ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Amanda Feeley

by Valerie


The Artisan Group is proud to announce today’s Artist Spotlight Feature is Amanda Feeley of Esscentual Alchemy!

We caught up with Amanda and asked her a few questions about her natural botanical perfumes, and her experiences so far working with TAG. Here’s what she said:

Tell us a little bit about your shoppe. 

I am the owner of Esscentual Alchemy – a natural botanical perfume house. My perfumes are made by blending pure essential oils and absolutes (derived from plants, flowers and resins, not synthetic fragrance oils) in a base of alcohol or jojoba. Esscentual Alchemy‘s natural perfumes are handmade from scratch by me in small batches.

I got my start by reading a book called, Essence and Alchemy, by Mandy Aftel. I was entranced for most of the book, though when I got to the image of Septimus Piesse’s Odophone: individual essences as musical notes, that was the clincher. I am a classically trained opera singer, and it seemed the Universe was pulling two loves together. Thinking of making music for the nose, tantalized me. The rest as they say, is scented history.

How did I come up with the name for my business, you might wonder?

These three words:

Essential: refers to that which is in the natural composition of a thing.

Sensual: the enjoyments derived from the senses, especially from the gratification or indulgence of physical appetites

Alchemy: any magical power or process of transmuting a common substance, usually of little value, into a substance of great value.


What is your favorite product from your shoppe and why? 
My current favorite is Moon Valley, which is a delicate peach and iris composition with notes of woods, and lush florals. I’m proud of this perfume, because it has a peach note in it. In natural perfumery, there are no fruit essential oils, and so you have to create what we call an “accord.” This is where you take essential oils and mix them to emulate a particular scent – such as peach. Moon Valley is also featured in Vogue UK‘s “Natural Beauty Selections,” for the May ’13 issue. They called it “inspirational, and evocative.”
When you’re not blending lovely perfumes, what are your hobbies? 

I love to garden, and be outdoors. I also knit for my kids 🙂 I’m currently reading George RR Martin’s series, which Game of Thrones was based upon, and I’m highly impressed!

I sing with a women’s ensemble called Roslyn Stone from time to time as well.


What do you like best about The Artisan Group? 

What I love most about The Artisan Group, is the people in the group! Everyone is willing to help, and give advice. I have learned so much from being a part of this organization about myself, and being in business. I am particularly grateful to Valerie, for her willingness to go the extra mile for everyone who is a member. She does so much for us, that we don’t see, behind the scenes. I’m proud to be a member!

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ESSCENTUAL ALCHEMY

Amanda recently participated as a display participant in the official talent gift lounge on October 29 – November 1, 2012 at The Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, in honor of the Nominees and Presenters of The 46th Annual Country Music Awards (CMAs).

Comments

  1. Maggie Mahboubian says

    Amanda’s work is beautiful, lyrical and experimental. She’s also one of the nicest people I know who is always willing to share her knowledge. I’m hoping to meet her in person soon!

  3. Rachel says

    For someone with an incredibly sensitive sense of smell, I love Amanda’s description of ‘making music for the nose’! That just sounds like heaven to me! Yay for no synthetics and all natural! I need to go shopping in her shop now… (And I didn’t know you were a singer! How fab!)

  7. jrotem says

    Such a well-deserved feature on a talented and lovely artisan with whom I’ve had the pleasure of working. Yay, Amanda!

  8. Heidi Kingman Jewelry says

    I have been lucky to sample several of Amanda’s scents and can definitely vouch for her talented “alchemy!” But, ooo, I am going to have to try out that new Moon Valley. Sounds divine!

  9. Joy Light says

    Thanks for the insight to you and your business, I love your story and hope to add to my collection of fragrances, I’m very intrigued by Moon Valley!

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