Bittersweet and the little soap company

Before and after

If I were to say that I'm excited about holding Taste & Eat in my hands I'd be holding back. I can't wait to hold that cookbook in my hands!

The pork chop recipe is included in the soon-to-be-held-in-your-hands cookbook. I guess one of the reasons I'm so excited is that the recipes have been fastidiously chosen. There's not one that I we don't love. Not a one!  

Since we're still experiencing wintry weather all of my outdoor projects are being moved up. We have some home repairs and upgrades planned for this spring into summer on our old house. 

Spring is such a great time of year for our handmade soaps. We love the earthy blends and the beautiful papers. The best is yet to come, always. 

I've had my nose in those books. Do you know the feeling when you order a book, and your expectations are not only met but exceeded? That's our philosophy at Bittersweet with everything that we make so it seems fair that we'd feel the same about books, and just about everything. Sunday Suppers and I love the name. My mind travels to my grandmother Lola's house on Sundays and she'd prepare an amazing meal for my family.  

I've been assembling furniture behind the scenes. Honestly, I feel like I'm getting pretty darn good at constructing furniture! I don't say that in a boastingly way, but rather a satisfying accomplishment sort of way. Since last year I've assembled several pieces and knocked on wood they've all met my picky satisfaction and were fairly easy to put together because I simply read the instructions. There was a time that I put something together and the legs weren't lining up, but in the middle of the night it came to me, and I was able to make a few changes to make it right. I love those moments! My latest assemblage was a wooden bench that I ordered online. I've had great luck ordering online, and it saves me an incredible amount of time. It always helps to know exactly what piece you're looking for when ordering online. I also really take my time and measure once, twice, three times a lady with a tape measure! I'm always amazed how just one tiny piece changes the entire look. I'm knee-deep into clearing and clearing. I'm re-gifting an oversized leather chair and replacing it with nothing!

I'm deeply saddened by another school shooting. It seems our world is filled with evildoers. My heart of prayers goes out to all involved and the families left behind. I'm praying for our country and I know that God will help us to overcome. You must believe this. We have nothing but bottomless despair and no hope if you don't. Don't lose sight of the goodness of God and his mercy. Especially don't lose hope. We have hope to overcome through God and only God. 

Jill 

 

 

 

 

wildflowers and birthdays

 

The life of a soap maker isn't for the faint of heart. I'm not saying this with a better-than-you attitude I'm simply sharing that having a soap-making business is body-building physical and challenges you every chance it gets. If you would have told me twenty-six years ago that I was going to be a soap maker and manage a soap business I'd probably not believe you.  I don't recall even thinking of soap making. That all changed after receiving a holiday package from my aunt.  My aunt Vivian sent me goat milk soap that she made in her kitchen. It was carefully wrapped in tissue and as I unveiled the shipping box the aromatic fragrance went directly to my nose. If my nose could smile, it would have!  I remember running my fingers over the silky bars and sniffing them until I could sniff no more. That was in late 1996. I had a day job that I'd had for 8 years. Immediately after receiving my aunt's hand-crafted soap, I began searching for the ingredients to make my first batch. I remember that it was challenging to locate supplies, and the Internet was pretty much useless in 1996. There was one book available at the time that instructed on how to make modern-day soap.  I was determined and focused on learning the craft of soap making and nothing was going to stand in my way. Don't hate me, it's how I roll. I finally found the ingredients that I needed to make my first batch of soap and off I went. I remember making that first box of handmade soap as though it was yesterday! I carefully poured the liquid soap into a shoe box and placed it under our bed. I covered it with an old quilt, and could not wait to uncover the box the next morning to see it turned out. It in fact did, and that was the beginning of a soap maker's life. I quit my day job along with a huge leap of faith and began filling a suitcase with my soap and a few other apothecary items that I'd made. I'd get Patrick on the bus for school, and then head out to explore the local shops thinking that they might want to carry this beautiful artisan essential. I was on top of the world! There wasn't a shop that didn't want to carry Bittersweet! I realized that I needed to expand my methods so my next thoughts lead me to hire sales reps to build volume orders and sell more soap. Which in turn meant that I would be needing to make more. My mother named my soap business, Bittersweet. Little did I know at that time how the name would take on a completely different meaning.  So it began! I started making more and more soap and selling it all over the country! It all happened so fast and I was starting to have trouble keeping up with the demand for Bittersweet. I increased my manufacturing and picked up many more accounts by selling wholesale. I sold to other shops for just a couple of years and then decided that this is not the direction that I wanted to go. It helped that the Internet was forming about that time, and a door filled with oodles of opportunity swung open wide. I did a few shows and didn't enjoy that either. My mom was always telling me to open my own shop, but I saw fault in that idea too. I did not want to be stuck in a shop all day. At least those were my thoughts at the time. Things change. My mom had gotten ill and was dying. My brother and I looked after her and cared for her and during that time soap making and dreams were far, far away. After my mom passed away I kept hearing in my mind her saying that I should open a shop. I realize now that my grief from losing my best friend in all the world was urging me to stay busy just to keep my mind off of her absence. I also realized that the best way to achieve that goal was to open a shop. How on earth was I going to do that? I had no money and no idea even of where I'd have such a shop. I was what the trade refers to as green. Boy or boy was I green! Actually green is good because it helps you to learn and learn fast. Mistakes are good too. You learn from those as well. I jumped in my car and drove to our downtown in search of a building for my new shop. I found one! It was a huge old brick house with a big front porch. I was excited knowing that this would be the perfect spot for Bittersweet. I met with the owner and we settled upon rent and move-in date. Remember, I had no money. At least no money to invest in a silly dream. That is what some thought. A silly dream. I knew all along that it was not just a dream, but that it was going to be my new livelihood. My family supported me with open arms and I'm forever grateful for that, but there were others that did not. I read once that the best way to prove your success is to be successful. I believe it to be true. This story is filled with so many soulful moments. Most of which I can't begin to cover in a blog post. Twenty-six years is a long time, and there isn't a day that goes by that I'm not thankful and appreciative of this soap maker's life. The enormous lessons that I've learned about running a business are priceless. I'm writing another book so that I can share Bittersweet's unique and soulful story. 

Jill 

She works hard for the money

Our shop is designed to help you release your burdens during your visit. Most of the time spent styling is formatted with that thought. I remember when I was a kid how I'd go into certain shops with my mom and there was a special vibe and aura. Those thoughts have stuck with me many years later, and I'm reminded of the creativity and uniqueness that went into building that mood. I like to think that our shop is molded after those thoughts. So when I spotted that outdoor entry rug it was love at first site!

During my book writing, I've been pondering some intense thoughts about my shop and the labor that goes into creating it. Some might think that a shop owner has an easy-peasy life. That little work is needed to make it thrive. My mind travels to manufacturing too. When Bittersweet was born and very much green and the owner as well, I thought that making a hundred bars of handmade soap was an incredible amount of soap to make. Now almost twenty-six years later I make twenty-thousand bars! No team is involved. Just one well-organized person that works hard for the money with huge passion and love for what she does. When I stop and think about that it boggles my mind, but in a great way. There isn't a day go by or night that I'm not grateful for the life that I've created. I also believe that this soap maker's life is guided and directed by the all-mighty. There is no earthly way that the operation of this business could be explained unless God had his hand in it. I give the glory to God, always. Not just for my business but my life of book writing and freedom. You recall that saying, there's always something to be grateful for. Well, it's true. I'm living proof of that and the American dream.

Those thoughts become even more intense when I make a home repair or improvement. The money that I earn as a soap maker is always split several ways and it takes an encouraging eye to recognize the significance that each and every dollar has been earned with hard work and perseverance. Most of the time being frugal is my thing. Then I'm what some would refer to as eccentric. I'm not sure how you can be both, but I believe that I am.  By the way, perseverance is one of my new favorite words now! I mentioned the word in my last post. Anticipation too. Simply because sometimes the waiting can be more fulfilling than the actual end. I've learned to appreciate waiting. It causes you to evaluate things and sometimes you'll find that you change your mind, and do not always yearn to have what you thought you wanted. Life is filled with moments of anticipation, and if you're lucky you develop perseverance. It has a learning curve. Speaking from experience. 

I love the olive embroidered dress! It's perfect in every dress design way!

I pin and tucked the entire store! We're ready for spring and we can easily slide into summer. White denim and chambray are on my favorite list this season. Pair with boat shoes or sneakers, and I'm ready for vacation and holding down the shop fort. 

We've had the linen tie pouches for a while. They are ideal for stashing a few bars and giving them as a gift. I'm going to add some simple tags and the dried flowers add the finishing touch. Little things. 

Madonna Lily & Rose. Smells amazing! Beautiful waves of pink. It's one of our favorites so far. 

We did take-out tonight and I made brownies. I'm getting ready to send Taste & Eat to the publisher! Yippee Hurray! Two books completed and anticipation fills my soul. This is an exception when I can't wait to hold both books in my hand! I'm hoping the cookbook will be available for Mother's day! 

This is my go-to brownie recipe. You can make icing if you want. They are sweet and gooey chocolate!

 

Keep the faith. 

Jill 

 

 

A Modern Apothecary

Full spring ahead! We're digging our new spring style at the shop. So many new and exciting things are happening all around us! Some of which I can share and others not quite yet. Book number two is done! I sent the finished manuscript to the editor and publisher. It is a unique feeling to finish a book that you've written. I would say that these feelings stand on their own. To best describe it would be that it feels like the prelude before giving birth. You know that each time you write you're one step closer to holding your book in your hand. It is definitely a process, but one that I'm fond of, and will continue to write books. It makes me happy.  

Meanwhile back at the apothecary shop. I'm knee-deep into a re-style. It's coming along and exceeding my expectations. It always starts with one little idea, and the next thing you know you're vamping up the entire shop. I felt like it was a good time to organize our facial and skincare displays. I'm retiring a few pieces or at least switching them out with pieces that we already have but updating them and re-purposing them. I love to re-purpose pieces. Sometimes I'm surprised to find out that a far-out idea actually turns into a great one! 

I mentioned earlier how as a soap maker I'm constantly changing things. The rugged and herb-dipped soaps are kind of cool. One of the main reasons that we wrap our soap is so that the scent holds. When you wrap a bar it secures the scent nicely. 

I made a new citrus sugar scrub that is absolutely lovely! It's scented with sweet orange and litsea cubeba. Are you familiar with this essential oil? 

It's a nice scent! It kind of reminds me of lemongrass but in a more mellow way. I'm highly allergic to lemongrass, and it's not unusual to have allergies to this grass. In fact, it's in the citronella family and contains the same culprit oil that can easily produce an allergic reaction. I use the oil in soap, but I'm very cautious and always warn customers that of all the essential oils lemongrass can be an irritant. It's not common to have a reaction when it's in the soap. 

We're always at least one season ahead at our shop so our spring take is being designed to transform into summer easily and smoothly. 

I received a shipment of super cute tops over the weekend. Hello Bittersweet girl!

Sweet Grass, Sweet Grass, Sweet Grass! I absolutely love this scent! It's popular with the American Indians along with white sage. Both offer medicinal properties. 

It was snowing a while ago. I had to shut the door and pretend that I didn't see it! 

A stack of flower seeds sits on my dining room table, and I'm digging out my peat moss and black dirt to start some seeds indoors. 

Since it's winter outside I'm making a big slow-cooker pot of navy beans tomorrow and some homemade cornbread. I love homemade cornbread. The effort it takes to make it is minimal. Flour, honey or sugar, flour, cornmeal, and an egg are poured into a cast iron pan. My aunt makes her cornbread without any sweetener. Some prefer hearty cornbread over sweet. The mixes usually contain a lot of sugar., and that's why I like making my own. 

Elle is due for a haircut, but I keep waiting until it warms up. Her beautician gives her a good trim and I feel like her extra hair is keeping her little body warm. 

Did I tell you how much I love the muslin facecloths? I know that I did. Worth repeating. 

I've been thinking about the word perseverance.

noun

steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.

Theology. continuance in a state of grace to the end, leading to eternal salvation.

 

The word caught my attention when I wrote the final chapters of My Beautiful Faith and the third book that I just started. I believe that perseverance is crucial in all aspects of life. Marriage, work, and happiness are wrapped around this word. 

We've been streaming the Bee Gees at the shop. Honestly, who doesn't love the Bee Gees? Young, old, and in between love this musical family. 

Keep the faith. 

Jill 

 

 

Focus on create

I've felt a need to post a bit more frequently because our turnaround time on everything seems to move at warp speed. I've come to realize that I don't have to work at warp speed, but the shop life around me sure does. The world of retail is different than any other platform of business. It's constantly evolving and turning and changing. Since Bittersweet is also a manufacturer it blends together very nicely. Thankful. 

Our new hair repair butter is the bomb! If your flocks need a little pick-me-up we've got you covered. This is an intense hair treatment that doesn't mess around. It's formulated with pure ingredients, mostly rich butter, and oils. I know what you're thinking. You really don't want to put oil on your hair. Let me answer that by saying sometimes it's the best ingredient. It grabs ahold of and digs into follicles with a super intense enrichment that honestly nothing else can. Shampoo as you normally would after allowing it to set on your hair. Rub into roots and tips, and thank me later. All joking aside, this is one of my favorite products to date. 

As a soap maker and as a soap maker that's been a soap maker for over twenty-five years it's motivating to experiment and evolve with new ideas emphasizing creating new styles and designs all of which are intertwined and wrapped with a focus to create. Not just whip something together, but draw near to your style while branching out in directions that are shiny and new. If not for those thoughts I'd get bored with soap making. When you allow new ideas to enter you're expanding your creativity. It gets fine-tuned and overhauled. When I look back on past designs I'm surprised by some of the designs that ended up on store shelves. Knowing that there's always room for improvement really does have an impact on your business. Try to not stay dormant in your style. Reach out and explore new ideas and never stick with the same old, same old. Well maybe certain things, but typically keep that revolving door swinging! The moment you stop doing this is when you get burnt out and discouraged. Oh, that's another important tip. Never give up!  I can't wait to get started on a fourth book that details all of these thoughts. I feel like there is a need or demand for this type of knowledge. Business plans. Ha! Have never had a business plan. I focus on hard work, determination, and perseverance. I consider that to be the three most crucial requirements for operating and running a successful and profitable business. 

We love the round May Day invites! In case you're wondering where I shop for such things. I usually design the cards and then send them here for print. I've been using this company for a long time. I love the fact that we can do the designing or if I'm in a hurry can use one of the premade designs. 

I mentioned in my last post that Rose Clay was back. It's wrapped and ready! Here's a link if you wish to order on our website. We also offer a rose clay mask. If used together you're going to love how soft and glowing your skin is!

Our clothing department is stocked and getting some amazing new pieces. We're really into cotton, linen, silk, and leather textiles. In fact, it's safe to say that those are our go-to choices when stocking our store. The fabrics stand through the test of time and offer a timeless take on styling. 

Jill 

 

 

 

 

Pink Clay and Rose Milkweed

Boy oh boy do I have an extra big dose of Spring Fever! I bet that you do too. I've been planning some spring beds that are specifically attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies. I'm going to start a few seeds inside and them transplant once the weather warms. Always plant all my flowers on Mother's day. This year it falls on May 14. That seems like a long way off, but I know just how fast the days fly by so I'm getting a jump. Here's the link to the seed supplier that I'm using this year. I don't always use the same seed company, I like to switch them up. This one was prompt in their delivery and the packaging was well done. 

I absolutely LOVE the new cotton and woven facecloths that we got in today. They are so plush and soft and the perfect size for cleansing the face. At least I think so.  

Rose Clay Mask re-stock or as some say, French Pink Clay. Pink Clay or Rose Clay is the main ingredient in calamine lotion. It's super soothing and helps to reduce inflammation. Rather than offer a mask made with water I've chosen the option of dry so that you can mix it fresh each time that you use it. Allow the mask to dry completely before removing it with warm water. It's amazing! I don't have the luxury of using it nearly as much as I'd like to. 

Soon the brown eye Susans will be blooming and all will be right with the world. 

I've been clearing and organizing the studio and have cleaned our shed to accommodate store merchandising items. We have an overflow. Some of the items will be offered at our June porch sale. This year's sale will produce a large variety of lighting, rugs, and clothing. When you own a shop things accumulate quickly and I always feel bogged down when it starts to take over my home. 

I found the perfect rabbit and dropped him in my cart at the checkout.  Easter is kind of early this year. It's on April 9. We're turning our clocks back this weekend and I can't help but have spring on my mind at every turn, turn, turn. 

The soap curing room is packed with stacks of soaps that will soon be wrapped and available. I've been whipping up a few soaps infused with things like crushed vanilla beans, and dried herbs. Every soap maker has a different take on making soap. I've been making soap for so long now that it's fun to switch up the norm. 

Jill 

Spring Fresh

One thing that I can honestly say about our shop is that it's never stale or boring. I've always had this thing about presenting a fresh showing of unique items on a super frequent level. So much that I even have a hard time keeping up! Since we offer a new handmade soap each week that in itself presents a powerful message of just how important it is that we share new and exciting pieces and essentials with our amazing customers. We love that about our shop!

In the days of Amazon and online shopping, I can't help but feel as a manufacturer and retailer that it's almost a requirement. Keeping up with the Joneses so to speak. Well maybe not that, but you know what I mean. It's a lovely thing to walk into a shop or boutique from week to week and it's always fresh and new. At least that's what I've always thought. Years ago when I sold wholesale and before the Internet, I learned that. Good lessons to learn. 

Once the weather warms a bit more I'm headed outside to construct some dried flower arrangements. The process is messy, but the results are gratifying. I can't remember a time when I wasn't fond of everlasting flowers. Spring and summer months are usually when we release a variety of our favorites and share them with our customers usually in small bouquets. 

If you receive our emails then you might notice we're changing up the way we correspond and market via email. We will only be sending a monthly newsletter and as challenging as it may be to make sure we're including all of our new items, I'll give it a go. Since we introduce so many new things it will be challenging, but I'm up for the challenge. 

Vetiver and White Jasmine along with amazing Sweet Grass both new this week. Let's just say that the Sweet Grass Soap is a bonus soap! 

We have an incredibly high turnaround on all of our soaps so saying that they're here today and gone tomorrow is not exaggerating. 

The Sky Blue Collection has me on notice. I was inspired by the color. Simple inspiration always is my favorite. Little things. 

I'm so happy March has arrived! This morning it was cold and rainy, but by afternoon it warmed and the sun came out. This was the first day that I could feel Spring pushing her way forward. 

We have an update on the books that I'm writing. Book number one is a cookbook and it's called Taste & Eat, Season Everything With Love. It's being proofed, proofed, and proofed, and then I'll send it off to the publisher. Yippee! Book number two is almost finished. I keep adding what I believe to be valuable content. My editor requested that I go ahead and send it even though it's not quite finished. She will get started on font size, style, etc. and once I finish the content it's off to the printer. A few copies and then another proofing, proofing, proofing. My third book has yet to be started, but it will be called The Widows Club, and I'm really excited to put my thoughts into a book. The fourth book is titled Soap Up My Sleeve. I consider this one to be my precious baby, even though it's only in my head! Honestly if feels very much like giving birth when you write. The entire process is time-consuming and a lot of waiting and anticipating, and then one day out of the blue, you hold your book in your hand and realize the book is born. I wish that I'd started writing years ago, but I'm making up for the lost time. Writing is by far one of the most rewarding things that I've ever done. Feeling thankful. Feeling blessed. My gratitude shines like a bright star!