About

Musicians and makers at heart, Carolyn Mix and Darcy Doniger share a long-standing love affair with the art of bottling nature. They founded 2 Note in 2006 with a simple vision: to create botanical fragrances and natural products for people and spaces — guided by integrity and artistry.

Named as an ode to the interplay between scent and sound, 2 Note approaches formulation as composition—each fragrance built in harmony, with depth and resonance; each skincare application with health-minded intention and purpose.

Handmade in small batches and at a small scale, 2 Note is an ongoing practice of attunement — to nature, to craft, and to the enduring art of making things well.

Our Ethos

2 Note handcrafts botanical fragrances, natural skincare, and health-minded products for body and atmosphere. Composed with conscience to inspire well-being, honor every age, and bring harmony to daily life.

Made-to-order in small batches to ensure freshness and quality, honoring the artistry of natural beauty while keeping our process sustainable and transparent. From the texture of each product to the subtle aroma of the botanicals within, every detail is designed to restore balance, support radiance, and create a daily ritual that feels grounding and true to nature.

Crafted by Nature, Composed with Care.

Our History

Wharf Street, Portland, Maine

In 2006, Carolyn Mix and Darcy Doniger open the first 2 Note shop on Wharf Street in Portland’s cobblestoned Old Port. The tiny studio becomes the brand’s first laboratory of scent and sound, filled with handmade body products, Don Roy’s hand-carved stringed instruments, and recordings from Carolyn’s great-grandmother Iva—an avid gardener and homesteader who remains a guiding inspiration. Their yellow lab, Luna, offers warm greetings to all who visit.

Early Growth & Moulton Street Relocation

In 2007, the product line expands to include botanical perfumes, soaps, and body oils. Early fragrance experiments lay the groundwork for the compositions that define 2 Note, while workshops, music, and a growing local community shape the brand’s spirit. In 2009, 2 Note moves to a new space on Moulton Street, gaining visibility and reaching a broader audience in the Old Port.

Exchange Street Expansion

In 2011, a larger retail space and onsite production studio open on Exchange Street — a place to shop, explore scent, and witness small-batch creation in action. In partnership with Maine Public Radio and Portland Performing Arts, 2 Note begins offering welcome gifts to musicians performing at Merrill Auditorium as a gesture of care and support for fellow artists.

Photo courtesy of Nick Cote

Activism, Collaboration & Community

2 Note hosts Marriage Equality fundraisers in support of gay marriage in Maine. Carolyn and Darcy perform with their trio, Flight of Fancy, for President Obama at the Portland Museum of Art. A sold-out exhibition with artist Dietlind Vander Schaaf visually interprets each 2 Note fragrance, highlighting the brand’s deep connection to art and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Community event and artistic collaboration

Photo courtesy of Tonee Harbert

Relocation to Hudson, New York

In 2014, 2 Note relocates to Hudson, NY, establishing a new studio and retail shop and becoming part of the region’s creative community. The next 5 years bring deep engagement: donating performances and products to local organizations, including the Hudson Library, Hudson Pride, The Sylvia Center, and the Hudson Valley Dance Festival. 2 Note also partners with Perfect Ten, offering workshops on natural beauty, label literacy, and perfumery.

Photo courtesy of Shannon Greer

Hospitality Partnerships Begin

A local hotel commissions bespoke amenities, opening the door to future collaborations with boutique lodging and culinary destinations.

Photo courtesy of Rivertown Lodge

A Personal Milestone

Following the legalization of same-sex marriage in the U.S., Carolyn and Darcy legally marry — a celebration of love, equality, and shared creative life.

Photo courtesy of Shannon Greer

The Pandemic Years

During lockdown, 2 Note closes its public shop and shifts production to the home studio. The brand continues to serve its community by producing essential goods, including hand soap and hand sanitizer, for customers and local organizations.

Photo courtesy of Em McCann Zauder

Reemergence & Renewal

In 2022, 2 Note reopens with a shop and production studio in Kinderhook, NY, rekindling in-person connection, creativity, and small-batch craft. In 2024, 2 Note closes its physical shop to begin a thoughtful transition away from traditional brick-and-mortar retail, expanding into digital storytelling, education, and an enriched online experience.

The Present Movement

Carolyn and Darcy collaborate with photographer and creative director Em McCann Zauder & web designer and developer jazmín calderón torres to launch a redesigned website with streamlined collections, refined storytelling, and an expanded digital presence. Updated formulations reflect the brand’s botanical ethos and customer feedback, marking the emergence of a fully evolved 2 Note — centered on harmony, craftsmanship, and the art of living well.

Photo courtesy of Em McCann Zauder

Journal

A living archive of what inspires us — fragrances, sounds, and ideas in dialogue, inviting you to linger, learn, and return to the art of attention. An ongoing conversation about the elements that define our craft.

The Journal offers glimpses into the processes, inspirations, and quiet details behind each creation — an invitation to slow down and engage the senses.

READ

Botanical Index

The Botanical Index is a guide to the natural materials that shape every 2 Note composition — the essential oils, resins, woods, leaves, and flowers that form the heart of our work. Each essence carries its own story: where it grows, how it's gathered, and the qualities it brings to scent and skin. Together, they create the foundation of our formulations and the distinct character of each fragrance and care product.

Visit index