Tutorials on soapmaking, bath fizzies, lotions and more
We are honored that crafty e-zine Whip Up has accepted and posted two more of our Soapy Ideas. Head to the links to learn how to make these fun projects. And, if you get to talk to Nicole on the phone this week at Bramble Berry, be sure to compliment her on her soapy sculptures in the Play Dough Moldable soap. Didn’t she do an amazing job?
Secret Message Soap: A bribery idea
Last week, I met Senator Patty Murray. I was so excited to meet her, I practically hyperventilated. Senator Murray ran for office in 1992, as a “Soccer Mom in Tennis Shoes” and has slowly risen to a position of prominence and respect in congressional leadership roles.
Senator Murray spoke to the Bellingham Herald Editorial Board. I’m lucky enough to be on the board and found her smart, funny and poised. She answered all the questions of the Board questions quickly, with a clear grasp on a wide range of issues.
I was inspired by her grace, humor and brains and came away more educated on a wide range of issues.
On a more soapy note, I apologize for not posting the photos of the Red Lychee Teasoap yet. I’m traveling this weekend and the photos are locked up in my computer at work. I will do my best to post them Sunday and also start the Massage Candle Tutorial.
To answer the musings of a Soap Queen commenter here, Oprah has made soap. And, she got to learn from the Queen of Crafts herself, Martha Stewart.
Phew. It would have been tragic for Oprah to not have experienced the fun of soapmaking. After all, soap is a consumable art form that brings in all the senses. Now, if we could only convince Oprah to graduate her soapmaking skills and move onto Jelly Roll Soaps or the Ducky Embedding Soap.
Sigh. A girl can dream, can’t she?
Meg Whitman announced that she will be stepping down as the CEO of E-Bay.
She’s the #3 on the Power List that Fortune puts out every year. More importantly, she was one of the small handful of women that run worldwide, huge companies. The glass ceiling still exists at that level.
It’s hard to blame Ms. Whitman for wanting a change. She’s been with E-Bay for ten years and most people are itching to switch careers after ten years of the same job.
Still, it’s disappointing that there will be one less role model for little girls to look up to and say, “I want to be her when I grow up.”
Continuing her run at world dominance, Oprah has announced the formation of her own TV Network – the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN). Continuing on her path to help others lead their best lives, the t.v. venture will focus on a broad mission involving celebrating life, inspiring and entertaining. Oprah will have full editorial control.
The thing that I find most inspiring about Oprah’s accomplishment is that Oprah wrote in her journal 15 years ago that she wanted a t.v. network. Now, over a decade later, her goal is becoming a reality. Little baby steps towards big goals eventually lead to greatness.
Sharla and Mei Lynn at Rare Bird Finds have the most adorable cute finds on their blog. Some semblance of a conscience and decency prevents me from turning this blog into the Rare Bird Finds-slash-Design Sponge fan site entirely but this Surprise Mug was too precious to pass up.
I mean, really, can you get over how cute that little mouse is?
All of this cuteness can be yours for $24.98 plus shipping.
Thank you to a Bramble Berry customer Sharon Predoehl, of Gig Harbor, Washington for sending us this fabulous bar of soap. Hasn’t she done an amazing job of a thick and even swirl throughout her bar?
She used our Limited Edition Spiced Mahogany fragrance in a tallow-based cold process soap. The bar is very hard with a dense, lasting lather. It’s going to last a long time in my shower!
Thanks for sharing your artistry with us.
If you are like the majority of Americans, you woke up this morning with the best of intentions to start your new diet, wipe out household debt and spend more time with family. For most people, January 1 is the day to reflect on the previous 365 days and promise to do things better and differently in the New Year.
Not for me though – I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions.
Instead of one big eggs-all-in-one-basket New Year’s Resolution, I make goals in November for the upcoming year. Why November? With Thanksgiving and abundant family time, it’s the time of year that I feel most grateful for what I already have.
Then, I break the yearly goals down into achievable bite-size packets for each month. By the time January rolls around, I have my yearly goals clarified and my monthly goals sketched out as well. With the smaller baby steps to leading to steady progress, it makes huge goals seem achievable.
My goal list ranges from the very difficult (open a 2nd Otion store location) to the very simple (practice yoga one time per week). If achieved, these goals will help to move me ahead professionally and personally.
What about you? What are some of your goals for the year?
Comments on this thread through January 5 will be entered into a goody box of handmade soaps and sundries, essential oils and a soapmaking DVD.
My mom is a bird lover. Shhh, don’t tell her but these little ornaments might find their way to her house this year (her birthday is coming up.) I love what the artist has managed to create out of felted wool.
The creator is one Ms. Lauren Alane. Her web site can be found here. There are even more adorable photos on her site.
She says:
My love of making things began at a very young age, when I sewed my first pair of geese from a pattern my mom had in her sewing room. I have been hooked on crafting (and on birds) ever since! Currently my favorite medium of crafting is needle felting, and each of these birds are needle felted out of wool.
Her blog is updated regularly with fun musings and inspirations. She even tosses in some cooking photos.
Her Etsy Shopis a bit picked-over due to the holiday season rush. Hopefully there will be new whimsical creations soon. My Mom’s birthday is coming up soon!
This little Mr. Brooks just makes me go “Awwwwww,” especially because it’s always so rainy here in Washington.
Isn’t this a whimsical masterpiece of felt by Lauren Alane? I love the color and the posing of the little bird.
Here are more felt birds from the talented Lauren Alane.
Wow, check out MollyCoddle from Colorado! Her soapy food creations are incredible. Her Etsy site can be found here.
Doesn’t this soap by MollyCoddle look realistic?
It’s enough to make anyone hungry!
