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We read books with all of our senses and feel their imprint upon our soul. Book lovers can frequently recall when they first read their favorite novel and what was happening in their life that made them resonate so much with it. Most of us have nostalgic memories of what music we listened to or candle fragrance we burned as we got carried away in the books we love.
I established Old Soul Artisan in 2014 and have slowly evolved it into what it is today by taking inspiration from my past. I was 13 years old when I first discovered Anne Rice. Two decades later, I can still recall the summer spent in Montana when I read Rice's Mayfair Witch Trilogy. I can tell you about my little guest bedroom and which Cure songs were on the mixed tape that I listened to as I got lost among the pages. In fact, anytime I hear one of those songs I am taken back to those memories and to those novels. Conjuring the words of J.K. Rowling, "something very magical can happen when you read a good book."
I've read countless books accompanied by the flame and fragrances that I've created. It is an enchanting experience I want to share with you. Each scent that I develop is inspired by a literary character or theme that resonates on a deep, and sometimes dark and visceral, level. It is within this dark sphere that my that creativity thrives.
The duality of man's nature was emphasized by the tale of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Good vs. evil, light vs. darkness, yin and yang within a single man. For most of us, the transition is not so black and white- but rather in shades of gray. The most intriguing stories in folklore, fairytales, and literature are full of dark and mysterious themes with characters so complex they are at once hero and villain. Their tangled personalities tug on our heartstrings and beckon to our souls. They are eerily relatable because they are us. Their stories stay with us and lurk in the shadows waiting to be summoned to the surface.
Old Soul Artisan is more than a candle company. These products, quite literally, have stories behind them. They are meant to be reading companions and conversation starters.
I'm so glad you are here. Welcome to the dark side.
Harmony Todd
Founder and candlesmith
Old Soul Artisan Features: Read more about our story and branding
The story behind the founder
From scent development and acquiring raw materials, to hand pouring each candle and packing orders, to customer service and beyond, it's all handled by myself and a small team in a our studio in Trenton, New Jersey. Due to our amazing fans I've been able to build a career doing what I love.
This project began in 2014 after finishing college. I have a bachelor's degree in anthropology and archaeology and a master's degree in international peace and conflict resolution. I've traveled around the world studying conflict resolution in divided societies and held many interesting jobs such as museum archaeology lab volunteer, nuclear disarmament advocate, and domestic violence and crisis counselor. Along the way I stumbled across entrepreneurship and realized this was what I had been searching for. Owning my own business has allowed me creative freedom and enough challenge to keep me on my toes!
I'm an avid reader, an enthusiast of folklore and mythology, and lover of culture, traveling, and cooking. I'm a Cherokee Nation citizen and a certified Cherokee TERO artist. My dream is to write a novel.
You can contact me at harmony@oldsoulartisan.com or connect with me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/harmonytodd/
