How PȺCU STUDIOS was founded

The founding of PȺCU STUDIOS : An unplanned and not so easy path

The journey to founding our company PȺCU STUDIOS is a deeply personal story that began with challenges that have had a lasting impact on us.

From 2016 to 2021, I suffered from an anxiety disorder as a result of an illness and was frequently plagued by panic attacks. During this difficult time, I felt completely helpless and powerless most of the time, as if I were in a constant battle with my own thoughts. The first step, and by no means an easy one, was to admit that I needed professional help. So I sought out a therapist. After several months of resolving and processing my trauma, my therapist at the time recommended a simple but effective ritual: every time I lost control of my emotions, I should burn Palo Santo (a very heartfelt thank you, dear Dr. S.).

Palo Santo, also known as "sacred wood," is valued in many cultures for its calming and purifying properties. It has been used by indigenous peoples for thousands of years for spiritual and spatial cleansing. Each time I inhaled the scent of this wood, I felt the paralyzing fear slowly lift from me, making it possible to think clearly again. It was as if this special scent created a space for healing and clarity. Thanks to this small but significant practice, I began not only to manage my fears but also to transform them into something positive: moments of awareness.

Over time, and due to the noticeable effect it had on me, my interest in the healing powers of Palo Santo and its influence on our mental well-being in particular grew. I began to delve deeper into the topic of smudging, as it not only helped me find my own inner peace, but also awakened in me the desire to make Palo Santo more widely known in order to help other people going through similar challenges. This is how the idea of ​​my own Palo Santo was born. With the intention of making a natural and simple way available to those going through the same thing to find their own balance and inner strength. It was important to me to obtain this wood, which is so special to me, from the best possible source. It should not only have the best and purest scent, but also come from a source that is aware of these special healing powers and that harvests this wood with appropriate appreciation and respect. This is how, after extensive research and testing, I found the Peruvian community PALO SANTO PERUANO in northern Peru. After a few WhatsApp calls and harvest insights, as well as proof in the form of certificates confirming the commitment of the reforestation initiative SERFOR, the correct harvesting in government-approved districts, and the dry season on the ground, we decided to work with them. We've even developed a friendship.

However, Stevens' and my desire for timeless aesthetics didn't quite fit with the range of incense objects available. And why compromise between style and incense?

In our eyes, there were simply no incense burners that were stylish and fit in with our home decor. This led us to the quick decision that we needed to offer something of our own. When we stumbled upon the wonderful travertine stone on our honeymoon in Italy, it became clear to us that this naturalness and aesthetic appeal was exactly what we were missing in the incense sector.

So we set out to give smoking the modern touch it deserved. We wanted to not only offer stylish smoking equipment, but also open up a new perspective on the practice of smoking—one that combines the appreciation of millennia-old practices with modern yet timeless aesthetics and functionality.

It was also important to us that our products be sustainable. We placed great emphasis on not creating one-use-only products, but rather objects that serve not only as incense burners but also have other uses. This philosophy underlies the entire concept of PȺCU STUDIOS and drives us every day to develop innovative and beautiful products that delight both the eye and the soul.

After researching social media, we decided to work with a Turkish family business in Bilecik. They share our commitment to quality and design and still perform many production steps by hand. It's a nice thought for us that our products aren't exclusively machine-made, but also lovingly handcrafted.

PȺCU STUDIOS is more than just a business; it is a living expression of my personal healing and our passion.