Bittersweet and the little soap company

shifting back & forth

Swiss dots, herb wreaths, apothecary,summer white and my favorite getaway with friends. My current attraction'S.

A few pics from our recent antique market jaunt. 

Picture one. What the heck were Jill & Jules doing? Then, picture two, poised.

We couldn't recall whether both doors were open in the picture taken last year. Our friend Rita, whom captured the shots remembered that one door was open. What's that popular phrase? "A picture is worth a thousand words." Yep!

There's Rita. I might add, the kindest soul I've had the honor of meeting. 

What's that other days gone by phrase, oh yeah, "Wheeling and Dealing." Jules is a wheeler of a dealer, if I don't say so myself.

Some silly moments. That moment felt familiar to me. H'm...I'm not going there!

We got sunburned and after seven hours of outdoor antique roaming, shopping, these girls were tuckered out! Do they still say that, tuckered? How about "Plum Tuckered Out?" Yep!

Enjoy caring and sharing days my friend.

With all good wishes, always.

Jill 00

 

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Traveled over the hills and through the woods yesterday with friends to journey the twice a year antique event. This one is held in their small town high school. The money goes to the school and after chatting with some locals I found out it's been around for some forty years! I always love going to this sale because  I usually find items that call my name. Love it when that happens. I purchased several things, but this hat, (I love big brim straw hats) indeed was a calling. The loudest voice I heard was yelling out, I'm the perfect vintage patina blue velvet trim and then lookie at my wide brim. So funny because I had made a bee line to this ladies booth knowing how she has the most interesting things. Julie arrived  a short time later. Need I say more? The picture is not that great. I took it with my old not that great pic camera, but I believe you can see the grandness of the hat, can't you?

The vintage hat was sitting on this old hat stand. Yippee! I"m not going to tell you how much I paid. You'd really be mad at me. Lets just say hardly nothing and I scooped it up knowing how I'll soon need it to display Gatsby hats I'm going to be making. 

I guess hat stands were on my mind yesterday because then I spotted this. 

I love the chunkiness of this block of wood! A small hat frame for small to medium size hats. Gatsby hats coming...

Then the hunt for white and cream vintage dresses, blouses, skirts. I found them all at this show! I can't wait to fit the new clothing items on the dress forms at the shop. I'll share once they're properly fitted and displayed. Think straw hats and white vintage for Bittersweet Spring Summer and  Gatsby hats of course. Modern tossed in with vintage, always right at every level. I also found some great vintage millinery flowers. Share later. I think I'm going to wear one if the white vintage skirts. The lady that I purchases it from told me she laundered it by hand and then laid the long creamy skirt on the lawn to dry. Did you know they used to do that in the olden days? I've always been intrigued by their method of laundering fine linens. Fresh lemon comes into play with their method. I love that too!

Happy Saint Patricks Day!

It's busy here and at the shop. Spring has sprung and folks are beginning to explore their surroundings. I have always thought it fun to travel to surrounding towns and explore. Don't you?

Soap, soap and more soap manufacturing in the kitchen. Pondering new perfume for May Day and preparring for our annual May Day celebration at the shop. 

Julie found a small vintage May Pole yesterday. While we were sitting in the cafeteria eating our PIE I suggested she place little paper discounts on the pole and let customers pick from the May Pole to discover which percentage they recieve on vintage items in her shop. I included the information on the invite. 

Back to soap...

Enjoy caring and sharing spring days. 

Warmly,

Jill 00

 

 

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Weathered and torn...

 Why is it we sometime prefer weathered and torn objects over new ones?

Quite possibly the notion the piece whatever it may be has stood up over time making it a treasured attraction. Maybe its patina is tarnished and faded or chippy and chafed. Vintage loving girls only know at first glance when they see an object of affection that they like it! Don't need to know what it was once used for, skip that! 

Case in point... This old wooden herb rack. 

When I vintage shop I'm usually on the look out for display pieces for Bittersweet rather than for my home.

 
I can imagine this old herb rack was filled with dried herbs from Tasha Tudor's garden and gracefully sat next to her old cook stove next to the napping yellow cats in the winter.

Now the weathered and worn petite ladder is perfect for photo oppurtunities.  I doubt anyone would have ever imagined that soap would once sit on the chunky wood steps.  H'm....

Enjoy caring and sharing summer days.

Happily,

Jill 00  (Two hugs are better than one) 

Sunny Side Up!

One of my favorite things to bring home from the farmers market are the fresh flowers. I stick my little bouquets in the side pocket of my market bag and place them in the studio so that my customers can enjoy them too.

Saturday's flea market finds were vintage items I had been searching for. I'ts always fun to find the things you're in need of, isn't it?

 
  
 A wicker dress form for merchandising Flirty Frocks, perfect find!

A peck of pretty linens. Not quite a peck, but I brought home a nice collection.

This unique wire planter caught my eye. I love its little scroll design. That's why I picked it!

A hat form. They come in handy if you make hats! This one is a perfect size, not too big, not too small. Sorry about the blurry pictures. I took all of them in a hurry.

I have a couple more things to show you, but I want to have better pictures.

I also have some really pretty pictures from my friend Julie's home. Her fireplace mantle is decorated uniquely vintage and I want to share it.

Enjoy caring and sharing summer days.

Happily,

Jill 00

 

Autumn Bliss

Thought you might like to see the Autumn Flea Market finds I found on Saturday. I have big plans for all of them and I'll be sharing those plans later. 

Working mostly with what I have, but these new pieces will add a punch to my holiday displays.

The vintage embroidery will be used to trim little bags and the trough, well, I bet you can guess what that will be used for. "What we need is lot's of Soap!" a quote taken from a children's book I used to read to Patrick when he was little. Some of you may recognize the line..

I have more pictures and tales of what's hot at Bittersweet this season and some new Christmas package wrappings I think you will really like and that you can easily duplicate and they're not costly. I really did use what I had on that project and it turned out elegantly delightful, if I must say.

Oh, and those containers you see in that bag... A new project I'm working on. I have before and after shots, quite pleased with the look.

It's beginning to all fall together and look cohesive. I really never know exactly what I want until I begin designing, then it seems to all come together. The Flea Market break on Saturday allowed me to refresh.

Thanks again for all you're doing promoting my new Cookbook. Love you all, I really do!

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two Autumn hugs are surely better than none)

Old tiroirs and new idee's..

 

Another flea market find and one that I've always been attracted to, old drawers. This one in particular because of its porcelain knobs and the labels and writing on the front. Only paid a few bucks for this vintage piece so that's even more rewarding.

I had thought I might drill holes into the bottom and fill the drawer with herbs, but I really like using it as a display piece instead.

I had mentioned that Bittersweet was getting a few nip and tucks a few posts ago. After the Farm Show I plan to perform the surgery's. Some updates on packaging, studio makeovers,  a few new products, fancy soap's etc. Things that keep me excited about operating my little company and keep my customers happy and content. 

Some things will remain the same, certain labeling like the laundry powder, love these old-fashioned labels and they fit in with the look I'm trying to achieve.

   

When designing new labels, products, containers, etc., I always follow my heart. I know that sounds silly maybe to some, but honestly, I have always stocked the shop shelves, created labels, designs, products, with the look that I like, and I have to really like it. It has to call out to me, then I know and only then, that I've achieved exactly "the look" I intended and desired and will be happy with it long term. 

It's usually a different look than what you see in other stores, simply because I have this thing about designing my stuff to look different and unique. Banking on the hopes that "my look" will appeal to others just as it has with me. 

When I used to rep my products to stores years ago, I remember walking into a store and then entering another only to see the same merchandise scattered here and there. I thought to myself,  what's up with this? I really learned some valuable lessons during those sales rep days.

That's one reason when opening my boutique. I saw a niche that was not being filled so I stocked the shelves with most everything I made, knowing no one else had it! 

I literally yearned for a shop that was different from the rest and products, item's that could only be found there. 

I believe today that holds true too even more. Shoppers are more serious about shopping these days. They purchase item's that are useful and offerings that really catch their eye. 

It's funny too. The soap wrappings at the top, some original Bittersweet wrapping idea's from years ago when Bittersweet was a tender young company. I guess it's true, things always come back around!

Enjoy caring and sharing rainy spring days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Garden Soap and Fresh Ideas..

  

Fresh batches of "Garden Soap" packaged in small vintage crates and wrapped in burlap. Has a bit of grittiness to it, to get those "green thumb garden hands" clean! I add cornmeal. Scented with lemon and rosemary, two of my favorite fresh fragrance combo's.  The crates are display, but add the perfect touch to the Garden Soap.

I wanted to show you  some more recent flea market finds..

 

I was drawn to this large tin simply by the label. I'm going to use it to place bars of soap in.

 

I spotted this table from across another vendor's booth. A little "telephone table", probably Walnut, I think. Anyway, yes I did notice the table had no top, but I also envisioned this..

 

I placed a vintage tray atop and now I have a unique one-of-a-kind vintage piece for display.

Enjoy caring and sharing Spring days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Flea Market S & T

Brrrrr, it's cold again and I don't like it! What happened to our nice warm weather and my thoughts of Spring?

I guess since Winter is back, it would be an appropriate time for Flea Market Show & Tell, yeah.

 

When I spotted this little metal stool it spoke to me, it said, "Aren't I cute and in tip top shape?" I responded yes, and you are priced very reasonable too. Okay, you can come home with me!

Then, I spotted this unusually shaped wire basket. I painted it white. It is perfect for Spring and ideal for holding Bittersweet soap bars.

More flea market find S & T coming soon..

Enjoy caring and sharing soon to be Spring days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

*The Thrill Of The Hunt*

Sunday's flea market finds might possibly be small to most, but they are mighty to me!

In fact, one of the thrills I get is going and not knowing what I'll find before I go. I know I'll find a special something, but never know just what it might be. Usually I have a good idea on what kind of things I'm looking for before I leave the house, but sometimes I'm awarded the big Flea Market Prize and come home with a treasured find, thinking to myself when I see it, why hasn't anyone bought this before me?

I felt that particularly about Sunday's sale, since Julie and I were going on the second day, and always feel the good stuff will get taken. In my instance, not the case, I found those special little vintage items that are special to me and even gave me a few ideas.

Perfect example number one..

A 1950's hat stand that will be perfect for displaying the crocheted hats. $10

Perfect example number two

A Pink Calico Pinnie in perfect condition. $10

Perfect example number 3, 4, 5, and 6.

A wire basket for displaying soaps. $4 

A vintage garden tool for photo shooting garden soap this Spring. $7

A tiny posy of millinery flowers, my absolute favorite find every time! $3

A precious tea towel, tag still attached. $10

Perfect example number 7

Adorable vintage paper cards and stickers, the kind you lick! $4

This was my favorite find of all!

I thought I was purchasing the box alone, and then I look inside and see this darling assortment of tiny cards. 

When I went to pay for the box of cards, Claudia, remember Claudia? Well Claudia says, " I have some old stickers that go with the box of cards too! I absolutely love these tiny little good wish cards! So much that I made my own. But before I show you that, I need to finish my finds...

Perfect example number 8

A hand made wooden folk art bird. A gift from Claudia!

I was drawn to these little birds the moment I laid my wondering flea market eyes on them. Maybe because they're birds, and I love birds, or possibly because I know the work that it took to make them. Not sure exactly, just knew I liked them!

These are the little birds I mentioned in yesterday's post that Claudia's husband makes.

I couldn't believe they offered me one , two as a gift. A blue one, and a green one, both having the polka dots painted on the breast, another reason I was attracted. Claudia, thank you for the gift!

Flea market finds are as unique to the person as the person is to the find.

What a wonderful hobby, flea market journeys. The anticipation of finding that perfect treasure never grows old. Anticipation, at its highest form, and the thrill of the hunt is  always fresh and exciting!

Oh, I almost forgot to show you the little cards..

I loved those little cards so much, that I thought it would be fun to reproduce them. I had boxes that were the perfect size for holding the petite cards. I used my collection of vintage greeting cards. A mix of baby, birthday, wedding, Valentine, and anniversary. They will soon be available on Vintage Two. I am wanting to make a box filled with just Christmas cards, so I'll be working on that before listing them.

Enjoy caring and sharing Autumn days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than none)

Semi back with summer breaks in between.

I'm semi back to blogging. Summer is always a busy time for Bittersweet and I often find myself getting overwhelmed with so much going on. The little coupure was most appreciated.

I have been breaking from work to go treasure hunting with Julie. Last week we went to a tag sale my friend Dana and Bonnie were having. What a sale! Dana's garage was filled with vintage treasures. The two gals out did themselves. Not only did they have great stuff at their sale, they also offered  a refreshment table with hot dogs,  home baked cookies, and cold lemonade to quench your flea market thirst. You know, a girl can get thirsty traveling to all those flea markets and estate sales!

I'll be sharing some of my finds during the weeks to come. Here is one of my favorite purchases from Dana and Bonnie's tag sale. This little daisy dresser is an adorable size and fits so well in the Bittersweet Saturday Studio. Thanks Dana and Bonnie for sharing your treasures. Back to work for now....                   Enjoy caring and sharing summer days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)