Metta Scents

Metta Scents

Most people who walk past Kim Wood's gorgeous new shop in Prahran, Metta Scents, follow their noses inside, unable to resist the sumptuous aromas wafting out the door. They are never disappointed. Metta Scents is Australia's first shop specialising in incense. And it's available to buy online for people outside of Melbourne - MettaScents.com.

The sense of smell is so powerful. It can literally transport people to a particular time or place. It can also change feelings and emotions and that is why it is so important that we treat our sense of smell with respect. Incense can play an important part in our lives - giving us a refuge from the demands of everyday life. Time out is important.

Kim has a message of 'all natural, sustainable and ethical' products and she also extends this to her store fit out. She has used natural paints and flooring materials and some extraordinary 97% post-consumer-waste fittings designed by Freefold Furniture in Melbourne. The shelving, display stands and desk are all made of this material creating a stylish but eco-friendly space for people to shop. The front window is filled with a huge number or different coloured origami cranes. It's fantastic! It's almost worth a trip to the store to see that alone.

Kim has commissioned some exclusive ceramic incense holders in all sorts of shapes and sizes, from 5 Australian ceramic artists and the results are quite gorgeous. The store also has some beautiful tea light holders that glow in the dark, and is the only outlet in Melbourne to sell them.

Incense normally consists of an aromatic, naturally derived material that is burned to release its aroma. There are many traditional, spiritual and historic reasons for using incense but for many of us, the main reason we burn incense is for the pure pleasure and enjoyment the smell brings to our surroundings.

There are many different forms incense can take - just as with coffee, wine and perfume, the quality of the incense depends on the quality of its ingredients and the manufacturing process.

Kim has three principles that she applies to all incense purchases. "Firstly, I strongly believe that the best incense is made of 100% natural ingredients" she says, "secondly, it must be made ethically by people who follow fair trade principles and finally, the ingredients need to be grown sustainably. If people follow these guidelines their incense experiences will be all the more pleasurable".

Some of the incense Kim is passionate about includes exquisite Japanese incense. Beautifully packaged and presented the aroma is far more subtle that other ethnic varieties.

She also loves the slightly more unusual liquid incense produced by Sage & Mage of Melbourne. "Instead of burning it, you can use the spray to freshen up rooms or spray it onto clothes or in cupboards for a longer lasting subtle fragrance." Kim says. "It's lovely that it's Australian made as most incense is made overseas."

The Dhuni incense from India is wonderful. Dhuni incense is made with love in a labour intensive process that includes hand harvesting, hand rolling, and drying in the sun. The Japanese gift sets are also worth taking a look at. Many are creatively packaged and look stunning.

It makes 'scents' to give it a try!

A New Way Of Doing Business
Most of us like to do our bit for the environment. We may walk or catch public transport rather than drive, compost our vegie waste or water the garden with grey water. Not so many people are prepared to change their whole life to follow these principles. Meet Kim Wood from Metta Scents, a store and website that sells incense, who has done exactly that.

Kim is on a mission. After searching high and low, online and in bricks and mortar stores, Kim realised that supplies of good quality, all natural incense was extremely limited and hard to find in Australia. She couldn't believe it. So she wound up her consultancy business in regional Victoria to set up shop, literally. She now offers the highest quality, 100% natural incense that has been made (often by hand) without harming animals or the environment.

Metta Scents is a mindful business. Kim believes very strongly that there is a new way of doing business; where business owners can be caring about the whole life cycle of the product rather than just selling the product. She travels around the world to meet the manufacturers and see the products being made.

Kim wants to ensure that she only sells 'all natural, sustainable and ethical' products and she also extends this to her store fit out. She has used natural paints and flooring materials and some extraordinary 97% post-consumer-waste fittings designed by Freefold Furniture in Melbourne. The shelving, display stands and desk are all made of this recycled waste material creating a stylish but eco-friendly space for people to shop. The front window is filled with a huge number or different coloured origami cranes. It's fantastic! It's almost worth a trip to the store to see that alone.

There is a huge range of incense at Metta Scents (and online at MettaScents.com) for people to choose from. Over 80 varieties sourced from India, Japan, Bali and even liquid incense from Sage and Mage in Melbourne. With over 80 varieties on offer, Kim has become an expert on helping people find just the right scent for them. She also offers free samples if people want to 'try before they buy'.

Kim wants to support people who make wonderful, wholehearted products by making their products available to people who will also love and appreciate them. She has commissioned some exclusive ceramic incense holders in all sorts of shapes and sizes, from 5 Australian ceramic artists and the results are quite gorgeous. The store also has some beautiful tea light holders that glow in the dark, and is the only outlet in Melbourne to sell them.

Metta Scents incense ranges in price from $5-$50 and can be purchased online at MettaScents.com or from the store at 111 Greville St, Prahran in Melbourne.