Bittersweet and the little soap company

Sneak Peek...

 

Vintage Market, Company's Coming!

My little boutique is anxiously awaiting company!

Tomorrow night, 6-9 marks the preview night, and then all day Friday and Saturday, 10 - 9, long day, but looking forward to it. It rolls in a change and helps me get more excited about the holidays.

 
 
 

A sneak peak at Bittersweets little corner.

Hop on a plane and come and see me!

Enjoy caring and sharing holidays.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Winding down...

 
Taking some time to reflect on the day and winding down from the market work. 

The VINTAGE MARKET is looking soo vintage holiday-ish! You won't believe your eyes!

My little boutique is decked out in Bittersweet holiday too. Simple back to basic hand-made essentials line the space. Fresh bags of Bittersweet Blend Coffee fill the market with their aromatic fragrance. 

Just a few last minute finishing touches to add and I'll be ready for pictures. 

I'm looking forward to seeing some old friends and making some new ones. 

As I wrap myself inside my little world of markets and holiday events, and anticipation of it all,  I too have reflected upon the recent attacks upon our fellow human beings and so saddened by the unnatural event. I will be praying for the families and loved ones. 

Remember that life is truly a gift and should be treated as such. 

Enjoy caring and sharing holidays.

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one) 

 

Winter Bouquet

 
Finally had some extra time to travel to the outskirts of town and pick a winter bouquet. My Mom used to have a large bouquet like this in her bathroom. I really miss her creativity sometime, and her words of advise.

Isn't the bouquet pretty? As I sit next to it at the show, I'll be reminded of my Mom and it will make me feel happy.

Getting show ready, little last minute odds and ends around the studio. The large bouquet is the perfect trimming for Bittersweets show display. Cost  nothing,  Love that!

I used the old-fashioned pitcher and bowl my Mom made in the seventy's. Love that too!

The merchandising done for this show is not typical Bittersweet. I've taken on some twists and some change in current taste. All the colors I really like to use at Christmas time, silvers, golds, creams, browns, ecru, and that fawn green the Cranberry Spice soap is wrapped in. Love those too! This season Bittersweet is inspired by nature and our favorite holiday phrase, "less is more"!

I noticed on my walk this morning my neighbor down the street has a beautiful hemlock tree. I'm going to ask if I can get a cutting. Hemlocks  produce tiny little pine cones that are so sweet to tuck here and there.  

Bloggy in and bloggy out, updates and pictures as they present themselves.

Enjoy caring and sharing holidays.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than none)

 

Show Ready..

 
Do you like the postcard? A Bittersweet Cottage Design. I love the lady! You can get a preview of the "Company's Coming" event at the Vintage Market blog. Isn't that window stunning? It looks like a picture out of a magazine! Window decked out by ReDeux and Pink Chandelier Boutique.

I'm so excited about this Market!!! I love the holidays, my favorite time of year. I plan on spreading tons of good cheer!

Getting prepared for a show takes so much work and time. For those of you that showcase your wares in that manner well know. I believe the connections made and the exposure out way all the mess involved to prepare.

Since the show is next weekend, I'm down to last minute preparations. Bittersweet will offer our holiday collection exclusively. Unique soulful hand-made's that are designed to make your Christmas Merry & Bright, skin too!

This market I'll be offering our famous custom blend of coffee. I'll show you how I set up the coffee display later next week. You should see the little espresso cups I have to serve the samples, they are so cute!

 This is our coffee label. The blend is custom, a bit of this, a touch of that. It is so good! The coffee manufacture mixes it fresh and bags it for us. Bittersweet gets oodles of requests for the special coffee this time of year. Customers enjoy serving the tasty blend to their guests during the holidays. I even barter with my dentist, he loves it too! Isn't that bananas? I love the fact Rachael Zoe has brought back the popular seventies phrase, don't you?

Continuing with "Show Ready.."

Since it's gift giving time, I thought it would be nice to do a few giveaways during the special event. Maybe a pound of  Bittersweet Blend Coffee, or a few bars of Velvet Spice, or a Soothing Heat Pillow, yeah.

I'm working on last minute changes in the Vintage Market Magazine. The holiday edition is going to be golden, if I might say so myself! It's filled with holiday ideas and news about upcoming Vintage Markets. There might even be a few surprise announcement's too. Eventually the Vintage Market magazine will be offered on-line. A project that's waiting until after the New Year, because I'm so busy.

Speaking of busy.. Bittersweet orders have shipped and should be arriving soon!

Cookbooks are going fast, so if you haven't got your hands on one, well, you know. I'll be signing the cookbooks at the Market, and plan to sell out!

Enjoy caring and sharing Holidays.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)
 

Simple again..

 
My simple, less is more studio decorating is evolving into soul satisfying feelings. Only a couple of small new purchases this season, and feeling really good about using what I have, as I often do.

 
I've talked about my fondness for recycled merchandising before and how I enjoy working with items I already have. One of my favorite embellishments to add to my holiday decor is natural, like the hydrangeas. I love the look of the simple brown wrappings against the lavender and celery green blooms. The snow-berries are a favorite too. One of the packages is adorned with a vintage millinery blossom and tattered velvet ribbon. I think I purchased the hat for $2 at a flea market, I like that!

 
  Fresh batches of lavender laundry powder , lemon linen water and colorful washing gloves line my little laundry room shelves.

 My favorite pink paisley stocking hangs from the bird cage mixed amongst the silver, creams and faded blue hand-mades.

 
  Colorful pinnies and sassafras half aprons hang here and there, and lavender sachet bundles adorn the collection. It's going to be a hand-made Christmas!

The Calico Cookbook takes center stage.

Vintage Christmas postcards, soft cotton crocheted washing cloths, precious snow-berries and large pine cones happy together.

Once a year holiday soaps wrapped to resemble a pretty Christmas package.

I'm taking a drive in the country this afternoon to pick and gather some dried wildflowers. I've been watching and  waiting for the perfect moment to pick the preserved dried flowers. Although we haven't had a heavy frost yet, the Missouri native dried wildflowers are in their prime for picking, I noticed  yesterday as I drove along the roadside they have preserved to perfection and ready to pick.  My Mom was an expert on this subject, and I admired how she plucked pieces from nature, and incorporated them into her settings.  The natural creamy hues of the fluffy dried wildflowers will fit in beautifully with the look I'm trying to achieve. I'll be sharing that with you. I think you'll be surprised to see the results, and you may like to use the technique in your holiday designing.

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)  
 

  
 
  

A lighter approach

 
This holiday season Bittersweet will be taking on a lighter approach with their designs. I'll probably carry those less than more thoughts through to my personal seasonal decor too.

Those lighter feelings seem to be shared by others too. I have noticed more and more,  shops and little boutiques are merchandising with much less these days. I can't hide those feelings and thoughts that current days are challenging for a great number of people. Some have lost their homes, jobs and livelihoods. Men and woman continue to secure our great country, for us, only for us! 

I would be lying if I told you that I was not concerned about our current state of nation. As a small business owner that feeds my family from the fruits of my labor, I am always focused and concerned about the future at hand.  

Wait, I don't want you to get the wrong idea here!

My concern..

I want to continue to live in a country that is the home of both ,"the land of the free, and the home of the brave." Just as our founding fathers intended, without either, our country would not be any where that it is today! Just my personal thoughts friends...

My ideals center around those two words, and probably always have. Even when I didn't put much thought into the subject, those two words always stood tall in the back of my mind.  

Bittersweet continues to survive as a small business through  hard work.  That has never changed, regardless of what the economy is doing. Those old sayings like, "the early bird gets the worm", and "hard work pays off", aren't just made up phrases. They hold true in most  business ventures, and I'm sure were written by a small business owner! I work harder owning my own business than I ever did working for someone else! You small business owners know how it works!

There are so many things to be thankful for in our country. Our founding fathers knew what they were doing!

We mustn't forget those two important words in our national anthem. They mean a great deal and should not be taken lightly.

As the holiday season approaches, less is more will continue to be in my thoughts. We mustn't forget, the most important things in life aren't from holding something in your hand, and less of course it is a hand!

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than none)    

Some Mag Thoughts..

My magazine subscription's have been falling to the wayside. In all honesty, I just don't find the current mag's very interesting anymore. I never thought I'd say that, but  being true to those mag feelings. The ones I liked are no longer, and the ones that held my interest seem to be changing, and those changes aren't satisfying my magazine tastes.

Except for this one..

I'm quite pleased with this one, and especially fell in love with the articles and recipes in the holiday issue. If you are considering getting a new magazine subscription, I would highly recommend placing this one  on your Christmas list.

The holiday issue is filled with yummy sounding recipes. In fact, the recipes sounded so good, all organic, that I am going to serve the MJ menu for my family on Thanksgiving. I'm excited about offering this delicious feast on Thanksgiving day.

 
 Mag thoughts continue as I anxiously await the new Flea Market Style Mag to arrive in Spring. I have always loved and admired Matthew Meads creativity and feel he will incorporate and share his sassy designs and  Idées  into the new mag, hoping, wishing.

I'm really excited about the upcoming holiday season! I have a lot to share with you and some thoughts I've been pondering.

Enjoy caring and sharing Automne days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Missouri Automne Flea Market Travels

All right girls, this is where I might quite possibly offend some of you. Remember I'm a tad bit bias while discussing this delicate subject..

Personally, I believe Missouri is one of the best territories for flea market shopping in the good old US!  Oh yeah, the big state of Texas has some hard to beat grand flea emporium's, plus you have Mar-burger,  the tiny town that magically transforms itself into a spectacular three day  flea event! We mustn't leave her out!

Sunny Southern California happily hosts huge parking lot fleas, like this one,  as well as those one of a kind hip boutiques.

Iowa, I have to say, Iowa would probably be runner up on my list. Do you know why? I admire the way the Iowans make use of  what they have. They have been practicing the art of re-use and recycle long before it was the green thing to do. I love driving through the Iowa countryside. Especially fond of this small town.  There are little flea market shops nestled in amongst the small towns and back roads.

Sorry Iowa, we're talking about Missouri now!

Oh wait, Minnesota, can't leave the twin cities out! There's Junk Bonanza, great show! Some of the gals that detail their wares at Vintage Market travel over the hills for that show!

Kansas,  Every Missouri girl knows, you don't want to miss the big Sparks Kansas show, and if you drive further North, White Cloud, now Spark's little sister flea event, don't forget to climb up on that hill and gaze over the mighty MO. That's where you'll be able to officially say you've witnessed seeing  four states at once,  if you dare to climb to the overlook. I like stuff like that! The states you'll be seeing,  Missouri, Kansas , Iowa and Nebraska. 

I know I've more than likely left out your wonderful place you call home, and I know you have some magnificent, glorious flea market localities, I know you do! But were'e talking about Missouri remember?

Yesterday, Julie and I traveled to one of our favorite flea market towns, St. Joseph Missouri. St. Joseph is not only trimmed with rich history it has more than a  couple of my favorite vintage markets.

I like this one because the boutique proprietors seem to have a great eye for detail while showcasing their wares.

  

Directly next door to Rusty Chandelier, this one.  

Then, I don't know if you've ever indulged in this unique 
 vintage candy bar before, but if you have, and so you'll know, it is manufactured in St. Joseph Missouri.

This Missouri Automne flea market tour will continue in the weeks to come as I journey here and there to bring you more of Missouri's unique vintage market travels.

Enjoy caring and sharing Automne Days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Beginnings

The beginnings of staging a twig Christmas tree. Can you see the little ginkgo leave attached to the branch? Lennis insisted this branch needed to be trimmed from the tree. So it seemed right to recycle the limb into the twig Christmas tree.

 Did you know the Ginkgo tree is one of the oldest living trees?

As you can see, the twig tree needs some more pine branches. I'll be trimming some  pine stems and branches from our very large white pines. They will also generously give me enough branches to make garland. I love you white pine! When we planted the pines they were a foot tall and we paid $1 for each. Now they are over 75 feet and serve as a privacy fence along our property. I love you white pine! 

Hot and heavy into displays and that assembly soap wrap line is moving at full speed!

I wanted to show you my flea market find filled with holiday soap and little boxes.

"What we need is lots of soap!"

Enjoy caring and sharing Autumn days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Mounds of Thought

The soap mounds are beginning to form around the Bittersweet Studio. Preparing for the Vintage Market in a couple of weeks and Bittersweet's annual Holiday Open House.

Reminiscing on the first Bittersweet open house  I hosted back in 1997. It was a time of excitement as well as nervousness with  Bittersweet being fresh and new. 

I jumped in head first, quit my job, worked non-stop, ate, lived and breathed about it, and  focused most on making a successful little business. There have been challenging moments while other's soulfully heart felt rewarding, all of those, cherished moments I would never exchange for others.  

My Aunt Viv had sent me homemade soap she made as a Christmas gift. I remember anxiously opening the package as though it was yesterday, removing the tissue she had tenderly wrapped around the soap.  As I rubbed my hand over the silky soap bar and took in its soft delicate scent, I knew immediately I would soon be making my own soap!  

 Back then, there were not too many books on the subject, in fact I found only one small book about making the modern version of Great Grandmother's soap.  I purchased the book and read through eager to begin. Purchased the items needed, most available at my local market at the time, that has since changed.

After gathering all the ingredients I began to make soap. I remember using shoe boxes to pour the soap in and sitting the boxes under the bed, covering them with several old quilts. I could barely handle not peeking under the blankets to check the soaps progress. I didn't though, I waited until the next morning.

The next morning I anxiously uncovered the blankets and gazed into the boxes filled with soap! I rubbed my hand over the box of soap thinking how exciting it was!  Having always been a flower girl and fragrance girl I knew I had finally discovered  my niche. Thank you GOD.

I still have those very first bars of soap in my cupboard! They are reminders on how far Bittersweet has come.  

Today, things really haven't changed too much on how Bittersweet is made. I continue to make soap in my kitchen just as I did back then. Although I don't use shoe boxes and no longer place them under the bed. Lennis built soap molds. The soap is covered with the same vintage quilts though.

There have been times Bittersweet  needed to lease a warehouse, hire employees to make the soap,  and have space for storing the bars, but I was always turned off by those thoughts, and my instincts always lead the way. I really feel that over the years I have made the right business decision by not going big.

It's hard for me to imagine how many bars of soap I've, we've  poured, cut, wrapped and tied! I'm estimating somewhere over 100 thousand bars.  Now that's a lot of soap!

 I have learned that without the help from family and friends, the entire process of operating one's own company would be bitter rather than sweet. My family has always been supportive and encouraging along the wavering path, and I'm thankful they are filled with so much love and have eagerly shared that love with me!

I was thinking the other day on how when I get older, like in my eighties, just how am I going to pour that very heavy liquid soap into the molds. I'ts always been challenging to do even for Miss Arm Wrestling Champ, yeah, I'll tell you about that someday!

Anyway, those are thoughts I'll continue to ponder...

Enjoy caring and sharing hand-made days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Origami Love

Ah  Friday, and I am kinda taking the day off, well sorta. When I say I'm taking the day off that usually means I'm still working, but it's usually minus the pressure of deadlines, schedules, and time. The latter, never enough of that! Even 5 am is not early enough to usually get my daily list of work completed. I know, I know, makes you sick, doesn't it? Please don't hold it against me, I've decided  it's an inherited trait.

Thanks for all the Autumn love sent my way regarding the pictures. I loved receiving your comments.

Today I've been working on a special order for a customer. Normally I do not offer special orders, packaging etc., but have made an exception in this case, kind of personal. These little origami pouches are filled with a petite size bar of Bittersweet Soap. Don't you just love origami? I do!

I remember as a kid folding paper to make all kind of stuff. Paper flowers, boats, those fortune folded papers, you remember all those folded things, don't you?

My weakness for pretty papers is evident if you were to look inside my desk. The so-called lost art of hand-writing a letter is not a lost are with me. No sir ree, I find it relaxing and fun to slow down the pace and sit and compose a hand-written letter. One that signs off with XO, love doing that too! 

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than none)

Signs of Fall..

I thought you might enjoy some Autumn pictures taken from my neighborhood, while on a morning walk. They are beautiful signs of Fall, I believe.

I couldn't resist taking this shot. I laughed as I walked by. Do you know what it is?

Did you guess what this messy little area is?

This spot is where Mr. and Mrs. Squirrel have taken a moment to stop and nibble on their Winter supply of walnuts. It appears they must have had a fat tummy after munching down all those nuts!
 

 
 Then, a shot of this home I pass by each morning. It is just a few houses down from ours.  It's my favorite house in Liberty. Its last occupant,  Mark English lived in the little cottage while raising his family. Lennis built a large studio in the back of the house several years ago for Mark. It's nestled in amongst big winding trees. I can see only one drawback if I owned the home. My family would never see me, I would spend my days in that wonderful large studio. 

Enjoy caring and sharing Autumn days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)
     
 
 
 
   
 
 
 

Vintage Charmed

 
  
Isn't this rusty jeweled crown adorable? It's hand-made by Ann. You can find more of Ann's lovely workwomanship and unique talents at Vintage Mood.

Ann and I met at the Vintage Market. I think Ann's a jewell and I so enjoy talking with her each time I see her!

 This past weekend Ann's  hand-made wares shined brightly at the Farmstead Show.  You remember the Farmstead Show, don't you? Bittersweet participated in the Spring show and had a blast.

This Farmstead Autumn event was outstanding! If only I would have taken my camera!! I'll see if I can give you an old-fashioned radio description of the event.

First, we parked in the field up the hill and then were escorted to the farm by a big truck, Kelly's husband Ron was the chauffeur that led the caravan. We hop out of the big white truck and proceed up the hill to the barn. As we walk up the hill we notice little vignettes embellish each side of the mulched  lane, each one was designed by a proprietor or artist participating in the show. The added lane attractions added to my excitement. Or maybe that other favorite word best describes how I felt..

 Anticipation! As I gaze over to my right I see a Mary Jane style tent. The large white tent was constructed on a wooden platform and decked out decorated with a beautiful chase lounge and lovely accessories. I really did consider after the long day, stepping into the tent, closing the flaps and taking a nap on that luxurious velvet lounge.

We stroll across the lane and enter one of several outposts. Claudia's in the cute brown tiny house. She's set up her tiny brown house and filled it with her unique one-of-a-kind vintage and antiquities. This is where I found the brown containers! You can see more of Claudia's finds here. I love going there too!

Across from Claudia, in another outpost, ReDeux. You would love their stuff! Stehen and Dale/Redeux will be at the next Vintage Market held in Zona Rosa, I'll be there too. You don't want to miss that one, believe me!

We continue are journey and enter the horse stall area. The horse stalls had been lined with fresh cedar mulch, as you walked, you could feel the cushion of the mulch pieces. The stalls were filled with artist's! Everything from unique jewelry wares to scented candles, vintage goods, antiquities filled the large barn space. It was a treat for the eyes indeed!

As we exit the stalls we enter the barn. First, let me say this is not your every day barn . No, I would describe this barn as a 5 star luxury lined barn with all the amenities.

We continue wading through, stopping by each proprietors embellished petite boutiques. So much to see! Each nook reflecting its owner.  Oh my, are those "Smart Wool Socks?" Love those!! This jewelry is beautiful! Oh looky, Ann's boutique is so cute, and look at that darling little metal crown she made, gotta have that! 

The day was exciting and fun!

Enjoy caring and sharing Autumn days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one) 

Brown Paper Wrappings

 
Remember when I mentioned the package wrappings? I have always been fond of the old-fashioned brown paper wrap. Quite possibly just because of the brown color and the simplicity, yeah, I believe that's probably it.

The picture above shows the brown wrappings embellished with dried hydrangeas from my garden. Then I've tied the present with brown velvet ribbon, love that! This package is a merchandise prop for the upcoming Market Show. There will be several, all wrapped in the natural kraft paper softly embellished with pine cones, hydrangeas, and pine stems sitting amongst the Bittersweet Holiday Collection.

This is a prototype and a picture of the continued natural look only with the new/recycled containers I picked up on my recent outing.

The boxy containers are perfect for housing a pound of aromatic bath crystals, wouldn't you agree?

Soap wrapping assembly line is getting underway and at a constant steady flow.

By the way, I finally stopped in the post office and got the shipping low down on overseas cookbook fees. I spoke with a live p.o. person and we calculated shipping. It appears $9 will cover most areas. I will send you a separate invoice after you place your order on the web site. Thanks again for the cookbook love. I know you will enjoy the recipes in this book.

Oh too.. I have not forgotten about those signed thank you cookbooks. It will be closer to the holidays before I get them to you. Kind of my little Christmas gift to you!

Enjoy caring and sharing Autumn days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Autumn Bliss

Thought you might like to see the Autumn Flea Market finds I found on Saturday. I have big plans for all of them and I'll be sharing those plans later. 

Working mostly with what I have, but these new pieces will add a punch to my holiday displays.

The vintage embroidery will be used to trim little bags and the trough, well, I bet you can guess what that will be used for. "What we need is lot's of Soap!" a quote taken from a children's book I used to read to Patrick when he was little. Some of you may recognize the line..

I have more pictures and tales of what's hot at Bittersweet this season and some new Christmas package wrappings I think you will really like and that you can easily duplicate and they're not costly. I really did use what I had on that project and it turned out elegantly delightful, if I must say.

Oh, and those containers you see in that bag... A new project I'm working on. I have before and after shots, quite pleased with the look.

It's beginning to all fall together and look cohesive. I really never know exactly what I want until I begin designing, then it seems to all come together. The Flea Market break on Saturday allowed me to refresh.

Thanks again for all you're doing promoting my new Cookbook. Love you all, I really do!

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two Autumn hugs are surely better than none)

Calico Love

I'm overjoyed and happy beyond words!

Thank you so much for your cookbook orders,  promotion assistance and links and everything else you're doing to help get the word out about Calico Petals. You will never know how much this means to me, thank you from the top of my heart!

The roses were a gift from a customer. Aren't they beautiful? I guess even though it's been really cold, we haven't had a hard frost yet to kill the blooms.

So many things to share with you to date, but just popping in to thank you for now.

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Calico Cookbook Has Arrived!

I can hardly believe my brown eyes! The Calico Cookbook is finally in my hands and I'm thrilled! Just in time for the Holidays!

If you are interested in ordering the New Cookbook, you can do that  here.  Thank you.

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)