It's been another productive and busy week at Bittersweet. I have to laugh sometimes and ponder thoughts of break time with a realistic view and know that the mere words aren't what they say that they are! I'm thinking of re-naming it to "work harder than you ever have time". Little did I know, and I never, ever plan too much ahead, thoughts of organizing and clearing and getting ready for a June porch sale in between soap making, painting, writing books, and contemplating new products, etc., etc. would end up chiming in the new year with its array of opportunities. All good, but I'm going to require a break after the so-called break!
So the new year brings to the table a smorgasbord of thoughts. Some are completely out there, while others hit the nail on the head. I'm forecasting slower-than-normal growth this year. An observation that is not hard to recognize when prices reach an all-time high on just about everything that you purchase. I've even noticed a tremendous increase in the pricing of furniture, toiletries, and let's just be honest just about everything. So.
In the weeks to come I'll be implementing some changes to some of our products. These changes are centered around the fragile economy and the increase in prices of almost everything that you purchase nowadays. The changes are a positive solution to accommodate our customers and hopefully take some of the edges off of inflation. Ugh, we hate that word! I'm excited to bring to the table a collection of products that are not only economical but also made with the very best ingredients that money can buy. We're launching this new alternative offering starting with our huge soap sale on January 21. The sale is an opportunity to stock up and receive a tremendous discount on your favorite unwrapped and uneven soaps. We're looking forward to an exciting new year, and we're eager to share our ideas, styles, artisan creations, and books! Books! I can't wait!
Have I ever told you that the soap that we offer at the soap sale weighs in at over two-hundred pounds? Probably not, maybe so. I compare myself sometimes to a warrior woman. A woman lifts heavy objects that are not suitable for the weaker of hearts. Once again, it's a good thing. The heavy lifting, soap making, and physical activities required to maintain this business would make a young person flutter. I'd imagine hearing things like, I'm not doing that! Passion. It runs deep. The biceps back it up!
I absolutely love soaps that mimic forest scents. The new soap, Cedarwood + Amber falls into that lovely category. It's arriving on Saturday when we re-open the shop.
Round dish soap, a new hair treatment, coming. I'm still in prototype mode. We ordered some new display pieces and they're taking forever to get here. So some of my projects have been put on hold. Have you experienced this problem? Items take forever to get to their destination. A sign of the times, I'm afraid.
I'm really into bringing back simpler times. Part of that thinking is wrapped around thoughts of spending less time on social media and more time designing and creating. That's my jam!
How about you? Don't you feel that social media can sometimes rob you of your joy? The bombardment of overloaded reels and stories makes my head spin. Selfie this, and that, and shots of my hair, fingernails, and anything else deemed necessary to share. Everything is under the sun. Sometime's too much, and other times not enough. I don't feel like it's a demographic thing either. It's popping up to those who recognize it. Here's to twenty-three and a slower approach to life! Three cheers to that!
Spring is on my mind. Once February rolls around I begin to dream about green grass and flowers.
We've been having Sunday dinners at our house. It reminds me of when I was a kid and we'd go to grandma's house for dinner. She would always make fried chicken and potatoes and gravy. Since she owned a restaurant during the depression, and her cooking was amazing. Her granddaughter has fond memories of those Sunday dinners.
My dad is dropping by tomorrow to help me repair a plant shelf at the shop. I picked up a couple of matching brackets so that we can add more plants! Ha!
Jill
