ Partnerships with talented and amazing designers & artisans continue and will manifest in 2013.

~ We did our first honey harvest from our bee hives here on the property.