The Bramble Berry Team and I are enjoying the first full day of the Handcrafted Soap Guild ConferenceĀ in Portland, Oregon. We’ve been on the go since Tuesday morning at 5 am and we haven’t stopped since (and we’re loving every second of it). I’ve really enjoyed the inspirational speakers and classes but my favorite part so far has been meeting our customers and Facebook friends that we interact with on a daily basis. It’s like we already know each other when we’ve actually never met in person. Call me corny, but it’s such a fun experience. There has been lots of hugging.
Above is just a small fraction of the soaps entered in the Soaper’s Showcase. They’re all competing in different categories; Best Scent MP, best appearance MP, Best Scent CP/HP, Best Appearance CP/HP, Best Packaging, Something Different and Best in Show. I was like a kid in a candy store, literally touching and picking up every single soap for a sniff. I am so inspired by the designs, the colors and yes, the scents.
And guess who passed her test and is now an advanced certified cold process soapmaker? Yep. That would be me. Every year the HSMGĀ proctorsĀ a cold process test for certification. Yes, I’ve been soaping for nearly 20 years but it still feels great to hold an official certificate in my hands (don’t laugh)! I also passed the advanced melt and pour test.
Last night, Debbie May (Wholesale Supplies Plus) and I (eh hem, Bramble Berry) co-hosted a Casino Night for the conference attendees. It was a fun, engaging night and it was great to learn more about the soapers here. There are some seriously impressive businesses represented here (and even a dual soap and cupcake shop? Really! Is she in my head? How did she know that was my dream too!?!). It turns out that there appears to be a correlation between soaping and gambling because some of the ladies were **sharks**. Word to the wise: do not play poker with soapmakers. You will laugh and laugh and whoops, find yourself penniless.
If you’re here at the show,Ā please stop by our booth and say ‘Hi.’ I would love to meet you and learn more about how you’re using our products and how we can help you be more successful.
I feel so honored that you posted my 3 soap entries! They are the ones with the MP embellishments: upper left and right corners, and 2nd one from the left in the bottom row. Everything that I know about MP I learned from Anne-Marie on Soap Queen TV!
Those are fabulous Leslee, they all look absolutely amazing, but I especially love the top left one, it reminds me of ocean waves.
-Becky with Bramble Berry
Thank you! In case you are wondering what’s up with the wave, the soap, called “Currant,” is scented with Sunkissed Currant FO, has a bunch of currants on the top and the wave is supposed to represent a current.
-Leslee
What a creative idea Leslee, thanks for sharing more about your amazing soap! š
-Becky with Bramble Berry
Oh my goodness! All are gorgeous! I’d hate to have to judge the winner.
Isn’t it hard? I have way too many favorites just to pick one! š
-Becky with Bramble Berry
It was great to see you again, Anne-Marie. And to meet the rest of the BB team! Congrats on getting the Advanced Certification. I just couldn’t get it all together in time. Maybe next year!
And you got a shot of my entry in the Soaper Showcase: #115 – the Mondrian-inspired one with the tunnel through the middle. There were so many beautiful soaps this year! Voting for one in each category was so hard.
Ruth, your soap was actually one of my favorites that caught my eye in the picture, it is absolutely gorgeous. We wish you could have made it this year, but there is always next year! š
P.S. Psst…and the Soap Week Intensive š
https://www.brambleberry.com/Soap-Weekend-Intensive-2012-P5080.aspx
-Becky with Bramble Berry
It was so fun and so nice to meet and thank you for all you do for the soaping community. I loved Kat’s class and yours also. Have that lovely Cappuccino Mica on order, and no you can’t just order one thing! LOL
So glad you had fun Pam! You are going to love that Cappuccino Mica, it is one of my favorite micas to work with because of the excellent color it gives. Can’t wait to see what you make with it!
-Becky with Bramble Berry
So wonderful meeting you in person, Anne-Marie! You are such an inspiration and a value to the soap community.
Beautiful soap! Congratulations, Anne-Marie! I got my advanced CP certificate a few years ago and it felt great, so I know what you mean about having a piece of paper to acknowledge your expertise. I’m sure you are having a great time!
A great big congratulations on your new certificate, not that you needed it at all:) but it must be lovely to have one. Wish these weren’t so far away, I’d love to be there to meet some of you lovely ladies and those soaps look gorgeous!
Congrats on the certification!!!
Beautiful pictures! Yes, soaps are like candies for me too!
You took a picture of one of my soaps here. I feel honored. š
All the soaps look absolutely amazing, which one was yours Stephanie? š
-Becky with Bramble Berry
I wish I was at the HSG Conference, too. By the way, do they have classes for M&P soapmakers or is the conference mainly for CP soapmakers?
Congratulations to Anne-Marie on her advanced certification.
Those are amazing looking soaps!
Sounds like a great conference – maybe someday I can make it.
The conference is for all soapers, whether you do melt and pour, cold process, lotions or anything else!Here is a list of years topics and seminars at this years conference:
Topics – http://www.soapguild.org/industry/conference2012/topics.php
Seminars-http://www.soapguild.org/industry/conference2012/special-seminars.php
We hope you can make it next year!
-Becky with Bramble Berry
Congratulations on your certification! Did anyone else drool while looking at all these soaps?
I did a triple take on #215, 3rd row/4th column. Must be the math teacher in me!
I wish I could reach through the computer and touch and smell them all! Better yet – I wish I was there.
Thanks, Anne-Marie, for letting us live vicariously through you š
Jean, that’s exactly what I was feeling when I was looking at the soaps as well. They look fabulous and I wish computer screens had smell-o-vision!
-Becky with Bramble Berry
Yeah It was so much Fun!!
Bramble Berry Knows how to Party!
Congrads On the Certification!
We heard you had a blast at the conference (and won a few things), so glad you enjoyed it! š
-Becky with Bramble Berry
CONGRATS on the certification!!! You are one lady who definately deserves it!
Looks like an amazing time š And I must say that Anne Marie looks fabulous!
What beautiful soaps! I love, love, love the soaps on the second row starting at #806 (L-R). And I can’t leave out #601 – these all have amazing swirl action!
Congrats on your advanced certifications, A-M!
My favorites are the very first one (in the upper-left hand corner) and #206, but all of them look absolutely amazing!
-Becky with Bramble Berry
I agree, I love love love the 3rd one in the #806 row, and #601. My swirls never turn out anything like those. So delicate and feathery!
Looks like a super fun party, and congrats on your new certification! Yay! Thanks for the mosaic too — all of the soaps are super gorgeous. My personal favorite (though it’s torture to choose) would have to be the one on the upper left with what looks like a picture perfect wave!
That one caught my eye as well!
-Becky with Bramble Berry
Sounds like you are having a great time! The soaps look great.