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


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

Pinterest:

Left to top right, clockwise:

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

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

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

Twitter:

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

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

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!

Pinterest:
Left to right, clockwise:

• 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.

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. 

Pinterest:


Left to right, clockwise:

• 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.

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.

 

Happy first weekend of 2015! I hope you had a fun and safe New Years Eve. My night was rather quiet; the family played some board games and enjoyed a low key dinner. New Years day was spent visiting a children museum. Jamisen and Lily had a blast, we will definitely be visiting the museum again soon. The 2015 cutie below is my sweet niece, Alise. She is growing so fast!

In soapy news, the team and I have been busy creating some fun recipes with using clays. Keep your eyes on the blog for those projects, and be sure to sign up for our Newsletter to find out about upcoming sales and promotions (hint hint!). If you enjoy sneak peeks, check out the Instagram shots below to see what we have been working on, along with my other favorite pins and tweets from the week!

Pins:

Left to right, clockwise:

• I love how fresh this Roasted Beet, Pear and Quinoa Salad looks. Beets add such a nice pop of color to any dish, as evident in the Goat Cheese Beet Dip I made several months ago.
• These Marbled Clay Ring Dishes are stunning! The tutorial looks surprisingly easy as well.
• It may be too late to create these Tissue Tassels for a New Year celebration, but they would make adorable birthday party decor.
• With black, white and purple swirls, this soap created by Petals Bath Boutique really wows. The addition of glitter on top gives a touch of glam.

Instagram:
I have been working a lot with clays recently (look for these projects soon!). Below is cold process soap created with sea clay, hydrated chrome green and pink sea salt on top. The soft swirl was made using the in-the-pot swirl technique, a great swirling method for the beginning soaper.

So many fun soapy projects this year! Below is the bakers rack in the soap lab filled to the brim with soap and other handmade goodness. Soon we will be clearing off the rack by donating the soap to local charities.

Twitter:

• Have you ever wondered why there is no such thing as vanilla essential oil? This article offers a great explanation.
• Sometimes it feels there is simply not enough time in the day. By using these tips, you may find you have more time than you thought.
• Let’s make 2015 the year of happiness! This article gives a list of things proven to make us happier, including strong relationships and giving.
• Full of protein, antioxidants and vitamins, a new plant-based burger will be hitting select Whole Foods in January. Can’t wait to try these!
• Looking for a few good reads? Here are 10 reasons why you should pick up a classic.

I hope you’re all 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.

Anybody else feeling like there is so much to do, and so little time? The holidays have a way of magically speeding up time! This week has been full of holiday preparation, from decorating the house to wrapping gifts. On Wednesday, the team partnered with the Salvation Army to Christmas shop for more than ten families. We all had a blast, and it was great to get in the holiday spirit. Look out for a blog post next week documenting all the fun.

The kiddos are in full holiday mode, constantly asking when Santa is going to get here. “Soon, the elves are not done making the toys!” In the meantime, they have had fun helping me wrap gifts for others. Speaking of gift wrapping, check out the creative wrapping idea via my favorite pins below!

Pins:

Left to right, clockwise:

• These Cheesecake Cookies may be too adorable to eat! Made with cream cheese and strawberry jam, the top is accented with holly drawn with food coloring.
• Super easy to make, these Toilet Paper Roll Gift Boxes would be perfect for a wide variety of bath and beauty projects including lip balm, bath fizzies and soap.
• Peppermint scented products are a great gift option, because just about everybody loves the fresh scent. These Peppermint Avocado Melt and Pour Soaps would make fantastic stocking stuffers.
• “Throw kindness around like confetti.” Love this quote! We could all use a little more kindness in our lives =)

Instagram:

Once Christmas is over, it will be time to create soap for Valentine’s Day! This Queen of Hearts Cold Process soap is full love with sparkle, hearts, and cold process frosting.

Left to right: I’ve said it once but I’ll say it again, crafting is better with friends! I had a blast  making melt and pour with fellow Bellingham business women. On the right, I’m in love with the adorable Stenciled Wedding Soap Favors that Jen from Something Turquoise created.

Twitter:

• Facebook’s News Feed is incredibly complicated…there are so many factors that play a role in who sees your posts. Here are a list of some of those factors to help create feed updates wisely.
• Women make up roughly 15% of technical roles in the tech industry, and that number is dropping.
• Speaking of tech, the best time to learn code is now! There are  variety of classes and opportunities to do so, click here to see options.
• So excited to see that Handmade Beauty Box made Everyday’s Health list of 14 Perfect Gifts for the Beauty Obsessed!
• Putting yourself on social media can be intimidating. Here are some tips to “insult-proof” your ego.
  

I hope you’re all 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.

This week I spent a few days in the beautiful (and cold!) New York City. It was wonderful to see the big city all dressed up for the holidays. All you New Yorkers are lucky to live in such a bustling, magical place. While most of my time was spent working (pinch me, I got to meet the Martha Stewart team!) I did squeeze in some fun with an amazing Broadway show.

Now that I’m back home, it’s time to focus on family and the upcoming holiday! Luckily I started my Christmas preparation early this year, so most of my gifts just need to be wrapped and shipped. If you’re needing a little holiday gift inspiration, there is still time to make homemade gifts! The 12 Days of Christmas series is full of last minute projects =)

Speaking of holidays, thanks to everybody who shared what they were thankful for in the Thankful, Grateful and Joys post.  It was wonderful to read all the thoughtful responses. It was hard to choose just two winners, but the comments from Ray and Valerie  really stood out to me. Ray and Valerie, look out for an email on Monday to claim your Handmade Beauty Box! Looking for even more holiday fun? Check out my favorite tweets, pins, and ‘grams this week!

Pins:

Left to right, clockwise:

• This Cranberry Punch looks so festive and delicious! It would make a wonderful beverage on Christmas Eve.
• Full of red and white curls, this melt and pour soap made by Artisan Suds would be a great gift. Who doesn’t love receiving handmade soap? Made with Peppermint Essential Oil and Vanilla Select Fragrance Oil, I bet it smells amazing.
• That cranberry punch would look beautiful on top of this glamorous DIY Gold Zig Zag Tray! I love that this tray looks holiday inspired, but is also appropriate all year long.
• These Peppermint Kiss Thumbprint Cookies will be perfect for the upcoming office cookie party =)

Instagram:

Left to right: The kiddos had a blast decorating the tree. They were so excited to hang up the Christmas ornaments they created. Speaking of ornaments, the Scented Beeswax Ornaments seen in the photo on the left is making our tree smell even more wonderful than usual!

The cold weather makes bath time more relaxing and invigorating. I have been using the Minty Layered Bath Salts to add a fresh scent and skin-loving epsom salt.

Tweets:

• Is it possible to reduce your stress in 2 minutes a day? Try these tips and find out!
• Some emails are difficult to write, such as writing a thank you note, or turning down a project. Here are 27 pre-written templates for these tough emails.
• How much of a blog post do people actually see? If you’re reading now, you’re in the 25th percentile!
• A monkey wearing a coat and diaper was found wandering an Ikea parking lot, looking for his “mom.” Luckily the little guy is doing alright, but the legal battle that followed took a toll on the sanctuary that took him in.
• The human brain is an incredibly complex organ…did you know gaining weight may cause the brain to shrink?
  

I hope you’re all 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.

Can you believe the fourth of July is only two weeks away? I definitely can’t! At Bramble Berry we’re all looking forward to summer though, and earlier this week we featured a Fireworks Cold Process tutorial to get you thinking about summer-themed projects. Since the weather has been so nice lately, the kiddos and I have spent plenty of time outside either working in the garden or visiting the farmer’s market for fresh veggies.

Speaking of summer, keep your eyes on the blog, follow us on Facebook or subscribe to our newsletter to be in the know about an upcoming promotion. It features lots of fun tutorials to get beautiful, beach-ready hair =) Until then, take a look at my favorite pins, tweets and ‘grams from the week!

Pins:

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Two weeks into the new year and we’re off to a running start. I’ve kept up with the S.M.A.R.T. goals I set for myself this year (thank you Carrot app, my VitaMix and Bellingham-based Dandelion produce delivery). I’m excited to track my progress along with everyone else who told me about their goals. There’s big plans for Bramble Berry this year, and we have lots of awesome promotions and campaigns planned, as well as adding to our continually growing product line. Be sure to check our What’s New page frequently to be first in the know about new items.

For now, take a look at my favorite social media happenings from the past two weeks for all of our social media accounts:

Pins:

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