On Set of The Christmas Witch: Bringing the Amberlight Apothecary to Life
The moment I stepped through the door of Woodland Wellness, I could already feel the Amberlight Apothecary stirring to life. The scent of herbs and candle wax, the way sunlight pooled across the floor, the quiet hum of transformation… it was as if the world I’d written had finally decided to step out of the page and breathe beside us.
This enchanting transformation wouldn’t have been possible without my dear friend Ryanna Hendrix, the owner of Woodland Wellness. Her kindness, creativity, and willingness to open her space to our production brought so much heart to this part of the film. I’m endlessly grateful to her for sharing it with us.
Paige Freeman Hoover as Cerridwen Baelfyre, Jayde Martinez as Morgan Asarligt, and Brooklyn Summer as Brigid Baelfyre.
If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to turn a small-town wellness studio into a moonlit apothecary full of potions, herbs, and whispers of magick… it starts with imagination, teamwork, and a whole lot of whimsy! Some sets you build. Others feel like they build you. The Amberlight Apothecary was both… a place of healing, alchemy, and story. Watching it take shape into a living, glowing space felt like standing inside a dream that had been waiting its whole life to be remembered.
When I first imagined the Apothecary, the image was crystal clear: Cerridwen, surrounded by crystals behind a beautiful wooden counter. I knew Woodland Wellness was the perfect fit, it already had that cozy, grounded energy I wanted, and yes, the counter was exactly right.
Walking into the finished set for the first time felt nothing short of magickal. Seeing my own crystals placed around the space made it deeply personal, as if I’d left little pieces of myself scattered among the bottles and jars. My favorite moment, though, was the first time I saw Cerridwen behind the counter. She looked right at home, as if this had always been her shop. My heart could’ve burst.
Paige Freeman Hoover as Cerridwen Baelfyre.
To me, the space felt alive through scent, sound, and color. My friend Julissa created handmade bar soaps for the Apothecary, using aroma blends I selected just for the shop — a calming lavender blend, a cozy fall coffee scent, and, of course, a signature Amberberry blend inspired by my fictional world. Having those soaps displayed near the counter, the heart of the shop, made everything feel so real. The soft green hue on the walls added to that feeling too — a touch of Scotland brought to Arizona, since Cerridwen and Brigid both hail from there.
Jayde Martinez as Morgan Asarligt and Brooklyn Summer as Brigid Baelfyre with handmade soaps by Julissa Boydstun.
The transformation of Woodland Wellness into the Apothecary was full of small, heartfelt details. Over the years, my mom and I have collected countless treasures — little pieces of Amberlight Valley before it ever existed on film. Many of those beloved items found their way into the Apothecary.
Our incredible Set Design and Props Master, Christina Brown, not only kept each piece safe but added her own magick to the space through thoughtful design and detail. Her touch made the shop feel alive, like every shelf and trinket had its own quiet story to tell. Local artist April Colburn, who is also a masseuse at Woodland Wellness, lent her stunning artwork to the walls, and our cast and crew admired her pieces between takes. There were also Easter eggs — not the chocolate kind, but the hidden symbols and little nods to other stories I’ve written (or haven’t released yet 😉).
One of my favorite memories from filming was during a montage sequence between Cerridwen (Paige Freeman Hoover) and Bradford (Chris Scarborough) at the table over tea. The two of them started improvising silly conversations that had the entire crew laughing — even after Bernie called “cut.” It was such a perfect reflection of the Apothecary’s spirit: playful, healing, full of laughter and life.
At its core, the Amberlight Apothecary represents healing… in all the shapes, sizes, and colors it comes in. It’s about opening our hearts to friendship, to unexpected opportunities, and to the cozy, safe spaces we all deserve when the world feels too noisy. Every shelf, every teacup, every flicker of candlelight inside the Apothecary carries a piece of that dream — a reminder that magick doesn’t always announce itself. Sometimes it’s built slowly, together, in spaces where imagination and gratitude meet.
If I could step into the Apothecary myself, I think I’d reach for a potion called Creative Rest, bottled in soft gold glass and tied with a sparkly silver thread… a blend of stillness, inspiration, and the scent of warm tea.
So tell me — where do you go in your own life to feel restored or inspired?
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