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Soapy Social Media Roundup

November 29, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Happy Sunday! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. Mine was full of family and food…just the way I like it. =) Today has been a day to get back on track and prepare for the week. In addition, we took the kiddos to see Santa and get photos today. I’m officially in Christmas mode now! Are you feeling ready for the holidays? If you’re looking for project ideas, check out the Holiday Project Inspiration post. Below are just some of the cute project ideas shared in the post.

Top left, clockwise: Whipped Champagne Shea Butter, Chocolate Mint Melt and Pour Squares, Scented Beeswax Ornaments, Glamorous Gold Eye Shadow Quad

Want even more soapy inspiration? Check out my favorite pins, tweets and grams below!

Pinterest:

Top left to right, clockwise:

This adorable DIY Snowman Can looks like an easy way to bring a little holiday cheer into any space.
These Peppermint Brownie Bites look so yummy! I love chocolate and mint together.
I love to make Christmas ornaments with the kiddos every year. This tutorial for Salt Dough Ornaments looks like a great option.
The Unscented Calendula Soap by The Soap.Bar looks amazing! The blue hue looks so vibrant against the creamy white.

Instagram:
Have you tried the hanger swirl technique yet? Below is a cold process soap made with the hanger swirl technique and real aloe vera puree. This recipe is in my new book, which comes out in February 2016. It’s available for pre-sale (with extra goodies) now. =)
Below, I used the Vertical Wood Mold to create these cranberry and currant soaps with poppy seeds. They’re scented with a blend of Cranberry Fig Fragrance Oil and Pomegranate and Black Currant Fragrance Oil. They smell so good; I can’t wait to use them. =)

Twitter:

I love a good kale salad and consider myself to be a bit of an expert…I’ve had quite a few. =) This is my absolute favorite kale salad recipe, it can’t be beat!
Getting older is both fun and a little scary. These charts and graphs about being 20 vs. being 30 are hilarious and so true.
Speaking of hilarious, this lip sync performance by Joseph Gordon-Levitt is amazing. He can really dance!
Did you buy Adele’s new album? You’re not the only one; Adele’s new album accounted for 42% of all music sales last week. Whoa!
If you love tea as much as I do, click here to learn how to use it in your bath and body products.

I hope you all had a great 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

November 14, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Happy Saturday; I’m feeling conflicted about the joyous day I’m having with our family when I contrast it to the sadness in Paris. Our thoughts, prayers and tears are with all of France as they pick up the pieces after yesterday’s terrorists attacks.

Today the kiddos and I are spending the day inside building LEGOS at the library. The weather has been rainy and gray, so we are happy to be dry and warm. I love that Bellingham has activities that bring together the community. Jamisen and Lily are grateful as well, because…LEGOS! Duh. =)

Yesterday the team and I wrapped up three book-preorder Soap Queen TV videos. If you missed my most recent video, click here to watch it. It’s a Lavender & Lemongrass Hot Process Soap recipe. It smells so good! The videos filmed yesterday feature recipes from my upcoming book, Pure Soap Making. The book is available for pre-order now, and will be published in early 2016. The videos will only be available for early supporters that pre-order the book. Speaking of natural soap making, I recently chatted with Biconi about the rise of popularity of natural soap making, check it out here. Bottom line: consumers are becoming more aware of what they are putting on their bodies. Homemade beauty products are a great way to have 100% control. If you’re in need of some crafty inspiration, check out my favorite tweets, ‘grams and pins from the week.

Pinterest:

Left to right, clockwise:

I’d love to spruce up my desk this coming year, and this cute DIY Gold Foiled Pencil Cup would be perfect. =)
This Farm Harvest Sensory Bin is such a fun and cute idea. It’s perfect for the cold months when gardening is a little bit less enjoyable.
The bright blue color of this Bergamot & Blue Soap by The North Street Bubble is gorgeous! It really pops against the warm colors of the herbs on top.
I’m completely fascinated and inspired by the Ghost Swirl Soap by Auntie Clara’s Handcrafted Cosmetics. It’s the perfect combination of science and art.

Instagram:

This week I attempted the Clyde Slide cold process technique, made popular by Clyde Yoshida of Vibrant Soap. I’m excited about how it turned out! I think next time I may create fewer layers in the pot to prevent the colors from blending together.

I hope you all had a wonderful Veterans Day, and had a chance to thank the veterans in your life. On the left is a photo of my grandma and grandpa Louis, who was a RN in World War II. On the right is a collection of brightly colored soaps…I just love working with rainbow hues. =) For tips to make your soap more vibrant, check out this blog post.

Twitter:

If you’re a small business owner, you know how much time, resources and money advertising can take. Steffanie Housman argues that direct mail is not the answer handmade business, and I think she makes some great points.
Need a little extra pep in your step in the morning? Here are 5 ways to start your day on the right foot.
If you love dramatic “Before and After” photos, this post is an inspirational jackpot!
I think we have all felt a little self conscious at the gym before. According to this study, 75% of women put off exercise for fear of what others think. That really bums me out.
Looking for holiday gift ideas for the beauty junkie in your life? This list has you covered.
Saying no can be hard. If you need help telling people “no,” click here.

I hope you’re having a great 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

November 7, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Happy, happy weekend! Is it just me, or did this week fly by? There is something about the last few months of the year…time seems to speed up. Daylight saving time is now in effect, so here in the Pacific Northwest it is dark by 5 pm. Maybe the “shorter” days have something to do with it. =)

This past week I have started prepping for a new round of Soap Queen TV videos. We will be shooting three full length cold process recipes on Friday, yay! Be on the lookout for a new video this coming Thursday. The video is a popular soaping technique that has never been demonstrated on Soap Queen TV before…can you guess? For now, take a look at my favorite social media happenings from the week from all of my social media accounts:

Pinterest:

Left to right, clockwise:

How adorable are these Reindeer Noses Mason Gift Jars? These would make great stocking stuffers and gifts.
I love the simplicity of this Goldenrod Cold Process Soap by Jan of The Nerdy Farm Wife. The herbs are infused in the olive oils for extra skin-loving benefits.
This Dark Chocolate Caramel Pumpkin Bark is healthy because it contains almonds and other nuts…right? I think that’s how it works. =)
I wear rings just about everyday, and this Wire Rings with Beads Tutorial is the perfect way to freshen up my collection.

Instagram:

I used the new Soap Shaver to give these linear swirled soaps from the Soap Crafting book perfect, smooth tops. I love that this tool also gives you super thin soap shavings that you can use in a variety of ways. Check out the How to Use Leftover Soap Scraps post for ideas.

On the left, the kiddos and I enjoyed an evening of trick-or-treating. The rain couldn’t keep us inside! Speaking of holidays…the countdown to Christmas has begun. The tutorial for this advent calendar will be on the blog soon.

Twitter:

Need a reason to get happy? This infographic will do the trick!
If you’ve ever thought about trying vegan food, Purple Carrot is a meal delivery service that sends ingredients to create two to three vegan meals a week. Sounds pretty great to me.
Social media is a funny thing…it allows you to carefully curate an online image. This “Instagram famous” teenager is now getting real about her image, and how social media can be damaging.
Did you get the memo that duck face is over, and “fish gape” is the new hot selfie face? Hah! Me neither. =)
This entrepreneur turned a Jiffy Lube into a successful yoga studio. I love success stories like these!

Soapy Social Media Roundup

October 31, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Happy Halloween everybody! I hope you are all having a wonderfully spooky, fun and safe day. This past week has been eventful and full of both ups and downs. Some of the “ups” include attending the Whatcom Women in Business charity (college scholarships) event and making some successful batches of soap. One “down” included Lily sticking peas up her nose and requiring a visit to the doctor to get them out. Below, Lily (aka “pea-bandit”) and I visit the doctor to get the peas out of her nose. At least we got a good story out of it! =) Or rather, a gross story. You don’t even want to know how I got those peas out of her nose ….

Today, we are enjoying the holiday with trick-or-treating and plenty of candy (and, I have full-sized Play-Dough for trick or treaters at our house too). Halloween photos and more will be up on the blog, get ready for the cuteness! =) If you’re not trick-or-treating and need some crafty projects, check out my favorite social media links from the past week below:

Pinterest:

Left to right, clockwise:

I love the combination of green and purple in these beautiful Mulberry Frost Soaps by Emily of Soap & Restless. They are just a tad-Halloween-y, while still being appropriate all year.
Perfect for Thanksgiving, these adorable Oreo Turkey Cookies would be a hit with the kids.
Packaging your soap is a great way to add interest and personality to your projects. This post by Rebecca of Soap Deli News has some awesome ideas!
Fall and winter is the perfect time of year for soup. This 5 Ingredient Cheesy Cauliflower Soup looks like a delicious, easy and healthy soup recipe.

Instagram:

If you love licorice and anise as much as I do, be sure to check out the tutorial for these Star Anise Melt and Pour Bars. They are scented with anise and 10x orange essential oil, and colored with a combination of green zeolite and spirulina powder.

We have been working hard on creating the perfect red color in cold process soap. It’s difficult to do, because the white base of soap tends to create pink, or berry shades. Below are the first round of colors; which one is your favorite? We are working on perfecting these blends, and will have a blog post soon.

Twitter:

Could women be able to detect odors and tastes better than men? Some believe so!
I love, love love to read! You can check out my reading list here, at the bottom of the page. I’m over 50 books for this year already.
This small village in Alaska will soon be underwater. Extremely sad, but interesting read.
Is honey better than corn syrup? A recent study said no…but not so fast! Is that study worthless?
This Target Halloween ad includes a girl with a disability dressed as Elsa from Frozen. This is so great!

I hope you’re having a great Halloween 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

October 24, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Happy weekend! Today the kiddos and I are working on our Halloween costumes. So far, Jamisen wants to be a flower and I believe Lily is going to be a watermelon. I had originally planned on dressing as a witch again this year, but I think I’m going to be a bumble bee to fit into the “farmer’s market” theme the kids have going. =) Do you dress up for Halloween? I’d love to hear your costume ideas! We also visited a Kangaroo Farm this morning; check out my Snapchat (Bramble-Berry is my user name there) or Instagram today (@brambleberry) to get some sneak peeks at that fun expedition.

With Halloween only a week away, I have been planning ahead with holiday projects. It’s never too early to plan for Christmas…it always sneaks up on you! If you’re stumped on what to make this year, keep your eyes on the blog next week for holiday ideas including melt and pour and a lotion bar. Until then, check out my favorite pins, tweets and ‘grams this week. =)

Pinterest:

(Left to right, clockwise):

Acorns are so adorable and make great fall decor. This easy Painted Acorns DIY looks like a fun project to do with the kids.
I love the color combination and masterful swirl in this Patchouli Oudh Soap made by Zahida of Handmade in Florida.
I can’t wait to try this Autumn Glow Salad with Lemon Dressing. Made with freekeh, cauliflower and potatoes, it looks hearty and filling.
Can you believe these turquoise stones aren’t stones at all? They are soap gems made by Amethyst Soaps! I love the various colors and textures, as well as the shiny appearance. I’ve purchased these soaps in the past and in person, they are just as lovely and realistic as the photo.

Instagram:

Christmas is only about two months away. I’ve started making presents early this year, including this loaf of holiday rebatch soap. These bars are scented with a combination of Holiday Candy Fragrance Oil and Peppermint Essential Oil, 1st Distillation for a sweet and fresh smell.

Speaking of holidays…why not start thinking about Valentine’s Day? Okay, maybe it’s a little early for that, but hearts are great year round, right? These heart shaped bars are made with pink sea salt and rose clay for a soft pink color. On the right, I toured a butterfly sanctuary and they absolutely loved my bright yellow pants! =)

Twitter:

Do you work with somebody who constantly makes snarky comments? According to this study, workplace rudeness spreads like a virus and their mean comments can cause you to be rude as well. Stay positive and spread compliments instead!
I’m an avid reader (my ‘Reading Now’ list is alllll the way at the bottom of this page; I’m over 40 books this year already) for many reasons, one reason being that it helps me unwind after a long day. Click here to find out 9 ways reading fiction will make you happier.
If you love grammar, this article about stray apostrophes on Christmas cards will make you laugh.
We all know refined sugar isn’t good for you, but does it have serious impact on your brain? Signs point to yes.
If you hate YouTube ads, there is now a way to bypass them. Unfortunately, it will cost you.

Soapy Social Media Roundup

October 17, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

This past week has been a little out of the ordinary. Rather than a jampacked schedule filled with work engagements, I took the week off (mostly) to relax and unwind with the family. I have still been on social media, but for the most part this week has been a vacation. I’m a bit of a workaholic (what can I say, I love what I do!) but it has been refreshing to spend the week focusing on family. Next week I’ll be back in the office full time, and I’m looking forward to getting back to the swing of things.

Here on the blog, the collection of sparkly tutorials came to an end with the Midas Touch Bath Bombs and Gold Mine Cold Process Tutorial. The team and I have been working on rustic inspired holiday tutorials, so be on the lookout for those soon. They are the perfect projects if shimmer isn’t your cup of tea. =) In the meantime, here is my favorite soapy inspiration from around the web!

Pinterest:

Left to right, clockwise:

This Roasted Carrot Lentil Salad with Tahini Dressing looks and sounds delicious! The hearty vegetables and lentils are perfect for fall.
I love the soft swirls and mica dust on these Holiday Spice Cold Process Bars by Sarah of Spicy Pinecone. Read my interview with Sarah here.
If you’re hosting a fall gathering, these Gold Leaf Pumpkins would make beautiful centerpieces.
Speaking of fall parties, this Pumpkin Chocolate-Spiderweb Tart is perfect for a Halloween party! It’s almost too pretty to eat. =)

Instagram:
If you’ve worked with honey in cold process soap, you know it can be a little tricky! The additional sugar makes the soap quite hot, and can lead to an extreme gel phase. You can see this gel phase in action below. Be on the lookout next week for a post about using honey in cold process soap.
We are working on a collection of rustic holiday projects, including anise melt and pour. I love the smell of anise, I’m a huge fan of black licorice. =) On the right are the Midas Touch Bath Bombs, one of my favorite bath bomb recipes in recent memory! See the tutorial here.

Twitter:

The weight loss industry brings in $60 billion dollars a year in the U.S. Why are Americans still struggling with obesity? It could be because the $60 billion diet industry is dwarfed by a $300 billion fast food industry.
Pesticides have been linked to the decline of the bee population.
If you use social media, integrating your platforms can be a great way to increase your audience. These three website mistakes are great examples of what not to do.
A venture capital firm crunched data from the past 10 years and found that female founders outperform their peers.

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:

Left to right, clockwise:

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:

Left to right, clockwise:

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

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!

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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.

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 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:

Left to right, clockwise:

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!

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