WAKING UP AFTER (SOMEWHAT OF A) SLUMBER

January Scent Project has, as many of you know, been on a hiatus over the first half of 2024. This has been necessary as we go through a rebranding effort. The exercise is a long and complex one, as happens with any company that’s been at it for more than a few years. Because this is still essentially a one-person venture, being able to run the business as it is (was) and modernize at the same time would have been too much, so a break was necessary.

To give you an idea of the various items that have been involved in this rebranding effort, here is a short list:

New bottle sizes (selection, ordering, shipping)

New packaging for new bottles (design, manufacture, printing, shipping)

New perfume development (yes, a new fragrance is coming out this year!)

New EU allergens listings requirements

New trademark and barcode registration

New logo, font, and visual designs

In short, it’s been a lot of work. It’s been fun, and exhausting and fascinating all at the same time. I’m grateful for many people who have been helpful along the way, who have offered advice, listened to ideas as they came up in conversation, looked at images, or listened to me complain as I (verbally) walked through the difficulties of making sense of this all.

There are still a few hurdles to overcome, although two big milestones have been reached: The new sample vials have been manufactured and are on their way on the ocean as we speak. Secondly, the new perfume is complete, and it will be available when the new sample kits are available as well. My proposed date for the brand to be up and running again is later in September of this year, news will be forthcoming as we approach that date.

Thank you all for the support as we come closer to when JSP is open to the public again. I deeply appreciate the faith that many have in this creative venture, and there will be much more to come in the following weeks. - John

Released

About a week ago, the new perfumes were released. Selperniku, Smolderose, and Eiderantler all had their debut in their new bottles and packages last week, and it was a culmination of many feelings: accomplishment, concern (is everything set and ready?), and hopefulness. I've had so many good people around me, and when that happens, you are tempted to ask, "So, how does this look?"

It also means that what was private is now public, and that's a big leap. Perfume making is such an extraordinarily private undertaking. There really can only be just you at that table in front of the bottles, pipettes, computer, notebooks, scale. It's just you bringing it all home at night to test, and all you making the judgment calls as to what road you'll take; your next step. When you tell "the world" that you're done and ready to share, it's rather sudden, unplanned. But, putting it all together, it is a feeling of release. It's an extremely positive sensation. Letting go and taking in at the same time.

I've been blessed with two very insightful early reviews of the perfumes. Erica Golding from Australian Perfume Junkies has written beautifully about Eiderantler in her review, saying "the grassy and herbal notes glow brilliantly, but they are elegantly tempered by the velvety moss and hay. The composition is fresh yet rounded, conjuring emotions of peaceful optimism." Another reviewer, Joseph Sagona of The Scented Apprentice writes about Selperniku, describing it as "... a creamy, dreamy, very rich, plush, over the top sandalwood, that smothers over a salty, slightly melted, smooth butter, and a tea-tinged, soothing, subtle chamomile." These are both very gratifying reactions to the new scents, and I'm glad to see the optimism that they're inspiring, as I'd hoped it would be understood. Fragrances are extremely subjective, but it's good to know that Spring has been embedded in the evolution of these scents and it has translated as well.

I'm excited by two interviews I did this weekend which will soon become online stories. I'll post the links as they come.

One last bit of news: I was able to acquire the 30ml bottles that I'd so wanted for the perfumes (in addition to the 100ml ones), and so in about a week to ten days, they will each have their release as 30ml versions, too. This will be as individual scents and as a specially priced set. They are tall, thin, sleek bottles that are easily portable so great for grabbing and going. 

I'd like to thank all the people for thoughts, suggestions, ideas, and well wishes during the past year as I worked away getting phase two of The Project into motion. Your patience and thoughts and interest have made this possible.