Candlemaking E-books by Joan Morais

If you are interested in making your own candles, Joan Morais sells her handouts for her classes.
The first book is on

beeswax candlemaking (http://joanmorais.com/joansbooks/beeswaxcandlemaking.html)

and the other is on aromatherapy soy candles (http://joanmorais.com/joansbooks/aromatherapysoycandles.html).

I have had the pleasure of taking two of Joan's classes at The Nova Studio (http://www.thenovastudio.com/) but I missed taking these two back in December 2008. She is a knowledgeable teacher and her books are great! I highly recommend them. You will not be disappointed.

While I am mentioning candles and The Nova Studio has an ECO Friendly Candlemaking class scheduled for Saturday, February 28th from 10 am to 2 pm. And Lori has just added a second session on Saturday, Marchy 14th from 1 pm to 5 pm. If you are interested in taking this class or would like more information, go to http://thenovastudio.com/description_lori_candles.htm.

If you are interested in learning more about Joan's upcoming classes, visit her website at http://www.joanmorais.com/.

Making Your Own Vegetable Glycerine Mix

If you were interested in making your own vegetable glyercine mixture, I found this two part clip on You Tube. If anyone is daring enough to try making glycerin on their own, let us know how it turned out. I would like to hear all the trials and tribulations of this process.

Part One: http://youtube.com/watch?v=rnFKzVweH0U&feature=related

Part Two: http://youtube.com/watch?v=grnVDVipMWI&feature=related

How to Make Cupid's Heart Soap - Valentine Day's

If racking your brain on what to give your Valentine , here is cute idea to give to your sweetie on Valentine's Day! You still have time to create this project and it is definately not that difficult to accomplish.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bF6ORBrphI&feature=related

Rosemary Mint Shampoo Rebatch Soap

Ingredients:

2 lbs Plain soap shreds (because they melt quicker)

6 tbs of distilled water

30 ml olive oil

2 tbs castor oil

1 tsp crushed peppermint leaves

6 drops rosemary eo

8 drops peppermint eo

2 ml vitamin e

pre-lined wood mold or desired mold.

Directions: 

If using plastic molds make sure to pretreat with light coating of plain cooking spray.

I have two methods my fav is oven and the second is the microwave.

Oven Method

I preheat my oven @200 degrees because it doesn't go any lower. When I have time I add the water to shreds and allow to soak for one day. No time for soaking no problem just add right before the cook. I use a pyrex dish and cover with aluminum foil. Every half an hour I check the soap and stir gently. Over stirring after you add water will create bubbles. I usually allow this to cook for one hour sometimes hour and half because in the oven method, it becomes very mushy like when you add too much liquid to mash pot. Fifteen minutes before its ready to come out, I heat up my olive oil slightly on super low. Take off the heat and add in the other ingredients. Stir thoroughly to incorporate everything. Preheating your oils allows you to further stir the soap without it becoming hard too quick and therefore allowing you to add color is desired. But no color in this recipe. Now, add everything to your soap mush and mix well. Pour into your mold, I use a wood mold with a pre-prepared lining of freezer paper. Gently bang the sides of your mold to make sure to get rid of air pockets cause you don't want holes in your soap LOL. I have a top so I put a sheet of wax paper for cooking on top then I place the wood piece on top and press down hard. Wait 24 hours for your soap to harden and dry enough to be removed from your mold and place on your baking rack to dry for three weeks. If you don't want to wait put your soap into the freezer and leave there for a few hours and it will harden up.

Microwave Method

I microwave for 1min at a time on high and I measure out everything before I start cause once the soap is ready it won't wait no matter how much hot oil you add in my own experience of course. Also this recipe is for soap no more than month old. Older soap I add 1/4 cup of distilled water.

Source: http://www.soapmakingforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2468

How to Make a Citrus Salt Scrub

Looking for a invigorating salt scrub that will exfoliate your skin, leaving it smooth and glowing. This cheery, citrus, salt scrub by Rose McDougle, eHow Member will invigorate you and  will work as a natural mood elevator. Now that is something I could really use right now.  But if you make this recipe, you should use caution when using a citrus essential oil. Citrus essential oils can be photosensitive which means it could cause damage to the skin if it is exposed to sunlight.  So if you use this in the morning make sure you cover self well with long sleeves, etc.  And make sure you do not use not to use it on your face.  Another alternative would be to use this at night prior to you going to bed.

Natural Paper-Wrapped Candles

Materials:

Paper Perfect by Deco Art

dried floral additives by Deco Art

pallet knife sponge

clear-plastic sheet protector

raffia

hot glue

large pillar candle

decorative-edge scissors

Directions:

1. Measure the circumference of the candle and add 1" to the measurement for the sheet protector (to compensate for shrinking and trimming). Thoroughly stir Paper Perfect medium before applying with a palette knife to the sheet protector; use a sponge for textured effects.

2. Sprinkle dried flower additives directly onto wet Paper Perfect and gently press in place with fingers.

3. Dry 12-24 hours, depending on thickness (remove excess water and accelerate drying time with a sponge patted over the surface and/or place in front of fan). The medium is acid-free and nontoxic; clean up, as needed, with soap and water.

4. When dry, peel the paper off the plastic. Use decorative scissors to trim the paper to the appropriate size to fit around the candle before gluing in place. Tie raffia around the paper to secure it to the candle.

Source: http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/cr_paper/article/0,2025,DIY_13771_5188193_03,00.html

Relaxing Bath Blocks

To make fragrant bath moisturising blocks, simply melt 500gm Shea butter over a very low heat, then add 1.5ml Lavender Essential Oil, 1mL Bergamot Non Phototoxic Essentail Oil and 2.5ml Marjoram majorana essential oil.

Blend and pour the melted butter mixture into ice-cube trays. Once the butter has set, pop out the blocks and store them in air tight containers - ready to use for every bathing ritual.

Dry Skin Restoring Butter

This is a simple and super effective body butter that helps to restore balance to dry skin, improving the appearance and leaving the skin feeling soft and supple.

This recipe makes approximately 1.2 kg.

500gm Shea Butter
100gm Cocoa Butter
400gm Coconut Oil
200mL Jojoba Oil
10mL Patchouli Essential Oil
5mL Sandawood Australian Essential Oil
5mL Lavender Essential Oil
10mL Rose
3% in Jojoba


In a beaker or jug, melt and combine the butters and vegetable oils over a pan of water or bain marie. Stir in the Essential Oils until thoroughly combined, and pour into 100gm jars to set.

Ingredient Listing for Labels: Shea Butter (Butyrospermum parkii), Coconut (Cocos nucifera) oil, Cocoa Butter (Theobroma cacao), Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) oil, Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin) oil, Sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) oil, Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) oil, Rose (Rosa damascena) oil.



Source: http://www.auroma.com/Everyday-Aromatherapy-Blog/?p=35

Superbowl Party Favor Ideas

Rita in the office designed this product idea. I am not too surprised because she has four sons, all crazy about football! I think it is a cute idea with lots of potential!

Ingredients:

Crafter's Choice Clear MP Soap Base
Crafter's Choice Sparkle Liquid Black
Crafter's Choice Liquid Lake Red 40
Crafter's Choice Liquid Lake Yellow 5
Crafter's Choice Masculine Musk
Crafter's Choice Soap Bubbles Fragrance
Silicone Football Mold

Visit Soap Teacher for soap making instructions.The silicone mold is food grade and oven safe. If you want to make something other than soap ideas include: Rice Krispies Treats, Jell-O Jigglers, Cheese Ball, Cupcakes and Brownies.

Working Hard for Your Success!
Debbie May
http://www.wholesalesuppliesplus.com/
1-800-359-0944

Source: http://wholesalesuppliesplus.blogspot.com/2009/01/superbowl-party-favor-ideas.html

How to Make Egyptian Musk Oil

Making your own fragrance is an economical way to create your own personal scent.  If musk is one of you favorite scents, then you may want to try this Egyptian Musk Oil recipe.The author  (Happiness) recommends this as a great massage oil. 

http://www.ehow.com/how_2192586_egyptian-musk-oil.html

How to Make a Minty Fresh Body Refresher

A minty fresh body refresher in a warm bath will wake up your senses first thing in the morning or after a tough day. This body refresher is especially delightful on hot, summer days when you want to feel tingly cool. Want to feel that experience? Then check out this Minty Fresh Body Refresher by an anoymous eHow Contributing Writer.

 http://www.ehow.com/how_2387295_make-minty-fresh-body-refresher.html

How to Make Soap Balls From Millers Soap

I just do this with my scraps and trimmings, but you could do this with a whole batch if you prefer. You grate up the soap you want to make soap balls from, either by hand with a cheese grater or you can use an electric device used for making salads (in the U.S. there's something called a "Salad Shooter"). Put your grated soap in a bowl, with some room to spare and sprinkle with just enough water to help you mix it all together and have the shavings stick when you press them into a ball. If your soap is fresh, just wetting your hands should be enough. I mix with my fingers until all the shavings are slightly moistened and then pick some up and start squeezing it with my hands and turning it over and over until it's as round as I can get it. Slightly moistening my palms at the end and smoothing the ball will give it a nice finish. Then I set them on racks or on a table top to dry and turn them in a day or two to expose the down side to more air. If you want them to all be the same size, you might want to measure your shavings with something while they are still loose and moistened and after squeezing they should be fairly uniform (a plastic ice-cream scoop might work well for this).

Source: http://millersoap.com/soapproc.html#SoapBalls

Shrink Bands are Easy

If you are interested in learning how to add shrink bands to your bath and body products, here is a clip from You Tube.

Source: http://youtube.com/watch?v=fZcd6uEnQ4c&feature=related

Victorian Floral Heart Soaps

From Wholesale Supplies Plus Blog

Sue in customer service came up with this soap design.I particularly like it because if it doesn't sell for Valentine's Day it can be held over and moved out for Mother's Day.

Materials Used:

Crafter's Choice Ultra White
SoapCrafter's Choice Victorian Roses Fragrance
Crafter's Choice Ultramarine Blue Liquid Pigment
Crafter's Choice Ultramarine Green Liquid Pigment
Crafter's Choice Liquid Lake Yellow

Click here for basic instructions on layering soap!

Working Hard for Your Success!
Debbie May
http://www.wholesalesuppliesplus.com/
1-800-359-0944

Source: http://wholesalesuppliesplus.blogspot.com/2009/01/victorian-floral-heart-soaps.html

BANANA MANGO SOAP (Cold Procsss)

Submitted by Willow to Wholesale Supply Plus Forum (http://forums.wholesalesuppliesplus.com/)

Ingredients:

5oz coconut
5 oz mango butter
3 oz palm oil
2 oz shea butter
1 oz castor
2.2 oz lye
4 oz water (distilled)

Directions:

Mix lye water, set aside. Melt oils and butters together until just melted.Mash 4 oz banana into pulp.[ If you want to, you can pull out a little of your oils to mix with the banana pulp - but I don't have any problems incorporating with the stick blender]Add lye water to oils and stick blend to light trace. Add banana pulp. Stir to trace.This looks very much like banana bread. It's very dark at first - maybe for a month and gradually lightens.I don't normally use any additional fragrance, but I have considered added a vanilla base FO just to help the soap stay a darker brown.It makes a wonderful bar.


Source: http://forums.wholesalesuppliesplus.com/index.php?showtopic=205&hl=

Aromatherapy And Your Sense Of Well Being

Who doesn't smell a loaf of homemade bread baking, or fresh baked chocolate chip cookies and not close their eyes and remember simpler, happier days? Smell is a very strong sense which can evoke many different types of emotions. Aromatherapy is the use of specific essential oils to help rebalance, harmonize and promote spiritual health and a feeling of well being.

While lavender helps one to relax, and can be used in conjunction with meditation, mint and rosemary are stimulating and uplifting and are great pick-me-ups used in a morning shower. Oils such as lemon and tree tea are used to help healing of wounds and infections. These oils can be mixed in a base cream.

Baths with essential oils are very popular. Chamomile and peppermint can be used to sooth tired and aching muscles and make a wonderful soaking bath. If, with research you find you want to blend your own essential oils for bathing, they can be diluted in a base of powdered milk, sea salts, or milk.

Inhaling is another way to use aromatherapy and is most beneficial to aid some respiratory disorders such as bronchitis, hay fever or sinusitis. Inhalation can be done in a variety of ways, through steam or by use of an electric diffuser, which are easily available in many stores. Don't forget aromatherapy candles!

It seems that manufacturers have caught on to the popularity of aromatherapy and they are now incorporating aromatherapy into their products, including it in things such as cosmetics and hair care products.

Aromatherapy is used in the US by some medical practitioners such as massage therapists, and naturopaths. Aromatherapy is widely accepted in France and Britain and is even taught in medical schools there.

About the Author This article provided courtesy of http://www.blogger.com/'' target='_blank' class='navigation'>http://www.aromatherapy-shopper.com/

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

Vanilla Butter Creme Meringue

Ingredients:

All measures by weight, except if otherwise noted.

1 oz. aloe butter
1 oz. ultra-refined mango butter
1 oz. ultra-refined shea butter
1/8 oz. orange wax (optional)
1 oz. castor oil
1 oz. fractionated coconut oil
1/4 to 1/2 oz. glycerin USP
1/2 to 2 oz. Natrasorb

Scent blend:

2 parts vanilla fragrance oil
1/4 part sweet orange essential oil(if not using orange wax)
1/4 part clove bud essential oil

Process:

Melt aloe butter and mango butter over low heat in a stainless steel vessel. Once liquid, remove from heat and stir in fixed oils and ROE. Cool in freezer til white "crust" begins to form along sides of vessel (from fats hardening) and the butters become semi-opaque. Remove from freezer and begin beating with an electric mixer, preferably one that is outfitted with whisks. Beaters work OK.

Once the mix becomes aerated and fluffy, drizzle in the glycerin while mixing on low speed. Once all the glycerin is in, whip again. Add Natrasorb. Whip and scrape down sides of bowl with a rubber spatula. Whip for 5-10 mins, til you get the consistency of a meringue.

This product will not become hard in 24 hours. It should remain fluid and creamy if mixed properly. Spoon into sterile jars. This product is not pump-able.

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

Organic Or Synthetic?

by Louise Forrest

In the world that we live and with all the warnings that certain foods or products are not very good for us, we can never really be too careful. And this also applies to the products that are going on your skin.

With all the chemical processing that takes place when it comes to the food cycle or production of clothes and also with the manufacture of skin care products, it is just no wonder that people have said NO to such goods have turned organic.

But if you take your lipstick for instance: is it really made from mint, home grown ingredients and other so called flower petals?

Whilst this is may not you may be thinking when you think of something that has been classed as organic. You think of something that has had zero human intervention. But even the products that are classed as organic still have traces of synthetic ingredients, although much fewer, there is no real reason to actually panic. And in fact some certain synthetic ingredients such as a preservative are actually needed in order to produce quality skin products.

The are certain differences between a product that is man made and something that is organic. Ingredients that are organic are generally plant based and are not man made. If however these ingredients undertake or king of process, they are still actually considered as organic. An example of this is corn.

It is dried and then taken off the cob and then milled in order to create corn flour. Here is an example of a change that is needed in order to create something else.

On the other hand products that are synthetic are artificial and are usually acquired through different reactions between various chemicals. But having said this, there are items which are man made and created through various processes that are still considered to be natural.

An example of this would be salt which comes from sodium and chlorine can be created by people with some ease. But you can find natural salts all over the world. What is the salt that you find in the sea? Is this the same salt that you find in a bath soak? Unlikely.

It can be difficult finding products that are totally natural or totally organic. Creating a lotion with nothing but organic ingredients would not be practical as the ingredients would go off after a few days and so the product would need to be discarded. So having synthetic ingredients is not all a bad thing, but actually needed.

Source: http://www.naturalelements.co.uk/article/organic/organic-synthetic-skin-care/

Blending Fragrances

Here are some recipes from Pine Meadow to blend your own fragrances.

http://www.pinemeadows.net/recipes.php#r7

There are plenty to choose from where you would definately find a favorite to make again and again. I can't decide which one I want to try first. Berries & Cream, Strawberry Lemonade, and Warm Vanilla Sugar sound to good enough to eat.

Milk and Mineral Bath Recipe

( from Pinemeadows "Home Spa Retreat".)

Ingredients:

4 tbsp medium or fine sea salts
2 tea bags chamomile
4 Tablespoons powdered milk
2 muslin bags
2 drops Lavender 40/42 essential oil
1 drop Rosemary essential oil

Directions:

Measure out all of your ingredients in a bucket or some type of container, stir and make sure everything is blended well, then prior to filling the muslin bags add your essential oils and put the tea bags inside the muslin bags, don't worry about getting the tea out and mixing it with the other ingredients. Take half of your mixture and divide between the two muslin bags, add 1 chamomile tea bag to each muslin bag

To use: Place one of your muslin bags under running warm bath water and enjoy the luxurious skin smoothing and softening properties of your milk and mineral bath bag while the aroma of your lavender, rosemary and chamomile combination take you to a calm and relaxing atmosphere.

Source: http://www.pinemeadows.net/recipes.php#r3

Raspberry Oatmeal Hand Cream

Ingredients:

1/2 cup distilled water
1/8 tsp. borax
1/3 cup sweet almond oil
1 T. liquid lanolin
1 tsp. coconut oil
1 T. beeswax
15 drops raspberry fragrance oil
5 drops oatmeal, milk and honey fragrance oil

Directions:

Combine water and borax in heavy pan over low heat; stir until borax dissolves. In separate saucepan, melt beeswax and add oils and lanolin, stirring until all well blended. Slowly (1 tsp at a time) add water/borax mixture into oil/wax mixture stirring constantly. Continue stirring until it forms a thick white cream and has cooled to room temp. Stir in fragrance oils, pour into jar and seal.

Source: http://www.halderman.net/cgi-bin/showrecipe.pl?lotion

Flower Butter (Whipped Butter Recipe)

All measures by weight, except if otherwise noted.

Ingredients:

1 oz. shea butter
3 oz. ultra-refined mango butter
2 oz. fractionated coconut oil
1/2 to 1 oz. glycerin USP
1/8 teaspoon rosemary oil extract
1/2 to 1 1/2 oz. Natrasorb (optional)

Scent blend:

2 parts lavender absolute1 part tuberose1 part neroli

Process:

Melt shea butter and mango butter over low heat in a stainless steel vessel. Once liquid, remove from heat and stir in fixed oils and ROE. Cool in freezer til white "crust" begins to form along sides of vessel (from fats hardening) and the butters become semi-opaque. Remove from freezer and begin beating with an electric mixer, preferably one that is outfitted with whisks. Beaters work OK. Once the mix becomes aerated and fluffy, drizzle in the glycerin while mixing on low speed. Once all the glycerin is in, whip again. Feel the consistency and decide if you want this product to have a less greasy feel. If you do, add in the Natrasorb by sprinkling atop the butter mix, and whip again til all is incorporated.

This product will not become hard in 24 hours. It should remain fluid and creamy if mixed properly. Spoon into sterile jars. This product is not pump-able.



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

Aromatherapy Room Spray

Submitted by KrisC to WSP Forum (http://forums.wholesalesuppliesplus.com/)

for a 5oz bottle:

1/2 tsp glycerin
1/2 tsp EO or EO blend
1/2 tsp polysorbate 20
1/8 tsp potassium sorbate ( food grade preservative)
distilled water

Directions:

Shake well and spray. Be sure to label that some EO's can stain so people do not spray their furniture or bedding ( although I use it as a linen spray without a problem)


Source: http://forums.wholesalesuppliesplus.com/index.php?showtopic=145

Single Dipped Flower and Leaf Soap

Here is a unique gift soap creation demonstrated by David Fisher. This would be a great gift for bridal showers, mother's day, etc. Will have to give it a try sometime soon. Has anyone tried this before?

http://video.about.com/candleandsoap/Dipped-Flower-and-Leaf-Soap.htm

Wintergreen's Whipped Sugar Scrub

Thanks to Wintergreen for generously sharing this recipe.

This easy-peasy recipe for a FBB Whipped Sugar Scrub! This has a mousse-like texture, never separates and rinses clean. The result is a whipped, light texture that has plenty of "scrub" and is not oily at all! Even on a hot, hot, day and in the sun, I have not had these separate.

This looks fabulous packaged in either a Large or Small Bail Jars or Wide Neck Tubs accurately so you will achieve the right gel consistency if you intend making a larger volume.

This recipe makes 1800g

What you need

432g Foaming Bath Butter (24%)
108g Jojoba (6%)
135g Glycerine (7.5%)
9g Germall Plus Liquid (0.5%)
1080g White Sugar (60%)
36g Fragrance or Essential Oils of Choice (this amount is 2% but you may like to increase or decrease this amount)

How to make
*Measure out the FBB and place into a large jug/bowl and heat until *just* softened

*Now measure the Jojoba, half of the Sugar and Glycerine and place into the bowl of a stand mixer

*Add the melted Bath Butter

*Using the whisk attachment, set the mixer on low, drape with a tea towel as there will be a bit of splashing until the ingredients begin to "cream"

*Gradually add the remaining sugar, preservative, colour (if desired), and scent

*Increase the mixing speed until it is really whipping the scrub

*I let this whip for a long time... maybe even an hour!

*Pour into Bail Jars or wide necked Tubs and leave until set

Note from Jude:

I like Apricot Kernel and Rice Bran Oil too, but your can try own your favourite liquid oil
For a natural pale apricot colour, try using some Carrot infused oil as part of the oil portion - this will naturally colour the scrub.

Or, for a natural yummy buttery colour, try using some Calendula infused oil - I love this one!

If whipping with a hand held beater, take care not to overheat the motor.

If using Vanilla based scents, don’t forget they will discolour the soap from a deep cream to a dark brown, so take this into account when planning your scrub.



Source: http://aussiesoapsupplies.com.au/Wintergreens-Scrub-p-26.html

Rock Crystal Soaps

Through the melt and pour process of making soap, there are many unique techniques. One that I found to be quite interesting is making your soaps look like Rock Crystals. These soaps are simply marbled bars of soap that been cut into crystal-shaped pieces. You can make your soap look like a milky quartz, opal agate, malachite, jade, amethyst or rose quartz.

The basic techniques for Rock Crystal Soaps are

Molds: Use any molds that can be be poured to a depth of approximately 2". A food container is a good shape to use.

For marbled soap: Melt clear glycerin soap base and white glycerin soap base in different containers. These bases can be colored or left in their original statee. Pour melted soaps into an appropiate mold at the same time. When using this technique your soap will look like malachite.

For a chunk style soap in a marbled base: Mold scented and color soap. Cut into crystal-shaped pieces 1/2" to 1". Place in mold before pouring in the two melted soap bases to marbleize. If you do this techinque your soap will look like milky quartz.

To create metallic veins through your soap: Brush a little metallic mica powder on the pieces before the second pouring to get the look of Opal Agate. Or brush some powered spices for a natural looking vein that may appear in Jade soap.

For layered looking gems: Pour melted clear glycerin soap base and melted white coconut oil bases over the cut crystal-shaped pices in order to get a amethyst look.

Cutting soaps: The most important step is cutting the soaps after they are molded so they look like gems. Cut the soap into 2" to 3" pieces and trim them by cutting random sharp, straight angles. This imitates the facets and clean cleavages of crystals.

Scenting: Use your favorite scents. The best choices inclue ylang-ylang, amber frankincense, cinnamon, and vanilla.

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: Melt and Pour Soapmaking by Marie Browning, Sterling Publishing Company, New York, 2001. Page 64.

Milk Bath Fizzers

Milk Bath Fizzers (from our "Home Spa Retreat".)

Ingredients:
1 tbsp powder milk
1/2 cup baking soda
1/4 cup corn starch
1/2 cup citric acid
1.5 ounces distilled water
15 drops or ml
favorite fragrance oil or essential oil
***You will need to put your water in a spray bottle.

Directions:
Mix together all of your dry ingredients. Using your water, spritz your mixture lightly(avoid adding too much water at one time, this will cause your mix to fizz.) Continue misting the mixture w/ water while you stir until all the water is gone. Add your fragrance or essential oil and stir making sure that you have a consistant blend. Your mixture may appear dry, but if you can pick up a handful and mold it together then it is the right consistency. Press your mixture into the bottom of a mold (we used a drawer organizer 9" x 6" x 2"). Your mixture will not completely fill the mold to its top- do not worry you are doing it right. Now let the fizzer blend harden over the next 4-8 hours. Then take something and chip out the fizzers so you have a bunch of random sized chunks. We had enough to fill 2 of our 8 oz clear PET jars and 1 of the 4 oz PET jars. (if you want to color your fizzers use approx. 1/2 of our .15 cc scoops of any of the dyes. Add the dry color to your water.)

To use: Drop a couple into a warm bath and allow to dissolve. This recipe is awesome with peppermint and eucalyptus essential oil.


Source:
Milk Bath Fizzers (from our "Home Spa Retreat".) http://www.pinemeadows.net/recipes.php

Peppermint Lavender Scrub

Ingredients:

2 cup rolled oats
1 cup almonds
2 tsp dried lavender
2 tsp dried peppermint
2 cup white cosmetic clay

Directions:

Grind oats, almonds and herbs to a very fine powder in blender or with a mortar and pestle. Mix ground herbs with clay, store in covered container.

To use: mix 1 heaping tsp of mixture with water to make a paste. Massage into skin then rinse well with warm water.


Source: http://www.kitchencraftsnmore.net/bath3.html

Making your own Lotions

If you are interested in making your own lotions, I found some links that may help you out.

http://www.glenbrookfarm.com/makinglotions.htm

http://www.differentdaisy.com/nexternalhtml/beauty-without-cruelty-vegan-hand-and-body-lotion-.htm

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art43668.asp

If you have any links you would like to add to this list, please let me know and I can add them on.

How to Make Homemade Facial Scrubs : How to Make Homemade Salt Scrubs

If you are interested in making your own facial scrubs, I found this clip on You Tube. These would be great gifts to make for the holidays or whatever reason.  You could even make them as an activity during a bridal or baby shower.  It definately would be something different to make during your party and they would be able to use.

Source: http://youtube.com/watch?v=KaPMHG5zY80&feature=related

Silky Liquid Body Powder

(makes about 1/3 cup)

All the benefits of a loose powder without the puff and dust! Since this formula contains water, be sure to add the preservative.

Oil Phase

1 teaspoon glyceryl monostearate
1 teaspoon jojoba oil
2 teaspoon wheat germ oil
2 Tablespoons fractionated coconut oil
Fragrance, as desired

Water Phase

5 teaspoons Natrasorb-100
2 tablespoons distilled water
1 teaspoon polysorbate 20
.2% methylparaben (about a scant scant pinch)

Process

Mix oil phase together at approx. 140F. Set aside. Warm distilled water to 140F. Dissolve polysorbate 20 and methylparaben in the water. Distribute Natrasorb slowly over the top of the water mix. Incorporate to create a slurry. Using a sterile fork, slowly combine water and oil phases. Mix until emulsion forms and thickens. Package immediately in sterile containers.

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

Geogard® Ultra Powder from Southern Soapers

Southern Soapers has the following item in testing phase: Geogard® Ultra is a biocide introduced by Lonza in 2005 to meet the growing demand for alternative cosmetic preservatives. With growing concerns over traditional preservatives such as parabens.

Geogard® Ultra provides a single solution to companies seeking alternatives to traditional preservatives. Geogard® Ultra’s global regulatory acceptance, broad-spectrum activity and multifunctionality means it can be utilized in a wide variety of cosmetic products like shampoos, lotions and skin creams. Unlike traditional cosmetic preservatives, Geogard® Ultra can be used in cosmetic products that are marketed in major markets around the world: Europe, Japan, North America and South America.

Geogard® Ultra helps prevent product spoilage by utilizing less aggressive: “Hurdle Technology.” Instead of a harsh, aggressive approach with bacteria and fungi, Geogard® Ultra primarily functions by creating a more hostile environment within the formulation for microbes to overcome. Potentiators within Geogard® Ultra help create such hurdles, increasing the self-preserving environment of formulations.Geogard® Ultra also provides greater utility with its multifunctional action. Geogard® Ultra not only provides effective protection against product spoilage, but it can also increase the skin moisturizing capacity of the formulation.Preservation

Application:

*Naturally Derived Product.

*Broad spectrum protection across pH range of 3.0-6.5, if pH depression occurs, the formulation can be adjusted with citrate or phosphate buffering systems.

*Geogard Ultra is fully compatible with a wide variety of formulation ingredients as well as most types of cationic, nonionic, and anionic systems.


*Geogard Ultra is soluble up to 4% in ambient water and can be dispersed in glycols and alkyl sulphates.


*Improves skin moisture content.


*Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) ingredients.


*Exceptional toxicity profile, long history of use, non-sensitizing and non-irritating.


*No Animal testing, non GMO. Recommended use level: is .75% - 2.0% of total formulation weight, for both rinse off and leave on formulations.Directions: Add to formulation at temps of up to 75°C (167°F) or lower.INCI: Gluconolactone (and) Sodium Benzoate. MSDS for Geogard Ultra

If you are interested in ordering this product or checking out other preservatives, go to Southern Soapers http://www.southernsoapers.com/cart/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=21.

Source: http://southernsoapers.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=21&products_id=703&zenid=fc30b559623d2bf06f3a3c2b1218a3ce

Confetti Soap For Cold Process Soapmakers

I have seen the confetti soap technique for melt and pour soapmaking, but in my search I found a recipe from Cranberry Lane for cold process soap makers:

http://www.cranberrylane.com/soap-techniques.htm

If you try this recipe, please let me know how it turns out.

Colors Bleeding

I've heard other soapers talk about "color bleeding" in soap making . What does this mean? Anyone new to soap making has likely heard the term "color bleeding". Contrary to what you might think, the term "bleeding" does not mean that a color will come off onto your skin during bathing or showering.

The type of colorant used in a soap base determines whether a color will eventually bleed. An example of bleeding: You embed a royal blue heart in a white soap base. After several days, you notice that the blue heart has started to bleed (migrate) into the surrounding white soap. The white area around the heart has now taken on a pale blue color. Over time, the blue color eventually penetrates and bleeds (migrates) into all of the white soap making the edges of the embedded heart fuzzy and indistinct.

This scripted letter "A" was painted with sapphire blue liquid gel color. It is a "bleeding" color. As you can see, after several days the blue color has started to migrate into the cream color soap.

The color pigments we use for our vertical shaped embedments are non-bleeding. They do not fade or bleed. The only type of bleeding you may encounter is pouring at too high of a temperature. This may cause the embedment to melt slightly and bleed. This is not the color bleeding, it is the soap (embedment) that is bleeding due to excessive pouring temperatures.
If you want non-bleeding soap colors, you will need to use our Liquid Gel Colorants ( neon , ultramarines and mineral/oxides , metallics , and certain jewel tones ). Most, though not all, are non-bleeding. All are non-fading and color intensity is exceptional.

* Denise Marks is the president of Nouveau Designs LLC which offers one of the most extensive selection of quality soap supplies and soap molds on the Net. She is an experienced soap maker and owner of one of the largest soap mold manufacturing companies worldwide. Visit GoPlanetEarth.com for a complete listing of soap making supplies, soap molds , or more FREE reprint articles.

Source: http://www.goplanetearth.com/color_bleeding_in_soap_making.html

Berry Good Soap Bar By Carolyn Hasenfratz

Ingredients: 

Commercial crafting soap base (Life of the Party Moisturizing Clear Glycerin Soap, Soapcrafters Opaque Glycerin, and Crafters Choice Natural White Melt and Pour Soap Base) 

Polysorbate 20 (Sweetcakes brand - I'm not sure if it really did anything in this recipe or not, so you can leave it out)

bayberry, vanilla, strawberry, and pearberry fragances

cosmetic grade colorants. 

Canola Harvest cooking spray used for mold release. 

70% rubbing alchohol used for soap layer adhesion and bubble reduction. 

Instructions:

Mix three color batches of approx. 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup each. Start with white opaque melt and pour soap base and add colorants of your choice. For this project I used yellow-green (which looks all yellow in the finished bar), peach, and magenta. Pour each color into a separate container and let harden. You can use soap molds for this, or in order to save wear and tear on your soap molds, use clean plasic food containers.

Get your loaf soap mold and spray the inside lightly with cooking spray. Wipe off the excess with a clean paper towel. For this project I used the loaf mold made by Life of the Party.
Place the mold on some kind of support that will keep it from rolling or moving while the soap is hardening. Sets of cups of matching height work well, an old ice tray is also handy for this.
When your colors are hardened through, cut them into chunks. Try to vary the size and shape as you cut.

Fill the loaf mold with chunks, distributing the colors as much as you can. Fill the mold all the way to the top. It's okay if pieces project higher than the top of the mold - you can trim those pieces off later if you want. At about 1/3 full, spritz the chunks with alchohol or Bubble Buster. Repeat at 2/3, and again when full.

Melt enough clear melt and pour base to fill a 2-cup measuring cup. Add some opalescent soap glitter, and one drop of red or magenta liquid soap color. I used about 1/4 tsp to 1/2 tsp Polysorbate 20 to theoretically help keep the soap glitter suspended. It's usually used for helping things like fragrance and water mix together, but on a whim I added some to see if it would help suspend the glitter since I read that it helps to disperse things. I'm no chemist as you can tell! I'd have to do another similar batch without it to see if it actually did anything. Stir slowly to avoid adding excess air bubbles. 

Add the fragrance:
Refer to the manufacturers instructions for guidance on amounts. 2 Parts bayberry FO (I used Camden Gray brand), 1 Part pearberry FO (I used Life of the Party brand), 1 Part strawberry FO (I used Soapcrafters brand), 1 Part vanilla FO (I used Soapcrafters brand)

When the mixture is mixed fully, and starts to cool enough to form a skin on top, remove the skin with a spoon, set it aside, and pour the rest of the mixture into the mold. Pour slowly and steadily until the mold is full. Gently tap the sides to dislodge any bubbles and allow them to float to the top. Use the alchohol or Bubble Buster to break bubbles on the surface.
Let the mold sit undisturbed until the soap is hard. Such a large chunk of soap might take several hours to harden completely. To be safe wait until it has cooled off completely and then wait some more. It will be worth the wait!

Pop the loaf out of the mold, slice, and enjoy!

For more of Caroyln's recipes, check out her site at http://www.chasenfratz.com/soaprecipes/. She also has some great suggestions on fragrance blends and packaging ideas.

Source: http://www.chasenfratz.com/soaprecipes/

More Packaging Ideas from Soap Crafters

October 24th, 2008

Soapcrafters in

The Trials and Tribulations of Selling

Let’s start with bars of soap

I look at my soap as being in one of two categories: Pretty soap that I want to show off or plain bars that I want to dress UpFor my pretty bars, one of my favorite ways to package them is with shrink wrap bags. You stick the soap in a bag, seal around the edges, and then use a heat gun or blow dryer to shrink the plastic up around the soap. It gives a nice, professional finish to the soap. Then you can tie it with raffia, ribbon, twine, etc. If you’d like, you can tie something on to the ribbon that goes with the theme of the soap. You can also put a label on the plain side of the bar.

I have also shrink wrapped a bar and then put it inside a clear cello(pronounced sello) bag which I then tie with raffia or ribbon, or close with a twist tie. It might seem like overkill to do both, but I have found that when I just put it in the cello bag, the soap rubs off on the inside of the bag, and looks messy.

Soap crates are also another way of showcasing a pretty soap. Fill the crate with decorative straw, a pouf, or a pretty wash cloth. Set the soap on top, then shrink wrap it.

A bar of soap placed on a soap dish, then shrink wrapped and tied with ribbon, raffia or twine makes a nice presentation as well.

There are lots of fun ways you can dress up a plain bar of soap as well.Shrink wrapping the bar (make sure if it’s a CP soap that it is fully cured) and then tying it with ribbon works well especially when you also attach something related to the theme of the soap. For example…Sea shells for an ocean scented soap, a silk flower for a gardenia soap. Those little wooden craft buttons are fun, as well as little plastic toys or candy.

Designing your own label and printing it on card stock, is a popular way of packaging as well. Most people wrap the card stock snuggly around the soap, leaving a little room at each end, to allow for shrinkage.

Handmade paper also makes a beautiful wrapping.

Muslin bags or any other fabric bag make cute packaging.Cello bags with fun patterns or colors that fit the theme of your soap are a great, inexpensive way to go.Small little paper sacks with a label, tied at the top with raffia are way cute too!

As mentioned before, soap crates and soap dishes are a great way to jazz up a plain bar. Package them with a wash cloth that goes with the theme of the bar, and you have a wonderful look.

Washcloths and bandanas are used as packaging too.

Use your imagination. Once you start looking around, you’ll be amazed at the different things you can use to showcase your soap.

Ground Loofah

Try running your loofah through a blender or coffee grinder and adding it to salt scrubs and soap. You can also pull small pieces off the loofah for another unique effect.


Source: http://www.soapcrafters.com/node/346

Happy New Year (2009)

I am looking forward to this new year by offering new classes in lip balms, foot balms and body butters. And another one in Solid Bath and Body Products which will include bath melts, lotions sticks, and massage bars.

I am hopeful that things will be better than last year. I had a rough year like many others have and I am trying to stay positive. Each day I wake up breathing and with a pulse, it cannot be too bad.

I am looking forward to taking a packaging class at The Nova Studio and hope to take some other interesting classes to lift my spirits.

I wish everyone a prosperous new year! (Hopefully, it can't get any worse.)