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Songbird's scent captured by local candle makers

Jason A. Michael

FERNDALE – They may call their company Down To Earth, but personal and professional partners Michael Kusz and Michael Nelson of Ferndale have created a line of candles that are absolutely heavenly.
The couple, which has been together for eight years, has been making candles for half that time. Four years ago, Kucz, a massage therapist, was working for a company that sold cosmetics and environmentally friendly products. Gradually, he began taking home the leftover wax and experimenting.
"I started making candles for parties and stuff like that, and people really seemed to enjoy them," he said. "Soon my friends were suggesting that I sell them."
Down To Earth's first account was Kucz's hairstylist, Reid Salon in Ferndale. Today, the candles are available in over 20 stores in the Detroit area, as well as in boutiques in Chicago and Palm Springs, Calif. The candles are soy based, which last longer than paraffin candles and burn completely down. Down To Earth also uses lead-free paper for their core wicks as opposed to the petroleum wicks many other companies use. The candles comes in various sizes, including the popular 8 oz. tin, which burns for an amazing 30 hours, and the 13 oz. metro jar, with price points in the general range of $8-$20. Kucz and Nelson pride themselves on the exceptionally strong scent throw their candles produce.
There are currently 18 scents in the Down To Earth line, with such whimsical names as Swoon, Bohemian Bliss and Island Flowers. There are also the basics, such as Apple, Vanilla, Patchouli and Sandalwood. Among the most popular, said Kucz, are Blackberry Sage and Mango Papaya. Their newest scent, Montana, features a fragrance so fantastic you'll find yourself making plans to visit the state that bears its name before the candle burns out.
Last year, Down To Earth landed a new account, and one of a different sort. They secured the rights to produce a candle based on the signature perfume scent of songbird Dionne Warwick.
"It was the 20th anniversary of the fragrance and she wanted to do a tie in, to put the fragrance in candle form," said Kucz. "Her merchandiser, David Krause, came upon our candles in Just 4 Us and the owner, Kevin Rogers, talked up our line."
The trial run was so successful that Warwick's people have just put in another order.
"Dionne is talking about putting it onto her fan Web site," said Kucz. "So it will be available online as well as at her shows."
The fragrance, simply called Dionne, is described by its namesake as "in the Oriental area. It is warm, light and sensuous, and has a clean, lingering end note."
Warwick told Between The Lines that she's quite pleased with the job Down To Earth did.
"I think they captured the essence of Dionne exceptionally well," she said. "The response has been wonderful. I feel once it is back on the general market it will do very well."

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