The 29th Friday Four

Thanks for catching up with the Friday Four series, simply the 4 weekly highlights from behind the scenes at Tura Lura Co. in West Branch.

Let’s get into it!

1. It’s been a busy week over here! We began with a Candle Pour Bar at the Green House, then a Dried Floral Bar private party on Wednesday in West Branch, I just wrapped up another private Candle Pour Bar party today in West Branch! It’s been such a delight to create with people this week!

2. I get a lot of folks asking about Private Parties. One thing I am trying to share with folks is that booking a private class is pretty darn easy! I keep a low minimum so we can create a gathering just for you. I have a webpage here with some more details, and we just email with each other to book. I encourage folks to book out about 2 weeks in advance, but you are always welcome to reach out to see if we can whip something up quicker if you are looking for a fun activity in West Branch with friends or family.

3. There are more opportunities to create this summer at a creative class! There are spots open in the Candle Pour Bar on Saturday, July 24 and Pour & Restore on Wednesday, July 31. And lots of fun opportunities in August like the special priced Reed Diffuser Bar to celebrate Hoover’s 150th Birthday! Any questions about signing up for a class? Please reach out!

4. The storms this week were pretty hard here in Iowa, and we ended up losing a lot our plants in our raised beds at home. But even in the storms, our sunflowers are going strong. The sunflowers have grown about twice my height and are in full bloom, I need to take some pictures for scale! Started all these plant babies from seed this year were on my bucket list, and I had a lot of seeds that haven’t made it. But it’s all an opportunity to learn and grow. And isn’t wonderful that we get to do that?

Happy Friday!

Erika

The 28th Friday Four

Thanks for catching up with the Friday Four series, simply the 4 weekly highlights from behind the scenes at Tura Lura Co. in West Branch.

Let’s get into it!

1. This week I hosted Walk in Wednesday, the evening where folks can walk in the studio and create without a reservation, and we got to make some reed diffusers! It’s fun having extra options of reeds and jars on hand to completely customize each one. What’s been popular lately is the flower reeds - It almost looks like a bud vase! If you haven’t seen the new reed options, consider signing up for the special version of Reed Diffuser Bar in August for Hoover Days - it’s deeply discounted!

2. Speaking of bud vases, I have also been getting flowers (from Iowa flower farms) prepped for a special private event next week! It takes time to de-thorn/remove all the leaves, and get the stems prepped for class. It’s also SUPER messy. Sometimes I even find a little dried bug when I’m getting the stems ready, because these were fresh from the flowers fields! But prepping the flowers and seeing the transformation from freshly dried bouquet to vase ready is satisfying. Plus, the vase selection for Dried Floral Bar has expanded! I love this activity to bring people together to create.

3. The last summer event at the Green House is on Sunday, July 14! We will have summer fragrances and of course a fabulous selection of summer cocktails and mocktails you can purchase from the bar. The next opportunity to gather in Iowa City will be in fall, which is bonkers to think that Pumpkin Spice and everything fall will be overflowing our senses in the next month or so… I’m not ready!!

4. As we do head toward fall, I have been reading/learning/experimenting as much as I can as I can to get ready for the debut of Perfume Pour Bar in West Branch! I received coaching from a professional perfumer (which is an AMAZING career option for chemists), and think it’s so cool that we can have this science opportunity to create art. I loved math and science, but never knew how to combine it with a creative side - until I started learning candle making back in the early days of the pandemic. I had a third grader tell me this week that she was now interested in what I do as a career choice, and I fully support that! The fact I get to sit with people and help them make something they love with science and art… gosh, it’s a pretty cool thing.

Happy Friday!

Erika

The 27th Friday Four

This Friday Four of 2024 includes the August lineup of events! Thanks for catching up with this series, simply the weekly highlights from behind the scenes at Tura Lura Co. Let’s get into it!

1. A phenomenal group of humans participated in Pour + Restore at Tura Lura Co. in West Branch, the candle making class with some gentle yoga movement. I spent the whole day thinking that we were going to have to adjust - then the rain lifted. It was sunny, the grass became dry, and the storms held off long enough for us to get out to the national state park. It was a beautiful overcast sky and sunset, there was a little bunny next to the creek, and it was so enjoyable to move freely outdoors. I feel so grateful that we are bringing this opportunity back for the summer in West Branch. If you missed it, catch it on the July & August schedule!

2. Reed Diffuser Bar is having a moment because it is great for a pop up event or a party! That’s why we are going to do a very special Reed Diffuser Bar celebration at Tura Lura Co. for Hoover Days on August 10. You have the opportunity to pick and blend fragrances, pick out the jar, select the reeds, and make something completely unique to you. This special event will allow folks to stop by anytime after the parade to come create for 10-15 minutes in the air conditioning, before heading off the their next Hoover activity! This edition of Reed Diffuser Bar is at a very special price of only $15 (plus tax) to celebrate Hoover's big 150! Limited tickets available, pre-sign up only. Once you purchase, stop by anytime 10:30am-2:30pm on Saturday, August 10th to enjoy this special experience as part of Hoover Days!

3. If you follow Tura Lura Co. on social media, you’ll know that I’ve been deep in learning the art of perfumes. And I can’t wait to host the first Perfume Pour Bar in West Branch, in late August! Limited to 12 spots, this class will explore the art of scent creation and dive into the secrets of making perfumes. Get to know the top, middle, and base notes, and how to mix them together to craft a fragrance that match your vibe. This experience is all about creating a scent that is uniquely you, and you’ll walk away with a .33oz glass roller ball!

4. August schedule is now live! We start with a walk in Wednesday, Hoover Days, then a classic Candle Pour Bar, debut of Perfume Pour Bar, and a Pour + Restore. See the full July + August schedule here. It’s hard to believe next month we will be talking about the fall schedule… boy, this summer is going by too fast!

Enjoy the weekend + happy Friday!

Erika