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What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas

August 23, 2010 Filed Under: Business Musings

You’ve heard that term right? “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas”? I think it was even their official promotional line at one point. Sure, it’s a funny line. And it gives soon-to-be-marrieds the excuse to get liquored up, wild, happy and craaaaazeeee in Vegas where apparently, all bets are off (or on, depending on your preference).

The thing about life is that:

how you do anything is how you do everything.

How you do the little things is how you do the big things. If you’re dishonest in one area of your life, you’re dishonest in other areas. If you’re lazy about one thing, you’ll be lazy about another thing. If you can’t share your authentic feelings at work, you don’t share your authentic feelings at home either.

Little things matter. How you live every moment of your life matters. If there’s one area of your life where you’re embarrassed about, think about the characteristcs and traits that make that little embarrassing part possible. Where else in your life do those characteristics hold you back? What little changes did you vow to make in January of this year that haven’t happened? How can you get yourself back on track and make a simple course correction?

How did you do on the ‘Tell Me More‘ challenge? I’ve almost got it incorporated fully into my life without even thinking about it now. So, how about another challenge? For the next 30 days, pick one trait that doesn’t serve you and start making the steps to change it. Baby steps in the right direction lead to momentous change over time.

He’s a Grad! Yay Mr. Wonderful!

August 22, 2010 Filed Under: Personal Ramblings

Frequent readers of this blog know that I am blessed with an amazing family – a smart Dad, a super kind Mother, a protective and loyal brother and a 4-legged nephew and niece (Toby on left, Samantha on right). We just finished an epic weekend for our family.

My ‘little’ brother had a birthday this weekend. If you’re an Otion customer, be sure and wish him ‘Happy Birthday‘ next time you’re in. He is an avid fisherman so my husband and I bought him a fish finder for his lovely bass fishing boat. He spends many many weekend afternoons in solitude, fishing (but never keeping; he’s a catch’n’release pro). Hopefully the fish finder will make it easier for him to be successful every time.

Another exciting event for our family was my husband’s graduation from his MBA program. He’s been working hard on his studies in night school while running his own company. He’s a stellar engineer-turned-CEO and everyone in the family is bursting with pride over his achievements.

Here we are, joking with his MBA program director and promising to have him over to dinner soon (an easy promise to keep because he’s a smart, witty guy!).

And, the entire celebratory family! The little cutie in front is named ‘Ana Marie’ (my husband’s sister) and I showed up on the scene after she was named! What are the odds of two Anne-Marie’s/Ana Marie’s in one family? No matter what the odds are, it sure made for one happy, proud family this weekend. I hope you had equally laughter-filled, loving weekends.

Tattoo Your Soap on Soap Queen TV

August 19, 2010 Filed Under: Melt & Pour Soap

Check out this, quite possibly my coolest, edition of Soap Queen TV ever! I show how to make Tattoo soap.

Wait, is cool still cool? Maybe this is my sickest Soap Queen video? Whatever the case maybe I had a great time making these soaps and I think you will, too! Wouldn’t this be a great project to make with your teenager or soon-to-be teenager?

In this episode of Soap Queen TV, I show how applying temporary tattoos to your soap is a fun and easy way to liven up your plain bars of soap. I also show how to embed a tattoo design to make it last even longer.

How to Make Tattoo Soap on Soap Queen TV from Soap Queen on Vimeo.

To make the Rock Star Soap you will need:
White Melt & Pour Soap base
Liquid Black Pigment
Wasabi fragrance oil
Organic Flexible mold
Rock Star Tattoos

To Make the Groovy Flower Power soap you will need:
Clear Melt & Pour Soap base
White Melt & Pour Soap base (or you can just add some liquid white color to the clear)
Yuzu Fragrance

Flexible Dome mold
Flower Power Tattoos

Or make it easy and get one of our kits. Here for the Rock Star and here for the Flower Power.

Oh The Things You Can Do! Soap Frosting 3 More Ways.

August 18, 2010 Filed Under: Melt & Pour Soap

When I decided to try my hand at a simple soap frosting recipe, I had no idea what it would become! Frosting was just the tip of the iceberg. Here are several things you can do with the same basic formula which is 4 oz of melted soap base + 2 Tablespoons of liquid soap, whipped with a hand mixer (click here for a great Soap Queen video). Add colorant and fragrance as desired.

Note: The Soapylove products suggested in this tutorial have been discontinued. The links have been replaced with similar ingredients from BrambleBerry.com.

Soap Meringues (shown above): Whip frosting recipe until shiny peaks form. I used red colorant and Strawberry Fragrance Oil. Quickly put mixture into a piping bag (I used my bag and star tip). Squeeze out 1″ meringues onto tin foil, waxed paper, or parchment. Allow to dry. Peel paper away from backs of meringues and toss lightly in cornstarch.

Soap Marshmallows: Follow instructions for Soap Meringues, but this time pour into a brownie pan lined with plastic wrap. Allow to dry and harden, then remove plastic wrap and cut into blocks with a sharp knife. Toss lightly in cornstarch. This style is great with jojoba beads.

Fluffy Fillings: The original way to use this recipe was to spoon it on. Depending on how long you whip it you can get a creamy icing or a firmer marshmallow fluff, like for these S’Mores featured in the Summer ’10 issue of Let’s Get Soapy, or the Hot Chocolate Loaf Soaps in the Winter ’09 issue.

Over at the Soapylove Fan Page, Tammy of Milk and Cookeez generously shared photos of her projects plus we had a great discussion about how to use this sometimes-tricky recipe. Here are a few more pictures from her album!

So I encourage you to try this recipe and play around. It can take some practice to control it well, but I guarantee you’ll have fun!

-Debbie Chialtas, Soapylove

What Did You Do This Weekend?

August 17, 2010 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Here are some of the final pictures from Soap Weekend Intensive. I think I’m still recovering from the long and exhausting (but fun) hours. I was flabbergasted when I figured out that each student left the class with 7 pounds of soap plus liquid soap and lotion! I told you we had a busy weekend!

Thanks to all of the helpers and fabulous students. Hope to see YOU next year. The fantastic plans are already in the works!

A Voice in Washington, DC … Just for Us!

August 16, 2010 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Though Congress is in recess right now, there is still a lot of work going on behind the scenes around the Safe Cosmetics Act – both with its advocates and its detractors. It is Bramble Berry’s official position that the act is too overreaching, too broad and is not enforceable as currently written. Click here to read our initial take on it and here to read about our trip to Washington DC to meet with staffers working on the proposed legislation.

Grassroots letter writing, phone calls, emails, tweets and posts have a place in shaping this legislation. I hope that you will continue be vigilant about educating our lawmakers, your customers and friends about the unintended negative consequences should the Safe Cosmetics Act pass, as currently written.

In addition to our grassroots work, Bramble Berry is also supporting the not-for-profit Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild’s newly formed Legislative Advocacy Fund. This fund will be used to hire an advocate, based in Washington, DC, to speak on our behalf regarding this issue, help with strategy and follow things closely in Washington, DC.

Bramble Berry is financially supporting the efforts of the Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild. You can make a donation to the Legislative Advocacy Fund here. You don’t have to be a memberof the HMSG to support this action.

Thank you for writing those letters, calling your congress people while they’re in recess and continuing to do what you do every day: make safe soaps, lotions and toiletries. Together, we can educate and advocate for reasonable FDA legislation and reform.

Liquid Soap in a Soaper’ific Jiffy!

August 15, 2010 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

As promised, here are some pictures from my liquid soap class yesterday. We started a batch from scratch and the class got to dilute, color and fragrance their own mini batches of liquid soap to take home. Wondering about how to make Liquid Soap yourself? Here is a downloadable handy e-book.

Here, I’m demonstrating that the liquid soap still needs to cook some more using phenophthalein to test the pH. The chemical turns the soap hot pink (maybe that’s why I like this demonstration so much).

Here’s the happy class scenting customizing their liquid soaps.

After a long (but soaper’ific!) day, Erin (from Naiad Soaps – our Melt and Pour Instructor Extraordinare) and I needed to wind down so we fished peacefully on Lake Samish. It was the perfect end to a whirlwind day of soaping. I’ll post more pictures and details of the weekend next week.

Right now it’s time for graduation; certificates and cupcakes are calling my name.

Soap Weekend Insanity!

August 14, 2010 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Hi From Soap Weekend Intensive! We have students from all over the world here – which is fitting since we have a teacher from Australia here too! The farthest anyone traveled is the Phillipines. Others are from Canada, Arizona, California and more. We are happy that so many soapers are here to soak in the deliberately-small-sized-practically-private class.

Jude Birch, from Aussie Soap Supplies, started off a beautiful Saturday morning with the introduction to cold process soapmaking. The intro class is definitely more entertaining with an Australian accent. I love listening to Jude speak. After the CP intro, the class took a little break and I was super tempted to walk across the street to Rocket Doughnuts for a pick-me-up. But I came to my senses and decided to save my calories for cupcakes. It will be worth it!

After Jude’s cold process layering lesson, we walked down to the Bellingham Farmer’s Market for sandwiches, ice cream and fresh veggies. I can’t get over the weather right now, it is absolutely a perfect day today!

We’re just about to wrap up the day with Liquid Soapmaking so I better get going to prep for my class. I’ll get some pictures up in the morning.Tomorrow is melt and pour with Erin Pikor, from Naiad Soap Arts. It’s so great to finally meet her, she’s a hoot!

This is Anne-Marie signing out from Soap Weekend Intensive 2010. Wish you were here!

Sandwich Social and SWI

August 13, 2010 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

I just had to share the cutest cupcakes that Amber (of the bacon caramel brownie fame) made for our Bramble Berry team lunch. We had a build-your-own-sandwich, beach themed social. Amber used crushed graham crackers for the sand and found darling little beach gummies for the toppers. Delish!

Also, this weekend is Bramble Berry’s 3rd annual Soap Weekend Intensive. Erin Pikor, from Naiad Soap Arts, and Jude Birch, from Aussie Soap Supplies, are here in Bellingham prepping for their classes tomorrow and Sunday. I’m about to head over to Otion to prep for my melt and pour intro class this afternoon. Did I mention that this is the BEST weather that we’ve had all summer? It’s going to be a beautiful and jam-packed weekend full of soapmaking, creativity, laughs and cupcakes (of course)! I can’t believe this weekend is finally here! I’ll be sure to keep you updated with all of the fun projects. If you follow my TwitPic stream or follow me on Twitter, you’ll be kept even more updated. I’ll tweet and post the fun projects. Happy Soaping!

All’s Wool That Ends Wool

August 12, 2010 Filed Under: Cold Process Soap

Thanks for all of the color suggestions for my wool. After switching back and forth several times I finally decided on Tropical Purple and Canary Labcolors to go with my Brilliant Blue. If you have not dyed your wool yet, see last week’s post on “Sheep Thrills“. Also, I strongly recommend felting cold process soap. It’s a harder bar that generally lasts a little bit longer than melt and pour. Learn how to make Cold Process on Soap Queen TV or buy Finished Cold Process Soap at Bramble Berry.

ONE: Start off by taking a couple strands of your wool and wrap it around your soap. Do all one color, stripes or a creative pattern. Just make sure to cover the entire soap in wool so there are no “bald spots”. The corners of my soap (pictured above) still needs some more wool.

TWO: Wet the soap with warm water and start “using the soap”, scrubbing the wool with your hands, rubbing every inch of the soap. The felting process is basically matting the wool hair so it will stick together. Scrub for about 10-20 minutes until you can’t pinch off any of the wool fibers. I know what you’re thinking: 20 minutes is a long time. But think positive. When you’re done, your hands are going to be soft and smooth as a baby’s derrière.

These soaps are looking good but aren’t quite done yet.

The wool is still a little too loose on the soap.

10 minutes Later: See how the wool looks more matted together?

I can’t pinch off any of the wool.

VARIATION: Martha (as in my idol, the divine Miss Martha Stewart) puts her soap in old pantyhose before she felts. I think it’s a great technique if you have different layers and colors. It keeps your design intact. There are also techniques that use felting boards or washing boards instead of using your hands. This would save you a little bit of time and elbow grease, but I’ve always done it the old fashioned way.

Have a question about this blog post? Come join us at Bramble Berry’s Facebook page and we can help you out with any of your soapy questions!

Epic Epicurean Eats

August 11, 2010 Filed Under: Personal Ramblings

“They were interesting.” -Amber, BB Marketing

It’s another Bramble’versary. Amber, our resident marketing genius, designs our rotating home page photos, our newsletter, lays out our e-books and takes the best photographs of anyone on the team. She started out as my part time assistant five years ago but didn’t stay there long; it was apparent she had skills that exceeded what I needed in an assistant. I’ve never replaced that assistant position and Amber’s never looked back. We’re lucky to have her. And, for her five year Bramble’versary, I wanted to make something that was befitting of how complicated and multi-faceted her job is. Behold, the Salted Caramel Bacon Brownie.

Step One: Bacon Salted Caramel

3 pieces bacon

1 Tablespoon Corn Syrup

1 cup Heavy Cream

6 Tablespoons Butter

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 Tablespoons Sour Cream

1 cup Sugar

In a non-stick pan, fry up the bacon until it’s super duper crispy, turning it frequently. I’ve never fried bacon before in my entire life but it was pretty easy. Also, it’s stunning how much fat comes out of a few slices of bacon (ewww!). Take the fried bacon out and let it set on paper towels. Leave the bacon fat in the pan and add the heavy cream to the fat.

In a separate, larger pan, add the corn syrup, salt and sugar. Heat on low until the sugar starts to melt and turn a light honey brown. Be careful here; you don’t want it to scorch and go a dark, stinky brown. Add the butter, sour cream and the bacon fat/cream mixture. Stir well. Whisk in the sour cream if necessary. Crumble in the crispy bacon. Set aside.

Step Two: Brownie Mix

8 Tablespoons Salted Butter

3 Eggs

1 cup Sugar

1 cup Flour

6 ounces semi-sweet Chocolate

1/4 cup Dutch Baking Chocolate Powder

1 tsp Vanilla

3 Eggs

Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees.

Mix the salted butter and chocolate together in a bowl. Microwave on short 30 second bursts (don’t let the butter splatter in the microwave; it’s no fun to clean up). Add the three eggs, chocolate powder and vanilla. Mix in with a beater. Fold in the sugar and flour and beat on medium until fully incorporated.

Step Three: The Mixing

Spray your baking pans with a non-stick spray or wipe down with butter. Pour in 3/4 of your chocolate batter. Pour the caramel over the batter. It should fully cover the batter, like its own little layer. Drop and drizzle the rest of the brownie batter over the caramel. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes. Take it out 5 minutes before you think it should come out (I burned one of the batches and it’s really not all that delicious burnt).

Recipes adapted, changed and added to from Doughmestic and Savour Fare

Did You Already Eat That? (Guest Post)

August 10, 2010 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

A big thank you to Emily Caswell for letting me share her post on the Safe Cosmetic Act of 2010! The blog is, of course, written with tongue firmly in cheek but for a serious reason. It is written in response to the broad, overreaching tenants of the proposed HR 5786 which would ‘ban’ ingredients that were proven to be ‘carcinogenic when ingested’ for use in skin care. Most everything is carcinogenic in some way, shape or form when ingested and Emily has a droll interesting way of explaining commonly demonized trace elements that may be lurking in your own fridge. Check out her blog GCDSpa Stuff and website GCDSpa.

The Precautionary Principle: A Cautionary Tale

I’ve been inspired by the actions of WATCH (Women Against Toxic Cosmetics Harm) and the Alliance for a Clean and Healthy Maine, who (with the assistance of the Environmental Working Group and Campaign for Safe Cosmetics) sent away 12 common cosmetics products last spring to be tested for chemicals. Since they’ve already found the hidden toxins in my medicine cabinet, I figured maybe I’d take a look at what was going on in my fridge. I’ve been a vegetarian for more than 25 years and eat a diet based largely on whole, organic foods, so I was sure my food “tests” would come out clean. I was appalled by the results.

Carcinogens

• Formaldehyde

As it turns out, the apples, bananas, beets, broccoli, onions, cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, grapes, green onions, kohlrabi, pears, potatoes, spinach, tomatoes, radishes, and watermelon I have been feeding my family naturally contain 2 to 60 mg per kg of formaldehyde. The dried shiitake mushrooms my husband likes contain a whopping 400 mg/kg! As you may know, formaldehyde is classified by the EPA as a probable human carcinogen, and is known to cause cancer in rats.

• N-nitrosopiperadine

Before I learned of its formaldehyde content, I enjoyed my baked potato, and added a generous dash of black pepper. Now I’ve learned that black pepper, too, causes cancer in mice. It contains substances that break down into N-nitrosopiperadine, which is carcinogenic.

• Safrole

With pepper out of the picture, I figured I’d turn to other herbs and spices to make my poison-laced meals more appetizing. But cinnamon and nutmeg are among many that contain safrole, which causes liver cancer in rats. Rats.

• Tannins

Who knew that my morning beverage was killing me from the inside out? Guess it doesn’t matter whether I choose coffee or tea, or head straight for the cocoa, because with all three I’ll be getting tannins, substances which cause tumors in experimental animals. (What a relief that people don’t consume coffee, tea, or cocoa in large quantities!)

Endocrine disruptors

I thought that by eliminating the parabens from my beauty products I’d be “safe” from endocrine disruption, but I was so misled. Lots of plants apparently have naturally-occurring hormone-like activity, in the form of phytoestrogens. There are high levels of these phytoestrogens in my carrots, legumes, broccoli, potatoes, cauliflower, soybeans, oats, rice, onions, apples, and coffee. Thank goodness I don’t drink beer, because they’re in that, too. Sure, these phytoestrogens are considered beneficial by some, but I also read that when sheep consume these natural hormones it can lead to decreased fertility. Their consumption also disrupts the normal cycles of female rats. And if things are bad for rats (particularly when consumed in grotesque amounts), they must be bad for us (even if eaten in moderation). Right?

Goitrogens, enzyme inhibitors, mutagens, antivitamins

The list goes on and on. It’s a horror show. All of my favorite foods have ingredients that, if not downright toxic, are capable of inhibiting enzyme action, vitamin absorption, and thyroid function as well as causing cellular mutations. Potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, mung beans, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, parsnips, celery, and wheat are only a few. I’m a walking time bomb, eating my way to the next organ failure.

Now that I understand the dangers, I can’t believe that the government has been advising us to eat fresh fruits and vegetables every single day! Even The Harvard School of Public Health says, “Most people should aim for at least nine servings (at least 4½ cups) of vegetables and fruits a day.” They recommend, “Go for a variety of kinds and colors of produce, to give your body the mix of nutrients it needs.” What are they trying to do, KILL us??

I, for one, will not be brainwashed. You can tell me that these foods are “safe” and even “beneficial,” but I’ve done my research. I know the truth. I’m taking my cue from the Environmental Working Group and their Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, and adopting the precautionary principle with regard to my fridge. Anything that’s been linked to cancer in animals, or has estrogenic or toxic effects, will be banned from my diet. Until further notice, then, I won’t be eating apples. Or bananas, beets, onions, cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, grapes, green onions, kohlrabi, pears, potatoes, spinach, tomatoes, radishes, or watermelon.

Oh, and coffee, tea, cocoa, eggplant, mung beans, brussels sprouts, parsnips, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, beans, lentils, peas, peanuts, soybeans, oats, rice, onions, cinnamon, nutmeg, and pepper. Did I forget anything?

But I’m not going to stop there. These foods are in every supermarket, and as The Story of Cosmetics suggests, we need to make sure that for items in our stores, the “choice to be safe and healthy has already been made.” Surely this must apply to our food, too? Take a look at your broccoli label. Where is formaldehyde listed on that package? Where are the goitrogens? The laws governing these labels are a travesty! I will not rest until my Evian label includes not just “water,” but also arsenic, fluoride, chlorine, barium, mercury, atrazine, copper, chromium, and any other measurable contaminants.

The Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010 is nice and all, but The Safe Foods Act of 2010 is a piece of legislation I could really sink my teeth into. Who’s with me?

Did You Win? Contest for a Cause Winner

August 9, 2010 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Thanks to everyone who entered the Contest for a Cause. I’m so proud of our tight-knit soapmaking community for actively taking a stand to oppose the Safe Cosmetic Act. All of your tweets, posts and letters to your Representatives do make a difference! So thank you, thank you and THANK YOU!

Now what you’ve all been waiting for…it’s time to announce the winner. All of the entries were printed, cut and put into a pot…

Congratulations Cindy Jones from Sagescript Institute!

You’ve won a whole mess of goodies: $75 worth of molds and colorants! Please email me at info(at)brambleberry(dot)com with your shipping address and I’ll get your prize out the door.

Thanks again for everyone’s participation! And if you haven’t already signed the petition to oppose the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010, sign it HERE!

Pasta with Fresh Fava Bean Sauce

August 7, 2010 Filed Under: Soap Queen Cuisine

If you follow me on Twitter, you may have seen my photo of my CSA share haul. But if you don’t, you can see it here. In Washington state (and other states around the nation), small organic farms group together and offer ‘fresh from the farm’ produce groupings as a subscription program. We pick up a full box of veggies every week and have more vegetables than we can eat weekly.

Since eating fruits and vegetables is a proven anti-cancer strategy AND (darn), vegetables have less calories than cheese (double darn), while there are fresh veggies, I am taking advantage of them.

I have never eaten a Fava Bean before. I’ve seen them (in that movie ‘Silence of the Lambs’ but that counts, right?). And, you’ll have to forgive me, I started taking photos with my iPhone after I tasted how delicious the dish was (whoops).

So Fava Beans – they’re these large large large bean-like things. You have to get the beans peeled before you make this. I found the easiest way to do this was to slice the tip off the beans (horizontally) and then peel the beans out.

Recipe:

2 tablespoons Olive Oil
1 – 2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh oregano
1 1/2 cups chicken stock (canned is fine)
salt & pepper
2 cups peeled fava beans
3/4 pound dried fettuccine
2 oz. piece of pecorino cheese or Parmesan cheese

1. Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan until hot. Add the garlic and saute briefly until just before the garlic turns brown. Stir in oregano and then add 1 cup of stock. Bring to boil, season with salt and pepper and add 1 1/2 cup of fava beans. Simmer to blend the flavors for 5 minutes.

2. Dump this into a heat safe blender container and puree with an additional (remaining) 1/2 cup chicken stock until smooth. Return to the sauce pan and add the remaining 1/2 cup favas. Simmer gently and add salt and pepper to taste.

3. At some point in this process, bring another pot of water to boil and add salt and a teaspoon of olive oil to the water. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain and mix with the sauce. Toss well. Serve immediately and grate cheese over the top.

Quick! It’s Fava Beans are in season now. Get thee to your Farmer’s Market and find some fresh Fava Beans.