We’re done with the Magical Soap Swap Express and judging from our Facebook page, lots of our fun swappers are getting their boxes as well. It was EPIC! Thank you to all who sent in beautiful soaps (cold process and melt and pour) using Bramble Berry fragrances! It was a smashing success, entirely thanks to Amber’s help and organization (judging from the gifts that were sent in for Amber, I’m sure many you swappers talked to Amber and loved her just like we do).
Our Cold Process entries: Oatmeal Stout and Cranberry Fig.
Click the links for the recipes.
On a whim one day (in October, right before our ‘busy season’) I thought it would be fun to have a soap swap with the Bramble Berry fans on Facebook…so I posted the idea (without talking to my team first) to see if anyone would be interested. To my surprise there were 100+ people who loved the idea. Thankfully, my team forgave me for not asking them. I realllllly didn’t expect 100+ swappers or else I swear, I would have asked! The soaps started rolling in like thunder and we opened each box with Christmas morning excitement. It was so much fun to see soaps made by Bramble Berry’s fabulous customers. Hundreds of jaw dropping soaps scented with BB fragrances and essential oils filled our soaping studio – I was in heaven! Check out just a fraction of the swappy, soapy eye candy…
Cold process category
Cold process category
A few melt and pour entries
Though Amber did (not kidding) 90% of the work, I did manage to swoop in for the last 10% of the individual soap wrapping, boxing up and final shipping labels. Amber and all of the amazing swappers deserve all the praise for the successful swap. Thanks again for everyone’s participation. I feel so lucky to be involved in such a close-knit and talented soaping community. Looking forward to the next magical soap swap! And yes, this time, I’ll ask my team before I schedule it.
i am new to all of this but i am so excited to get start !! i have purchased a few supplies and waiting for the rest. i cant wait you have siad its like christmas and that is true. i have a small business out my home we do tshirts and a little embroidery and i give gifts to my customers at christmas just a little thank you. and my mother sells my things at her booth at the craft fair i can not wait to add add this to my little space and watch some of the noses turn our way !!
Hi Dixie!
We are so excited that you are getting into soaping! There are so many different kinds that you can make and if you ever have any questions, we are here to help you out. =)
-Becky with Bramble Berry
Everyone was welcome! We’ll be doing another one in February/March is for April so be sure to watch for that one =)
Thanks, Ann-Marie! I did both the watermelon soap and the summer melon spritzer. Both are HUGE sellers for me!
Hi all just wanted to say with this being my first soap swap, I realized after it was mailed that I forgot to put my name on it, I (Gina Shevlin) made the warm vanilla soap ball. I felt really silly for forgetting that! haha It really is a learning as well as a fun smelling, soaping expierence! Thanks to everyone:)
How fun! I may have to join in the next one! 🙂
I had mine shipped here to my home, but sometimes I get things shipped to Point Roberts and go across to get it. I am lucky that I’m not too far so I can actually drive to Otion and get my BB goodies:-)
I agree = early Christmas present for sure! =)
It’s easy to become obsessed and it’s a gooooood obsession to have too =)
I haven’t been able to pick my favorite to bring home yet! They all look so pretty. I will need to pick one soon though =)
Thank you for participating! We were thrilled to get so many people =)
Oh soon! Sorry about the snowfall. We were due to get walloped but ended up getting really lucky and having a fairly warm Christmas thus far…
We’ll ship anywhere so if you have a place to pick them up in the US, we’ll ship to them =)
Did you make both the watermelon slice AND the one on top of it? If so, bravo – very good technique on both – and varied as well.
It is soooo cute! Did you get your soap? What do you think?
Thanks! It’s the fragrance oil – really. It’s the real star of the show. =)
Aw, you’re sweet. I don’t FEEL cute pregnant but every time I feel the little Bramble Baby kicking, I do get a smile on my face that definitely makes up for it =) Amber is amazing. Amazing. I could never have done it without her!
Loved the title of your blog post – fantastically creative. =)
We are doing another one. I think we’ll do it in early spring (late March/early April) so keep your eyes peeled for the announcement on the blog, FB and Twitter!
We are totally going to do another one. Plan for early April is my guess …
I feel that way with so many soapers out there – they’ve perfected their craft to a sublime art form and they humble me every time I see their work in person.
I’m so delighted that your family loved the soap box. That’s a huge compliment for all the soapers =)
Did you get it yet? What do you think? =))
PS – Agree – Amber is awesome!
Did you have them delivered on our side of the border? I live just 20 minutes from the US border, so I have parcels delivered there regularly. I’m just curious about the cost of shipping. So far, my Bramble Berry fragrances have come from Soapcraft in BC, but she doesn’t get everything in that I would like.
My daughter was really impressed with the look of the watermelon soap! I was unable to go across the line to pick up my soap today because of heavy snowfall, so (sigh) hopefully before Christmas:-)
(swoon) I do love Match Tea and anything with actual tea in it. I love the idea of pumice in it too! Nice idea.
I agree – inspirational is definitely the way to describe it. And I’m so glad that you’ve found a new hobby and us as a vendor. We’re lucky! =)))
The Ginger Pear is a good one. If you like that fragrance, you’ll probably like the Ginger Orange then =)
Hi Nancy,
Oh aren’t you the sweetest? With all that you have going on, I’m amazed you found any time at all to participate in the swap. And we were so delighted to have you too! Thank you for sending your soap.
I agree; it’s like a present to see all the other soaps and look at other people’s creativity.
And, I’m glad you found a good home for the two soaps with animal fats =))
Seeing the other soaps is really all the fun – everyone is so creative. I love it!
Thanks to Amy and Amber. You guys kept me organized too! I am so glad that I participated! I am very new at soap making – I did the M&P Juniper Sage – but I loved participating and seeing all of the other cool soaps. Even my husband was excited to open the box (we were like kids on Christmas) and we smelled every one of them. I can’t wait to use them and buy the new mango fragrance by Brambleberry.
We’ll definitely do another one – probably in the spring =)
Great! We can’t wait to have you participate.
The swap is over now but anyone could participate. After all, how can we learn if we don’t learn from others? =)
Hillary,
I loved your soap! The linen-y wrap was so gorgeous, I’d love to know how you did it. I was loving all of the amazing packaging ideas, too. But I also loved how you highlighted the texture on top of your soap with mica. Thanks for participating!
Hi there,
No, the swap was open to anyone and we had people submit M&P and CP soap. And as long as we have enough entries next time – we’ll do that again. Check out this blog post for how it worked. http://soap-queen.blogspot.com…
Kelly,
That paper is a handmade tissue paper with tobacco leaves in it. I got it at Paper Zone here in Bellingham, but I’ve also seen it in art supply shops. The sheet was really big (like 20″x30″?) and I just tore it down into strips to wrap around the soap. I think I’ve seen it at Paper Source, too. And they have an online shop.
Judy! You are so hilarious, maybe next time I won’t spend so much time searching for this mysterious Lagniappe person.
(In case I’m not the only one who doesn’t know what lagniappe is – it is a Cajun term meaning a small gift)
I’m still loving your soap – Passionfruit Rose is one of my favorites, too!
Thank you for participating. The soap submissions were so awesome!
Hi Jenny,
I’m so glad you are as thrilled with the swap as we were. It was so great to see what everyone makes in real life! Yes, we will be doing it again for sure. I’m especially thrilled to hear that I was helpful – that time is all a blur to me now. 🙂
Hi Jenny,
I’m so glad you are as thrilled with the swap as we were. It was so great to see what everyone makes in real life! Yes, we will be doing it again for sure.
I’ve just started soaping and I was wondering if you could tell me the rules of the swap. Is it for expert soapers only?
Thanks!
I’ve just started soaping and I was wondering if you could tell me the rules of the swap. Is it for expert soapers only? Thanks!
Hi Kdpet- I’m a Canadian (in BC) who participated in the swap. Mine was the Salty Mariner. Loving my goodies- I got them yesterday!
I got my soapy haul yesterday. Wheee- it was like an early christmas present! I blogged about it with a photo of the bounty here http://www.triagefromhome.com/…
Thanks for hosting this Anne-Marie- it was great and I can’t wait for the next one! I hope the recipients of my Salty Mariner soap enjoy it as much as I’m loving all my goodies!
Hi! I am just learning to appreciate the beauty and usefulness of handmade soaps and I have recently become obsessed lol Those soaps above are so adorable!
This was a blast to participate in! Thanks Amber and Anne-Marie. I posted photos of the soaps I recieved on my blog. http://www.lovinsoap.com/?p=94…
Everything was wonderful! Right now I’m using a peppermint oatmeal by Casco Bay Soap Co. Love it!
Yay! I never thought to try that. I have rebatched my leftovers for Christmas presents. They are now Matcha FO, Lemongrass EO, Sweet Orange EO, and pumice.
I was excited to see mine too! (Middle photo – left side – the watermelon slice and the one on top of it). I really enjoyed the swap! Can’t wait for the next one!!
Jesse, I am using yours as a shampoo bar…love it and it smells great!!
It was a wonderful Idea!! I got my box of goodies and I’m really enjoying all the beautiful soaps. Thanks BB for everything you do 🙂
Thanks so much Anne-Marie and Amber for organizing this and putting it together… and during your busy season no less! My box is very inspiring, not just for the fragrances, but different techniques and packaging ideas. What an awesome Christmas present!
I’m excited to see my soap on Soap Queen – middle pic, upper right-hand corner! I am zooming across the line into North Dakota to pick up my box of soap after work tomorrow and can’t wait to see what I get. Any other Canadian soapers in the swap?
oh, and your oatmeal stout is so……..
soo….
dulcet…searching for adjectives
rich?
positively yummy.
Can I ask where you got that awesome paper that looks like butterfly
wings? Been wanting some but don’t know what it is called or even where to look.
Anne-Marie,
We feel so fortunate to have a friend and leader in our industry like YOU!!!!!
Hugs and you look SO CUTE pregnant~
Thank you again for hosting the swap and to
Amber for her 90% of the work…hee hee.
I LOVE all of my soaps! Thank you to Amber and Anne-Marie for putting it together and to all the soap swappers who participated! Here’s my blog post about receiving my soaps: http://catiebethbath.blogspot….
so sad i missed the soap swap opportunity! i will be anxiously awaiting another one 🙂 really really mad at myself!
yes, please do another one!! i SO wanted to sign-up for this….what fun it would be (as a soap addict myself, hehe) to open a box filled with love & soapy goodness:D a great way to sample BB FOs too!
This was my first swap also. I really felt like a beginner when I opened my box and seen and smelled the wonderful creations inside. I have never given my soap to anyone but friends and family. It felt like sending a part of me away.
We had our annual family cookie making day here yesterday and my box was by the Christmas tree. My family could not stay out of it. I would not let any of them take any, they really wanted too.
I really appreciate Bramble Berry for giving us beginners a chance to try other soaps and get ours to other soapers. Thank you again! Merry Christmas!
I can not wait to get mine! So excited. Says it will come in on Monday 😉
All of the soaps I received were awesome! ! I saw some really interesting and very creative packaging as well as scent choices paired with the molds. I would be very interested in participating another time.
Amber, I will even send another lagniappe for you:-)
Thank you Amber and Anne Marie ~ Amber you are wonderful to work with and the swap was awesome ! Loved it and loved every soap.. amazing
What beautiful soaps! My package is almost here – FedEx tracking says it should arrive on Monday! Thank you, Amber, for all of your hard work making this soap swap happen. We exchanged several emails, and you were always so helpful, nice, and super-organized. And thank you to Anne-Marie and everyone at Bramble Berry – you all are awesome! ♥
I love my soap goodies! I am fighting off my husband for different bars. I just hope that my CP Tea Time Soap is enjoyed, it was made with Matcha tea FO and has Matcha in it! I had so much left that I rebatched it and added pumice. It is still yummy. Thanks again!
The swap was such a great idea! I can’t wait to do it again. It was so inspirational to go through the box and see/smell everyone’s creations. My whole family got into it! I am so happy that I stumble upon this new hobby (thanks to Lisa Johnson’s blog) and found Bramble Berry! Yeah!!
This was my first swap as well as the first time I made soap for anyone but myself, I sooo enjoyed the swap, so much talent!!!! My favorite sent was the ginger pear! thanks again it was a blast!
I hope people like my humble Guinness and Kentish Rain soap. Let it air for a week, or two. The first batch got dropped on the floor, tossed those and made new,
Mine are wonderful, and those darn enabler elves at BB sent me two sniffies I just HAVE to buy! Brats!
I’ve not passed this around, cause it’s not really anyone’s business, but the expenses of starting the business, a high heart bill and some treatment for my son with Autism, are making this a lean Christmas. The gift of the soaps made me happy and were so much fun to unwrap. The best part, several of my soaps are just as nice as the one’s I normally make (as opposed to the rushed, stout and Kentish Rain) and I feel like I really do make good soap. It was an eye opener for me and I got two soaps from people I consider Rock Stars.
This swap meant a present for me. Something I took a pass on for all the holidays last year. It was all for the business. This is for me. Thank you. I’m in tears now.
It also should me my packaging is going to work. Eventually I’ll switch to a pro for my labels. Now, just me 🙂
How many times can I say tank you, and tell you what it meant to me. I did get two wonderful and perfect smelling soaps with animal fats, but my sons are not veggies, so they were snapped up and they took showers on their own. The only time I ever saw them bath without threatening to take away their internet. Sure, my soap isn’t good enough, but soaps sent by someone else? Magical. LOL!!
Loved my soapy swap goodies! If you do this again…I’m so in! Thanks to al the Brambleberryites who made thispossible!
Nice! Thanks Amber 🙂 I hope to add myself to the swap next year!