Bittersweet and the little soap company

warm thoughts

The studio feels warm and cozy this morning. We're finally getting some long awaited rain so my flowers will be singing and dancing along with the smooth summer breeze, I'm sure.

That is an early morning camera shot of my favorites board that sits on the wall of the studio. I prefer calling it a "favorites board" over inspiration because it's filled with my fondest artisan pieces. Some of which I've made and some that others have made. I admire and treasure items other kindred spirits have made. The little blue bird is the sweetest little stuff-ie I've ever encountered! I purchased her on Etsy several years ago. I wish my memory would allow me to remember from whom.

The studio is filling somewhat cluttered and mixed up. It's time for a sorting and organizing I believe.

You may remember how a few years ago I transformed a closet into a paper nook, supply closet.

Now the area is stuffed and in desperate need of clearing out some space.

Not an easy task to perform, but necessary to help save time and get back to efficiency. I hate spending time searching for an item. Actually it's become a pet peeve, searching for something needed!

Shipping supplies and everyday items need to be within reach. Out of site usually translates into I have no idea where I put that! If you are a regular reader than you also know I don't like clutter.

Since I've been making and selling things for 15 years there's quite an accumulation of tools. In fact, I always joke and say that I could open my own craft, fabric supply store! Having said that, clutter takes on a life of its own, doesn't it?

Summer saturday is just waking up! I'm hoping she'll hear a few rumbles of thunder soon.

Enjoy caring and sharing summer days, won't you?

Jill 00

 

Soft Shades...

 
Mellowness continues and the studio is filled with soft shades that reflect the in between mood.

I was hoping to catch a glimpse of some highlights of "Fashion Week" but will have to tune in and watch later after some catch up work has been completed. 

I am seeing lots of Army Green on the runways this Fall. I like that, a little anyway, and animal prints, weren't those hot just a few years back?

I'm not one to completely follow the trends, but I do like to incorporate a new piece into my existing wardrobe each season. I think I'll be on the look out for an Army green piece to wear with jeans and boots.

I love the thigh high boots but seriously cannot see myself wearing a pair. Maybe if I lived in LA, yeah, then I could probably do it.

How about an Army green blouse, a really cool skirt, a leopard scarf, and dark brown thigh boots, maybe a simple little short vest too.

Anyway, I do enjoy watching the trends on the runway, the models, the designers, and the front row.

Studio Open today!

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Happily,

Jill 00

Two hugs are better than one

 

New Bittersweet Lip Balm ~ Wild Strawberry & Pound Cake!

 

Snow day interrupted...

We  hoped they called a snow day this morning. You know, Monday morning, and we're kind of dragging around. I think the weather forecaster kind of missed on that one.

First thing I must say this early morning... It was a pure delight to watch the last episode of Emma last night. I was so relieved when Emma realized her Mr. Knightley was the man! Loved that! Really loved that!! 

Saturday Studio, (winter) day was great! Old customers I hadn't seen since I had the shop downtown dropped in. Now isn't that something? I have not had the shop for almost 4 years, and folks continue to pop in the studio for the first time after that length of time. I enjoyed seeing them and visiting too, and thank you, for coming back to Bittersweet! It  is very flattering , and puts an extra smile on my face!

The new Spring 2010 collection is still in progress. The lavender laundry powder is getting shiny new labels also.

If you're interested in reading more about this Bittersweet product, you can here. Our laundry powder is one of our top selling home keeping goods with our customers, and this author.

More new shiny labels continued...

 
You can read about this here. 

The studio is still working its way closer to spring.

I love the mix of blue and red and pink!

I call it, Color Love!

Then the more muted tones of ecru and cream, love those too.

A few shots of the studio during its winter season.

Another soap wrapping day.

I am working on new tea towel packaging. Have you ever heard of a butterfly punch?

I will share later.. 

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two winter hugs are better than one) 

 

Rainy Laundry Day

This is a corner of my laundry room. It also serves as a merchandising area for my Saturday Studio customers to purchase their monthly rations of natural laundry powder's, ironing spray's, and other washing essentials.

The area is small in size but mighty in showcasing space, and I have found that utilizing small spaces, although challenging,  can be fun and rewarding on the decorating scheme of things. 

 

Here's the Market Bag pile of tex's waiting for me to begin. I plan to get going on them hopefully later today. It's rainy and a perfect day to sew and I can't wait to mix the burlap with those bright colored fabrics!

More soap making is in the works too. I'm thinking lemongrass & lavender blend. Still pondering those soap making thoughts. Peppermint in the round is on the soap making list too.

Designing some new labels, particularly "Bug Off." By the way there's lemongrass in that! Bug's hate lemongrass.

So lot's of Summer time production going on, hopefully working on the "Cookbook" in between so that it will be ready by Fall.

Enjoy caring and sharing soon to be Summer days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

 

 

 

Who cares about Halloween when Christmas is coming!

On the risk that I might offend someone, I must confess, I do not care for Halloween that much.

When I was a kid I guess I probably liked it and remembering dressing up, if I remember though I always dressed the same. I was a bum! I dressed in overalls, bandanna handkerchief and an old hat. Hmmm, guess I never really got into it then either.

My all time favorite holiday has to be Christmas! I like everything about it! I like baking Christmas cookies, and decorating my home with fresh pine garland while I listen to Christmas music, and hanging our stockings on the fireplace mantle, and watching anxiously when the weather man calls for the first snow.  I love the spicy smells that fill our home, as the holiday soaps aromatic smell travels through our heat ducts with it's fragrant aroma of   cinnamon, orange, and cloves. I love picking out the perfect gift! I love sled riding down our huge hill! I love to look up at the dark night winter sky stars on a cold November night, somehow they look brighter to me.

So you can surely see how little old Halloween easily gets lost with me.

Having said that, I feel comfortable telling you that I have began decorating Bittersweet with Holiday Cheer! I can tell from recent orders that I'm not the only one thinking that way. The Cranberry Spice Soap is almost gone! I have but a few bars left. It's cutting it close to make more to have ready by Christmas, so I will ponder that thought carefully.

I am decorating the studio with simple holiday touches here and there. The next time you see this little corner, I'm sure it will look much different. I'm digging out the Christmas tree's and the pine cones.

While Julie and I were flea gazing last weekend I spied a holiday decorating idea I liked. The idea although  simple, captured my eye. Someone had painted a basket of pine cones different colors. There were green cones, red and white cones, yellow, a mixture of colored cones. I think a basket of different white hues would be stunning in a large glass vase and even more stunning with white lights glittering amongst the white and ecru tone on tones.

My blogging will soon become short and sporadic as I am heading into my busy time of year.

 

I will keep everyone posted on the Bittersweet Giveaways, and will be announcing a winner next Wednesday afternoon. This months lucky winner receives a bar of Cranberry Spice Soap included in the Pretty in Pink October Giveaway!

Enjoy caring and sharing holidays.

Happily,

Jill 00

Two hugs are better than one

*Bird Love*

 

While re-doing the studio and merchandising some of it's corners I wanted to adorn the new table with Love Bird ephemeral.  

Although I placed soap and facial brushes inside the bird cage I also like the love bird packets and the bird note cards setting on the table.

I've been working on new stuff the past few days. I have decided since I make over one-hundred things that I should assign a number to each one. This is a project that will surely take both Fall and Winter to complete, but nevertheless I feel will make it easier to keep track of stuff, offer better inventory control, and too, be a cool way to market my products.

Today I am seriously setting at my sewing machine and making more wide leg trousers! I am completely out, and I just know the wide legs are going to be a HOT Item on customer's Christmas lists. Part of the problem.. I don't want to sell the pants after I make them. I want to keep them for myself! Enough already!!! I have more than enough trousers to see me through Fall and Winter.

I'm already envisioning Spring Wide Legs.

Enter the Bittersweet October Giveway!

Enjoy caring and sharing Autumn days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

*Peachy Transition*

Even though it's mid July, it's also that time of year that Bittersweet begins the transition of the "slow change." The "slow change" that I refer to is better described as gearing up for the busy Bittersweet holiday time of year. Every July the transition begins.

The studio gradually takes on warmer hues and its air is filled with spicier scents. There's messy corners throughout and stuff scattered. Instead of making flowery boxes I switch to Fall and Halloween and then what seems like just a few days after that Christmas.

Yes, I said *Christmas.

You know I'm getting tired of people telling me I can't say that word. When I did the television show I had to say holiday and no mention of the word Christmas. I can't tell you the number of takes it took to switch to saying holidays rather than Christmas. My whole life I've grown up calling it Christmas! I believe there is something sadly wrong with that thinking. I'll tell you, I'm calling it Christmas and that's that!

Enough of that foolish talk...

The Peachy Transition has begun. Here is a glimpse..

Origami pouches to hold Bittersweet Bath Salt in warmer shades. I love origami! Peachy Cilantro soap packaged in orange and brown wrappings. Bittersweet Soap sticks tucked inside a little bag. I love little bags!    

I'm heading downstairs to the studio to wrap soap.

Enjoy caring and sharing summer days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than none)

Studio Saturday & Sel de bain

As I lay in bed this morning I was thinking about what I needed to do this morning, and suddenly I realized I didn't really have anything to do. Pinch me! Now let me just tell you, this doesn't happen very often around here. I'm one of those high energy people that is always doing something, and fortunately, or unfortunately, whichever way you look at it, I've passed that on to Patrick, so not only do we have one hyper fast moving Mom, the son is ditto.

Yesterday, after really not getting much done the entire week, I managed to finally get caught up. I sent orders out, and even was finally able to get the sewing machine out, and sew:) I will show you later next week what I'm working on.

Speaking  of orders, Patrick my triple type A kid, has researched the different shipping company's, and has concluded that we should also use Fed Ex, when shipping Bittersweet & Vintage Two orders. He assures me that I will save time and money.

I've always shipped with the good old USPS in the past. They're hard to beat, I think. They send me free boxes for shipping, and then they pick up my packages at the front door, and charge me a flat rate of $8.10 up to seventy pounds. Anyway, Patrick assures me Fed Ex is much better, and they fly the package rather than ground. I somehow think the flying has something to do with his choice. The kid is almost always right, so how can I argue. I will give it a try.

H'm, nothing to do... Well that's just impossible!

Oh I know, let me show you some more flea market finds from last Saturdays trip.

I mentioned last week how I found some really unique items while flea shopping. I am always on the look out for vintage toiletry items, and was truly flabbergasted when I spotted this, a very vintage stylish container of bath salt. The container still has product inside and even a hint of fragrance when I opened it.

Then I found these dainty spring ribbon flowers, and I stuck them in with the facial brushes in the Bittersweet studio.

 

  One of my favorite finds was this not so old paper cutter with pretty shiny robin egg blue paper included, and under ten dollars!

One good thing about living in the Midwest compared to East coast or West coast, flea market prices are usually lower.

I was taken by these little feed sack doll dresses.

Even though this isn't old, I really, really liked it. I looked around to see if there were more than one, nope, so I was convinced I should have it, great marketing!

I also found during the trip, some great vintage linen fabric, that I incorporated into bath salt bags. 

Enjoy a caring and sharing St. Patrick's Day!

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one pinch)

Shadowy Studio Saturday...

This is the Saturday that Erin, the college student from Northwest Missouri State University comes to shadow me. I am flabbergasted and honored that Erin wants to shadow little ole me. I'm a bit nervous too. I have never ever had anyone watch as I work. Well, I take that back, One of my good friends, Debbie wanted to watch me make soap one time, but that was different, since we knew each other. At any rate, I'm sure it will be fun, and I am looking forward to meeting Erin.

 

Remember some time back I mentioned having a sale to clear out some of my shop stuff and extra furniture? Sandy recently moved just two doors down from me, and still has her old house several blocks away. We were going to have a type of garage sale inside the old house. I have to be honest, I just don't like to have garage sales. They aren't my cup of tea.

Anyway, Sandy called yesterday and asked if I would be interested in having an auction instead of the gs. Oh my gosh! I am so jazzed about having a real live auction with an auctioneer. She has a friend that is an auctioneer, and he is going to ..... This will be a great experience. I mean, usually auctions I've been to, your looking at deceased peoples stuff, I'm glad I'm not dead to be able to experience having an auction.

I don't think we've decided on a date yet, but it will probably be sometime in May. This will be a first hands on look, and the ends and outs of setting up, selling, pricing, and the colorful people that I'm sure will be present at my auction. Hey, I enjoyed saying that! I can't wait to add it to Vintage Two's Journey page. Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy!!!

Enjoy a caring and sharing day!

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than none)