Bittersweet and the little soap company

Fancy that!

Equally admired and loved, neutrals and color. It becomes a game of sorts to separate, arrange and balance the two in a certain way.

It's funny I tend to decorate my home in the same manner preferring neutral backdrops or warm tones with an interlude of color.  

These linen soap sacs represent that idee.

My mind focuses on the yen & the yang when creating. It seems I've always done it that way. I believe most artisans develop their unique style and techniques when creating.

I've discussed this topic before.

It's difficult sometime with the oodles of graphic visuals we encounter. A creative person can reach overload in a short period of time. Sometimes when that happens their designs or creations appear very close to others. You may have noticed this before. You know when you look through magazines and everything looks the same. I see that a lot. It's kind of pet peeve of mine to make every attempt to stay clear of those idees and start with a clean canvas.  

That's how trends are born.

All right I'll stop! 

How about a wee pop of color!

Switched my camera setting to vibrant on this shot of the BeBe soap. Love, love wrapping this soap in the vintage childrens books. I thought a splash of red ribbon appropriate.

I've been painting and working on some outdoor projects since the weather has been so perfect.

Pictures coming...

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Warmly,

Jill 00 (two hugs are better than one)

Creating gifts made from cloth...

A journey through the years...

Next...Creating gifts made from paper

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Warmly,

Jill 00 (two hugs are better than none)

stuff for your hand-mades

Bittersweet has an extensive list of wholesale suppliers.

When I first began researching for products and manufacturing goods needed to make Bittersweet,  I quickly discovered that it was going to be time consuming ordeal.

I was on the phone all day searching for the best this, and the coolest that, and of course the price had to be decent because I had to calculate that cost into each and every hand-made item. If a manufacturing item was costly,  then I knew it wasn't doable. I've always been fastidious while on my search. I've come to realize quality is the key to making a great product.

I remember as though it was yesterday calling local oil suppliers while searching for good quality oils to make soap. I was adamant about shopping with a  local supplier, not only to support my community, but too, I could pick it up and I would not have to pay the enormous shipping , and wouldn't have to add to my cost.  When I finally found a good supplier, I would get excited in the anticipation that I was one step closer to being able to finally create my first batch of soap! Also, I felt rather proud, and quite pleased I had found what I was looking for.

Back then, the Internet was just beginning to appear in homes and businesses so my search continued by telephone.

Today, I have and estimated 50 suppliers I purchase Bittersweet manufacturing items from. That sounds like a lot, but considering I've been in business for 13 years, I guess it's not a big number.

I have my favorites that I have been ordering from for all those years.

With the tattered economy I would imagine there have been highs and lows, ups and downs for most of the companies I purchase products from, but I have to say, each one is still in business and it's reassuring to know I can pick up the phone and know that I can order the needed manufacturing items without hast-le.

I have found saving time really does save money!

I thought I'd share one of those companies with you.

I do not believe you're required to own a re-sale number to order from them.

Eric, the owner is very nice and always pleasant and friendly when I call to order. He can assist you with your order if you aren't quite sure what best suits you.

General Label

The label pictured above is one I always order. It is made to be folded in the middle and then sewn in your item.

Most manufacturing items have went up in price over the years. Some more than others. I really noticed more so when the economy down-turned. Even Bittersweet had to raise their prices to cover the increase, something I hate to do, but you have no choice.

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

 

 

 

Sunday Table

 Sundays are usually reserved for doing nothing, but this Sunday I'm attempting to meet deadlines on some projects. 

This is a little peek of my dining room table. It's filled with prototypes of all sorts. Some in beginning stages, while others are only bits & pieces of idees scattered about.

My inspiration for the new line I've discovered, came from summers spent at grandma's house. For some reason I always think Spring and Summer when I think about Grandma's house. 

Thoughts of walking down to the creek to watch crawdads for the first time. Fascinated by their body design, and wanting to crawl down into the creek and pick one up to get a closer look.  An anxious mid morning walk with Grandma to the small town toy store, anticipating what wonderful toys await me.  Picking sweet peas from her garden. Night time stories, traditional ones, The Three Pigs and Goldie Locks, but told in the way that only Grandma could! Sunday afternoons sitting with my family at my Grandma's dining room table awaiting her famous fried chicken!

Yes, this was my inspiration for my new collection.     

My Sunday table runneth over with the NEW SPRING BITTERSWEET COLLECTION.

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)
 

Times they still are changing

   

Times continue to change at Bittersweet. One very important thing I've learned in the past day, "never say never!"

I'm referring to my thoughts on selling wholesale, and how I remember saying I wouldn't do that!

Well, times they are a changing my friends, and once again, I've decided I'll jump on the bandwagon and become a sales rep, manufacturer,  and marketing director, once again.

I'll sell my hand made products to stores and boutiques the way I used to market Bittersweet when it first began some eleven years ago.

I'll be searching for good sales reps, making tons of stuff, and selling my products to retailers all over. Because, times they are a changing!

Calico Petals will be selling to the trade too.

This means oodles of work to get things wholesale ready.

Things like, creating a wholesale price list including, minimum order, terms, sales slips for reps and myself, shipping information, etc. Create a wholesale catalog for the sales reps to show their clients. Make tons of product so that I can fill orders, most stores want at least 4 or 5 of everything so that they offer a nice display in their shops.

I'll be very, very busy in a different busy kind of way, because, "times they are a changing!"

QVC here I come! Well maybe not, you are required to have thirty-thousand dollars of wholesale merchandise to sell your product at QVC! You have to think big when you sell wholesale though! The sky's the limit! QVC really wouldn't be a good fit for my hand made creations, oops, never say never!

I'm moving up the Giveaway for a couple more weeks, so that I can not only allow a few more people to join in, but too, begin my wholesale marketing. I'll be sporadic during this time, in and out a lot. I'll keep you posted on what's going on. You can bet, I'll have stories to tell!

I am looking forward to this new adventure, although I will admit, I  had to re-think many things within my mind, some being negative. I'm not a negative kind of girl! I quickly turned those thoughts to positive!  I'm adjusting well to the change. I think back when I used to sell wholesale and how so many wonderful friendships were created with my retail customers and sales  representatives. I keep in contact with some to this day.

I'm slowly adding things to Calico Petals, and will continue. I want to offer some of my vintage patterns on Calico. I have to work on packaging, etc, before offering the patterns, but it's on my to-do list. Hey, that just gave me an entire new marketing idea!

Enjoy caring and sharing summer days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)