That Time I Made a Donut.... Candle!
So, this is gonna be a bit of a different entry! Fresh off a weeklong break from the Austrian Alps and The Sound of Music National Tour (coming to a city near you!), I landed in Columbus, OH. I had played this city with both Les Miserables (when I was but a lad of 22) and with Spamalot some years later (yes, SOME years...). Both of these visits had predated my current obsession with donuts but i did remember the great area there called the Short North, mostly because it is where i discovered Jeni’s Ice Cream! So, it didn’t take me long to find myself there again.
As I explored High St., I came across a store called, The Candle Lab. Lured in by the interesting name and some amazing smells, I was soon greeted by the incredibly friendly staff (Whose names I am forgetting now. Please write me and tell me if you read this!!! I’m so sorry!). They gave me the basic idea behind the store: They sell candles. Ah, you want more? Well, they have over 120 fragrances, of which you can purchase pre-made. OR, and this is where it gets really fun, you can grab a clipboard and paper, sniff around the store and said 120 fragrances, write down a few, and have the TERRIFIC (and yet to be named) staff help guide you to a custom scent mixing 3 of your choices! You will then be given the essential oils whereupon you can start mixing, little by little to make sure it’s something you’re gonna wanna stick with, until your little cup is full. It was at this point in the proceedings that I began chatting up the TERRIFIC (and yet to be named) staff about my donut blog! It’s always fun to see the reaction people have to someone having a donut blog. It can range from blasé to bewildered. I, on the other hand am bewitched and bothered... but I digress (and badly, I might add). So after they brought me my melted soy wax into which I poured my essential oils (tomato leaf, yuzu, and earth), I came back an hour later to pick up the final product! As I was paying, one of the TERRIFIC (and yet to be named) staff invited me to come back and make.... wait for it.... a DONUT SCENTED CANDLE!!!! Gentle readers, you may remember the travesty that was my Duck Donut creation. I was determined to overcome the memory of that spectacular failing and create the perfect DONUT CANDLE!!
I returned to The Candle Lab the next day. With me I brought the Dynamic Donut Duo you know and love so well, Paige and Kerstin, along with nun extraordinaire and one of the sweetest gals you’ll ever meet, Julia! Whilst they were given the spiel I received from the TERRIFIC (and yet to be named) staff the previous day, I went immediately for my choices. I have been talking a lot about my new fav, the Chocolate Bacon Donut, so I knew that’s what my candle had to be. Luckily, they have a bacon scented candle (you read correctly!). Next was the choice between Dark Chocolate or Hot Cocoa. I initially thought it would be the Dark but the Hot Cocoa actually had a bit more depth and sweetness to balance the smokiness of the bacon. Next came an easy choice: baked bread. Lastly, I knew I wanted something to brighten up the scent, so the TERRIFIC (and yet to be named) staff allowed me a 4th oil to add. Orange zest was perfect for the job.
The mixing process proved to be tricky for this! The bacon smell was strong but I didn’t want to cover it up with too much of everything else and the orange zest was pretty powerful! Little by little, my creation came to life. Balance was found, smoke from the bacon, rich chocolate, that instantly recognizable smell of baked bread, and just a hint of citrus. I have to say, I was worried it would come out smelling like a dreaded Yankee Candle but I’ll be damned if it isn’t a lot more elevated than I thought it would be! Beyond that though, it was just a blast to do! My castmates each came up with gorgeous and unique scents that they will use to make our hotel rooms every week smell and feel a bit more like home rather than temporary quarters. As for me, I want my dressing room to smell like a donut. I mean, who doesn’t?! The only bad part? We can’t order replacements! We’ll have to make another trip to Columbus... and gladly!
EDIT: The “the TERRIFIC (and yet to be named) staff”, have been named!!! TJ and Denise, thank you SO much for all your help and for making it so much fun!!
http://www.thecandlelab.com/