Aroma

One of the things you first notice about working with pre-teenagers is, that in a crowded room full of them, you can detect that faint odor, that "smells like teen spirit." By the time they get to highschool, they are familiar with the whole deodorant routine, applying liberally, and adding a douse of cologne/perfume for good measure just in case. They become almost hyperaware of the whole, "Do I smell thing." What's fascinating is, it often is someone else telling us that we stink that makes us aware of it.

The question that begs to be asked is, can an aroma be something other than a smell, that is, can it be a sense one is aware of that "smells" pleasing to our demeanor? Do we give off an aroma others want to be next to, have rub off on them, and daresay, want to smell a bit like us after we have gone? One of my favorite aromas is the smell on some towels I have stored in a plastic bag in the closet that belonged to my great-grandmother. When I feel down trodden, insecure, or have that pining for nostalgic feeling, I open the bag ever so slightly just to sneak a whiff of what I associate with bravery, kindness, intelligence and humor. I want "that" smell to cling to me, stay with me and spur me on to better things, things she would be proud of, things that would make her smile had she not gone to her reward so many years ago.

So, where am I going with this and how can it possibly apply to making things and the business of making things? As a creative, is your "aroma" one that others would want to invest in, is your work something that inspires others to do and feel their best, are your creations things that people want to cling to them?