Essense Parfumerie

Essense reopened today for "Walk-In Saturdays."

Open from 12-Noon until 6 pm, all Saturdays through Labor Day Weekend.

Other days, Tuesday through Friday, open by appointment only.

Closed Sunday and Monday.

www.Essense.com

Good Vibes Go Beyond Scent!

Due to unforeseen circumstances, a sudden and unexpected death in my immediate family, I'll be closing Essense until June 22, 2024.

"Walk-In Saturdays" will resume on June 22nd, during the hours 12-Noon until 6 pm.

The next 2 Saturdays, June 8th and June 15th, Essense will be closed. Scheduled week-day appointments will resume again after June 22nd, as well.

The shopping cart and mail-orders are still available during this time.

Take care of those you love...

With tomorrow being the opening day of my 33rd season with Essense, I’ve decided to write a brief summary of my feelings and conclusions as these last 32 years as the perfumer/owner comes to a close.

The Covid-19 Pandemic affected me, as a business owner, as it did many business owners. In order to make perfume, people must be able to smell and free engagement of their noses/nostrils to the air. Essense was not “open” during the 2020 summer. There was a huge uptick in mail-orders, as customers past and present, tried to find ways to boost their spirits, while finding inspiration, without leaving their homes. Have you considered that the very word “inspire” literally means “to breathe in” or “inhale?” [Middle English enspire, from Old French inspirer, from Latin inspirare ‘breathe or blow into’ from in- ‘into’ + spirare ‘breathe’. The word was originally used of a divine or supernatural being, in the sense ‘impart a truth or idea to someone’.] Essense custom-scented shower gels, scented body lotions and perfumes proved very popular during this time period. The mail-order part of the business increased by about 470%. This does make sense, as people were not coming to Essense in person. ​
​
​During years 2021-2022, Essense was open by appointment only, from Memorial Weekend to Labor Day Weekend, with no “walk-in” hours. Because I must work in an intimate setting, one-on-one, for 1/2 hour each person, to create perfume, I began limiting the parties to 1-3 people. With 3 people, for example, I was committed to spending 1 1/2 hours with that party, in an enclosed space. In 2021, I did get very sick with Covid after a party of 4 women came in for Columbus Weekend. I spent nearly 3 hours with them on a Thursday, and on Monday I’d got a call that one was just diagnosed with Covid. I was very sick for a few days, somewhat ill for a week, a bit fatigued for several weeks, but “cleared for take-off” on November 11th. Fortunately, I’ve not been sick since then. Covid scared me, as many people lose their sense of smell when infected, and as a perfumer, that was an inordinate risk for me.

Last season, my 32nd season with Essense, I returned to open “walk-in” hours on Saturdays only. It will be the same this year, my 33rd season. People may email, call, or text to make appointments for custom-blending their own signature scents on Wednesday through Friday. Or they may “walk-in” from 12-Noon to 6 pm on Saturdays.

In a “sense” we all lost some years, due to the lock downs, and I felt ill at ease to address the loss of both time and experiential joy, as a fellow-human. I haven't posted during these years. Something I now regret. I should've posted. Something.

I’m reminded of a quote by Diane Ackerman, in her rhapsodical natured-based sociological book titled “Cultivating Delight.”

“Many humans have worked hard to exile themselves from nature, yet we, as humans, now long for what we’ve lost: a sense of connectedness.”

I believe many of us lost a “sense of connectedness” during the pandemic years. I also believe that is is natural, right, and in fact righteous, to try to regain that sense of connectedness: with others, with nature, and with our own sense of society and civilization. Civilization begins with the word “civil,” does it not?

After making perfumes for 32 years, I believe more than ever, as I always have, that PERFUME is not just PERFUME.

Quoting Mandy Aftel, from her “Book Of Perfume”:

“Perfume — the heady and elusive marriage of he essences of herbs and spices, wild grass and flowers, bark, and animal, and tree — is an ENGINE OF THE UNIVERSE. Timeless and universal, scent has been a powerful force in ritual, medicine, myth, and conquest. Perfume has helped people to pray, to heal, to make love and war, to prepare for death, TO CREATE.”

For me, as a creator of perfume, it is not just a product, but a way of being in the world. For centuries, the art of perfumery has retained its aura of art, magic, and mystery.

Here’s to beginning year number 33…

It's Lilacs Gone Wild at Rock Ridge Farm!

Essense opens tomorrow, from 12-Noon to 6 pm, for the 1st "Walk-In Saturday" of my 33rd season as perfumer/owner of Essense of Martha's Vineyard and Essense Parfumerie.

Essense will be open on Saturdays through Labor Day Weekend, as it's been for the last 53+ years. Other days by appointment only.

I'm the 3rd owner of Essense Natural Perfumes and Essense of Martha's Vineyard.

Essense Parfumerie at Rock Ridge Farm, is the 5th location for this indie perfumery which originated in Woodstock, NY decades ago.

One of the most beautiful spring and summer perfumes is Lilac Essential Oil mixed with with Rain "Houseblend" Perfume.

www.Essense.com

"China Berry" has been an ever-popular perfume here at Essense, for the 33 years I've been the owner/perfumer.

Native to Pakistan, India, southeast Asia, and Australia, Chinaberry tree information tells us it was introduced as an ornamental specimen to the United Sates in 1930 and, for a period of time, became the darling of landscapers in the southern United States.

What is Chinaberry?

Chinaberry is a member of the Mahogany family (Meliaceae) and is also known as “China Tree” and “Pride of India.” So, what is Chinaberry tree? Chinaberry trees are prized as shade trees in their native habitat and bear pale purple, tube-like blooms with a heavenly scent much like southern Magnolia trees.

They are found in fields, prairies, along roadsides, and at the edge of wooded areas, in US southern states. After the blooms fade, the resulting fruit, marble sized "beads," are light yellow gradually becoming wrinkled and white over the course of the winter months. These berries are toxic to humans when eaten in quantity but the juicy pulp is enjoyed by many bird varieties, often resulting in rather “drunken” behavior. These berries smell nowhere near as enchanting as the flower.

China Berry House Blend Perfume costs $25/quarter oz. Available on the shopping cart by ordering the China Rain,
and adding a notation.

www.Essense.com

Another Blueberry Letter 22 heading "home" to Martha's Vineyard! With love to Oak Bluffs! 🥰

"Blueberry Letter 22" is a liquid love song, inspired by a 1970's song by The Brothers Johnson. In this love song, the young songwriter/singer's girlfriend has written him 22 love letters on strawberry scented paper. Love Letter #22 begins with "Hello my love...I heard a kiss from you," she writes to her musician boyfriend.

Love letter #23 is the song itself, a reply, in which he sings: "...a present from you, Strawberry Letter 22."

As a perfumer, inspired sometimes by 1970's soul and funk music, I created "Blueberry Letter 22," replacing the strawberry note with a smokey, oak-casket aged blueberry. 🫐🍓🫐🍓🫐

This perfume was created during year 22 of my own "love affair" with the artisan craft of perfumery. Now after 32 years, I still consider this my own personal "signature scent." I still love it, and other people love it. 🫐💌🫐💌🫐💌🫐💌🫐💌🫐

This scent available at Essense.com ...

Another "Blueberry Letter 22" perfume traveling to Cranston, RI!

An original Essense trademarked signature scent. 🫐💌🫐

www.Essense.com

Essense Trademarked Perfume "Blueberry Letter No. 22" shipped out to Rensselaer, New York!

This is my own personal "signature scent" that I have shared on the website's shopping cart, because when I wear it, so many people ask me what it is.

For 32 years I've been making Essense Perfumes, and this one I created as my own scent, during my 22nd year as a perfumer/entrepreneur.

Inspired, in part, by one of my favorite 1970's songs "Strawberry Letter No. 23" by The Brothers Johnson.

And inspired, naturally, by my favorite smells: Amber, Patchouli, and Oak-Barrel Aged-Blueberry. 🫐🫐🫐

www.Essense.com

Congratulations to Inspire Cafe! 🥰🤩😋

This New Hampshire Cafe Has A Truly Inspired Menu This woman-owned cafe is the place to go for locally-roasted coffees, homemade baked goods, and delcious lunches.

Cute doggies that need homes! 🥰

Anybody looking for a new doggie? 🐾

Donations always appreciated, as well! 💰

Share, share, share! ❤️‍🩹

Click on our PetFinder link to learn more about our 4 available pups! Each one has a special need but we have faith their perfect families are out there, please share share share!

https://www.petfinder.com/member/us/ma/hull/survivor-tails-animal-rescue-ma487/?fbclid=IwAR18tNKG-XkSji33bN3doX7Bi11fdR5ySxfVu0WxgwUchf6zaI6dmYvMeEU

Essense (of Martha's Vineyard) Natural Perfumes won the "Best of Boston" award from Boston Magazine, in 1990.

Essense Perfumes won the "Best of Boston" from Boston Magazine in 1990.

Master Perfumer/Owner Tamsan inducted into the Marquis "Who's Who" Biographical Encyclopedia Publication. February 2024.

After an invitation and follow-up interview, I've been inducted into Marquis Who's Who Biography Publication for accomplishment as a master perfumer of 32 years and a female entrepreneur.

A big "thank you" to Marquis Who's Who; and to all my Essense Parfumerie customers of 32 years.

“Perfume is a liquid language that reveals how women and men live, what they desire, what they aspire to, and what is forbidden to them. Perfumes go out of style, change formulas, get discontinued, and many of these ‘liquid language novels’ simply disappear.”

“There are a thriving group of olfactory rebels creating a perfume niche of customized alternatives to the mass marketed perfumes.
Custom-perfumes are an ‘indie aesthetic’ that values art over commerce, niche over blockbuster, and individualism over conformity.”

~ Barbara Herman (Scent and Subversion)

Happy Valentine's Day!

I'm so delighted to sponsor a NH high school student's "Senior Project" this year!

A bright, thoughtful Amherst high school senior has been spending time at Essense Parfumerie, learning about the art, science, and magic of perfumery.

She took a lot of time to smell many different perfume "notes," but has picked the following ones, out of 550+, as her favorite ones to work with initially.
~~~~~~💜~~~~~~
Top Notes:
Chocolate; Coconut; Cotton Candy; Italian Blood Orange; Lemon Verbena; Sugar Kiss.
~~~~~~💜~~~~~~
Middle (Heart) Notes:
Ginger Flower; Green Tea; Somalian Rose; White Tea.
~~~~~~💜~~~~~~
Base Notes: Arabian Musk; Arabian Sandalwood; Mimosa Bean; To***co Oud; Tonka;
Top Shelf Musk; Tunisian Sandalwood.
~~~~~~💜~~~~~~

What fabulous choices for her "Senior Project," which will include historical research and a 25 minute power point presentation!

"In ancient times, when perfumes were almost as mystical as they were precious, explorers set out in search of their healing or aphrodisiac qualities. Our sense of smell has contributed to the spread of language, which evolved at the crossroads of ancient trade routes. Yearning for spices, perfumes, medicinal herbs, and exotic talismans, people set sail across continents and seas..."

~ Diane Ackerman
"A Natural History of the Senses," 1990.

“Perfumes are the feelings of flowers.”

~ Heinrich Heine

Best wishes to all, for a healthy, happy 2024!

Some of my favorites...

Essense LOVES 48 Main Cafe & Creperie in Meredith!

The best coffee (Honey Pistachio Latte) and incredible "breakfast bowls," along with crepes.

Decorated so beautifully for the holidays. Such a cozy, festive coffee shop...

🥰🎄💘💘💘🎄🥰

Did you know the Union Leader named Essense Parfumerie one of the Top Ten places for Winter Romance in NH?

Essense Parfumerie comes in at #5, and the only place in the Lakes Region...

Top 10 Ideas for Winter Romance Muse Paint Bar — Manchester

Essense LOVES to hear from happy customers, past and present:

"Do you still sell sage oil? Yours is the best and I’m almost out!"

Yes, Sally from Marshfield, Essense still sells Sage oil! 💚🥰💚

Holiday Orders Must Be In By December 20th, for on-time shipments!

www.Essense.com

Happy Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend to ALL...

Essense LOVES Elizabeth's Farmhouse!

Essense LOVES customers that send e-notes and cards, regarding their "Essense Experience!" Thanks P & T, for sharing the love! 🥰💓🥰

"Thank you for a wonderful unforgettable experience. Your knowledge, stories, and humor was the highlight of our trip. It was a truly authentic experience. This stimulates the senses, and invigorated the both of us."

~P & T from Boston, MA.

el Día de los Mu***os...

Essense Parfumerie at Rock Ridge Farm, is open by appointment, through the holidays!