The first generation soap maker in my family was my Great Grandma Lucy. I never knew her but my Aunt Vivian, (the third generation soap maker in my family), has shared many soulful stories about my great Grandmother.
One of the stories that stuck out and soap maker to soap maker was how grandma Lucy made soap in a large black kettle and then just like I do allow it to cure and go through the process of what soap maker's call, saponification. I know exactly how she felt once the calendar rolled over to that final day of curing. Her excitement of finally being able to cut the soap into chunky bars after a month of waiting. Then she would stash them in her pantry so they would be readily available for bathing, laundry, and home keeping duties. I can almost see my great grandmother stacking her bars in a neat and orderly fashion. She might have placed the soap in a large basket for safe keeping too. I love hearing these stories and know how precious that soap was to my great grandmother. Just to think they practiced zero waste and did it so elegantly so long ago!
This soap maker was inspired by those stories and my great grandmother Lucy. That inspiration guided me to launch a new Bittersweet line called "Back to Basics." The line is molded by those long ago good habits.
The line is in its beginnings. Although we've launched the two new products earlier than expected. Always good, because it allows me to move onto something else.
The "Grandma Lucy" collection contains a wood brush and soap dish. I'm excited to announce it's flying off the bittersweet shelves! It seems what was always comes back.
While pondering product ideas another favorite ingredient came to mind. Beeswax... Years ago we made a beeswax wood polish. I loved it! I slathered it on our kitchen cabinets, wood tables, and cutting boards and once buffed it left a unique shiny finish that can't be reproduced with any other products. Kind of like tung oil. I love that too!. Back to beeswax. I have always loved working with beeswax and incorporating it into Bittersweet skin care and a variety of products.
The polish comes with a unique cloth that helps the wax to easily rub into the wood and offers the perfect buff.
Soulful inspiration produces feelings, unlike any others! I'm thankful that the stories haven't gotten lost and are living on through the products that I'm making. It's part of what makes my passion flow and grow.
Next to come... Shampoo Bars.
It's always a gamble when you introduce new products. I never second guess it. I wait, keep my eyes and ears open and let the people decide. I know that sounds a bit corny, but that's how it works. It's always a delight when a new product flies out the door! All away around it's a great feeling and one that can't be compared to any other. Soulful and sweet, I'd say.
Keep the faith.
Jill
