Bay Area Scent Event report

[Guest guest]

The organizer of this event isn't a member of this group, but I publicized

it here, so I thought it would be good to post a recap of the fragrant

affair (first posted in my Natural Perfumery group.) Note, at the end, she

is encouraging everyone to try to organize similar events in their

respective areas.

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On Saturday afternoon, March 20, 2004 the Bay Area Scent Event

took place at the lovely Berkeley City Club. It was what I would

consider it a well attended, but intimate gathering, about 40 people all

together.

 

Jean Louis Boyer spoke first, explaining the 2 distilling units he

had set up on one of the tables up front. One was for a traditional

water steam distillation of German Chamomile, and the other was for a

cohobation distillation of Ambrette Seeds, which he had never done

before but thought it would be interesting to try. He spoke about

distillation generally, as a process and in terms of materials used

and results that could be produced. The distillation ran for the

duration of the event.

 

Then Gail Adrian spoke about blending perfumes using esoteric

approaches, from mythological, to astrological and alchemical

correspondencies. It was an enchanting discussion, one that I am

sorry I did not get to pay closer attention to, as I was managing the

details of getting the " refreshments " ready for the approaching break.

 

After a cup of tea and cookies, we returned to our seats, and

Christopher McMahon, from White Lotus Aromatics took us on an amazing

visual and aromatic journey through India. He presented slides of

the aromatic harvest in various parts of India, a well as the

extraction process for concretes and absolutes; all the while passing

around scent strips laden with such ambrosial treats as Pink

Lotus/Sandalwood Attar, Tuberose Enflourage, and Golden Champa

concrete, to name just a few.

 

Last, but certainly not least, Gary Binas, Chemist and President of

Bryant Laboratory, spoke about Alcohols that can be used for

perfumery,(denatured and undenatured, various proofs,) and also spoke

a bit about the effect of PH on the tenacity of a perfume.

 

This is the brief summary that Anya has requested.... now I would

like to formally thank the many people who helped make this event

possible!

 

Anya McCoy.... THE electronic media town crier, for allowing me to

publicize the event here on NP, and for broadcasting it far and wide

to several other aromatherapy and fashion/perfume lists. Anya, your

enthusiasm was contagious and a much needed re-vitalizer as the event

drew near.

 

Susan Apito, of The Botanical Elements Trade Organization (BETA) for

announcing the event on her list and uploading the jpeg of the poster

to the BETA web site calender.

 

Priscilla Coe, of Bay Area Aromatherapy, for doing the same the her

web site, as well as emailing an update which included the

announcement to all of BAA's members.

 

Sara Philips (Lobelia2001) for announcing the event on several soap

making lists, for playing the role of admissions diva at the event,

for schlepping untold amounts of ice and distillation accoutrements,

but most of all for shared glasses of wine while sniffing small

aromatic treasures, an hysterical impersonation of a feline Elvis,

and the unbelievable good will and support she has shown in

participating in the event from start to finish!

 

Janina Konopka, for digital photography for the graphics for the

event. This included a field trip to the Conservatory of Flowers in

SFO, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary this month, lots of

special events) as well as an evening of " studio " photography of

several of my antique perfume bottles.

 

Elna Brunkhorst, for providing incredibly gracious last minute

accommodation when weather on the east coast put Gail on an earlier

flight and left her suddenly in need of a bed for one more night than

the hotel reservation could accommodate. Additionally, Elna has been

a source of unfailing support and encouragement, from helping me to

choose the name of the event, to consulting on the details of the

venue and program.

 

Laurie Stern and Sheryon Hill, for running to the flower mart in SFO

on Friday morning and providing the most gorgeous floral arrangement

you can imagine for the event (lots of Boronia and other lovelies...

Laurie is THE floral designer par excellence!) Laurie and Sheryon

also were core members of the support team, cheering me on, spreading

the word locally, providing tons of positive energy and wonderful

good humor to sustain me through the planing process.

 

Roseanne Tartaro, of SunRose Aromatics. Roe announced

the event in her newsletter, generously provided

airport drop off and pick up on the east coast end of Gail's flight,

and has expressed interest in sponsoring next year's event (which

DRAMATICALLY increases the possibility of there being a next year's

event!) These were the more tangiable elements of " help " she so

generously provided... more importantly, she expressed unquestioning

faith in my ability to organize the event. She was the " Rock of

Gibralter " when I wavered or fell into frustration; calm, collected

and a great source of focus and resolve when I would call in panic

because the event was looking like a model for Anarchy and Chaos.

 

The attendees of the event, for putting their faith in me and the

event and so fully and enthusiastically participating, asking

questions, engaging the presenters, and being so generous in sharing

their enthusiasm for the art, and their appreciation of the shared

knowledge of the speakers. A special thanks to Faith Heckman and

Roxanna Villa who drove all the way up from LA for the

event, " representing " for those from outside the Bay Area and

Northern CA.

 

And finally, the presenters themselves. I am at a loss to

adequately express my deep gratitude and respect... The unbelievable

heart and generosity that each of these people shared is beyond

inspiring. Each brought to the event a wealth of knowledge garnered

through a lifetime of passionate pursuit of their own particular

field of interest. None of them were paid for their contribution, no

one (including me) made a penny on this event. It was truly a labor

of love and community service, and I feel profoundly grateful that I

have had the good fortune to participate.

 

For those of you who think this sounds like a good idea, I would

encourage you to gather locally and regionally and create similar

events. I will probably attempt to do this again next year, but it

will always be an extremely collaborative event, and will require

much greater turnout in order to pay for itself.

 

If I have failed to mention anyone who participated here, please

accept my sincere apologies for the unintended oversight.

 

And forgive me for the " Oscars night speech " tone of the post, but I

wanted everyone who participates in this community to get a sense of

the cast of characters for this event, their contributions, and all

the disparate elements of organizing such a gathering, so that others

will attempt similar gatherings in their own regions.

 

Namaste

 

Lisa Camasi

The Blending Group

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