Need a bit of embedding or soaping inspiration? Our most recent Make it Monday challenge was the best yet(!). Tons of soapers headed on over to our Facebook page to share their #embedding soaps (see the winning soaps here). I’ve compiled all of the entries into one awesome embed-a-palooza! The keys to a successful embedded soap is temperature, non-bleeding colors and a lot of creativity. These soaps display that (and more). Enjoy.
Archives for July 2012
Baseballs, Burgers and Bells
Have you ever thrown out the first pitch at a baseball game, or tossed a giant pair of dice in front of hundreds of people? Chalk it up to a day at the ballgame for Team Bramble Berry!
The Bellingham Bells are a team of collegiate-level players who participate in the West Cost League. They play during summer break from school, and travel from all over the west coast to compete. We were lucky enough to catch a game between the Bells and the Kelowna Falcons in a battle for the first place slot in the league! The Bells took the game, and I’m sure it was due to Team Bramble Berry’s well-established enthusiasm and cheering abilities. Those big lungs and big hearts were comforting when I was asked to throw out the first pitch (!) and Rachel and Carla from customer service were brought onto the field between the first and second innings to participate in a fun game of (GIANT) dice throwing! Get ready for a picture-heavy post… [Read more…]
Reach.
Try and fail, but don’t fail to try.
-Stephen Kaggwa
Dipped Ombre Candles
The other day I happened upon a random assortment of unscented candles that I had been saving for…something. Today was the day for that something! Using our wax dye blocks and fragrance from our NEW Candle and Soap fragrance line, I spruced up these otherwise basic candles and was even able to add a little bit of scent.
Banana Quinoa Spelt-Whole Wheat Pancakes
I am obsessed (obsessed!) with Quinoa (pronouned “Keen-Wah”). It is a complete protein (amino score o 106), gluten-free, low-glycemic load (18) seed. One cup has 8 grams of protein. I use it in place of rice in many dishes and try to sneak it into a lot of other dishes, including pancakes! It’s become a Faiola-Renoud family household tradition to cook up a huge batch of these on Sunday with a variety of fruits tossed in (tip: if you refrigerate your fruit, you can cut it finely using a food processor so you don’t get fruit lumps in your pancakes). We’re obsessed with blueberry-banana right now.
Banana Quinoa Spelt-Whole Wheat Pancakes
~inspired by Parents Magazine recipe Banana-Quinoa Waffles, June 2012 issue [Read more…]
INS Numbers for Soapmaking
If you’ve been soaping for a while, you’ve probably heard the term ‘INS Number’ and if you’re like many soapers, you scratch your head, research it a bit and then keep soaping your favorite recipe. An INS number refers to a numerical value that explains or describes the properties an oil will have when reacted with sodium hydroxide to make bar soap. It relates to the degree of unsaturation and molecular weight of the oil. Full disclosure: I don’t use INS numbers. I don’t find that they relate well to a finished batch of soap and how it will be perceived by me (or anyone) in the shower. The Bramble Berry lye calculator does not include INS numbers either. That said, some soapers swear by INS numbers though so like many soaping issues (example: to gel or not to gel?) using INS numbers is a personal preference.
#Swirling Winners
It has been an inspiring two weeks watching all the entries come in for the Make It Monday: #Swirling Challenge. The team and I loved seeing the unique and different ideas that you came up with. We had fun going through each picture and oohing and ahhing over the soaps. Check out the amazing swirly goodness:
Make It Monday: #Soap Sculpting Challenge
Loving Lotion at Otion
Bramble Berry’s customer service team (what a great bunch of gals they are) had another fun team bonding experience at Otion last week! They made cold process as a team too so be sure to check out that post if you missed it (Cold Process and Customer Service). Team BB delved into the wonderful world of lotion making from scratch using Cocoa Butter, Shea Butter and luxurious fixed oils. The class was taught by Otion’s newest addition, Alycia! She’s already a pro at teaching classes so if you’re local and interested, check out Otion’s class schedule HERE!
Breathe.
Impressionist Soap Tutorial
This pretty and unique soap is inspired by impressionist paintings. It utilizes a unique “swirl” technique created with…of all things…squirt bottles! Don’t forget to bring a little bit of patience along. Squirting the soap can take up to 10 minutes, but it is SO worth it. Get ready to fall in love.
Did Someone Say Free Candle Wax?
How long have you wanted to make candles but have never tried? We have the perfect opportunity for you to get started. Check Bramble Berry’s brand new candle fragrances that are totally skin safe so you can use them in soaps too (double whammy)! Browse the yummy new candle fragrances HERE. But that’s not the only exciting news that we have to share today.
Tiger Stripe Bath Bombs
Check your shipments for this month’s fragrance oil sample, Buttercream and Snickerdoodle! It makes for an awesome blender when you need something just a little bit more special than plain Vanilla, but is definitely amazing on it’s own. Here’s a fun project idea to use your sample!
Rainbow Mold and Island Style (Tutorial)
I’m addicted to the SoapyLove line of products! The adorable Rainbow Mold and the super cute colors of the Island Style kit work so well together, so I’ve made up a quick tutorial to show you an easy way of using both products. Because the Island Style kit comes with both colorants and a brand new fragrance oil (Guava Shaved Ice – delish!) all you’ll need is some Melt and Pour Base and the kit and you’re good to go!