Bittersweet and the little soap company

The purple herb

Whoa! What a crazy busy week. First of all our February has been more like an April so I've been scurrying around outside getting this done and that in hopes that when Spring does arrive I'll have less on my plate. After cleaning up an enormous eye sore in the south forty and tackling the wild honeysuckle I realized just how much I enjoy hard physical work. I know, crazy right? The reason is simple I love to see the beginning and end of a project only to realize that I conquered it. I bet that I've looked out my kitchen window fifty times over the area that I cleaned out with a huge smile on my face. It was a challenge to clear this forceful weed, but I did it! What a mess it was. We have an abandoned alley in the back that the city gave up many years ago, and the alley way had been neglected over the years. I remember cleaning it out many years ago when I first moved into our home. When Lennis got sick, it just wasn't a priority. I'm slowly, and in fact quickly getting things done and repairs, painting etc., completed and it sure feels good. Some readers may not know that hubby was sick. I was a caregiver for four years. We do it! My book that's coming out touches on this time in my life and it's a really good story!

At the shop we're getting some really great feedback about our new products. I love that! It's a soap making day today, and tomorrow. Wednesday will be a face cream manufacturing day and some of our magnesium products that have sold out. Great feeling!

We're also highlighting our favorite herb. Here at Bittersweet we make a series of lavender essentials and have made even more over the years, but one of my favorites yesterday and today is our Lavender Linen Spray. There's something that puts a smile on my face and a peaceful feeling when I spray my pillow before going to sleep. I really do believe that it promotes good dreams. 

I started unplugging my electronics at night. Do you know that it's not healthy to have them on 24/7? Any little bit will help. You might find that you sleep better at night that's one of the first things I noticed. 

We're also hosting a Spring Celebration at our shop next week. I really am bored with the words Spring Open House. A celebration of all the new soaps and products that I've worked on during the winter months feels more appropriate. 

I had told you about stories with my family and I haven't forgotten. My great grandmother Lucy was an extraordinary woman. I barely remember her, but a memory that stands out is her hair always in a bun and she wore those old fashioned house dresses. She was a resourceful human that inspired me though her stories that have been handed down to launch new Bittersweet products with her name. I'll share later. Our Internet is down. 

Jill 

 

 

The Beautiful Spring

 

As I reflect on my shop, my mind drifts back to memories of my childhood, where I was captivated by unique and original stores. Even at a young age, I was drawn to originality; anything that stood out was inherently beautiful to me. I understand that being original isn't appealing to everyone, but following your heart and embracing your personal design aesthetic can infuse your life with a profound sense of achievement, which I've always considered a precious gift. This is what dreams are made of – they're built on a foundation of determination, grit, perseverance, and above all, faith. Success requires all four attributes, along with good old-fashioned hard work.

As I began writing my memoirs, I was reminded of the many years when I relied on these qualities. Surprisingly, I found that maintaining this mindset is crucial not only in business but also in everyday life.

Our lives are filled with ups and downs. There's no way around it either, but building a strong foundation using those structured avenues will help you to stay steady and not fall. I promise you!

Our spring soap wrappings are starting to line our shop shelves. Spring is a time of renewal and while those thoughts are refreshing it's also a time to reflect and take notice of the little things that sometimes fall between the cracks. 

Each season is an exciting time at our shop, but spring rewards us with beauty like no other. 

THE BEAUTIFUL SPRING GEORGE COOPER

The Beautiful Spring

 

“I was here first,” said the snowdrop: “look!”
“Not before me!” sang the silver brook.
“Why,” cried the grass, “I’ve been here a week!”
“So have I, dear,” sighed a violet meek.
“Well,” piped a bluebird, “don’t leave me out!
I saw the snow that lay roundabout.”
“Yes,” chirped a snowbird, “that may be true;
But I’ve seen it all the bleak winter through.”
“I came betimes,” sang the Southwind, “I!”
“After me, love!” spake the deep blue sky.
“Who is it cares?” chimed the crickets gay:
“Now you are here, let us hope you’ll stay.”
Whispered the sun, “Lo! the winter’s past:
What does it matter who’s first or last?
Sky, brooks, and flowers, and birdies that sing,
All help to make up the beautiful spring.”

I love that poem!

Take time to enjoy each day as it delivers unexpected blessings. 

Jill 

 

 

 

Keep your chin up!

This has been a tough week for folks in Kansas City. Our hearts have been broken and the break will heal, but will never heal completely. When senseless acts of violence take innocent lives we try to make sense of it, but the truth is you can't. My family and many others throughout the city are praying for the innocent victims of this hanus crime. As we try and move forward our hearts and prayers are with the loved ones and family. Our city is filled with good people, but like other cities, it's also filled with bad people. Our cities and towns are not exempt from evil and that's a hard pill to swallow for me. I grew up in a time when none of these horrific things happened. Now they seem to happen each week! Good people bring out the good in people. We must stay strong in those thoughts. 

Old man winter has returned here in the Midwest! I can't say that I'm happy about it, but it is what it is. It makes me even more eager to prepare for spring and dig through my garden catalogs as I dream, dream. Then it's also dreaded tax time! So much goes into end-of-year taxes. I have a great accountant who does all of the calculations, but my work is a weeks-long dreary process adding up my expenses and figuring my deductions. Ugh! Do you realize that there have always been taxes throughout history? If you don't own a small business then you're also probably not aware of just how much Uncle Sam requests. It's a substantial amount that adds up quickly. I used to have folks tell me that I should consider myself lucky that I have to pay. I do not agree with that method of thinking. It's a touchy subject, right? I'll get my nerve up to start digging out all my paperwork and starting the long drawn-out process. 

 

I've introduced the New Tallow Moisturizer this week! I've been using the rich cream on my face and love it! I added a few essential oils to the blend. Pure rose, yes the one that costs three-thousand dollars a pound! I also infused frankincense, honey, and real sandalwood. As a maker, it feels right to incorporate real ingredients into skincare essentials. I can't imagine adding synthetic ingredients to a face cream. I know for a fact, that I could not do it!

Our spring soaps are starting to come in. The process of making the soap, allowing it to cure for four to six weeks, and then wrapping and labeling it is a labor of love. The process of creating something from the ground up is like planting a seed and eagerly watching the seed grow into a beautiful flower. Yep, that's a great metaphor!

I'm also bringing back some years past designs. It's funny how some of the designs that Bittersweet has shared are sometimes ahead of their time. It happens all of the time. I'm not sure if it's a demographic thing or simply something common with creators everywhere. Trends! We're not tied to trends at our shop, but we do occasionally present them before they become popular elsewhere. Little things. 

Keep your chin up and keep spreading good and love in the world. 

Jill 

 

Scents, Football, Design, and New.

Bittersweet is celebrating the arrival of Spring by designing new scents and formulating a new tallow cream that we're super excited about! Tallow is trending at the moment which by the way is interesting because the many years that I've been in business and as a manufacturer of natural skincare was considered Taboo just a few years ago. What's that saying? Everything always comes back around. It sure does, and if you're lucky enough to witness this phenomenon then that means you've been around for awhile. Also a good thing! Just as fashion always dittos certain styles, so does skincare. In fact, just about everything comes back around eventually. Back in the day living green meant, making soap, bread, canned goods, quilts, herbs, and the list goes on, just like the beat goes on. Nowadays it's popular to know how to do these things and the more self contained you thrive to be the better off you are. However, I get tickled when I view IG reels and posts and how they all appear to be almost storybook perfect. You know that's not the real deal, right? I love it when I stumble upon a post that is real. These posts are easy to spot, and that means something. 

I have many stories passed down about my great grandmother Lucy. She lived in a small town and her home was right next to the railroad tracks. Back then they were referred to as "bums", but I doubt that calling someone a bum today would be a compliment. However, back then they told it like it was and there was a sense of honor and dignity associated with a bum. The bums would hitch a ride on the train and then jump off at areas that they were familiar with. For instance the stories that I've heard about my great grandmother are incredible to say the least. She would provide a meal of boiled egg, coffee, and homemade bread to her visiting bum and then in return he would do small tasks to pay for his meal. Then before he would depart he'd mark the shed usually with a pocket knife that this home was "bum friendly"! If only we could go back to those days! My great grandmother made her soap with tallow, and the handmade soap was considered an important commodity as it was an important essential for bathing, house cleaning, and laundry day. This era was when green was as green as it could get! I always enjoy hearing these stories and consider them to be a huge part of who I am. I've always been drawn to this way of living and the thoughts associated with it. 

Those stories continue about my grandmother Christine and how when she was a young girl on Saturday's she'd take the train to the nearby town and sell their family's eggs to the general store. The story about her seeing a box of Post Toasties on the store shelf is a soulful story indeed. When she was a small girl there was no such thing as cereals like they have today. That box of Post Toasties was fresh and new and the concept of being able to prepare a box of just add milk to create an instant cereal was appealing to a young girl. The story goes that she phoned home from the store asking permission if she could use some of the egg money to purchase a box of that cereal. 

The story of her little brother passing when he was four or five is also an amazing story. I'll share that one on the next post. You'll love it!

I used to make linen lounge shorts with simple trims. For those who sew or quilt then you know the quality of a handmade item is beyond most ready made mass produced clothing of today. 

I'm fortunate to have experience with both sewing and quilting and I'm thankful that I have that talent. 

I've restocked my Amazon Store with a few of my favorite items as we head into Spring. It will be here before you know! I have everything in that picture. I especially love the potting bench. I will tell you if you're considering purchasing it, that it's tricky to put together. I ended up putting it together and then taking it apart to figure out how to put it together right. 

We have a big football game later today to win! I believe that our team and the players have what it takes to bring home a win! Go Chiefs!

I was also pondering a few thoughts about Taylor and the game and how a winning team is allowed to win for a limited amount of time before "the haters" start showing up. What the heck? I'm thinking that the color green looks great on people like this. Jealousy is such a wasted emotion. When I say that I've been graced to NEVER be jealous of anyone or anything I speak the truth. By never having this odd emotion or feeling allows me to see just how evil and dark it can be. I want no part in such nonsense and waste of human emotion. I'm blessed and fortunate to say this, but I also believe that the reason I've never had this wasted emotion is simple. If I want something that someone else has I do whatever I need to do to achieve that. It's that simple. If only the jealous folks would think that way, right? 

 We handed out Valentine's at the shop. Little things. 

I'm excited to dig into some of my houseplants and seeds. I really need to transplant a few of my plants. We're going to offer Moonflower seed packets at the shop. I've designed a seed packet for these treasured and rare seeds. Last summer my moonflowers grew like Jack and the Beanstalks! My neighbor even commented how big they were. I had folks stop and ask me what they were. I love sharing heirloom seeds with friends and family, and now we'll be sharing at our shop. Think Spring!

We're making taco's and Pico de Gallo. We've been making this for years. It's funny because everyone kind of has their own version of this popular salsa. We put cucumbers in ours. Our family version of this recipe is in my cookbook 

Stay strong and keep the faith. Don't stop being you!

Jill 

 

 

Back at it!

This was the official full week back at the shop. It feels great to be back in the groove! The first picture is a reminder that my flower gardens will once again share their beauty. Sometimes we need little reminders that winter doesn't last forever. I'm a strange one, and appreciate each season including winter. Each season shares her unique personality kind of like people. Ha!

I moved some pieces around after Saturday's soap sale. Whenever I make changes there are always little tweaks that come after. For instance, the expansion of our popular scent bar needed a modification so that it would be adjacent to our other bar. Kind of a no-brainer, but sometimes first-hand experience helps you to realize what changes need to be made. I love that! 

Speaking of winter, today was dreary and cold and the shop was slower than usual. After cranking up some vintage Mo-Town my mood shifted and I got lots of soap wrapped in preparation for next week. It doesn't stay slow for long, and I've learned to make use of the downtime. There's a pattern involved, and a reminder sometimes that slower times make room for the busy ones. A little reminder to shop owners. Now if it's slow all of the time, you might need to do some re-structuring. Each business figures out what is best for its unique business. At least I hope that you do. I've never been one to wait around. If I'm slow in one area, that translates into being creative and understanding why it's slow. It might be the weather, possibly location, but I have found that location doesn't have a lot to do with your business being successful. It's up to you and only you to figure those things out. The sense of pride in knowing that you figured it out and found a solution will build your confidence. Little things. I will tell you that it's usually a process. Fine-tuning is required as well.  

I've been thinking a lot about the importance of quality lately. I am one of those people that whether it be skincare or clothing I'd rather pay a little more for quality over a lower price. I also feel like it's something you learn as you go along. I've purchased so many skincare and makeup products that just weren't what they said they were only to be disappointed time and time again. This is why I put such emphasis on the quality of ingredients and the items that we make. I've said this many times, but it remains constant, I don't want your Bittersweet products to meet your expectations, but I want them to exceed them. So important especially in today fast paced world of reels and social media.

Slowly, but surely I'm getting our new soaps wrapped and once again building our handmade inventory after the holidays. All good things come to those who wait. Have you ever heard that? It's an old-fashioned saying that I've always been fond of. You may not know that it's Bible scripture. Proverbs. 

The Meaning of the ProverbThe proverb “All good things come to those who wait” suggests that success requires patience and persistence. It means that if you work hard and stay focused on your goals, you will eventually be rewarded.

I certainly believe this to be true as I've witnessed it time and time again. 

This week's soaps are patchouli, lavender, and sea salt. We also have a beautiful soap that would make an amazing Valentine's gift!

It's great to be back!

Jill