Sunday, March 30, 2008

Mineral Make Up Class @ DeAnza College

On March 29th, I finally got the opportunity to take Lori Nova's Mineral Make-up class at DeAnza College. Last year at this time, I tried to sign up for the class and it was full. And I have to report there were 30 students enrolled in this class. I think this may have been her largest class ever! I believe in previous classes at DeAnza she has had at least 20 students. So if you ever see a class taught by her at DeAnza, sign up immediately because her classes fill up quickly.

If you missed this opportunity, Lori will be offerring this class on April 5th from 1 pm to 5 pm at her studio in Point Richmond. For more information visit her website at www.thenovastudio.com.

Overall, the class was great. And it was not as difficult as I thought. What was most overwhelming for me was the choosing the right colors to my eyeshadows, blush and foundation. I knew that I wanted to have more yellow in my foundation to tone down the redness in my face. Since this was the case, I felt that really did not need to apply blush or a bronzer. And for eyeshadow, I was not planning to wear one for everyday use because my eyelids have a natural coloring that I do not think I needed any. So, it made it difficcult since I have not warn much make-up in my lifetime.

By the end of the four hour class each student created a foundation, blush or bronzer and eye shadow. (Of course, each student walked away with an extensive handout for each of them to recreate each product.) If you have never worn mineral make-up, I would suggest a kabuki brush to apply your foundation, blush or bronzer. The normal fan or flat brush does not seem to cut it. I wound up bringing a face brush from Maybelline's Expert Tools line. I thought I would be saving buying something from Walmart. I should have know better. I originally wanted a kabuki brush, but I was Walmart any. Big mistake! I should have gone with my original instincts. At least I still had the recent from Walmat and the brush in its original packaging (unopened and unused) so I can return it. I will be heading to Opalz in Palo Alto for a Kabuki brush. Look out Annie - here I come!

I would suggest if you where make-up on a daily basis, especially mineral make-up, that you take your make-up as samples in order for you tp make an close of a match to what you wear. If you normally do not wear make-up (like me) and would like to, consider seeking out some professional help for some direction.

I would also like to mention, if you would like to learn more about applying mineral make-up, Annie Jenkins, owner of Opalz Zoaps in Palo Alto, offers classes in make-up applications and more. Annie has been a successful film and television make-up artist since 1979. She has worked with both celebrities and ‘real people’, doing everything from from specialized character make-up to, most often creating beautiful natural looks. If you like to contact Annie, send her an email at annie@opalzoap.com or she can be reached at (650) 322-6500 (Opalz). Check out her new designed website at www.opalzoap.com.

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Making Loaf Soap with Embed Curls

If you have taken a melt and pour soapmaking class but you are looking to make loaf soap with embedded curls, then here is a short clip made by Wholesale Supplies Plus (http://www.wholesalesuppliesplus.com/) that they posted on You Tube.  I am always looking for tutorials on techniques for melt and pour soapmaking. Please come and take a look!




Source: http://youtube.com/watch?v=LDRk4K9k2X4

Friday, March 28, 2008

Sparkling Body Butter from Majestic Mountain

Introduction

A very simple to make mixture. One of our staff members sent this item out in our Anything Goes swap, and it was hit!

Ingredients

112 grams Aloe Butter
80 grams White Cocoa Butter
16 grams Illipe Butter
80 grams Grapeseed Oil
24 grams Stearic Acid
64 grams Emulsifying Wax
592 grams distilled water
24 grams Liquid Glycerin
16 grams Vitamin E Acetate
10.08 grams Liquid Germall Plus
10.00 grams Sunflower Fragrance Oil
1 tsp ultraFine Iridescent Glitter

Equipment

microwave
scale
spoon
beaker or glass pyrex
transfer pipettes or droppers
jars and caps for filling

Instructions
Weigh and combine all ingredients but Liquapar, fragrance and glitter in a microwave safe container. Heat until all ingredients are melted. Mix well. Add Liquapar & fragrance after your other ingredients have been blended and temperatures are around 95. Pour into jars.

Comments
You can vary the color of glitter and the fragrance. We do recommend you stay with the ultrafine size glitter though.

Yield
Makes about 36 ounces.

© 1996-2007 Majestic Mountain Sage, All Rights Reserved

Source: http://www.thesage.com/recipes/recipes.php3?.State=Display&id=171

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Soap Making Can Be Fun And Profitable

If you have ever made soap from scratch or are thinking about it, you should probably know that it can be one of the most frustrating things you will ever do. After learning the process though, a lot of people find it to be one of the best hobbies or crafts they have ever done. Soap making can be a hobby for people, but it can also turn out to be a very profitable business. Before you go rushing into thinking that you are going to just create this beautiful and profitable soap making business, you had better look at some the important features regarding this business.

The most important feature of a soap making business is going to be the legal disclaimers. You had better know what you are doing when you create your handmade soap. People can not just go out and buy the necessary materials, whip out a batch of soap, and then proceed to marketing or selling it. You have a lot of disclaimers and in some states, laws that you have to abide be. Each state, region, and country is different, so it is up to you to do your proper research on the matter and to complete all the paperwork necessary for you to proceed with your soap making business.

After you have cleared all of the legal necessities out of the way, it is all systems go for your business. Now you will have to think about your time planning. Time planning will be crucial to your business, as everyone that has made soap knows that it is a tedious process. Set yourself a schedule up and follow it. If you have soap curing, take the time to start mixing yourself another batch. By having a continuing process, you will be able to produce more soap and not fall behind, which will only lead to confusion and frustration.

Now that you have gotten all the legal stuff out of the way, and you have a good amount of soap made, it is time for you to sell your soap. People who sell soap are only limited by their imagination. Craft fairs are huge for soap sellers. Travel to a craft show and set up a booth to present and sell your soap. Not only can you make good money from this, but you can also get tons of ideas for more soap. People stopping by your booth will critique your soap. They will tell you what they do or do not like about it. Always accept the compliments, even if they seem rude. This is "critique" and it can either "make" or break" you.

Bath and Body work shops are a huge fan of soaps. Some of these store will allow a person to present their soaps inside their stores. This is where the legal disclaimers come in. You will not even get a blink from the manager if you do not have your legal paperwork. Also, this may cost you a fee to present your soaps in the bath shops. Always research and think the deal over before making your decision. If you do present your soaps in these shops, this can be huge. Try to provide some type of business card, or a website address about your soaps. Word of mouth is an enormous tool, and in bath shops it can be a viral one. You may not be able to sell your soaps in the store, but a nice presentation can yield results overnight that you never would have thought of.

Online advertising for your soap business is not vital, but it could be if you are not quite cutting it in the "real world". Just think of the possible number of people you could reach with your soaps. The numbers are endless. Have a nice little website set up showing all of your soaps. A first impression of your site is the critical part of advertising online. This will decide if a single person will ever return. It is good to have a description along with your soap pictures. You could explain what ingredients are in the soap, what fragrances are in them, etc...

These are only a few things you could do for a soap making business. This is assuming that either you know how to make soap or that you take the necessary steps to successful soap making. Once you have reached that point of success it will be time for you to think about broadening your horizons. A soap making business can be a very lucrative field for anyone to get into. Types of soap to make are endless, and the amount of money to earn is only limited to your willingness to make the soap and put it in front of the eyes of people.

Ralph Ruckman is the author of "Soap Making" a weblog dedicated for providing information on all aspects of soap making. Fee free to visit the blog at http://soap--making.blogspot.com/ and learn more on soap making.

Article Title: Soap Making Can Be Fun And Profitable
Author: Ralph Ruckman
Category: Arts and Crafts, Home Business
Word Count: 794
Keywords: soap, soap making, soap making business, making handmade soap
Author's Email Address: ksruckman@yahoo.com
Article Source: http://www.articlemarketer.com

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Lotion Bar, Lip Balm and Bath Salts Recipe

Here are some more recipes you may want to try from Herbal Accents.

Butter Bars - Lotion Bars

Ingredient List:

4 ounces cocoa butter, shea butter or mango butter
4 ounces beeswax, refined beads, yellow or white
4 or 5 ounces liquid vegetable oil such as refined jojoba, sunflower or sweet almond*
3 to 4 teaspoons of essential oil or fragrance oil of your choice
2 to 3 teaspoons colored wax jojoba beads (optional)

Melt first butter and pour 4 ounces into 8oz Pyrex measuring cup. Add 4 ounces of beeswax beads. (Total of 8 ounces in cup) Add colored jojoba beads if using. Melt together in microwave. Now add the liquid vegetable oil. Use 4 ounces for a hard bar, which would bring your total to 12 ounces or 5 ounces for a softer bar for a total of 13 ounces. Stir to mix thoroughly. Add essential oil or fragrance oil when mixture has cooled slightly. Pour into jars or small soap molds. Pop out when cool, about two hours. For best results, put in refrigerator for a few minutes before popping out of mold.

* Different carrier oils will give a different feel to your butter bars. Lighter oils will absorb in to the skin quicker, heavier oils will be more moisturizing, but will take longer to absorb into the skin. For more information see our Carrier Oils Page and also this Recipe Page.

Uses: Wet hands and rub with lotion bar
Rub on body when getting out of shower while still damp
Use as drawer sachet
Cut off a sliver and let melt in hot bath water
Massage into cuticles to soften them
Rub into elbows and knees
Massage - use softer bar recipe.

Lip Balm

Ingredients: 1/2 ounce beeswax beads
4 ounces sweet almond oil
1 teaspoon colored jojoba beads
2 teaspoons essential oil or food flavoring oil
We carry Cherry & Banana flavoring oils.

Some good essential oil choices that are nice are Tangerine, Lemon, Sweet Orange or Lime. The citrus oils seem to be popular for this application.

Utensils needed: 8 ounce glass measuring cup, teaspoon measuring spoon, stainless spoon for stirring and 1/4 ounce lip balm jars.
Put the 4 ounces of sweet almond oil in measuring cup, add beeswax beads and jojoba beads and melt in microwave. Stir with spoon, and when cooled a bit, add essential or flavoring oil. Pour into lip balm jars, and when cool, label.

Bath Salts

To each pound of salt add 1 teaspoon of fragrance oil or essential oil. Mix with a spoon and put in glass jar. Use a glass or stainless steel bowl to do your mixing. Can add a little vegetable glycerin to give the salts a shine. Cosmetic grade colorants can be added. Our D & C liquid colors work well. The Ultramarines work but not the iron oxides for the most part. When using powders, put a teaspoon of colorant in 2 oz bottle, add 1 to 1-1/2 oz distilled water, a little Polysorbate 20 and shake. Sprinkle on your salts after you have added the scent. The Polysorbate keeps the solution emulsified.

Also, try our Dendritic Salts to help your scents to last longer. Use about 1/2 cup of dendritic salts to 8 to 10 cups of other salts. (You can add more, it won't hurt.) Add your scent to the dendritic salt first, and then add to rest of salts.

If you are looking for other recipes, check out some of the links in the side bar or check in my archive. There are alot of recipes in both places. I am always looking for new recipes to post on my blog, so please return in the future.


Source: http://www.herbalaccents.com/lipbalm,butter_lotionbars,bathbombs.htm

Monday, March 24, 2008

Making Your Own Lip Balm, Lotion, Bath Bombs, Creme

If you are interested in making your own lotions, bath bombs, and lip balms but you cannot find a class in your area, I found some clips on YouTube that may be helpful.

Check these out:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=YjOBm5vXVTI

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Gl8VYLtP4_w

If you are interesting in more of these, I will be searching YouTube for more relative topics for you to view. So come back soon!

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Packaging Cupcake/Muffin Bath Fizzies

If you have taken my Handmade Bath Products class and you were looking for alternative ways to package your cupcake/muffin bath fizzies, you may want to consider checking out the following options.

First of all, I checked out Martha Stewart's craft website. She does have food packaging options that you can purchase. Most of them would only fit an individual fizzy. To check this option out, click on this link http://www.marthastewartcrafts.com/index.php?v=msc_prod_wrap_foodpackaging&g=1.

I was thinking of those pink pastry boxes from the bakery when you purchase a pie or a cake. Here are some that I found:

(1) http://www.hubert.com/prod/SB.21323.78770/yk5008/Pink-Bakery-Boxes.html.

This company (Hubert) also other packaging, you may want to take a look at:
http://www.hubert.com/prod/SB.15965.23568/yk5008/Single-Piece-Bakery-Box.html

http://www.hubert.com/prod/SB.21283.74443/yk5008/Harlequin-Diamonds-Bakery-Packaging.html

http://www.hubert.com/prod/SB.19938.99881/yk5008/Clear-Bakery-Packaging.html

(2) http://www.kitchenkrafts.com/category.asp?c=180000&bhcd2=1205869202

(3) The following was suggested to me by Joann (aka Tacobella) who is a member of Wholesales Supplies Plus Craft Forum (http://forums.wholesalesuppliesplus.com/), recommended BRP Box Shop by Big River Packaging out of Ohio,
(http://www.brpboxshop.com/transit.html).

Most of the above recommendations I have found required a large order. I am currently looking for online suppliers that could sell these types of boxes in smaller quantities. If anyone else has any suggestions, please let me know.

I went to Smart and Final in Redwood City and I did not find any cake boxes or pink pastry boxes to use. But what I did find is those clear hindged boxes that you might find at salad bars or sliced pies/cakes come in. That could be an alternative if you put some colorful materials in to stablize it. The disadvantage is that you have to purchase a rather large quantity of these.

Friday, March 21, 2008

Business Cards

As I get more and more into teaching soap making, bath and body products classes, I am finding that I will need to get some business cards (and possibly some brochures) to distribute.

I have taken alot of classes from Lori Nova, I noticed that she has given out business cards from Vista Print. I checked into this online service to see what they have to offer.

Vista Print makes high-quality graphic design and custom printing convenient and affordable for everyone. They have some business cards (quantity of 250) styles for free or for a nominal charge. Services also include marketing materials (postcards, brochures, flyers and more), rubber stamps, post its, stationery, promotional giveaway items and more.

If you are starting your own craft business and limited on your budget for business cards and marketing materials, you may want to check out Vista Print. For more information about Vista Print, go to http://www.vistaprint.com/vp/ns/default.aspx?dr=1&GP=3%2F20%2F2008+1%3A24%3A15+PM

Thursday, March 20, 2008

25 Health Benefits of Essential Oils

Here are 25 common health benefits of Essential Oils (EO):

(1) Mix one part basil oil and cinnamon oil to four parts almond oil. Massage this oil on aching muscles. This also relieves arthritis pains.

(2) Rub a drop of lavender oil onto the back of your neck to relieve backache and headache.

(3) Are you feeling tired during long car trips? Inhale rosemary oil to give you refreshment. This also increases the memory power. So inhale this oil occasionally while reading.

(4) Apply one drop of lemon oil directly to a wart daily. This works effectively to eliminate it.

(5) Blend the essential oils of lavender, rosemary, fennel, lemon, juniper and grapefruit in equal amounts. Add 10 drops of this mixture to bathing water to relive from hangover.

(6) Are you feeling restless due to lack of sleep? Here is a solution. Keep 3 drops of lavender oil or chamomile oil on your pillow. This causes restful sleep.

(7) Are you feeling your stomach upset? Take ½ glass of water and add a drop of peppermint oil.

(8) Sip it slowly to relive from stomach upset and indigestion.

(9) Mix five drops peppermint oil and eucalyptus oil and rub it on painful areas to get immediate relief.

(10) Add 10 drops of eucalyptus oil to bathing water. It keeps your body cool in summer and moisturizes you skin in winter.

(11) Add one drop geranium oil to your facial moisturizer to bring a natural glow in your skin.

(12) Place two drops of rosemary oil on your hair brush before brushing to enhance the growth and thickness of hair.

(13) Add one drop of peppermint, eucalyptus and lavender oil to cool water and sponge the body with it to bring the fever down.

(14) Spray the essential oils of lavender and grapefruit in your room when you are in frustration and confusion. Lavender relaxes the nervous system and grapefruit refreshes it.

(15) Add 10 drops of geranium and lavender to bathing water to relieve from anxiety and depression.

(16) Add one or two drops Aloe Vera oil to a glass drinking water to relieve from constipation, ingestion, heartburn, hemorrhoids and ulcers.

(17) Add 3 drops tea tree oil to your hair conditioner and rub onto your scalp to get relief from lice and dandruff.

(18) Inhale two drops of Aloe Vera oil to relieve from insomnia and cold sores.

(19) Massage Aloe Vera oil externally to relieve from burns, bruises, eczema, arthritis, acne and psoriasis.

(19) Mix equal amounts of tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil. Massage 3 drops of this mixture to get relief from all skin disease. Inhale this oil to get refreshment.

(21) Massage with 2-3 drops wintergreen oil to get instant relief from muscular and joint pains. It is also beneficial for arthritis.

(22) Massage with 3 drops tea tree oil onto affected areas regularly to relieve from athlete’s foot, black heads, ringworm and nail fungus.

(23) Mix two drops camphor oil in a vegetable oil and apply it on affected muscles and joints to get relief.

(24) Olive oil prevents heart attacks and strokes. It also reduces vascular stress. So use olive oil regularly in recipes. Massage with this oil moisturizes skin and cleanses the wounds.

(25) Massage 2-3 drops spearmint oil on your skin to get relief from all skin diseases. This oil acts as anti cancerous too.

(26) Tea tree oil is very effective to treat head colds. It works wonderfully against chest and throat infections.

** If you have any concerns or questions, please consult a professional aromatherapist.


Source: http://www.meds-info.com/25-health-benefits-of-essential-oils/

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Hot Buttered Cappucino Lip Balm

We used Sweet Chocolate flavor oil in this recipe, but you can substitute any flavor oil that's compatible with coffee -- or use none at all.

Ingredients:

1 1/3 oz. carnauba wax
2 3/4 oz. coffee butter
4 1/3 oz. apricot kernel oil, other other light oil
1/8 oz. flavor oil (optional)

Directions:

Using indirect heat, such as a double boiler, melt the wax, butter and oil together. Stir in flavor oil and pour into tubes or pots. Allow to cool before capping.


If you are looking for other recipes, check out some of the links in the side bar or check in my archive. There are alot of recipes in both places. I am always looking for new recipes to post on my blog, so please return in the future. Or check out my sources website at http://www.snowdriftfarms.com/.


Source: http://www.snowdriftfarm.com/form_lipbalms.html

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Lip Balm Tube Labels

I was scanning the Wholesale Supplies Forum and I found some label information that maybe helpful. If you go to Online Labels (http://www.onlinelabels.com/) and order the 2.5 x 1.563 clear/matte for laser printers. The labels overlap a bit, they work perfect for lip balm tubes.

Sunday, March 16, 2008

How to make hot process liquid soap

**For those who have taken my Handmade Bath Products and made the bath jelly, here is how to make your own liquid soap if you do not want to use the clear, unscented liquid soap from Whole Foods. If you chose not to make your own soap check out www.yaley.com and search for clear liquid soap.

This is a basic recipe for liquid soap. Although it may appear very involved, it is quite easy. If you would like a recipe using different oils, check out the lye calculator that Magestic Mountain Sage has on their website. The water may seem a bit much but it is okay since much of the water will boil out in the cook.

Ingredients
* 23 oz coconut oil
* 25 oz of olive oil
* 10.15 oz potassium hydroxide (KOH not lye)
* 30-36 ounces distilled water
* 3 ounces borax (supermarket mule train brand)
* Alcohol in spray bottle. (I usually use gin or isopropyl alcohol)

Tools Needed:
* Large double boiler (stainless steel- will not react with lye)
* Stick blender
* Candy or meat thermometer

1. Don protective equipment, including eye goggles or eye shield and nerile gloves. To review equipment needed see article Equipment used to make cold process and hot process soaps.

2. Combine lye and water. Be careful that mixture does not splash. Potassium hydroxide is more caustic than lye.

3. Cool to about 140 Degrees Fahrenheit.

4. Heat your oils to 140-160 and combine. Use a stick blender and mix until traced. If stirring makes it foamy then spray with alcohol to keep down the foam. The alcohol evaporates so there is no danger that it will become part of the final product.

5. Heat water in the double broiler, then turn it down to simmer.

6. Place pot of traced soap into simmering water and cover. It takes about 3-4 hours to cook, so you need to check it ever so often to stir and make sure it is not boiling over.

7. As the soap cooks it gets thicker and clearer until it becomes like clear gooey play doh.

8. About 3 hours into boil check to see how far along the mixture is by dissolving a small amount in boiling water to see if it is clear. Cool the test mixture and if clear, take the soap off the stove because it is done.

9. Add half a gallon of distilled water and heat to boiling in the outer boiler or another large pot - If you want the liquid soap to be really thick, then add less. Add the goopey soap paste to the distilled water and simmer for a while until the paste dissolves.

10. You will need a large wisk or stick blender to help break up the clumps, and at the same time, spray with some of that alcohol to keep down the foam.

11. Try to work out all the clumps, take a break every now and then and get back to the mix and work out those lumps.

12. In a separate bowl add 3 ounces of borax to a couple ounces of boiling water and mix well. The borax adjusts the PH of the mixture and thickens the soap a bit. Add to soap mixture.

13. Pour the finished soap into large buckets or gallon containers. It will thicken a bit after cooling. If it is too thick, add distilled water after it cools.

14. Leave the soap alone for a couple days to finish curing.

15. Fragrances, essential oils and exfoliants may be added once it is cooled and cured.

Source: Reprinted with permission from Winsome Tapper, Soapmaking Editor, www.Bellaonline.com/site/soapmaking.

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Shea Butter Bath Bomb

Here is another great bath fizzy bomb recipe from Lynden House that you may want to try or add to your collection.

Ingredients

½ tsp. food coloring or liquid soap dye
½ tsp. Fragrance oil or blend of Essential oils
1 ½ cups baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
2 tablespoons epsom salts or refined sea salt
¾ cup citric acid
1 tablespoon melted shea butter
Spray mister filled with water or witch hazel

Directions

Place your fragrance and dye in your bowl first. Next add the baking soda and salt. Mix well together. Add your shea butter and again mix well. Add your citric acid last. Note: you don't want to add the citric acid to the liquids as it will cause the citric acid to react. Stir mixture together with a spoon to disperse the fragrance and dyes. Blend the entire mixture with your hands until the color and dye are evenly dispersed and the mixture begins to hold its shape in your hand when you press it together. If you find your mixture is too dry and not holding it's shape, spray one or two mists of either water or witch hazel. Blend your mixture some more. You may need to repeat this step a couple of times to get the consistency you need to mold your bath bomb.

Molding

Take a handful of your bath bomb mixture and pack it tightly into your mold. Level off the back of the bomb, trim off any other excess mixture and flip out onto a waxed lined cookie sheet or other flat surface that is lined with wax paper. Allow your bath bomb to set up for one day.

If you find your bath bombs are sticking in the mold, chances are you may have too much water in them. Lightly dust the inside of the mold with baking soda and pack a new bomb in again. One customer told us that she sprays a cloth with cooking spray and wipes the inside of the molds which works for her.

If you find your bombs are crumbling, you probably need to add one or two mists of water and mix well again. Be careful not to over mist.

Packaging Ideas

- Wrap your bath bombs in pretty plastic gift bags and tie a ribbon on the top.

- Wrap your bombs in netting with the top tied as well.

For more interesting recipes, check out Lynden House's website at http://www.lyndenhouse.net/recipes.

Friday, March 14, 2008

Color Blending of Liquid Colorants

One day I was at Opalz Zoaps and Annie was creating a soap for a customer that replicated an US Flag. She had a neon blue color that she thought was too bright so I recommend to her to add a small amount of black. It worked. So, I thought to myself there may a color guide that might help everyone out on creating alternative colors for your soaps, bath and body products.

Achieve all new colors by adding small amounts of a second color to the first color. Adding a drop of black to any color will make it a deeper shade.

Aqua = green + blue

Coral = pink + yellow

Rose = red + black

Lime = yellow + green

Magenta = wine + red

Moss green = green + red

Pink = just a touch of red

Purple = red + blue

Teal = green + black

Turquoise = blue + green

Wine = purple + red

Navy = blue + black

If you are interested in a terra cotta color, I am thinking that maybe orange with a drop or two of brown might do. I will have to experiment on that one and let you know.

For more information about mixing colors, here are some websites with more information -

http://www.soap-body-and-spa.com/Colorants.html
http://www.selectshades.com/chart/howto.html
http://selectshades.com/tips.html
http://selectshades.com/charts.html
http://www.candylandcrafts.com/colorchart.htm
http://www.fromnaturewithlove.com/library/coloradditiveusageguide.asp
http://www.fromnaturewithlove.com/library/coloradditives.asp

If I find anymore information about mixing or blending colors, I will make sure to pass it along. So stayed tuned.


Source: http://www.hsn.com/soap-making-tips-techniques_at-441_xa.aspx

Thursday, March 13, 2008

More Aromatherapy Book Recommendations

I was in Elephant Pharmacy in Los Altos waiting for a class to start. While I was waiting I found some great aromatherapy books for beauty purposes.

The first one is Aromatherapy Essential Oils for Beauty and Health by Roberta Wilson. The other is Aromatherapy...A Complete Guide to the Healing Art by Kathi Kevill and Mindy Green.

Also, I found a body on making your own organic body recipes. The title of the book is Organic Bodycare Recipes by Stephanie Tourles.

And if you are interested, I also found the brand new 6th edition of A Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients by Ruth Winters.

I am planning to add these books in the future to my library. These will be great references to rely upon when I am teaching my bath and body classes.

If you want to visit Elephant Pharm to glance at these books, the Los Altos store is located at 4470 El Camino Real (x street is San Antonio Road), Los Altos. Store hours are Mon-Sat from 8:00 AM-9:00 PM, Sunday from 9:00 AM-9:00 PM. Phone number is (650) 472-6800. If you do not live near an Elephant Pharm, ask your local bookstore if they can order them for you. Or a last resort would be Amazon.com.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Fragrant Body Glitter

Very easy to make, fragrant body glitter is an inexpensive craft project that makes excellent souvenirs, party favors and memory keepsakes for teenage and young girls. Body glitter makes beautiful party favor for a young girl's birthday party or inexpensive party favors for budget weddings. Body glitter can make a fashionable young lady sparkle and shine and is beloved cosmetic for prom parties.

Things You Will Need:
½ cup Aloe Vera Gel
1 tbsp Fine Craft Glitter
10 drops Fragrant Oil or Essential Oil

Method:
Take a bowl and mix glitter dust in aloe vera gel well.

Put in a few drops of fragrant oil, essential oil or any perfume to make it fragrant.

Use the spoon to put it in an airtight container for storage purposes.


Source: http://www.iloveindia.com/homemade-crafts/fragrant-body-glitter.html

Monday, March 10, 2008

Aromatic Egg Soaps by Lily Franklin

Since it is Easter time, this would be a great idea to find the Jello Jigglers Egg molds to create this soap.

Yields: One dozen 3 ounce soaps

Materials:
2 1/2 lbs clear glycerin soap
liquid soap dye
fragrance or essential oils

Tools:
1 cup pyrex measuring cup
plastic wrap
plastic spoons
paper cups
Jello 6 compartment egg mold
paring knife

Instructions:

(1) Melt glcyerin soap. Cut half of the bulk glyercin soap into small pieces, place in measuring cup. Microwave on medium for 15 seconds; stir dissolve chunks. Repeat every 5 seconds unil completely melted. Do not overheat or boil soap or soap will bubble and become cloudy.

(2) Add scent and coloring. Divide melted soap between two paper coffee cups. To each, add 1 drop of coloring and add 1/2 teaspoon of fragrance and stir. Be sure to add color conservatively, adding only drop at a time until you receive the color you desire.

Designer tip: To make a split color egg, fill the egg halfway with one color of melted soap and let set for 15 mins. Then fill to the top with a constrasting color.

(3) Mold eggs. Crease the coffee cup rim to make a pouring spout. Pour the soap into mold, filling 3 egg cavities. Repeat process. Let set for 30 minutes, then unmold. Wrap each egg with plastic wrap.

My suggestion: If you find it easier to leave the melted soap and add your color/fragrance in the measuring cup instead transferring it to a coffee cup than do that. Save on coffee cups! Also, allow soap to completely cool before removing from mold.

The mold offer may only be available during the Easter season. To get the Jello egg mold, write to:

Jell-o Mold Offer
P.O. Box 390351
El Paso, TX 88539-0351
or http://www.kraftfoods.com/

I have been having a hard time finding the molds in the grocery stores. I may look at Ebay to get one.

If you are looking for other recipes, check out some of the links in the side bar or check in my archive. There are alot of recipes in both places. I am always looking for new recipes to post on my blog, so please return in the future.

Source: "The Blissful Bath...Handmade Soaps, Scents and Decorative Accents," Compiled by Dawn Anderson, Martingale & Company. Woodenville, WA. pg. 25-28.

Altered Books....

I know that this does not have anything to do with making your own bath and body products, but I wanted to pass along this information to all of my readers.

I have taken alot of classes through The Nova Studio. And one of her teachers, Diane Bouchard who teaches classes on altered books (and more) has a website (http://www.alteredbookstudio.com/) that I found by chance while surfing the internet. While I read it she mentions that in Nov. 2006, a crew from the HGTV show, That's Clever, came to tape a segment. According to her website, the segment should be airing sometime in April 2008 and will let everyone know when it air. If you were ever interested in altered books, but were afraid to take one of her classes, then this would be the opportunity to see her in action. Once I find out this info, I will pass it along.

In January of this year, Diane start her blog (http://www.alteredbookstudio.blogspot.com/) to keep in touch with her students. Check her blog out for more information.

Sunday, March 9, 2008

Easter Bunny Duck Soap

Here is a cute soap project for Easter from Debbie May, http://www.wholesalesuppliesplus.com/


Ingredients:
Duck Pond Mold
2 lb. Crafter's Choice Ultra White Soap
4 oz. Crafter's Choice Extra Clear Soap
Crafter's Choice Blooming Tulips FO
Crafter's Choice Ocean Blue Color
Crafter's Choice Strawberry Red Color
Crafter's Choice Hunter Green Color
Crafter's Choice Majestic Purple ColorEaster Bunny Duck Toys


You need to make your soap grass first. To make the grassy top:

Melt and color Crafter's Choice Extra Clear Soap with Crafter's Choice Hunter Green color. Pour into square Tupperware container. When solid, unmold and shred with a cheese grater. Set to the side.

Directions:

Melt white soap and add fragrance. Divide into equally into four different measuring cups. Color each cup a different color. Pour blue soap into a 1/4" layer of each mold. When this layer forms a skin, spritz with rubbing alcohol and pour green layer. Repeat until all layers are poured. When your last layer of the pond is poured, spritz with rubbing alcohol and set duck into pond. Surround duck with your new green soap grass. For an added finishing touch, sprinkle grass with iridescent glitter. Wrap in a cello bag with curling ribbon.


Source: http://www.wholesalesuppliesplus.blogspot.com/

Saturday, March 8, 2008

Essential Body Oils

Essential body oils can only be used when blended with a suitable
carrier oil onto the skin or in the bath. These oils are not suitable to be
used neatly onto the skin as they are very strong and may effect the
body in certain ways as it penetrates through the bloodstream. Certain
oils can not be used when suffering from epileptic fits, high/low blood
pressure, kidney disease, hyper-sensitive skin etc. Sesame oil is very
beneficial to make skin smooth and soft. One can use this oil with
combined another oils like coriander, lemongrass or bergamot. Pregnant
ladies should avoid certain oils, please consult a qualified aromatherapist
before using essential oils. Essential body oils are fragrant, highly
concentrated, volatile extracts from flowers, leaves, spices, fruits,
woods & roots, each with its own benefits to the body & mind.

Essential body oils are used in aromatherapy, environmental fragrancing,
and bath, body care & massage products. Because of the quickly
evaporating, volatile nature of essential oils, they usually leave the body
within 48 hours. For instance, a drop of Essential Oil placed on a cloth or
napkin will completely disappear within a few minutes to a few days,
leaving no trace or stains. One should use mixture of olive and almond
oil to the hands before going to bed at night. One should this oil
regularly to make hand soft and strength. Almond oil or vitamin E oil is
very effective to reduce dark circles under the eyes. One should apply a
few drops of almond oil or Vitamin E oil under the eye area. There are
many essential oils such as coconut oil, almond oil, sesame oil, olive
oils and tea tree oil for different parts of the body.

Essential body oils are generally extracted by distillation. Other processes
include expression, or solvent extraction. They are used in perfumes and
cosmetics, for flavoring food and drink, and for scenting incense and
household cleaning products. People who have oily skin can use oils such
as sage, camphor, peppermint, clove and cypress. One with sensitive skin
can use olive oil for moisturizing. Aloe Vera oil is unbeatable for
removing inflammation and irritation of the sensitive skin. If one has a
cellulite disease, keep in mind take a steam or hot bath with a few
drops of any essential oil as they tend to block pores in the skin. One
can also use vegetable oil such as jojoba oil or olive oil for the
body.

Essential body oils may be defined as odorous pure plant
essences, they are complex chemical compounds produced by photosynthesis and obtained from the plant by one of the following extraction methods:

1. Steam distillation.
2. Solvent extraction.
3. Hand expression/cold pressing.
4. Maceration.


About the Author

Juliet Cohen writes articles on homemade beauty recipes and beauty
tips
.


Source: ArticleTrader.com

Friday, March 7, 2008

Ebook: HOW TO MAKE SOAP....

...a manual on natural handmade cold process soap making with herbs and essential oils by Joan Morais.

Publication Instant Download or Printed Version. This is a great publication to get you started making soap. It is easy to understand and the manual is not overloaded with information. That way you can use the basics to get you started making excellent bars of soap successfully. By the time you master this soap you will be ready for my next publication on advanced soap making; swirling and milk soaps.

Included in this how to manual...

- 1 basic and easy full proof recipe to learn how to make soap
- 1 basic and easy recipe for an extra moisturizing soap that you can use on your face
- Oils to to make soap with
- Natural Colorants
- Natural Scents: Essential Oils and Botanical Extracts
- Additives for your soap; clays, coffee grinds, oatmeal, honey, beeswax
- Superfatting your soap
- How to make an Herbal Infusion with Herbs and Oils
- Clear steps to making your own successful Soap
- How to Identify trace
- How to make soap balls
- Soap molds available and which work best
- How to formulate your own recipes with a free online lye calculator
- How to package your soaps
- An excellent resource list: where to buy your ingredients, packaging, labels

THREE WAYS TO ORDER

1. ORDER BY CREDIT CARD OR PAYPAL AND DOWNLOAD INSTANTLY. Download How to Make Soap to your computer in minutes in a PDF file, easy to read & print, 34 pages for only $16.95. Click link to go directly to ordering process- http://www.joanmorais.com/joansbooks/howtomakesoap.html.

2. ORDER BY CREDIT CARD OR PAYPAL AND RECEIVE IT BY MAIL. This manual is printed, enclosed in a folder & mailed to you (for United States only, email us for shipping costs outside of United States) include your shipping address on your order. Click link to go directly to ordering process- http://www.joanmorais.com/joansbooks/howtomakesoap.html.


3. ORDER BY CHECK AND RECEIVE IT BY MAIL. This manual is printed, enclosed in a folder & mailed to you. Send a check for $22.95 (for United States only, email us for shipping cost outside of United States) include your shipping address on your order and send to: Joan Morais, PO Box 3250, Fairfield, CA 94533


Source: http://www.joanmorais.com/joansbooks/howtomakesoap.html

Thursday, March 6, 2008

The Aromatherapy Book by Jeanne Rose

On Sunday, March 2nd, I was in Book Buyers in Mountain View. I just happened to be browsing in the health section and I found a shelf dedicated to aromatherapy. Now I will tell you that there are alot of aromatherapy books out on the market. Alot of them are dedicated to using them for health purposes, but I was looking for a book on aromatherapy that I could use for soapmaking and body products.

And by luck I found one that I really like. It is The Aromatherapy Book by Jeanne Rose. Although, it was copyrighted in 1992, I found the information most useful. This book is a great reference book because it has a useful aroma glossary, description of essential oils, and useful tables of information. Plus information on aromatics and equipment, chapters on cosemetic aromatherapy, perfume and the scents of smell and ritual aromatics. It has a source list chapter. Like I said it was published in 1992, so more than likely some of the sources may be out of business (and as of this writing I have not checked). And it maybe out of print because I could not find an updated copy on Amazon. Although, I did find another book she wrote in 1996 titled "Women of Aromatherapy: Complete Aromatherapy by the People Who Made It So". I may have to put that on my list to find at the used book

So, if you are if you are looking for books like this, I would suggested your local used book stores. And if you live on the peninsula, I find that Book Buyers in Mountain View to be the best one. That is where I found my first aromatherapy recipe book "Aromatherapy for Mind and Body" by David Schiller and Carol Schiller. If you are looking for that book, I saw that Book Buyers has another copy on their shelf.

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Making Salves

Just what is a salve and why would I want to make it?

A salve is simply an ointmint for your skin. Have chapped lips? You can smear yourself with a petroleum based product like vaseline or chap-stick or you can very easily make your own lip salve by combining 5 parts olive oil with 1 part melted beeswax. Yes it can be that simple! You can adjust how hard your salve is by adding more oil to make it softer or adding more melted beeswax to make it firmer.

Basic Lip Salve

5 teaspoons warm Olive Oil
1 teaspoon beeswax, melted

Melt beeswax in doubleboiler, never over direct heat. Add olive oil to melted beeswax. Stir until incorporated, remove from heat and pour into containers.

This is what my family uses for our First Aid Salve. The recipe is one I created after researching different botanicals & essential oil and then using the advice a very wise woman, I looked around at what botanicals grew naturally on our land. This salve is used for minor cuts, scrapes and burns. Be sure the wound is clean and not a puncture wound.

Mommy Kiss-It Salve
copyright 2000

50% Comfrey infused oil*
5% Rosemary infused oil*
5% Lavender infused oil*
5% Calendula infused oil*
5% Plantain infused oil*
5% Chickweed infused oil*
5% Mullein infused oil*
20% beeswax
rosemary essential oil**
tea tree essential oil**
lavender essential oil**

* My oil infusions are made by filling a large mouth glass jar about 1/4 - 1/3 full of the dried botanical. These are then filled with Olive Oil and left in a sunny window. They get a couple shakes a day. After 2 weeks, the oil is strained and more botanical added. To use the oil, strain the botanicals from the oil. Refill oil as needed. Lard is another nice oil to use for infusions.
Another way to infuse oils is to gently warm the oil in a crock pot and add botanicals to it. You will want to keep the crockpot on a low temperature so you do not french-fry your herbs!

**Please keep the total amount of your essential oils to 2% or less of total salve amount.

If you are looking for other recipes, check out some of the links in the side bar or check in my archive. There are alot of recipes in both places. I am always looking for new recipes to post on my blog, so please return in the future. For more salve recipes check out the source link below.

Source: http://www.mullerslanefarm.com/salvemaking.htmlt

Saturday, March 1, 2008

The Science of Eliminating Odors

According to scientists, air fresheners date back to the times of the ancient Egyptians, who used musk and other natural products to scent their homes and their tombs. I suspect it goes back even further, to the cave woman who figured out that throwing a pine cone into the cooking fire made her whole cave smell better. Over the years, man (or woman) has discovered many things that eliminate odors, and made use of them all – from oils secreted by animals, to flower petals and plants to chemicals that are specially designed to eliminate odors. Today’s air freshener market is a multi-billion dollar one comprised of mechanical air fresheners, sprays, candles, wax, scented gels, liquids, potpourri, aromatic woods and more. In fact, one market periodical estimated that 80% of American adult would buy at least one home air fragrance product this year.

The first generation of modern air fresheners were marketed in 1948. Those consisted of little more than a perfumed fragrance in an aerosol mist that masked or covered odors. By the mid-50s, however, manufacturers had begun adding ingredients to air fresheners that actually destroyed objectionable odors in the air. The scientific principles in air fresheners are simple. Odors in the air are caused by microscopic molecules that hang in the air and are inhaled. Things that eliminate odors chemically bond with those molecules, changing them or neutralizing them so that they no longer have an objectionable odor.

In the early days of air fresheners, it wasn’t unusual for a housewife to pick a fragrance that she liked and stick with it. The selection was fairly limited – you could have a pine forest, a lemon grove or a rose garden. These days, there’s an entire supermarket aisle devoted to all the different flavors and scents of air fresheners, and many home owners have an entire ‘wardrobe’ of fragrances to suit their mood. In fact, psychologists say that scents are a great way to invoke moods – and aromatherapy is a growing practice.

Here are some suggested fragrance/mood combos suggested by experts in aromatherapy.

Looking for a little romance? Sweet scents like vanilla are homey and comforting. Vanilla is actually scientifically proven to reduce stress and anxiety, and put those who smell it into a relaxed frame of mind.

If you need to be energized, say scientists, then you want the scent of a fir forest .The fresh, almost spicy scent is energizing and invigorating, a great scent for when you want to get up and go!

The exotic, fresh florals of a rainforest scent are cleansing and purifying. With their undertone of spice and sweet floral overtones, they add a fresh, clean scent that invokes spring and awakening.

There are many other scents that evoke particular moods. Bayberry is inviting and fresh, rose is soft and romantic, bergamot is earthy and sensual – the list goes on and on. There’s no need to confine yourself to one particular scent any longer. Pick out a whole shelf full of delicious fragrances and use the one that suits your mood. Visit http://www.fuller-brush-products.com">http://www.fuller-brush-products.com/


About the Author

Author Vincent Platania represents the Fuller Brush Company.
Fuller Brush has been in business since 1906, and offers safe, environmentally friendly products for keeping your home and your body clean. Visit http://www.fuller-brush-products.com">http://www.fuller-brush-products.com/


Source: http://www.articletrader.com/">ArticleTrader.com