in between pumpkins...

What does it mean to be in between pumpkins? It simply translates into pre-fall, and we're jumping up and down with fall joy while we collect our ideas, notions, and yes, pumpkins! 

The fall soaps are made and they are headed to the wrapping station. When you've been in the manufacturing business for a long time you set up stations for each product. Think of it like an assembly line. Over the years Bittersweet has operated many assembly lines. We're thankful for that. 

The Fall Soap Menu is complete, and our curated collections for fall are going to WOW you! 

Elderberry Honey is one of the items that we're most excited about! Have you ever tasted elderberry infused honey? I've mentioned many times how this wild plant is one of my favorites. The elderberry plant grows wild in my neck of the woods. In fact, a couple of years ago while turning down the alley I spotted on growing in a small patch of dirt next to the road. It was practically growing in the concrete! Hardy little specimen's! Bittersweet is proud to carry this artisan brand with you! We've also ordered in bottles of Elderberry Tincture. I swear by this stuff! If I ever feel like I'm getting something I pour a teaspoon or two of elderberry syrup or tincture and my symptom's magically disappear. 

I am mildly obsessed with todays faux pumpkins! Maybe not mildly either! We're getting in faux pumpkins of all shapes and sizes. I mentioned in the last post how we'd ordered real dried gourds. I can't wait to style the natural gourds with the faux pumpkins! I can envision exactly what it will look like in my mind. I love fall!

With our extreme hot summer days I grow even more eager for autumn to arrive. 

Grandma Lucy's Household Cleaner smells of clove and cinnamon and it's blended with lemon and eucalyptus and rosemary. Using the natural essential oil cleanser makes cleaning a whole lot more enjoyable. I'm a nose girl! If if smells good, I'm in!

I also want to share a recent sourcing find for gemstones and the most amazing artist. I've always loved the process of choosing a stone and then artfully setting it in silver or gold. It doesn't feel so very long ago. So when you discover another human that has a talent for setting stones, you respect and appreciate their work. It all started when I lost my favorite turquoise pendant awhile back . I had it for over twenty years and it was one of my favorite pieces of all times. I accidently through my search for a replacement found Rosehunter Jewelry.  Actually Annie, the proprietress of Rose Hunter had posted some recent stone pictures. It was love at first site when one of the pictures was of the green and brown turquoise. I'm so picky when it comes to turquoise! I prefer a green colored stone mixed with brown and not the traditional blue. I contacted Annie, and we chatted back and forth. She then went to work to create that stunning pendant! I love the shape of the setting, the brown leather band. Perfection! If you're a jewelry junkie like I am believe me, Annie is your girl. If you order, please tell her Jill sent you. 

I posted a little bio about how Bittersweet was born a few days ago. It feels right to share it again. 

You may not know that twenty-four years ago Bittersweet designed their own soap recipe. I quit my day job and dedicated my time to perfecting a soap recipe with intentions of selling it to other stores. It was what most would call a leap of faith! The recipe that I constructed was a tricky one to get right as it contained over seventy-percent olive! There weren't very many soap maker's at that time, and only one book that detailed this modern method of soap making. I remember stirring for hours and hours before receiving a trace back then. Trace is what you need to happen before you pour the liquid gold in to molds. Through time I remained determined to learn this craft and inspired by how my skin felt soft and silky smooth after using a bar of Bittersweet. Not to mention the amazing scents and smells! Little did I ever imagine that I'd be manufacturing and wrapping thousands upon thousand of bars and still be making soap twenty-four years later! My motto is never give up, and I've always stood strong in those thoughts.

I never listened to naysayers but remained steady with my passionate feelings about what I loved.

There will always be naysayers, just say 'in. Be polite and listen to them, or pretend to listen, but never let them convince you to stop doing what you're doing. Stay strong and determined and you will be rewarded with success! Trust in yourself always!

 

Keep smiling.

Jill xo