Bittersweet and the little soap company

French Pajama's!

Do you think my French Great Grandmother worked in her pajama's all day? I doubt it! That's what I've been doing for the past three days though. I have to say, three days is a bit too much of that!

Bittersweets web site is up and hopefully running. I am so ready to get off this computer and do something else!! Finally our Spring has returned this week, and the auction is on Saturday:)

Enjoy a caring and sharing day.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Do You Have A Catalog?

Do you offer a catalog? I can't count the number of times I've been asked that question. In fact, I do offer a Bittersweet catalog, and have since I began my business. I really don't tell people I have one though. Now isn't that just silly? Why have one, you ask?

Updating the catalog takes a considerable amount of time, and I sometimes get aggravated on how much time I spend on it. Take this morning for instance... I have spent the entire morning updating the darn catalog.

As I began updating it, I began rummaging through old product photo's and thought, WOW! I have made a lot of stuff over the years. OK, I'm tooting my own horn, but hey, I still make over one-hundred things.TOOT, TOOT! I need a mental pick me up...

I thought while reminiscing, I'd share a few of my favorite things I've made over the years. I hope you don't mind.

   

Thanks for allowing me to toot my horn...It's just the boost I needed today.

Enjoy a caring and sharing day.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

The List

"The list."  It goes on and on........

Here it is. Not necessarily in this order.

Make more soap, made some this morning, but need to make more tomorrow.

Make tutu's.

Print bag labels

Print catalogs for shop.

Make cute little girls aprons.

Clean car.

Finish laundry and put clean laundry up.

Finish cleaning bedrooms, including washing linens.

Clean bathroom.

Make more dream pillows.

Make more Lavender eye pillows.

Go to the bank.

Take Patrick to piano.

Go to school orientation.

Go school clothes shopping.

Pay bills.

Do weekly shop totals.

Update web site.

Give Julie her birthday present.

Get Lennis's birthday present.

Cook dinner.

Blog.

Take shower.

Clean Patrick's closet.

Finish painting the dining room.

Sleep.

This all needs to be done within the next few days. You thought you had a lot to do?

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one, especially when your so darn busy.)

Pretty Packaging...

In my last post I mentioned briefly the importance of packaging.

Putting it simply....... If it ain't pretty it ain't gonna sell!

Over the past 10 years I have changed my packaging almost as often as I change my wardrobe, maybe more. I'm always looking for new ideas to package the soap. You girls out there know my weakness when it  comes to graphics. The only thing that hasn't changed is my logo. Lately I've been drawn to fabric packaging and since I have a large inventory of textiles it makes perfect sence cents.    

Customers have commented  they like the soap wrapped in fabric, and you know what they say, "the customer is always right". I agree with that  most of the time, (another blog).

I'm fortunate in the way that, I have a lot of repeat customers and over the years have gotten to know most of them at a level that some stores never experience. I consider that a big part of Bittersweet's success. If people don't come back to shop after the first time, you might have a little problem.

Customers feel comfortable in telling me their opinions which helps me tremendously in my packaging endeavors. Thanks girls and guys. Your the best!

When a person walks through Bittersweet's door, I am there to greet them. Hopefully greeting them with a smile and trying  to make them feel special without making them feel nervous or obligated to purchase something. Since I make all my stuff, my passion also envelops the boutique.

When you have a shop, change is good! Like the packaging I am constantly changing  things around and always striving to make it look its best! I am amazed at how many times I have switched things. Customers frequently comment, "you've changed things again". So change is definitely good when it comes to retail!I would encourage it!

I am working on some new soap. Not necessarily packaging, but rather the way the soap looks when it's naked. Yes, I care about what the soap looks like without packaging too.

If all goes well, it will preview soon. In fact while writing this I am waiting for my mixtures to cool so that I can mix it up....

I think it's time....

Have a great day!

P.S. If your in Missouri like me, or Texas like Michelle.... Hot, Hot, Hot, stay outta that heat!

Happily,

Jill 00(Two hugs are better than none)