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Soap Puffed Marshmallows

September 9, 2010 Filed Under: Cold Process Soap

As promised (on Facebook; what, you’re not reading our Facebook fan page obsessively? Shame. Shame), my Hot Cocoa Soap recipe in all of its chocolaty goodness! I used an advanced technique called ‘In the Pot Swirl’. Basically, you split up your batch into two different colors and pour 1 color into the second pot in various places. The soap batter naturally swirls the colors together when you pour the soap into the mold (I used the 5 lb Wooden Log Mold). I also used real cocoa powder as my brown colorant then mixed in Super Pearly White Mica (in about 12 ounces of soap batter) for the swirling color. Swirling a thin layer on top adds a nice touch so save a little extra of the Super Pearly White soap. You can use any swirl technique that you want though. If you want to see exactly how the ‘In The Pot Swirl’ technique is done, check out this video to watch the step by step process.

The Recipe (screen shot from the SOAP iPhone App)

I do have to admit that I made this recipe to test a new fragrance called Hot Cocoa that Bramble Berry is bringing in for the holidays. It’s pure chocolate bliss and passed the cold process test with flying colors. I’ve already ordered it so keep your eyes peeled on the Bramble Berry site. In the mean time, I would suggest a combination of Dark Rich Chocolate and Vanilla Select.

And now the secret to my ‘mallows! They were totally inspired by Soapylove’s Soap Frosting recipe (check out the guest blog post here and a Soap Queen TV episode here). They smell delicious and look positively edible!

Ingredients

4 oz White Soap Base

2 Tablespoons Liquid Soap

Vanilla Select + Vanilla Color Stabilizer

Glossy Silicone Tray

Electric Mixer

Knife

ONE: Melt 4 ounces of white soap base in the microwave. Use an electric mixer to blend the melt and pour soap base with 2 tablespoons of liquid soap, 1 ml of Vanilla Select and 1 ml of Vanilla Color Stabilizer. Once the mixture is fluffy, scoop it into a silicone tray mold and let cool for about 30 minutes.

TWO: Once the mixture has cooled, gently release (or pry) the soap from the mold and cut evenly into marshmallow sized squares. Use your hands to round out the corners (they mold really easily).

THREE:Pop them on top of your CP soap at thin trace for a sweet accent!

Get everything you need for the soap and the marshmallows with the click of a button. The only thing you’ll have to get on your own is the olive oil. I’ve also included the 5 pound wooden mold but if you already have one, remember that you can delete anything that you don’t need from your shopping cart.

The Whale that Turned Into a Seal

September 8, 2010 Filed Under: Personal Ramblings

Though it feels like a mini-lifetime ago, this Labor Day weekend was a phenomenal 3 day extravaganza of friends and fun experiences. Every girl should be so lucky to have such a good friend as Ms. Breakfast Cookie herself, Erin Baker. Her sweet hubby had a birthday and they brought the birthday party to them, chartering a large 47 foot boat to share Bryan’s magical day.

It was the last great weekend of Washington before Fall truly comes down upon us (which means rain, rain and more rain!). Here’s a photo of Erin and one of the boating friends overlooking beautiful Friday Harbor.

We walked around two different boating harbors and birthday boy got in a little nap while we went in search of food (ice cream!) and sealife.

Though we did not see any Killer Whales (we dilly-dallied a bit too long on the shore in the cool harbors to make it out into the open waters far, far away to see the whales), we make friends with this adorable Harbor Seal. How cute is he?!

After the amazing, perfect, wonderful, awesome day on the boat with friends, we had an entire weekend with even more friends but this time, friends from high school! We’re all married now so we all had our spouses with us for a weekend of massive eating (we ate sooooo much, including crepes at this awesome local hot spot, Magdalenas) and epic game playing (Settlers of Catan and Apples to Apples). And to top off a perfectly perfect weekend, my parents were in town (ironically to go whale watching with my husband’s parents!) and they stopped in for dinner and conversation. It was a truly blessed weekend with so much laughter, joy and love. I hope you had an equally charmed long weekend.

From Maine … with Soap

September 7, 2010 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

I had an awesome Monday. Well, that might be overstating the case since A. It’s Tuesday and B. My email quit working mid-morning so I got to fight with Outlook for part of my day. Nothing says ‘Boy, I feel productive!’ like staring at your monitor for long periods of time. But overall, it ended up fantastic because I spent the day with Nadeen from Maine. She has been here for almost a week, exploring the fantastic Pacific Northwest. And, lucky for us, there was only one day worth of monsoon-like deluge. She made the most of her trip – going to Pike Place Market, hiking and visiting all the great sight sites. But, she saved the best for last – a full day of soapmaking.

She spent the morning with Kat (one of our incredible instructors) learning Cold Process Soapmaking – beginning and Advanced. Notice the progression from left to right. By the time Nadine left, she definitely had her cold process skills way up to soap par.

The day wouldn’t have been complete without a full lotionmaking session and a melt and pour lesson (including the famous SoapyLove Plaid soaps and the Naiad Soap Arts Ambrosia Soap). The Ambrosia soap turned out absolutely adorable.

Thank you for coming to spend the day with us! It was a huge honor and we can’t wait to host you again.Update from 9/8: Check out the CP soap on the right all trimmed up over at The Soap King (Otion’s blog).

"Fall"ing In Love with Autumn Inspiration!

September 6, 2010 Filed Under: Personal Ramblings

I love Fall in Bellingham, Washington. There’s a nip in the air that screams hot cocoa, sweaters and snuggling. Red, orange and yellow leaves cover the ground for a breath-taking and a naturally artistic scene (Bellingham locals, you know what I’m talking about). I’m ready for pumpkins, spices and warm fragrances. Feast your eyes on some Autumn inspiration from Etsy.

Buh-by Summer.

Hello Fall!

Row One

Autumn Calla Lily Soap Favors by Enchanting Soap Favors

Natural Cinnamon Soap by Dragon Soaps

Acorn Guest Soap by Satin and Birch

Row Two

Spiced Pumpkin Pie Soap by A Slice of Delight

Autumn Caramel Candy Apple by Sunbasilgarden

Juicy Apples (with sweet spices) by Body Language Soaps

Row Three

Pile of Leaves by Bubble Genius

Indian Summer Felted Soap by 1846 House Soaps

Fall Harvest Guest Soaps by Satin and Birch (again, but so cute)

Check out some of our favorite fall fragrances and check out the Fall Mash-Upfor more fall inspired projects.PS – I hope you’ve had a fantastic weekend. I’ve had friends and family up all weekend and played copious amounts of board games, eaten more cheese than should be legal in a 3 day period and spent an entire day on a boat searching out whales. If I took any decent photos from the weekend, I promise to share them! =)

It’s Soaping Cats and Dogs

September 2, 2010 Filed Under: Melt & Pour Soap

You’ll never believe how quick and easy this project is. Bramble Berry’s new lidded mold offers a simple way to make cute soaps and in a hurry (with no packaging required). And for the super cute touch? I embedded the hottest back to school trend: Shaped Rubber Bands. You can get the rubber bands at Bramble Berry.com and pick between the Cats and Dogs, Princess or Sea Creatures.

Ingredients

24 ounces of Clear Melt and Pour

Get everything you need in the click of a button!

ONE: Melt 24 ounces of clear melt and pour soap base. Pour a super thin layer (about 1/8″) into the bottom of the lidded mold. Liberally spritz your rubber band with rubbing alcohol and drop it into the melted soap. Let the layer harden and cool and repeat with your other molds and rubber bads.

TWO: Now the fun part. Add the Yuzu Fragrance Oil to the rest of your clear melted soap (you should have about 20 ounces left) and mix well. Then add your colorants. Once the soap has cooled to 125 degrees, pour the second layer. I had fun with mine using the embedding and swirling techniques. TIP: Make sure that you spritz the clear layer of soap before pouring the colored layer.

THREE: Once the soap has cooled. Pop on the lids and they’re done and ready to travel, sell, sample, or give away!

Mighty Weighty Kudos

September 1, 2010 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

The new Kudos Molds are selling so fast. I can’t believe I already had to place another order to get more. WOW! I wonder if it has anything to do with the Facebook Coupon Code (grin)? It only lasts until Monday so get the deal while you can. I also had a couple of emails from customers wanting to see the actual mold and see how it differs than ‘regular’ molds. Here you go! It’s the super flexible silicone that allows for the meticulous details and I can’t tell you how easy they are to unmold. I could do it blindfolded with one hand tied behind my back (that would be a sight to see).

In other news, Bramble Berry just launched our TWO new calculators: The Liquid Soap Calculator and The Fragrance Calculator. Check out the Lye Calculator- There are some new features like an option for liquid soap, grams and ounces and the addition of some new butters and oils that we didn’t have before. There’s also a place for notes on your recipe!

Below is a screen shot of the new fragrance calculator. You’ll never have to second guess yourself again about how much fragrance to use. Just plug in the product that you’re making (lotion, soap, etc.), the size of your recipe and which fragrance or essential oil you want to use. Then hit the ‘calculate’ button and we’ll give you the recommended usage rates! Easy!

Do you have any other suggestions on how you’d like to see us improve the Bramble Berry site to make it more useful to you? If you do, I want to hear them!

Finally, The Saponifier magazine is having their ‘Academy Awards for Vendors’ contest to choose the best soapmaking supply house on the ‘net. You can vote for your favorite supplier here!

Thinking About Opening a Store?

August 31, 2010 Filed Under: Business Musings

An interview with … me (!) about opening a craft store. This interview was done for a small business advice book that (to the best of my knowledge) was never published. I didn’t want it to languish in the archives forever so am dusting it off to share with you!

What is the most important piece of advice you can give to someone who
is considering opening a craft store?

Budgeting is a mundane yet important part of opening a craft store. It is so much fun to think of all the items you’d like to buy, the signage, the displays, the branding and the overall look and feel of the store that it is easy to overlook the importance of budgeting and the prosaic aspects of spreadsheets. In my experience with opening a craft store specializing in soapmaking supplies (Otion), every little extra expense ended up adding up to a large amount of overages. If I had been more serious about my budget, I wouldn’t have overspent in my opening months. Can you offer any insight into emerging trends in crafts?

With the economy being a little difficult right now, I’m noticing a trend towards staying home and making entertainment options at home rather than going out to dinners and movies. After all, it’s cheaper to stay home and make bath fizzies with your family of 4 than it is to take them all to dinner and a movie. We’ve seen our business grow this year with more new customers than ever because of this trend. What is the biggest mistake you see new store owners make, and how can someone avoid making that mistake?

New store owners often neglect marketing and networking, thinking that advertising is enough to get the word out. Sadly, advertising alone will not drive customers to your store. You need to be ultra creative to ensure that your message gets out to the general public. For example, when we opened up our crafty soapmaking store in Bellingham, WA, we went to local restaurants and offered them customized soap products for their bathroom at a discount if we were able to put up a small sign stating were the soap came from. We did free classes every Wednesday at noon and heavily advertised the classes. We did coupons and frequent buyer punch cards. We joined the local Chamber of Commerce. More of our customers come from word-of-mouth than traditional advertising methods. If you are a craft store owner yourself, what is the one thing you wish
you had known before you started?

I wish I had known how long the day could be when not many customers come in. Some days, people just don’t come into the store and finding things to do to keep busy for 8 hours can be tedious, demoralizing and downright boring. What has been the most rewarding aspect of your career as a craft store
owner?

I love talking and interacting with customers. Listening to their crafty and creative creations inspires and energizes me. The customers are the best part of the job! What has been your most effective marketing tool for generating new
business?

Blogging has been very helpful for our business. Otion blogs at http://www.otionsoap.com/blog. We reach a wider audience through the blog than just our walk-in traffic allows and are able to have a conversation with our customers in a new and different way. Social media is an amazing tool that is really coming into its own, five years after I started Otion. Advertising is getting cheaper and cheaper because you can utilize social media to harness enthusiasm and eyeballs. Do you have any words of encouragement to offer new store owners?

Being self employed is the best thing I have ever done. I love being in control of my own financial destiny. Just remember that “how you do anything is how you do everything.” The little things DO matter. Dusting, keeping a clean shop and greeting customers within 15 seconds don’t seem like much on their own but taken all together, they help to ensure a friendly, welcoming environment. There are many little things that individually don’t seem like a big deal but add up to a successful shop. Keep your business reading up. I love reading Fast Company and Inc. magazine and discussing business books with other small business owners. Having a network to turn to during difficult times is definitely one key to sticking it out through the long haul. You’ll be glad you did.

New Kudos Molds

August 30, 2010 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

New Kudos Molds,

Row 1: Two Daffodils, Blooming Butterfly, Dare Dragonfly

Row 2: Flourish Heart, Kudos Mouse, Moon Face

Row 3: Ripple, Sweet Dreams, Textured Heart

We are positively leaping for joy that the new line of Kudos Single Cavity Silicone Molds is here. These are all originally hand sculpted designs. And, for our production soapers, we’re offering discounts when you purchase 5 of any one kind. You can see the entire line HERE (starting on page 2). And pssst, if you’re a fan of ours on Facebook (hint hint), look for an introductory coupon code today…

Soap Queen Projects on Facebook

August 30, 2010 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

I am always so thrilled when I see soaps that were inspired by a Soap Queen tutorial (melts my heart). Here are some projects that were posted on the Bramble Berry Facebook page! Become a fan and show off your soaps. Until then, enjoy some soapy inspiration:

Tammy Wall-Brodbeck posted her pinwheels via Facebook.

Handmade Soaps posted Swirled M&P via Facebook

Cassandra J. J, Resudek Posted her Plaid Soaps

Holly Port shared her Sugar Cubes

Christne Gaudinier shared her Citrus Slices

Check out these tutorials by clicking on the links below and give these projects a try:

Pinwheels, Melt and Pour Swirls, Plaid Soap, Sugar Scrub Cubes and Citrus Slices.

S.O.A.P Panel Chosen

August 28, 2010 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Soap Opinion Awesome Panel Members for Spring 2011

Congratulations to the following soapers who blogged, tweeted and posted about their favorite Bramble Berry products. It was difficult coming up with the final list and if your name isn’t here, know that I read and appreciated everyone’s comments and commentary on their favorite Bramble Berry products:

Jeanee Duval from Dirty Laundry

Erin Pikor from Naiad Soap Arts

Amy Warden from Great Cakes Soap Works

Melissa Jensen from SOAPendipity

Liberty from Liberty’s Yarn

Joanna Schmidt from Product Body

Courtney Beard from Courtney Robyn’s “Nest”

Kelly Taylor from Cassia’s Garden

Jennifer Cole from Owl Tree Soaps

Thank you (from the bottom of my heart) for all of your Twitters, Blogs and Facebook posts. It was so much fun to read about your favorite BB fragrances and products (you all have fabulous taste). This is our first time launching the S.O.A.P. testing group so if all goes well we’ll be doing it again soon!New Members: Please email me with your shipping address to info(at)brambleberry(dot)com

Congratulations finalists! I can’t tell you how excited I am to hear your Awesome Opinions!

Strawberry Pie Soap Tutorial

August 26, 2010 Filed Under: Melt & Pour Soap

For those of you who missed Soap Weekend Intensive 2010, here’s an exclusive peek at one of the creative projects that was taught by Erin Pikor, of Naiad Soap Arts – Summer Strawberry Pie!

Love pie? Now you can bathe with it! Learn how to make adorable Strawberry Pie Soap.

Ingredients

White Melt & Pour Soap Base

Clear Melt & Pour Soap Base

Perfect Red Color Block

Strawberry Fragrance oil

Almond Biscotti Fragrance oil

Tools

Silicone Brownie Pan

Crinkle Cutter
Daisy Cookie Cutter

OR get everything you need in the click of a button below!

ONE: To create the “strawberries” for our pie, make a deep pink color with 8 oz white m&p soap base and the Perfect Red Color Block. Mix well and pour the soap into the silicone tray mold. Once the soap is set-up, remove from the mold and cut the soap into small, irregular chunks with the crinkle cutter. Set the pink soap chunks aside for use later.

TWO: Now it’s time to make our “pie crust”. For a warm toasty crust color, melt 8 oz. white m&p soap base and mix in 6 to 8 drops liquid yellow oxide, and 2 to 3 drops liquid brown oxide. Mix well and pour the soap into the silicone tray mold. Let cool and remove the soap from the tray mold. Use your crinkle cutter to cut the soap into diagonal strips and set aside.

THREE: Before we start embedding, lay out your strips (on a clean cutting surface) in a criss cross lattice pattern. This is is how we’re going to embed them in the soap.

FOUR: Melt 16 ounces clear m&p soap and cool to 120 degrees. Pour a shallow layer into the brownie pan and work quickly to layer in your first layer of toasty strips, being sure to spray frequently with rubbing alcohol. Pour another thin layer of clear soap and add the rest of your strips in the opposite direction, making a criss-cross pattern. You only end up using about 4 ounces of the soap.

FIVE: With your remaining 12 ounces of clear soap add Merlot Mica and Strawberry Seeds. Mix well then scent with a blend of Strawberry and Almond Biscotti fragrance (we used 4 parts Strawberry and 1 part Almond Biscotti but get creative and use any ratio that you want).

SIX: Spray the lattice with rubbing alcohol and pour half of your Strawberry soap. Then generously sprinkle your pink soap chunks in (spraying everything furiously with rubbing alcohol). Then pour the remaining strawberry soap over the top. It’s o.k. if a few pieces are sticking out.

SEVEN: Once your soap is completely set-up, pop out of the mold and cut into little pieces with the daisy cutter. Or use your crinkle cutter to cut into rectangles like the picture at the top. Hurrah! Cute soap!

A big thank you to Erin for teaching this fabulous class and allowing us to blog her fabulously delicious project!

Strawberry Pie Soap Tutorial

Love pie? Now you can bathe with it! Learn how to make adorable Strawberry Pie Soap.

Author: Soap Queen

Recipe type: Melt and Pour

Ingredients

White Melt & Pour Soap Base
Clear Melt & Pour Soap Base
Perfect Red Color Block
Merlot Mica
Liquid Yellow Oxide
Liquid Brown Oxide
Strawberry Seeds
Strawberry Fragrance oil
Almond Biscotti Fragrance oil
Tools
Silicone Brownie Pan
Crinkle Cutter
Daisy Cookie Cutter

Instructions

To create the “strawberries” for our pie, make a deep pink color with 8 oz white m&p soap base and the Perfect Red Color Block. Mix well and pour the soap into the silicone tray mold. Once the soap is set-up, remove from the mold and cut the soap into small, irregular chunks with the crinkle cutter. Set the pink soap chunks aside for use later.
Now it’s time to make our “pie crust”. For a warm toasty crust color, melt 8 oz. white m&p soap base and mix in 6 to 8 drops liquid yellow oxide, and 2 to 3 drops liquid brown oxide. Mix well and pour the soap into the silicone tray mold. Let cool and remove the soap from the tray mold. Use your crinkle cutter to cut the soap into diagonal strips and set aside.
Before we start embedding, lay out your strips (on a clean cutting surface) in a criss cross lattice pattern. This is is how we’re going to embed them in the soap.
Melt 16 ounces clear m&p soap and cool to 120 degrees. Pour a shallow layer into the brownie pan and work quickly to layer in your first layer of toasty strips, being sure to spray frequently with rubbing alcohol. Pour another thin layer of clear soap and add the rest of your strips in the opposite direction, making a criss-cross pattern. You only end up using about 4 ounces of the soap.
With your remaining 12 ounces of clear soap add Merlot Mica and Strawberry Seeds. Mix well then scent with a blend of Strawberry and Almond Biscotti fragrance (we used 4 parts Strawberry and 1 part Almond Biscotti but get creative and use any ratio that you want).
Spray the lattice with rubbing alcohol and pour half of your Strawberry soap. Then generously sprinkle your pink soap chunks in (spraying everything furiously with rubbing alcohol). Then pour the remaining strawberry soap over the top. It’s o.k. if a few pieces are sticking out.
Once your soap is completely set-up, pop out of the mold and cut into little pieces with the daisy cutter. Or use your crinkle cutter to cut into rectangles like the picture at the top. Hurrah! Cute soap!

What’s S.O.A.P?

August 25, 2010 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Win a chance to be on Bramble Berry’s exclusive S.O.A.P. panel and help select the Spring 2011 Fragrance Line!

Help discover the next popular fragrance!

What’s the S.O.A.P. panel you ask? Soap Opinion (Awesome) Panel members will receive 8-10 one ounce fragrance samples of my top choices for Spring 2011. Give the cutting-edge fragrances a sniff AND test them in any product you like (really, anything you want). Then fill out a survey to help distinguish the top choices. I want your honest opinion and notes on testing!

How to apply: Tweet, Facebook or Blog about your favorite Bramble Berry product (including links) and why you should be selected for the S.O.A.P. Panel. We’ll announce the finalists this Saturday the 28th.

Fine Print: I will be sending out the fragrances September 1st and I would like the surveys complete by September 27th which gives you about 3 weeks to test the fragrances. Please keep this in mind before you enter. I’m looking for an accountable and enthusiastic panel!

Good Luck and Happy Soaping!

We Love Kudos!

August 25, 2010 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Betty works for Creative Soap Week and was kind enough to give us a little shout out on her site! Thanks Betty! We’re honored to be recognized with other fantastic soaper’s like Soapylove and Sunbasilgarden Soaps and A Breath of French Air!

Check out the feature HERE!

Want to learn how to make the featured soap? Check out the Watermelon tutorial HERE and the Soapy Rocks HERE!

You can follow Creative Soap Week on Facebook and Twitter.

Don’t Miss Out!

August 24, 2010 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Learn to make this adorable soap project (designed by Erin Pikor of Naiad Soap Arts) in our email Newsletter that is going out in waves tomorrow morning and will send throughout the day. Do you want to get a sneak peak of how to make this soapy fruit tart concoction? Make sure you’re signed up for the newsletter, your spam filter is set to love all things soap, and get ready to be excited by how easy the project is to make (once you know the secret!).

If you’re not signed up, you can (dare I say ‘should’?) sign up now it ships out first thing tomorrow. Sign up on the middle right of the Bramble Berry Home Page.

We had lots of great new molds and erasers show in the warehouse today. I can hardly wait to get them photographed and set up to sell. You are going to flip with how cute they are.