Waiting on pins and needles for an update on the Bramble Baby? It’s right around the corner. Anne-Marie and family are headed to the hospital as I type! Back at the office, we’re attached to cell phones waiting for updates. Speaking of which – you might also be wondering who’s keeping up shop while our fearless leader is away. We’ve got ya’ covered. All your soapy questions on Facebook and on the Soap Queen blog will be taken care of by baby time veterans Amber and Kristen (hi!), along with the rest of your Bramble Berry favorites.
Archives for May 2013
Update from the Soap Guild Show
Soapers from around the country made the pilgrimage to the biggest soaping event of the year: Soap Guild 2013, held this weekend in Raleigh, North Carolina. Luckily we were able to send two excellent some soapers to cover the conference for us. Michele Lang of Tierra Verde and Jean Horne of SoapArt have been reporting back to us with excitement and glee. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the soaps that have were entered into the annual conference contests:
From the “Best Appearance” Category [Read more…]
Facebook Photo of the Week (May 10th ~ May 17th)
I’m so excited; this is the last Facebook Photo of the Week until Bramble Girl makes her appearance. She’ll be here this week =) This particular photo caught my eye for its stunning colors and marvelous execution of the design. And, I’ll admit some bias towards purple and pinks right now. Are you a fan of swirls? This one will inspire your next soapmaking session. Get ready to be wowed…
Bramble Girl’s Welcome Sprinkle
Sprinkle: not quite a baby shower, which is traditionally reserved for the arrival of the first child. Not one to turn down a fun couple of hours with girlfriends chatting about all things business, book club and yes, baby! The Sprinkle also doubled as a housewarming party after our recent move. And it wouldn’t have been a very Bramble Sprinkle without a few crafty details, and I’ve got big plans to share fun tutorials right here on the blog.
Soap Guild Conference Goodie Bag Giveaway! (giveaway closed)
Bramble Berry is proud to once again sponsor the Handcrafted Soap & Cosmetic Guild Conference! We’re providing conference goers with super sized sample bags packed to capacity with some of our favorite Bramble Berry products, and sending along super soaper Kathryn Hackney (check out previous Soap Queen appearances here and here) to teach a Cold Process Colorant Master class. Don’t forget that our fabulous guest bloggers will be reporting back on other classes and conference happenings!
Bummed about not being able to attend this year’s conference? Not to worry. We’re keeping everyone in the loop by offering you the option to purchase the a super-sized version of the kit we included in the goodie bags through Brambleberry.com in a full size handy cold process kit. And we’re offering a PDF download of Kat’s amazing Cold Process Colorant Master Class and Powerpoint presentation so you can feel like you were right there with her. While it’s not quite the same as being there, it’s a close second.
Interview with Emily from Suds by the Sea
If you haven’t heard of the newest up-and-coming young soaper from Suds by the Sea, you are in for a great interview today! I first found out about 15-year old Emily when she commented on our Facebook Photo of the Week post that featured another young soaper, Jasmine Hales. Emily told us that she was so excited to see that there were other young soapers around and I knew at that time that I wanted to learn more about her. Back in March I was able to feature some of Emily’s soaps as the Facebook Photo of the Week and since I started soaping at 16, had a special spot in my heart for her even before I learned more about her. Read on to get inspired…
Circular Soapy Geometry (Tutorial)
Lately I’ve been thinking about how I could use column molds in new ways to get even more versatility out of the molds. The Vertical Wood Mold and the Heavy Duty Column Mold are wonderful for making swirls and layers in soap (and yes, for melt and pour, you need to line that vertical wooden mold or else it leaks), but there’s more to soaping than just swirling. While browsing through old Soap Queen posts, I came across this Soapy Geometry idea using a loaf mold and then remembered the fantastic SoapyLove e’zine project here and presto, this soaperific project was born. This project turned out super high contrast and playing with the colors and amounts of soap you pour for each layer can result in infinite combinations (pastel, black and white, summer combos etc…). If you try this project, I’d love to see your results on our Facebook page =)
Interview with Maria of Kokolele Soaps
If you’ve never seen Maria of Kokolele Soaps‘ products, you are in for a treat today. Her melt and pour style is totally unique and her packaging is unmatched in it’s sweetness and completeness. As an active member on Bramble Berry’s Facebook page, we are lucky enough to see Maria’s creations as they are made. Her packaging and her soaps match her optimistic personality perfectly! Prepare to be wowed…
All about the Mamas
“Sometimes the laughter in mothering is the recognition of the ironies and absurdities. Sometimes, though, it’s just pure, unthinking delight.” -Barbara Schapiro
Go with the Flow
I went to the gym a few weeks ago and found that the group exercise room was under construction. I was bummed since I was there for Zumba (basically the most fun class in the entire planet; no, really. Most. Fun. Ever.). I said to the the gal standing next to me, “Oh that’s a bummer, I guess I’ll go hit the treadmill.” She responded with a scowl on her face, “They didn’t even notify us! I hate this gym!!!!!” and then stomped off and left the gym.
Let me pause to allow that to sink in: she left the gym rather than change her plans on the workout she was going to do.
There’s a lot of things that went through my head but the things that really struck me were that she wasn’t very committed to her workout if she was willing to leave with a minor setback and she wasn’t very flexible and able to roll with the punches. Being adaptable is an essential skill to have in life and in business.
Soapy Social Round Up: May 10
The week is technically over but there is still so much to be excited about! We announced a new Soap Swap, our Bramble Girl is almost due, and my book is ever closer to publication. In fact, here is a Vine video I shot last week while making a super secret bonus project that goes along with the book:
This week we also worked on a fruity Strawberries & Cream soap using fresh strawberry puree and real cream. Keep your eyes peeled for a tutorial =) [Read more…]
Facebook Photo of the Week (May 3rd ~ May 10th)
It is getting closer to summertime and I have been dreaming up warm and tropical soaps with hints of Island Coconut, Summer Fling and Fresh Mango scents. If you have a favorite warm and sunny blend be sure to let me know about it in the comments below. Next week is my last soaping week before Bramble Baby arrives so I want to make it a good one. =) Are you ready for the Facebook Photo of the Week? Read on to find more about the lucky winner below!
Update on Cosmetics Act Legislation
I wanted to provide you with an update on the latest news and events from Washington regarding the development of policies that could affect the soap and cosmetics industry in the future. On Thursday, April 18, FDA Commissioner Hamburg testified in front of the Senate Appropriations Committee regarding the FDA budget for the next fiscal year (FY 2014).
In the proposed budget submitted earlier this month by the President to the Congress, the Administration, just as they did last year, called for the establishment of new fees to be imposed on the cosmetics industry in order to stand up a more rigorous regulatory regime. It’s important to note that this is just a proposal at this point and has been introduced for the purposes of discussion. We are still a ways off from any new policies being seriously considered by the Congress, let alone enacted into law.
As you know, I, and other stakeholders from a wide spectrum of the cosmetics industry have been meeting with members of Congress and their staffs as well as the FDA to discuss any potential changes to the regulations impacting the industry and to make sure that the small businesses that make up our industry are protected as best they can be from potentially burdensome new rules and costs. While we’ve made a lot of progress, there is still work to do. [Read more…]
Bug Away Spray Bouquet
I don’t know what it is, but it has been absolutely beautiful here lately! With record-breaking temperatures in the 80s this weekend (I know, what month is it again and in what state??), I’ve been spending lots of time outside playing with Jamisen, catching up on some reading outside, and even hosting a baby Sprinkle party for our new Bramble girl (more on that coming soon).
But unfortunately with our wet Pacific Northwest climate we get a ton of mosquitos, and bites can ruin summer fun pretty quickly (now imagine a two year old with mosquito bites… that’s DEFINITELY a fun-ruiner). That’s why I’ve come up with a few natural bug sprays to keep your summers bite-free.
Both contain a simple mixture of non-greasy, quick absorbing fractionated coconut oil and two different blends of essential oils that have been specifically selected for their bug repelling properties. Now onto our sprays — or as I’m calling them, our Bug Away Bouquets!
