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Soapy Social Media Roundup

October 3, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Another week, another wonderful weekend. Last Saturday I was busy running the Bellingham Bay Half Marathon, and that went so well that I’m doing it again this weekend. Run Like a Girl Marathon is today and my pregnant friend Patrice and I ran while the kiddos and Chris did the Home Depot Kids Project. Below, Jamisen and Lily congratulated me at the end of last weekend’s race. I like to think that watching their parents train for marathons is teaching lessons about hard work, determination and accomplishing goals. I guess we will find out! =)

If you’re enjoying a low key day and are in need of some soapy inspiration, check out my favorite pins, tweets and ‘grams from this week below!

Pinterest:

Top left, clockwise:

I love this quote. It’s up to you to make your life worth loving…nobody else is going to do it for you!
I’m a huge fan of ombre soap, and this Raspberry Cream Cold Process Soap by Ruth of The Sirona Springs Blog is gorgeous.
Who doesn’t love a rainbow color palette? These Unicorn Magic Bath Bombs are so striking. The layers and colors really pop!
Speaking of unicorns, how adorable is this Unicorn Invitation Printable? These might be perfect for Lily’s next birthday.
Pink flamingos would be such a fun and unique party theme. This party decor from Poppies For Grace is inspiring!
This Tiger Stripes Soap by Jelena of Soap Techniques is jaw dropping. The layers are beautifully done.

Instagram:

This week felt like fall, which means it’s time to bust out the candles! Look out for the tutorial for these silver glitter candles next week.

While the temperatures have been dropping in the Pacific Northwest, the weather was perfect for the Bellingham Bay Half Marathon last weekend. I’m so glad to have finished the race with friends by my side. You can read more about the race and my experience h ere. On the right is a super girly confetti cold process soap made with the new Bramble Berry Juicy Couture Type Fragrance Oil. It smells amazing!
It was only a few months ago that the team and I created 30+ recipes during the photo shoot for my upcoming book, Pure Soap Making. The book doesn’t come out until February 2016, but you can pre-order now! Psssst: free goodies for pre-order friends.

Twitter:

Do you feel like your productivity plummets at the end of the day? This study suggests that working in shorter, more intense bursts may help.
If you’re thinking about changing up your hair (I just dyed mine pink!) Check out fall’s must-have hair colors.
I’m patiently awaiting the new Pantone “color of the year” for 2016. In the meantime, check out this list for next years most fashionable colors.
Do you drink enough water? This post is full of water consumption info.
These adorable DIY Soap Gems by Brie of Like the Cheese are so pretty and simple.

I hope you all have an wonderful weekend! To keep up with the latest soapy social media throughout the week, you can follow me on Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Pinterest, Vine and YouTube and Snapchat. To watch my ‘stories’, which include sneak peeks into future projects, add me. I’m Bramble-Berry on Snapchat. Don’t forget to tag your soapy projects on Instagram with the hashtag #SoapShare so I can see what you’re making! =)

Soapy Social Media Roundup

September 26, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Yay, it’s the weekend everybody! I hope you’re having a great one so far. We’ve been doing Whatcom Water Week activities today. Tomorrow I’m participating in the Bellingham Bay Marathon. Specifically, I’m running the half marathon which is 13 miles. I’ve been training for the past couple months and am excited and ready to go! I’ll be posting about the race tomorrow, so look out for that =)

Here on the blog the sparkly tutorials continued with a week full of Rose Gold Mica. This color is super trendy right now (rose gold iPhone anybody?) and it’s easy to see why! What could be better than pink and gold together? If you missed the projects, click here for a Rose Gold Cosmetic Collection, and here for the Romantic Rose Gold Melt and Pour Bars. Next week, get ready for a week of copper tutorials! In the meantime, here are my favorite pins, tweets and ‘grams from this week!

Pinterest:

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How stinkin’ cute are these Mini Pumpkin Pie Slice Cookies? They would make a great gift but really, just belong in my belly.
I love the simplicity in this Orange Poppy-seed Soap Recipe. Emily’s packaging looks adorable too.
Speaking of packaging, this DIY Flower Gift Wrap is elegant and feminine. It would work great for soap!
Carving pumpkins is fun, but if you’re looking for something different this year, these Vintage Inspired Chalky Paint Pumpkins are perfect!

Instagram:
I gave this soap concept another go with activated charcoal and King’s Gold Mica. I love the way the bright gold looks against the black!

On the right are the gorgeous products included in the Rose Gold Cosmetic Collection. This tutorial shows you how to make eye shadow, lip shimmer and nail polish! On the right, the kiddos and I visited a chicken egg farm. It was fun to watch the kids learn about the chickens and where eggs come from.

Twitter:

A new research suggests drinking alcohol leads to weight gain. Specifically, drinking alcohol makes it harder for your body to burn existing fat. Bummer!
Taking a great Instagram photo is not a science, but you gotta put the work in! Click here for great tips on taking your photos to the next level.
Think you know how to tie shoelaces? Think again! This post shows you 15 awesome shoelace methods.
If you’re looking for ways to become more productive, click here.
When making bath and beauty products, safety is the most important thing! These Essential Oil Safety Guidelines are a great reminder.

I hope you all have an amazing weekend! To keep up with the latest soapy social media throughout the week, you can follow me on Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Pinterest, Vine and YouTube and Snapchat. To watch my ‘stories’, which include sneak peeks into future projects, add me. I’m Bramble-Berry on Snapchat.

Soapy Social Media Roundup

September 19, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Happy weekend! I don’t know about you, but this week flew by…I honestly can’t believe it’s Saturday again already =). Earlier this week I made a trip to Vancouver for a marketing conference. I came back feeling inspired and motivated and, a little overwhelmed with all the great ideas to implement. I can’t wait to share what I learned with the rest of the team; they can help take the ideas and turn them into a practical reality.

Here on the blog, we are getting a head start on holiday projects with a series of tutorials featuring sparkly micas. The projects for this week focused on gems and included the Sparkly Garnet Soap Gems and the Emerald Swirl Cold Process Tutorial. Next week, get ready for rose gold inspired projects, followed by copper, silver and gold.

In the meantime, checkout my favorite pins, ‘grams and tweets from the week below!

Pinterest:

Left to right, clockwise:

I love these colorful DIY Coconut Lip Glosses from Nest + Venture. The colors look perfect for a variety of seasons.
If you love beer soap, this DIY Oatmeal Stout Shampoo Bars will be right up your alley! Made with Oatmeal Stout Fragrance Oil, I bet they smell amazing.
This Superfood Chocolate Smoothie Bowl looks delicious…such a great way to eat chocolate for breakfast =)
This blog post is full of amazing soap packaging ideas and inspiration. I particularly love #38, #44 and #46. Which are your favorites?

Instagram:

I’m really happy with how this project turned out! The mica lines are made using Copper Sparkle Mica, and it’s scented with Spiced Amber Ale Fragrance Oil. The tutorial will be coming soon so be on the lookout!

Last weekend, I the family and I visited a mushroom farm. It was so interesting to see how they are grown! We’re going to try our hand at growing some ourselves. On the right is a sparkly cold process project, with lots of mica painting and mica covered embeds. Click here to learn more about mica painting.

With the holidays coming up, we have been experimenting with different sparkly packaging. Be on the lookout for the tutorial for these glitter soap boxes next week =)

Twitter:

Have you ever considered all the half used soap thrown away at hotels? This man collects hotel soap across the United States and sends them to impoverished nations.
Love him or hate him, this article on Donald Trump is a fascinating read.
If you love coffee and baked goods, CoffeeFlour may be your new favorite ingredient! The flour is made from the discarded coffee cherry, and hopes to provide new jobs to coffee farmers.
Recently, I have been training for my first half-marathon. This list of 5 Reasons to Run You First 5K really rings true for me!
Unfortunately, infringement is a common in business, especially in the creative community. Click here to find out what to do when someone infringes on your idea.

Soapy Social Media Roundup

September 12, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Happy weekend everybody! Here in Bellingham we are soaking up the last of the summer sun. Today is 68 degrees with a light breeze…it’s perfect. =) This weekend my folks are up to help out with the kids while Chris is away on business. We’re doing the Sustainable Connections Farm Tour today and the kids are super excited to see cows, chickens and, how mushrooms grow (yay manure!). Then tonight, we have Baby Alise (my brother’s baby girl) for the night so it will be a sleepover! Once Chris gets back, it’s my turn to take a little work trip. I’m heading up to Vancouver for a few days for a marketing conference. If you’d like to see peeks into my trip, follow me on Snapchat! My username is Bramble-Berry. You can also see what the team is up to back at the office on Snapchat while I’m gone.

Speaking of upcoming projects, be on the lookout for a series of projects featuring metallic micas. This series features everything from candles to cold process, so there is something for everybody. =) What is your favorite way to use micas in bath and body products? Click here to learn more about these sparkly colorants.

Pinterest:

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I’m in love with this adorable Oatmilk Honey Soap by Oil & Butter. The little bees on top are so cute!
I don’t know about you, but I’ve got Halloween on the brain. This Free Halloween Candy Corn Printable would be perfect for Halloween party favors.
This Garlicky Kale Salad with Crispy Chickpeas looks like the perfect lunch. I’ve actually made something similar in the past...check out my recipe here =)
Recycling wine bottles to make sophisticated center pieces is such a clever idea. This DIY Fall Centerpiece post is full of inspiration!

Instagram:

Next week, we will be sharing a series of projects featuring metallic micas. Below is a cold process soap made with a King’s Gold, Gold Sparkle Mica and Copper Sparkle mica painting. Can’t wait to share these projects!
This past week was full of pumpkin inspired projects, including these Pumpkin Pie Melt and Pour Soap bars (left). On the right is a beautiful sunset over Bellingham Bay…I feel so lucky to live here. =)

Twitter:

If you’re a coffee lover, this project on Kickstarter may change the way you drink your daily cup!
Need a little motivation to cut back on carbs? These 6 Reasons to Eat Less Wheat might help.
This little girl beat Einstein and Hawking on an IQ test. The kicker? She is 12!
As a mother of young children, I’m constantly looking for the best ways to develop their little brains. Sometimes it’s as simple as how you talk to your children (even when they can’t talk).
This Flow Hive really makes me want to raise bees and help the bee population remain strong.

Soapy Social Media Roundup

September 5, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

I hope you’re all having a great start to the long Labor Day weekend. Here in the Pacific Northwest, the past week has been full of rain and wind. Not that I’m complaining; Washington was in desperate need of rain with all the wildfires throughout the state. The dreary weather has me in the mood for fall. This means darker color palettes, rich scents and everything pumpkin! Get ready for some pumpkin inspired tutorials next week. =) In the meantime, check out my favorite pins, tweets and ‘grams from the week below!

P.S. Grandpa Faiola is reading the kiddo’s favorite ‘magazine’, babybug! We love it because it’s made of paper that can’t be easily torn and has a serial character (“Kim and Carrots”) that has continuing adventures that our kids really look forward to reading. I highly recommend it for all little readers ages 1 through 5.
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How amazing are these DIY Tie Dye S’mores? The colors are unbelievable! Looking at how they are made; it reminds me a lot of swirling soap.
Speaking of amazing colors, this Ocean Waves Soap by Empire Soaps is stunning. I love the bright blue against the white layer. The mica line really helps it pop.
The girls over at A Beautiful Mess really know how to transform furniture, and this Nightstand Table Makeover is a great example!
I think donut soap is just about the cutest thing ever. The sprinkles and “glaze” make this Chocolate Dipped Sprinkle Doughnut Soap look so realistic.

Instagram:
I adore swirled soap, and this 12 Color Linear Swirl Cold Process from the Soap Crafting Book might be my all time favorite! I just love how every bar looks completely unique.

On the left is a sparkly melt and pour project that will be on the blog later this week. It is made in the new Tray Floral Wallpaper Mold. On the right, Lily got into my lipstick and proceeded to apply it to her lips and face. Such a mischievous one!
Twitter:

It’s no surprise that exercise is good for you. But did you know it’s really, really good for you? This video is full information, and explains how easy it really is to get active is.
Instagram has been full of changes recently. The most recent update allows back-and-forth photo sending similar to SnapChat.
Football season is starting soon, Go Hawks! If you need a chuckle, check out this video of Marshawn Lynch selling Skittles. So funny!
If you have ever wondered why there is no sunscreen tutorial on Soap Queen, click here. Long story short? It’s super complicated!
If you feel like your entrepreneurial energy could use a boost, check out this awesome article by Donna Maria.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! To keep up with the latest soapy social media throughout the week, you can follow me on Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Pinterest, Vine and YouTube and Snapchat. To watch my ‘stories’, which include sneak peeks into future projects, add me. I’m Bramble-Berry on Snapchat.

Soapy Social Media Roundup

August 29, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Happy Saturday! I hope you’re all having an amazing weekend so far. Today the family and I are going to watch the Bramble Berry team compete in the Muds to Suds event! We compete every year – check out these shots from 2013. It’s fun to watch everyone make it through the different mud pits annnnnd, this year the entire team is going as zombies so that’ll be extra awesome. It is raining, but that just makes the event more fun. Also, the rain is much needed here in Washington state. The wildfires are now the largest in the states history, threatening and destroying thousands of homes. So please, stay as long as you’d like rain clouds!

In soapy news, my new book, Pure Soap Making, is now available for pre-order! The book will hit stands February 2016, but you can be among the first to reserve your copy now. Each pre-order will also include a free Hanger Swirl Tool. This book has been such a labor of love, and I can’t wait for you all to get your hands on it! Click here to learn more.
In the meantime, checkout my favorite pins, tweets and ‘grams below for more soapy inspiration!

[Read more…]

Soapy Social Media Roundup

August 22, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Happy weekend everybody! Today the team and I are filming three full length Soap Queen TV videos. We decided to film them on a weekend morning, as the Soap Lab gets quite hot in the afternoon. I’ll be posting sneak peeks of behind the scenes on Periscope (@brambleberry), Snapchat (user name: Bramble-Berry) and Instagram (@brambleberry) so look for them early. These projects are super fun (!) and include cold process cupcakes and melt and pour soap gems. If you want the recipe to the cold process cupcakes early, sign up for the Bramble Berry Newsletter! It will be coming out in the newsletter next week =)

In the meantime, checkout my favorite tweets, pins and ‘grams from the past week – and, tweet, snap & ‘gram me often. I love the conversations we have all over the disparate social media platforms.

Pinterest:

Left to right, clockwise:

These Green Tea Bath Bombs from Katie of the Casual Craftlete are made with green tea seed oil and green tea extract. They are perfect for tea lovers like myself.
I love planners and notebooks. I have several, and use them religiously. These Free Printable Watercolor DIY Notebooks are so cute and the sayings are inspirational.
Full of color and fun shapes, this Camu Camu Carnival Soap from WhippedUpp is so unique!
Speaking of color and shapes, these DIY Sidewalk Chalk Gems bring color outside. =)

Instagram:
I’m trying my best to soak up as much summer as possible. Below, Lily and I enjoy a beautiful day on Lake Samish. That little girl sure loves the water. =)

On the left are the amethyst soap gems that are being made into a Soap Queen TV episode today. I love how sparkly they are. On the right is a cold process soap scented with Summer Fling Fragrance Oil. It’s colored with burgundy pigment, ultramarine pink oxide and titanium dioxide. We set a goal to re-soap all of our fragrances this year and this is just one of the 50+ batches we’ve done in the last two weeks. It’s fun to soap up, and, to soap up often.

Twitter:

While crayons don’t really go bad, sometimes it’s nice to refresh your collection. If you have a bunch of “extra” crayons, there is a National Crayon Recycling Program!
Ever wonder what all those numbers and scores on Snapchat mean? Find out here.
The world of “professional Viners” is a strange and interesting place. This article on Logan Paul (the 10th most popular Vine star) gives a fascinating look into the lifestyle.
Creating lists is a great way to stay organized. These 10 lists are important if you want to be successful; I have them all except #9. Which are you missing?
If you would love to publish a book but don’t know how to get started, Selah Press Services may be for you. The service includes DIY book publishing for Kindle and more.

Soapy Social Media Roundup

August 15, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Happy weekend! I hope you’re all having a great Saturday and week. The past week has been beyond full and to tell you the truth, a little overwhelming. Work-wise, I’ve been busy finalizing recipes for Soap Queen TV and approving new products galore. The team and I are filming three new full length SoapQueen.TV videos on Saturday. The projects include cold process cupcakes, melt and pour gems and a sugar scrub. If you haven’t already, be sure to checkout the newest video that was released on Monday, the Silky Berry Cold Process Soap!

At home, the kids and I are busy making the most out of the warm summer weather. Below, Lily is enjoying her cousin Alise’s outdoor play house. That girl can spend hours on anything that involves climbing, jumping and sliding …it was definitely a good investment because she keeps asking to “Go see Baby Alise.” I’m pretty sure she’s asking to “Go see Baby Alise’s Play house.” =). Jamisen has been attending several summer camps and has been having a blast. I love listening to his stories about all the various activities (gnome hunts!) and projects when I get home.

Below, check out my favorite pins, tweets and ‘grams from the past week!

Pinterest:

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These Peanut Butter and Jelly Ice Cream Sandwiches look absolutely amazing! Most kids love peanut butter and jelly, so I’m sure these would be a hit anywhere and everywhere.
This pink and multi-colored layered soap by Simply Soap is so girly and happy looking…I love it! The stamp really adds a great finishing touch.
Back to school is right around the corner. This Back to School Teachers Gift would be a great way to start the year on the right foot.
I love the pink and green color combination in these Handmade Sea Salt Spa Soap Bars from Emily of the Soap and Restless. They remind me a little bit of watermelon =)

Instagram:
If you haven’t already, be sure to checkout the latest full length video on Soap Queen TV! This Silky Berry Cold Process Project is made with real silk and a delicious smelling berry fragrance combination.

Learn how to make this Silky Berry Cold Process Soap in the latest full length Soap Queen TV video! Visit SoapQueenTV.com to watch =)

A video posted by Anne-Marie (@brambleberry) on Aug 11, 2015 at 4:12pm PDT

Last weekend, the Bramble Berry team and I enjoyed watching a Bellingham Bells game, a local baseball team. On the left, Lily is enjoying all the action. On the right is the amazing bounty from the garden. This summer has been quite warm and my garden is loving it. The kale is taller than Lily is at this point!

Twitter:

According to Facebook, “LOL,” is dying and “haha” is on the rise. Dar; I feel not-trendy! =) Haha.
McDonald’s is working hard to reinvent themselves to help their slumping sales. Here are 3 reasons why it won’t work, along with great business takeaways for every business owner.
If you find yourself covered in mosquito bites during the summer, help is on the way!
For most, a coffee stain means a stained white blouse or rug. This artist turned coffee stains into true works of art.
Did you know many of our favorite foods including energy bars and deli meats were invented for soldiers? Click here to read more, including what the military is currently working on that will be in supermarkets in the future. Hint…it involves cheese!

Soapy Social Media Roundup

August 8, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

It’s hard to believe that the first week of August is already gone. This summer has flown by. The family and I have been taking advantage of the sunshine with plenty of boat rides, day trips to the beach and outdoor activities. Below, you can see that Lily has become a big fan of control! She loves to help her dad “drive” the boat around the lake, and, sit in the driver’s seat of my car. Her fierce drive to lead is apparent already.

Next week on the blog, get ready for a collection of tutorials inspired by the classic film, The Sound of Music. These projects will include lots of florals, Snowflake Sparkle Mica and fresh scents. I can’t wait to share them with you! The film is meaningful to me because it’s one of the only films my folks would let me watch as a kid so I have almost all the songs memorized. I love social media and connecting with you all on there; if you missed anything, check out my favorite pins, ‘grams and tweets from the past two weeks.

Pinterest:

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This idea for “Polka Dot Soup,” as an activity for sensory play looks so fun. I’m sure Lily would have a blast grabbing the various color chips!
I love projects that take one object and make it into something completely new. This Tea Cup Candle Sconce Bird Feeder Tutorial is such a clever idea for recycling old cups.
What could be better than cookie dough? Cookie dough fudge of course!
I love the cold process design trend of a solid layer with a swirl top. This “Skipjack” Drop Swirl by Petals Bath Boutique is a great example of this technique.

Instagram:

I have been experimenting with the “Circling Taiwan Swirl,” and absolutely love the results! The soap below was made with Energy Fragrance Oil, Titanium Dioxide, Black Oxide, Fizzy Lemonade Colorant, Electric Bubble Gum Colorant and Super Pearly White Mica. I almost don’t want to cut it! =)

We have been busy planning new projects for several episodes of Soap Queen TV. On the left are shimmery champagne cold process cupcakes, made with Champagne Fragrance Oil. On the right are melt and pour gemstones inspired by rose quartz. Some comments on Instagram said these melt and pour gems reminded them of meat, so I may need to tweak the colors slightly, haha =)

Snapchat:
Find me on Snaphat via “bramble-berry” for behind the scenes peeks into soaping sessions, upcoming tutorials and random insights into my schedule. The video below is my Snapchat story from Wednesday, which includes a live demo of the beautiful 12 Color Linear Swirl Cold Process Soap. Be on the lookout next week for a full length episode of Soap Queen TV!

Twitter:

Sugar is sneaky. Sometimes the food that seems to be the “healthier” choice, is not at all. A great example of this is at Dunkin Donuts, where a smoothie contains more sugar than a donut.
These Avocado Shampoo Bars from the Nerdy Farm Wife look amazing! I love the rustic simplicity.
If you have a huge weight lose goal (or even a small one), this article has some great insight. The author lost 100 pounds, and learned a lot about himself along the way.
Do you drink too much caffeine? Check out this infographic to find out.
Speaking of caffeine, here is what happens to your body after drinking a can of Coke. Scary stuff!

I hope you all have an fantastic weekend! To keep up with the latest soapy social media throughout the week, you can follow me on Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Pinterest, Vine and YouTube and Snapchat. To watch my ‘stories’, which include sneak peeks into future projects, add me. I’m Bramble-Berry on Snapchat.

Soapy Social Media Roundup

July 25, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

It’s always fun to try new soaping techniques, but it can also be valuable to revisit the basics. The past week I shared two tutorials perfect for the beginner soaper as part if the Back to Basic series. If you have never made cold process before, the first tutorial in this series, Simple & Gentle Cold Process Soap, is the perfect place to start. Be on the lookout next week for tutorials of the purple and blue soaps below. This series also includes the Back to Basics Kit which includes all the ingredients (except lye) you need to create the four projects!

[Read more…]

Soapy Social Media Roundup

July 18, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Happy weekend everybody! As you can tell from our Snapchat feed (user name: bramble-berry), the kiddos and I enjoyed a morning throwing rocks on the beach. We feel so lucky to leave in town with access to the water. I hope you enjoyed the fun Summer of Love projects that were on the blog this week. These projects included the Groovy Peace Sign Melt and Pour, Psychedelic Spin Swirl Cold Process and the Tie-Dye Bath Bombs. All three projects featured bright colors and groovy scents including the new Flower Child Fragrance Oil. This new scent is a complex blend of floral, patchouli, vanilla and musk that does not discolor. It’s a new office favorite! For more crafty project ideas, check out my favorite pins, tweet and ‘grams below!

[Read more…]

Soapy Social Media Roundup

July 11, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Happy weekend everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Fourth of July. Ours was full sunshine, good food and a few fireworks. Below is my adorable niece Alise celebrating the holiday with lots of red, white and blue. =) The weather continues to be sunny and warm in the Pacific Northwest. The sky is also a little hazy from the wildfires in Canada and Eastern Washington.

Be on the lookout next week for a series of tutorials inspired by the psychedelic 60’s. The projects include lots of bright colors and groovy scents. In the meantime, here are my favorite pins, tweets and ‘grams from the past week!

Pinterest:

Left to right, clockwise:

I’m usually not a huge coffee drinker, but I do love the flavor. This decadent Double Coffee Affogato recipe looks like a great way to enjoy coffee during hot temperatures.
The swirled embeds within this World in My Soap cold process created by The Sirona Springs look absolutely beautiful! The embeds were dusted in mica to give them dark and crisp edges.
If you’re looking for a guilt-free dessert options, these Healthy Banana Quinoa Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting fit the bill.
I’m blown away by the intricate swirls within this Black and Red Spiral Swirl Soap. It reminds me of a kaleidoscope!

Instagram:
My new book is scheduled for early 2016, and I have been busy editing for the past few weeks. The book is all about natural soapmaking with essential oils and natural colorants. It has been such a labor of love, and I can’t wait for you to get your hands on it!
On the left is the first attempt at a cold process soap inspired by the Swiss Alps. Overall I love the look, but I think I can improve on it. Sometimes a soapy project takes a few tries! On the right is the most recent melt and pour tutorial, the Thai Tea Melt and Pour Bars. Melt and pour soap is swirled to create the look of creamy milk and tea.

Twitter:

This Beauty Advice for my Daughter blog post by Cupcakes and Cashmere really hits home for me. As Lily grows older, I need to remind myself to act confidently and not criticize my body.
If you like making tallow soap, check out this Mahogany Tallow Soap Tutorial on the Otion Soap Bar blog. It’s made with the manly Mahogany Fragrance Oil, and features a unique color palette.
This year I am making an effort to make my garden bee-friendly. Click here for tips on how to welcome bees into your garden.
Speaking of bees, this TED Talk reveals four reasons why they are disappearing. It’s a must watch.
Instagram is one of my favorite social media outlets. This Indie Business Network article is full of great tips on how to create profitable partnerships on Instagram.

Soapy Social Media Roundup

June 13, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Happy weekend everybody! This weekend I’m in Alabama for the 17th Annual Alabama Soap Meeting. I’m here to give two talks, one about alternative liquids in soapmaking and the other about building your social media presence. So far the conference has been a blast! It’s always wonderful to connect with fellow soapers in person. If you happen to be at the conference, please don’t be shy! I love chatting with soapers =) Below, Lela Barker of Lucky Break Consulting. Jen Mark and I pose for a photo at the conference.

If you’re in a need of a little inspiration, check out my favorite pins, tweet and ‘grams below!

Pinterest:

Left to top right, clockwise:

This Pastel Meringue Dream Cake made by Sweetapolita is a showstopper! It reminds me of Willy Wonka =)
I would almost feel bad for eating these gorgeous Homemade Watercolor Cookies. The effect is achieved by mixing gel food coloring with extract.
The mica dusting on this Peacock Soap by The Charming Frog is gorgeous. The purple, green and gold look perfect together.
Have you tried the Spin Swirl technique yet? I did once, but would like to give it another go to get it just right. This Spin Swirl Soap by Tattoos & Thread turned out great!

Instagram:
It has been so incredibly beautiful in the Pacific Northwest the past few weeks, with temperatures between 70-80 degrees. It’s been so nice to take my reading outside and run around with Lily and Jamisen in the yard =)

Next week, get ready for a series of tutorials inspired by Africa. Below on the left is a layered Sahara Sunset Cold Process soap with a melt and pour embed. On the right, is a Lace Cold Process soap inspired by the gorgeous lacy creations of Auntie Clara’s Handcrafted Cosmetics. Lookout for these tutorials soon!

Twitter:

Selling your products online is a great way to reach a wide customer base. These 9 Tips to Make Your Ecommerce Business Wildly Successful are on point.
Ready for some closet-envy? Check out the stunning closet of Sophia Webster, including the mini-closet of her daughter, Bibi Webster. It’s simply gorgeous!
Click here to watch an important TED Talk about why the bees are disappearing and how we can’t prevent it.
Most people are told all their lives to “follow their passion.” But is that realistic?
This article by Kenna of Modern Soapmaking does a great job of outlining the common cosmetic labeling mistakes, and how to prevent them.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! To keep up with the latest soapy social media throughout the week, you can follow me on Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Pinterest, Vine and YouTube and don’t forget…Snapchat. To watch my ‘stories’, which include sneak peeks into future projects, add me. I’m Bramble-Berry on Snapchat.

Soapy Social Media Roundup

June 6, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

This weekend the Pacific Northwest is experiencing a heat wave with temperatures of almost 80 ° F! I’m sure that doesn’t seem very hot to many of you…but anything over 70 ° F is pretty hot for us =) I’m doing my best to keep the kiddos cool while still enjoying the sun. It might be time to break out the sprinkler, water balloons and lots of sunscreen.

Above, Lily enjoys the new doll house she received for her birthday (thanks Grandma and Grandpa Faiola). It’s so cute to watch her interact with it as she moves around furniture and plays pretend with the rabbit inhabitants. As you can see all our inside activities are being moved outside. We may have to make some soap outside soon =) If you’re in need of some crafty inspiration for your weekend, check out my favorite tweets, pins and ‘grams below.

Pinterest:

Top left to right, clockwise:

This gorgeous floral swirled soap featured in Saponifier Magazine Design Contest, is amazing! I would love to try this technique.
Now that the sun is out, it’s officially popsicle season! These Watermelon, Lime and Hibiscus Ice Pops look delicious.
Amys_Chooks on Instagram recreated the Sea Clay Swirl Cold Process and it looks beautiful! Awesome job =)
Part of the fun of moving into a new home after losing half of our furniture is getting to redecorate a little! I would love to add this Fleur Upholstered Chair in “Perky Garden” to my living room.

Instagram:
Get ready for tutorials inspired by Africa coming in the next few weeks! This leopard print cold process soap uses this technique, and I can’t wait to share it with you! Jamisen has been studying the African continent in school this month and just yesterday he saw the ferry that goes from to Alaska (but docks in Bellingham) and told me, in no uncertain terms, that the ferry was on its way to Africa via the Indian Ocean. It’s such a crazy science experiment to watch the kids grow up and see how their minds expand with every new concept they’re introduced to.

On the left is another Africa inspired project made with the new Tray Animal Prints mold. With so many exfoliant options, it can be hard to choose. Click here to learn all about exfoliants and which one is right for you.

Twitter:

I love this fun Homemade Minecraft Creep Soap created by Simplistically Living. The bright green looks awesome against the black!
Being skinny doesn’t mean you’re healthy. Click here to learn of the hidden dangers of “skinny fat.”
When did being a good parent mean becoming a master hobbyist? Thanks to Pinterest, it can certainly feel that way.
If you’re looking for a little business inspiration in the form of a success story, look no further than The Cambridge Satchel Company. Julie Deane started the company on her kitchen table and now it brings in more than $21 million a year.
Big changes are coming to Instagram, with buy buttons, interest targeting and more.