pumpkin spice Archives

Candy Corn Soap Tutorial

October 13, 2017 Filed Under: Bath & Body Tutorials, Melt & Pour Soap

Love it or hate it, candy corn is a Halloween staple. The layers and colors of candy corn translate perfectly to melt and pour soap. Layers of yellow, orange, and white soap are poured into the Tall 12″ Silicone Loaf Mold. Then, they are cut into triangles and the edges are rounded out with the Clean Up Tool.

These Candy Corn Soaps are scented with the classic Pumpkin Spice Fragrance Oil. Just don’t forget the Vanilla Color Stabilizer, or these soaps will discolor tan. In the video you may notice the candy corns are cut upside down. They look cute either way, but cutting the soap as shown in the photos gives you the most accurate appearance.

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Fall Into Autumn Projects & Inspiration

September 12, 2016 Filed Under: Bath & Body Tutorials

Staying a season ahead is important when crafting. This is especially true if you have a small business. If you haven’t created your fall projects, now is the time! It’s also the ideal time to start making holiday projects. The holidays may seem far away, but nobody wants added stress in November.

Looking for new fragrances for your fall projects? Tomorrow, Bramble Berry’s new Autumn Frost Fragrance Collection is launching! We tested hundreds of fragrance oils this year and found four of the very best smelling and performing fragrances for fall and winter. Want to learn more about the new scents? I’m introducing them live on the Bramble Berry Facebook page at 2 p.m. PST tomorrow! Click here to “attend” the event on Facebook, and be reminded to tune in.

Cold process soap created now will cure by the middle of October. That’s the perfect time for pumpkins, warm colors and spooky projects. Pumpkin spice products are always a hit, and we have plenty of inspiration. The Pumpkin Spice Swirl Cold Process embraces the trend of tall bars and the drop swirl technique. The Pumpkin Spice Latte Cold Process Soap features soap frosting for a foam-like appearance. If soap frosting is intimidating, dollops of frosting are created by allowing the soap to thicken in the Pumpkin Pie Cold Process Soap Tutorial.

Far left, clockwise: Pumpkin Spice Swirl Cold Process, Pumpkin Spice Latte Cold Process Soap, Pumpkin Pie Cold Process Soap Tutorial

Melt and pour soap does not require cure time and is ready to use when fully cooled. It’s a great soapmaking method for last-minute projects. The Pumpkin Soap on a Rope Tutorial uses two 3D molds (the Spooky Pumpkin Mold and Spooked Pumpkin 3D Mold) that are great for rope soap. The Pumpkin Pie Melt & Pour Soap contains ground pumpkin seeds for a bit of exfoliation.

Left: Pumpkin Soap on a Rope Tutorial, Pumpkin Pie Melt and Pour Soap

Walnut shells are combined with sugar for a gentle feel in the Pumpkin Spice Latte Sugar Scrub Tutorial on Soap Queen TV. Foaming Bath Whip and coffee butter feel light and fluffy when whipped together. The coffee butter also adds a light scent, which smells amazing with the Pumpkin Spice Fragrance Oil and Turkish Mocha Fragrance Oil. Learn how to make it in the video below.

Fall projects aren’t just about pumpkin spice. Fall can be expressed in a number of ways, from a comforting scent to deep, rich colors. The Neptune Column Pour Soap is a great example. It’s made with Tobacco and Bay Leaf Fragrance Oil, which features notes of fir needle, cedarwood and bergamot. The slightly smoky scent is complemented by deep burgundy, yellow and blue. It’s a great “fall-ish” project!

The Neptune Column Pour Soap is a non-traditional fall tutorial.

For many, fall means the return of the NFL. If you’re ready to cheer on your team, the Mini Melt & Pour Football Soaps are a great way to do so. They are scented with Leather Fragrance Oil and Grass Stain Fragrance Oil for a combination that’s fresh yet earthy. I plan on bringing them to a football party as a host/hostess gift.

Fall means the return of football! How cute are these Mini Melt & Pour Football Soaps?

Autumn and winter also bring darker, moodier cosmetic products. In particular, it’s time to bust out bold lipstick colors! Red is a classic choice and is great for holiday parties. In the Radiant Red Lipstick Tutorial on Soap Queen TV, there are three color combinations to choose from. The formula is creamy, shiny and leaves lips feeling moisturized. Check out the video below. If you prefer something a little less dramatic, the Creamy Marsala Lip Tints give lips a sheer color. It’s inspired by the Pantone color of the year for 2015, “Marsala.” It’s also easy to make with only one colorant: Merlot Sparkle Mica.

When the weather gets colder, I tend to take more baths. If you need a hot bath to fight the cold, the Pumpkin Spice Bath Bombs fill your tub with bubbles, moisturizing coffee butter and a milky quality thanks to powdered goat milk. They also smell amazing with a combination of Pumpkin Spice Fragrance Oil and Espresso Fragrance Oil. If you prefer hot showers, the Aromatherapy Shower Fizzies fill the shower with scent. Depending on what fragrance or essential oil you use, they are the perfect way to relax before bed or to start the day.

The Pumpkin Spice Latte Bubble Bath Bombs are inspired by the popular fall beverage.

How do you celebrate fall with handmade projects? If you get photos, I would love to see them! Tag #Soapshare on Instagram. =)

Pumpkin Spice Latte Bubble Bath Bomb DIY

September 8, 2016 Filed Under: Bath Fizzies

Are you in the “yea” pumpkin spice camp, or the “nay” pumpkin spice camp? While I understand the desire to hang onto summer, I’m in the “YAY!” pumpkin spice category. I just love the change of seasons and crafting with fall-inspired scents. If you’re ready to celebrate fall, these Pumpkin Spice Latte Bubble Bath Bombs are the perfect way to do so. Why just drink a Pumpkin Spice Latte when you can bathe in one? Or better yet, maybe drink one while taking a bath! 😉

These bath bombs have a lot of amazing things going on. They contain a small amount of Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate – SLSA in addition to the typical baking soda and citric acid mixture. The SLSA creates some bubbles in the bath in addition to fizz. If you prefer just fizz, leave out the SLSA and replace with more baking soda. Coffee butter adds a hint of coffee scent and skin-nurturing properties to the water. But wait, there’s more! Powdered Goat Milk is also in the recipe to give bath water milky properties. To help the coffee butter and the powdered colorants incorporate better in the water, I added Polysorbate 80 which can be omitted if you prefer.

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Fall Project Ideas & Inspiration

September 28, 2015 Filed Under: Bath & Body Tutorials

It’s officially fall! The colors on the trees are changing, temperatures are dropping and the smell of pumpkin spice is in the air (well, around this office at least). While summer is dear to my heart (I love the long days and all that natural vitamin D from the sun), fall is a close second for favorite season. Autumn is full of crafting inspiration, and the cool weather is a perfect excuse to stay inside and create. If you’re looking for project ideas to reflect the time of year, we have you covered.

When considering fall scents, you can’t ignore the current fall favorite: pumpkin spice. Inspired by the classic spice combination, pumpkin spice is warm, comforting and sweet. It’s easy to see why it’s so popular! Bramble Berry has several pumpkin scents, including the Pumpkin Spice Fragrance Oil, Pumpkin Souffle Fragrance Oil and the Pumpkin Pie Candle & Soap Fragrance Oil.

Thanks to Starbucks, pumpkin and coffee have become an incredibly popular combo. I’ve even been getting in on the #PSL action with Bulletproof Pumpkin Spice Lattes (they’re delicious!). If you can’t get enough of pumpkin spice lattes, the Pumpkin Spice Latte Sugar Scrub on Soap Queen TV uses Pumpkin Spice Fragrance Oil and Turkish Mocha Fragrance Oil to create a mouthwatering scent. You can see the original tutorial here. Looking for soap projects? Check out the Pumpkin Spice Latte Cold Process tutorial to learn how to create these adorable bars. Made with soap frosting and melt and pour embed, they imbue fall into every slice.

The Pumpkin Spice Latte Cold Process was inspired by the popular fall drink.

If you prefer the classic pumpkin scent, the Pumpkin Pie Melt and Pour Bars are easy to make and smell just like the fall dessert. Made with ground pumpkin seeds, these bars give the soap gentle exfoliation. The Pumpkin Spice Swirl Cold Process also smells like pumpkin pie, and has real pumpkin puree! The Pumpkin Puree Cold Process soap also uses real pumpkin. Want to learn how to make your own pumpkin puree? Click here.

Left to right: Pumpkin Pie Melt and Pour Bars, Pumpkin Spice Swirl Cold Process

Feeling a little pumpkin’d out? There are plenty of other great fall scents and ideas! The Fall Sherbet Cold Process Soap is a fun take on pastel shades. Looking to celebrate Oktoberfest? The Bramble Beer Soap uses blonde ale instead of water to create a beautifully layered bar. Speaking of layers, the Fall Sweater Stripes Tutorial is inspired by the comfort of warm fall sweaters.

Top, clockwise: Fall Sweater Stripes Tutorial, Fall Sherbet Cold Process Soap, Bramble Beer Soap

Cooler temperatures can mean dry, flaky skin. Now is the perfect time to use heavier body butters and lotions to keep the skin feeling comfortable. The Moisturizing Heel Butter has a thick, Vaseline-like texture that is hydrating and spreadable. It’s also suitable for the rest of the body. If you like a lighter, whipped texture, the Whipped Champagne Shea Butter is creamy and bubbly smelling. Missing your summer glow? Fake it with the Whipped Amber Bronzing Butter. With a mousse-like texture, warm scent and slight tint, it’s sure to be a favorite.

Fall is the perfect time to cozy up at home, and nothing creates a comfy atmosphere quite like a warm scent. One of my favorite fall candle projects is the Chai Tea Latte Candle Tutorial. It fills the room with the warm and spicy notes of Chia Tea Cybilla Fragrance Oil. It also looks just like a warm chai tea latte. I gave these candles to some of my friends last year, and they still rave about them. If you prefer a no-flame option, you might like the Spicy Holiday Potpourri or the Winter Gardenia Room Diffuser.

The Chai Tea Latte Candle features whipped candle wax for a realistic layered look.

I have loved seeing all your gorgeous fall projects popping up on social media. In particular, I love scrolling through the #SoapShare hashtag on Instagram. Below are a few of my favorites…keep them coming!

Top left, clockwise: Pumpkin Spice Cream Soap by lssc0000, Leaf Guest Soap by tandjsoap, Pumpkin Spice Pie Soaps by woolinandco, Pumpkin Spice Soap by orchardhilltradingco

Top left, clockwise: Candy Corn Soap by singlebarrelsoaps, Peek-a-Boo Ghost Bath Bombs by indulge_bath_bombs, Pumpkin Spice Bubble Bars by shellyswicked, Harvest Moon Soap by riverbendsoap

What are you making this fall? I’m trying to get a head start on holiday projects this year =)

Pumpkin Pie Melt and Pour Soap

September 8, 2015 Filed Under: Bath & Body Tutorials, Melt & Pour Soap

While the day after Labor Day is not the official first day of fall, here in the PNW, it certainly feels like summer is over. Seasonal items are hitting the shelves, including the Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks (happy #PSL day!), and everything pumpkin flavored. I love the warm and comforting taste (and smell!) of pumpkin treats. These Pumpkin Pie Melt and Pour bars celebrate the arrival of the #PSL and pumpkin-spice-everything. Scented with Pumpkin Pie Candle and Soap Fragrance Oil, these bars look and smell like your favorite autumn dessert.

These bars are made with the creamy and hydrating Goat Milk Melt and Pour Soap Base. This base is great for dry skin, and has a neutral custard color. Ground pumpkin seeds give the bars a very mild amount of exfoliation. To learn more about various exfoliant options, click here. A small amount of ground cinnamon is used for a realistic pumpkin pie appearance. Some people have a sensitivity to using cinnamon (particularly cinnamon essential oil). If your skin is sensitive to cinnamon, feel free to leave it out.

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Pumpkin Spice Swirl Cold Process Tutorial

August 27, 2015 Filed Under: Bath & Body Tutorials, Cold Process Soap

With fall right around the corner it’s time to cook, bake and soap with everything pumpkin. This Pumpkin Spice Swirl Cold Process is made with real pumpkin puree, and scented with Pumpkin Spice Fragrance Oil for a classic fall scent. The swirl is created using the drop swirl technique; check out this Soap Queen TV video to see this swirl in action. We got lucky with this particular batch…the swirls ended up resembling pumpkins in the center!

To keep the soap from discoloring, the fragrance oil is only added to the dark brown portion of the soap. Read more about fragrance discoloration here. When adding water based additives like pumpkin puree, a water discount can be beneficial. This recipe contains a 15% water discount to compensate for the water in the puree. A water discount is optional, but it will help prevent glycerin rivers. It will also cut down on cure time because there is less water to evaporate.

Another thing to consider when working with additives is temperature. The pumpkin puree contains natural sugars which will increase the temperature of the soap. To prevent overheating, you may want to place the soap in the fridge for several hours (up to overnight) after pouring into the mold. I would not recommend insulating or promoting gel phase in this recipe. If you’re looking for more pumpkin-centric recipes, check out the Pumpkin Puree Cold Process Soap and the Pumpkin Spice Latte Cold Process Soap.

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Pumpkin Spice Latte Sugar Scrub

September 4, 2014 Filed Under: Soaks & Scrubs

The celebration of all things pumpkin spice continues with a creamy and luxurious Pumpkin Spice Latte Sugar Scrub. Made with a combination of skin-loving coffee butter and Foaming Bath Whip, this scrub moisturizes skin without a greasy feeling. Finely ground walnut shells and sugar gently remove dead skin, and the combination of Pumpkin Spice and Turkish Mocha Fragrance Oil leaves a light, spicy scent.

If you are looking for more ways to use coffee butter, the Whipped Coffee Butter Tutorial creates a fluffy and intensely moisturizing body butter. If you prefer a lighter moisturizer, the Coffee Butter Foot Creme features a delicious blend of Dark Rich Chocolate Fragrance Oil and Peppermint Essential Oil.

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