Bittersweet and the little soap company

summer haze

We're moving into August already. The "dog days" of summer typically don't appeal to me, but I do appreciate them. For if not for hot summer haze of August, my anticipation of Autumn would not be as grand.

Last night while laying in bed almost asleep, eyes wide shut, oh no! I realized I'd made an error in my tax calculations. Not in my favor. So, I multiplied and subtracted into the night. Needless to say, I'm groggy this morning. All is well.

Moving on...

Jules and I have several events simmering. We're going to host a number of simple summer get-togethers' at our shops. We're inviting family and friends for an evening of simple pleasures.

Aggie cat seems to be feeling the same as I about summer heat.

Summer's end ~ approaching...

For now, I'll simply stop and smell the flowers, soap. New bouquets arriving weekly. Building up for the winter season. Then a brief hibernation in January. A soap maker's life. Feeling blessed. Thank you God.

Enjoy caring and sharing summer days.

With all good wishes,

Jill 00


 

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This photo was doctored. The humidity is so high that it fogs up the camera lens no sooner than you step outside. Crazy hot, but mostly humid and uncomfortable. To be expected this time of year, but not appreciated or desired. This is about the time I begin yearning for fall. The four seasons, love them all. They each have a unique personality. I can't help but believe Miss Summer gets cranky when she ushers in high humidity and extreme heat. Don't you?

The photo above, minus the foggy lens, is a prototype. I do believe the packaging gets an A, possibly an A plus. I'm incorporating the B, a representation of both Bittersweet & Branding. The B will be smack dab in the middle of the botanical labels. Hoping that little B will form a cohesive look with the new herbal wipe product. You just never know. Having good thoughts, though.

I'm transporting several new soaps to the apothecary shop this week. Along with the first of the flavored wipes, Lemon. I love lemon! My Stepmother, M.J. suggested a simple Lemon wipe. I believe she's on to something. Thanks M.J.! Next comes the price point and profit margin. Not my favorite task, but one that is crucial. I've been able to keep my cost low, at least I'm thinking that. Sometimes what you think appears, isn't what transfers on paper. It's so odd how that works. Perspectives. Just goes to show you how perspectives can be way off. Not to mention everyone has as different one over you. I won't go there!

On our last radio show I asked our guest, Mr. Jeff Black what inspired him. I was excited about his answer. He replied that everything inspires him! He even commented how the Jill & Jules Show inspires him. Those Jeff Black words hit home and as I was sitting at the board a huge smile and feelings of gratification, happiness came over me. That was right before I had blurry eyes and could no longer see the board, but we won't go there either. The fact remains, that folks inspire others with simple truth loving words. You got to love it! Thank you Jeff Black for raising an inspiring bar and lifting up this soap maker's spirit! You have a caring and sharing soul.

Yesterday I stopped in between label creations, soap making, and made these little fruit tarts. I'm not going to share how many I ate, but lets just say they're summer tasty! Yes, I love taking pictures of food!

I found the recipe at one of my favorite sites.

Now it's time to get into my work.

Enjoy caring and sharing summer days.

With all good wishes, always.

Jill 00

 

 

 

little town summer

Our  downtown hosts a number of events throughout the year. This past Saturday both Lennis and I, Tom & Jules, had the pleasure of attending a special event. Let's go back a bit.

 Missouri typically serves up a number of hot & sultry summer days! Planning an outdoor event this time of year and those hot thoughts are always on folks minds. Especially the folks that are behind the scenes working hard to make it happen.  Each and every one of our downtown events rally for one significant reason, volunteers.  This event, a "farm to table" picnic was held in the parking lot of my shop. As I gazed out my shop window, midday, in the heat of the moment, (no pun intended), the volunteers, were hard at it assembling tents and tables, place settings. The heat goes on, but the beat was consistent and soldier like as I watched those volunteers fulfill their duties. Kudos to each of you! I have an enormous appreciation for all that you do to help make our downtown a magical place.  The tables comfortably and strategically sit sixty guests. The farm to table, farmers market menu was delivered by the same volunteers that worked to set up the event. Each volunteer wore little black aprons when serving the most delicious foods. Our chef introduced himself to the crowd and detailed the menu. Anticipation was on high level. We were not disappointed. We were seated among friends and chatted between entree's. Little was spoken though, as we were served new savory summer dishes. A more than occasional, hum and yum echoed through the outdoor setting.
Enjoy caring and sharing summer days, downtown!






With all good wishes,

Jill 00

 

 

 

 

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We're finally having cooler temperatures, less humidity. Loving it! The marshy summer rains have allowed the blooming zinnia's to extend their season. 

Oodles of excitement at the shop. New early fall ideas in the works. Always exciting to offer new products to my customers. I'm pumped about the herbal wipes. I'm getting closer to creating a prototype as the supplies are arriving here and there.

Jules and I are planning the fashion show and this weekend a "farm to table" event is being held in our parking lot. Summer spent downtown. Don't forget about our wonderful farmers market on Saturday.

Apples, and tomatoes, squash and peppers, plump melons all to your liking.

I noticed when cutting the zinnia blooms that some of the smaller blooms have died. That's when you cut the heads off and dry. The dried heads will produce seed for next year. Seed harvesting, the old fashioned way. Remember the story I told you about Mrs. Presley? I place my buds in a wooden bowl and simply toss them occasionally to dry.

A customer came into the shop yesterday and started chatting about this herb. Do you know what it is? Feverfew. The herb looks similar to a black eye Susan. For some reason my feverfew is few and far between. No pun intended. I'm not sure what happened to it. Did I dig it up by accident? I do that all the time! Darn it.

Per customer request and a great idea! Thank you for the recommendation. The linen sack contains shaved aromatic soap.

Off to the races!

Enjoy caring and sharing summer days.

With all good wishes,

Jill 00

 

 

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I've been working on a few new products. One that really excites me, essential oil wipes! The packaging has been chosen and I'm awaiting all the loot to arrive so that I can create a prototype. Then I'll work on pricing and samples. Would like to give the new wipes a complete test run before offering them as a Bittersweet product. The best way to perform the test is to distribute a lot of new wipes to friends and relatives and let them sample for a couple of weeks. Testing will include moisture control, meaning the wipes must remain moist after being opened. I purchased a name brand package of wipes over the weekend and was disappointed because they started to dry out in only one day and I was careful and made sure they were resealed. No dry wipes! It's fun creating new products. This particular one started out as moist lavender paper towels in a baggy. No more baggies, and a snazzy label to beat! Thinking of offering several different essential oil blends. I'll also need to decide how many wipes to package in a container. 

Simple cotton soap bags trimmed with vintage bits and pieces. A favorite thing at the soap shop on water street.

Enjoy caring and sharing summer days.

With all good wishes,

Jill 00


 

 

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day by day

Our musical guest, Jeff Black always blows both Jules and I away with his multi talents. Not only does Jeff hum a sweet tune, via voice, banjo, harmonica, piano, guitar, he also writes the most amazing songs! Multi talent is an understatement in regard to describing Mr. Jeff Blacks talents. Thank you Jeff for being a guest on our radio show. Jeff offered a giveaway of two cd's on the show and they were nabbed up as soon as I walked back in the shop door.

Some changes coming up with the show. A new day and time and hopefully I'm not rambling on about my blurry eyes. Yes, you can have an embarrassing moment on the radio folks! It's all good. That's a little phrase we say on the show. I'll be working on a new logo for J&J. Possibly since we're going to be on the third Thursday @ Twelve a triple T something. Things do happen for a reason. Always folks.

Pondering Day by Day thoughts lately.

Lavender love @ the apothecary shop on water street.

New designs, product searches and soap, soap, soap being cut, wrapped, sniffed. A soap maker's life.

Inspired by, less is more, always.

I made some new shop signs. I actually painted the ready made oval wood sign and then printed the word in mirror image. Then I placed the 8 1/2 x 11 printed paper onto the sign and rubbed with a wooden spoon until the wording transferred onto the sign. Then I filled it in with a paint pen.

Just getting my pc back. It was about ready to crash. My brother whom is a genius fixing computers, I guess that's why he has his own shop! It's now running, humming and moving full speed ahead. Kind of catch up time, but I realized during the no computer down time just how much time I spend working on the computer. I believe I'll be breaking more from now on. There's a tricky fine line of computer work when you own your own business.

Hope your summer is filled with fun adventures.

Enjoy caring and sharing summer days.

With all good wishes,

Jill 00

 

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Oh my gosh! Feeling a need to spell it out folks, because it is summer sizzling hot here! The past few weeks I've been getting up early on Sunday and meeting my dad, stepmom, brother and sister in law for breakfast at our local market. It's fast becoming a Summer, Sunday morning thing and I love it! Family time at the market while eating eggs and hash browns. Life is good...

I just cut the ceder, lemon & patchouli frankincense & Myrrh soap. Can we get another "Oh My", only this one favored towards aroma.

 My view outside the shop. The Jesse James Bank Museum. A quaint brick building that seems to have not changed over the years. I kind of like that. In the spring, and if the wind is blowing from the south, the museum lily of the valley migrates its lovely aroma towards my shop. Little things...Little Lovely Things...

Julie's pool, favorite summer things...

Cut zinnia in a buttery summer yellow. Always on my mind and reminds me of my mom as she always had a bounty of zinnia in her gardens. 

A ladder shot. Meaning I'm standing on a ladder while I shot this pic of the shop. A most recent discovery, ladder shots. Guessing professionals do it all the time. 

A summer entrance. Life is good.

I hope your'e enjoying a caring and sharing summer. 

With all good wishes,

Jill 00

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I'm guessing there would be no bittersweet apothecary if this invaluable herb didn't exist. It's used in most everything that I make. Most of my inspiration to design new bittersweets stems from lavender thoughts, (no pun intended.)

From lavender sachets to skin care liniments and formulations, lavender is included in most. 

Mid summer has arrived and with it comes holiday production, brain storming, and events. Jules and I are hosting a "Style Show", early September. I've been contacting fellow downtown merchants and asking if they wish to participate in the show. I journeyed across the street to the pet groomer yesterday to see if we could borrow a French poodle. Then I dropped by our local floral shop to see if they could provide us with a few bouquets so that the models can carry flowers as they walk down the aisle. Of course, promoting their business along the way. I'm attempting to include everyone. The theme of the show is Paris Runway or particularly, "Ooh La La." Now you see why I need the French poodle, right? Jules has oodles of vintage dresses. They're tiny! If you're reading this, and live in Liberty and you have a tiny waist and would like to be a model for the show, call or text me!

Off to the races!

Enjoy caring and sharing summer days.

With all good wishes, 

Jill 00

 

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Lavender Cones, Coffee Soap wrapped in, what else, unbleached coffee filters and more Beer Soap with a spruced up label and more Bay Rum. My Summer is spent doing what I love, making soap and other hand made essentials. There isn't a day go by that I don't stop and count my blessings.

I purchased this bird fabric awhile back and thought it would make cute soap sacks. It's a thick canvas. I love sewing on canvas. It's easy to handle. 

Current attractions ~ Cheesecloth, Lavender, Brown Kraft Coffee Filters, Brown Kraft Labels, Beer, Star Flowers, Cone Flowers, Canvas Bird Fabric, Chia Seeds, Overnight Oats with fresh figs and raw honey and Downton Abbey Fabric.

 

 

 

We're having an odd cool unseasonable summers eve. Before that, hot, sultry, rainy, humid, summer with a few tornadoes thrown in, (no pun intended.)

I'm contemplating numbers. Business numbers. 

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

With all good wishes, 

Jill 00

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I'm going to be a guest speaker at a woman's group early next month. I'll chat briefly about Bittersweet. I thought it would be a nice gesture to give the ladies of the group a small sampling of some of my products. I was ready to re-design the labeling for this product and creating the label in a petite sample size helped to be able to design a bigger one for our regular size, dry oil. If you're not familiar with Bittersweets Dry Oil I shall explain. The ultra shear oil provides a light hydrating veil for radiant skin. It's one of my favorite Bittersweets!

Are you getting tired of seeing cone flower pictures? Please pardon my recent cone flower obsession. I love them!

I whipped up some new wrist keys. Were you aware that there's a line of Downton Abbey fabric? Oh my! I am in awe over the art deco printed fabric. A large selection to choose from too. Oh my! Where can you find it? Type, Downton Abbey Fabric in your browser. Now you see. Amazing, I know. Imagine the possibilities and the creations you can make from this stunning textile!

More new Bittersweets coming. 

By the way, I purchased this camera and am in camera love. I'm amazed at the quality of images that come from this camera.

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

With all good wishes,

Jill 00 

 

 

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