Present Day Goods

At this time of year, on a day like this, with wet, cold shorter days without many birds or even people outside it's already feeling winter-ish (even though solstice is weeks away).

As an artist I am OK with this! Working from my studio it is warm and bright inside and all the rich scents and soft, warm textures of coconut wax, shea butter, sweet almond oil, Jersey City beeswax--ingredients for all kinds of projects, it is endlessly interesting work. I get to do research, hash out ideas and come up with products I wish I had, and get to share them with family and friends and then our local community and customers.

The life of independent makers bringing their things to holiday markets is complicated and inspiring! The sadness and relief of the end of the year is a wrap up and rebirth at the same time. I have worked for many weeks on getting a winter collection together, and I get to offer them in person to my local community. It's especially great when customers are surprised and happy to find a special nostalgic candle or smooth hand salve or naturally made lip balm. These products check all the boxes: handmade, distinctive scents and packaging, a real and simple business mission, and we share our interest in these simple joyful things. I'm a big believer of good things in small packages!

As 2025 winds down, it ends with a bang of fresh new products for gifts to ourselves and our friends, passing time with our families in closer quarters, enjoying meals and having gratitude for all the luck we might have had in the past 12 months.

This Winter 2025 I'm getting the hang of seasonal trends. On top of offering our strongest line-up of best-selling fragranced coconut wax candles, I discovered the wonderful world of Winter Balms, Luxe Body Lotions, Luxury Oils for Hair and Body Oil Spray, and of course we continue with our handmade soap and lip balms.

I hope you all are having a terrific holiday season so far, and don't forget to spread the word about this small business to friends and family that love high-quality, smartly packaged personal fragrance products from this maker brand. 

Summer at the Markets: New Scents, Sunny Days, and Good Neighbors

This summer, I have to say—our farmer’s market schedule has been such a joy. I’m seriously grateful for the chance to set up shop and spend time with our local friends and neighbors on these beautiful days. Somehow, we got lucky with all the sunshine.

The article below was coverage about me, the origins of Present Day Goods and inspiration, plus a plug for our local Lincoln Park Farmer's Market, and frankly a plug for all the farmer's markets out there--these are great places to preserve through patronage. 

This week we caught up with Maureen Gallagher, founder of Present Day Goods. You can find her selling handmade candles, lip balms, sugar scrubs and other products made with natural ingredients today at the Lincoln Park Farmers Market from 10am-2pm! You can also find her at the Riverview and Hoboken Farmers Markets. And her lip balms are available at Busy Bee Organics at 451 Palisade Ave in the Heights.