Bittersweet and the little soap company

HomeGirl

I'm beginning to settle in to this new "Home Girl" way of life. My errand list is getting longer by the minute! It's quiet time and an opportunity to reflect upon one's self, which by the way, isn't too bad. As with anything new, it takes time to adjust, and I'm starting to appreciate the time at home. 

Elle and I are enjoying spring walks through the neighborhood and taking in the patchy spring-like weather. 

I've been digging out favorite recipes that I normally don't have time to make because of their time-consuming methods. Years ago my friend Gayle made these and I loved them! I doubt that this was the recipe, but it does sound close. I remember she used dried onion and that made a huge difference in the flavor of the roll. There are other recipes that use fresh onion and I have made them, but after testing several different recipes I found that dried onion gives the rolls the best flavor. This recipe sounds good too. I did have a little problem finding yeast at the market. All of the bread was gone so I'm assuming lots of homegirls are making their own bread. You see, good things are forming from something bad. 

We made these biscuits last night for dinner. This is a great recipe!

We have lavender plants and butterfly bushes coming! Those thoughts are encouraging in themselves. I'm going to plant lettuce and Swiss Chard in pots on our kitchen porch. 

The humble little marigold is on my flower list. 

I love this! Well, of course, I've known all along, but it's been a challenge to convince others. Until now!

A great little video by Alton Brown...

Thank you, Alton!

Tomorrow I'm going to start digging around in my studio. I don't use the word dig lightly! The manufacturing area has been neglected for some time. I know it will feel good to get in spruced up, and I have plans to organize my spice cabinet in my kitchen. Are you like me and have one-hundred spices? I love experimenting with new ones. Mustard seeds and Coriander, Clove and Cinnamon, Nutmeg Nuts. Fresh Nutmeg, nothing compares...Add a pinch to macaroni and cheese. 

Our customers have been very supportive since we temporarily closed our store. I've been packing orders daily and I feel fortunate to not only have supportive customers but am grateful for my mailwoman. We process the shipping online and have the boxes picked up at our studio. We're limiting hand contact and making sure our studio is clean and sterile as we pack your orders. Thank you! I was unsure about how all this would play out. You are not only building moral but reassuring me that we're going to be just fine.  

Yesterday I was sharing posts about the virus on our social media platforms. Tomorrow I'm planning on sharing more creative and upbeat ones. What a difference a day makes! Right?

It is also comforting to know that each one of us is in this together. There isn't one human that won't be impacted in some way. If you see someone that needs a helping hand nows the time to lend it. Simple kindness will never grow old. 

I'm hunkering down!

Keep the faith. 

Jill 

 

 

bringing it in...

If spring doesn't come to us we're going to offer a dose of her in our shop! Fresh flowers always add the perfect topping to a home or shop. 

Preparation has started for the dreaded gathering of expenses and paperwork needed to calculate taxes. Ugh! At least I can find beauty at the apothecary shop and my mind can be free of the dreaded task.

Small business pays its fair share of taxes. I will leave it at that... Moving on to more pleasant topics.

The soap studio is brewing up some amazing New Spring Scents! The apothecary cabinets are beginning to be filled after our winter break and we're playing catch up on manufacturing. 

Thoughts of spring always encourage me to make changes in our home. I'm always impressed with how a few changes can make a huge difference. Right now I'm sorting through an army of cookbooks. It would seem after unloading several stacks of cookbooks that I have a fondness for food. Tomorrow I begin sorting and finding a nook for them all. I already began looking through some of them and certain recipes bring back some sweet memories.  Some of those recipes are still served at our table while others are reserved for special occasions. I can't find myself parting with any of the cookbooks so I'm going to tidy them up for safekeeping. I am one of those people that typically don't hang feel a need to hang on to things, but cookbooks would be an exception. Even nowadays when you have access to millions of recipes online, I still love to open a cookbook and browse through its pages. I'm going to make a point of choosing a new recipe each week from the collection. 

We're continuing to mix and create some amazing scents at our door store. Our new sign has helped to encourage you to formulate a custom body scent, and we love that!

 

I have this thing for bowls and pestles! We actually use them to mix dry herb blends. Patchouli and Chamomile are two of my favorite blended powders and we add them to our formulations and soap recipes. Some are used for color, like alkanet root.

I have always enjoyed planting borage in an herb garden. It's bright blue blooms are fuzzy and unique. It's not only a functional herb but an attractive one as well. 

My spring thoughts floating amongst a meadow of herbs. All is well with the world when you're in your herb garden. At least that's what I believe. 

Slow down, don't move so fast... That's what I keep needing to say.

Keep the faith. 

Jill 

 

 

for the love of scent and spring...

I'm often reminded of just how much I love sniffing out really good scents. It's ironic how a table filled with hundreds of essential oils and fragrances can only grab a few favorites. It's always been like that. I can enter a perfumery where the perfume bottles line the shelves and the glass bottles are lined up like soldiers and discover only one or two that I favor.  This fastidious nose comes in handy but can also hold me back. Does that make sense? I'm also reminded that my nose is not the only nose in town! I've been surprised with blends that customers create only to find that I love the option of two noses instead of one. 

My favorite mountains! Soap ones, of course...

This soap maker makes the soap, thousand of bars and then wraps it. For some a daunting task, but for me the pure indulgence of making the final touches.

The Apple Blossoms are blooming! Spring is coming!

One of my friends delivered beautiful paper garland that she made. The paper shapes are attached to sewing thread.  A little spring garland to get you in the mood with bees and butterflies and tiny paper shapes. Hang one here or there. Oh so sweet!

She also made Valentine Garland with vintage music sheets. 

We're offering a limited edition of soap at our door store and online. Our Peppermint Soap sells out quickly. We no sooner get it listed on our web store and it's gone! That's the nature of handmade. Here today, gone tomorrow.

Last summer I ordered fresh feverfew from our floral supplier and as it started to fade I stuck the withered blooms in a vase and allowed it to dry naturally. I love these dried floral bouquets. 

I've been digging through archives of past designs and not surprised about how neutrals still have my undivided attention. It's a design element that I don't believe I'll ever stop loving. 

It's always interesting how past designs influence current ones. It seems nowadays the look is more refined and simple. Things change. 

My current read and I shared this on the last post. A great book to read prior to springs arrival. 

Straw Hats and White will soon be trending. 

Our Door Store is eager for springs arrival!

Keep the faith. 

Jill 

 

 

 

 

Football

Our favorite team has the honor of playing in the final grand football finale of the season! We're anxiously awaiting the big game and even more anxious for our Kansas City Chiefs to conquer the San Francisco Forty-Niners. We're looking forward to hanging out with family and watching this exciting football. It's been fifty years since the Kansas City Chiefs have won a Super Bowl! I'm cheering on our great team with a grateful heart. 

I'm launching a New Men's Line of Products this week! An array of nourishing Shaving Soaps, Beard Oil, Balm, Shaving Brushes, and Aftershave. It's exciting to offer this new line and I believe overdue. A large number of my customers are men and love Bittersweet Soap. Now all of you wonderful men that frequent the Apothecary Shop will have an assortment of natural skin care products to admire. 

Bittersweet Spring, 2020 is shaping up nicely. We're still in the beginning stages of packaging and design, but the ideas are in place. It takes time to put those ideas into the actual hold in your hand product. Designing and Formulation are atop the list of favorite things during the process. 

We introduced a New Aromatherapy Shower Spray and I'm happy to announce that it's a big hit at our store!  The New Shower Spray is invigorating and intense. Rather than tossing in a shower bomb, the spray allows you to add aroma during your entire shower. I've added menthol to the formulation which makes it pungent and powerful. 

We have these custom made tees at the shop! Everyone loves this phrase, including myself. Courtesy of Marilyn Monroe. We've put another order in for a simple, short and sweet phrase that we believe will be as popular as the Marilyn tees. They should be arriving in a few weeks. 

We're also expanding our essential oil and fragrance menu to be included in our Scent Your Own Department. This section of the shop is popular with all. Who doesn't love to scent their own body care? We make it easy for you to accomplish this. We offer approximately one-hundred and thirty fragrances. A bit overwhelming, we know, but we're happy to assist you. 

We're getting positive feedback on our new shop design. Thank you! We're excited to make the most of our space and continue to offer new products. The new layout helps us achieve this. 

I'm getting ready to make a chocolate cake and am using a new recipe. I have small cake pans and the recipe is made for the smaller pans. The recipe sounded good. 

Keep the faith. 

Jill 

 

 

Nouveau

We're moving briskly into Spring at Bittersweet! Our designs and prototypes are completed and we're putting the finishing touches on all new packaging and products. 

During the winter months I take baths which by the way, I love taking baths! Our 1921 Home was furnished with an old oversized bathtub that over the years has indulged me and offered many days and nights of good old fashioned relaxation. I've had some of my best ideas pop-up while soaking in that tub! 

While bathing in that old tub the other day I reached for the Coconut Sugar Scrub and as I scooped out a generous amount on my hand I said to myself how wonderful it felt on my skin. I then realized that I would love to have small cubes to toss in the bathtub so that my entire body could soak up all that lovely coconut moisture! I thought about how I'd made Bath Melts before, but I was never really happy with the formulation or the packaging. So I spun some fresh ideas around and came up with a simple but Oh So Yummy Bath Melt! I've gone back and forth on the packaging, but I believe that we finally have a winner! Great feeling by the way, when you finalize the packaging. We'll begin making and packaging the Bath Melts this week and offer them at our Door Store, and eventually on-line. 

Yesterday I was visited by the most adorable girls at the store. One of the girls mentioned how she had used an Herbal Bath Spray in her shower and she absolutely loved it. I believe the added herbs were eucalyptus. I love the idea of having a spray to spritz in the shower. Especially when pungent herbs are incorporated like Peppermint and Eucalyptus. Another great idea that popped up like magic! I'll begin working on the formulation this week. I researched several formulations and most of them contained witch hazel. I'm a fan of pure non-alcohol witch hazel, but believe there's a secret ingredient that would serve better. Have I got you wondering? When we get everything in order, I'll share my secret ingredient. 

 A shiny new soap cutter arrived last week. We use it at the store to cut Grandma Lucy's Dish Soap. The new cutter slices one bar at a time and offers a guide for sizing the bars. I remember the day when we cut each bar one by one. Those soulful memories will always put a smile on my face. When I'm at the store and I use the one bar cutter the memories come back. We have a more productive soap cutter at the studio. They cut numerous bars at once and save an enormous amount of time. For a small business, time is your most valuable commodity. You really can't put a price on your small business time.  

 We've expanded our Perfumery! We're blending some amazing new scents and anxious to begin creating Spring Florals!

I'm also excited to welcome a new Gentlemens Department at our Door Store! The new department will offer a variety of natural men's skincare products similar to our lady's lines.  

With so many fresh ideas streaming it's hard not to be excited!

Our Fig Trees are flourishing! I'm actually going to need to cut them back because they're both touching the ceiling. They remind me of the book Jack and the Beanstalk! I need to study up on propagating their stems so that I can start a new baby fig. They love this southern exposure, but I have two at home that enjoy the western sun so I believe the Fiddle Leaf Fig to be a hardy and happy plant! Now that sounds easy enough!

Keep the faith.

Jill 

 

 

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