Bittersweet and the little soap company: November 2014

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November 2014

November 30, 2014

holiday heart

What a week! Holiday premiere week indeed...
We're cooking our turkey dinner today. Lennis made homemade noodles and the turkey is roasting in the vintage roaster my aunt Vivian gifted me at Christmas a few years back. I love the roaster it offers even cooking and browning of meat to perfection. Thank you Aunt Vivian.
I feel blessed often and everyday simply pondering thoughts of my aunts. They feel my heart with song.
New shop music and I love, love, love her voice! I played the cd all day yesterday at the apothecary shoppe. Never tired of hearing her beautiful voice. That's how I always can tell when I love the music. If I can play it over and over and continue to love listening to it.

We don't do a real tree and I kind of wish we did, but with our busy schedules this time of year an artificial one makes more sense, it seems. I couldn't resist sticking the owl in the artificial Christmas tree.

I can smell the aromatic turkey. We rubbed thyme, rosemary and sage, butter on the bird before placing in in the oven.

I've already turned the calender over to December. Can you believe it?

The chutney has been made. I'm getting ready to create brown paper wraps for the lids. Jill's Chutney, November 2014.

Words cannot begin to express my feelings regarding "Small Business" Saturday. If you travel to my facebook page you can get a first hand look at my wonderful, kind, support small business friends, shoppers. Thank you, thank you very much. Bittersweet enjoyed a record day thanks to you! It was non-stop. I didn't even have time to eat lunch. Again, I can't begin to describe my feelings. Other than, you continue to amaze me with your patronage. My little town folks knows how to support their small business. So many happy faces. My highlight was that the little soap boxes (an original idea from my mom) was one of the most popular selling item yesterday during shop small day. Then at the end of the day, I gazed at the holiday soap counter and it was almost empty! Please, hurry if you wish to have some Bittersweet Holiday Soap for Christmas. It's going quickly and will be completely gone soon.

Yesterdays success was made even more special by my feelings prior to the day.

I ventured out on Black Friday late in the day to the red store and T.J. Maxx. I was in awe over how busy the two retailers were. I had Bittersweet feelings about the whole retail thing while I was out shopping that day. My shoppe had been dead on Black Friday so naturally I was wondering if these same folks shopped small as I stood in line to pay for my items. I had my shop small button on that day and it was as though it was beaming. I'm so very proud to be a small shop proprietor. The facts remain, without the support of shop small customers, I would not even have the luxury of having these thoughts. Again, thank you.

Enjoy caring and sharing holidays.

Warmly,

Jill 00 (two hugs are better than one)

Posted at 12:06 PM in Caring & Sharing | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tags: shop small Bittersweet, shop small day, shop small Liberty MO, shop small pictures

November 28, 2014

in the genes

Most often since I'm a soap maker and alchemist, thoughts of other days gone by soap maker's enter my thoughts. Personally, my soap making feelings probably aren't limited to my own. Years ago, many, many years ago, my Great Grandmother Lucy probably had similar thoughts and ideas while she stirred the big black kettle of hand made soap on a warm sunny spring or summer day.

I'm in awe of how traits and personalities and mannerisms get handed down through the genealogy pool.

My Great Grandmother Lucy was a soap maker. Most women of the era made soap. However, my Great Grandmother Lucy taught one of her granddaughter's how to make soap, (my aunt Vivian), and in turn she shared that knowledge with her niece years ago. In turn, her niece became a soap maker!

What a lovely story... I think

Enjoy caring and sharing holidays.

Warmly,

Jill 00 (two hugs are better than one) A huge big two hugs to Aunt Vivian for planting the wonderful loving seed.

Posted at 08:43 AM in Favorite Things | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tags: apothecary blog, soap blog, soap making blog

November 25, 2014

with every thing turn, turn

I'm witness to a serge and movement that's going on this holiday season. Although I've witnessed chain stores filled with crowded holiday shoppers, I'm also seeing first hand, since I have an apothecary shoppe, folks shopping more small business. Years ago I was a bank manager. Today, I'm a retail proprietor, the two have many variables, I've always thought...

Back to what I call, "the movement." You see, or I see in my little suburbia town of thirty-four thousand a sudden push to purchase their holiday gifts from local small retailers. So many positive reasons that this movement has and I won't bore you with them, however, the reasons far out-way any negatives, and in fact, they're have never been negatives, never. That's why I really have always had a difficult time understanding what the "small business" challenge was all about.

Generally at the Bittersweet shoppe this time of year it's swing'in, crazy busy. Well, for seventeen years it's been swing'in, crazy busy anyway. The past couple of years I've noticed it's getting busier much sooner. Yep, a pattern. A good business person should keep this information, on record, you know. I've kept a daily record of my business since it was founded in 1997! At the shoppe, I even record what the weather was that particular day. Conclusion, it doesn't really matter if it's raining, cold and snow, it seems to more.

Bottom line...

Happy...

Demographically speaking...

The movement is making it's way and getting closer, I'm happy to say. I've had the luxury of visiting other cities, towns, suburbs, and have some insight to how things work on the other side of the pond. Often, I was disappointed after visiting some of these places, only to find, the townspeople and community supported their small businesses much more than my community did. I also often wandered why? I concluded a hypothesis that there are demographic reasons. I won't go into the technical aspects, because I know it will bore you.

Not to say, I'm a seasoned small business owner that has always been happy with my return. However, I have needed to create a various number of tasks, marketing to make it work. I call it non-stop marketing, because that's really what it is in a nutshell.

Isn't it all interesting? I think so.

Back to the bottom line...

It's beginning to turn, turn, turn and the movement with the help of companies like, American Express and other organizations are aiding in the push to shop small and their campaign seems to be catching on. At least in my "Stars Hollow" little town.

Quite possibly, I get a tad bit emotional when I talk about this subject. That's a picture of my dad standing in front of my grandmothers restaurant back in the day. Homer & Lola's Cafe. Back then everyone shopped small.

Things change, but it's nice to know you can still do small things with great love...

Enjoy caring and sharing holidays.

Warmly,

Jill 00 (two hugs are better than one)

Posted at 07:49 AM in Exciting | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tags: retail blog shop small, shop small story

November 23, 2014

Christmas Cake & Cranberries

We're planning a low key Thanksgiving with family. The shop is in fast and fury speed and the holidays are approaching quickly. I picked up a turkey for roasting and some cranberries for juicing and to make my moms old fashioned cranberry salad. When I was growing up I have fond memories of her making the simple festive salad. She had an old grinder that attached to the side of our counter top. The aromatic fresh fruit fragrance filled the air. Not much to it, fresh cranberries and oranges, pecans. I believe my moms recipes favor old time Southern ones. I found the vintage recipe here. I consider it a salad type, but I guess officially it's considered a relish. At any rate, it's yummy with turkey and gravy!

I made Cranberry Chutney! A tradition at our house. The little jars are sitting on the kitchen table awaiting some holiday wrappings. The chutney is not hard to make but takes about four hours to prepare. A mild water bath or canning method is used. Cranberries, orange, pineapple, raisins, and then interesting enough, garlic, cayenne, clove, fresh ginger. A sweet, spicy condiment that helps to make a leftover turkey sandwich a gourmet treat! Just say'in.
The Christmas Cake...
Every year I choose a special cake to serve at my family dinner on Christmas Eve. The Soft Gingerbread Cake with Sugared Cranberries. Isn't it lovely? The blog in which I found the cake recipe is equally as lovely. The blog and the cake recipe can be found here.

This Saturday marks "Shop Small" day. The Saturday after Thanksgiving is generally one of the busiest days at the apothecary shoppe. The Shop Small frenzy shall make it even more so.

The following Friday, Saturday and our holiday open house kicks in the season officially. It you don't hear from me for awhile, you'll know I'm busy assisting Santa and the elves. Santa put in an extra large order for soap and lip balms this year. By the way, the new orange vanilla lip balm is the bomb! The Holiday Lip Bomb, I mean Balm!

Off to the fabric store to get a couple yards of red ticking. Who doesn't like red ticking? I ask you... Maybe a bolt of linen. My fabric of choice nowadays. Prefer Irish Linen.

Enjoy caring and sharing holidays.

Warmly,

Jill 00 (two hugs are better than one) especially during the holidays!

Posted at 02:07 AM in Favorite Things | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tags: apothecary, cranberry salad, gingerbread cake, soap blog

November 21, 2014

the spirit of Christmas

I love being in my little apothecary shoppe at night. The darkness creates a cozy warm aura that surrounds the shoppe. The fire from the fireplace glows and shadows are cast throughout.
I replicated some new/old vintage labels and infused the label onto an old metal bucket.

See how the little soap boxes glow? I'm thinking of decorating my mantle at home with an array of keepsake boxes.

Holiday Soap No. 5, Rosemary Mint, lovely to the nose and coconut soy candles to match. Little sprigs of fresh rosemary help to make the special holiday packaging complete.

The sprit of Christmas, always hand made..

Do small things with great love. Part of my shop small philosophy. Glowing too.

So many special souls visit the apothecary shoppe this time of year. I don't know where to start.

Happy weekend.

Enjoy caring and sharing holidays.

Warmly,

Jill 00

Posted at 08:18 PM in a handmade shop | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tags: Alchemy Blog, Apothecary Blog, Soap Blog

November 20, 2014

moving fast

Concerts, holiday recontress, radio shows, apothecary shop, vintage boutique, quaint down-towns that celebrate the arrival of the season with sparkly lights, fresh evergreen, and pine-cones. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

I'm amazed because I've already sold out of orange vanilla lip balm! No worries... I'll make more.

Yesterday when someone asked me when the next radio show was I answered the third week in January. That's how my mind works this time of the year. A simple reminder that I should slow down. Funny how that happens unexpectedly. I'm glad it does.

The down-town lighting ceremony, tonight and I'm open until eight.

I'm headed out to the station to turn in my interviews and voice overs for the show tomorrow. I have a wonderful guest, Gayle from Main Street Goods & Goodies. Her shoppe is similar to an old general store with an antique vibe attached, really cool! Big pieces, vintage buttons, handkerchiefs, old fashioned candy, and a bit of unique boutique.Tune in and listen if you'd like to learn more. She's a great gal too! I have a wonderful story to share about Gayle and her family. It's the perfect holiday story, I believe.

A tour group of women coming to the shoppe tomorrow after the radio show.

Camera in hand and planning on a soap wrapping day mixed in with a variety of odds and ends. I want to place a tall evergreen tree outside the shop door and string sparkly white lights EVERYWHERE!

I have this years Christmas Eve Cake recipe! It's beautiful to the eye as I'm sure the palette.

Enjoy caring and sharing holidays.

Warmly,

Jill 00

Posted at 07:50 AM in Bittersweet Holiday | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tags: apothecary shop, holiday soap, soap blog, soap shop

November 17, 2014

may your every wish come true

The apothecary shoppe is filling with artisan items. Linen stockings, cottage aprons, handkerchief soap, little soap boxes, orange vanilla lip balm, cotton noel sacks, and a variety of hand made goods all soulfully made and wrapped with care. It's been a busy week and if all runs accordingly to past seasons, will continue to be crazy busy. It's the season to season business's. In between, a calm steady flow, but in between, a fast paced flowing like a rapid river! Every now and then, it requires a deep breath in and a deep breath out. That's it...

Every season I attempt to predict which Bittersweet item will be the "hot" fly out the door creation. This year, it seems more than one Bittersweet appeals to folks. Soap Boxes, Stockings, Cremes, Lip Balms, Soaps of course, Aroma Mists, Linen Sacks, all making the list this holiday season. This means the maker of all that stuff will surely be ready for a winters break after the big day!

I received a large box of juniper bundles last week from my floral supplier. The aromatic greenery barely made it to the shoppe shelf before I sold out. Forgot to add the greenery to the list. The shoppe is filled with it and I love it.

The ladies group I spoke at on Friday welcomed me with open arms. The Fortnightly Study Club, the groups name has been around since the early nineteen hundreds. I believe, if memory serves me correctly, named after Florence Nightingale. I spoke about my business and the century old home it's housed in. It was dead of winter COLD that day so I had on many layers. The ladies complimented me on my wardrobe and asked if I could demonstrate my layering method. I was of course, eager to share. If you know me... I had a surprise bag of goodies from our artisan chocolate shoppe sitting at the table, a lovely card written by Judy, and a disbursement for my time. The ladies interesting and carried a vast amount of knowledge about history. I really enjoyed being a guest. Thank you Judy for inviting me. I captured an image.

Later on Saturday, Julie watched the shoppe and I scurried around downtown to work on Jill & Jules projects. I stopped by Main Street Goods and picked up a four pack of this. There's a guy at the radio station that helps with the shows editing . If you've ever been around radio, you know things don't magically happen. Anyway, I felt I should offer him a little something for his time. He told me he really, really, loved this carbonated drink so I have it resting in the fridge. A pumpkin pie also comes into play and I don't have time to make one, so I'll grab what is equally as good at this place.

Speaking of the radio show... It airs this Friday at two o'clock. I'm leaning towards a holiday show for November and December.

Changing the subject back to soap... I'll be transporting the Cranberry Spice to the brick and mortar shoppe on Wednesday! For some, it's their favorite holiday flavor. More orange vanilla lip balm to be made. You guessed it, it's not only my favorite flavor, but customers too!

Oh yeah! It's chutney making time! I need to go pick up a box of golden raisins and I'm set to go. I picked up the cutest little four ounce canning jars yesterday that will yield the perfect amount of cranberry chutney.

It's the holiday season... Oodles of thoughts can take over and spoil your cheer if you're not careful. I have found with my busy schedule, if you take things with stride, and don't sweat the small stuff, which by the way, in the big picture all that stuff would be considered small, relax, take a deep breath, moment, and simply be thankful.

Enjoy caring and sharing holidays.

Warmly,

Jill 00 (two hugs are always better than one)

Posted at 08:08 AM in Bittersweet Holiday | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tags: Apothecary shop, Soap blog, soap packaging ideas, soap shop

November 14, 2014

interesting elements

I'd been wanting to create vintage French paper ephemeral so that I could incorporate vintage into some of my modern vessels. The glass jar, a large one now has an old, new, look. Do you like it?

This is how I did it...

Pick and choose an old image and print it on brown paper. I have a supply of French Dur-O-Tone paper that I use to wrap soap so I used what was available. If you wish you use the same paper you can find it here. I also believe I've seen similar brown paper at all the craft stores. The French paper has a slightly different hue that I prefer over the craft store brand.
After I printed and transferred the design I ran it under the faucet and allowed it to get completely wet. Then while the paper was still wet I dabbed some instant coffee on and gently rubbed it with a paint brush. I allowed it to dry completely and then tore some of the edges. I glued it onto the glass jar and rubbed to make sure and get bubbles out.

The rose pine cones. That's what I've always called them. When Julie and I visited our friend in Washington she had the momma tree in her garden. The rosy cones fall freely from the tree. She had saved one for each of us. We treasure the faraway wood cones. Wood! Huh, here we go again!

Linen, oh linen, you're my all time favorite cloth! The linen stockings that hang from the fireplace mantle are dear to my heart. Each stocking is created with vintage trims and a variety of unique buttons. Isn't it cool how one little addition can create a soulful piece? I love the wood buttons! I'm attched to wood lately...

A big box of preserved Juniper arrived a couple of days ago. This stuff is amazing to work with. First, it produces a fresh cut Christmas tree scent and second it looks yummy just plopped here and there. Customers love it and it's wood!

Sparkly white lights intertwine and enhance vintage wicker dress forms. I collect the forms. One of my favorite things...

Julie commented yesterday how the gray day really looks like winter. I repled, I like it! I moved the kittys bed in front of the shop fireplace and turned on Christmas music and sang along while wrapping holiday soaps. Aggie didn't have to say a word, I knew exactly what she wanted. Soon after I capured this shot, I made up her little wicker bed in front of the fireplace.

Beams of sunshine hitting the old wood floor and Aggie favoring the tiny warm spot, hint, hint human.

I'm off to speak at a womans group later and I have oodles of holiday soap to wrap.

Jill & Jules radio show approaches next Friday and I'm pondering, decided to make the next two shows holiday shows. I had Dwight, our farmers market manager, (aka voice over guy) record some Christmas jollies and yes, I did request that he say Christmas! Quite frankly, that's what it is. Always speak the truth.

Enjoy caring and sharing holidays.

Warmly,

Jill 00

Posted at 08:23 AM in Bittersweet Holiday | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tags: apothecary shop, dried juniper, ephemera, french paper, soap shop

November 11, 2014

the best of...

We had the best of times at the Kansas City Holiday Boutique. There were over two-hundred boutiques set up at the event.

I need to trace my steps back some to highlight a certain cake that I indulged in for dessert at this restaurant. They were serving buffet style, but let me just say, not an ordinary buffet and much more pleasant and inviting then most I'd ever seen. There were four, count em, four different little foodie stations. The latter, the dessert table was filled with a variety of confections, creme brulee, cannoli's, petite size desserts all created to be a perfect bite size or try me, and very much reminded me of a Goldilocks version of portions. I had this cake, and let me just say, and I thought my carrot cake was the best, oh no baby! As soon as I returned home I began searching for the recipe, because that's the way I am. I believe this is is, however you must sprinkle some coconut on the icing and in between layers. I also, if memory serves me, use black walnuts. A Missouri nut, you know. My mom used the aromatic and flavorful nut in all of her baking. If you've never taste tested a black walnut, you should!

The yummy Goldilocks Carrot Cake

After brunch, lunch... A customer came in on Saturday and asked if I'd be interested in tickets. She was not able to go and had three tickets to giveaway. I have never been and Julie was motioning in the other room, yes, yes. Usually and most always, these kind of shows just aren't my cup of tea, but since I'd never been, I thought why not. Thank you Ann for sharing the tickets!

My take on the show.

Just like any show, well not any show, some shows perform better than others, right? This particular one was similar to others in there were good vendors and not so good one's. However, having said that, I did enjoy browsing and weeding through the ones I liked. Mostly folks that offered hand made of course. Yes, I'm a bit bias and anti "made in China." I'm sorry if that offends you, but I'm speaking the truth.

I also want to include that it's honorable and takes a lot of grit to set up for these pop-up shows. I know because I've done it. If the items that are being offered aren't to your liking, doesn't matter. They deserve a huge pat on the back for the hard work they put into it.

The best of...

These two girls, sisters, do not fit in the category I just mentioned. Their artisan work is top-notch and yes, I purchased something. A really cool bracelet. They hand make their jewelry from vintage buttons. It kind of reminded me of Grandmother's Buttons. Are you familiar with this company? Years ago while traveling through St. Francisville LA, I stopped at their brick and mortar shop, merci me. I'll leave it at that. No I won't, I can't! Grandmother's Buttons brick and mortar had the coolest, hippest, jewelry made from vintage buttons.

I didn't have a lot of time to chat with these girls, but I did capture this image. Aren't they sweet? Christmas is holy cow, right around the corner and I do believe you would enjoy browsing for beautiful vintage button piece for a special person. Forget diamonds... Buttons are a girls best friend! Here's a link...

Our friend Kelly was participating in the show. She's one of the good one's too, by the way. You may recall me posting about my friend Kelly. She has a brick and mortar shop just down the street from Bittersweet. You will fall in love! Here's a link to her facebook page. See, I told you!

As I was leaving the Holiday Gift Boutique certain thoughts ran through my mind. I pondered about how blessed I am and to have my little hand made shop resting in a century old home nestled with my best friend, the two kitties and the fireplace. I love my fireplace! Especially now with the north wind a blow'in.

Off the subject...

A huband and wife visited the apothecary shoppe last week and the man mentioned how the old-timers are saying the persimmon seeds are shaped like a spoon! Do you know what the farmers say that means? You can read more here. Lots of wet snow, I'm waxing up my blades!

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Warmly,

Jill 00

Posted at 08:17 AM in Favorite Things | Permalink | Comments (1)

Tags: bittersweet soap, grandmother's buttons, Holiday gift boutique, soap, soap blog

November 09, 2014

November mood

The merry month of November followed by, the merriest of all month December. Joy, joy! I'm beginning to get wrapped up in a November mood, no pun intended.
I am in love with chunky wood trees! I feel better now. What the heck, my attraction seems to be with the wood, I think.
Although I'm fond of white washed wood, I'm equally attracted to raw maybe bee's wax rubbed wood. I have my orginal bed that my mom refinished years ago and after she sanded the wood to it's orginal, she rubbed it with bee's wax. The wax produces a protection layer and gives off a subtle glow. The old farm table at the shoppe was finished with bee's wax too. I'm a natural girl.

The apothecary shoppe is filled with olive oil soaps as far as the eye can see. Tis the season for hand made soap. I no sooner wrap the holiday soap as it gets swooped up by customers. A good feeling, but sometimes it freaks me out. I always have to keep grounded and remember to take it in slowly, because if you don't, the fun is wiped clean away. No, no. Something I learned years ago. The yen and the yang of a hand made life at Christmas.

The vintage Christmas ornaments are from the vintage boutique. Aren't they grand? I've been capturing some shots for Julie.

Years ago I packaged my soap in a little brown box and customers responded with a negative mood. They didn't like the soap in a box. H'm, funny, I thought I'd try it again, and WOW! Personally, I love the soap in a box better now than back when. So I'm guessing there's a pattern. I imagine that's how trends start, don't you think?

Since I'm a natural kind of girl, Cinnamon sticks, really long ones, snow berries of course, and pine cones that I gathered, (50), from the white pines that line the back forty. Love those trees! Amazed how they were only a foot or so when planted and how now they're 50 feet tall!

Yesterday after I got in my car, I couldn't help but notice the red rose, the last of this seasons bloom. It was as though it shouted STOP, come over here and pick me so that you can cherish my beauty one last time before the cold north winds come. I opened the car door and did just that. Then I placed the red bloom in amongst the lavender spruce soap across from my checkout desk. Every now and then, I'd gaze and take in her glorious beauty.

Beard balm, coconut oil candles, preserved juniper, (coming), spruce soaps, cranberry soap, orange lip balms, winter blends, soulful soap boxes and white linen stockings fill the hand made shop this season. Oh how I love it all!

The past few days and it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the shop!

The soap boxes, once old, are new again. Customers comment on how happy it is to have then back. Makes my heart feel extra warm and happy since. If you know the story behind the boxes, you'll recall why.

Vintage inspired cloth soap bags await a bar of moisture rich soap. You may find it difficult to choose the flavor. A simple remedy is to sniff your way around until you find, your nose finds your favorite.

A picture of my dad. Probably taken right after, or during the depression. Notice the hanging sign in the background? My grandparent's restaurant, Homer and Lola's Cafe. I'm using the picture to help enhance the thoughts of how once everyone shopped small.

My favorite things... The Bittersweet version.

The very old small trunk, still has the original label attached to the top. I love the size and couldn't resist purchasing it at a barn sale last summer. I paid top penny, but believe it was worth every one, because you seldom see trunks this size. They call them children's trunks, and not necessarily used to store children's items, but rather woman's gloves, jewelry, pictures, keepsakes and such.

Bubbles and Jules Show. That's the name I started with for our radio show. I changed it soon after. Don't believe folks will get the right impression. I'll leave it at that. A marketing thing.

I'm going to start offering audio of the goings on at the apothecary shoppe. Also, I'll be streaming the holiday open house. A live guest book so that my faraway customers that have never been to the brick and mortar can get a glimpse of the magic that goes on. The idea originated from Vickie. Vickie lives in San Fransisco and every time she comes Bittersweet way she drops by the shoppe. I feel a special connection with her as I do everyone that takes time from their life to stop by and say hello.

I'm also wrapping your faraway Bittersweet orders the way I wrap them at our shoppe. The wrapping is special and filled with love. A way of showing you too, how much I appreciate you, faraway friends of Bittersweet. Loyal patrons that have helped me to evolve.

It's exciting to kick the rocks along the trail, I believe.

Enjoy caring and sharing holidays.

Warmly,

Jill 00