I recently read a great letter to the editor in the Puget Sound Business Journal. The letter, written by Emery Shrock in Milton, WA, discussed the stranglehold that Visa and Mastercard have on all businesses (and especially on internet-based businesses). In part, he said: As a longtime retailer, I … Continue Reading
Shop/08 Crave Show Report
I had the privilege of speaking at the Shop/08 Crave business panel this morning on "Turning your Passion into Profit." Speaking to a full house (there were even seats on the sides of the room as more women signed up than there was room) was a thrill. Speaking to a group of female entrepreneurs was … Continue Reading
Reason 1948 to Avoid Travel
The Lufthansa flight LH44 from Munich experienced wingstrike while landing at Hamburg on 1 March 2008 during Emma storm. My husband who has his pilot's license said, "Those are some major crosswinds. That is one skillful pilot!" Nobody was injured; the plane landed using another runway. Coming off … Continue Reading
Cupcake Notecards
Look what I bought last night in a fit of impetuous silliness - more note cards (shocker of shockers). But, unlike my usual Etsy letterpress splurges, these are cupcake prints. Awwww ... Buy your own set of cupcake notecards here. I just got back from the Crave Shop/08 show. I'll have a round … Continue Reading
Cut Out Soaps – Embedding
Day One - Set Up Day Two - Making Daisy Cut Outs Day Three - Marbeling Option Embedding soaps is best done with fresh soap. The more moist and glycerin laden that the soap is, the easier the embedded soap sticks in the soap without separating. Embedding the Daisies Step One: Melt clear melt … Continue Reading
United – Where Pay Doesn’t Match Performance
I promise to post the next part of the Springtime Cute Cut-Out soaps today and get back to regularly scheduled soaping projects! But first, one more ranting United indulgence. I got up early today with the intent of crafting a letter to United about my bad experience. When I was researching the … Continue Reading
Non-Stop, Direct or just Not?
I already was miffed with United for the not-so-non-stop Flight 315 from La Guardia to Denver and onto Seattle. When I checked into my flight yesterday, I learned that Flight 315 was delayed by one hour. That turned into two hours; then, three hours. Worried, I checked with the gate person to … Continue Reading
Cut Out Soaps – Marbeling Option
What to do with all of the excess soap from the cut outs? It's a shame to let anything go to waste. Make sure you have a wide, flat mold available to pour the soap into. I like to use silicone baking molds because the soap pops out easily. Hold one color in each hand and pour a little into … Continue Reading
Apply to be the Entrepreneur of the Year
The Entrepreneur Magazine application for Entrepreneur of the Year is up. If you grossed over $500,000 last year, you can apply for it here. We're excited because Bramble Berry was chosen as one of the 15 companies to put in the ad. If you scroll through the entrepreneurs, you'll see me along with … Continue Reading
Cut Out Soaps – Pouring & Injection
Click for Day One - Set Up & Materials After you've assembled your materials, it's time to make the flower cut-outs. Remember, you can use these techniques with almost any cookie cutter - not just cute daisies. Making the Flowers Step One: Melt the white melt and pour in the microwave on … Continue Reading
United’s definition of "Non-Stop"
I have to go to NYC tomorrow. I'm flying a red eye tonight and flying one back Friday night. Despite not really liking United (I never did get that refund from this debacle), it was the last seat available in the time period I needed so I took it. When I booked the flight, I made sure it was a … Continue Reading
Cut Out Soaps – Ingredients & Tools
Bramble Berry got a nice press recommendation today. Thank you Modish for listing Bramble Berry as a top supplier for soapmaking supplies.Spring is coming! So, it's time to pull out the pastel colors, white melt and pour soap and make happy designs. In this project, you'll learn how to use cookie … Continue Reading
We love our commentors! Guest Commentary
This is a guest commentary by Johanna, our knitting genius. That's her, above. Click here to see her etsy shop. I would like to praise everyone who is involved in the communities of soaping local and abroad. I have been involved in this wonderful craft for 6 months or so now, working for Miss … Continue Reading
Lipstick Making – Filling Containers & Labeling
This is the final installment of our lipstick making tutorial. Post any questions you have and I will answer them in the comments section.Filling these little tubes requires either a very steady arm or a set of plastic droppers. I personally use droppers but for big single color batches, you can buy … Continue Reading