Jill McDowell

I am a proprietress of a little business called Bittersweet, and even though shop life and making things is my livlihood, family is my priority and always has been.

I think if you get all wrapped up in whatever your doing it can easily take it with you, so..

I do what I can and don't stress about the things I can't or don't want to do, and that makes owning a little business more desirable for me.

I believe people should do what makes them happy. I also believe everyone has a fair chance of obtaining this. It just depends on how badly you want it.

I have been making things and selling them for 10 years and can't imagine a life not doing this.

I began selling my stuff to other stores in 1997. I had sales representatives that would market my product to others. I began to have lots of customers from all over the country that were selling my creations. At the time it was the perfect fit for my company, and helped get my name out there.

I soon realized that selling my items wholesale was not where I wanted to be, so...

I decided to open my own store and sell my own stuff, and started an online business, both called Bittersweet.

Soap making is my specialty and has been from the beginning. Along with that came all the other over one-hundred things I make.

I started this blog to be able to talk about retail life and the everyday life of making things in general. Hoping that it would help others as well as allowing me to write about the things I love.

Little did I know the enjoyment I would get each time I write.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)