2011 Photo Contest Winners Treasure Map

Congratulations to

- Bill D. from Holland, MI
- Terese R. from Seabrook, NH
- Margo G. from San Juan Capistrano, CA
- Rob S. from Raleigh, NC

for being winners of the 2011 Photo Contest created by our friends at Island Treasure Map. Each winner received a 2oz bottle of either our classic Bay Rum or Bay Rum with Lavender, Lime, or Grapefruit. Thank you for entering the contest and submitting such beautiful photos from our islands.

Also, visit Island Treasure Map's website which features a map for St. Thomas and one for St. John which can be downloaded for free. It is a great way to become acquainted with the islands before or during your vacation in the V.I.  (www.islandtreasuremaps.com)

Feedback From Our Customers

Many of our customers have remained loyal to us over the years and generations, and we would like to thank them for all of their kind words.

"Love the smell of Bay Rum since my honeymoon in the Virgin Islands in 1964" - L.P. in Dallas, TX

"I really love the products!" G.I. in Mission Viejo, CA

"My grandpa used Bay Rum, my dad, and now me - we just love it" C.D. in Portland, OR

Weaver by the Sea

In centuries past island locals learned to weave palm tree fronds for many practical purposes, creating special designs for thatched huts, as well as unusual fishing pots to capture food from shallow lagoons. Through countless generations this custom has remained unchanged, and the traditional fish pot design has become the hallmark of quality for St. Johns fragrances.

This art is perpetuated by families in St. Barts in the French West Indies where most of the palm castings are made. Others, totaling thousands a month, are made in St. Thomas, Tortola in the British Virgin Islands, Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Deftly and rapidly, busy hands form narrow strips of Tyre palm fronds (collected in the hills surrounding Hull Bay on St. Thomas). They are dried in the sun, then shaped into small baskets and slipped over bottles in a glove like fit. It takes over 30 minutes to hand weave one bottle.

The history of this weave illustrates not only the uniqueness of our product, but also the rich history of the Caribbean. St. Johns Fragrances has been using the fish pot design on our hand woven bottles since 1949 when the owner John Webb noticed the special palm weave used in fishing traps by the French community on St. Thomas. One evening in Cafe Normandie in Frenchtown, he was introduced to Joe Felix, a native of St Barth. Felix explained that the distinctive pattern of the fish traps was called, "fish pot weave" and was made of Tyre palm fronds. Webb knew this look would be ideal for his Bay Rum product and Felix was able to devise a "jacket" out of palm strips which he slipped over the bottle like a glove. He then finished the weaving by delicately tying the palm around the neck of the bottle. The whole process took between 20 to 30 minutes. John Webb was elated with the result of Felix's efforts and the beautiful packaging he had created.

From the 1940s onward, St. Johns Bay Rum was able to employ weavers on many Caribbean islands which helped keep this weaving tradition alive as fisherman have turned away from the tyre palm traps. The skill has been passed down preserving an important slice of island history. The image of the Weaver by the Sea is our tribute to this story and was featured on our limited edition 60th anniversary bottle of Bay Rum.

Welcome to Our Blog

St. Johns has been manufacturing and distributing locally made fragrances since 1946. Our signature scent Bay Rum is made from the finest bay leaves in the world, grown on St. John. As described by Gail Schulterbrandt (http://www.stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/Articles/Bay-Rum.htm), Bay Rum is a historic industry of the Virgin Islands for its amazing scent and beneficial properties. Since our inception, we have expanded our line to seven fragrances, including two for women. Please visit our site for more information on ordering products and samples.

Please feel free to leave us any comments or questions. Our blog will serve as venue for not only sharing information about our company, but also insights on happenings in the Virgin Islands.