Tutorials on soapmaking, bath fizzies, lotions and more
It was a busy week here at Bramble Berry. I recently returned from a trip to Mexico, where I attended the Indie Business Cruise. It is hosted by Donna Maria Coles Johnson and involves sun, relaxation and informative workshops. This year I gave a talk about how to set value-driven goals. There were … Continue Reading
Adding fresh fruit and vegetable purees to cold process soap has long been a staple in the soapmaking community. Purees can add color and skin-loving properties to the bar. In addition, purees are great from a marketing standpoint. One of my favorite purees for cold process soap is avocado. It gives … Continue Reading
Nobody appreciates handmade soap quite like a soapmaker. When you know how much work and care goes into each batch, every bar of handmade soap is something to be admired. The Bramble Berry Soap Swap was created to give soapers a chance to ooh-and-ahh over each others work. It’s a great way to smell … Continue Reading
While January may be over, there is still time to give 2016 a fresh start. For the past two weeks, the blog has been full of all-natural cleaning recipes. These recipes were designed to help eliminate some of the chemicals found in store bought cleaners from your home. These Soap Queen recipes … Continue Reading
I just got back from Cancun, Mexico from the Indie Business Cruise (or, #notcruise as jokingly called it now that it's moved onto land). Donna Maria Coles Johnson has hosted #IndieCruise Mastermind since 2011. They have visited several exotic Caribbean destinations including St. Thomas, Belize, … Continue Reading
Happy weekend everybody! To those of you still battling the blizzard, I hope you're all staying warm. Here in the Pacific Northwest, the weather has been stereotypically rainy and grey. Although I really can't complain at all, as I recently got back from a week in Cancun for the Indie Business … Continue Reading
This week continued our streak on natural cleaning (get it, streak? Punny!) including the Natural Soap Scum Cleaner. It is made with baking soda, pumice and Epsom salt. They scrub away tough grime in the bathtub. The baking soda and salt also absorb any unpleasant smells. The lemongrass essential … Continue Reading
One of the best things about a clean home is a crisp, fresh scent. It's so nice to walk into a room and smell lavender, lemon and fir. This is especially true in areas where people spend a lot of time, like the living room. Natural ingredients are perfect for freshening a room. The Natural Carpet … Continue Reading
Homemade potpourri is such an easy and fun project. I love having sachets for my clothing drawers. They make my clothes smell fresh and clean. Making your own potpourri also means that you can customize your blend with any fragrance or essential oil you prefer. I love the classic scent of … Continue Reading
Isn't it amazing how fast your bathroom gets dirty? Between shower scum and sink stains, grime can really pile up. This is especially true with messy kids! Luckily there are powerful household cleaners like baking soda and pumice to fight dirt and make your bathroom shine. This dry soap scum cleaner … Continue Reading
Soapmaking is the perfect combination of science and art. It requires a keen eye for design, and understanding of the chemical process. One soaper who consistently shows mastery in both the artistic and technical sides of soaping is Clara Lindberg of Auntie Clara's Handcrafted Cosmetics. Clara's … Continue Reading
If you make your own cleaning products, you may be familiar with borax. Also known as sodium borate, borax is a natural mineral compound that is commonly used to wash clothes. It is a fantastic stain fighter, and works on tough stains like oil, tomato sauce and wine. It's also used in some soap … Continue Reading
I can't believe that my new book, Pure Soapmaking, is finally here! This book has been such a labor of love. It took over a year to formulate and test the 32 cold process recipes in the book, and I'm so proud of each and every one. If you pre-ordered a book on Bramble Berry, they should be arriving … Continue Reading
This week was all about natural cleaning ingredients, like baking soda. Baking soda works on everything from shower scum to scuff marks on shoes. White vinegar is another multipurpose cleaning option. It helps remove grease from ovens and rain spots on the windows. Learn more about natural cleaning … Continue Reading