social media Archives - Page 5 of 9

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!

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.

Soapy Social Media Roundup

May 9, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Happy Mother’s Day weekend! I hope you’re able to spend some time with your mom or loved ones tomorrow. This weekend is especially fun for me because it’s my birthday week as well. I had a fabulous celebratory day; my friends and family all made me feel extra special. Today, I plan on spending lots of outside time with the kiddos and straightening our new, empty house (but that’s a blog post for another day). It has been so warm and beautiful here in the Pacific Northwest…it officially feels like spring!

Above, I spent some time this week in Jamisen’s classroom. It’s so fun to watch him interact with his classmates and teacher; it really makes me realize how fast he is growing up. I would love to be able to lead a crafty project with his class and have just the perfect project for little hands: bath fizzies. If you’re looking for crafty inspiration for yourself, check out my favorite pins, grams and tweets from the week below.

Pinterest:

Left to right:

I love this Rainbow Ombre Cold Process Soap by Kenna of Modern Soapmaking. The LabColors give a gorgeous, subtle bleeding effect.
This Healthy Mexican Salad is full of color and texture. Any salad with lots of avocado is alright by me =)
This tutorial for Color Beans for Play and Art looks like something Lily and Jamisen would love.
Plain wooden bowls from the thrift store are made modern again with a little paint in this tutorial.

Instagram:

I love the sparkle that mica colorants give soapy projects. If you’d like to learn more about micas and how to use them, check out this Sunday Night Spotlight post.
Last weekend, Lily spent the day playing with her baby cousin Alise who is getting so big, so fast(!). The weather was so beautiful! On the right is the final design for an upcoming Soap Queen TV video. This drop swirl is scented with a blend of berry fragrance oils…I can’t wait to film!

Twitter:

I love the crisp layers in this Homemade Gardener’s Soap made by Simplistically Living. The exfoliants on top are perfect for removing dirt from gardening.
In 2014, Tory Burch’s company brought in more than $1 billion in revenue. Her story is so inspiring; click here to learn how she got started.
Have you heard of the YotaPhone? Released last year, the phone features two displays.
I’m a huge fan of eggs; they are a great way to add extra protein to salads. This article dives into the terms associated with industrial egg farming to help you choose the highest quality egg.
Want to turn your blog into a career? The Minimalist Baker has some great tips. My favorite? You gotta hustle!

I hope you all have a wonderful Mother’s 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

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.

Pinterest:

Left to right, clockwise:

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.

Instagram Tips and Tricks

April 21, 2015 Filed Under: Business Musings

Instagram has become extremely popular in the past several years. In fact, it is the fastest growing social site on a global scale. While I’m a huge fan of social media outlets of all kinds, Instagram (find me @brambleberry) might be my favorite! It’s easy to navigate, interact with others and is completely photo-centric. I could spend hours everyday scrolling through the beautiful and inspirational images.

Now that I’ve been using Instagram for several years, I have learned how to leverage its function for business. Instagram is a great tool for soapy businesses because soap is visually appealing. From in-process shots to final bars, soapmaking and photos go hand in hand. Instagram is also a great way to connect with other soapers, small business owners and potential wholesale accounts. Here are some of my tips when using Instagram, including how to take better photos, connect with others, and market your business.
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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!

Pinterest:

Left to right, clockwise:

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.

New Bramble Berry App!

April 12, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

I’m so excited to announce that the new Bramble Berry app is ready to download and use! The team and I have been working on this app for months, making sure it is easy to use and full of resources. Best of all? It’s free to use! Click here to learn more about the app, and click here to download on iTunes. Currently the app is only available for iOS, but may be available for other platforms in the future.

The new Bramble Berry app allows you to easily shop Bramble Berry from your phone. In the app, you can also access your Bramble Berry wishlist and check the status of your orders. The app allows you to browse the website just as you would on your computer. You may shop via the search function on the top, or via featured products and categories. Below, is an example of what the melt and pour base section looks like on the app. On the left is the general category page for melt and pour bases. Once you select “Bramble Berry Bases,” it takes you to the page shown on the right. From there, you can click on individual products for more information, or to add to your cart and wishlist.

In addition to easy Bramble Berry shopping, the app enables easy browsing on Bramble Berry social media outlets, including the Soap Queen blog. While browsing the blog via the app, you can comment on blog posts and email them to yourself to bookmark and read later. On the left, you can see that each blog post is easily accessible by scrolling. Once you select a post, you are taken to the post in full screen. See the little share icon on the very top right? Click that to send the post via message, email, Twitter and more.

Want to connect with other soapers on the Bramble Berry Facebook page? You got it! The app connects directly to the Facebook wall, allowing you to scroll through the inspirational soapy photos posted by the soapy community. Want more crafty inspiration? The new app also connects to the Bramble Berry Pinterest, Instagram and Tumblr page. Below is a photo of what the social media outlet navigation looks like. The images update automatically with new blog posts, pins, tweets, ‘grams and posts on the Bramble Berry Facebook wall.

Several of the social media outlets including Pinterest and YouTube have interaction limitations. For example, when viewing Pinterest you are not able to like or comment, and YouTube does not show our responses. We are aware of these issues, and are looking into ways to get them fixed.

The new Bramble Berry app also connects to the Bramble Berry lye calculator app, which is available for purchase. Having the lye calculator on your phone makes re-sizing and formulating recipes on the go simple. The calculator figures in grams, as well as ounces. If you have already purchased the older Soap Calculator app, feel free to contact info(at)brambleberry.com and we can activate the lye calculator on the new app for you. In the photo on the left below, you can see the lye calculator in the menu near the bottom. Once you click “Lye Calculator,” you will be taken to a screen to purchase and download.

So whatcha waiting for? Click here to download to view in iTunes. After you’ve used the new app, I’d love to hear what you think!

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.

Pinterest:

Top left to right, clockwise:

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 =)

Instagram:

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.

Pinterest:

Left to right, clockwise:

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.

Pinterest:

Left to right, clockwise:

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 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 =)

Pinterest:

Left to right, clockwise:

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.

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.

Spring 2015 S.O.A.P. Panel + Winter 2014 Results

February 23, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

It’s that time again; we are looking for eight new panelists for the Spring 2015 S.O.A.P. Panel! The S.O.A.P. Panel involves testing eight mystery fragrances in soapy projects. Throughout the testing process, keep us updated via Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or your own personal blog. The testing notes and opinions are then used to help us decide which new fragrances to add to the spring 2015 line. Sound fun? Scroll to read more, and see the four new fragrances chosen from Winter 2014 S.O.A.P. Panel!

[Read more…]

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:
Left to right, clockwise:

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.