Bittersweet and the little soap company

October falling...

Moving right along folks...

I love this little desk top calendar! A holiday treat that I purchase every year. One for the shop and one for my home office.

I get them here. They have a large selection to choose from. Kind of funny, how I get excited about a new desktop calendar every year, but I do. Little things...

I completed the Holiday 2016 Soiree Invites. Since my business is growing, minus the downtown road construction, I doubled up on the invites. I've also worked up a schedule for much needed help at the shop during this season of Soiree's and Holiday Shoppers.

This day, always a record breaking sales day. Black Friday, to some, but to me a celebration of a hand made holiday. As a small business person, I'm thankful for those like minded customers that prefer Artisan and local over big screens, and electronics on this day.

Typically,  I would need a helping hand or two, at the shop on Saturdays, but with the upgrade and construction on the Liberty Square, I'm holding off on hiring. Just goes to show you how the trickle down works. Someone's not gong to have as much Christmas money this year. It is what it is, and I'll be silent with my thoughts.

Keeping an eye on those statistics. Sales up from this time last year even with the street closed. Yippee Dandy! 

Coming up this month...

Speaking engagements, new hires, and the arrival of all that amazing Holiday Soap!

Old ideas, new packaging... Simple, and less is more. I"m quite fond of the sample size soaps bunched up together. They mix to create a spectacular aromatic delightful package.

I'm getting ready to list the old/new Bittersweet on the web site.

Soon my mind will travel towards Thanksgiving...

Jill

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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You're seeing them around, right? Feathers! Typically, I don't follow trends too much, but every now and then I'm drawn in and want to take a closer look.

The other day I dropped by a home décor store, and yes, you guessed it, feathers, feathers, everywhere.

On the subject of world maps...

Another trend that seems to be catching on.

Guessing I'll actually take a closer look at mine simply because I need a geography refresher course. I snatched up the extra large canvas world map, and as I was carrying it back to my shopping cart. a lady stopped me and asked where I found it. Trends...

When I was a little girl, I used to love playing school. My parents had a couple of those large world maps and my friend and I used them as a tool while we were pretend teachers.

In love with the look above. Old beeswax polished wood, leather, metal, and old fashioned cream colored ticking.

I planted a small lavender plant in front of the shop a few years ago. As I was digging the hole, my digger kept hitting a layer of concrete. It's amazing how it's spread and flourished in the city environment. I cut it and gathered the aromatic stems and sniffed it all the way inside. Sniff, sniff, ahhhh.

Into fall...

Happy Fall Yawl!

Jill

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the same, but more...

A few posts ago I mentioned to you that a Turban assembly line was spread out in my sewing room. When I took the long folded T-shirt Turbans to the shop, customers were telling me how they were going to wear the soft Turban as a long or short scarf. I got to thinking...

Introducing the Surban...

Honestly, I think this is a marvelous idea! Thank you for the tip.

I can't begin to tell you how comfy these are to your skin. Just imagine your favorite tee wrapped around your neck. Well, not a great metaphor, but you get it, right?

I'm keeping one in every color! Because I love them that much.

They look fantastic worn long or short or on your head.

I've adjusted the packaging for the Lemon Nail Creme. The cardboard applicators were only available through one wholesaler, and I'm not fond of the company. I've traded in the cardboard push-ups with a two ounce metal tin. It makes sense. Both the Healing Salve, and Beard Balm both come in the tins. A new tin, and a new designed label.

I'm super excited about Bittersweet Holiday 2016!

Things are coming together quite nicely. I'm pleased as Fig Pudding with the final prototypes. Now, it's time to test the shop waters. Will it float, or need a boat? I have a feeling it will float.

Warming up to a collection of Lip Balm too.

Butterscotch... Mint Chocolate Chip... Both new flavors formulated in our famous lip smacking moisture rich balm. Not yet, coming...In a week or so.

The arrival of new clothing and jewelry this week at the shop.

Hello Bittersweet Girl!

Fresh jars of Peppermint Foot Creme and Lavender Liniment. It's that time of year, once again.

The Shower Bursts, Bursty Balls, Bath Bombs, Fizzy Balls, whatever you wish to name them, they're back too, at the shop .

If you open this jar lid and place it under your nose, you will be transformed to a happy place! Better yet, if you pop a ball into your warm bath, the aroma fills the room.

 

Happy Fall, Y'all!

Jill

 

 

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Lust for life...

I guess it's safe to say that my shop is my second home. When one owns their own shop this tends to happen. I am fortunate that my second home is furnished with a vast variety of hand made goods that are lovingly created. Whether it be a safe non chemical skin treatment or a hand crafted bar of moisture rich soap, everything is made with love

Attention to detail is first focused on the inside and then more detailed attention is presented for the outside. I'm a firm believer that the outside encourages you to explore the inside. This time of year prototypes are churning while holiday soap is being cut, wrapped and sitting in an assigned spot at the shop.

As the holiday season grows closer, I'm reminded of my vast wealth. Not monetary value, but rather the bountiful blessing of creating and making a living from what I love.

When I stop and think about it, my mind gets overwhelmed with gratitude. I don't take my blessings lightly. I'm thankful each and every day, and often reminded from simple thoughts how lucky I am to live this life loved.

The Holiday Enchantment has arrived!

This season I'm introducing a series of The Twelve Days of Christmas Soaps.

Introducing:

A Partridge in a Pear Tree...Happy, Happy, Joy, and more Joy!

I'm kind of excited about this seasons holiday motif!

On the home front we're digging out the quilts and baking yummy fall treats. I have a peck of apples sitting on the kitchen table waiting to be sliced and then used to make a crisp or pie.

Hello October!

Happy Fall.

Jill

 

 

 

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S is for Shop

new, new, and nouveau...

The beginning of many to come. Soaps of all flavors arriving this week, next, week after, and so on, so on. Life of a busy soap maker. The new Autumn Spice smells amazing and it's wrapped and ready to add water.

New Pendant Lights hanging and waiting for a new home. I can envision this one hanging in a kitchen or bath.

I'm in love with the extra large burlap and wire one.

Then, also in love with this large basket of hand picked and dried hydrangea. All statement pieces that will add beauty to your home or office, studio.

The paper like stems range in beautiful hues of blues and greens. I still have my dried hydrangea from several years ago sitting in an old wooden crate. I mixed in some new ones.

You can do the same thing if you want.

We're winding down summer at the shop and revving up with fall.

New frocks, soaps, and skin care have arrived!

Jill 00

 

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It smells amazing!

We're setting up our soap wrap station at the apothecary shop and preparing a busy shop fall. Dried hydrangea, sunflowers, and everlasting blooms are settling in for the change of the seasons.

My mind is stuck on cinnamon and vanilla, warm toasty scents instead of floral and citrus.

Custom aromatic blends that are sure to please the fastidious of soapster's.

Creating new products, and making old ones. Lining the shelves so that they're filled upon capacity. Not always like that. That's the nature of a hand made shop.

One of a kind and special. Soulful gifts.

Working on new prototypes and finalizing some that were in the works.

The life of a fourth generation soap maker. In between, lunch with friends, early morning walks, and late night movies. Grilled veggies and freshly picked tomatoes. Blueberries smothered in freshly whipped cream. Yummy!

Digging into hydrangea cultivating and plucking zinnia heads so that I'll have seeds for next year.

Birthdays and special summer gatherings. Fairs and picnics. I love summer!

Remember to treat others the way you wish to be treated.

Jill 00

 

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b is for bittersweet

 

The B is coming together. During the past few months I've been working on creating a more refined Bittersweet. Not too matchy, but rather a more cohesive look. I'm not fond of matchy. However, I know that matchy is popular with branding and it's easy to the eye with consumers. I don't know that from a college class, simply living it.

Where do you start?

Since Bittersweet has a brick and mortar there's a variety of applications that are in constant need of refinement. Packaging, Retail Merchandising, Logo, Social Media, and the list goes on and on.

Simply put, the popular becomes less popular.

It would boggle your mind if you knew how many times I've crossed the packaging road! It boggles mine, but in a feel good way.

I've often spoke about change and how it's a good thing especially if you own a shop. We're ever changing our shop!

I've always wanted to offer merchandise bags with a permanent logo printed on them. I could never justify ordering the large quantity of bags required to fulfill such a large special order. With the growth of my business there is a need for more bags justifying such an order. Yippee!

Doesn't the perfume counter look lovely? I love the sparkly lights!

Can a perfume counter look enchanting? Certainly, it can!

 Next week the shop will be moving softly into fall. This season, this color has my full attention.

Along with mounds of artisan soap... The mounds are growing!

New cute headbands and hair clips mingle with frocks.

Hip, aren't they?

New fall scents will be arriving in the weeks to come.

B is for Bittersweet...

Remember to treat other's the way you wish to be treated.

Jill 00 

 

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Summer 2016, and I'm into "wall spice."

It's especially nice in a shop.

I picked up the premade lettering at my local arts and crafts shop. Have you seen them? They offer a variety of phrases, letters, graphics. You simply stick them on the walls.

Not hard to do. I did not measure or have a mock line.

Moving on to these... Barefoot Sandals. Okay, I won't be wearing a pair to local market, but I might strap them on for the pool. Was hoping to have the trendy foot jewelry for the photo shoot, but they arrived a day late. They're available at the shop.

New floppy hats have arrived! I'm a hat girl and love wearing hats. Come try one on for size. Great to wear for any outing.

I'm starting to put together a few fall 2016 outfits. Think auburn and brown, cherry reds and natural tones.

Fall soap production is kicking in and I'm whipping up blends of Star Anise, Lavender, and Cinnamon. I wish you could smell it! Amazing!

Thinking about browns, cherry reds, and natural hues with fall soap packaging. Boxes and ribbons, new merchandise bags, tissue and planning for a busy week ahead.

We'll be opening up a second register at the shop on Saturdays.

A dream come true...

Hard work and determination always = success. It makes me happy to know that.

Modeling Photo's arriving in a few short weeks, and I'll be planning for the next adventure.

Hoping your summer is grand!

Can't wait for the Fro-Yo to open. They're shooting for months end. Note to self, you will not be able to eat frozen yogurt every day, Jill! Thinking I'll treat it as a special reward, once a week! Maybe twice, that's nice.

Remember to treat others the way you wish to be treated.

 

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 When you decorate do you blend old with new? We do at the apothecary shop. I'm particularly fond of mixing even modern with old. Industrial with cottage, maybe. Do you like the look?

It always starts with a vision. The gazebo was an existing fixture in the shop, but sometimes seemed busy and over kept. Now the space is reserved and soft even though I've incorporated chunky wood and industrial metal. I'm fond of this look. It's an easy look to achieve in your home too.

Here's a smaller version of that look. Natural driftwood embellished with a preserved soft blush rose. The dark amber wood beads really pop, don't they?

I tend to stay in my comfy zone. Which in case you haven't guessed, is mostly neutral. I love neutral in a way that sometimes is hard to explain. However I also like color splashes.

When I create something new for the shop, my mind typically leans towards neutral. Over the many years of making things, I usually travel the neutral road. Sometimes I slip into the other lane briefly, but I always go back to neutral because I love it!

 When browsing clothing designers for the shop, I search for, you guessed it, neutrals!

New Leather & Linen Cuffs. I had a stash of leather bands that were just kind of sitting. Love the blend of old with new. Each Leather and Linen Cuff also has a vintage brooch attached.

My shop orchid has been blooming since February! She must really love sitting atop the perfume counter. I water her delicate roots from the bottom. She seems to like that too!

Spring is slowly, every slowly attempting to turn to summer.

It will fly by as it does, and I'll need to stop every now and then and take in the scenery.

Don't forget to do that every once in awhile.

Treat other's as you wish to be treated.

Jill 00

 

 

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Tipping the scale

Into May

May, Sweet May...

I love you

Jazzing up, cleaning, sorting, organizing, shedding, clearing, and that's about right.

I painted our dining room in this color. The color compliments natural wood tones and textures. It's easy. I like it when a color is easy.

We've been grilling and planting, and painting, and cleaning windows. It must be spring!

Sprucing up the guest room with fresh clean sheets and fresh flowers. Soon it will be occupied with a special out of town guest. Might I keep you in suspense?

Little seedlings are beginning to sprout. They enjoyed the sunshine today.

The apothecary shop on water street is growing in popularity. I'm picking up new customers every day! I'm at a loss for words. Other than, I'm very thankful and it feels like Christmas!

My hard work and determination have paid off. No tooting, simply stating the facts.

New ideas and adventures await me.

A model photo shoot in the works. Hopefully we'll be able to shoot in about three weeks. Bright red lipstick on the lips and flowing frocks blowing in the wind. I can envision it all. Soon I'll put those visions to life.

I'm hoping you're having a merry May.

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Jill 00

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