It does help to take your mind off of things...
I have been piled knee-deep in-studio goings-on. -
The deep cleaning, de-cluttering of my workspace is finally finished!
At least we're getting some mild sunny days. That helps to brighten spirits.
I've been thinking about our little weekend getaway that we took last summer. I'm really eager to repeat it! This too shall pass...
Keep the faith.
Jill
I'm a home sweet homebody! Especially once spring begins showcasing her glorious beauty. My pastime when I'm not making soap and skin care is definitely making our home comfy and organized, and I love changing the views. Those feelings carry on to the shop as well.
Our home is not only a home but a soap house. The lower level of our home is used for manufacturing all of the Bittersweet items you find at the apothecary shop. It's not easy sharing spaces, but we've managed to make it work. It wasn't that long ago when I made soap in my kitchen. That was a tricky process to maneuver. We also love to cook and bake in our kitchen and sometimes essential oils just don't mix well with cream puffs and cookies.
We've come a long way baby!
Now all the creating and manufacturing is done in our basement. I'm one of those people like most, that get stuck in doing things the same way. It was a transition to relocate out of my comfortable routine, but once I did it, there was no looking back. Isn't that usually the way it works? Gotta love it!
I've ordered some cedar and elderberry seedlings. We have a row of red cedars on the south side of our home, or should I say we had a row of red cedars? We've lost a couple and our once privacy fence has gaping holes. I love red cedars! The aromatic trees produce juniper berries. So much to say about elderberries that I don't know where to begin. I'm going to take a shot at making my own syrup or tincture from the medicinal berries. I know nothing about making elderberry syrup, but planning on learning as I go along.
I'm introducing a unique new gift item at the shop. Hoping to have it listed on the webshop too. This concept called Hygge. Love it! Kind of mixed in with minimalism with flowery undertones.
That's when this idea appeared...
A box filled with an assortment of soulful, but practical, feel-good essentials. I've been searching for a safe candle to include in the boxes and finally after an extensive search located a coconut oil candle. I'm also wanting to incorporate a small plant in the box, and happily toss in a bar of Bittersweet and a variety of other Bittersweet Apothecary products! An idea also came to create a different box every month! I'm probably getting ahead of myself, but I love that idea. You know how gift boxes are super popular, right? The ones that the mail person delivers to your front door. A grab bag designed just for you!
Fun to have new ideas streaming for spring!
We've started the process of ripping old tile from our bathroom. Yes, we only have one! The next few months and in between other projects we'll be tiling and installing a new toilet. A bathroom makeover that is overdue in my mind. Since it's overdue, I pretty much know how it should look. Fixtures and such are chosen. Actually, the more you take your time on remodeling projects the less time you'll waste. Does that even make sense?
Between home remodels the soap business buzzes along.
We introduced a new shampoo bar and I'm happy to say it's not just sitting on the shelf.
It's so funny how some fifteen years ago I introduced a shampoo bar, but the concept was slow to catch on. Now, fifteen years later, flying off the shelf!
I really want to create a conditioner bar to go with the shampoo bar.
I'm in research mode and am interested in creating a conditioner bar that reaches one bar ahead of all the rest. I'm really thinking that there would have to be a chemical stabilizer in this product to make it work. Not something I'd feel comfy doing. There are always alternatives, but some are better than others. Research mode...Testing, prototypes, etc. etc....
Wild Violet makes her return this week!
Lemon, lemon, lemon on my mind...
So many yummy spring and summer blends to create that my mind scurries along.
Keep the faith.
Jill
The bedroom transformation is blooming! I'm slowly going through my 1921 closet's cleansing, and fastidiously picking items that continue to speak to me. If they don't they're out of here! There's a certain satisfying and complete feeling I'm having as I dig through boots, clothing, jewelry, and hats either in the keep pile or the discard.
Since this room will also act as a seasonal sewing room, I'm also focusing on function. I say seasonal, simply because typically nowadays, I'm sewing more during the holiday season to fulfill shop inventory. Mitts, aprons, and soap bags, etc. I've really had to semi eliminate the sewing part of my business because sewing is too time consuming when you make twenty-thousand bars of soap and over one-hundred sundries. You seamstress girls and boys understand, don't you?
Back to those dressing room thoughts...
This room is being put together on a budget conscience plan. I've carefully searched for items that I thought were quality and cost effective.
Breaking it down.
The small wardrobes hold up to seventy pounds. They cost $13 each and I purchased them here.
The hanging storage bins, same place.
The directional light also cost $14 and I purchased it at the same place.
This rug, and I have several of these in our home, because I love them!
This sewing table. It's sturdy and plenty large enough to spread fabric out, but compact enough for a small multi functioning room.
Shelving, Raw wood and white metal brackets, both at this place. Brackets were $5, and wood was $10. TSMH cut the board in half to create two, 3 feet shelves above each clothing rack.
Mirror here
This lucky girl has a carpenter husband, aka, The Soap Maker's Husband. You may recall the one-hundred year old wood cutting boards TSMH whipped up awhile back.
The Soap Maker's Husband hooked up the light, and cut the wood shelving so I didn't have any extra cost. I will tell you, if you don't have a carpenter husband, the home improvement store will kindly cut your boards for you at no cost.
It's a glorious feeling to have my favorite belts neatly displayed.
Perfume's... I have favorites, and switch scents depending on my mood. I've always been a passionate fragrance girl!
There's still a few tiny things I'll be adding, and I'll be sure to share it all.
We made these last night. I'm not giving it a satisfying rating simply because it wasn't sweet enough for our liking. I'd tweak the recipe and add coconut sugar and an egg. Then I believe it would be bakery worthy. Brownies need at least one egg, in my opinion.
They weren't too bad when served with homemade ice cream, but I have a feeling this pan won't change much within the days to come.
Yes, more Bachelor Button and Zinnia Picks, because I know in a few short months they'll be gone!
Don't forget, to gather the dying buds to dry for seed next season. No cost gardening that's soulfully satisfying to one's psyche.
Please feel free to drop me a line if you have any questions.
Happy Days.
Jill
I wasn't going to share in between photo's of my makeover's, but after thinking about it I realized the process of choosing, plucking, picking, is actually kind of interesting.
For example, white paint. The color of white that I love in the studio just happens to not be the one I even like in the living room and entry. By the way, I painted the door the original brick red. We're probably going to replace the door with a new one for reasons I won't go into, but for now brick red, old door will do.
I finished painting the entry only to realize the antique white shows too much yellow and I just not happy with it.
Now you're understanding how all this gets interesting.
We don't use our fireplace, except we have a little gas heater that sits inside. So I don't really want to see it, not that pretty. I'm sewing a new little curtain in, yes, you guessed it, white. I picked up some grain sack fabric a while back, and am going to put it to use.
The sisal rugs, another favorite home decorating item. Probably safe to say, I prefer it over any other rugs. If they get dirty you can take them outside and run the hose over them. They're neutral and have lots of texture.
I have several new whites to sample before making the final decision. This color is going on living room, hall, and entry, so I want it to be perfect.
I'd rather paint a small entry with a non likable color than a large living room and hall.
I'm leaning towards Alabaster. This white actually has a touch of green rather than yellow. I'm not fond of yellow whites.
I was disenchanted about our old front door. My aunt is right on when she suggested maybe it's not a good idea to set expectations. I knew that, but a tad stubborn most of the time. I've also found it takes me a longer amount of time to get it just right. Kind of like Goldilocks finding the right bed. That's just right. You do know it, when it's right. Right?
The creamy white brushed on the furniture.
New slip covers, although I haven't even brushed out the wrinkles in the dryer yet. The leopard chair, soon to be colored by a matching slip cover in tea stain hue.
I found the slip covers here. They are well made, cotton, and pretty nifty. I really like them. They fit extremely well, and I love that you can toss the cover in the washing machine to clean.
I also orders linen curtains with black rods. Curtains will help frame the windows and soften the room a lot.
We picked up some white tile for the entry tonight and will start laying it after I get the walls painted, again!
Soap Talk...
Patchouli making soap day.
It always helps to take pictures of your progress. I see things in pictures that I don't see in person.
Can't wait for the big reveal.
Jill
I couldn't resist picking up a few fresh grocery store flowers for the shop. My wild wood violets, grape hyacinth, and bridal wreath spirea are blooming, but their blooms are short lived. While the grocery store bundles seem to linger much longer. The yellow daffodils scream spring, don't they? Little rays of bright yellow sunshine beaming.
It's been a very long time since I've updated side bars, information, etc. on my blog. I kind of snazzeled it up. Spell check says that's not a word, but it's late in the evening, and I'm using it.
I made a small photo box today so that we can capture some up close images of product.
I wrapped white packing paper on the inside of the box, and directed the light above to shine into the box.
The lighting at the shop is superb, but every now and then it's nice to create a picture box especially handy for small item shots.
I'd like to roll around in that ribbon? It's so colorful and pretty.
I love milk glass! Especially fond of hob nail milk glass. You don't see it as often as you used to. When I see it I snatch it up in a hurry.
An up close shot of the Easter Soaps. This season I created a different look.
Sunshine Saturday at the shop tomorrow.
April 1, and the beginning of many changes.
Jules is moving out in May, and we''ll be starting some of our remodel work. The work will probably run through summer into fall.
I can't wait to get started.
The plan was to start stripping our front door, but that plan fell through as I got detained with shop things. The anticipation of seeing that door in the raw is inspiring to me. I picked up a new cotton wreath and we'll be getting a new stoop so that I can sit two large flower pots on each side. A new light above the door and then I'm almost certain the entry will need a new look. You see how that works? You start on one home project and next thing you know, you're into many more. Spring after all is a time for renewal.
I've been gazing at Hoosier pictures on Pinterest. You may recall we have an antique Hoosier just off our kitchen and I've been using it as my home office. I'm thinking of moving my office upstairs and using the old cabinet as a coffee, tea bar. What do you think?
I'm trying to plan out our small kitchen and make use of the space better.
Many ideas, lots of plans, dreaming about dreaming, and having those dreams come true.
Warm wishes,
Jill
The Soap House on the Hill is slowly, but surely, with baby steps beginning to take shape.
The storage obstacle's and manufacturing challenges are getting much smaller.
I'm quickly realizing that this room is housed with necessary and unnecessary items.
The focus is on every day usage, and not so often usage, and even rarely seen usage.
My goal is to offer a place for this, and a place for that. The kind of place that mimics yen and yang, feng and shui. A happy place, that when making soap and other creative items, you want to sing a little hum while you mosey along.
I've been showing signs of minimalist behavior. Not an attribute when one owns their own shop and makes 100 + items.
Baby Steps...
We'll get there soon enough.
Turning over the page to February, and ever so anxious for the grass to turn green and the trees to bud. Flowers to sprout and wild wood violets to carpet our yard.
We'll get there soon enough.
I'll keep you posted.
With good thoughts and simple moments.
Jill
It's probably obvious to you that I'm obsessed with blue hues about now. It shall pass, as color preferences usually fade and another is replaced. Not for a while though, I'm really into that dark navy shade.
It's been a couple of weeks since we tore into the "Soap House" studio. We've been upgrading the small space to make better use for manufacturing. Honestly, I've had little motivation to dig into the sorting and clearing of shop merchandise items, fifty pounds of this, that, an enormous fabric stash, shipping boxes, and simply put, I'm not into that at the moment.
Yesterday however, I had an urge to rap it up. It was driving me mad! My work spaces are cluttered with necessary equipment, not unnecessary equipment, so I need to find a good spot for storing things when not in use.
The rooms are coming along nicely, and I'm making progress. I'm sorting though fabric, ribbon, patterns, and other notions. Then there's the collection of vintage linens, tablecloths, napkins, embroidery. On top of that, oodles of containers of oils need to make Bittersweet Soap. With that, soap that needs to be cut, soap that is curing, soap that needs wrapped, soap that, okay, you get the picture. Oh and I forgot about shipping boxes, tape, labels, all that stuff needs to be located in the same spot for easy access so that I cans ship orders efficiently and quickly.
It was kind of fun sorting though the patterns. After rummaging through them all, probably over one-hundred, I decided that if I need to whip up anything I've got the pattern!
All this soap house stuff produces an assortment of challenges and creativity on how to organize and make better use of the space so that production can be more efficient. It's not a matter of wanting, it's a matter of requirement.
When I began sorting through my fabric stash my mind was muffled with over overwhelming feelings. I ended up with seven extra large bags of fabric. Really cool fabric that shall be used to create an array of things. I'm donating the fabric to a good friend that I know will put it to use. Now the fabric shelf is cleared and I can have more room for daily duds.
It's been about ten years since I last sorted through the soap house on the hill, and during that time things were much different. My studio functioned as a shop in addition to manufacturing, and at a much small scale than it is now. I was sewing up a storm at that time. Now, little time is allowed for so much sewing soap manufacturing and apothecary takes center stage now. Isn't it kind of cool how spaces change over time?
This little closet that sits in the studio is about to be transformed. It's currently put together to be used as a multi functioning area. Drives me crazy, to have multi functioning areas! Just say' in. I prefer spaces to be designed specifically for one use, and one use only. When you suffer from this crazy disorder, it brings with it a number of challenges in addition to the ones that were already there, because of the extraordinary way the space is used. I'm cooking up a storm in the space, but not food, soap!
Glass apothecary jars are filled with herbs, and waxes, and clays, and powders.
Anyway, the space is slowly coming along. I'm anxious now to get it done. I'll keep you posted with after pictures and I think you'll enjoy seeing the little soap house on the hill set up.
Many good thoughts.
Jill 00
A change in routines and a welcome home stay away from shop on Wednesdays.
Jules is filling in at the shop while I take some much needed time at home.
I'm often asked, what does your home look like?
We live in an old home. It was built in the thirty's during the war and probably the depression. Evident through our home by the different woods used to build mantle, banisters, molding, etc. Ash, Oak and Walnut, pine, and a mix of woods.
We've lived in our home for twenty - seven years!
Every tree, bush, flower, porch, outdoor structures were either planted or constructed by the home owners.
From the moment I laid eyes on her, it was a heaven home at first site. Obviously after twenty-seven years that is evident.
Only one bathroom, and it's high upon the third floor! Ha!
A Modest and Humble Home it is.
My dear friend Clarice, the author of the amazing book sitting on my desk. We met though blogging many years ago. Clarice is like a sister I never had. I love her to the moon and back!
Her talent is beyond words...
I'm eager to build the beds and mow the grass!
Our Home...
Love where you're planted!
Our house is a very, very, fine house with two cats in the yard, life used to be so hard, Now everything is easy cause of you...
That song always reminds me of this house.
Check out the new brick steps leading you to our back yard! Aren't they spectacular? Lennis Spectacular! Spectacular Lennis! Or as our friends Tom and Jules say, "Super Lennis!"
Enjoy caring and sharing Spring days.
With all good wishes,
Jill 00
I'm in paper folding AWE! What a delightful feeling it is to construct a folded paper wrap. The only question I have, where the heck have you been all my soap making life?
I'm also digging assemble your own cardboard boxes! Once again, performed by a number of folds. The boxes have pre-folds which makes it easy to construct. An even better feeling, utilizing items already in stock to create new and exciting re-purposed packaging. If you frequent bittersweet blog, then you're already familiar with how I prefer doing that.
Dried Sweet Annie Bundles available. The bundles are aromatic, to say the least. They add beauty and fragrance to fall and winter bouquets.
I feel a fresh pumpkin arriving in my future. My friend Clarice turned me on to the idea of using fresh pumpkin over canned and I'll never, ever go back! There's an amazing taste difference when using fresh over canned. A noticeable taste bud difference!
I'm also crafting a fresh pumpkin soap! It will be available, mid October before the first frost.
We're cleaning and organizing in the studio with week. I've mentioned many times how constant maintenance is needed when you house an apothecary warehouse in your home. A frequent purging is a must, otherwise total kayos fills the space. Soap making supplies, shop displays, merchandising and packaging can consume and take over before you know it. We've quarantined the work space to our basement. It's been used as a warehouse for almost a decade!
Enjoy caring and sharing days and with all good wishes, always.
Jill 00
A cold rain has moved in and it's overcast and a bit dreary out. Inside, I'm switching lamps and pondering thoughts like like choosing different fabric for the dining room chairs. Possibly a pop color because as I look at this picture I see neutral. I am a neutral kind of girl and I love the color brown. Evident by my chocolate brown dining room walls. I'd also like to have a new dining room hang lamp. Preferably a wicker one. Thinking I could even make one from a wicker basket. Actually, I have a large wicker shade that I took off of a broken lamp. It would be perfect. Down the road, because my list is long.
I purchased a few impatient plants from a sorority. They won't come in for awhile. It's way to early to plant anything. Well, that's not exactly true, bulbs could be planted safely, but they won't pop up until next spring.
Anyway, there's something soul satisfying to order flowers ahead of planting time. What's that word? Oh yeah, my favorite word, anticipation.
Little Elle sitting in her favorite chair. She loves to look out the front windows.
Spring thoughts swirling...
Going through my recent flea market finds. Some of which are to die for! I'll share later this week. I really want to properly display the vintage cotton skirts and all of my dress forms are at the apothecary shoppe.
Enjoy caring and sharing spring days.
With all good wishes,
Jill 00
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