Bittersweet and the little soap company

change

I've been thinking about change.

I'm a strange one when it comes to those thoughts.  Rather than dislike change I like it. I respect change. Maybe that's it. You must respect something before you can appreciate it.   

Oh no, here she goes! Again...

Every-ones day to day living centers around change. You may not notice it, but change is constantly playing a big role in each second, minute and hour of your day. After all, no day is ever the same. Why? Because it changes. Even if you prefer that it doesn't change, it does. Most people don't even notice the small changes that occur, but if a big fat one comes along, well that's when the dislikes settle in along with feelings of anxiety and dismay.  

I retain old fashioned feelings in regards to change. Although cliche, I have always felt that no accidents occur in life and whatever change comes along, well, it came for a reason. Sometime the reason may not be comfortable or assuring for sure. However it remains. Awaiting my attention. I'm not one to sweep things under the rug. I generally deal with change head on. That's the way it's always been. Doesn't make me better, just say in.

Change can be measured.

If someone is battling a serious illness and each day is spent facing challenges upon challenges then those  changes would be measured at their highest level, I believe.

Loosing a loved one is also high on the change scale, I believe.

Loosing materialistic items, your home, car, etc., high on the change scale, I believe.

As I ponder these changing thoughts my mind wanders to the first example of change.

When a person is sick or dying they have to deal with change every second of the day. Will there be pain and anguish today? Will this be the day I meet my maker? Will I be at peace when I die?

How do you deal with change?

A serious topic and one that takes on different levels of the human psyche.

 There's no wrong or a right way to feel about change. You know. Your way is the right way.

Shit Change happens...

Enjoy caring and sharing day.

Warmly,

Jill 00 (two hugs are better than one)

     

 

 

lessons I've learned

 
Bittersweet hosts two open houses throughout the year.

We celebrate the arrival of spring with our May Day event and our favorite celebration, the entrance into fall accompanied by the introduction of our signature soaps of the season.

This autumn I'm especially excited to introduce the new holiday savon, Myrrh & Frankincense. When I use the term "introduce" when referring to a new soap that translates to picking up the silky bar and holding it to your nose, sniff, sniff. That's the proper introduction.

 
A formulation is neeed when creating new Bittersweets. I've used the same one for many years.

Each and every product that's made pushes through the same process.

First, you must decide on what the new product is.

Thoughts on packaging begin to emerge and you carefully choose swatches of this and that as well as label designs. Those prototypes are utilized into the new product.

Once the prototype is finalized we need pictures! I'm not a professional photographer, so sometimes it takes several shots before obtaining a good picture. Usually I shoot outdoors. If it's sunny I tilt our outdoor umbrella to block the sun before shooting. I use a tripod, and set the timer to 8 seconds. Turn the flash off.

Once a suitable product picture is shot it's time to market the item and list it on the web site.

I take advantage of the many complimentary applications when promoting. Let me say, marketing takes a lot of time, but is well worth it. I believe you should market that puppy in every direction! Since you probably don't have the capital to create a television commercial like most manufacturing companies do, the next best thing is to make use of the free applications available through the internet.

Whether that be FB, Etsy, Twitter, Pinter-est, or any of the other hundreds of on-line resources available.

Reality check... You snooze, you loose if you're not expanding your horizons with the technology. There are some tricks to selling, but we will touch on that later.

When my company was first developed over 14 years ago the internet was just beginning to evolve. My marketing consisted of word of mouth, sales representatives, shows, magazine advertising, and occasional television appearances, the free ones! I did not have a publicist, but you may consider hiring one if you're just starting out. They're not as costly as you may think. They can help your new business get a good start on marketing. Radio adds are also a productive way to market. Again, not as much as you may think on cost.

Now is a good time to take advantage of those marketing tools with the economy turtling along.

I carry my business cards with me at all times! If I'm standing in line at a store and conversing with a person standing in line, I ask them if it would be all right to give them my card. I don't ever recall someone saying no, and if they did, who cares? What I mean to say... What have you got to lose?

This past summer when trying on blouses at a departments store a lady walked by and told me I smelled good! I handed her my card and now she's a frequent Bittersweet shopper!

Nowadays owning a small business has more challenges and hurdles and it seems new ones are being created each day!

You must  have a plan! Even after you construct a plan A, plan B shouldn't be too far behind.

Owning your own business is suppose to be fun!

It's also a lot of work!

I refer to it as "fun work."

Times they are a changing for small business. Don't allow the changing times to change your integrity or interfere with your passion.

 Run your business the way you raised your kids! Honesty, discipline, respect and trust all important qualities to incorporate into your business.

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Warmly,

Jill 00 (two hugs are better than one)

 

 

Dog and Butterfly

The past week I've been traveling with my son Patrick to various car dealers as we've been hot and heavy on the trail of hunting him a new car. If you've never had the delight of participating in the new car game I urge you to sit on the sidelines a few times and watch before plunging in the arena. It can be quite brutal, long and drawn out  if you're requesting to pay a lesser price than sticker. Sticker price should be referred to "Sucker Price"! Vehicles are over priced nowadays! Not to mention the FACT... The moment you drive off the car lot your car value drops but the payment doesn't! Something doesn't add up there, does it? Unless I plan to live in my car, God forbid, and even if I did,  I refuse to pay full price for a new car!

My father taught me how to purchase a new car years ago and I'm so very thankful for his instruction.

Wait a minute I'm getting way off my original story... Let's go back, shall we?

Sitting, waiting, anticipating... Yep, those are three words that come into play after you first approach the car salesman with your offer.

While we were sitting, waiting, a song came on the radio. 

One of the floating salesman asked. Who sang that song? I poked my head around the corner and answered, Heart. Oh yeah, the two girls he says. Yeah, I say. Another salesman joined in and began to talk about the song. After the chatter cleared I began to listen to the words of that song closely. 

Memories of listening to that song lingered in my mind as I recalled playing it over and over on my record player some thirty plus years ago.

You know that strange feeling of listening to a song so many times before, but for some reason this time when you listen you get a complete different translation of the song. As the song stopped playing, I remember thinking to myself, that is a great song! 

 

  So often we don't notice the God love messages that are presented to us until long after they're sent.

 Enjoy caring and sharing summer days.

Warmly,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

 

 

 

Months end

 
It's hard to believe the end of June is approaching!

Even harder to imagine July 4 is only a week from today!

This happens every summer. You know the sneaking up short lived interim of summer.

July is always a busy month in retail. The no. 3 quarter ends = taxes. Production begins on our holiday soaps and the studio begins a subtle transformation and shifting of goods. Boutiques and shops usually begin shopping for Christmas inventory in July. Thoughts of a prosperous holiday season dance in their heads.   

In most cases retail takes a fall during a dopey economy. A smart shop owner takes little risks and ponders her strategic business plans frequently. Making cuts here and there to allow more capital for marketing and advertising is a wise move and a necessary componet indeed.  

I remember the days when Bittersweet business evaluations were once every six months at best. Now they're examined every two weeks or so. Researching what works and what doesn't becomes a full time job.

Nowadays it takes a skilled knowledgible person to psyfer through the social media avenues. Having the ability to distinguish which ones are a waste of time and which ones aren't is invaluble. That means a person needs to research each and every one before making any conclusion. H'm, homework...

Well, I'm not sure how I got to rambling on about this subject.

Hopefully a few Bittersweet readers are small business owners and will relate in the topic.

Creativity is not only needed to create you know! It comes in handy when you're marketing your small business too!

Production week continues, as do pondering thoughts and ideas. 
Enjoy caring and sharing summer days.

Warmly,

Jill 00 (two hugs are better than none)   

   

Grace

My heart goes out to the tornado victims of Joplin Missouri. The killer tornado invaded their lovely city, ripping away their homes and personal belongings. Precious lives were lost at a blink of an eye.

Joplin sits approximately 150 miles or a three hour drive south of Kansas City. I've always admired the city when we drive through to go to our favorite get a way resort, Eureka Springs AK. It's shiny and clean and when you stop for gas or a restroom break the townspeople are most likely to say hello to you because they are friendly and outgoing like most Missouri folks tend to be.  

As we drove home from my uncles graveside service on Sunday we were headed towards the ominous storm clouds that masked the southern sky. My dad even referred to one of the puffy thunder clouds as a monkey cloud. As I looked I too could see the monkey mouth and inclined forehead, and I replied, "I see it too!" We agreed the clouds were brewing up some strong storms.

Most of the afternoon I couldn't help but notice the large thunder clusters hovering around the horizon.

I'm not much of a news person and don't watch a lot of news unless something like this happens and then I become interested and concerned and want to know all that's happening. As I awoke yesterday morning I went about my normal routine, brisk morning walk, picking up around the house, checking the veggie garden for traces of produce. Ah, I noticed a teeny weensy broccoli head and a tiny green pepper! I anxiously phoned my dad with the excitement and he asked if I had heard about the Joplin tornado. No I have not heard.

I immediately turned on the television and began watching the news coverage. I was brought to tears as I heard the audio of the 18 or so folks that found refuge in the small 10x8 or so stock area. Isaac, one of the patrons detailed the story about  how the clerk of the gas station unlocked the door to let him and his buddy in the station during the last frantic seconds before the killer tornado hit. The clerk instructed the boys to run and join the other patrons that were huddled like sardines in the tiny space attempting to escape the fury of the tornado.

Isaac left his phone on while the tornado ripped and tugged at everything that surrounded them. The audio is chilling to say the least.

The Joplin residents are brave extraordinary people. As I watch more of the news coverage as it comes in I'm humbled and moved beyond words. Although the towns people are victims of a horrific tragedy they're not blameful or unkind. In fact, I can't help but notice their mood is quite opposite.

As I watch the news I'm intrigued by the thoughts and theory's that  present themselves in the hypothesis of why so many killer storms lately. Global warning they say, possibly. There's another G word that comes to mind when I consider the recent extreme weather.

Please continue to pray for the lovely people of Joplin.

Love,

Jill 00

Hats and sensitive material...

I love wearing hats! 

In the olden days a woman would not leave the house without her hat. I watch old movies just to see the hats! My hat fascination has moved me to purchase vintage hat stands and forms and to even make hats. 

 
 
That's a shot of the working part of the studio where I store my hat forms and vintage trim. Also sits my Mom's old "woody bench" that I covered with soft muslin. I've talked about the woody bench before. 

 
This picture was shot last summer. Notice the little hat atop the dress form. I began making them last summer. Hats are fun to make! There's no limit to the designs you can create. That pinnie was recently a giveaway. It was a favorite with its eyelet trimmed pocket and vintage style feed sack fabric.

 
Recently I had the pleasure of reuniting with my childhood friend. We enjoyed an outing in my little downtown. Lunch at Ginger Sues, and shopping the rest of the day in the small boutiques and shops.

 I still have friends that have shops downtown. I purchased that hat from my friend Heathers boutique. Heather has the cutest handmade items.  
Heather is the one that reminded me of the soulful significance of handmade goods.

She made the following comment the day we were in.

"The big department stores and chains will always be there. If not supported, the handmade boutiques may not. Someday you may happen by only to find they're not there!"

So sad, but true.

Can you imagine having mostly big chain stores and no handmade? I can't either, but at the same time I can see how it could easily happen. 

Those words Heather said that day encourage me to continue making Bittersweet and Calico.

I also learned something from what she said.

Having a handmade business can prove to be challenging at times. There are so many things that come into play for a small business, mostly required expenses. Insurance, Taxes, more taxes, like self employment tax, fees for accepting credit cards,  hikes in all of the above with the slow economy.

Until that day when Heather said that I had seriously pondered thoughts of closing down my little business of 14 years.  

Those words rang true to my heart and swayed me into a positive direction. I will have to tell Heather how her awakening words impacted me to rally on.

In this modern day it's comforting for me to know handmade passion lives on. Not just with me, but with the thousands of other handmade artists that keep this country gifted with creations made by hand just like they did years before and hopefully many years to come.

Support handmade!

Enjoy caring and sharing holidays.

Happily,

Jill 00

Two hugs are better than one

Tell it like it is!

 

I've spoken many times about the importance of using fresh natural products on your skin and how I believe less is more when it comes to skin care.

Did you know this?

Product labels list ingredients in order of manufacturing. For instance... Whatever ingredient is listed first is what the product contains more of. Continue down the ingredient list on the label, Ingredient no. 2, next component added to manufacture this product. 

The next time you pull a skin care product from the shelf check it out the label. You may be surprised on what's in that stuff you're lathering on your skin.

I'm a tad bit bias naturally when it comes to discussing skin care products. I will continue with my hardfast Bittersweet slogan, "less is more."

On the subject of chemical stabilizers and preservatives. There are many natural alternatives that work just as well as chemicals, some even better!

 For instance, Rosemary and vitamin E are excellent skin care preservatives.

Did you know this?

Some hospitals are using Red Thyme and Tea Tree Oil as an alternative to synthetic antibacterial hand washes. It has been prov-en to kill both staph and eco-li and shows no signs of resistant as some of the synthetic ones are beginning to.

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Happily,

Jill 00

Two hugs are better than one 

 

Friends that grow stuff...

 

I'd like to introduce you to my friend Peg from Walnut Creek Farm. Peg sells her wonderful unique variety of garlics at the farmers market. She specializes in the harvesting of hard neck garlic. I have cooked with every one and love them all! Some hotter than others while some more mild.

 From the moment I began talking with Peg I could tell she was passionate about garlic. 

I'm always eager to listen to someone talk about their passions. Before they even get going their eyes light up and gestures begin to kick in. It's almost as though I'm watching them do a little dance and if you listen closely you can hear their heart beat faster. All right, I may be exaggerating abut the latter, but honestly if you had a heart monitor hooked up to a person talking about a passionate subject I'm sure it would double in beats!

I've learned a considerable number of things about garlic through my friend Peg. For instance, did you know there are two varietys? A soft garlic and  hard neck. Do you know the difference? I did not until I met Peg and she explained the difference. I love cooking with scape's but had no idea they only grew on hard neck garlic.

Those garlic topics and more were translated and taught to me by Peg the garlic lady.

That's usually the case when you begin conversing with someone that is passionate about their work. They usually carry a considerable amount of knowledge with them and I'm always eager to learn about new things. Much more fun then from reading about it in a book. 

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Happily,

Jill 00

Two hugs are better than one

Autumn Nesting

I am a nester.

Its true,  I have always been soulfully content surrounded by my own space, and have always been smitten with the simple joys of creating an oasis wherever I landed.

Domestic chores have never been considered a chore to me. OK, maybe I don't like cleaning the toilet, but all those other tea towel scheduled duties have always been a pleasurable experience. I know, some of you are saying out loud, YUK, Jill . I can hear you!

For as  long as I can remember,  I've always received sweet satisfaction out of the simple things, and that simple satisfaction was and is usually found within my home sweet home. I guess you'd consider me to be old fashioned.

I really do believe that within our heredity make up, there's a tiny cell that makes some of us "chicken soup" content just being at home performing common domestic tasks. Maybe someday scientist will discover that, and all of the domestic diva's will be accepted knowing it's beyond their control, giggle.   

During this time of uncertainty within our economy, and what the future shall bring I have become even more domestically involved.

Quite possibly it's my way of telling myself that nothing has changed and it's my safety response to assure me that  I'm still safe and cozy and my oasis shall not be effected by the negative going ons within our world. Now that I think about that, I believe it to be part of the hypothesis.

At any rate, I am still a happy soul and even though I have a sense of what shall come ahead, I will remain a happy soul regardless of any obstacles that come my way. It's a GOD thing!

Enjoy caring and sharing Autumn days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than none)

 

Violet Pinnie And A Surprising Confession

One more pinnie, this one in violet. I love this fabric! It looks as though the pattern chose this fabric. Kind of like a designer picks their models to magnify their creations.

Why I'm on the subject of aprons and sewing, now is a good time to fess up to my readers, and admit a deep dark secret I've been carrying inside for years.

I FLUNKED HOME EC!

Yes, it's true! The truth is finally out for the whole world to know!

Here's the story..

I really wasn't much of a domestic goddess when I was growing up. I preferred Art and Wood working over sewing in school. I have always enjoyed baking, but somehow the sewing thing was always really intimidating to me.

Whenever the teacher would instruct us to sit at the sewing machine, some kind of weird phenomenon would take place within me. I got nervous and sweaty, and anxious as I gazed upon that Singer Sewing Machine that sat in front of me.

Put me in front of a band saw and watch me go! I made two coffee tables to prove my hand crafter skills. No intimidation there, no wishy washy feelings, nothing, but a sewing machine,different story, total confusion and kayos. A potters wheel, no confusion there. A rug loom, notta. I never figured it out.

I would sit hours sewing by hand before I would ever attempt to hit my foot on the throttle of a sewing machine. I did enjoy sewing by hand, so why not the machine? I wish I knew, knew, knew!

So let's go to present day, well maybe back a few years and then to present day.

I remember watching my Mom in awe, as she sat at her sewing machine whipping out anything her heart desired. I've mentioned stories about my Mom sewing. I would watch her and think I wish I could do that, knowing I couldn't, I had to face it, I just wasn't cut out to be a seamstress.

Then one day I decided I wanted to open my own brick and mortar store and sell all  non-sewing stuff I made. I was on a very strict budget, and was walking around my new store space making lists of what I needed for displays and what not, and noticed I had lot's of windows that were in need of curtains.

I knew I couldn't afford new curtains for all of the windows, so the thought of sewing some came to mind. Oh no, I thought to myself, how could I even think of such a thing!

Well, as I drove home that night, I thought to myself, I need curtains, and I can't afford to purchase any, so sewing curtains, I will do it! I went to the fabric store and picked out plain muslin fabric, it was inexpensive. The next morning I loaded up my sewing machine in my car, carried it inside my new store space, and began to sew the curtains. I made ten or twelve curtains that day, and to my amazement, they turned out quite nice, and were the perfect fit for each and every window. I even had customers ask, "where did you buy your curtains"? "I made them I replied proudly"!

That was the day I decided I could sew! A breakthrough day after all those years of thinking, I couldn't do it!

I had the shop downtown  for over five years, and during that time, I sewed too many things to count. Tea towels, tote bags, skirts, aprons, little bags, stuffed toys, lot's and lot's of stuff sewn on my sewing machine.

Just think, after all those years of thinking I couldn't do something, when all along I could, if I just gave it a good try. Quite possibly, without the desperation  I felt about the curtains, I might have never ever sewed.

I'm so happy I did! I love to sew now! I don't get nervous when I sit at the sewing machine nowadays. I get excited, but not nervous. I can't wait to see the finished results of my sewing projects, and display them throughout the studio.

I believe we each carry inside a passion for making things. Actually, now that I think about it, I've never met a person that didn't make something or other. Think about that.   

For our convenience and enjoyment, these passions are displayed on blogs, store fronts, magazines, and web sites.

Just as the artist's displays are unique, so are their creations, and no two are alike, adding more charm and soulfulness to each and every finished piece of work.

How do you specialize in something? You do it over and over, and over, until you get it just right!

Enjoy caring and sharing Summer days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than none)