Bittersweet and the little soap company

how old are you?

You may recall me chatting about Lily. Little Lily's mom and dad own the coffee shop above my shop.  Lily likes hanging out at both Julie's shop and mine. She's the smartest eight year old I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. A couple of weeks ago Lily had a grand idea. The notion was to offer my soap in small bits and pieces so that you could add a few dots into a warm bath. 

The idea was expanded when a favorite customer came in and suggested Lily's Soap Bites would be an ideal choice to carry in her purse while out and about shopping or dining. That way she wouldn't be forced to wash her hands with that harsh synthetic detergent that is in all or most department store, restaurant dispensers. 

The great idea was then put into action. 

I chose a clear tube to house the tiny pieces of soap and created a wrap around label. I asked Lily  if she wanted to have her favorite color purple incorporated into the label. She answered yes. The heart labels seemed to fit too. 

Lily's Soap Bites will be available at my brick and mortar shop and the web shop, soon. Just in time for Christmas. They make a great stocking stuffer, by the way. 

We went out to dinner Saturday night and after I washed my hands with that yucky stuff, I said to myself, I need some of Lily's Soap Bites. Then on Sunday we visited a local antique market. Again, when I needed to wash my hands, Lily's Soap Bites where are you? 

I love it when an idea transforms itself into a living breathing thing.  In this case a practical necessary one, that honestly I'm not sure how I lived without until now. 

Coming Soon, Lily's Soap Bites.

Enjoy caring and sharing holidays. 

Warmly,

Jill 00

fall lavender

Our latest...

NEW Lemon Lavender infused with two of our favorite flavors. 

Wrapped special for gift giving.

Enjoy caring and sharing fall days.

Jill 00

Round Em Up Cowgirl, I Mean Soap Girl!

 

I've been playing around with new soap packaging. The Fennel & Lavender soap fits right in these cowgirl designed labels. This cowgirl is a shoot em up real wild west cowgirl! She's not afraid of anything! She's still gentle and sweet, and soft around the edges  just the way a real cowgirl should be.

These prototypes will be tested at the upcoming show.

Oh I can't wait to show you the twig ladder Lennis built for me to display my Sassafras Aprons.

I bet that cowgirl likes sassafras root-beer!

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

What's the buzzzzzzz?

 

Remember that research I mentioned I'd been doing on an additive for my soap? While I was chatting with the honey guy at the farmers market he began telling me about this resinous mixture that bee's collect from tree buds and sap flows. The mixture is called propolis, and the bees use it to fill small gaps within their hives instead of bees wax. The conversation about this naturally bee made substance spiked my tincture making interest.

I already incorporate bees wax into my toiletry recipes, as I like its stability, and the fact that it's pure and comes straight from nature.

Apparently this mixture, propolis, is being researched and used for treating a number of ailments including, infections, burns, cold reducers, dental pain, and the list goes on and on.

I'm still very much in the research stage, and never add anything into my products, even though it's natural, until I've throughly examined the possibilities. I do however believe this bee harvested resin has some wonderful healing properties from the research I've done already, and I quite possibly will add the rich anti-wonder ingredient into a liniment or lip balm rather than Bittersweet Soap.

I'm also changing the look of Bittersweet's lavender dryer sachets. Each drawstring bag contains two large lavender filled muslin pouches, tested and Bittersweet approved for up to forty dryer loads, oh and I added a few wooden pegs inside, I thought the little bags worked nice to hold pegs too.   

I'm gearing up for holiday production. July is always holiday production time around Bittersweet. It's time once again to begin manufacturing of our holiday soaps.

Enjoy caring and sharing summer days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Busy as a bee!

Yes, I have been busy as a bee as you will soon see. Having an extra day off from the shop is great!

My left brain is working again. Yes, my creative side is coming back around. I am so glad, thought I was loosing it.... No worry though, in fact I think you will really love the new things.. Don't have them on the web site yet but if you can't wait to order, just drop me a line and I'll give you pricing and availability.

The "baby bird line" is coming along nicely. I love these stylish diaper bags! I added some vintage applique. Very limited though, only have a small amount of applique. Aren't they too cute? I have to admit, I am leaning toward pink rather than yellow or blue while making baby things. I love pink! It is a soothing and calming color and I love sewing with the color pink. It's a girly thing I guess...

I have made a few changes to the soap line. I decided to wrap them in little girl fabric and little boy fabric.. Customers seem to like the look, they're selling quickly at the boutique.

Burpy Baby Cloths are so so baby posh! Available in both baby blue and pretty pink, soft, fluffy, chenille. 

This cabinet is perfect for housing the baby line at the boutique,don't you think? I got it at my friend Julie's shop....(two blocks north of Jesse James Bank) yep, that's it. Cute shop, you should check it out! Tell Julie I sent you...

Bags, need I say more? These are so cute and offer a creative wrap....

Oh, I also have the cutest "baby yoga mats", that's what I'm calling them. You might know them as changing mats...

Stop by the boutique to see more of  Bittersweet's "Baby Bird".

Happily,  Jill 00