Bittersweet and the little soap company

fresh

This soap maker has been working at her store all week and she's happy to say that the tweaking is winding down!

I'm loving the wide-open space and the re-do stood up to my expectations I know not to ponder expectations because you can sometimes set yourself up for disappointment, but it seems that I often calculate an image in my mind on how things should finish out. I guess it's just my make-up and that's okay. In all honesty, I'm seldom disappointed or disenchanted with the grand finale. When it does happen it's a letdown. You know what I mean.

Vision is good...

Change is even better...

I've never been one to want to escape from change. In fact, I sometimes run towards it full speed ahead. After all, each day is filled with variation and you probably don't really look at that way, but if you stop and do, it helps to ease the stress of change if you don't like it. 

Change promotes growth. 

Our windows are covered with kraft paper and our logo signs have been removed to make room for new ones. I've sent the ideas to the sign guy and he's working on some creative signs. He always does a great job. When he dropped by the shop a few weeks ago and chatted about our signs it was as though he read my mind on what I wanted. One of the store signs will hang from a rope inside the store. Who knew that there were so many choices when it comes to choosing rope? I finally decided on a cream-colored one that will blend nicely with the sign. It might be to thick though, so I have a rope backup!  A fresh new look is arriving in 2020!

I am in love with these wool hats! They are handmade and available in an array of colors. One of the new winter essentials we're offering. I wear one when Elle and I walk and it's toasty warm. 

We're already working on Spring products and just received our inventory of spring scents! It's refreshing to create new spring lines during the winter months. Every year the aroma blends get better and better and I get excited to make new soaps. 

Grandma Lucy's Dish Soap is proudly displayed in our new kitchen department. We're working on creating scents to accompany wool dryer balls. I love these things! Ditch the fabric softener and toss a few balls in your dryer. You control the scent or maybe you prefer unscented. Either way, they're great for controlling static especially during the dry winter months. 

In a few weeks, we'll be adding our new items to our web store!

We're proud to introduce two new specialty cremes. One is an ultra-rich moisturizer for eyes and lips and the other is a creamy anti-aging facial serum. 

I've been using both on my face at night and absolutely love them! Each one contains hyaluronic acid. I'll never stop using our Rose Hip Oil because I am seeing amazing results with this pure vitamin-rich oil. Some people prefer a creme instead of oil and this was the reasoning behind these two new cremes. 

We also have a new Denim Department. I'm a faithful denim girl and will never grow tired of wearing denim jackets and jeans. That was my inspiration for creating a dedicated nook in the store. 

Speaking of dedicated spaces, you spoke and I listened! We're happy to announce the return of both Shower Bombs and Bath Bombs! I also have some nifty packaging for the bath seltzers. You're going to love it!

I've also created a yummy Hair Oil and Body Oil that contains jojoba and sesame oil. So body delicious and the scent will take your breath away. 

Winter fills the air with aromatic blends that enhance bath time and transform it into dreamy delicious!. 

We're also introducing a new soap appropriately named, Winter Dreams. 

This busy soap girl is going to rest up and binge on this lovely little series. 

I also shared a post ago my other binge-worthy series that I'll anxiously await the next season with excitement.  

 Winter draws you in and keeps you safe. 

Keep the faith. 

Jill 

 

 

 

winter home

Boy am I sure enjoying a break from the store! I hadn't really added up the days off until now and realize how fast those days off run full speed ahead. I've been on break for a little over one week and it feels like it's only been a few days. I spent a couple of days watching this.

So good! Twenty-years or so ago they were filming a Stephen King movie down the street and I met Tim Matheson. I've always thought he was a good actor. His co-actors in the series aren't so bad either. Kind of soap opera, but I like the storylines. 

I've also been tending to our plants. I seem to have a knack for raising Fiddle Leaf Figs. We have two fig trees at the store and they're touching the ceiling! I water them once a week and that's about it. They grow really fast. The two at the shop get the southern sun, while the ones at home receive the western sun. It doesn't seem to matter what direction you place them, they thrive indoors. 

Perfumes and wind up clocks are my things. I meant to share a post about my favorite perfume but got off track during the holidays. If you're searching for a perfume that will agree with you this is the one. You'll also receive a number of compliments when you wear it. Promise... It's subtle and soft and quite pleasant to the nose. Most noses would agree, I believe. It's one of my favorite things and has been for several years. I turned a friend on to it a few years ago and she told me she gets compliments every time she wears it. 

Texture. I love incorporating texture into design. It helps to ground the look. 

Using texture in design also creates depth. It doesn't take much. A tiny amount of texture goes a long way. 

That pillow is texture saturated. 

One of my favorite pieces is this dresser! I stripped and sanded it to reveal the wood finish. I didn't apply any stain but rubbed it with tung oil. I would highly recommend using tung oil over varnish. It offers a beautiful natural finish and it's durable as all get out! The dresser houses our towels in our bathroom and gets a good dose of water sprinklings and the tung oil finish holds up to the moisture droppings. 

Next week I'll begin working on new products, some fancy packaging, and all store things. The store will get a do-over. In fact, it's going to feel like I'm opening a new store! I can see it all in my mind. Now it's time to put the ideas into motion. 

January 2020! Has an odd ring to it, doesn't it? Or is it just me?

The year, 2020 wraps itself in modern ideas toasted with some apothecary blooms. 

I can't wait to share the grand finale!

Until then, that word, anticipation happily sings its tune. 

Happy New Year!

Keep the faith. 

Jill 

 

the little things...

It's hard to believe that our store is only open twenty-four more days before Christmas! I'm pinching myself as I type this post. 

I don't want to miss one moment of this beautiful time of year. We're spreading some good cheer at the shop by presenting some amazing artisan gifts and our mood is cheery and bright!  I'm dreaming about making soap at least once a week, and I'm making three large batches each week! Soon the production will come at a slower pace as we only have two more weeks of soap manufacturing this year! I can't believe I'm saying this year!

We've listed a few of our items at our web store, but we don't list The Twelve Days of Christmas Soap because we sell out so fast at our store. In fact, we just released no. 1 and two last week and it's almost gone already!

Flower of the week...

The stunning white rose shines above the preserved cedar. 

I'm enjoying the fresh flowers each week. It's fun to pick from the long list of freshness. 

We started breaking out our Christmas stockings and decorations at home. 

It's almost time for this day!

Yes, I love our Christmas Soap this much!

Keep the faith. 

Jill 

 

This fall...

Source: Pinterest

As a shop owner, I'm constantly wanting to know about future trends in fashion. Every season I browse Pinterest for upcoming fashion announcements. This year if I were to pick the top three they'd be,  Animal Print, Plaid, and Jewel Tones. Animal prints are being mixed and plaids are going to be seen everywhere. Rich tones of plum, reds, and greens will take center stage. Since Bittersweet offers a variety of lines at our shop we particularly feel that it's important to stay in the fashion loop with all the current trends. We don't necessarily offer a wide variety of trendy pieces but rather a sprinkling here and there. A leopard necklace, a plaid shirt, or plum jacket. All of which fall into this seasons up and coming. 

I also lend these same fashion thoughts towards decorating and choosing new packaging for the Bittersweets Fall line of products. This season and the winter to follow will focus on wool blankets, macrame pillows, and artisan soap wrapped in plaid. Rich Cardomom Creme and Cobalt Blue Bottles along with Jojoba Lotion Bars lightly scented with warm earthy flavors. 

The changing of the seasons shines a new light on so many things, and I love wrapping myself up in it all. 

I also am required to focus on one thing at a time, because it's easy to get overwhelmed with the many ideas that are floating through my mind. Owning and managing a shop, picking and choosing the inventory, not to mention hand-making most of it, can easily consume your time.  I  believe that busy can be overrated. One must achieve a balance of busy. It hasn't always come naturally to me to balance busy with life, but over the years I'm slowly learning and advancing towards that happy balance. A walk in the country, or simply sitting on the porch listening to the bird songs and cricket orchestra can quicky transport me to a healthy balance of work and relaxation. As the busy season approaches, I'm in constant reminder mode of those thoughts.  

In addition to the new tones of plaid and animal prints, we're also excited to introduce a series of Pumpkin Spice skincare products that will blow your tall socks off! The Lotion Bar Formulation is written down for safekeeping and the Pumpkin Spice Soap is curing awaiting its arrival in a few short weeks. 

Our Summer Clothing Sale will be winding down during the first of next week, and we'll be making room for a load of new fall arrivals. 

As Bittersweet continues to grow I will grow as well. 

Keep the faith. 

Jill  

 

August landing

Every August about this time I get the bug. Fall bug is contagious and spreads its fever like a wildfire.

I have caught it!

Sunflowers, Cotton, and Lavender are segueing and welcoming the next glorious season. I love fall most of all! 

New fragrances are hitting the shelves while shades of plaid are popping up at the shop.  

The white cluster of flowers begins to bloom at the same time each year. The flowering plant was given to me by my dear friend, Gayle. Little did I know when she graciously shared, that she would be gone so soon. I sure do miss my friend's smile and her ability to understand other humans.  My memories live on and even more so when I cut stems to make bouquets. Gayle Bouquets! Most of my flower gardens are wrapped with these days gone by memories. The flowers are special on their own, but even more so with the memories that attach to each and every petal from memories of someone I loved. Still, do.  

The Tartan Collection is here, but only for a brief time. 

Pumpkin Spice is curing, and have I mentioned my fondness for this flavor? I'm not even a traditional Pumpkin Spice person, but I adore this scent!

I also love the coppery wrapping. 

I've mentioned many times how shop seasons are always ahead of just seasons. With a blink of my brown eye, it changes from one season to the next! 

A new Orange Vanilla Laundry Soap was introduced last week. We released several new products with it so I'm thinking it kind of got pushed to the back fo the line.  It smells amazing! I think that my towels and sheets smell so, so good, after washing them with this natural essential oil powder!

This months soap chronology...

I can't begin to thank my customer enough for suggesting that I create a monthly soap calender. It really helps me keep on track. Since we're eight weeks ahead most of the time it can be a challenge to remember what soap comes next. 

The recent shooting/s of innocent children and adults has me furious. Mostly because I know it is going to get worse because we have an epidemic of evil and mental illness in our world. Until something changes, it will continue. Does not make it any easier to understand. In fact, it makes it worse! My prayers are with the victims and their families. May God comfort you and heal the agonizing pain you are feeling. God bless you and keep you. 

Keep the faith. 

Jill 

 

 

 

 

sparks...

Shop owners are always moving one pace ahead of everyone else. The seasons change almost with a blink of the eye! I'm always required to slow down and take some time to enjoy the present. I'm getting better at doing that. A soap maker is always thinking ahead too. Since cold process, soap needs time to mellow and cure, a two-month jump on manufacturing is a constant demand. I'm accustomed to this method because I've been doing it for over two decades. I'm still so very passionate about my soap makers life and every now and then a little pinch on the arm reminds me of my many blessings. 

The beautiful green hydrangea never ceases to capture my admiration. It is graceful pure and simple. The blooms are hardy and created for summer. 

I am digging our latest "farm to skin" line of soaps! The fresh goat milk arrives direct from the farm and then it's quickly added to a big batch of Bittersweet. 

The Kansas City Star featured a great article about Bittersweet. I'm honored and thrilled to share my story with local folks. The writer captured the story, perfectly. 

I'm eager to begin frosting the shop with autumn. Once August rolls around the urge nugs even more. We have fall jackets and denim, plaid shirts and leggings, chunky jewelry and an assortment of pre-fall arrivals that get me even more excited about the yummy season. 

I'm not sure what's going on but earlier today when I visited the fabric store the plaid fabrics were screaming at me. Typically I'm not a serious plaid type of girl, but lately, that's changed. While I was standing there the cream and brown plaid spoke to me. It said, why don't you offer a series of plaid wrapped autumn soap! Then I saw a display in my mind with blends of creamy plume grass and shades of copper. More creamy than rust, but the perfect blend mixed with the plaids that just looked beautiful in my mind. You see, this is how it begins. Inspiration blossoms from something simple and true. Love it!

The Fall line will be called "The Tartan Collection". I love that word! A somewhat mysterious word, I believe. 

 

Where does the word tartan come from?

In North America the term plaid is commonly used to describe tartan. The word plaid,derived from the Scottish Gaelic plaide, meaning "blanket", was first used of any rectangular garment, sometimes made up of tartan, particularly that which preceded the modern kilt (see: belted plaid).

 

As we begin to turn into fall I've introduced a new product. The aromatic herbal cubes are pungent with eucalyptus and peppermint. The perfect addition to warm showers as the weather begins to cool. When you open the jar the peppermint fills the air. 

This fall I'm planning on an offering and series of bath products infused with our signature Pumpkin Spice! I'm envisioning not just cleansing bars, but too, body scrubs, room sprays, and an assortment of skincare products that will not only delight your senses but tickle your craving for the spicy scent. 

The changing of the seasons is an exciting time for Bittersweet. 

Keep the faith. 

Jill 

 

 

restoration

"Twas the day after Christmas and we've taken our Christmas tree down! The poor thing didn't have much of an after Christmas chance. Even though I fed her with water each and every day it wasn't enough to combat the falling of her needles. She was perfect in size and shape, and we truly fell in love with her at first site. 

Our Christmas was slow and savory, and relaxing.

My Christmas break rallies on through January, and I'm pondering new products and ideas for 2019. 

We sold out of soap!

Not one, mind you, soap sliver was sitting on the shop shelves!  

I cleaned the shop soap cubby with bubbly water and prepared it to house fresh aromatic soaps in the coming days. 

I'll be crafting a new series of Lavender Soap this month and introducing many new flavors. 

That cake was divine! Patrick made the Christmas Cake for our family to enjoy. 

It feels so right to slow down and take it all in. 

I'm considering, yearning to write a book!

Trying to find just the right title. I really wanted to name the book "The Soap Maker." I did a brief search on the Internet and found that there was a woman serial killer that cut up her victims and put their remains in her batches of soap! Anytime I did a search for the words The Soap Maker, this horrific story popped up! 

I know it will be a challenge to take on such a large project while managing the shop and making thousands of bars of soap, but I've been wishing to write for many years. I want to include the many downtown shop proprietors in this book. I'm contemplating third person writing.  How does one draw in a reader? Editor! I need a good one because that is my weakness! 

The beginning of something new...

 I could probably write a story about the serial killer soap maker! Describing her victims one by one, and allowing the reader to be introduced to each of them before their lives were robbed by a crazy Italian Soap Maker! Honestly, I could write that...

It was bath time for little John. His mother grabbed the homemade soap from a jar and tossed it in the tub for John to bathe with. The pale pink soap glistened in the dim light. Little did either John nor his mom know that the soap in that jar was infused with Aunt Mary's blood. 

Keep the faith. 

Jill 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gloria...

Aunt Vivian sent me the prettiest Peppermint Amaryllis. She shines brightly at the shop!

This week marks as the last week open this year! Time just seems to continue passing ever so quickly. Like every year before, this one is filled with anticipation for a winter break and excitement grows as I continue to ponder new products for the apothecary shop.

I'm already winding down my schedule and relishing in those relaxing winter thoughts. 

The Holiday Break hours will be posted on the shop door, and this soap maker will still be whipping up fresh batches of soap, but at a much slower pace. 

Patterns of change coming...

Break time means clearing and straightening, changing and revolving and evolving. 

It's phenomenal how much you can learn from customers. Folks are open about what they like, and what they don't like. I always listen...

I've been listening to this...

Mr. Black is a talented soul!

Listening to Christmas music and trying to spread good cheer every chance I get. 

Every Christmas presents opportunities to help others less fortunate. Keep your eyes and ears open, and those moments will appear. 

 

 

Keep the faith. 

Jill  

 

 

 

Fall Fashion Show

We've been planning for months and it's finally here! 

The weatherman predicts buckets of rain on Saturday, but the show must go on!

We're going to pack our shop porch with oodles of Fall Fashion Show Attendees. 

I believe we're ready. I've typed out the model and credit lists. The PA system is sitting on my dining room table. The model's outfits are hanging on the clothing rack with their names attached. My friends are coming to help with the shop. The narrator, a slash friend, has confirmed, and the photographer too. The checkoff list has been checked!

Now, all we do is wait until Saturday arrives. I'm hoping she arrives with a few moments of dry weather. 

It's been fun putting this show together. So much, that I'm planning on hosting another Fashion Show next year. As with any event, the first one always assists one in learning what works and what doesn't work. 

We've had the shop closed for five days! The only other time that happens is after Christmas. I did drive up on Saturday after receiving information that my security cameras weren't functioning. I made it short and sweet because although our street was not busy the downtown was overstocked with festival bystanders. You could hardly get to one street to the next. The entire moment gave me peace of mind to know I'd done the right thing by having Bittersweet closed. 

 

 We launched a new product last week! I am in love with this essential oil blend. The guys should love it too!

Fresh Bars of Pumpkin Spice. We introduced the spicy soap back in August, and have two-hundred more bars available while it lasts. We won't be making any more until next season. 

Fresh bundles of dried lavender are here! We love incorporating the herb in with our fall and winter arrangements. Some things never get old!

 

The new atomizer bottles are in and we're launching our new Perfume of the Month with a yummy layered blend. 

We're also beginning to offer pre-made packaging. These organza bags are filled with Bath Salt and created for gift giving. 

Keep the faith.

Jill  

Fallever

Autumn seems to appear and disappear so quickly. I always try to extend the season by introducing it early at both our home and the shop. 

I visited our local garden center to pick up some mum plants and they had small baking pumpkins. It seems practical to fill my basket with baking pumpkins since I can cut off the tops and bake them. Then I place the meat of the pumpkin in the freezer. It's handy for baking, stewing, and cooking. You most never notice the taste of pumpkin but it enhances the flavor. Typically when I purchase large pumpkins they end up going to waste. What's that saying?   Waste not, want not. Have you ever wanted to know what that really means? I have. We are a wasteful society. I'm guilty but making every attempt to not be. 

The Velvet season is approaching! Crispy Scarlett leaves, orange pumpkins, and chestnut landscapes have me taking a deep breath in anticipation of their natural beauty. 

This past week I gathered a few of the new shop items and captured some images for some fall marketing. I'm a huge fan of shooting outside. Even better, it was the cloudy and rainy day that seems to summon such projects.

Warm and wooly mittens, scarfs, and leggings are making their way on the shop shelves. 

I'm taking it in, and treasuring its brief stage. 

The pumpkin shot was taken a last season at the pumpkin farm. One can not help but smile when they're surrounded by pumpkins. 

"I can not endure wasting anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house."

Nathaniel Hawthorne - The American Notebooks

-----

I would rather sit on a pumpkin, and have it all to myself than be crowded on a velvet cushion." - Henry David Thoreau

Slow down, don't move so fast...

Keep the faith. 

Jill