Dragonfly Dreams is a home-based business owned and operated by me, Pamela Guest, in Plano, TX. Last year Dragonfly Dreams marked its tenth year of operation. A true milestone for a small business and what a wonderful ten plus years it has been!

I thought I’d take this time and website space to answer some of the questions I’m asked on a regular basis. So let’s begin . . .

“How did the name DRAGONFLY DREAMS come about?”

It actually came to me in a dream. I always knew Dragonfly would be in the name. My family was living in Perth, Australia when I was in 3rd grade. One particular day stands out. My mother, brother, sister, one of my mother’s friends and her daughter spent the day at King’s Park. At lunch, I had my first lamb chop. It was delicious, I felt so grown up eating that lunch.

The weather was beautiful. After lunch we followed a path through a wooded area. After some time, my brother, Brian, and I ran ahead and out into an open field. In the middle of the field was a pond and all around the pond were what seemed to be thousands of Dragonflies floating in the air. I had never seen anything like it! This was my first time to see Dragonflies.

The feeling of excitement and awe is still very fresh, after all these year. It was the perfect ending to a perfect day. I can’t help it, but every time I see a Dragonfly, I know it is going to be a good day!

“How did you get started in making handcrafted fragrance products?”

In the mid 90s, I was a consultant with a perfume company. It brought me back to passion I had as a child . . . fragrance! I had so much fun helping people find their *signature* fragrance. Sharing the history of perfume, tips on building a fragrance wardrobe, do's and don’ts, etc. It all just added to the excitement of working in the world of fragrance.

Once a person found their fragrance, they seemed to want it in more forms than just perfume. Learning to layer a fragrance is important. Bath products were becoming very popular, so I learned to make bath salts and glycerin soap using perfume to scent them. This made many clients very happy.

While the perfume business was great in the Dallas area, it wasn’t elsewhere. The company filed for bankruptcy after a few years. To say it was disheartening, is putting it mildly.

I decided to find a way to continue working with fragrances and to have more control of my time and future. I credit the internet in helping me find sources for fragrance oils, raw materials, recipes and a network of very sharing and generous like-minded souls. This was also my first exposure to Aromatherapy.

So, Dragonfly Dreams officially began on August 29, 1997 with a visit to the County Clerk’s office, State Comptroller’s office and the bank. That date has an extra special meaning . . . it was my first niece’s 3rd birthday. And here I am, ten years later!

What changes has Dragonfly Dreams gone through these past ten years?

In the beginning I had so much fun trying new recipes, creating my own formulations, blending scents, etc. I made everything from bath salts and scrubs, lotion bars, bath fizzies, shower gels, soaps, to you name it.

It began to be too much for one person to do. I did have someone help me make product once and let’s just say, it wasn’t a good thing. Besides I don't relish the thought of having a business that would move me out of my home into a warehouse/shop and require me to hire employees.

Over time my interests have changed. Creating aromatherapy blends brings me the same joy and excitement as creating a new bath product from scratch did for so many years. After many attempts, I have finally downsized. The current and future product line will focus on aromatherapy products in convenient travel/purse sizes, dream pillows and specially blended eye pillows.

Do you still use Fragrance oils in your products or have you completely switched to essential oils?

I have both in my product line. I’m a fragrance junkie! I know how a nice smelling fragrance can make me feel and I won’t give that up. I have also learned the benefits of essential oils and how they can make life more enjoyable. For example, I never liked the smell of Lavender. That was until I started using it for my migraine headaches. Now I can’t live without it. I carry it with me everywhere. Using it as a sleep aid by spraying my pillow at night, a room spray when traveling and staying in hotels, and there are times I use it to de-stress!

What do you see in the future for Dragonfly Dreams?

I’ve been researching and studying natural perfumes. That’s always the first step to a new product line. So don’t be surprised when you see natural perfume and/or naturally fragranced products beyond essential oil blends.

While it may be Dragonfly Dreams' embarking on the beginning of it's second decade, my love for fragrance and handcrafted beauty products goes back to my early childhood. Someday, I’ll share those first steps and experiences with you.

Until then . . . . Thank you for your interest!

To my valued clients, thanks for your support and help making the past ten years truly memorable.

Pamela Dawn Guest

 

© 1997-2008 Dragonfly Dreams. All rights reserved.