As you might have noticed on our website, seen in our Instagram stories or read about in our newsletter, things are changing around here - and it all starts with a name. As I grow this company and expand the product line, I want a name that reflects the idea behind the brand: products for people in the arts. Of course, one doesn't have to be involved in the arts to appreciate a candle (the first product we released), or the other items I'm currently designing, and so I also want the name to feel universal and recognizable.

     In Chicago, I work with actors almost every day. I want to create products that make the artist's work easier, more productive, or simply more fun. As I continue to grow the product line, the goal is to develop items that are functional and can be given as a gift or kept for oneself. Deciding on a new name proved to be challenging (MANY possibilities scribbled on scraps of paper) but also exciting!

The new name had been in front of me all along...

     Thalia and Melpomene (pronounced Tha-LIE-yuh and Mel-POM-uh-nee) are the Greek muses for comedy and tragedy, respectively, and are often represented by the comedy and tragedy masks. In my opinion, it is these masks that are the most symbolic and recognizable representation of the arts. I've developed a fondness for Thalia and Melpomene, having studied their origins and significance in theatre. My original logo was inspired by them - a somewhat abstract version of a comedy and tragedy mask joined together:

      I sketched out several possibilities, then had a friend (@raesinn) work her graphic design magic to come up with a finalized image:

       So when trying to come up with a new company name, I kept staring at that original logo for inspiration, finally realizing the solution had been staring right back. Since Thalia and Melpomene can be a bit of a mouthful, I gave them a nickname, and thus my new company name:

Thal + Mel