Bittersweet and the little soap company

When the rain stops the flowers bloom.

Oh boy, I really did want to play hooky yesterday! The sun was out and the mild Hawaii temperatures were calling my name. I ended up going in but really was yearning to be sitting on the deck basking in the sunshine and hanging with that little girl.

My plans for today were centered around digging in the dirt, but shortly after waking it began to rain. Those plans were deterred, and another one was in place. It's Mother's Day! A day that should be filled with things that make you happy. If you love to cook, cook. If you love to be surrounded by family, surround. In other words, it's your day and it should be spent with whatever it is you love. That might mean nothing. Nothing is good too!

Our downtown farmers market opening day was on Saturday. We're blessed to have a downtown market. I went in early and explored. 

A flower delivery driver brought a beautiful bouquet on Friday morning. It was funny, I told her that it wasn't my birthday, she said, hey, you're the soap lady as she was delivering the bouquet. Patrick was sending his love. 

Sari Bags and Soap...

I'm fascinated with these little bags! The color combinations are usually opposite of the spectrum. I think that's part of the draw. The vibrant opposite colors attract. 

I'll be bringing back the bug spray next week. I've had several requests this past week. The essential oil spray smells really good to me, but I know that bugs don't think the same about the scent. A good thing...

We have a rock path that's shaded by cedars. Last year my dad dug up some of his Lily of The Valley. I planted it, and it began to bloom right after it was dug into the dirt. I was amazed that it bloomed. When I was walking up the rocky path yesterday morning I noticed it was spreading and starting to bloom. The pathway is one of my favorite spots in our yard. Directly above the aromatic Lily of the Valley is a Lilac bush.  The combined scent of the two is divine! A little snip of both plants is being enjoyed inside.

We've been in clearing mode. Closets are getting turned inside and out, and windows are shiny. The picture of jeans is actually in a small spare bedroom that I made into a closet. I was tired of not being able to find my favorite jeans. I purchased the setup here.  This design is one of my favorites and solved my problem of not being able to find my jeans. Spring bouquets here and there and a new lavender wreath for the front door. We're making headway on the many home projects. We had the deck posts replaced and I ordered new black caps for the posts. In fact, I just got home from the hardware store with black screws. Do you know how hard it is to find black screws? At least one that is the correct size.  I managed to make these work, but they weren't quite long enough. Enough of the tip is inserted in the cedar post so it will be secure. 

When the rain stops the flowers bloom.

That's also a metaphor for life.

Happy Mother's Day!

Jill  

rooms

Candy coated soap wrappings blend ever so nicely with beeswax sachets! This spring I discovered a local beekeeper that has been sharing their wax with Bittersweet. We use beeswax in most of our skin care products. It acts as a natural emulsifier. 

The shop mushroom! I dropped by the shop on Sunday and Tom had spotted the giant morel growing in an unusual spot. He didn't pick it but saved it for this mushroom hunter. I was amazed that it was growing in mulch next to a rock ledge next to the shop. Never in all these years of being a mushroom hunter have I ever seen a mushroom grow in this habitat!  I mentioned in a past post how the weather conditions have been perfect for mushrooms. Lots of rain and seventy degree days triggers the beefy rooms to abundantly grow. Finding the hearty mushroom made my day!

The UPS man delivered some new frocks on Friday. We have a load of super cool jewelry arriving this week along with new summer kimono and wraps.

Mother's day this Sunday and we've hand-picked a selection of Bittersweets to fill baskets and gift boxes. 

If you facebook, I've been sharing live videos about new products and shop arrivals. I'm not a huge fan of facebook. It seems to pick and choose what posts friends see, and I don't care for that. A customer told me she follows our business page, but very seldom sees all of our posts. I'm keeping a steady eye on Facebook. Since Facebook owns Instagram, well, need I say more?

If I were more tech savvy I'd build a platform exclusive to small business.  There is a need for that! Linked In, not my thing, either. 

It's frustrating to a small business owner when you pay money for advertising and it's not dispersed in accordance with how you designed it. Sorry, I probably bored you with that topic. 

  

Moving on...

Have I mentioned my fondness for the Organic French Terry Face Cloths? Certainly, I have!  Not much time for this soap maker to sew anymore. There was a day not so long ago, that I spent the entire day sewing! I always loved to sew on rainy days. It's also funny how when I was young I hated sewing!  Now I love it! The Face Cloths are a limited edition. We sell out fast, most of the time I'm making soap and non-sewing items.  The size, labeling, material to make these fell into the proper place. That doesn't happen often. Usually, the first sample product or prototype experiences at least a few changes. A tweak here, there. Not the case for these plush organic cloths. Gratification. 

The storm clouds are darkening the spring sky. More rain expected along with mild spring-like temperatures. 

Counting my blessings that I have a cozy home to keep us dry and safe. 

Keep the faith. 

Jill 

 

  

spring hand made

The hand made shop is beginning to look like spring. Fresh Stock blossom, one of my favorite flowers. The iron bike, now a favorite display piece for spring. Rabbit Sacs, Aprons hand sewn using soft spring like fabrics, Jardin Savon. I purchased a variety of different sized wood berry crates to house lavender sachets and soaps. I decoupaged the sides of the crates for an touch of spring color. Simple to do. Place your paper on the side and indent shape by pushing, cut out and glue onto wood crate. Cute idea for an outdoor wedding, I thought too.

Fresh bundle of white weeping cherry blooms from our little tree. It's almost done blooming now. Happy I picked some branches and brought them inside to enjoy since they're short lived. The little spring joys... Simple and sweet, but oh so appreciated. 

Designing for spring. I do believe my favorite over all other seasons. Fresh and new and green, lots of green forming from the brown winter. Love the green!

We had our annual Easter egg hunt this morning. We moved it up and dodged the spring rain. Hit it just right before it started thundering and lightening! Family traditions held tight. M.J. prepared her famous brisket and homemade cinnamon rolls and sugar cookies. Full tummy, happy day. Thanks M.J. and dad.

Sewing machine is primed with new thread and I'm eager to make a few more peasant shirts.

Relaxing rainy spring day. I love these kind of days! Maybe a trip to the market to pick up a few items. Possibly ponder dinner menu ideas. Maybe kick up my heels and visit Pinterest.

Enjoy caring and sharing spring days.

Warmly,

Jill 00 

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over the hill, and through the woods....

Even though it was cold and rainy and not so great weather for an outdoor flea market Julie and I headed over the hill and through the woods Sunday to the annual event in Sparks Kansas. The outdoor market is similar to the one held in Round Top Texas, Shh... We don't really want city folks to know about this show. Although, they published an article in the Kansas City Star recently and woo-la, they traveled afar, even braved the snow and freezing temperatures on Thursday, so I heard anyway. 

Which brings me to my next topic...

This show runs Thursday - Sunday. Antique proprietors or other shop owners like myself usually come early on Wednesday while the vendors are setting up. Not fair! They get all the good stuff! I'm kidding, kind of. What's that saying? Oh never mind. It doesn't really matter.

Hot topic continues... Yesterday I overheard a girl saying to a vendor. I own a second hand shop and was hoping since this is the last day of the show you would want to let go of stuff cheap. Having been and worked and experienced both sides of that road I'm a bit biased with my thoughts. I could tell it offended the dealer. She seemed to be unaware she had placed him in an uncomfortable spot. I watched as she walked over to the next vendor and asked her the same question. Amazing what you notice at these shows!

On the other hand.... Miss Jill with a vendor. "Will you take $20 bucks for this?" Vendor, "how about $22?" That's fair, yes, I reply. Then we go to pay... I hand him a hundred dollar bill and say, I can write a check if you don't have change. He says, no, no, I have change and says, "how about an even $20 like you first asked?" No, no, I settled on $22, I will give you an extra two dollars. Now you see! You get a clear picture....Keep in mind, I'm the person at the auction that bids against themselves! No need to continue this discussion....

We had a great time. We ate tenderloins! Messy, mayonnaise dripping, fried tenderloins!!! I walked by food vendors that made kettle corn and deep fried pickles, funnel cakes. Everything was deep fried! I'm gonna tell you, that tenderloin was yummy! I ate every bite! It's kind of fun to indulge every now and then, especially during an outdoor antique show, right?

Bittersweet is headed into Summer, Fall production. I know, it seems way too early for autumn thoughts. You know how it is around here.

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Warmly,

Jill 00 

lilac sentiments

 
The very vintage lilac bush is loved by many including myself. Easy to grow, requires sun but will tolerate less than most flowering bushes.

When we moved into our 1920 era home there were very few shrubs, trees and plants. Present day and some 22 years later, our yard is filled with favorite flowering plants. Most of which I dug up at old abandoned farms. Peonies, iris, tulips, lilacs and old fashioned spirea were but some of the transplants.

The lilacs in the picture come from one of the rural abandon farm digs. I would think the plant to be quite old probably 100 years at least and are the old fashioned variety. I believe the older species of lilacs produce a more pungent flavored bloom. I also have white ones.

I planted a few right outside our living room window so that when I open the window their sweet scent travels through the space.  

 
After they bloom you will need to clip the old blooms, usually late spring early summer when they turn brown is the best time. I learned that from an elderly neighbor years ago.

We're getting a nice spring rain, light and soft. The ginkgo tree is beginning to leaf. It's one of the last trees to leaf out. Once it does though it's beautiful and I would say my favorite tree minus the buckeye. We have a buckeye tree a few houses down. In the fall the nuts fall from the tree and I gather a small basket of the shiny stones. I once heard an old timer say that if you carry a buckeye in your pocket it will bring you luck.

 
Enjoy caring and sharing spring days.

Jill 00

Buckets of Spring Rain & Happy May Day!

 

We've been getting oodles of Spring rain here in the Midwest. In conjunction with the rains comes the annual all day outdoor flea market and this girl is not going to let the rain put a damper on her twice a year outdoor flea market experience.

So I purchased those boots, size three in boys, I have small feet,  and a red poncho. You know those ugly plastic things with a hole cut out for your head to slide into. I was thinking I must have a big head when I tried it on last night because it was hard to get on!

I'll let you know how the rain gear held up. The boots and poncho were under $20!

Enjoy a caring and sharing Spring day.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)