Since Bittersweet blog is a journal of a soap maker's life I find it appropriate to explain to you how my recent decision to open a shop again began. There is a point to the story that I'd like to share with you.
Before I begin we must go back to the beginning...
Ten years ago Bittersweet had a retail boutique located in my historic "Gilmore Girls" downtown. The shop offered my hand-made soaps and artisan creations exclusively. After five years of making, managing, and operating the shop I noticed my happy shop go-lucky feelings began to flicker out. The happy shop owner excitement I once felt was quickly fading. I also knew those unhappy feelings were only limited to the fast paced duties of retail and not associated with making things. I still loved to create!
After some soul searching and careful consideration I decided to close my boutique. It was a hard decision, but I knew in my heart it was the right one at the time. The decision to close the shop also had consequences as most decisions do. My mind began thinking about my loyal customers. I had concerns about how they would no longer be able to purchase Bittersweet at a brick and mortar location. Now they would only have Internet access to my products. With those thoughts came a notion and an idee. What if I were to create a shop-like atmosphere in my home. Yes, I thought that would be the perfect solution. Thus, the Bittersweet shop in my home was born. The new home shop was only open on Saturdays for a few hours.
The shop in my home has been open for five years to date. Although a bit apprehensive about opening a shop in my home at first. Now I realize it was a smart move. Having said that, had I not had a shop downtown first I'm not sure it would have worked out so well. Having the shop downtown allowed me to market the new shop in my home. I was able to let my customers know about the new location ahead of time.
This is where the story has a point...
A month or so ago I began having lucid dreams. The process of lucid dreaming is rare and unexplainable. Very few people ever experience it. I have no idea how or why the lucid dreaming started. On second thought that's not exactly true, but I don't want to jump ahead of this story with a point. It's quite odd to be dreaming and know you're dreaming! Since you know your dreaming you're able to manipulate your dreams and cast them the way you want!
The lucid dreams centered around owning a shop, always. The dreams were quite fairy tale like. I remember every dream morning stopping by the local florist gathering fresh flowers to place in my shop. Lucid dreaming feels as though it's really happening by the way. After a couple of lucid shop dreams an excitement began to form. I was of course excited about the lucid dreaming but had an equal feeling of excitement towards the dreams I was having about having a shop once again. What! Where did those feelings come from?
After a few dreams I began pondering shop thoughts. With those dream thoughts came real life thoughts too. Thoughts like, don't you remember how much time and energy it takes to manage a retail shop? Oh yeah, I remembered. However, the idee still appealed to me on a healthy happy level.
I am ready for a change and I really do miss the retail life. What's that saying? Once in retail, always in retail. I made that up, but I do believe there is some truth to it.
Shop ownership is unlike anything you'll ever experience. Those feelings always make me smile.
Back to the point...
I have not had any more lucid dreams.
The strange real-life dreams I believe were a gift from God. A very special gift at that. The dreams were delivered special. Thank you God. The dreams opened doors that I thought were closed. Isn't that amazing and wonderful how such a common thing can transform into a most fascinating experience?
The point...
Always follow your heart. Listen to those little voices from within. Sometimes we don't listen.
I can't wait to get the new shop open! I'll be dropping by the local florist each morning to pick a fresh bouquet of flowers for my shop!
Enjoy caring and sharing days.
Thank you God for each and every day.
Love,
Jill 00
