Journal

Creating New Fragrances: The Art of Alchemy, Archives & Forge

20/10/25

One of my favourite things about what I do is creating new fragrances  blending oils, discovering which notes complement one another, and finding that perfect balance. From the first spark of an idea to the final labelled product, it’s a process that excites me every single time. The only scary part? Putting it out into the world.

Recently, I’ve created a few new fragrances for the upcoming season: Alchemy, Archives, and Forge. These scents have been swirling around in my imagination for about a year. I’d mixed them before, but something was always off the name, the scent, the design  so they were tucked away, waiting for their moment.

That moment came during a trip to London. I am lucky enough to see Oliver at the Gielgud Theatre and spent the day walking through London - Leadenhall Market, past the Bank of England, and on to Covent Garden. I love exploring London on foot  the architecture, the atmosphere, the layers of history you can almost feel in the air.

As I walked, I found myself drawn to Labdanum, a resinous, earthy oil I’ve always wanted to master. It’s sticky and raw but utterly captivating. Ideas whirling in my head, I knew what my next creation would be. By the next morning, I couldn’t shake the idea, so despite a long to-do list (which I promptly ignored), I started blending. Everything came together so naturally  even the kids left me to it! That’s how Alchemy was born.

Another fragrance I’ve long wanted to perfect is Archives. Ever since I was little, I’ve loved the smell of books — both old and new. Whenever we visited a bookshop, I’d take a deep breath as I walked in, and when I brought new books home to add to my ever-growing “to be read” pile, that scent always gave me a quiet thrill. My husband calls it strange, but there’s something magical about the smell of paper and ink, of stories waiting to unfold in your hands.

I’d designed the scent for Archives a while ago, but it never quite fit. After finishing Alchemy, I knew exactly what it needed a few adjustments to the ratios and a refined design. Suddenly, it flowed beautifully. Alchemy and Archives now complement each other perfectly two scents that tell connected but distinct stories.

Then there’s Forge  a fragrance designed to stand alone. Deep, smoky, and full of character. The idea came to me on a walking holiday in the Lake District, exploring the fields of Buttermere with my husband and a friend. We came across what I am convinced is a fairy hill, overlooking the lake. While they rested by the water paddling and sleeping, I climbed to the top, sat quietly, and waited (hello, Night Court any day now?).

Up there, surrounded by nature and beauty, inspiration struck again. Birch came to mind  another oil I’d always wanted to work with. The smell of wood smoke has always felt ancient and comforting to me. It reminds me of evenings around a campfire, laughing with friends while the children played, cooking by the fire and my eyes watering so much I wore sunglasses in the dark.........

That’s where Forge came to life on that fairy hill overlooking Buttermere. The oils, the ratios, the design  it all came to me, buzzing around my head for days until I could get home and make it real, earthy, smoky, and grounded in memory.  Standing out on its own, like that Fairy Hill

Each of these fragrances Alchemy, Archives, and Forge  tells its own story, inspired by places, moments, and emotions. They’re pieces of memory, bottled and brought to life.

 

 

The Reality Behind the Glow: A Little Honesty from a Small Business Owner

It’s our busiest time of year coming up soon. It feels so far away, yet somehow just around the corner. I’m not feeling prepared or ready at all — in fact, I’m feeling totally and utterly disorganised. Everything feels like it needs to come together all at once, and honestly, I can’t quite see how yet. There’s this big mental block in the way — maybe this is what writers mean when they talk about “writer’s block.”

Today, I managed to sneak out for lunch with one of my closest friends — just us, kid-free (which almost never happens!). We got chatting about business, influencers, and how easy everything can look online. It’s all glitter and glamour on the surface — perfectly curated photos, effortless success stories — but in reality, is it ever really that simple?

I’ve always believed that transparency is key. From the ingredients in my products to the way I make them, honesty has always been at the heart of Nevanthi Organics. If you ever see me at a craft fair, please come and say hello — I’ll happily chat about every candle, every scent, every ingredient that goes into what I make.

But I’ll also be honest about the other side — the messy, unfiltered, small business side. Because behind the polished photos and pretty packaging, there’s just me. Like so many other small business owners, I’m balancing everything with what’s left after life: bills, kids, pets, jobs, and a home that always seems to need tidying.

As I write this, my two dogs and my daughter are playing beside me, my son keeps popping in to talk, and I keep losing my train of thought. That’s just life. Real, noisy, beautiful life.

And just now — as if on cue — my eldest has come downstairs in a huff because she’s spilled old paint water all over her bedding and the floor, despite being told (many times!) to tidy up her art supplies. So, I stop writing again to clean up another mess.

But maybe that’s exactly the point of this post — a little glimpse into the daily life of a woman-owned, transparent small business, trying to grow in a world of big, faceless brands with endless budgets and teams of people behind them.

For me, and for so many like me, it’s not an overnight success story. It’s slow, steady, and built with love — between school runs, work shifts, and paint spills.

So here’s to all of us small business owners doing our best — imperfectly, honestly, and with heart. 💛