Aromatic Traditions

10/20/2026

Back at the worktable.

Porcelain drawings. Sterling silver. Small Northwoods observations beginning to find their way into finished form.

This is the part of the work I keep returning to — noticing something, staying with it, and seeing what it wants to become in my hands.

Some pieces are finished. Some are still becoming.

My October studio newsletter, Back at the Worktable, went out this morning with more from the bench, Scent Sanctuary, and I STAY Appalachia.

If you’d like future studio letters in your inbox, you can join Stay in the Conversation here:

https://aromatictraditions.com/

10/18/2026

A little look inside Scent Sanctuary. ❤️

The perfume organ is ready, the botanical materials are waiting, and there’s tea and something delicious to enjoy.

After more than 25 years of creating botanical perfumes, one of my favorite moments is still the moment someone recognizes the fragrance we’ve been searching for.

That happened with Janele. She knew when we’d found it, and we stopped blending. Beautiful!

And afterward, she shared these lovely words:

“Lucky me! Susan guided me thru an aromatic experience into my essence. 🙏 I highly recommend you try this too 💛”

— Janele Dupuis

Thank you, Janele, for a wonderful afternoon together.

Scent Sanctuary is a private bespoke perfume experience at Aromatic Traditions.

Explore the experience through the link in my bio.

10/18/2026

Before a Scent Sanctuary guest arrives…

The perfume organ is ready. A fresh page waits for the first notes of a new fragrance.

There’s tea to make, chocolate to share, and time set aside to explore what someone loves to smell.

I prepare the materials. My guest brings their memories, preferences, and curiosity.

And somewhere in the conversation, a perfume begins to take shape.

After our recent session, Jalene shared these lovely words:

“Lucky me! Susan guided me thru an aromatic experience into my essence. 🙏 I highly recommend you try this too 💛”

Thank you, Jalene! ❤️

Scent Sanctuary | A private bespoke botanical perfume experience at Aromatic Traditions.

Explore the experience here:

https://aromatictraditions.com/product/the-scent-sanctuary-session-bespoke-botanical-perfume-experience/

10/17/2026

Back at the perfumer’s organ!

It’s been a while since I’ve brought you into this part of my atelier. Books, retreats, jewelry, and a whole lot of making have been happening around here.

Today I’m preparing for a Scent Sanctuary client.

A beautiful presentation box, an empty perfume bottle, and a blank page waiting for someone’s story.

After more than 25 years of botanical perfumery, I still love beginning without knowing exactly where we’ll end up.

That’s part of the pleasure of creating a perfume together.

Scent Sanctuary | A private bespoke perfume experience at Aromatic Traditions.

Details through my website.

10/15/2026

Back at the bench.

Tiny drawings on porcelain. Nests, moths, ferns, birch trees, and little pieces of the Northwoods.

Today I’m assembling sterling silver settings, sorting components, and watching these drawings become jewelry.

There’s something pretty wonderful about seeing a drawing become an object you can wear.

A little look at what’s happening in the Aromatic Traditions studio.

Artifacts — made by hand, one at a time.

10/11/2026

I mean… WHAT a birthday camping trip! 🍁❤️

67 trips around the sun, and Lake Superior decided to throw me an 80-degree October beach day. In Michigan. In OCTOBER! 😂

Lake of the Clouds dressed in its autumn finest. Wind in our hair. Bare feet in the water. Family adventures. Campfires after dark.

I couldn’t have ordered a better birthday weekend.

And thank you again for all the birthday love. Friends old and new, family near and far. My heart is full.

Here’s to another trip around the sun. Still curious. Still exploring. Still getting my feet wet. ❤️

10/09/2026

My view on my 67th trip around the sun. 🍁❤️

Autumn colors, blue skies, my sweet Astro, and a little time to simply be.

Thank you for all the birthday love! So many beautiful wishes from friends old and new, and my family, too.

Feeling very loved. And grateful for every bit of it. ❤️

10/06/2026

Meet the Vargabond. 😂

Our new-to-us pontoon boat.

Still recovering from COVID, so life is happening a little more slowly around here.

But today there was a new boat to meet, a little four-wheeling, and the Northwoods putting on its October show.

Turns out you don’t have to be fully recovered to notice how damn beautiful it is out there.

Good to be home. ❤️

10/06/2026