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Jill McDowell Lincoln
I'm always in awe over the people their passion for shopping small and the strong smiles.
We've been wrapping soap day and night!
Items we've needed have been hijacked by shipping companies. I won't name names, but it seems to happen every year. One of the items that are in the no-mans land is a new seasonal Favorite Thing. It happens. I've ordered the packaging item again in hopes this shipment won't get detained like the other one.
We're up to number 8!
I never ever can predict which Bittersweet is a favorite with consumers. It changes every year. Keeps me on my Christmas Toes!
We were the first people in Liberty Missouri to purchase a live Christmas Tree! That's what the salesman told us. In fact, we picked out two live Christmas trees. One for the shop, and one for home sweet home.
With the Fashion Show under our belts, we're focusing now on the beautiful holiday season.
We're working on new gift packaging and on the home front we're scrambling to get prepared for winter.
I'm finding a winter home for the ferns and plants.
We've also been working on some home projects in between carpenter and shop life.
Soap production is still in overload in amongst all the other chores and everyday life, and I'm thankful for each and everything.
I've been experimenting with wool soap wraps. The wool wrap idea has been floating around for some time. It's an interesting concept to wrap wool around a bar of soap. The method of doing so offers an exfoliating, sudsy, longer lasting, bar. I'm intrigued. I'll share some pics later. I'm waiting on some new products to arrive so that I can complete the packaging.
Bittersweet Holiday Jamboree!
Set the date for our next event. December one and two on the calendar.
Before that event, lots of others!
For the past few years, we've been getting a real Christmas Tree. I love a real tree!
I'm going to have one at the shop too!
I'm off to get planting soil. A good friend shared some plant cuttings and I need to place the cuttings in some rich dirt so that they can flourish.
Autumn production has started and the shop has a crisp coat of butternut hues. Fuzzy sweaters and leather satchels, velvet accessories, and sparkling jewels capture your attention. The fuzzy sweaters our neatly hanging on the dress racks in the back room. It's a bit early, but soon, really soon.
Plans are being tossed for the October Fashion Show, and Apple Soap lines the apothecary cabinets that hold the curing soap. It's a shop/soapmaker's life. One that I'm grateful for each and every day because I get to do what I love.
We're getting ready to open our back room. The room is small, but not that small. Not retail small by any means. While pondering ideas of what should fill the space an idea appeared. A Botanical Garden would be nice. A department filled with herbs and dried flowers from afar. Lavender, Snowberry, Juniper, and a well-planned variety of dried species. I'll create everlasting bouquets and offer seasonal natural potpourri that one can scent themselves. Kind of similar to the "Scent Your Own" department we currently offer in our shop. The "Botanical Bittersweet" which I'm calling it, will not only offer hard to find botanicals that will last a lifetime but add beauty to your home sweet home in an uncommon way.
I've also added a few new products to our menu.
Fabric Refresher
Spot-On Remedy
The first new product was recommended by a customer. Thank you, Sharon, for the tip. I introduced the new item on Wednesday and sold half of the inventory just this week!
The Spot-On is an aromatherapy aid. It is strongly scented and carries a soothing rose water base.
These colors, oatmeal, white, and dark brown are my favorites.
Summer is still producing a crop of zinnia. I'll be missing them soon.
I would think it safe to say that mounds and piles of soap stacked upon one another are eye candy to a soap maker. We sure are whipping up the soap! We've also started live sampling of a variety of Bittersweet natural skin care at our brick and mortar. We had a blast on Saturday and both Debra and Sandy are not only super great friends but amazing demonstrators. No, I didn't make them dress the same! Sandy purchased the dress a few weeks ago, and Debra loved it on her so she grabbed one too. They did look really cute! We're going to launch Saturday Demo Days from now until the holidays. Love it all!
We didn't let a little rain put a damper on Make Music Liberty Day. Folks came out and enjoyed a day of live music. There are some great local talented musicians and I'd like to thank them for taking the time from their busy day to perform.
When the shop wasn't busy, you'd find me dancing and singing along in the shop.
In between soap making and brewing up skin concoctions, I'm taking on some furniture refinishes. I always start these projects with much anticipation of what the final piece will look like. The dresser wood that I'm working on is a pretty wood. The dresser sits in our bathroom and we use it to store extra towels. I'll be anxious for the last step of finishing the wood, and then I can embellish the raw wood with baskets and white towels rolled up. I can see it.
We have our last summer shipment of clothing arriving late this week. Then we'll be switching over to fall and winter. Next month I'll begin to fall soap manufacturing. Last year we offered our classic Pumpkin Spice Soap in July. I believe it's on the list again for this July. We sell out fast. Are you ready for pumpkin? If we keep having these hot and humid summer days, I'll surely be ready by mid-July. It warms your soul and tickles your nose when spice scents offered a bit early.
Patchouli, Pumpkin Spice, Honey, and many more flavors are atop the list. Soon they'll be appearing on our soap menu.
We have our shipping boxes neatly stacked and unused boxes are flattened and sent to the recycle bin. New spring displays line the shop shelves and the morning sun hits layers of the lush green lawn as I gaze out the office window.
All awhile, summer is making a strong attempt to push into Spring.
I'm working on a series of outdoor photo sessions. Bittersweet product is the star. We have several new products that need an extra spotlight.
Sweet memories of my mom keep popping up. She was an inspiration in more ways than fifty. Her talent glass overfilled, and her soft voice was like a spring breeze. Her voice was soft, but her determination was fierce. Two qualities that were admired by her daughter. The more years pass that she's gone, the more I realize how much she influenced my life. Moms don't need special training for their expertise it just comes naturally. Simply another reason to celebrate their humble job.
Cinnamon Tea, Nasturtiums, and baby chickadees have latched on to this season of spring.
The baby birds are right outside the shop door. I didn't have the nerve to remove the five robin egg blue speckled eggs. My bird man Atticus gave me the details on what kind of birds were in the eggs. I would imagine hearing the chirping of baby birds any day now.
Wishing all the moms in the world a happy mother's day.
Green, green, green! It's showing up a lot. It makes sense, after all, it's spring! My attraction to the color will probably be brief since it's never been my favorite color. I'm relishing at the moment. The green moment...
This spring rather than fill my urns and pots with flowers, I'm filling them with herbs and tropical plants. Green! The contrast between black and green or lack of is breathtaking to the eye. I'm also fond of worn wood paired with green. Green!
Speaking of green... Peppermint is an amazing herb. Why do we usually limit this to winter blends? That's what I'm asking myself. It's a pungent herbal scent that's easy to the nose.
Our charcoal soap has dark green hues and is flavored with powerful tea tree oil. It's a popular soap at the apothecary shop.
The little apothecary shop is buzzing. It's Spring!
The sweet little family that delivers our farm fresh eggs also delivered some special visitors on Saturday morning. They also delivered their moms signature cookies, Peanut Butter Fudgies, and a robin-size egg that one of the hens had laid. Atticus told me it's a first, an egg this size.
Back to the Peanut Butter Fudgies. I searched high and low for this recipe, without success of finding it. I'm not doing much-refined sugar, but every now and then, I treat myself to something special. These rich chocolate peanut butter cookies were indeed a treat! Angela shared the recipe and I snapped a copy for you. Angela smashes them down right after removing from the oven. I also want to add, I'm not a peanut butter cookie fan, but this cookie ratio has me thinking otherwise.
You will probably want to thank me later after you bake your first batch!
I've been digging into some spring cleaning at home. A couple of years ago I dropped by our local market and they had fresh pussy willow. My heart skipped a beat when I spotted it, and I quickly grabbed a couple of bundles. My mom used to have several bushes of pussy willow, and I loved it. Those fuzzy oval shaped buds are one of my favorite spring plants. If you find some, don't worry about placing them in water. They will dry perfectly if you simply stick them in a vase or container. We grew a pussy willow tree that ended up being taller than our forty foot house! Needless to say, the branches were beyond reach for cutting. I'd kind of like to put that on my spring plant list. Only this time study the varieties a tad bit more. We don't need another Jack in the Beanstalk Pussy Willow!
At the shop, we received a large shipment of new spring clothing, and they'll be another one arriving late week.
We're spring busy!
Lavender, Lime, Lemongrass, and Patchouli fill both the shop air and studio.
Today's production day. Headache sticks, Cleansing Cloths, and Facial Oil are on the to-do list.
Monday's always feel like an extension of Sunday. I tend to putter and finish up tied ends on Mondays.
Do you remember my last post telling you about the sweet family that delivers my farm fresh eggs?
The paper art is a sample of the talented Angela whom is the mom of Atticus.
Simple and sweet just like this family.
I received a big bundle of sage this week. I've been incorporating the purifying herb into dried floral bouquets.
Baby's breath, snow berry, cotton, seeded eucalyptus, grains, sweet Annie, sage, lavender, and a variety of everlasting flowers make the small winter, early spring bouquets.
We're so fortunate to have this amazing little tea shop!
If you're on the hunt for high quality fresh tea, your search is over! They deliver it to my shop. How handy is that? I can see my future is filled with a spot of tea every day. So many choices, what's a tea girl to do?
The Elder Berry Syrup is a healing aid for flu and colds. I'm a firm believer now, thanks to my Aunt Vivian, that it really does work. Not a bad idea to keep it on hand, especially during cold an flu season. It taste yummy! I kind of want to plant Elder Berry Seeds this spring and experiment with making my own syrup. If I were a homesteader I'd have them planted in my garden and make homemade Elder Berry Wine too!
Sometimes those Homesteader thoughts are more than appealing to me, and my mind wanders with thoughts of billy goats, elder berry syrup, and fields of wild flowers and lavender, among other wild nature things. Chickens and ducks also on the homesteader list.
I'm a city girl, but could easily adapt to the country in a snap of a pea.
Exciting things coming around the bend at Bittersweet.
Spring is on my mind, and ideas floating towards warm spring rains
Alice Bracelets and millinery flowers kind of go together. I have a large stash of millinery flowers They come from a company that's been in business for one-hundred years in New York. Years ago when I discovered them, my heart skipped a beat. It's hard to tell from the picture that this flower is velvet. Yummy! I like incorporating the flowers into the Alice Bracelet for added uniqueness and originality.
It's exciting to offer new artisan creations as the seasons change.
We're pondering thoughts of bus tours, May day, and simple seasons.
Introducing a shiny new addition to the Bittersweet Soap and Apothecary Shop.
The new skin care department houses a bar. Belly Up to the Skin Care Bar, and allow me to introduce you to yummy, pure and natural moisturizer, cleanser, and facial oil.
Searching for a new fragrance?
I'm often on the look out for a fresh new infusion. Even if you wish to wear it light, or possibly you're a bit daring and want a bold bouquet.
Either or, we've got you covered, and I'm excited and feeling really good, great about the new services offered at the Bittersweet Soap and Apothecary Shop on Water Street.
Our shop will celebrate the arrival of our fragrance and skin care department tomorrow!
We're excited to usher in the New Year with shiny nouveau products and departments.
If you're new to our shop...
The Bittersweet Soap and Apothecary Retail Store is nestled inside a beautiful century old home that's located in historic Liberty Missouri. At Bittersweet you'll find the Bittersweet Apothecary brand of products, along with so many artisan items made by Jill, from paper flowers to linen aprons, natural skin care and and so much more. As you step inside you smell the delicate fragrances of fine soaps that Jill crafts in her studio.
This modern day apothecary shop offers a fragrance department that grants you the opportunity to design and create a signature body spray, mineral salt, or moisturizer. We also provide a skin care department that allows you to crack the skin care code, and discover pure but effective natural cremes, cleansers, masks, toners, and facial oils. Our in house manufacturing line will not only fit into your budget, but offer a promising outcome to your search for high quality and effective skin care products. There are women's clothing and accessories, (jewelry, scarves, handbags) sprinkled here and there, along with hand picked vintage essentials to help bring out your unique style. Farmhouse items adorn lovely displays with bits of antique trims, old books, and aged wood. Being an avid gardener, Jill also offers gifts from the garden, which you will see peeking out among the orchids and hydrangea...
The Bittersweet Shop offers an uncommon and pleasurable shopping experience that you are sure to love. If it's a fair weather day, we welcome you to kick up your heels and relax on our charming front porch.
Our shop is celebrating a joyous Grand Opening to introduce our new departments and products.
It's an exciting time, and we want to take a moment to thank you for spreading the word, and supporting our small business for the past twenty years.
We look forward to the future, and have already made plans to expand and spread our wings.
It feels like starting over or move in day at Bittersweet. I'm making big changes and adding departments. Yes, departments! I kind of like that word. Department number one, number two, and three, coming. Little areas designated to house particular things. Making it easier to locate certain items, and expanding existing offerings on a much larger scale.
We're moving right along, and I'm impressed with my progress.
I've been pondering the changes for months, which helps to speed up the placement of departments. Did I mention how I love that word?
I moved the rolling Perfumery to the front of the shop, and emptied all the shelving to make room for new product packaging. It really does feel like move in day! The new packaging switch will appear to be effortless on stage, but I'm going to be honest and explain how it's an enormous amount of work and very time consuming. The end result will be fulfilling, and good timing, while we're on that subject. With every season, turn, turn. We've skipped a few seasons, and everything has evolved. That's a great thing!
When I look back on past designs, say from twenty years ago, I gasp! What the heck? Of course, I'd never made soap before, or cremes, or concocted herbal blends, or owned a shop. Summing it up, things do change, and they change faster than you think.
On top of shop makeovers, I'm also working on Studio upgrades. It's a challenge to have a manufacturing warehouse in your home. I've brought up the subject before in past posts. Just to give you a visual... Almost every manufacturing ingredient is packaged in a fifty pound container. Fifty pounds of olive, coconut, salt, etc. etc. How does one find a proper place for such large amounts of frequently used goods? Then there's a large supply of bottles, jars, containers, sacks, paper, essential oils, etc. etc. Not even touching the supply surface.
It can be done and I'm living proof of it!
However, as some of you know, when you are frequently using something, things get messy.
That's where I'm at.
Since my shop is growing, I'm also expanding manufacturing orders, which means, there's more of everything. If there's a will, there's a way. I'm constantly reminded of the phrase.
My next step would be leasing a warehouse, and I just don't see that happening.
I can't imagine rising early, and getting out in the freezing cold, to travel to a warehouse to make things. That's my inspiration! It can be done, and I'm eager to make it happen.
How many bars of soap could one make in their home? I could easily make one thousand bars a day, if needed. Now, I'm not sure where all those soap bars would go as they're curing? Hello family. Hello family basements. All joking aside, this would be a challenge especially since it takes several weeks for all of the soap to cure.
Not to mention, there would be little time for anything, and I'm not eager to be in such a place.
Now that you can envision it, does it appear smaller or larger?
It's normal for me, and I love doing it!
Did I mention how my biceps are huge? Fifty pounds...
All joking aside, it's my life, and I feel blessed and thankful for all of it.
Little steps add up to large ones, but you need to take small ones first.
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