What a
wonderful day! So much support from friends, clients and my
husband.
We had so
much fun at the opening. It was one of
the hottest and most humid days and I couldn’t get the air conditioning
working… didn’t matter. I felt so
excited and proud.
I realized that apart from being a place to make and sell my products, it almost seems
like a shrine to this corner of the world that I adore.
I realized
how much I have souced locally… as it is so important to me to support the
local economy, friends and fellow artisans.
I look at the walls and see the small local contractor who did the
renovations… my husband and I have worked with his sister and his father in a
previous job. Then I see the painting
that my husband spent so many hours doing… he painted the entire place.
I see the carpenter, who also previously
worked with us, who made the shelves, my new molds, my market stand, the round
display unit and the little sales area/ desk…
I see the ceramicist who made the studio sign, some wall hangings, soap
dishes and shaving mugs (which sold out)!
I see the lovely stain-glass artist who made my mirrors.
I see the photographer who took photographs
of the local ingredients I use… looking at the bare walls only 7 days ago, I
called him and explained the project I wanted him to take on. He and his wife tracked things down, even
setting up a bowl of sea salt on the beach… and got the printed photos to me
within 3 days….
I see the local 92-year old basket-weaver who made my baskets
for me.
I see some of my suppliers as well… Pepe who supplies my local organic
jojoba oil, Rafa who supplies the local organic extra-virgin olive oil, Juan
who provides the local beeswax and honey…
My husband,
the detail freak, insisted that I label things in each of the storerooms, with
nice printed labels with my logo. I love
the result.
(Curing room)
(Packaging Room)
People that
came to the opening brought plants, good luck charms, well-wishing cards
and great company. We were overwhelmed and surprised with all the
people who came.
We shared
drinks and paella outside and celebrated!
One of my friends and her darling daughter won one of the baskets I
raffled off.
We only
wished our families could have shared this moment with us, but I don’t complain
because it was our choice to live so far away.
So thank
you again for following my story and being a part of this special moment as
well.
Love and
inspiration to all!!
Xoxo
Jen
52 comments:
Congratulations!! I am so happy for you!
Shop is looking fantastic, congratulations
I am really impressed for everything that you have done there!
I appreciate and admire all your work,Jen!
I'm sure will be a successful business because everything starts from passion and that it shows!
With all my heart I would have liked to be there on this special day for you, but is so far from me!
I wish you much success, health and love!
Much love ,
Claudia.
All the best wishes for you! Your shops looks georgous. I really enjoy following your blog and reading about your soapmaking.
Congratulations from Simone (a soapmaker from Germany)
Jen muchisimas felicidades estaba leyendo sobre las personas que te hicieron un gran trabajo y yo veo a una persona muy orgullosa de haber logrado su sueño y que tiene una felicidad inmensa dentro de si. Me he acordado especialmente en varios momentos del sábado. Te deseo todo el éxito (que lo vas a tener). Besos. Ana. (Jabonera)
Congratulations Jennifer!! you are shining more than ever and the studio is fantastic!! I'm really happy for you :)
bisous
Mika
Muchas felicidades Jen!!
Me imagino lo contenta y emocionada que estarias.Un trabajo excelente.
Seguro que te va a ir genial. Muchas energias!
Un beso,
It looks great! Congrats on your new shop!
Jen, ¡¡Enhorabuena por tu local!! se ve todo muy bonito.
Un beso.
Blanca.
Muy lindo todo, me alegro muchísimo!!!Mucha suerte y un beso muy grande!
Felicidades por haber sacado adelante tu sueño.
Mucha suerte Jen
Maku
Muchas felicidades Jen. Creo que los que seguimos tus blogs y tus jabones nos sentimos un poco cómplices, resulta muy agradable ver que se puede conseguir un sueño como el tuyo.
La tienda ha quedado preciosa. Te deseo todo lo mejor en este proyecto.
So Wonderful! Wish I could see it in person : ) Congratulations. A dream come true!
Jen, I see you shining, you seems so happy... i wish you the best in your lovely shop, kisses and health from the forest. Silvia.
This is only the beginning of your wonderful story. You are an incredible inspiration to me. I love what you are doing and your heart!!! Congratulations!!
My husband and kids are jealous and want a store where the gorgeous sun shines so much.
The Liedels
How wonderfully exciting!! The shop looks so fantastic! You have done such a great job including so many local artisans, and the result is just stunning. Love the way you've organized everything and made it look so inviting. Best wishes to you and lots & lots of sales!
Congratulations, everything looks beautiful and I love all the local touches. Sounds like a great day.
Congrats! How exciting to have your own place all ready to go. I wish you great success.
It looks amazing. Congratulations!
All that hard work paid off, the place looks great! And your products most of all!
Congratulations, you should be very proud. And it shows - you´re glowing!
Wishing you all the success in the world.
Congratulations!!!
Congratulations.. the dream becomes reality!!!
Amina, Thank you!!! xo Jen
Bobbins & Balms, Thank you so much!! xo Jen
Claudia, Such nice positive words. So appreciated. Thank you!! xo Jen
Simone, Thank you for your sweet comment. Let me know when you get a blog!! xo jen
Ana (Jabonera), Muchas gracias por tu comentario tan cariñoso, tan positivo. Un beso, xoxo Jen
Mika, Thank you so much!! xo Jen
Olivia, Muchisimas gracias por tu comentario!! xo jen
Anne-Marie, Thanks you!!!! xo Jen
Blanca, Muchas gracias. Un beso, xo Jen
Yohanka, Muchas gracias por tu comentrio!! xo Jen
Maku, Gracias por tu comentario tan bonito!! xo Jen
Julia, Gracias! Claro que somos todos complices. Eres una parte de mi sueño!! Besos, xxoJen
Absolutely fabulous Jen! Congratulations! You've worked so hard to make your dream a reality. You deserve all the success that's headed your way. Your shop looks great. Enjoy every moment! All the best, Paulinex
Your lovely smile says how happy and excited you are!! I see all the hard work, love and passion has come together so beautifully in your studio. It looks stunning! Congratulations dear Jennifer!! I wish you great satisfaction, success and much happiness!! <3
~Nitya
Fantastic Jen! I am jealous.....
You look so incredibly happy! Everything looks perfect--simple and serene. I could happily move into a corner of your shop! Thanks for sharing pictures and I wish you all the best!!
What a wonder and such a lovely shop! All your hard work and dedication and lovely products. Your local sourcing is to be admired also!
PS the greenish curtain in one of the photos? Do you have another piece of it left? It might work like a skirt for your shop desk so when the door is open you don't see the desk framework like in the first photo. Just an idea.
Jen all the best!
so happy for you! the shop looks great and you radiate happiness! Congratulations and hope the shop is always as busy as it was on the first day xx M
Congratulations!
That is an effort and an accomplishment!
I wish you success and loads of customers!
Love your studio! Your did a GREAT job on your storefront! What a transformation! Congratulation!
It couldn't be better than that!!!
Your shop looks very nice and you too, Jen!
Wish you a lot of goodluck!
Jen,
What a wonderful shop you have there! It is beautiful, and you should be proud. I wish that someday when I visit your country I can make it to your shop and buy some of your soap. Best wishes for you!
Becca
The shop looks beautiful! I've been following your blog for a while and find your enthusiasm and love of soap making so inspiring to me. If you can do it, so can I. I wish you all the best and much success.
Melissa
I love the look of absolute joy on your bright face! Congratulations on your blessing! Your gracious spirit brought tears to my eyes as I read this. What a blessing.
The best of luck to you, Jen! I wish you much success and everlasting joy with your soaping venture
It looks beautiful Jen, really lovely! Congratulations to you on this big move!
I love it!! I'm so happy for you... and a little envious ;-) I wish you the best!! You deserve it!!
Congratulations, my fellow Canadian! You are truly an inspiration. Wishing you much success in your beautiful new store!!
How happy you look! your journey has been amazing to follow and I am so happy that your dream has been realised. You should be so so proud of everything you (and your husband) have achieved. Keep on smiling and I look forward to reading more about your adventures. Polly xx
Fantastic! Jen you have done an amazing job: from carefully crafting & perfecting your recipes, the logo, labels, and now THE SHOP!! Yeee-Ha! What a first class job by a first class lady (and helpers) -so so proud of you, my friend! I pray for your continued success and joy in your new soaping adventures. :) Hugs, ~Becky
Pauline (Savon Muse), Thank you so much for your sweet comment!!!! xo jen
Nitya, Thanks for your lovely comment!!! xo Jen
Karen, Thanks for your comment! Come visit one of these days on one of your Holland trips... xo Jen
Amy, Thank you so much. Would love you to come visit some day!! Glad you liked the photos. xo Jen
Pam, Thanks for your awesome comment!! and for the tip on the green curtain... the hanging curtain is a temporay measure for now, in order to separate the production area from the public area. We have deliberately left the desk area rather open... well everything in the shop area very open, because it is so small and we didn't want to close things in and make it even smaller... but I like your suggestion. Thank you!! xo jen
Que lindo te a quedado todo!!! mis Felicitaciones que te valla todo muy bonito que seguro que si. Como se dice en Andalucia: suerte y al toro.
Un besote.
Congratulations! Everything looks beautiful. I especially like the entrance.
Congratulations! We all dream of a retail store and you have done it so well!
Monkey Business - Thank you!!! xo Jen
Lora, Thanks for your great comment!!! xo Jen
Emily (Shieh) Thank you!! So glad you like the store front!! xo jen
Natalia, Thank you so much!!! xo jen
Becca, Thanks for your comment! You would be very welcome and you never know... you may just fall in love with Spain. It certainly captures a lot of hearts. xo Jen
Melissa, Thanks for your comment. I love when I hear that I may have inspired someone as this is what my blog is about. connecting with other people out there so that we can inspire eachother!! Thank you! xo Jen
Anonymous, I appreciate your sentimental comment. I get tears in my eyes from grattitude quite a lot lately. xoxo Jen
Cocobong, Thank you for your nice comment!! xo Jen
ASBloom, Thank you so much!! xo Jen
Irene, Thanks for your comment!!
Simple Pleasures, Thank you for your lovely comment!! Nice to hear from another Canadian soapmaker!! xo Jen
Polly, Thanks so much for your great words. I have been following your journey as well and so excitedfor you about your recent business training. xoxo Jen
Becky, As usual you are so sweet and full of enthusiasm... thank you so much!! xo jen
Ali, Muchisimas gracias!!! xo Jen
Erica, Thanks for your comment! Glad you like the entrance!! xo Jen
Lisa P, Thanks for your comment! Just checked out your blog and it looks great. I would sign up and follow... but I am having a glitch where instead of the Follow option, blogger only offers me "share". I need to sort this because as there are several new blogs I have discovered that i would love to follow. If anyone has any help... please let me know! xo Jen
Jenn, I haven't been around blogland much this summer but I was thinking about you and your new studio just this morning and kniew i had to come visit. It is amazing, wonderful and beautiful! Every little detail is so well thought out and i couldn't imagine a better place in which to offer your soaps. Congratulations and all the best! Tara
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