Capri, by Crown Lynn
We recently acquired a set of Crown Lynn crockery in the Capri range. Made in New Zealand, Crown Lynn was the largest manufacturer of pottery in the Southern Hemisphere up to the late 1970s, and the "Colourglaze" range was one of the most popular styles. The "Colourglaze" range was also sold under the names "Capri", "South Pacific" and "Caribbean Ware".
The range of colours is inspiring, with names like Pumpkin, Jade, Tropic, Duck Egg, Oyster, Clover, Ant Green, Coral, Cocoa, Citrus, Honey and Mushroom. Apparently, there are many other colours too, so my inner collector (not so inner, really) is all fired up! Here are some snaps:
A new perfume coming to Shanghai Lil & The Scarlet Fez
A sneak preview! A crisp floral with citrus highlights.
Junk shop find
(Extracts from 'Perfumes', a catalogue published by the Societe
Chimique des Usines du Rhone, probably in the early 1920s. From my
private collection.)
I love reading the 'Perfumes' catalogue. It contains a descriptive
list of a wide range of synthetic perfumes, their benefits over natural
essential oils (usually cost and potency), a few recipes for perfumes
and a series of photographs of the factories that produced the
chemicals. It's full of possibilities!
I've been thinking for some time about making my own perfumes. I am
ambivalent about synthetic perfumes like the ones listed in the
catalogue. On the one hand, I would prefer to avoid the use of
synthetic chemicals as I generally prefer keeping things as natural as
possible. I certainly stick to natural ingredients in the soaps I make.
But I'm also aware of the advantages of using alternatives to natural
products, particularly where there might be a dwindling or limited
supply (like rosewood essential oil).
I've tried researching various essential oils to check whether the
production of the oils are in any way detrimental to either the
environment or the people who live near the resource. The more
expensive oils seem to be obtained from specifically grown crops.
Otherwise, it might be wise if I'm concerned about a particular oil to
at least try to source an organic version, or one that is locally
produced.
In any event, I still find the catalogue inspiring; it's like looking
in a well illustrated cook book that makes you rush out and buy far too
many vegetables. And here's something else I find inspiring - a Holga pic of begonias in glorious late summer colours:
As a second thought, below is an extract from 'Perfume' of a perfume recipe for 'Bouquet of Moss Rose':
Firstly, you need to make 'rose spirit' as follows;
"Grain spirit of 94% strength without odour or flavour is reduced
to 70% strength by adding Rose water, and then dissolving Rhodinol in
this alcohol in the following proportions:
Rhodinol I 20gr
Alcohol 70% 1 litre."
This is the 'rose spirit'. So, the recipe is:
"Rose Spirit.....................660cc
Extract of Orange flowers....240cc
Tincture of Ambergris........30cc
Tincture of Musk..............25cc
Tincture of Vanilla.............45cc
These ingredients are mixed, shaken and left for 15 days in a well
closed bottle at a temperature of 25 degrees to 30 degrees C; it is
then allowed to cool, filtered and put into bottles for sale."
I am pleased to say that Shanghai Lil and The Scarlet Fez perfumes will be all-natural and vegan!
