I have always thought that my nose was pretty sharp - it isnt very pretty in profile ... but then that isnt the kind of sharp I was referring to. I have a pet hatred for the smell of cigarette smoke and have been able ot smell it a mile away , even from the car driving in front of me when my car windows are closed.
The nature of my work as the product developer for my small body and bath product company called RAIN, has neccesitated that I jolly well jack up my act in the field of perfumery so that I can formulate original fragrances for the company - and specifically natural formulations , and even more specifically - African Natural Fragrances.
To this end, I have enrolled at the Perfumery Art School in the UK for a two year correspondence course in perfume creation.
Super exciting , but also pretty challenging studying such an abstract art all alone and far from colleagues to bounce ideas off.
Of course, I am lacking confidence, and concerned that my abilities wont be good enough. I am pretty sure I dont have natural talent for blending like the so called "noses" do, but I am hungry to learn, keen to try and passionate about the raw materials which the countryside around me offers in abundance.
I plan to write this blog more for myself than anything else. As a discipline to record what I am doing and observing and also to cement the findings and exercises into my mind. At my age ( 52 ) learning is more challenging and things have to be repeated a few times before I remember them.
So, join me if you wish, on my journey of olfactory discovery.
