There’s a quiet shift that happens this time of year. The air softens, the days stretch a little longer, and inspiration finds its way back into the rhythm of everyday life.
At Bittersweet, spring moving into summer is one of the most creative and fulfilling seasons. The studio is alive with fresh batches of soap—new scents that reflect the brightness and ease of the months ahead. Light florals, soft citrus, grounding herbs… each bar thoughtfully crafted to bring a little piece of the season into your daily routine.
And a favorite has returned--Oats & Goats Soap. If you know, you know. This bar has always been a quiet staple, loved for its gentle, nourishing qualities. It never stays long, and I’m always grateful to bring it back again.
Alongside soap making, I’ve found myself returning to another kind of making--Market Bags. Each one is stitched by hand, taking time and intention. They aren’t quick to produce, but that’s part of their beauty. In a world that moves fast, there’s something grounding about creating something slowly, piece by piece.
That same feeling carries into the kitchen this time of year. I’ve been making homemade butter—a simple process that feels almost nostalgic. Just cream, transformed into something rich and satisfying. From there, it’s only natural to fold in fresh herbs--rosemary, thyme, a bit of sage—creating a soft, fragrant herb butter that tastes like the season itself. While the herbs are doing their thing, make some Herb Salt. Both Butter Making and Herb Salt Making are easy crafts. 
The herbs are growing again, just as they do every spring. A few are within arm’s reach on the deck, ready to be clipped and used. It’s a small thing, but one that adds so much to everyday living.
This season is a reminder that the best things take time—whether it’s a bar of soap curing on the shelf, a bag being stitched together, or butter slowly coming to life.
I've been digging out my zinnia seeds from last year. Zinnia is an easy flower to start from seed, and the super great thing about them is that last year's blooms produce this year's. No-cost gardening seems to bring even more joy into the process. Make sure that you get Giant Zinnia Seeds. They're sometimes referred to as California Giant. You'll need to baby those seeds after you first plant them, making sure that they stay moist. I usually give mine a spray each day until they begin to pop, and then reduce the watering to maybe every other day until they get a foot tall or so, depending on how hot it gets. One of my favorite things about gardening is that it's a learning as you go along. If something doesn't work out this year, there's always next. I'm getting ready to stain my deck. Trying to get it in between spring rains. Lots of digging is going on, too. Not my favorite thing to do, but part of it all. 
Thank you for being here, for valuing handmade, and for continuing to be
​part of Bittersweet.
— Jill

In some parts of the world, spring takes her time arriving. What unfolds is a playful tug-of-war between winter and spring. Spring always wins in the end, but winter puts on quite the show before letting go. In this season of in-between, I tend to spend time planning and looking ahead. 

I did a short post about the propagation of Fig Trees on social media. The process is easy, a bit time-consuming, but easy. Cut a stem from you Fig and place it in fresh, clean water. It's important to change out the water every couple of days with fresh water. It will take four to six weeks, ha, kind of like Bittersweet Soap to show roots. Once the roots appear, you can plant them in a pot with dirt. You're going to be surprised to see how it transforms into a Fig Tree! Propagating is very much like seed planting. That tiny seed seems to magically turn into something in no time flat. I love planting seeds for that reason. The transformation seems magical. If you've never started flowers from seed, I would encourage you to try it. If you're not successful the first time, don't give up, and keep planting. This time of year, I have a huge wooden bowl filled with seeds that I'll be planting once winter heads out. 
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​I'm excited to share that the garlic I planted last fall is flourishing. The green scapes, are you familiar with scapes? In my opinion, this variety is the best. I can't wait to have a braided strand of homegrown garlic! I'll be adding it to the homemade tomato sauce. 
In the past few years, I've really felt that it's important to grow my own food.  It's not only satisfying, knowing that my food is grown without chemical additives gives me peace of mind like no other. 
First, let me tell you that I have very little sunshine coming through the established trees in my backyard. I'll never forget monitoring the movement of the sun during the spring months before deciding placement for the raised beds that I have now. By the way, you should have at least six hours of sun hitting your garden if you want to reap the rewards of home gardening. I have just that, and have had the pleasure of enjoying herbs, green beans, cantaloupe, peppers, cucumber, and squash. I only have two beds, so I feel like I get a lot from a small space. 

The studio is buzzing with all things Spring! We've brought back a few of our retired products, like Hair Perfume. I've always had this thing for having smell-good hair. 
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I'm also introducing some new lines or collections that are limited to Spring, as we often do. 
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​I hope that you're taking some slow time to allow yourself to recharge. That's important. 
Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions about this post. 
Jill 

We’re excited to welcome the arrival of our new Spring Soaps. Each season, we carefully select scents that reflect the mood and beauty of the time of year, and this collection is no exception. From the fresh fragrances to the thoughtfully designed packaging, every detail has been created with intention—and we believe you’re going to love them.
When I first began making soap nearly three decades ago, each bar was wrapped in cotton cloth. I’m thrilled couldn’t be happier to share that this tradition has returned. The look is timeless, the quality is beautiful, and it reflects what we believe at Bittersweet—that what’s on the outside should reflect the goodness within.
I’m also happy to announce that our new Mop Soap is now available. This week, I’ve been including a complimentary sample with every order, and I’m looking forward to hearing what you think. I personally love the way it leaves my home smelling fresh, clean, and inviting after every use.
Spring is a time of renewal, and Bittersweet is eager to share our latest designs, and many more surprises once spring breaks. 
Warmly,
Jill McDowell

Every season is a time of transition at Bittersweet, and with each shift comes new inspiration, fresh ideas, and thoughtfully made essentials. Along with those thoughts comes something else—being ahead of the game. Because soap requires time to cure, we’re always planning a couple of months in advance. Winter, especially after our big annual soap sale, is when we dig in, slow down, and begin designing new prototypes for the seasons ahead.
When we set out to create something new, there are many factors that guide what comes next. Lately, I’ve been seeing a flood of social media posts about mop soaps. Who knew we all needed such an amazing home-keeping product? When trends like this catch my eye, my mind immediately goes to one place: what is it made of? Does it contain synthetics or unnecessary chemicals? Does the packaging truly reflect the product? What size makes the most sense? What fragrance feels right?
These questions—and many more—surround every new item that Bittersweet brings to the table. It’s a process that, after nearly thirty years, is not only in my blood, but in my soul.
As I dream about spring (and I know many of you are too), my thoughts drift toward sourdough bread, violets, lilac, and… mop soap. Ha! Sharing knowledge and simple things that bring everyday joy has always been my thing. It comes with the territory—at least, that’s what I believe. When I made my very first batch of soap all those years ago, those values took center stage, and they’ve stayed with me ever since.
I’m especially excited about our new YouTube channel, which will be a space to share the things I love most. Less is more. The things that stand out. Raised-bed gardening, bread making, herb harvesting, and other tried-and-true pastimes that reflect who I am at the core.
I hope you enjoy these moments of sharing as much as I enjoy creating them.
Warmly,
Jill

There’s nothing that makes me more appreciative of a warm home, a hot bath, and food in the pantry than when a snowstorm and arctic air move through. This appears to be a widespread winter storm, and it has me sending extra thanks to the One above for my many blessings.
I’ve made several trips to the market and stocked up on propane tanks—better safe than sorry. My home is equipped with backup options for situations like this, because if the power goes out, you don’t want to be without heat when temperatures dip into the single digits.
I’m also getting orders shipped out early and tidying up the studio. Between all of that, I’ve begun working on some new skincare formulations inspired by my own needs. A gel cleanser that moisturizes while it cleanses has been on my list for quite some time—I love the idea of cleansing and moisturizing all in one step.
I’ve had the opportunity to visit with a few of you during order pickups, and it’s always such a joy to see familiar faces. While spring and summer feel far away right now, I know the weather will break soon. Gardening, baking, and sharing those simple joys will be back before we know it—and I can’t wait.
Warmly,
​Jill 

​As we approach our thirtieth year, we find ourselves reflecting deeply on the products we create and the purity behind them. There is something truly special about knowing a skincare essential is made without chemicals or artificial ingredients—and that responsibility is not something we take lightly at Bittersweet. In many ways, those values are the very foundation of who we are.
I’m slowly transitioning from shop life to studio life and discovering that time feels more generous than it ever did as a shop owner. With that shift comes space to create, reflect, and share more intentionally.
I’m happy to announce that we’ve launched our Bittersweet YouTube channel. We have exciting plans for this new platform and would love for you to subscribe. As the seasons change, so will the stories we share—following the rhythm of the year through the eyes of a soap maker.
Warmly,
Jill 

As I gathered the final shop displays, products, and even the plants, there was a quiet satisfaction in standing inside an empty space that held fifteen years of memories. Ups, downs, and rewards—often all at once. I imagine many of you can relate.
Now, I’m deep into sorting paper goods and reworking the studio into a functional, efficient shipping space. Years ago, I learned an important lesson: when your workspace doesn’t work for you, it quietly steals time and energy from the creative work itself. That truth feels especially present as I bag soap for our Annual Soap Sale and prepare for the busiest days ahead.
This year’s Soap Sale is shaping up to be something special. Each bag is being carefully pre-measured, and the value comes in at approximately $53 in savings per bag—a rare offering in today’s market. Hundreds of pounds of soap will be available on January 31, with the sale beginning at noon on our website. With so many of you visiting at once, the site may slow down briefly, and I truly appreciate your patience.
I’m also happy to share that local pickup is now available. Once you place your order and select the local pickup option, you’ll receive detailed instructions. Many of you have already taken advantage of this, and I’m grateful to offer a convenient way to stay connected.
As I begin dreaming of spring, my mind is already turning toward new product ideas and thoughtful designs that continue to nurture this small business—now nearing thirty years. Thank you for walking alongside Bittersweet through each season of change.
Wishing you a healthy, peaceful, and prosperous New Year.
Warmly,
Jill

​December has unexpectedly become one of my busiest months of the year. As I transition out of the shop and begin setting up Bittersweet as a pickup and mail-order business from my home studio, I can honestly say this feels like one of the best decisions I’ve made in a long time.
While this chapter may feel new, it’s actually a return to something familiar. Years ago, Bittersweet operated from a studio that was open on Saturdays for customers to stop by and pick up their essentials. That season lasted five years before I reopened a storefront on Water Street. Now, while I won’t be opening my home in the same way, I’ve implemented an easy and convenient local pickup option—very similar to what we had at the shop. After many requests, it became clear this was something my customers truly wanted, and I’m glad to offer it once again.
If you stop by for pickup, you might catch a glimpse of me peeking out of the studio mid–soap batch or while packing orders. You never know what’s happening behind the scenes!
What’s become abundantly clear is that closing the shop has opened doors I simply couldn’t walk through before. Managing a storefront came with limitations—this new setup brings freedom, creativity, and time to focus on what I love most: creating, developing new products, and dreaming up what’s next for Bittersweet. The saying when one door closes, another opens has never felt more true.
As we step into the New Year, I’m wishing you peace, comfort, and renewal. I look forward to continuing to provide you with the quality soap and skincare you’ve trusted for nearly thirty years—and I’m excited for all that’s still to come.

I’ve always thought that winter was enchanting. The idea of slowing down and pacing yourself with the rhythm of winter’s grace just feels right. Digging out a puzzle or a deck of cards, planning a warm home-cooked meal when it’s snowy and cold, while the fireplace flickers and shadows dance on the wall.
I’m embracing winter and honoring the many blessings of a warm home and cozy clothing, along with so many other things I sometimes take for granted. That’s what winter does—it reminds us of just how blessed we are.
Wishing you a peaceful New Year, filled with many joyous moments.

Jill

Our beautiful Holiday Soap will start hitting the store shelves on November 1!