This blog is staying up, so you can still refer back to it whenever you like. However, all new projects will be posted on the Bramble Berry website. If you have any questions you can contact our customer service team.

Make sure to bookmark In the Studio for new DIY bath and body recipes, helpful articles, and how-to videos!

The post The Blog Has Moved! appeared first on Soap Queen.

We have new items just in time for your fall and winter projects. The Hygge Collection includes comforting scents, moisturizing oils, and packaging that’s perfect for holiday gifts.

The collection is inspired by the Danish concept of hygge (hoo-gah), which is the everyday pursuit of happiness, comfort, and connection. For us, hygge is making products to treat ourselves and those around us. That’s why we chose these new items.

Lingonberry Spice Fragrance Oil
This fragrance is the perfect mix of fruit and spice. You’ll love the comforting notes of apple, cinnamon, and mountain air.

Cinnamon Cocoa Fragrance Oil
One sniff of this fragrance and you’ll be hooked. It’s a warm mix of coffee beans, nutmeg, and vanilla.

Cashmere Fragrance Oil
You need this fragrance in your collection. The notes of blueberry, magnolia, and violet are hard to beat.

Alpine Frost Fragrance Oil
Try this refreshing fragrance in DIY holiday gifts like soap, scrub, foot soak, and bath bombs.

Birchwood Oud Fragrance Oil
Pick up this scent today and enjoy the complex mix of kaffir lime, sea salt, and amber.

Hygge Fragrance Collection
Try all five new scents and find your favorite. Don’t wait, it’s only available while supplies last.

Lingonberry Seed Oil
You’ll love the way this oil feels on the skin – it has a silky and lightweight texture.

Oat Oil
This oil absorbs quickly and leaves your skin feeling hydrated all day long. It’s rich in fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamin E.

Turmeric Shea Butter
You need this natural product in your collection. It’s a mix of moisturizing butters and turmeric root extract, which will leave your skin feeling smooth.

Pumpkin Extract
You only need a few drops of pumpkin extract to add something special to handmade soap, lotion, and bath bombs. It helps moisturize the skin.

Liquid Cashmere
This is a must-have product for DIY skin and hair care. It adds a silky feeling to DIY soap, shampoo, and conditioner.

Menthol Crystals
You only need a few crystals to add a minty scent and a cooling sensation to handmade soap, scrub, and lip balm.

Pumpkin Powder
Pick up this powder today. It adds a subtle yellow color and mild exfoliation to DIY soap and scrub.

White and Black Twist Tubes
These tubes are perfect for handmade lotion bars, deodorant, and solid perfume.

Narrow and Wide Wooden Wicks
These are a must-have for handmade candles. You’ll love the even burn and comforting crackling sound.

4 oz. and 8 oz. Lidded Glass Jars
You’ll love this sophisticated jar for handmade candles. Just pop the lid on and it’s ready to store, gift, or sell.

Cooling Foot Care Kit
This kit comes with the supplies you need to pamper yourself and your loved ones. That includes printed instructions and labels.

Cashmere Soap Kit
This kit comes with the supplies you need to make 12 luxurious bars of soap, including pumpkin powder, a reusable mold, and printed instructions.

Lingonberry Spice Candle Kit
Candles are the perfect holiday gift. This kit comes with the supplies you need to make them, including printed instructions.

Full Hygge Collection
Add all of the new items into your Bramble Berry cart. They can be used in handmade products like soap, lotion, and bath bombs.

We can’t wait to see all the designs you create with the new products. Share using #BrambleOn.

The post Introducing the Hygge Collection appeared first on Soap Queen.

If you haven’t tried new sea sponges, you’re in for a treat. They’re used in soap because they create amazing lather – no washcloth necessary.

Where they’re from
There are more than 5,000 species of sea sponges that grow in both polar and tropical areas. The wool sponge we carry comes from the Bahamas, and the silk sponge comes from the Philippines. They’re a part of the new Seascape Collection.

Before the sea sponges make it to homes all over the world, they’re harvested by specially-trained divers. They use hooks to remove the sponges from rock and coral and then bring them back up to the boats. Workers run a string through and hang them to dry. The sponges are covered in a black film, but exposure to the sun causes it to dry and fall off. Then, the sponges are washed a few times and prepared for shipping.

The best part about that process is it’s sustainable. The divers don’t cut all the way down to the rock, which means the sponges will grow again. Once they’re harvested, divers move so it doesn’t overburden one area.

It’s a similar method used by our vendor when they first started. They’ve been diving for sea sponges since the 1940s. Employee Jim said his father, George, would dive for the sponges near a small island called Lemnos in the north Aegean Sea. George and his brothers would gather people from the town and go out on the boats for a week, collecting as many sponges as they could.

“They’d bring them in and sell them throughout Greece,” Jim said.

In the 1950s, George moved to the United States. His brothers shipped the sponges from Lemnos and he would sell them across the country. George is still active in the family business today, and Jim has been working with him since 1975.

How to use them
The sponges can be used to clean windows, apply wallpaper glue, apply paint, and more. Of course, we love them in bath products.

The silk sea sponge is small, slightly firm, and about 1.5-2″ across. The wool sponge is softer, larger, and about 3-3.5″ across. Both have a luxurious, soft feeling on the skin.

They’re super easy to use. First, pour soap into a mold. Melt and pour needs to be around 130-135F and cold process needs to be at a thin/medium trace. Place the sponges in the soap securely and make sure to leave a portion sticking out of the bars so it creates lather. You can cut the sponges to fit if necessary.

Inspiration
We show you how to work with them two ways. The Sea Sponge Melt and Pour Soap is nice and simple. Clear Melt and Pour is colored with jagua blue extract and scented with Midnight Waters Fragrance Oil. That’s poured into the 6 Bar Silicone Oval Mold and topped with a wool sponge.

The Sea Sponge Cold Process Soap is made with the smaller silk sponge. They’re embedded into swirly soap made with jagua blue extract and Sea Salt Fragrance Oil.

The post Sea Sponge Spotlight appeared first on Soap Queen.

We have new items that are sure to inspire your summer projects. The Seascape Collection features crisp scents, natural exfoliants, and beautiful shades of blue. Shop all the new products here.

Pacific Pearl Fragrance Oil
As soon as you smell this bright and uplifting scent you’ll want to add it to all of your DIY bath products.

Sea Salt Fragrance Oil
The notes of seaweed and cucumber in this unique scent will remind you of a morning walk on the beach.

Coastal Rain Fragrance Oil
The mix of ocean mist, Argentina lemon, and white tea in this scent is hard to beat.

Midnight Waters Fragrance Oil
If you love deep and complex scents, pick this one up. It has notes of orange, lilies, and deep sea water.

Seascape Fragrance Collection
Keep the creativity flowing and try all four new water-inspired scents.

Pumice Sand
This powerful exfoliant will leave your skin feeling fresh and clean. Try it in DIY soap and scrubs.

Icelandic Black Sand
This product comes from the South Coast of Iceland. It has a beautiful natural color and mild exfoliation.

Pearl Powder
Set your recipes apart with pearl powder. It’s packed with nutrients like calcium and minerals.

Jagua Blue Extract
This colorant creates a stunning midnight blue shade in DIY bath products.

Seaweed Extract
This ultra-hydrating extract is ideal for all skin types. Try it in your soap, lotion, or facial skincare.

Sugar Pearls
Sprinkle a few of these cute pearls on top of DIY bath products.

White Foam Pump Bottle and Clear Foam Pump Bottle
This must-have product gives liquid soap a light and foamy texture.

Sea Sponges
These sponges are the perfect addition to handmade soap. They create amazing lather.

Pearl Bath Bomb Kit
Create adorable bath bombs with this kit, which comes with supplies and printed instructions.

Foaming Liquid Soap Kit
You only need a few ingredients to create this fun foaming soap.

Full Seascape Collection
Add all of the new Seascape items into your Bramble Berry cart. They can be used in handmade products like soap, lotion, and bath bombs. With this collection you can try one of each.

We can’t wait to see all the fresh designs you create with this collection. Share using the tag #BrambleOn.

The post Introducing the Seascape Collection appeared first on Soap Queen.

If you’re ever feeling uninspired, head to your local farmers market. The sights, smells, and makers there are sure to get your creativity flowing. Our new Farmers Market Collection will too – it has fresh products handpicked for you. Shop all the new Farmers Market products here.

Avocado Fragrance Oil
If avocado is an option, always say yes. This fresh scent has notes of blackberry, citrus, and mint.

Raspberry Jam Fragrance Oil
This sweet fragrance is a mix of lily, loganberry, rose nectar, and cranberry.

Cucumber Garden Fragrance Oil
You’ll love the notes of orange, green vines, and wood in this fresh scent.

Blueberry Thyme Fragrance Oil
This scent is inspired by artisan cocktails. It has notes of lemon, Spanish rosemary, and vanilla.

Farmers Market Fragrance Oil Collection
For a limited time you can try all four new scents and save 20%.

6 Cavity Silicone Goat Mold
Create adorable goat soap with this sturdy and flexible mold.

Bee Pollen Powder
This nutrient-rich powder adds a lovely yellow color to soap.

Spinach Powder
If you’re on the hunt for a natural green colorant, this is a great option.

Tomato Powder
This powder creates a gorgeous orange-red shade in handmade products.

Alfalfa Powder
Give your DIY products a subtle green shade with this natural colorant.

Red Sandalwood Powder
This powder will give your soap a gorgeous red-purple hue.

Arnica Flowers
Add a unique look and feel to your next recipe. These flowers also work well in infusions.

Cucumber Seed Oil
Those with dry or mature skin will love this oil. It has excellent moisturizing properties.

Raspberry Seed Oil
Keep your skin feeling smooth with this oil. It’s packed with essential fatty acids.

Carrot Seed Oil
This oil has a silky texture that’s hard to beat. It’s especially suited for those with sensitive skin.

Raspberry Jam Scrub Kit
You only need a few ingredients to create this skin-loving scrub.

We can’t wait to see all the fresh designs you create with this collection. Share using the tag #BrambleOn.

The post Introducing the Farmers Market Collection appeared first on Soap Queen.

We have 9 new molds that will be staples in your collection. They include basic shapes like circles, squares, and rectangles. And because they’re made with silicone, the molds are sturdy, flexible, and easy to use. Find all the Basic Shapes Molds here.

Top row, left to right: 6 Cavity Silicone Rectangle Mold, 6 Cavity Silicone Assorted Shapes Mold, 6 Cavity Silicone Circle Mold

Middle row, left to right: 9 Cavity Silicone Guest Rectangle Mold, 9 Cavity Silicone Guest Oval Mold, 6 Cavity Silicone Organic Mold

Bottom row, left to right: 6 Cavity Silicone Dome Mold, 9 Cavity Silicone Guest Assorted Shapes Mold, 6 Cavity Silicone Square Mold

These molds can be used for cold process soap, melt and pour soap, bath bombs, lotion bars, and more.

Watch out for this tutorial on the blog soon. It’s made with melt and pour soap, poppy seeds, and the 9 Cavity Silicone Guest Oval Mold.

This upcoming bath bomb tutorial uses the 6 Cavity Silicone Square Mold.

Get your Basic Shapes Molds today and share what you create using the tag #BrambleOn.

The post New Basic Shapes Molds appeared first on Soap Queen.

Wild Rose Fragrance Oil
You’ll love the notes of orange peel, pink rose, geranium, mimosa, lily of the valley, guaiac wood, vanilla, and musk.

Baby’s Breath Fragrance Oil
This delicate fragrance oil has notes of grapefruit, bergamot, tea leaf, jasmine, peach, lily, musk, amber, and Copaiba Balsam.

Blushing Orchid Fragrance Oil
This complex and alluring blend has notes of lemon, lime, cucumber, tuberose, rose, clove, coconut, balsam, and musk.

Daisy Chain Fragrance Oil
This scent is inspired by Marc Jacobs Daisy and has notes of violet, strawberry, jasmine, vanilla, and musk.

Modern Floral Fragrance Oil Collection
Get all four new fragrances for 40% off. Don’t wait, it’s only available while supplies last.

Pink Rose Petals
 Add a touch of elegance to your products with these petals. They look beautiful on their own or mixed with red rose petals.

Jasmine Flowers
You’ll want to add these sophisticated dried flowers to all of your DIY projects.

Safflower Petals
These orange-red petals are the perfect finishing touch for your next cold process soap recipe.

Lavender Butter
This product leaves skin feeling smooth and the subtle lavender scent will be a customer favorite.

Lotus Flower Extract
People love lotus flower because of its hydrating properties. It’s especially suited for those with dry or mature skin. 

Orchid Extract
Orchids aren’t just beautiful to look at – they’re used in skincare because they’re full of antioxidants and help draw moisture to the skin.

Floral Cold Process Kit
Pick up this kit to create elegant bars your skin will love.

Whipped Body Butter Kit
You only need a few ingredients to create this luxurious and relaxing body butter.

We can’t wait to see all the elegant designs you create with this collection. Share using the tag #BrambleOn.

The post Introducing the Modern Floral Collection appeared first on Soap Queen.

Neem Oil
If you’ve ever worked with neem oil, there’s a good chance you remember the scent. Its distinct odor is often described as musky or garlicky. It also has a deep yellowish brown color. Don’t let that scare you away though – there’s a reason neem has been used on the skin for centuries. It’s mentioned in ancient Indian texts, and they have been using all parts of the tree since around 2000 BC.

People love neem oil because it’s incredibly moisturizing, full of antioxidants, and it adds a special touch to handmade products. If you’re excited to try this unique oil in your next project, the shelf life is 2 years and the usage rates are:

• Cold process soap: 3-6%
• Lotions and creams: 2-5%
• Balms: 1-3%

The scent and color will carry through in the final product, but it’s less noticeable with a low usage rate and strong scent like peppermint essential oil. Find out how much scent to add to your recipe with the Fragrance Calculator.

Babassu Oil
We’re big fans of coconut oil here at Bramble Berry, and we use it in almost all of our cold process soap recipes – sometimes even at 100%. When we heard babassu worked as a replacement for both coconut and palm oil, we couldn’t wait to get our hands on it for testing. It didn’t disappoint. Babassu, which comes from a Brazilian tree, adds the same firming and moisturizing properties to cold process soap as coconut and palm. However, babassu has a lighter consistency that absorbs more quickly into the skin. We recommend giving all three oils a try in small test batches to see what you think. We love the fast absorption for lotion and hair products too.

The shelf life is 2 years. The usage rates are:

• Cold process soap: 2-33%
• Lotions and creams: 3-5%
• Balms: 3-10%

Wheat Germ Oil
You may have eaten wheat germ oil – it adds a nutty flavor to cereal and Indian breads like roti. When it comes to skincare, wheat germ oil has a lot to offer. It’s jam-packed with nutrients like vitamins A, B, D, and E. Even though the oil is fairly heavy, it has a light and almost powdery feeling on the skin. Because of that consistency, it’s often used in facial cleansing oils to help seal in moisture. People also use it in hair products because it’s so nourishing.

The shelf life is 1 year. The usage rates are:

• Cold process soap: 5-10%
• Lotions and creams: 5-15%
• Balms: 5-10%

Wheat germ oil has a dark yellow color and a nutty/oaty scent. When used at 10% or less and with a strong fragrance, that won’t be as noticeable.

Borage Oil
This oil is one of the richest sources of essential fatty acids. One of those fatty acids is gamma-linolenic acid, which helps nourish and hydrate the skin. It works well especially for those with sensitive or mature skin. As with most skincare products, the benefits of this oil aren’t a new discovery. The borage herb has been used for more than 1500 years. Roman historian Pliny wrote that borage leaves were commonly brewed in a medicinal tea. Today, we love adding it to massage oils and lotions.

The shelf life is 3 years. The usage rates are:

• Cold process soap: 5-33%
• Lotions and creams: 2-10%
• Balms: 1-50%

We’ll share tutorials that demonstrate all the ways you can get creative with the new products. Which one is inspiring you the most? Let us know using the tag #BrambleOn.

The post New Exotic Oils appeared first on Soap Queen.

We have a new collection of cocktail-inspired scents that will get you in the creative spirit. It includes Scotch Whisky Fragrance Oil, Spiked Eggnog Fragrance Oil, Sparkling Fig Cocktail Fragrance Oil, and Kentucky Bourbon Fragrance Oil. They have warm, spicy, and sweet notes that work well in holiday projects, but can also be used year-round. We can’t wait to see all the beautiful things you create using this collection.

For a limited time, you can sample all four of the new fragrances and find your favorite. The Cocktail Fragrance Oil Collection includes 2 ounces of each scent for just $15.50, which is $10 off the retail price. Don’t wait, this offer is only available until Sunday, Sept. 24th. After that, the fragrance oils will be available for purchase individually.

Scotch Whisky Fragrance Oil: This complex blend is different than the usual whisky scent. It opens with subtle jasmine and heliotrope, followed by bright Italian bergamot. It has rich middle notes of vanilla bourbon, Scotch whisky, and cigar, and base notes of cedarwood and musk.

Spiked Eggnog Fragrance Oil: Creamy, warm, and comforting, this fragrance oil is relaxation in a bottle. Vanilla and nutmeg blend to perfection with rum. A dash of sweet caramel, cinnamon, and aromatic clove perfectly complete this delectable fragrance.

Sparkling Fig Cocktail Fragrance Oil: Sweet and fruity with a healthy dose of fresh green notes, this exotic cocktail is mouthwatering and intriguing. Top notes of exotic dragonfruit, orange, and green apple are balanced with peach nectar, pink peony, and neroli. The shining star in this fragrance is the finishing note of fresh green fig leaves.

Kentucky Bourbon Fragrance Oil: This bourbon fragrance oil is dark and sophisticated. Top notes of Brazilian orange and bergamot are followed by a spicy heart of clove and midnight orchid. A base of musk, leather, oak cask, and patchouli round out this hearty scent. 

Which scent is inspiring you the most? Let us know using the tag #BrambleOn.

The post Introducing the Cocktail Fragrance Oil Collection appeared first on Soap Queen.

Gemstones are a great source of inspiration for handmade products. We immediately picture vivid colors, complex scents, and plenty of shimmer. That’s where our new collection of gemstone-inspired products comes in. As soon as items like the Powder Sprayer or the Silicone Gemstone Mold are delivered to your door, you’ll want to get started on your next handmade masterpiece.

The new collection includes Turquoise Fragrance Oil, Amethyst Fragrance Oil, Jade Fragrance Oil, Moonstone Fragrance Oil, Fine Silver Rainbow EcoGlitter, Silver Rainbow EcoGlitter, the Powder Sprayer, and the Silicone Gemstone Mold. For a limited time, you can sample all four new fragrances and find your favorite. The Gemstone Fragrance Oil Collection has 2 ounces of each scent for just $16.95, which is $10 off the retail price. Don’t wait, it’s only available until Sunday, Sept. 3rd. Once it’s gone, the fragrance oils will only be available for purchase individually. Find all the new products here.

Bramble Berry CEO and Founder Anne-Marie will be talking about the new products in a Facebook Live video on Tuesday, Aug. 29th at 11 a.m. PST. You won’t want to miss it!

Moonstone Fragrance Oil: This scent is a beautiful combination of soft florals and sweet fruits. It has notes of lavender, bergamot, jasmine, violet, sandalwood, and vanilla. It lightly accelerates in cold process soap and discolors to tan.

Turquoise Fragrance Oil: You’ll love the sophisticated mix of bergamot, lemon, jasmine, rose, patchouli, and amber in this scent. It accelerates in cold process soap and discolors brown.

Amethyst Fragrance Oil: This fresh scent has notes of pear, melon, sparkling lemon, lily, patchouli, and amber. It doesn’t accelerate or discolor in cold process soap.

Jade Fragrance Oil: Fruity and floral are the star of this fresh fragrance. It has notes of grapefruit, English ivy, green apple, neroli, and fern moss. It doesn’t accelerate or discolor in cold process soap.

We’ll share tutorials here that demonstrate all the ways you can get creative with the new products. Which one is inspiring you the most? Let us know using the tag #BrambleOn.

The post Introducing the Gemstone Fragrance Oil Collection appeared first on Soap Queen.