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Soapy Social Media Roundup

May 30, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Happy weekend =) Today the family and I are busy getting everything sorted into our new home. There is still a lot of work to do, but it’s slowly coming together. Last weekend was Lily’s 2nd birthday (post on that tomorrow), and it was great to start filling the new house with family memories.

In soapy news, the winners of this month’s Great Cakes Soapworks Challenge were announced. Bramble Berry gave the grand prize winners $100 each, and new fragrance oils for the runners up. Below is the grand prize winning soap, made by Teressa of Nourishing Handmade Body Care. I was blown away by the detail in these adorable mini dessert soaps. It’s hard to believe they are not edible! If you’re looking for more soapy inspiration, check out my favorite tweets, pins and ‘grams from the past week.

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I love the fresh green color of this Cucumber Aloe Vera Soap by Riens Hnadmade Soap. The textured top makes it look so creamy!
These Easy Refrigerator Dill Pickles look awesome. I love adding pickles to salads, or having them for snack.
Francois et Moi made this beautiful Pull Down Style Botanical Wall Hanging out of wrapping paper. It looks so professional, chic and classy.
Brussels sprouts are one of my favorite veggies. This Pesto Pasta with Chicken Sausage and Roasted Brussels Sprouts looks right up my alley.

Instagram:
On Thursday, the tutorial for this American Flag soap went out via the Bramble Berry Newsletter. It took three tries until I was happy with the final soap…those layers were tricky! Click here to sign up for the newsletter to receive exclusive tutorials and information about new products and upcoming sales.

I made these lavender and lemongrass hot process bars for Soap Queen TV last week, and have been using them non-stop since. I can’t wait for you to see the video. On the right, Jamisen “helped” me make butterscotch cupcakes for Lily’s birthday. Look for the recipe tomorrow =)

Twitter:

Facebook’s new “Critics’ Reviews,” will allow reviews on select restaurant pages in the US. I wonder how this will affect Yelp in the future.
Speaking of food, this oatmeal hack could totally change your breakfast.
This list of 25 Businesses You Can Start for Less than $100 is incredibly interesting. Also, soap making made the list!
Contouring with face makeup seems to be all the rage right now. If you don’t have an hour for makeup in the morning, this 1-minute Contour Look is helpful.
I don’t have a TV in my house, and this list of 10 Reasons You Should Stop Watching TV reaffirms my decision.

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

May 23, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Happy Memorial Day weekend everyone! I hope the weather is allowing you to get outside to barbecue and enjoy the outdoors. Yesterday, the team and I filmed four full-length Soap Queen TV videos. The projects include a bath fizzy, cold process, hot process and eye product. I can’t wait to share the videos with you.

Jamisen and his buddy enjoying the sunshine! I hope you’re able to enjoy the weather this Memorial Day weekend.

Tomorrow is Bellingham’s annual Ski to Sea race, and this year Bramble Berry is participating. The race has seven legs, including running, biking, canoeing and sea kayaking. It’s an intense race, and I can’t wait to cheer on our team. I’m not participating this year…but maybe next year. =) If the weather has you stuck inside, check out my favorite pins, ‘grams and tweets for some crafty inspiration.

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These Bahn Mi Spring Rolls look amazing! I love spring rolls; they are a great alternative to salad.
I love the orange and white color palette of this soap made by Titania’s Dreamy Delights.
The marbled effect of this Melted Crayon Rock Art is beautiful! Jamisen and Lily would have a blast with this project.
Now that I’ve tried the petal technique with soap, it’s time to try it with cake! The blue color palette on this Blue Ombre Petal Cake is stunning.

Instagram:
Have you tried hot process soap before? On the left is a hot process project scented with the yummy Espresso Fragrance Oil. On the right are some of the salts that you can use in your bath and beauty projects. Click here to learn more about salt.
Weekends are for fun! Last Saturday, Jamisen and I had a blast putting together a pillow and blanket fort.

Twitter:

What’s the right amount of exercise per week? This article suggests 150 minutes per week.
Eating healthy doesn’t have to be complicated! These simple rules for healthy eating are both useful, and totally doable.
The Cannes Film Festival banned some women not in heels from the red carpet. Unsurprisingly, there has been plenty of backlash.
Do you use hashtags? Learn the do’s and don’ts of hashtags here.
If you’re scared of spiders, you probably shouldn’t click this. Hint…spiders falling from the sky. Eeek!

I hope you all have an fantastic Memorial Day 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

May 16, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Happy Saturday! Today is another beautiful, sunny day in Washington state. So far, the kiddos and I have had a low-key morning followed by a trip to Farmer’s Market and, continuing to move out of our old home. We enjoyed eggs and chia/hempseed/buckwheat cereal for breakfast, followed by reading lots of new books before all that happened though. Speaking of books, Storey Publishing named Soap Crafting as one of their “Fresh Picks,” for May and the Ebook is now available for only $2.99 all month long! Click here to see the full list of awesome books selected this month. I’m continuing to put the finishing touches on my new book that is scheduled for early 2016…I can’t wait for you all to read it!

What are you up to this Saturday? If you’re making soap, I’d love to see your projects on our Facebook page. Or, tag your photos on Instagram with the hashtag #SoapShare; I check that hashtag just about everyday =) Check out my favorite pins, tweets and ‘grams if you’re needing a little crafty inspiration!

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This Goat Cheese Radish Tartine looks amazing! The color combination of pink and green looks so fresh and pretty.
Made by Lathered Pony Soap Company, this “Blue Moons” soap features a tall shape and circular embeds. The swirl inside looks beautiful!
Smiling everyday is a must! Just looking at this adorable graphic puts a smile on my face.
Why pin things with ordinary pushpins, when you can use pushpins with pom poms? Click here for the fun and easy tutorial.

Instagram:
Next week will feature a selection of tutorials inspired by butterflies and bees. On the left is a funnel-pour cold process inspired by the honey bee. On the right is the Stained Glass cold process soap which will be in the Spring Soap Crafting Club.
The weather has been absolutely beautiful in the Pacific Northwest the past few weeks. The kiddos have certainly been enjoying the weather! Below Lily and cousin Alise enjoy the sun =)

Twitter:

Is it okay to use an ingredient name in the name of your product? Click here to find out.
Facebook’s News Feed algorithm is changing. This article gives the run-down on what that means for brands and publishers.
Love string cheese? Learn all about how mozzarella went from a pizza topping to an individual snack.
If you’re concerned about the Personal Care Product Safety Act S1014, click here for tips on how to contact your representatives. Want updates on soapy legislation? Click here to join the Coalition of Handcrafted Entrepreneurs.
Do you use Lightroom to edit your photos? These 35 tutorials will help!

I hope you all have an awesome 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

April 25, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Happy Saturday! After the book photoshoot and Soap Guild Conference, I’m happy to spend a weekend at home. And by home, I mean the home of friends and family. Our house is still not safe after the boiler explosion and won’t be for some time. Jamisen’s birthday was this week, and we are celebrating tomorrow. I can’t believe he is already 4 years old! Time flies.

In soapy news, in an effort to update the nation’s regulations of personal care products, Senators Diane Feinstein (D-CA) and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced the Personal Care Products Safety Act. To read more about the Act, click here. If you would like to be kept up to date on laws pertaining to small businesses in the soap and cosmetic industry, join the Coalition of Handcrafted Entrepreneurs (COHE). The COHE enables the voices of small business owners to be heard with calls to action that will help lawmakers make more informed decisions.

Here in the office, the team and I have been busy creating new recipes for Soap Queen TV. If you have any projects that you’d like to see me tackle, leave a comment and let me know. I’d love to hear your suggestions. Currently we are working on a hot process tutorial, cold process, bath bomb and eye care product. Shown above is one of the test trials for a drop swirl soap, made with alkanet root powder and activated charcoal. I can’t wait to share the final projects with you! In the meantime, checkout my favorite pins, tweets and ‘grams from the past week.

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This Vegan Berry Crunch Bowl is the perfect way to use fresh produce during berry season. Yum!
I love the soft and simple colors in this Palm Free Fruity Cold Processed Soap. If you’re looking for more palm free recipes, check out the Palm Free In-The-Pot Swirl and the Layered Lilac Loofah Cold Process tutorial.
These DIY Watering Can Vases are an adorable way to showcase flowers. They would also be a thoughtful gift for Mother’s Day.
I love the beautiful packaging on these Hand in Hand Soap Bars. If only I could paint like that!

Instagram:
These gorgeous rainbow soaps made by Soapwithhope are show stoppers! The even layers and vibrant colors create the perfect rainbow effect.

I’m so happy to finally have my Master CP/HP Soapmaker Certification from the Soap Guild in my hands! On the left, Courtney and I showcased the newest Handmade Beauty Box project on King 5 News, click here to see the video.

Twitter:

Do you enjoy your coffee from a Keurig? The inventor says he feels bad that he created it, click here to find out why.
If you’re a fan of red wine, you’ll love this study! It makes the claim that a glass of red wine is the equivalent to an hour at the gym.
This video made by fitness star Cassey Ho of Blogilates shows her “photoshopping” her body to conform to modern day beauty ideals. It’s a must watch.
Looking to make an impact on SnapChat? You may want to follow DJ Diplo’s lead.
A new study from the New England Journal of Medicine has good news about preventing peanut allergies.

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

April 18, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

This week has been a complete whirlwind. The photo shoot for the upcoming book (coming in 2016) was both amazing and exhausting. Thirty-three cold process recipes were prepped and created in four days (39 if you count embeds!). That’s an average of 8 cold process recipes everyday. The team did a great job of prepping all the recipes beforehand; This enabled each recipe to be ready as soon as the previous was made. All the hard work paid off; each soap turned out amazing and I can’t wait to share the book with you!

This weekend I’m attending the HSCG Annual Conference in Indianapolis. So, if you’re here, come find me! I was so thrilled to run into Lela from Lucky Break Consulting, Ellie who has helped save 70 orphaned baby elephants with her soap, and Toushonta who spotted me in the airport after a long day of flying. I’ll be here tonight and tomorrow so if you’re at the show, please come say ‘Hi.’ I love talking soap!

Soap Guild Show Fun

Here on the blog, we have been sharing a collection of milk recipes including this Goat Milk & Oatmeal Cold Process Soap. This Buttermilk Bastille Baby Bar on Soap Queen TV shows you how to create soap using fresh buttermilk and carrot puree. Want more soapy inspiration? Check out my favorite pins, ‘grams and tweets from this week!

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I love the simple yet sophisticated look of this Palm Free Lavender and Vanilla Cold Process Soap by Humblebee & Me. The mica painting looks fantastic!
Speaking of beautiful purple soap, the color combination in the Flirt Gourmet Handmade Soap from River City Soapworks is so eye catching.
Purple tones also look stunning in food. Want proof? This Earl Grey Lemon Cheesecake is topped with frozen blueberries, giving them a lavender hue.
Mother’s Day is less than a month away. This Mother’s Day Matchstick Holder and Candle Gift is a clever and adorable way to show her love.

Instagram:
If you follow me on Instagram, you know I was busy soaping up a storm making soap for my new book. Below is one of my favorite recipes, a Dandelion Zebra Swirl soap made with real dandelion petals and an annatto seed infusion.
On the left, is a negative space embed recipe colored with natural colorants. On the right is a soap made with pale ale instead of water. I was so relieved that the swirl design turned out for the shoot…that technique requires a steady hand and I was a little shaky!

Twitter:

The article, “Secrets of Woeman Running Billion-Dollar Companies,” is full of great advice and insights into the pros and cons of being a CEO. In particular, I related to how hard it is to have true “balance.”
Being constantly creative is hard! If you need some tips on keeping your creativity flowing remember…no idea is too weird!
Love shopping online? I do! These three apps are online-shopping game changers.
The “experience economy,” is a term used to describe consumers growing love for experiences, rather than only services. Click through to learn more about wowing your customers with experiences. It’s what we try to do at Otion with our classes & crafters corner!
Jerome Jarre has mastered Vine and SnapChat with 7.2 million followers. The going rate for one Vine video is $25,000! But it wasn’t always that way; click here to read his fascinating story.

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 (including all the soaping I’m doing this weekend), add me. I’m Bramble-Berry on Snapchat.

Soapy Social Media Roundup

April 11, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

This weekend the team and I are busy with the photo shoot for my new book. The book is all about natural soap making and is scheduled to hit market early 2016. I can’t wait to share it with you! If you follow me on Instagram, you have already seen plenty of sneak peeks into the projects. Check out the photos below to get an idea for what’s inside the new book =) Scroll down for more soapy inspiration via my favorite pins, tweets and instagrams from the past week.

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Jewelry looks even prettier in an eye-catching dish. This DIY Jewelry Dish includes layers of color to really make your pieces shine.
I don’t eat chicken very often, but when I do, I like it baked with plenty of fresh herbs. This dish of Baked Meyer Lemon, Chicken & Potatoes fits that bill perfectly.
This Zested Lemon Homemade Soap from Clean Line Soap Company was last week’s winner of the #SoapShare contest on Instagram. I love the subtle ombre and fresh look of these bars!
These Paper Flower Hair Clips are adorable. I can’t wait for Lily’s hair to get long enough for one =)

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Easter this year was super fun; the kids had a blast hunting for eggs and enjoying some candy. For breakfast, my sister-in-law, Cheriss, made bunny pancakes. Look at the smile on Lily’s face below…they were a hit!

I have practiced my column pour swirl technique this week. On the left is a column pour swirl made with Electric Lemonade Cocktail Fragrance Oil and lots of color. On the right is a cold process soap made with whole cows milk and a classic black and white color palette. Tutorials for both will be on the blog soon!

Twitter:

Ford is working on their own ridesharing service; I wonder how it will affect Uber and Lyft.
Navigating the FDA’s website can be tricky. Luckily, they have been working on new articles that are easy to read and straightforward. Here is a list of some of their most helpful pages, via Marie Gale.
These tips for catching your readers eye via photography and design are fantastic!
I knew Christmas was a retail juggernaut, but who knew that Americans spend so much on Easter? Click here to find out how much.
A/B testing is a popular way to measure two versions of something to see which is more successful. This article has helpful tips on how to perform your own A/B testing.

Soapy Social Media Roundup

April 5, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

I hope you all are having a fantastic Easter Sunday! The family and I are taking Jamisen, Lily and Cousin Alise to an Easter egg hunt, and later will be dyeing eggs with LabColors. We are still living out of suitcases since the boiler explosion, but it is slowly becoming our new “normal.” The house we stayed at this week is near the beach, so the kids have been having a blast. Honestly, I think they will be sad to go home!

Now that Easter is “over,” I’m setting my sights on Mother’s Day and other spring projects. Next week, I will be sharing a collection of projects made with various milks, so keep your eyes out for those. In the meantime, here are my top tweets, pins and ‘grams from the week.

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How cute are these Colorblock Sugar Cookies? This technique would work well with so many different colors for various events.
Mother’s Day is coming up soon, and this Mother’s Day Melt and Pour soap would be a great gift.
This quote really speaks to me. If you stay humble, work hard and are kind to others, great things will happen!
Strawberry season will be here in no time; I can’t wait to make this Strawberry Spinach Salad.

Instagram:

This little girl sure knows how to turn a rainy day into a day filled with laughter and fun. Below, Lily jumps in the puddles while dressed in her pink rain boots and adorable Hatley jacket.

Below on the left, is a column pour made with Island Escape Fragrance Oil and lots of bright colors. On the right, is a coconut milk soap with Lime Fragrance Oil and Coconut Lemongrass Fragrance Oil. Lime in the coconut…get it? 😉

Twitter:

I love trying new, fun food options. This list of March’s Top Food Finds includes chia cookie dough, gourmet popcorn and dessert tea. Yum! I ordered the tea. It should be here next week.
Feeling the need for some spring cleaning? Turns out getting rid of things is incredibly therapeutic.
Sometimes staying optimistic is hard. This Guide to Greater Optimism has some great tips to keep looking on the bright side.
If you’re looking for a little soapy business inspiration? Old Town Suds Trade Show Booth is unique and eye-catching.
If you are a font nerd like me, you understand that Comic Sans + Papyrus is a clear sign that the end is near.

Soapy Social Media Roundup

March 28, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Happy weekend everybody! This past week has been full of change. As the house gets worked on after the boiler explosion, we have been staying with friends and family. I feel so grateful to have a strong support system through this period. Luckily, the kids have adjusted well to the change of routine. Staying at other people’s homes has meant more time with the kiddos which has been great. Got to keep looking on the bright side!

In other news, last weekend I had the opportunity to attend the Central Soapers Workshop. It was a blast to see familiar faces and meet lots of talented soap makers. I left feeling incredibly inspired and energized. Keep your eyes on the blog tomorrow for a full workshop wrap-up =) In the meantime, scroll down to see my favorite pins, tweets and ‘grams from this week.

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These brightly colored and metallic Easter eggs are so festive and fun. I would feel a little guilty about breaking them open to eat!
This Skystone Artisan Coconut Milk Soap by Sunlit Soap features a gorgeous color palette and pink sea salt for exfoliation.
Easter morning is a great opportunity to make a delicious brunch. These Vegan Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls would be perfect!
The Baked Bath Salt Favors by Something Turquoise would make an excellent addition to any Easter basket.

Instagram:

During the Central Soapers Workshop, I had the opportunity to demonstrate this beer cold process soap (on the left.) These adorable Lemon and Goat Milk Melt and Pour Bars (right) will be on the blog in the next few weeks. I love how bright and cheery they turned out!

The Soap Swap is in full swing with soap arriving everyday. This stunning Rainbow Twist soap made by Raven and Rain Soap Co. is one of my current favorites!

Twitter:

Are you on SnapChat yet? I joined recently and it’s a lot of fun! You can find me on SnapChat as “Bramble-Berry.”
Donna Marie from Indie Business Network made an excellent blog post about what she took away from Central Soapers Workshop.
Google is currently accelerating its strategy to help consumers buy from local retail stores. It will be interesting to see how this affects Amazon in the future.
What makes soap foam? Check out this informative and interesting video on how it works.
These 5 Feminist Myths That Will Not Die are extremely thought provoking.

Soapy Social Media Roundup

March 14, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend so far. Ours started off with a bang. We’ve had an eventful couple of days in our household (more on that later!).

Lily is growing like a weed. I wouldn’t be surprised if she followed in her dad’s footsteps and was a runner…that girl is full of energy! She learns new words everyday. It’s so fun to be able to communicate with her better, and listen to her adorable renditions of big words.
Below are my favorite tweets, ‘grams and pins from the week. I’m also on Snap Chat now! To see my stories, my username is Bramble-Berry.

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Caramel and salt is one of my favorite flavor combination, so these Big Salty Chocolate Chip Cookies are screaming my name.
These Salted Caramel Cupcakes look equally delicious! I love that this recipe jazzes up a cake mix to simplify the process.
I love having photos of friends and family in my office. This DIY Photo Pen Holder is a clever way to add photos to your desk, without taking up a lot of space.
This Cotton Candy Goat Milk Soap by Platypus Dreams Bath and Body looks good enough to eat. The texture on top is a great touch.

Instagram:
On the left is a Cinderella inspired soap, featuring melt and pour embeds and a hanger swirl. I can’t wait to see the movie. On the right, is the Mermaid Tail soap cut into bars. Be on the lookout for that tutorial next week!

I feel so lucky to live in such a beautiful place. Below, the family and I went exploring on the beach.The combination of fog and sun made for a gorgeous day.

Twitter:

Do you ever write a great blog post, only to see it get no attention or traction? Here are some tips to get noticed, and to get linked by other bloggers.
This tutorial for a “52 Things I love About You,” book is such a cute idea. I made something similar for my husbands birthday this week.
The #LikeAGirl campaign has so many inspiring stories. This blogger explains how she sells “like a girl,” and how it helps her business.
Did you hear about the US tourists who were caught carving their initials into Rome’s Colosseum? So awful and embarrassing.
This silly video is a great reminder that judging other parents is pointless. We are all on the same team!

Soapy Social Media Roundup

March 7, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Happy Saturday! The weather has been wonderful in the Pacific Northwest lately, which makes the weekends even more fun than usual. It’s so nice to spend more time outdoors with the kids. We’ve started walking around the neighborhood more consistently; sometimes those walks turn into wagon rides instead =). While I’m sad to lose an hour of sleep to daylight savings time tomorrow, I can’t wait for longer days!

This early spring is a pleasant surprise, but I understand that’s not the situation for the entire country. To those in the snow, I hope you’re all staying warm! If you’re looking for a little indoor inspiration, my favorite tweets, pins and instagrams will give you some quality internet-surfing time =)

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I love the bright colors in this Honey Lime Rainbow Fruit Salad. I can’t wait for berry season!
These colorful DIY Tile Coasters look easy to create, and would make a great gift.
This Lilac Soap by P.S. I Love Soap Co. looks amazing! The swirl in the center is really unique.
Lily and Jamisen have a ton of fun with this DIY Rainbow Pom Pom Magnet Board. We printed it out and just laminated it and do color matching with it.

Instagram:

I’m thrilled (!!!!!!) with how this Mermaid Tail Cold Process turned out. I’m giving it the weekend to stay in the mold…I can’t wait to unmold it on Monday! This petal technique was made popular by Kenna of Modern Soap Making.

Speaking of mermaids, I had fun mixing up mermaid inspired eye shadow this week (left). On the right are melt and pour bars made from scratch using Kayla Fiorvanti’s book, “How to Make Melt and Pour Base From Scratch.” It was a fun, interesting process.

Twitter:

Love Easter candy? Now you can drink it; Peep-flavored milk is here and it’s available in three flavors.
This man shares his results from a 7-day work week experiment. Turns out, a day of rest is more important than he thought.
I try my best to exercise everyday. This list of six invisible benefits of exercise really stresses the importance of being active.
Is it possible to make your brain as plastic as a child’s? The brain is constantly changing and growing, but childhood is the best time to learn.
These 23 Tools and Resources to Create Images for Social Media will have your site looking great in no time!

Soapy Social Media Roundup

February 28, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Every now and then a little silliness in life necessary, don’t you think? I’m glad my team agrees. Below (right), the team and I pose for a fun picture during a Boys and Girls Club Bingo Fundraiser. It’s awesome to spend time together outside of the office, especially when it’s for a good cause. A few of us even won at Bingo!

In more “serious” business news, I had the opportunity to speak on the latest Indie Business Network podcast, “Women, Wealth and WOW!” hosted by Donna Maria, click here to listen. In addition, I’m giving two talks at the Central Soapers Workshop in Kansas City along with other talented soapy experts on March 21st. If you can’t travel to Kansas City, the workshop also offers a virtual registration option. I hope to see you there! I was also a guest on the Business Bootcamp Podast this week. You can listen to that here. Now, let’s get to my favorite tweets, pins and ‘grams from the week.

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This Cashew Coconut Nana Ice Cream with Chia Pudding and Blueberries looks amazing! Blueberries are one of my favorite fruits, possibly, actually, THE favorite.
The bit of construction that this DIY Beaded Pendant Light requires might be worth it. The end result looks so chic yet simple.
Who knew that you could create crystals with borax? This DIY Borax Crystal tutorial shows you how.
This Blackjack Inspired Tuxedo Salt Soap by Kenna of Modern Soapmaking, uses sea salt and charcoal to create a sophisticated design.

Instagram:
The team and I have been obsessed with everything mermaids recently. Below, mermaid-inspired nail polish shades are in the works! Be on the lookout for mermaid inspired projects on the blog soon.

Below (left), I demonstrate the “frozen spoon trick,” during the Handmade Beauty Box virtual craft party. You can watch that entire 18 minute LIVE crafting session here (don’t judge; it’s hard to talk and demo with no editing or script!) =) This handy trick is a great way to test lipstick colors before pouring into containers. On the right are a box of yummy macarons that the office snacked on. Have you tried making macarons before? They are tricky, but so worth it!

Twitter:

Looking for a laugh? These awkward vintage tech ads are hilarious.
I was so excited to talk about Handmade Beauty Box on Fox News recently! It’s my first time on national news. Woot! Woot!
This short film about nearly stingless jellyfish is mesmerizing and beautiful.
Which traditional money tips should you follow, and which should you ignore? This article on Woman’s Day has some great tips…including one from me =)
We hear diet advice from nutritionists all the time….but what are they actually eating?

To keep up with the latest soapy social media throughout the week, you can follow me on Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Pinterest, Vine and YouTube. Annnnnnd, Snapchat. Yup. I’ve joined up. To watch my ‘stories’, add me. I’m Bramble-Berry on Snapchat.

Soapy Social Media Roundup

February 21, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

The exciting news this week was my visit to the Starbucks Roastery in Seattle. It was an amazing Disneyland experience – the Disneyland of coffee that is! I was so inspired by the visit that I’m pretty sure there’s a blog post in there about branding and experience. I instagrammed (and even vined!) the visit up.

These are the top pins of the week. Follow me here:
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These Spring in Bloom Paper Lanterns by Lia Griffith look so delicate and sophisticated. I can see these lanterns at a spring wedding or birthday party.
Speaking of spring celebrations, this Vegan Blueberry Lime Cheesecake would make a great party dessert. I love how colorful and fresh it looks.
This Crystalized Handmade Soap by Royalty Soap looks good enough to eat with colorful swirls and a textured top.
I try to keep my desk organized…buuuutttttttt it doesn’t always happen. With spring cleaning around the corner, this DIY desk organizer looks like a great way to keep things neat.

Instagram:

Sometimes it takes a few tries to get a recipe just right. Below are the first two attempts of the Luck of the Irish Hot Process Tutorial. I’m really happy with the lighter, fresher green tones in the final tutorial.

Speaking of colors, this Create a Rainbow: Mixing Colors in Cold Process Soap blog post demonstrates how to make a rainbow of colors using only three pigments. On the left are a batch of soap for the local Umpqua Bank. They have been a huge supporter of Handmade Beauty Box, and soap is the perfect way to say thank you.

Twitter:

If you are a chocolate lover like myself, Nestle products are working towards removing artificial flavors and colors by the end of 2015.
Can less sleep actually be better for you? Several studies suggest 7 hours of sleep may be better than 8.
If you use “selfie sticks” to take the perfect selfie, some art galleries are joining the movement to have them banned.
Taking the temperature of squirmy, energy-filled kiddos can be hard; these temperature-taking stickers are a life saver!
Working on getting fit before summer? The best time to work out may require you to wake up extra early.
I hope you are all having a great weekend, and enjoy Oscar Sunday tomorrow! To keep up with the latest soapy social media throughout the week, you can follow me on Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Pinterest, Vine and YouTube.

Soapy Social Media Roundup

January 31, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Can you believe tomorrow is the 1st of February already? Time flies when you’re having fun! Yesterday the team and I filmed several videos for Soap Queen TV and the new Bramble Berry YouTube channel. Look out tomorrow for a behind-the-scenes post into the shoot. We filmed two cold process recipes, along with a colorful and sparkly melt and pour soap. Below is an Instagram photo of the melt and pour project. Based on the Rainbow Hearts Melt & Pour project, this soap was updated slightly to feature more hearts per bar.

Today we did a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) activity day and of course, are in the midst of prepping for the Super Bowl tomorrow. Do you have fun Super Bowl plans? Jamisen is starting to pay attention to the sport, while Lily simply enjoys wearing her Seahawks gear. I picked up some cute Seahawks cookies from a local bakery to celebrate and those are sure to be a huge hit. On Friday, some of the Bramble Berry team showed their support with plenty of blue and green; go Hawks!

If football is not your cup of tea and you’re looking for some fun crafty projects for the weekend, check out my favorite pins, ‘grams and tweets from the week below.

Pinterest:

Top left, counter-clockwise:

This Mulberry Frost Soap by Soap & Restless and Shieh Design Studio is a showstopper. The colors remind me of a peacock, and the embeds add interest to the swirl.
Speaking of peacocks, the tutorial for these DIY Peacock Feather Wine Glasses makes the process look simple and easy.
This Glitter Heart Bunting tutorial creates incredibly sparkly heart garland that would be perfect for a Valentine’s Day party.
Made by Otion Soap Bar, this Palm Free Waterlily Orange Soap uses straws to create negative-embed space. If you’d like more tutorials featuring negative space embeds, check out the Misty Maritime Moon Cold Process Soap.
I’m putting this Tiny Sparkly Rose Gold Heart Ring on my Valentine’s Day wishlist =)
This Granola-Crusted Yogurt Fruit Tart by Honestly Yum looks so impressive. It would make a great light option for family brunch.

Instagram:

This past week has been full of colorful projects for a fun promotion starting in February. Below on the left, is a cold process soap made with Ultramarine Blue Pigment and Ocean Rain Fragrance Oil. On the right, is a chamomile soap made with Yellow Oxide and Chamomile Bergamot Fragrance Oil. I can’t wait to share these tutorials with you!

. Twitter:

Teachers are incredibly valuable, but are notoriously under-payed. What happens when teachers are paid more? Amazing things!
“Life audit,” refers to an exercise in self-reflection that helps uncover core values and goals. This article dives into when, and why to do a life audit.
I’m over-the-top thankful for the life I lead, but one can never be too grateful. Here are five ways to incorporate thankfulness into your daily life.
Photoshop in the media is out of control; just look at these before and after photos of Kate Middleton on the cover of Woman’s Day.
I can be my own worst critic. If you’re like me, here are tips on how to smack down your inner critic.

I hope you are all having a great weekend, and enjoy Super Bowl Sunday tomorrow! To keep up with the latest soapy social media throughout the week, you can follow me on Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Pinterest, Vine and YouTube.

Soapy Social Media Roundup

January 24, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

This weekend is full of family, friends and of course a little crafting. Today I spent some time working on a fun Valentine’s Day tutorial that I can’t wait to share (look out for that project tomorrow). I’ve also been doing some meal prep for the upcoming week, while the kids eat their weight in pomegranate seeds. Tomorrow the family is visiting a new trampoline park in town; it’s full of trampolines for all ages, foam pits and obstacle courses…the kids are going to love it. What are your fun plans for the weekend?

These kiddos can’t get enough of pomegranate seeds!

If you’re looking for a weekend projects, the blog has been full of tutorials featuring clays and other natural ingredients. Many of these items are currently 20% with the code, CLAYCLEAN. These items are on sale until January 29th at midnight, PST; click here to see all sale items. Next week, keep your eyes on the blog for a hot process tutorial, as well as a rebatch project. Looking for more crafty ideas? Check out my favorite social media finds from the past week, including pins, instagrams and tweets!

Pins:

Top left to right, clockwise:

This minty blue soap topped with orange and red poppies is absolutely stunning. Created by Handmade in Florida, the inside of the soap is even better!
I love tea of all kinds, and this Thai Almond Milk Bubble Tea by Love and Olive Oil looks like a yummy variation of the typical cup.
Speaking of delicious variations, this Roasted Moroccan Carrot Salad with Chickpeas is hearty take on the average spinach salad.
With Valentine’s Day less than a month away, it’s time to start making love inspired gifts. These DIY Cement Valentines are an adorable gift idea, and look easy to make.

Instagram:

This month I’m spreading my soapy wings and practicing the Butterfly Hanger Swirl for the Soap Challenge Club hosted by Amy of Great Cakes Soapworks. I’m thrilled with how it turned out, and can’t wait to try this technique again.

Last weekend the kids, Chris and I had a great time watching the big football game (go Hawks!), and spending some time in the rainy outdoors.

Twitter:

When attempting to accomplish any goal, you’re bound to question yourself throughout the process. Instead of questions that create doubt, ask yourself these 5 Questions Success People Routinely Ask Themselves. They are great motivating tools!
We have all heard about detoxing, but Does Detoxing Really Work?
Starbucks is making some big, awesome changes for their employees in 2015. The company is increasing starting-pay rates as well as loosening their strict dress code by allowing employees to show tattoos.
This New York City condo sold for $100 million…is the view worth the price?
If you don’t have a blog, these tips on How to Use a Blog as the Cornerstone of Your Content Marketing might persuade you to start one =)
To keep up with the latest soapy social media throughout the week, you can follow me on Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Pinterest, Vine and YouTube.