Search Results for: www.brambleberry.com

Invasion of the Erasers

March 9, 2009 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Our office is filled to the brim with adorable erasers in the shapes of cupcakes, birds, frogs and hamsters. Yes, in theory they were designed to remove pencil marks on paper but we know what their true calling is – as little surprise inclusions in soaps, bath parfaits and at the bottom of liquid soap containers.

Find them here and delight someone in your life for $.50-$1.00

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Happiness – Day One – Introduction

March 9, 2009 Filed Under: Business Musings

I recently read a book (okay, “recently” being six months ago and I’m finally getting around to blogging about it but who’s tracking, really?) called “Happy for No Reason” by Marci Shimoff (get your own copy of the book from Amazon here). According to Ms. Shimoff, the year 2020 will see depression become second only to heart disease in terms of the global burden of illness. She was motivated enough to write a book about how to maintain an inner well of happiness, no matter what situations are going on around you. I was inspired by her book. I took many of the suggestions she has in it and structured an entire “system” that I’ve been diligently following for almost 7 months now and I can genuinely say that “Yes, I feel happier compared to before I started the happiness framework.” Consider this series a super long book review coupled with practical advice both from the book and from the extra readings I’ve been doing after I finished the book.

What is Happiness?

“Well,” said Pooh, “what I like best,” and then he had to stop and think. Because although Eating Honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but he didn’t know what it was called. — A.A. Milne

We all know about that kind of anticipation – when we’re about to indulge ourselves in one of our favorite treats – dark chocolate with macadamia nuts, our favorite sauvignon blanc, a great novel, a shopping spree, a ylang ylang bubble bath, a romantic dinner with our sweetie, a walk by the ocean, a two-week vacation to the Caribbean – whatever makes you happy and excited. We all have our special treats and extravagances that bring happiness and excitement.

But it seems there are different definitions of happiness. Life-enhancing pleasures, like Pooh diving into the honey pot, are often referred to as “momentary happiness” or “transitory happiness” or “pleasure” – wonderful but fleeting. Then there’s what, in many studies, is referred to as “enduring happiness” or “contentment”, where an individual maintains an enduring level of happiness through the normal ups and downs of life. We say someone is “a happy person” or that someone “always has a positive attitude”, and it isn’t because their life is better or easier than anyone else’s. Eckhart Tolle, author of The Power of Now, says: “Pleasure is always derived from something outside you, whereas joy arises from within.”

Many studies have shown that wealth, income, job status, etc. do not make people happy and we’ve all seen examples of that. Studies of people winning the big lotteries show that five years later their happiness level is the same as it was before they won. If they weren’t happy people before they had their big win, they aren’t any happier five years after. What seems to distinguish happy people is that they have a unique attitude – a different way of thinking about things and doing things. They interpret the world and go about their lives in a different way.

It seems to be generally agreed that individuals start out with a set range of happiness, possibly genetic, that counts for about40 to 50% of our tendency towards happiness, whereas our circumstances count for about 10%. That leaves 40 to 50% of our happiness that is voluntary. This includes all aspects of our life over which we have a relatively high degree of control, including our thoughts and actions and attitude. How we choose to think and act has a significant impact on how happy we are, which means we can take steps to being a happier person – a choice that stands to make a big difference in our life and the lives of those around us. Happiness is a choice. Make the choice to be happy and reaffirm that choice daily.

“It’s snowing still,” said Eeyore gloomily. “So it is.” “And freezing.” “Is it?” “Yes,” said Eeyore. “However,” he said, brightening up a little, “we haven’t had an earthquake lately.” — A.A. Milne

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Preview of the Upcoming Week (video)

March 8, 2009 Filed Under: Business Musings

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Nifty Time-Delayed Nature Video

March 7, 2009 Filed Under: Personal Ramblings

Or, a year in 46 seconds…

For more information visit, http://eirikso.com You’ll learn how the video was made and get links to download the HD-version of all the images (if you’re so inclined).

The images were snapped at the same spot throughout one year, showing how the seasons change.

The audio is actual recordings from the same spot and making this near and dear to my heart, the images are from Oslo, Norway. My mom moved from Norway to marry my dad 35 years ago (in the most romantic story of all time) and since then, we’ve had many wonderful visits to loving family over there.

Enjoy the video (and remember, email subscribers, you have to click through to the blog to see the video).

Have a question about this blog post? Come join us at Bramble Berry’s Facebook page and we can help you out with any of your soapy questions!

Soapy Plaid (Inspired By Soapy Love)

March 6, 2009 Filed Under: Melt & Pour Soap

Here’s our version…

Here’s What You’ll Need
White and Clear Melt and Pour Soap Bases
Brownie Pan Tray Mold
Shamrock Mold
Colorants (mica)
Fragrance Oil
Rubbing Alcohol
Microwave Safe Bowl (pyrex)
Knife, Paper and Pen

Step 1: First, we need to make 4 thin colored layers to cut our the plaid pattern. Melt just enough soap base to completely cover the bottom of the loaf mold (about 1/8″). Add your favorite fragrance oil and mica before pouring. Let the layer completely cool.

Step 2: Once the layer has cooled, remove this layer and cut into strips of random thicknesses. We found that cutting with a large butcher knife works the best. Cut them diagonally or straight across. Set the strips aside, we’ll use them later.

Step 3: Repeat steps 1 and 2 for all four colors you want in the plaid design. We used Gold Sparkle Mica, Opalescent Green Mica, Shamrock Green Mica and Blue-Green Mica.

Step 4: While waiting for the layers to set up, this is a good time to make the shamrocks (you might need to make 2 batches). We used White Melt and Pour with Green Chrome Oxide.

Hint: Oxides and micas mix into melt and pour a little easier if combined with a little rubbing alcohol first. This technique will eliminate spots and speckles. The tutorial on using oxides in melt and pour is here.

Step 5: Grab your brownie pan mold and trace the outside edges of the mold onto a piece of paper. This will allow you to make a blueprint of your plaid design on “dry land” before embedding them into the soap.Step 6: It’s time to start layering! The first layer will be the background layer. Pour just enough soap to completely cover the bottom of the mold (we chose a white background). Let cool completely.
Hint: Most soaps are built from top to bottom (upside down). When you flip them out of the mold then they are right side up. These soaps are just the opposite, the layers go from bottom to top. So the last layer you pour will be the top layer of your soap.Step 7: While the bottom layer cools, we can set up the plaid design before the embedding step. Set up your strips of soap on the piece of paper with the traced mold on it.Hint: The plaid design usually consists of two colors each. The colors are semi-random. The top layer should have some gaps so you can see though it to the bottom colors. (You will be left with quite a bit of scraps. Don’t worry, we have another soapy project coming up that will put these scraps to good use).

Step 8: Once you have a plaid layout that you like, and the background layer has cooled, you can finally start to piece your plaid design together layer by layer.

Step 9: Spray the background layer of soap with rubbing alcohol to ensure your layers stick together, then pour a thin layer of clear soap base. Generously spray your cut out pieces with alcohol and place them directly into the clear soap. Finish this layer off with another spritz of alcohol to eliminate any bubbles.

Hint: This layer should consist of two alternating colors. Make sure you have enough clear melt and pour to completely cover the plaid layers. And temperature matters! Keep the overpour temperature below 130 degrees as to not melt the layers.

Step 10: Once the layer has completely cooled, repeat step 9 with your other plaid pieces.

Hint: Again, consisting of two colors. But this time, laying them in the opposite direction of the first plaid layer.

Step 11: It’s time to add the shamrocks to the final layer. Pour a thin layer of Clear Melt and Pour, generously spritz your shamrocks with rubbing alcohol and place them in the clear soap. Give it a final spritz to eliminate bubbles. Let harden and cut into bars.
Hint: Remember to put the shamrocks in right side up!

Have a question about this blog post? Come join us at Bramble Berry’s Facebook page and we can help you out with any of your soapy questions!

SoapyLove’s Plaid Inspiration

March 5, 2009 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Debbie, from SoapyLove, was our inspiration for creating a plaid soap of our own. You may have seen Debbie’s cute plaid soaps here(and below). In her honor of St. Patrick’s Day, we’ve created a fun March soap project using Soapy Love as our inspiration. We will be posting the green tutorial tomorrow so stay tuned! However, it’s a “need to see it to believe it” technique so we hope you can join Debbie at the 2nd Annual Soap Weekend Intensive in Bellingham, Washington July 17-19. Click here for more details on SWI 2009. Debbie will be teaching this concept in person so consider this a little teaser. For those of you that don’t know, Debbie is the instigator of the Soapsicle trend currently sweeping the ‘net and has a book coming out this fall on melt and pour techniques and tricks.

Have a question about this blog post? Come join us at Bramble Berry’s Facebook page and we can help you out with any of your soapy questions!

LA Splash Press

March 5, 2009 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

LA Splash featured our DIY Mineral Make up Kits.
Read the article here and check out other fabulous new products and reviews by LA Splash here.

Update: This kit has been discontinued. Click here to shop other kits.

LA Splash’s Kind Words: Bramble Berry Inc. offers more than 2500 soapmaking products including fragrance oils, herbs and botanicals, essential oils, soap molds, packaging, books and more! There’s something perfect for every member of your family. The kits have all of the tools and supplies needed to create 40 all natural pink and white personalized soaps. New products include do it yourself lip balm, eye shadow and foundation kits! Browse the website to see this extensive collection.

Interested in making your own Mineral Makeup? Pick up your eye shadow or foundation kit here and learn how to create your own custom colors. The kits come with an instruction book that will teach you everything you need to know. You’ll also receive enough ingredients to make 10 custom eye shadows (with a little left over to experiment with).

Have a question about this blog post? Come join us at Bramble Berry’s Facebook page and we can help you out with any of your soapy questions!

Soap Boxes Steal the Show

March 4, 2009 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

We’ve been inspired and surprised! In our latest monthly newsletter, our new soap boxes stole the show. Despite our attempt to showcase beautiful hand milled soap, the new white soap boxes took center stage.Twice as many readers clicked on the soap box blurb than any other article in the newsletter. Because they were so unexpectedly popular, we thought our blog readers would want to check them out as well.

Interested in our monthly news letter? Sign up here.

Have a question about this blog post? Come join us at Bramble Berry’s Facebook page and we can help you out with any of your soapy questions!

Cheaters Never Prosper

March 3, 2009 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News, Business Musings

I started out my morning in my normal fashion (yoga, meditation, coffee with husband, Chinese practice). It was starting to be a good day, despite the rain in Washington. I baked a giant cookie for our AP/AR person who has been with Bramble Berry going on five years and deserves all the recognition and celebration she can get. And, it’s Christina’s birthday in Customer Service so there’s cake and much frivolity at work.

Then, I made it to my desk and found the fax below:

It says that our credit card was charged for $299 for a publication. The name of the publication looks vaguely like a business publication (“CFO & Controller Alert). Puzzled, I talked to the employee that gave the credit card. He told me that this International Credit Recovery had called up, claimed I had ordered this expensive publication, said they had sent 5 invoices and that they were going to ding our credit report if we didn’t immediately “pay up.” They sounded legit since they called his cell phone number and had my date of birth. They said they would send him an invoice as soon as we paid up. Being worried about our credit, he acquiesced giving over our credit card. I wasn’t in the office so he couldn’t check with me. Plus, he figured it was better to be safe than sorry.

As soon as I saw the fax, I knew the entire thing was a bogus scam:

1. Our company name isn’t “Bramble Bakery”
2. The employee’s name that supposedly authorized the transaction isn’t even remotely close
3. I’m cheap. I don’t spend $299 on any publication. Ever.

So, I called the company, explained the situation and when it was apparent that I wasn’t going to back down, the “Manager” hung up on me. I called back. This time, the “Switchboard Operator” hung up on me after I asked for Customer Service. I’ve called back three additional times. They must have caller ID because I keep getting an answering machine. The last time I called, the phone just rang and rang and rang.

I googled the number and got page, after page of irate, angry people with the same exact experience. Try for yourself if you’re curious (or if you’d like to forewarn your employees to not pay any invoice without proof). Their phone number is 607-748-4686.

It’s easy to dispute the charges on my credit card so I’m not out anything but my time (yes, I had planned to do other things this morning). And, I’ve already reported them to the Better Business Bureau (got a similar story? Report it here) and the Attorney General’s Office (Bighampton Office). But really, there has got to be a better way to do business. Ultimately, cheaters never prosper.

Have a question about this blog post? Come join us at Bramble Berry’s Facebook page and we can help you out with any of your soapy questions!

Soap Wish Interview, Day Two

March 2, 2009 Filed Under: Business Musings

If you missed the first part of the interview with Soap Wish, check it out here.
Ahem…now back to Sheila and her fabulous creations.

Anne-Marie: Tell us a little bit about yourself. What do you like to do when you’re not soaping?

Soap Wish: Over here at casa Soap Wish, you never know what we’ll be up to on any given day. The permanent residents are me, the man, the boy, and the dog, but everyone is welcome. Humor is a family value in our house, so you can expect a laugh or two if you stop by. Next in line for interests is reading- I love to read. I’ve been known to read and reread the cereal box when that’s the only thing around. I like trying new crafts and I have a storage room full of paraphernalia to prove it. We love to travel and experience different cultures. Indian food is big on the list of interests as well. My son would add that I like to spend money. He’s a bit of a smart alec for an eight year old.

Anne-Marie: What is your favorite thing about running your own business?

Soap Wish: We’re so new that my favorite thing is learning something new about the business everyday. I love the freedom to be creative, the flexibility to work when the spirit hits me, and the chance to work with my husband.

Anne-Marie: What’s the best advice you can give to someone who wants to start their own business?

Soap Wish: Try it. Start small, there are a lot of different ways to get your product out there and most of them don’t cost you much money. Use the absolute best ingredients possible and keep perfecting your product. Provide excellent customer service, there isn’t enough of that around so customers really appreciate good service.

Anne-Marie: Have you ever dabbled in other bath and body products?

Soap Wish: Does when I was 2 years old and plastered the bathroom with powder count? Seriously, I loved to mix things when I was little. I’d take my mom’s old perfume and mix lotion in it and take lotion and add color or perfume to make my own blend. All of it was atrocious, but I really loved it. I see my son doing the same thing now. He wants to be a chemist.

Anne-Marie: What is your favorite Bramble Berry product and why?

Soap Wish: When we were just starting I purchased fragrances from Bramble Berry and a few other suppliers to get a feel for what was available. Hands down, Bramble Berry has the best fragrance oils! Even with the limited knowledge we had we could tell immediately we were dealing with a superior product. The fragrance oils from the other suppliers were more like fragrance water. The fragrances were so watery and the scents had a chemical like smell so we never used them. The boy uses them for practice, and he knows not to touch the Bramble Berry ones! Getting a package of fragrances from Bramble Berry is like Christmas for your nose. One more favorite…..the micas and oxides. I love the variety and I love that they are sold by weight so you get more bang for your buck.

Anne-Marie: Final thoughts? Anything you want our readers to know about you?

Soap Wish: We love to make different things so if you have something in mind send us an email, we’ll try to make it!

Anne-Marie: You rock, Sheila! Thanks for taking the time to chat with us. I cant wait to see what you come up with next. This is Anne-Marie and Sheila, signing off!

Don’t forget to check out her Soap Wish Etsy Site and the Soap Wish Blog.

Have a question about this blog post? Come join us at Bramble Berry’s Facebook page and we can help you out with any of your soapy questions!

Fun with Family

March 1, 2009 Filed Under: Personal Ramblings

I’m so lucky to have a fun and wonderful family. We spent today in Seattle, celebrating my Mom’s birthday. First, we walked around Greenlake, where we met the lovely duck photographed above (that duck, plus about ten thousand more and probably 250 cute dogs and 35 perfectly behaved, adorable babies).

Then, we headed to Costas in the Fremont District of Seattle. That’s where this fun photo of my dear husband and I was taken. The “Fremont Troll” is a a well known landmark. It’s holding a real car, as if it had just snatched it from the overpass above.

We finished up with a wonderful 3-D Imax show, Under the Sea, at the Pacific Science Center. If you have an Imax near you, this was a great film. It made me feel like I was scuba diving with exotic sea life and was informative at the same time. All in all, today was a very laughter-filled day with lots of joy. Thank goodness the weather held for most of it!

I Heart this Squirrel!

March 1, 2009 Filed Under: Personal Ramblings

I seemed to have made a little friend while visiting my parents house the other weekend. They have the cutest baby squirrel that has been hanging around the house lately. He seriously just sits there and doesn’t seem to be afraid of anything. It was so fun to see nature up close and personal! I hope to see him on my next visit.

PS – Happy Birthday Mom!

Goal Check-In

February 28, 2009 Filed Under: Personal Ramblings

You want to set a goal that is big enough that in the process of achieving it you become someone worth becoming.
— Jim Rohn

How are you doing on your 2009 goals? We’re just entering March which means that you’re 17% of the way through the year. Are you 17% to your goal yet? Are you making daily, small incremental amounts of effort to ensure that you are making real progress? This is the year for change, challenge and innovation. Opportunity is everywhere. We just need to be relentless in our efforts so we’re ready to swing for the fences when that perfect opportunity arises.

Many of you posted goals here, here and here. If you’ve fallen off the wagon, take a moment to re-read your goals and recommit yourself to excellence in 2009. Just think about how thrilled and happy you’ll be when December 31st rolls around and you’re 10 pounds lighter, have 5 more wholesale accounts or have strengthened your family relationships.

Moms Like Me ‘likes’ our Citrus Soap

February 28, 2009 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Thanks for the soapy shout out! Moms Like Me, a networking site for Moms in Brevard County, showcased our Citrus Soap Project as well as our soapmaking kits. Check out the full article here.

Want to make these citrusy soaps for spring? See the full tutorial on the Soap Queen Blog