Soap Queen

Tutorials on soapmaking, bath fizzies, lotions and more

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Spring Project Inspiration

Filed Under: Bath & Body Tutorials, Bramble Berry News

Spring is the perfect time to create projects inspired by nature. The outdoors become filled with blooming flowers, ripe produce and fresh scents. This time of year translates perfectly into bath and body projects with bright color palettes, botanicals and floral fragrances. If you are looking for spring inspired projects, I’ve got you covered! If you’re brand new to creating your own bath and body products, I’ve written a handy guide to starting out. You can find this free guide here.

Dried herbs and flowers are a great way to add the look of spring to soap. In the Juicy Orange and Sweet Rose Cold Process Soap, rose petals and dried orange peels accent an orange in-the-pot swirl. Chamomile herbs add texture to the cheery Yellow Chamomile Cold Process Tutorial. Floral fragrances are also a fantastic way to celebrate spring. In the Modern Cherry Blossom Tutorial, the soft Cherry Blossom Fragrance Oil gives a soft feminine scent. If you love the powdery and light scent of lilac, the Layered Lilac Loofah Cold Process smells incredibly realistic. If you’re new to soapmaking, here’s a FREE Beginners Guide to Soapmaking.

coldprocesscollageTop left, clockwise: Layered Lilac Loofah Cold Process, Yellow Chamomile Cold Process, Juicy Orange & Sweet Rose Cold Process, Modern Cherry Blossom

Did you know it was easy and inexpensive to make your own bath fizzies? It is! Here are some perfect spring tutorials just for you. Dried flowers are also the perfect addition to bath bombs and teas. In the Lavender & Clay Mondo Bath Fizzy, dried lavender and lavender essential oil create a calming bath experience. Looking for a tropical getaway? The Pikake Flower Bath Bombs smell of traditional Hawaiian leis. Fresh herbs infused with essential oils add scent and moisture in the Mother’s Day Bath Tea Tutorial.

bath bomb collageTop row: Lavender & Clay Mondo Bath Fizzy
Bottom Row: Pikake Flower Bath Bombs, Mother’s Day Bath Tea

If you’re looking for more projects to show mom your love this Mother’s Day (it is coming up soon, my friends), the Gentle Gel Serum is incredibly luxurious. Made with Carrot Seed Essential Oil, the serum is great for mature skin. The Pink Salt and Shea Bath Bars uses pink sea salt and a fresh floral scent to create a wonderfully feminine melt and pour soap. If your mom enjoys cosmetics, the soft and shiny Rosy Red Lip Gloss gives a sheer tint inspired by fresh roses.

collage3Top left to right, clockwise: Gentle Gel Serum, Rosy Red Lip Gloss, Pink Salt and Shea Bath Bars

With fresh blooms comes gardening! If you are a gardener, your hands may be in need of some extra TLC. Scrubby soap is perfect for removing dirt and dead skin build up from working outside. The Handmade Soap for Gardeners made with coffee grounds is super exfoliating. If you prefer gentle exfoliation and a beginners DIY project, the Minty Clay Melt and Pour Bar, made with poppy seeds and peppermint essential oil leaves skin soft and fresh smelling. Love a minty scent? The Cranberry Seed Foot Scrub is perfect for both feet and hands. If you’re new to melt and pour soapmaking, here’s a FREE Beginners Guide to Melt and Pour soapmaking.

Final1_500px1collagescrubTop Row: Minty Clay Melt and Pour Bars
Bottom Row: Handmade Soap for Gardeners, Cranberry Seed Foot Scrub

What kind of spring inspired projects are you making? I would love to see your photos on the Bramble Berry Facebook page!

Soap Queen Cuisine: Goat Cheese Beet Dip

Filed Under: Soap Queen Cuisine

I’m on a mission to use all the vegetables in my garden. I hate seeing food go to waste, especially when I have worked so hard to produce it! Because of this mission, I’ve been experimenting with new ways to use vegetables. In particular, my beet plants have been thriving, so I broke out the blender and created this dip.

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Sunnyland Elementary Garden Field Trip

Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

I have long enjoyed gardening. Not only is it a great excuse to spend time outside, it’s therapeutic to nurture the land and watch it grow. In the past year Jamisen has begun helping me in the garden, which makes the process even better. I feel extremely lucky to have the space to teach Jamisen and Lily about the gardening process and healthy eating. Gardening is a fun family activity that we all can share.
Because not every child (or even adult!) has the opportunity to learn about the land and food we eat, I jumped at the opportunity to support Common Threads Farms. A local organization focusing on food literacy, youth empowerment and environmental stewardship, Common Threads brings gardens to schools and community spaces.
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