Bittersweet and the little soap company

Merci

Thanks girls for posting your constructive ideas about my web site. I am sending you each a little gift in appreciation for helping me. The inevitable was there, I just needed a push.

I began building a new web site yesterday. It hasn't been that long since I built Vintage Two, and somehow I had already forgotten what a long drawn out process it is.

There are so many options to building a web site nowadays. Now you can have your blog match your web site, and have flash, where everything moves, and shopping cart systems, and on and on. The only bad thing about all of that flashy stuff, is it can run into a large amount of money.

I've been there done that. I'm a little old fashioned when it comes to building my web site. I like things simple. Not to mention the fact that I'm very stubborn. I'm trying to avoid changing hosts, and mail, and all the other trickle down stuff that can happen.  

Anyway, Bittersweet has so many products listed, it will take me awhile to list everything on the new site. I'm starting out small, and working my way up.

Enjoy a caring and sharing day.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Busy as a baby bee

Yes, busy again with shop stuff. I started working on the baby room today and am thrilled with the beginning stages. It is a cozy little room with the vintage easy breezy blue chair! I look forward to sharing pictures soon, so stay tuned..

We are finally getting some rain and cooler temps. Tomorrow will be much more pleasant:)

When changing and adding new things at the boutique it's always a challenge to find the proper placement of the new things and a bigger one finding a place for old.

By moving just  one thing , it's like a domino effect, at least three more things also call out to be re-located and on and on. So I've learned that if I decide to change a piece , chances are I will also be changing a few others as well. Today I moved big furniture, and tomorrow more. Scoot, scoot , push, ahh.

The next two weeks will be even busier. Back to school, events at the boutique, and:)

There are some big flea market weekends coming up too. I can't wait! I found such extraordinary treasures last trip that the anticipation is killing me. I'll keep you posted, and also pictures.

More soap of course, lot's of soap. Just can't make enough lately. Hopefully soon, I will get caught up a bit.

Early morning tomorrow, so I can get a jump on things.

Have a great day!

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

 

GONE FISHING

Spring...... Definitely my favorite season!

I noticed the magnolia trees are blooming and the daffodil's are popping their little heads out.

It's Saturday and I left the boutique early today to enjoy the sunshine and warm weather.

If you've been by the boutique when the weather is like today you might happen to see this little note  on the door.. GONE FISHING

Let me explain..... First, I am a one woman show. Second, while making over one-hundred items and running the boutique and the web site, I also have a family.

Family life is very important to me. Today was one of those slow days at the boutique. So I put up the sign and scurried off to spend some quality time with the ones I love... 

Happily, Jill 00

Lilac Delight and Spring.....

Even though it is so cold outside, I am contemplating the thought of lovely new spring fragrances.I am introducing a new vintage inspired line at Bittersweet and will offer long-time favorites like, Lilac, Lily of the Valley and Tuberose.

I made the lilac soap yesterday. The soap will have to set for about six weeks before it will be ready to use. This allows the soap to cure, making it gentle. After making a new soap, I decide on what packaging to use. This one was pretty easy, knowing I wanted a vintage-days-gone-by look. Lilac will be packaged in vintage wallpaper, oh, It smells so so good! I also found the perfect fabric to house the matching bath salt. It reminds me of my grandma, Lola. Grandma Lola always had little remnants of fabric in a little basket she kept in her bedroom. I always enjoyed looking through the basket.

People ask me...,"How do you make all this stuff?"

I Love It! I can't imagine doing anything else... It's almost as if, I have to make things. I know some of you out there know how I feel.

When I first started making soap and that's all I made. Let's see that was about ten years ago, wow. I sold the soap to local shops at a wholesale price allowing myself and the shop to make a profit.Then my soap became more popular and more and more calls were coming in requesting to carry the soap in their shop.

Oops, let's go back just a little... The name, yes the name. My mother helped me naming my company, Bittersweet. Little did I know at the time, how that name would carry me through some challenging times. You see, when my Mother named my company, she also knew she was dying. After my Mom died, I realized the significance of the name and it became clear how it had seen me through some tough times. Always there reminding me to be strong and never quit....

That's a little secret you know. If you believe in something and feel strongly passionate about it, NEVER QUIT. There are always going to be challenging times and sometimes you will ask yourself, "Is this what I'm supposed to be doing?" Sometimes the answer might be NO. Don't listen to it!

OK, back to the story........

Then I decided to make bath salt to accompany the soap's , then I believe it was Lotions, then I believe,,, I am having a hard time remembering??  Anyway, I make over one-hundred things now and yes I do it all myself, well I do get wonderful help and support from my wonderful husband, Lennis and our son Patrick.. Oh, that's another important .... Support from family and friends is very important.. Without if, I would have never survived nor would I have been as passionate.

I can go on and on, but I need to get to work! I'm working on more soap, little tea towels and big fluffy pillows....

Talk to you soon..

Happily, Jill 00