Bittersweet and the little soap company

Idees

 
I've been floating around some bathroom idees.

I absolutely love the picture of this little sink with the lamp sitting to the side.

So simple, but yet elegant and sweet.

I have it all planned. Bead board 3/4 up the walls, then molding and painted walls to finish. New sink and faucet kind of like that one in the pic. Small mosaic tiles on the floor in gray, tan and cream. New nickel hardware on the vintage medicine cabinet. Yep, that's the plan. Now we will see if we can fit that plan into our busy schedule!

We're both, Mr. Bittersweet and I into our busy work season and have little spare time.

Excited about a new roof coming in October, gutters and downspouts. Never thought I'd get excited about gutters and downspouts, but I seem to be pretty darn excited!

I'm hot and very heavy into new Bittersweet packaging. The studio is in an uproar with new packaging wares in every corner! Photo shoot props taking over too! It's that time of year!

Here's a glimpse of some new labels created for French Clay Mask...

 
Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Warmly,

Jill 00 (two hugs for Tywla)

Puppy Love♥

 
If you've visited our FB page  lately then you know about this little sweet girl♥

This is a recent picture sent from the breeder, Laurel, of our soon to be member of our family, Elle.

She is a cairn terrier. The same breed as Lily was.  

We will travel south to her owners horse ranch sometime in early October to pick her up.

We can't wait!

Elle, means Gods gift.

Elle will be an early Christmas gift.   

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Warmly,

Jill 00 (two hugs are better than one)

Important Additions...

an addition  is something that, when added, serves simply to augment or extend that to which it has been added, leaving the character of the original unchanged; an addendum  forms a separate distinguishable portion of the whole and it first meant 'a thing to be added'

 
 
Adding some new important additions to my packaging.

I hope the idea catches on and other maker's of handmade include the addition to their packaging!

I believe it helps to educate the consumer about where the stuff they purchase comes from.

We're running out of time!

My tiny attempt to profess the importance of those three precious words.

 
I'm still encouraged...passionate.... spirited....honored...and appreciative....

Time to open your textbooks to page 1776 and read chapter 1-4.  

I am an American Girl that speaks my mind! If I feel strongly about something I don't hold back!

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Warmly,

Jill 00 (two hugs are better than none)

Adding this addition, and important... I'm an American Girl with Scottish, French, German, English, Pakistan heritage. So that I don't offend anyone.

empaquetage de savon

 
Early rise & shine mornings! So much work to get done in a day!

Piles upon herding stacks of soaps awaiting  pretty wrappings.

 
While serious thoughts of holiday soaps switching space with vanilla musk on the curing rack prioritize the list of to-do's.

  The studio is clean and shiny and new products and designs are beginning to fill the space.

 
Apothecary room

 I'm anxiously awaiting manufacturing supplies to arrive any day now, and have already set the date for the holiday open house.  

 
Invisioning dried hydrangea creams with splashes of pine cone brown and sprigs of green pine.  Color inspiration litterly plucked  from dried hydrangeas and white pine cones found in the back forty!

 
It will soon be time to send the invitations!

Little time to diddle dawdle... 

It's my favorite time of year!

Now you see why we start so early!

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Warmly,

Jill 00 (two hugs are better than one) 

vintage baskets

 
Is it possible for a girl to be mildy obsessed with certain vintage collections?

 Personally speaking, yes, it is highly possible and quite feasible to carry a mild obsession for certain vintage objects! The attraction or fondness toward these attractive sundry days gone by items seems to be carried over from  previous life memories .

Kidding aside, sometimes it feels that way.

 The baskets above were purchased from a vintage market several years ago.

It seems the same feeling of contentment overcomes me when a new one fills my space.

Having said that, my space is small and a collection of the woven grass bins can easily consume an area.

A re-do of the studio is developing into some refreshing and relaxing quiet time.

 
 More baskets only these are filled with favorite herb bunches.

Cutting burlap to use as filler in the baskets.

Piecing together subtle expressions of fall.

Thinking of those sweet grass baskets filled with acorns and golden maple leaves.

 
On my morning walk I noticed walnuts falling here and there. A sure sign Mother nature is pondering thoughts of autumn.

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Warmly,

Jill 00 (two hugs are better than one)

new look and a story

 
Every few years or so I rea-valuate packaging idees and designs. Most often only a few minor changes are needed to perk up a products appearance.  
It's kind of like adding a pretty new accessory to a favorite outfit.

Once we make the change on the prototype whether that's a new ribbon color or simple font change on a label we begin the process of making more and stocking the studio shelves.

Most retail shop owners order their goods from a gift supplier of some sort. They anxiously wait for the new items to arrive in a box. Upon arrival of the new merchandise it must be unpacked and inventoried, the packing list and invoice checked to insure shipment complys with the amount ordered by the retailer. Then they begin merchandising the pieces on the shelves and throughout the store.

It's more than a thrill to attend a gift show and pick and choose what merchandise fits your shop and await it to arrive in the box!

Although I went to gift shows and ordered a few select items to offer in my shop most everything was made by me. 

If I ran out of something or had a busy day, I'd simply make it when I got home and return the next morning with new inventory.

Needless to say, after 5 years of that I begin to get burned out.   

Retail is as unpredictable as Missouri weather. Every day there would be a run on one particular item. It became a sort of game to predict which items, products would be the peoples choice for the day!   

Knowing I still loved to create but desired a slower pace, I moved my shop into my home and created the "Saturday Studio. " The studio offers an outlet for my wonderful customers to continue purchasing their favorite Bittersweet. That was almost 5 years ago!

Many small shop and specialty boutique owners are finding it a challenge to make ends meet during  what has appeared to be more than a short term economic slow down. 

When I had the shop downtown memories can quickly be recalled on how every time gas prices went up, business slowed down. Keep in mind that was 5 years ago!

Owning and managing a small shop or boutique nowadays requires a steady eye on marketing and constant evaluation to insure a positive outlook and to remain profitable.  Managing ones business is kind of like being a coach on a winning team. Always reviewing the plays and checking the players.

Really life in general is like that too!

To those readers that are also small shop owners. I wish you much success in the coming holiday season. May your cup runneth over!

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Warmly,

Jill 00 (two hugs are better than one)

evolving into...

 
Once again September is approaching and the excitement over choosing new packaging and colors for our holiday soaps is kicking in! It's a process that's anticipated throughout the year.

 For those of you that aren't familiar with our holiday soaps I guess maybe we need to give you the 411!

Two signature holiday soaps are made especially for your gift giving pleasure.

BITTERSWEET HOLIDAY SOAPS FAQ

A limited number holiday soaps are manufactured.

We have been making them for over 14 years!

Since a limited quantity is made, we always run out long before Christmas!

Once they're gone, they don't return till next year!

Holiday Savon No. 1: Velvet Spice ~ cleverly created by my sweet soft spoken mom before she passed away with leukemia.

 
Holiday Savon No. 2: Cranberry Spice, name inspired by Velvet Spice. 

Every year about this time the making of these two special soaps and the packaging idees begin to take shape. Usually manufacturing starts in July, I'm behind a bit.

I make cold process soap which if you're not familiar with requires a 4-6 week curing time. Very similar to the way cheese is made. The longer the curing process, the better it gets!

I have developed my own cold process soap recipe one that has large amounts of olive oil. In fact each bar contains almost 70% of the rich moisturizing oil.

FWI: I use olive oil as a base in all Bittersweet products. From headache sticks to liniment. The main ingredient is olive oil. Through my research I have discovered it's rich moisturizing properties are bar none, (no pun intended),  as a skin care nutrient.

The holiday soaps, or Christmas soaps referred to by some, our made using the same moisture rich olive oil I use to create all of Bittersweet Soaps.

You can learn more about that here. Keep in mind this video was shot about 9 years ago!

http://www.hgtv.com/video/holiday-soap-video/index.html

Back to the special holiday soap packaging...

Over the past 14 years of making these unique soap bars the favorite part of the process, the packaging! 

Part of the holidayish fun is creating new pretty packaging for the aromatique soaps. Our customers get excited and the anticipation climbs over what sort of style and design we use to wrap. The packaging has varied over the years.

 
Holiday soap packaging 2008 

   
Holiday Soap 2009

 
2009 continued 
 

 
Holiday Soap 2010

This season's soaps are vintage French packaging inspired.

I'm also excited to introduce a new scent of the season and a new soap, Myrrh and Frankincense. The next process will be picking and choosing which colors and fabrics and papers best represent and fit those three soaps. FUN! 

Burlap, Black & White Check and Wine colored woven cloths are on the front burner brewing.

The holiday soaps will be available on our web site in early October.

 Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Warmly,

Jill 00 (two hugs are better than one)

pretty little coin purse

 
I'm adding this pretty little coin purse to the list of handmade holiday gifts.

Honestly, I don't know of anyone that wouldn't love to have one of these adorable coin pouches.

You can whip up several in no time once you get going!

 
 You could stuff some $ inside and give it to your favorite niece before she heads to college.

Or simply present it on it's own wrapped in pretty paper and ribbon.

Annekata has put together a wonderful tutorial  for making the money pouch. Annekata hand sews her pouch, but I used the sewing machine to construct the one above.

There are other interesting tutorials I think you will enjoy on her blog. She does a wonderful job explaining things. I love that Garbo hat!

Not much is needed for this purse project.

 I also found this source for clasps. You can pick which ones suit your desired coin purse needs.

If you're considering making more than one, which you probably are I would recommend purchasing the clasps at your local craft store. I purchased the one I used to make there and they were on sale and half the price. Allowing you to make more and a more affordable alternative.

 Busy Bittersweet late summer beginning to kick in as it always does!

Holiday soap manufacturing in full swing now and finally time to wrap the bars that have been curing.

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Warmly,

Jill 00 (two hugs are better than one)

 

Fussy French

 
A new blog is taking shape...

Inspired by my rich French heritage.

Fussy French, a journal that elicits and touches upon vintage French culture.

Fussy French

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

chaudement,

Jill 00 (two hugs are better than one)

home sweet home memories and tour

 
 Our homes current state is well let's just say intermission. We're awaiting the home repair crew to install a new roof, gutters and downspouts. Then hopefully, new exterior paint colors and the completion of the new cedar trim molding and windows.  
Then, the old 1921 home will be in pretty good shape for another 20 years or so.

When we moved in this home 23 years ago it was in pretty bad shape. It had been neglected over the years and was in need of more than several major repairs and items including a new air-conditioner, new roof, driveway, landscaping, new appliances, furnace, windows,  new kitchen cabinets, countertop, sink, need I go on?

You're probably thinking, and I cans surely see how, why didn't you just purchase a new home with all that stuff new?

That's an easy question for me to answer.

The first moment I walked into this home I fell in love. The stack of real estate cards on the fireplace mantle had little effect on detouring my admiration for this cottage home. If anything it made me nervous to think someone else would get it!   I can still remember the first time I walked through its front door. It seemed easy and  automatic to look past  the imperfections and I saw only the beauty of what was to come.

The 8 inch crown molding, the walnut banister, the brick edged walkway, the original front door with its brass knocker and hardware, the glass doorknobs on every door, the small pantry in the kitchen, the old fashioned louver shutters in the dining room.

So now some 23 years later, time repeats itself. That's what happens when you live in a home for along time. Any home new or old for that matter.   

 
Sweet memories hold strong as I reminisce about planting the pink peonies or the 12 inch white pines that stand over 60 feet tall now. The mock orange and lilacs that line the south side of our home and when you open the windows during spring time their sweet fragrance flows into the house.

 
The many partys and nights of entertaining ring in happy thoughts as I recall each one. Remember when this home hosted a trio birthday party for Lennis, Debbie and Julie?  

 
The little bedroom with the attic like walls lined with my family pictures, sweet too.

 

 
The studio that's just a few steps down from the kitchen. My hangout spot! Except when I'm making soap in the kitchen.
The rock pathway and wide brick stoops and the gardeners shed Lennis built.

 
 
I guess that's why our memories are so sweet. With hard work and determination we've molded this old home into our very own home sweet home. A home with flaws and imperfections but perfect in every shape and form to us.

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (two hugs are better than one)