The 38th 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 the kids and I started to pull out the Halloween decorations from the basement! Tucked in the boxes was one of my giant orange concrete candles, completely untouched and smelling like pumpkins. Now this is a two year old candle, so the wax had started to discolor (it happens over time with certain fragrance oils) but it smelled fantastic. I lit it and after the first burn, it looks brand new on top! I am always amazed how quality ingredients can last such a long time. And feeling the smooth concrete that was handmade in that same basement gave me some sweet nostalgia of starting this company.

2. If you are newer around here, you may be wondering about the concrete. One of the first things offered at Tura Lura Co. was concrete candles. It was completely handcrafted from start to finish, and I’d spend the early mornings and late nights tending to all my concrete in the basement. From casting and unmolding, to drying and sealing - to get a concrete jar finished was a labor of love. It took a toll on my hands, and after debating for a long time on a variety of factors, I put all the concrete molds aways. With EDSh my joints are unstable, painful, and already arthritic. In the last few years, I have been working hard with OT and PT to preserve joints without surgeries. I wear some cool looking rings now (that are actually splints) and have made choices in this evolving journey to continue creativity, by being in community with others. I get to look back at the concrete start with love and appreciation that led to the studio. I always love hearing about other people’s journey, and what you are looking back on that brought you to wear you are. Feel free to reply and tell me what’s going on with you :)

3. So candles... It’s fall so lots of candle making class opportunities! There are a few times open in West Branch for Candle Pour Bar. And, I am really excited to partner with the Vue in Iowa City for a fun night in November to make your fall or winter candle while having a blast. They are hosting the tickets, so you need to go here to purchase. I have so many great oils that feel like fall and winter, I can’t wait to welcome you into a class!

4. Private Parties are going into full swing too, especially for the upcoming holidays! I have birthdays, bridal showers, holiday gatherings, and more - I am booking out until the end of 2024 now. If you’ve been curious and want to plan something, take a look at the updated page here with all the info on private parties, and reach out if you want to get a party on the books!

Happy Friday!

Erika

The 37th 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 got to participate and help lead conversations about Leadership Lessons. Specifically about knowing yourself, listening to understand, working with others, and strategic planning. I love having this conversation with students I teach, and every time I help with these conversations I end up doing some reflection on myself. We are almost in the last stretch of 2024 and I have been thinking a lot about what 2025 is going to look like, feel like, and the impact I can make. Some big questions to ponder, as I eagerly look to order my 2025 paper planner so I can doodle in my goals... Am I the only one who starts looking at planners 4 months early? Probably.

2. Speaking of strategic planning and paper planners, I have been knee deep in learning and doing things through the accelerator program I got into for Tura Lura Co. The program is an intense 12 weeks with a cohort of peers, so I have been super motivated to work through all the tasks! Luckily this week has been a light week at the studio, so every free minute I have for Tura Lura Co. has been behind the scenes just doing the invisible things. I say it’s invisible because it’s not really the Instagramable moments, ya know the early morning and staying up late in my pajamas. The glare of the computer screen. The white board with scribbles and question marks. It’s tough and necessary work to help keep the studio lights on. But it’s not really showing up in my stories on social media. Because is that interesting and aesthetically pleasing? Analytics would tell me no. What do you think?

3. At this point you are probably wondering how the heck this leadership talk is tied to making fall candles. Let me help bridge the gap. I am a firm believer that everyone is a teacher and everyone is a learner. Every person has the capacity to lead. I think when we challenge ourselves to try new things, appreciate new perspectives, and listen to understand - that we can learn a lot in the process and get more resilient. Making candles and creative classes is just a simple way to flex that muscle. Want to be a more adaptable leader? Put yourself in a room where you are a beginner. Want to be a more empathetic leader? Sit next to someone you don’t know (and may never talk to in your daily life) then ask them questions and truly listen. Want to gain confidence as a leader? Try and fail, then learn and try again. Basically, making candles is a way to flex your leadership muscles friends.

4. Ok, so the real reason you are here. The studio! Fall has a few events I should mention. The next open class is Candle Pour Bar where we can dive into the fall and early winter smells. Plus Perfume Pour Bar in Iowa City at the Green House in Iowa City! And a special Candle Pour Bar at the Vue in November… oh my goodness. Fall is going to be busy and wonderful! I’d love to see you join a class! Check out the full class calendar here.

Happy Friday! Thanks for listening to my TED talk.

Erika

The 36th 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. Will you marry me? Those are the words I got to type on the 1950s typewriter this week for a special guest! How sweet that the studio was able to provide the backdrop for their memory? I am honored to be part of the first surprise engagement at Tura Lura Co. And it got me thinking about my own memories, and how those moments and feelings can stay in our brains. I’ve enjoyed hosting so many gatherings in the space over the last 6 months, it’s hard to believe we are in the last 4 months of the year! I’m actively booking private parties from now until the end of December 2024 - reach out if you are hoping to host a holiday party, a birthday party… or even an engagement!

2. This week was West Branch Wednesday, where all the stores stay open late! I had the pleasure of hosting a Dried Floral Bar, and got my hands dirty making an arrangement! I also got a pretty nasty bruise from trimming a stubborn palm leaf, but that was my own doing. It feels like fall is quickly approaching, and it was nice to slow down and create while talking to folks. One of my favorite things about Dried Floral Bar is that we all start off with the same ingredients, and we get to make choices to create in our style. We had some loose and wild, some tidy and symmetrical.

3. September has a few events I should mention! I have been switching out all the summer fragrances (still in progress, I had a lot!) to the autumn smells. The next open class is Candle Pour Bar where we can dive into the fall and early winter smells. Then the last Pour + Restore for the year will happen, as the sun is setting earlier and the weather will start to cool down. Then the first opportunity for Perfume Pour Bar in Iowa City at the Green House in Iowa City! There are a few opportunities in September to create before we all start to go to the pumpkin patches in October! I’d love to see you join a class!

4. October, November, and December open classes are now live on the website! These are great to come solo to, or bring a friend (or two). You’ll see a fun opportunity to create at the Vue in Iowa City, as well as some classes that coincide with some cool small town events in West Branch (Fall Fest, Ladies Night Out, & a Christmas Part). But the one I am looking forward to the most is the morning after Thanksgiving. We can wear jammies, play holiday music, and bust out the holiday cookies. And, while the candles cure you can hit up some of the amazing small businesses on Main Street in West Branch! As I keep saying to everyone… it’s almost peak candle making season!

Happy Friday!

Erika