Monday, August 31, 2009

Pregnant Belly Oil Recipe

If you are pregnant, try this massage oil from MotherNature.com to help prevent stretch marks. The lavender essential oil also acts as a muscle relaxant.

Ingredients

4 400-International Unit vitamin E capsules
4 ounces almond (or any light vegetable) oil
½ ounce cocoa butter (available in drugstores)
15 drops lavender essential oil

Directions

Pop open the vitamin E capsules and squirt contents into almond oil. Heat mixture in a saucepan over low heat. Add cocoa butter. After cocoa butter melts, remove mixture from heat and let cool. Add essential oil and stir to blend. Massage the oil on your belly— or get someone to do it for you—at least once a day, or as often as you like.


Sunday, August 30, 2009

Layered Container Candles

Add your own unique touch to regular container candles with fragrance and color combinations with this step by step instructions from Peak Candle Supply.

http://www.candletech.com/techniques-and-ideas/layered-container-candles/

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Plum Wild Body Scrub

    Ingredients:

    Instructions:

    Measure your ingredients into a large enough container to allow for adequate stirring. I like to use an 87 ounces bucket. After your ingredients have been weighed into bucket in the above order, mix thoroughly and transfer into desired containers.

    Notes & Comments:

    This is a more viscous salt scrub it's not as oily and drippy as the Spa-erific salt recipe. This recipe filled approximately 2-4 ounce and 1-2 ounce dome cosmetic jars. Enjoy!

    If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact me at steph@the-sage.com




Friday, August 28, 2009

Butter Bars/Lotion Bars Recipe

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)

Directions:

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.


Wednesday, August 26, 2009

How to Blend Essential Oils

Want to start blending your own blending your own essential oils, but you never knew how to get started?  Well this article on how to blend essential oils by bungalowbettie, eHow Member, will explain that you can use oils which is readily available at your grocery store to blend with your essential oils.  

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Shea and Mango Body Butter Recipe

Credit: by Jennifer Kott from the Soapmaker’s Garden.

(Makes about 10 oz.)

Ingredients:

6 oz. Refined/Unrefined Shea Butter or Mango Butter
1 ½ oz. Olive Oil
1 ½ oz. Jojoba Oil
1 oz. Babassu Oil
1 tsp. Vitamin E Oil
1-2 tsp. Coconut Fragrance oil (to your liking)

Directions:

Place Shea Butter in a microwave-safe bowl and heat just until melted. Add Olive Oil, Jojoba Oil, and Emu and heat just until mixed and translucent. Add Vitamin E Oil and blend with stick blender. Let cool for about 10 minutes, and then place in freezer for approximately 5-10 minutes. Blend again for a few minutes and place again in freezer for another 5-10 minutes. When mixture begins to thicken, blend your Fragrance Oil in and pour into clean sterilized containers.

*This recipe does NOT require preservative. This recipe will make a body butter with the consistency of tub margarine. Olive oil is used because of its ability to reduce the effects of sunburn.




Monday, August 24, 2009

Advanced CP Soap Designs in Loaf Molds Class @ The Nova Studio


Calling all cold process soapmakers! Are you tired of the same old, same old soap techniques? Would you like to put some pizazz in your soap creations? Then sign up for a new class at The Nova Studio (http://www.thenovastudio.com/) called Advanced CP Soap Designs in Loaf Molds with Ruth Esteves.

In this day long class, you will learn design techniques concentrating on the loaf mold rather than a slab mold. The techniques covered in this class are color layering (vertical and diagonal), color swirling (In the Pot and Funnel Swirls), embedding soap shapes and adding texture to the top of a bar of soap.

Originally, I started out as a Melt and Pour soapmaker, but recently have started dabbling in the cold process method by taking Lori's CP 101 Cold Process Soapmaking class in November 2007, CP 201 Layers and Swirling in January 2008 and Hot Process Soap Making (Crock Pot Method) in August 2008.

What really interested me in this class was the funnel swirls technique and the embedded soap shapes. As a melt and pour soap maker, I use alot of embedded soap shapes in my single bars and recently have started to make soap loaves. So I wanted to see how difficult this technique would be in the cold process method. Actually it was not that difficult transition there are some slight adjustments or modifications to the process. What was really great was that students got to help make some soap shapes embeds from a previously made soap brought in by Ruth.

To be honest, I really had fun assisting Ruth on the funnel swirl soap. This process was actually a two person job which I was more than happy to volunteer (I am sure with practice that someone probably can do this by themselves). When I sawthat this technique was going to be covered, I actually went online to do a search. I did find some instructions on this process, but is really nice to see it up close and personal. Out of all of the techniques I would say that the diagonal layer would probably be most difficult out of all of them. But, I would say that
someone could master it in no time.

What was really great to learn is that there is a wooden mold on the market that you can purchase that has a silicone liner. This is really great because it really saves a lot of time and patience of having to line your wooden mold with freezer paper. Also, it gives you smooth bars.

Overall, I really enjoyed the class and learned a great deal. Plus it was great to meet a variety of different soap makers in the class. The day I took the class there were only 10 student in addition to Lori being there. Which was a great number of students because everyone got to see and actually got to ask a lot of questions. The handouts were outstanding and Ruth went out of her way to send each student via email color photos of the soap in the handout. Although soap will be made in the class, you will not get to take the soap home with you that day. Ruth will cut the soap when it is ready and mail to the address you give her in class.

One of the students by the name of Lulu, who also happens to teach soap making in Southern CA, was really interesting to talk to. Since I also teach classes it was nice to compare and exchanges stories and ideas on the ride from The Nova Studio to Richmond Bart station until she had to get off at the Oakland Coliseum.


I would highly recommend this class to anyone who wants to take their CP soaps to the next level or wants to create new soaps to sell. If you are interested in this class, check out The Nova Studio's calender to see when it is offered next. Fair warning, you must have previously taken CP 101 class or the the boot camp prior to taking this class because making the soap recipe will not be covered. If you have previous CP experience but not taken the CP 101 class at The Nova Studio, I would call the studio and check with Lori prior to signing up for the class.

Properties of Rosemary Essential Oil

Rosemary Essential Oil from Wavelengths Natural Health

Botanical (Latin) Name: Rosmarinus officinalis

Extraction: steam distillation, Part of Plant: flowers

Aromatic Qualities: herbaceous, minty, woody

Possible Uses: acne, arteriosclerosis, asthma, bronchitis, candida, cellulite, circulation - poor, colds, colitis, dandruff, dermatitis, dysmenorrhea, dyspepsia, eczema, fatigue, flatulence, flu, fluid retention, gout, hair - oily, hair - promotes growth, hair loss, headache, hypotensive, infections, insect repellant, jaundice, lice, liver problems, low blood pressure, muscle pain, neuralgia, ovary problems, palpitations, rheumatism, scalp stimulator, sinusitis, stress, tachycardia, testicle problems, varicose veins, whooping cough

Safety Comments: Those with epilepsy or hypertension should not use; do not use with homeopathics; not for babies or children; do not use if pregnant or lactating.


Source: http://bathnbody.craftgossip.com/properties-of-rosemary-essential-oil/2009/04/24/

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Lemon Coconut & Other Lip Balm Recipes

This recipe will fill 8-9 lip balm tubes!

1 Tablespoon Coconut Oil
2 Tablespoons Sunflower Oil
1 Tablespoon & 1 teaspoon Wax
10 drops Lemon essential oil

Basic Lip Balm Preparation

Coarsely chop or grate your wax (vegans may use Carnauba or Candelilla Wax as an alternative to beeswax), and place in a small pot or glass Pyrex measuring cup along with the butters and carrier oils on top of a double boiler. Gently melt the ingredients together over the simmering water. Make sure the water does not boil over into your oil mixture! One to two inches of water in the bottom of your pot will work nicely.

Once your wax mixture has melted, remove from burner, and add the essential oils. The essential oils will begin to dissipate when heated, so add more as needed. When you are happy with the scent and all ingredients are well combined, immediately pour the hot mixture into lip balm containers – either tubes or tins.

If the mixture cools too rapidly when pouring, simply reheat the mixture in your double boiler. Allow the balm to cool completely (usually overnight) before placing the caps on your lip balm containers.

Below are a few fun recipes for your experimentation. Please note that these recipes are approximate and the amount and types of oils, butter, essential oils, and other ingredients that you use is completely up to you. Feel free to get creative!

Lemon Coconut Lip Balm
This recipe will fill 8-9 lip balm tubes!
1 Tablespoon Coconut Oil
2 Tablespoons Sunflower Oil
1 Tablespoon & 1 teaspoon Wax
10 drops Lemon essential oil

Peppermint Cocoa Lip Balm
1 Tablespoon Cocoa Butter
2 Tablespoons Sweet Almond Oil
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1 Tablespoon & 1 teaspoon Wax
5-10 drops Peppermint essential oil

Healing Herbal Lip Balm (Unscented)
1 Tablespoon Shea Butter
2 Tablespoon Calendula Infused Olive Oil
1 Tablespoon Jojoba Oil
1 Tablespoon & 1 teaspoon Wax
5 drops Vitamin E Oil

All-Purpose Lip Balm
This large recipe will make 6 ½ oz, enough to fill 24 ¼oz lip balm containers!
1 oz Sweet Almond or Apricot Kernel Oil
1 oz Sunflower Oil
1 oz Avocado or Olive Oil
1 oz Shea Butter
1 oz Cocoa Butter
1 ½ oz Wax
30-40 drops essential oil

Essential Oil Ideas -

Cinnamon: Spicy, warming. Use sparingly, as the oil is very strong.
Clove: Spicy, warming. Use sparingly, as the oil is very strong.
Ginger: Warm, spicy, and exotic. Great for winter blends. Use sparingly, as the oil is very strong.
Grapefruit: Fresh, uplifting, light citrus scent.
Lemon: Fresh, uplifting, citrus scent.
Lime: Fresh, uplifting, citrus scent.
Peppermint: Cooling, refreshing, and invigorating. Use sparingly, as the oil is very strong.
Spearmint: Cooling, refreshing, and invigorating. Use sparingly, as the oil is very strong.
Sweet Orange: Refreshing, uplifting, sweet, citrus scent. Blends well with many oils. ....

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Rocky Road Soap Recipe

IF you like Rocky Road Ice Cream or the candy bar from Annabels, then this is the cold process soap recipe for your. This is a double batch recipe from Mission Peak Soap in Fremont, CA.

http://www.missionpeaksoap.com/rocky_road_double_batch.htm

Friday, August 21, 2009

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Crystal Rock Potpourri

Ingredients:

Bath Crystals
2 cups of rock salt
Glycerin
Food coloring (or liquid soap colorant)
Essential oil of your choice

Directions:

You can make your own bath crystals with rock salt crystals, glycerin, essential oils and food coloring (or liquid soap dye is blogger's preference). Prepare your work area with newspapers. Measure out 1/2 cup of the salt in to four different glass jars. Choose a color for each jar of bath crystals, keeping in mind the essential oil you will use to scent it with. Measure out 6 drops of glycerin into a bowl. Add one or two drops of the chosen food color into the glycerin. Stir the coloring evenly into the glycerin using craft stick or metal spoon. Quickly stir the mixture into the salt of one of the containers. Mix until the color is even, or leave it partially mixed for a more textured result. Continue this procedure with each jar.

To scent your salts you will need essential oils such as lime (enlivening), peppermint (exhilarating), lemon (refreshing), cinnamon (stimulating), tangerine (calming), lavender (relaxing), patchouli (peacemaking), rosemary (awakening), rose geranium (renewing), etc. You can get these at candle shops or craft stores. The words in the parentheses are the aromatherapy benefits derived from each scent. Choose a fragrance to complement the color of the salt you have already tinted. Add 20 to 25 drops of an essential oil for each cup of colored salt crystals, using a separate dropper for each scent. Mix with a metal spoon to blend thoroughly. Pour the bath crystals into a decorative jar, put on the lid and label. To use, add two tablespoons or more to a warm tub of bath water. Relax and enjoy.

A Note of Caution: Be very careful when using essential oils. They are strong enough to dissolve or mar plastic and wood finishes. Undiluted oils can actually burn the sensitive skin of your lips and tongue. They are also strong enough to burn your eyes. If you get full-strength oils on your fingers, wash your hands immediately with soap and warm water. Be sure not to rub your eyes with oily fingers. If you do get oil in your eyes flush them with clear water and call a doctor.


Wednesday, August 19, 2009

New Soapmaking Tools From Wholesale Supplies Plus

I just received my newsletter from Wholesale Supplies Plus (http://www.wholesalesuppliesplus.com) announcing that they have added some tools

First they have a professional digital scale for $49.95 which can be used for all your bath and body products making from soap making to lotion making. For a complete description visit the following link - http://www.wholesalesuppliesplus.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=7862.

They are also adding four (4) different infrared thermometers ranging from $48.00 to $106.00. If you would like to see a complete description of each thermometer, please visit the following link - http://blog.wholesalesuppliesplus.com/2009/07/new-soap-candle-making-tools.html.

Tropical Dream Bubble Bath

Ingredients

3 drops rose fragrant or essential oil
2 drop jasmine fragrant or essential oil
1 ounce glycerin1 ounce coconut oil
1 bar castille soap (grated)
1 quart water

Directions

Mix all ingredients together. Store in a container. Pour in running water.


Source: http://www.idea-queen.com/bubble-bath-recipes.html

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Lecithin Powder Profile

Botanical Name- Derived from Soy Beans (Glycine max) Origin- USA Extraction- De-gummed Soybean oil / Centrifuge Shelf life- 2-3 yearsNotes- Stores well under any condition but extreme heat and light may cause discoloration. The line of lecithin offered by Mountain Rose Herbs is suitable for both food and cosmetic purposes. This particular Lecithin has not been tested for GMO's and at this time we are unable to declare it as "GMO Free".


Specifications Color- Yellow
Odor- FlatSize- US #20 Mesh
Acetone insoluble- 97%
Soybean oil- <2%>

A Brief Introduction

Lecithin powder is a wonderful ingredient to add to your culinary and body care recipes. It contains many beneficial properties, and is used as an emulsifier, thickener, stabilizer, mild preservative, moisturizer, and emollient. Lecithin can be utilized in almost any recipe, and is commonly found in both food and cosmetic products. Cosmetically, it may be added to moisturizers, makeup, shampoos, conditioners, body washes, lip balms, and many other products. It is a great alternative to other emulsifying and stabilizing agents, some of which are derived from petrochemical sources. For food use, lecithin is often found in chocolate, baked goods, salad dressing, and many other prepared foods. The lecithin powder sold by Mountain Rose Herbs is derived from soybeans, making it a much safer ingredient to use for our bodies.

Cosmetic Use

Lecithin powder is an emollient, which is a softening and soothing agent. In addition, it has magnificent moisturizing properties, and helps to hydrate the skin. The phospholipids naturally present in lecithin are able to attract water from the air, and in doing so, increase hydration. This makes it an excellent additive for restorative creams, or for products designed for mature, dry, or overworked skin. It also has the unique ability to deeply penetrate the skin, and carry substances directly to the cells and the bloodstream. Because of this, it may assist the body in absorbing other properties as well. If a product is created with natural and healing ingredients, then the addition of lecithin would actually bring those beneficial properties to the cellular level. Lecithin also has emulsifying, stabilizing, thickening, and suspending qualities. With these amazing and varied capabilities, the addition of lecithin could assist in the therapeutic and medicinal properties of your body care products.

Lecithin powder may be easily added to your products by first dissolving it into the oil portion of your recipe. To do this, heat the mixture while stirring, until the granules have been fully dissolved. The amount of lecithin used depends upon the recipe type and size, and on the product thickness desired. However, a general rule is 1/2-1 Tablespoon for a 19 oz batch of cream. We recommend experimenting with the amount in small batches.

Culinary Use

Made from soybeans, our lecithin is a healthful and invaluable culinary ingredient. Lecithin is utilized throughout the food industry as an emulsifier, thickener, stabilizer, moisturizer, and mild preservative. It is often present in vegan or low fat cooking as an alternative to fat in baked goods, and improves moisture and texture at the same time. It may be added to a variety of baked items including breads, cakes, casseroles, and cookie dough as an anti-caking, pan release, and moisturizing agent. Bakers also employ lecithin for its ability to help dough rise, create uniformity and suspension in the batter, and to lessen the dough’s tendency to be sticky while kneading. In addition, lecithin is commonly used for its emulsifying properties in mayonnaise, margarine, shortening, salad dressing, and other water-oil combinations. For the same suspending and emulsifying properties, it is added to various sauces, gravies, soups, nut butters, and gravies. Lecithin is an important ingredient in chocolate, caramels, confectionary coatings for spattering control, to prevent crystallization, and as an emulsifier. In addition, lecithin is a wetting, dispersing, and emulsifying tool for powdered products, such as cake mixes, cocoa powder, and instant powder mixes.

Medicinal Applications

Lecithin is a naturally occurring phospholipid, and is an excellent source of choline. Lecithin physically is made in our liver, and is necessary for every cell in our bodies. Without choline, the membranes of our cells would harden, which would prevent nutrients from entering and leaving the cell. Lecithin also helps cholesterol deposits from forming in our blood vessels, and is involved in the process of moving cholesterol through our bodies. Soy lecithin chemically binds with cholesterol, and in this manner reduces the amount of cholesterol in the bloodstreams, and may lower cholesterol levels. It also assists with the neurotransmitters crucial for memory, muscle control, and brain function. Research suggests that lecithin may be helpful for repairing liver damage, and protecting against liver damage. In addition, lecithin may assist with the following:

● Improves memory and cognitive functions
● Menopause and post-menopausal conditions – (contains estrogen like compounds)
● Poor nutrition and anemia
● Diabetes
● Neurologic disorders
● Cardiovascular health
● Improves energy and physical performance
● Assists with the absorption of Vitamins A, D, E, and K
● Psoriasis
● Gallstones
● Eases digestion
● Promotes overall health and physical performance

Because of its many health and cosmetic benefits, lecithin is truly an amazing ingredient. Lecithin may be easily added to your culinary or cosmetic recipes. We recommend that you try this wonderful product yourself, as it may prove to be a key ingredient for your overall health and well-being.

Precautions:

Although no drug interactions have been found, we recommend speaking with your healthcare practitioner before incorporating lecithin into your diet.


Lecithin may cause mild gastrointestinal upset, loose stools, or diarrhea.

This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.



Source: http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/newsletter/lecithin_powder.php

Monday, August 17, 2009

Cookie Cutter Candles

I found this project in Rosie O'Donnell's new book, Crafty U. So if you are looking for a new craft or something new to decorate your bathroom with, then here are the instructions:

Materials:

Cookie Cutters
Sheets of colored beeswax
Pillar candles of various sizes
Tacky Craft Glue
Sewing Pins or Map Pins (with balls at the ends)

Directions:

(1) Using cookie cutters, cut shapes of different colored beeswax from the sheets of beeswax.

(2) Apply shapes to candle using tacky glue. Secure shape with pins.

(3) Check for any drips during drying time.

(4) When completely dry, pull out pins.

Blogger Note: I tried this project. And I found that you need to use plenty of glue for the beeswax shapes to adhere of they will come off easily. I used Elmer's glue and I would recommend finding something that would be more tacky and that would not cause potential danger when burning the candle.

Source: Crafty U by Rosie O'Donnell. Page . Simon and Schuster. New York, New York. 2008.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Martha Stewart: Savon de Marseille


In France, savon de Marseille has been used for generations to clean everything from linens to babies' skin. The soap got its name because the city of Marseille, on the southern coast of France, was one of the most important soap-making centers of the Mediterranean. Authentic savon de Marseille is 72 percent olive oil plus coconut and palm oils. It is long lasting, completely biodegradable, and has never been tested on animals. A 600-gram bar of savon de Marseille can last up to six months when used as a bath soap.

The addition of French green clay -- a natural clay hidden deep beneath the earth's surface -- helps absorb the oils and gives the soap a slick, soft feel. The clay will also create the sage color found on a lot of the traditional savons de Marseille. It's said to have the ability to draw toxins from the skin while the body absorbs the minerals it needs to aid healing and restore vitality, which is why it is one of the most popular bases for facial masks.

Genuine savon de Marseille is unscented, but if you make your own, you can add scents of the Mediterranean region, such as lavender, rosemary, honey, or almond. Wrapped in unbleached parchment paper and tied with waxed twine, our version of this classic soap is great to give as gifts and to use for houseguests -- but don't forget to keep a stash for yourself.

Tools and Materials

Double boiler
Olive oil-based soap
Essential oils
French green clay
Milk carton or mold
Knife
1 tablespoon fine sea salt
1 cup warm water

Savon de Marseille How-To

1. In a double boiler, completely melt a block of olive oil-based soap, but don't let it boil. Meanwhile, add about a teaspoon of French green clay per pound of soap.

2. Once the soap is melted, add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon essential oil per pound of soap base.

3. Pour the melted soap mixture into a mold, filling it to about 1 1/2 inches from the top. Allow the soap to sit until it is cool and hard, at least 2 hours.

4. Once it's hard, use a knife to slice the soap into 1 1/2-inch bars.

5. Combine about 1 tablespoon fine sea salt and 1 cup warm water. Wash the soap bars in this salt-water solution. Let soap dry completely, then rinse it in plain warm water.

Resources
Olive oil-based soap, French green clay, and essential oils can be purchase at Majestic Mountain Sage.
918 West 700 North, Suite 104
Logan, UT 84321
Phone: 435-755-0863
Fax: 435-755-2108

Special Thanks
Special thanks to Curtis Cord, president of FrenchSoaps Ltd., for sharing information about savon de Marseille.
FrenchSoaps Ltd.
Box 3639
Newport, RI 02840
Phone: 888-511-7900
Fax: 401-845-0050


Source: http://www.marthastewart.com/


Saturday, August 15, 2009

How to Use Essential Oils

Are you wondering how much essential oils (EO) you need to use for your foot baths or scented room spray recipes?  The eHow Fashion, Style & Personal Care Editor, has compiled information in this article to help you achieve the results you are looking for.  The author of this article makes a good suggestion that less is more.  And that sounds like very wise suggestion.

How to Use Essential Oils

Friday, August 14, 2009

Cupcake Soaps Tutorial by Patrice Harrison of Soap Seduction

I found this cute cupcake soap tutorial from a blog titled "The Soap Bar" (http://thesoapbar.blogspot.com). This project would be a great favor to give out at a bridal or baby shower or at a birthday party. For full color photos check out the actual page for this tutorial (http://thesoapbar.blogspot.com/2009/07/its-soap-seduction-soap-cupcake-tuorial.html)

The original recipe calls for 1 pound of whipped soap base and about 18 oz oz. of melt and pour soap. Once you combine and whip the melt and pour and whipped soap base, it really doubles in size, so we’re going to pare this down a bit. This recipe should yield enough frosting for at least 2 cupcakes, if not more, depending on the size of them. Let’s get started!Here’s what you’ll need to make your cupcake soap(s):

• Cupcake mold or silicone baking cups. Basically you want a “base” on which you can decorate with your soap frosting

• Electric hand mixer

• Mixing bowl that you’ll use for soap making only (plastic, glass, metal-I’ve used them all)

• Wooden spoon or whisk

• Cake decorator with various decorating tips (I bought mine at Wal-Mart for about $10.00)

• Cupcake or muffin silicone soap mold (I use a cupcake mold because I like the realistic appearance once I “frost “ it.)

• 2 TSP of fragrance (cupcake fragrances are ideal but whatever fragrance tickles your fancy)

• Non-bleeding soap dye (micas or oxides work best IMO)

• 8 oz of whipped soap base (I like Wholesale Supplies Plus or Brambleberry)

• 8 oz of white melt and pour soap base (I’m a fan of WSP natural soap base and SFIC Corp)

• Alcohol in a spritzing container• Pipette or measuring spoons• Glass measuring cup (at least a 2 cup capacity)

• Microwave oven

• Stearic acid - I use 1 tbsp per 8 oz.(optional)• Vanilla stabilizer - For the stabilizer, I personally mix equal amounts with my FO, so in this case, it would be 2 tsp. (optional to use with your soap cupcake, not the actual frosting itself)

• Soap glitter or candy sprinkles (optional)Step One:Before we even begin to make our frosting, you’ll need to make your “cupcake”. For my cupcake soaps, I’m using an actual cupcake soap from a mold that I got years ago on Ebay. You can use a silicone cupcake or muffin mold to create your base.

Step Two:

• Add your whipped soap base to your mixing bowl.

Step Three:

• Melt your M&P soap in short bursts in the microwave. There’s nothing worse than burnt soap so go easy on the micro zapping! You also don’t want the soap piping hot because it will liquefy your whipped soap base. If that happens, you should wait until it cools and begins to solidify. Otherwise, the soap won’t be “whippable”.

• If you’re using stearic acid (it’s a hardener used in M&P soaps to raise the melt point), add it to the soap base now. Stir well until all the stearic acid is completely dissolved.

• At this point you’re ready to add your FO and vanilla stabilizer if you’re using a scent that contains vanilla.• Now that the M&P soap is melted and cooled, add it to the whipped soap .

• Now let’s make this baby come to life!

Step Four:

• If you’re coloring your frosting, you can add it to your soap mixture now.

• Slowly mix the ingredients with your mixer on the lowest speed until everything is incorporated. Gradually increase the speed until the soap mixture begins to form the texture of cake frosting.

• Don’t over-whip the soap because it can deflate. You want it to be the consistency of Cool Whip. Once you achieve this, STOP WHIPPING THE SOAP or you’ll risk it deflating!

Step Five:

• Now that your soap is whipped, colored, and scented, you’re ready to add it to your cake decorator.

• Spoon the mixture in your decorator until it’s almost full. Choose any tip that you like. For this project, I’m using the “star” tip because I’m going to do the continuous swirl effect.

• I suggest before you use the decorator, that you may want to do a couple of practice runs if you’ve never used one before. I was initially a little intimidated, but after a few tries, I was a pro!

• Now that your decorator is filled, and you’re ready to decorate your cupcake, you’ll want to spritz the top of your cupcake with alcohol. This will aid in adhesion.

Step Six:

• This is the step where you are free to express your creativity! Decorate the top of your cupcake anyway that you please. Add your sprinkles or glitter at this point.

• Once your cupcake is finished, you’ll want to set it aside to let it harden. I let mine “cure” for at least 3 days until the frosting is nice and firm. The stearic acid really comes in handy here.When your cupcake is ready, package it in a cute cupcake box or a clear cello bag and top with a ribbon. The choices are endless. Here are a few examples of how I decorate my cupcakes.

Before you even ask if the leftover frosting is reusable, I don’t know because I’ve never had a lot of it to find out. I have used what little I did have left to make little meringue soap cookies, and decorated the tops of soaps, and they were really cute!I encourage you to play with whipped soap if you’ve never tried it. You’d be surprised at what you can create with it!



Thursday, August 13, 2009

Homemade Fragrant Bath Tablets

Drop two of these homemade fragrant bath tablets in the tub and enjoy the wonderful fragrance as it engulfs your senses! These are very easy to make, and smell great!

Ingredients

1 Cup Baking Soda
1 Cup Citric Acid
1 Cup Corn Starch
1 Tablespoon Of Your Favorite Essential Oil
3 Tablespoons of grated cocoa butter
Spray bottle of water or witch hazel

Mix the baking soda, citric acid and conrstarch together well. Slowly mix in your cocoa butter and essential oil.

Spray the mixture with light mists of water or witch hazel until it's damp BUT NOT WET. You want the mixture just damp enough to hold together and no more. Press the mixture into your cookie cutters, let dry, unmold and enjoy!

If you notice the mixture foaming out of the molds, press a flat plate over the molds then weigh down with several books to keep the misture nice and flat.

To package into homemade bath gifts, cut a circle of fabric large enough to hold 4 tablets, draw up around the bath tablets and tie closed with a pretty ribbon.InstructionsPlace attractive cookie cutters on a sheet of waxed paper. These will be your molds, hearts shapes are great!

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Herb Garden Bath Sachet

This bath sachet full of herbs makes a great gift for friends that are on the go. The blend of herbs in this recipe provides a bath that’s relaxing enough for calm thinking yet not enough to make one want to snooze.

Ingredients

1/2 Cup Thyme
1/2 Cup Peppermint
1/8 Cup Sage
1 Cup Ground Oats

Instructions

Mix all ingredients well. Place 3 tablespoons in a 3” by 4” muslin bag close. Hang the bath sachet from your faucet and let warm water flow over it as you are filling your bath.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Apple Tart Soap

Ingredients:

4oz. Clear, Unscented Glycerine Soap
1 Tablespoon Liquid Soap
1 teaspoon Liquid Glycerine
1/2 teaspoon Apple Fragrance Oil
2 Drops Red Food Color
1/2 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

Directions:

Melt soap in small pan over low heat or in a glass cup in the microwave.

Add Liquid Soap and glycerine and stir gently but well.

Add fragrance, color and cinnamon. Stir and let stand a couple minutes,

just enough to start to thicken so when you stir again the cinnamon will be more evenly distributed.

Pour into molds.

Allow to set completely (in or out of freezer).

Wrap in plastic wrap or use cellophane candy bags.

Source: http://www.blogcatalog.com/search.frame.php?term=melt+and+pour+soap&id=9a92703054e9712a44797b5f7d760f44


Use Sodium Lactate to make a hard bar of soap

Sodium lactate while not being one of those ingredients that is absolutely necessary to make a good bar of soap is one ingredient that once you start using it, you will agree that not only is the soap easier to manage and cut ,but that it also contributes to extending the life of the soap once it hits the shower.

Sodium lactate is the sodium salt of lactic acid. It is a humectant that is frequently used as a substitute for glycerin in lotions and creams, because not only is it a great humectant like glycerin but it has none of the stickiness associated with it. Sodium lactate is used in cold process as well as hot processed soap making to make a hard bar of soap. The difference between soap made with sodium lactate and those made without it is quite significant, especially at higher percentages. Sodium lactate is a clear liquid with very little odor that is soluble in water. Add it to the water mixture before adding the lye. When added to cold process soaps the curing time remains the same however, the soap becomes harder faster and thus is ready to be cut much sooner. This is of great advantage if one does not have the time to wait for the soap to get hard to unmold. My experience is that soap made with sodium lactate is easier to cut, crumbles less and lasts longer in use because of the hardness imparted by this wonderful additive. Add sodium lactate at amounts of 1-3%.

Below is a recipe for olive oil soap with 2% sodium lactate and no fragrance. This is a nice basic recipe for olive oil soap to which may be added superfatting oils and fragrance/essential oil.

Plain Jane Olive Oil Soap - makes 2 pounds

8 oz. coconut oil
24 oz. olive oil
4.44 oz. lye
0.64 oz. sodium lactate
12 oz. water or other liquid

Follow recipe for basic cold process or hot process soap, adding sodium lactate to water before adding lye.

Sources for Sodium Lactate:

Camden Grey sells everything needed for soap making. Customer service is wonderful and they ship orders out promptly.

The Sage has one of the best lye calculators out there. They have many of the supplies needed to make soaps and lotions and once I have decided to make a certain kind of soap, I always use their lye calculator to make sure my numbers are okay.

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

Monday, August 10, 2009

Rebatch soap - Plastic Baggie Technique

Rebatching Soap - What is it and why would I do it? - Rebatching is another form of cold process soapmaking. You can either make cold process soap from scratch or buy a premade base, grate it up, place it over a heat source, either in a double boiler or in a freezer baggie as shown below, with a little liquid (water, beer, milk, teas all work well). This mixture "melts" down into a mushy mess that you add colorant and fragrance too. The reason people normally rebatch is to preserve the delicate scent or the healing properties of some essential oils.

Rebatching Soap (make it yourself or buy a premade base)
Fragrance or Essential Oil Mold (the less detail, the better)
Optional: Herbs
Colorant (liquid works best)
Freezer Bags (must must must be heat safe)
Grater
Large Bowl
Spoon

Step One: Grate the soap. I've tried a variety of things (food processor, meat grinder, deli meat slicer) and all of the cutters have gummed up on me and not worked after a few ounces worth of soap grinding. If you have any great tips, please post them here and save us some time and arm soreage.

Step Two: Bring a large pot of water to boil. Fill a freezer bag (heat safe) with the grated soap and approximately 1/2 to 1 ounce of liquid. Submerge the freezer bag of soap in the boiling water. Be sure to use a large enough pot that the freezer baggie will not be squished up against the side of the pot. You don't want to accidentally melt the plastic baggie.

Step Three: Once the soap has boiled in the large pan for approximately 20 minutes, the soap should be gelatinous and gloppy, sort of like mashed potatoes or thick soupy oatmeal. It will never "melt" and become water like.

Step Four: Using heat safe gloves (that soap is hot! wear gloves!), pull the soap out of the water. Knead it around to make sure the liquid is fully mixed into the soapy gloppy glory. Is it too thick? Add another 1 Tablespoon of liquid if needed and knead this into the soap. The key is to not use very much liquid. The more liquid you add to this process, the thinner the soap gets (true) but the longer it will take to dry and harden.

Step Five: The photo above shows the soap midway through the softening process. It's not perfect yet. Put that soap back into the boiling water.

Step Six: The photo above is perfect texture. It looks like thick Vaseline. It is now ready for the color and fragrance.

Step Seven: Add fragrance and color. Liquid color is ideal (mixing pigments into the gloppy soap is difficult). I use approximately .5 ounces of fragrance or essential oil per pound of soap. The colorant usage varies based on the color but start sparingly. You can always put more color in but taking it out is difficult. If the soap starts to harden up at any point because it is cooling, reseal the bag and toss it all back into the hot water. Make sure you wear heat safe gloves through this entire process. The soap is hot.

Step Eight: You can either spoon the soap into the molds or pour/push/squeeze the soap out of the baggie. Unless you are an experienced rebatch soaper, I would not recommend cutting off a corner of the bag to squeeze the soap out like frosting. It's tempting but if the soap starts to cool too quickly, the open hole will not allow you to remelt the soap in the boiling water.

Step Nine: Take the mold you are using, close your eyes and give it a good wack on the counter to settle the soap and get all the air bubbles to the surface of the bar. When the soap starts to cool, feel free to use your hands and fingers to smooth out any bumps on the surface.Wait for 2 to 7 days before popping the soap out. The key is to wait for all the liquid to evaporate. Yes, you can become impatient and freeze the soap but make sure the soap is entirely frozen (overnight at least) before trying to pop the soap out and remember that plastic is more brittle after it is frozen so be gentle on your molds.Check back in the next few days for a tutorial on how to do rebatching soap via the double boiler method. This is my favorite way to do rebatch and you can do larger batches with the double boiler method.



Sunday, August 9, 2009

Desert Mist Hydrating Spray Recipe

From Snowdrift Farm

Desert Mist Hydrating Spray (aka Arizona AC in a bottle)

Ingredients:

1/2 teaspoon polysorbate 20
4 oz. distilled water + 1/4 teaspoon freeze dried aloe vera
15 drops Phenonip
1 drop peppermint essential oil
2 drops lavender or lavandin essential oil
1 drop Roman chamomile essential oil

Directions:

(1) Mix together water, Phenonip and polysorbate 20. Add the EO’s and agitate to emulsion.

(2) Dispense into spray bottles.

Source: http://bathnbody.craftgossip.com/desert-mist-hydrating-spray-recipe/2009/07/13/

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Making Soap with Water Soluble Paper

While I was searching You Tube for something and interesting in the melt and poursoap making world, I found this episode from Soap Queen TV (Anna Marie from Brambleberry, Otion and Soap Queen fame).

I thought this technique was unique that I wanted to share because I never heard of water soluble paper for soapmaking before. If you have tried this technique before let me know how it turned out. And if you haven't, then you will find this quite interesting.



Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQQ34xtF3gU&feature=related

Friday, August 7, 2009

More E-Course Handouts from The Nova Studio

I just got a twitter message from Lori Nova of The Nova Studio (www.thenovastudio.com). She is now offering alot of her course handouts that can be puchased directly from her. This is really great news for anyone who lives too far away to take any of her courses. This is really a great opportunity who wants to learn how to make bath and body products, but cannot make it to her classes.

If you are interested, here is the link directly to her store - http://store.thenovastudio.com/

Colors with Confidence E-Class from The Nova Studio

Has reached its goal of 50 to give the special price of $19.50 and it is now back up to its regular price of $39.00. I have my copy and I am very happy, If you missed her presentation at the Soapmaker's Guild Conference in Palm Springs or cannot make her class on August 28, 2009, you can still get your very own copy.

http://www.thenovastudio.com/description_lori_colorwithconfidence_eclass.html

Solid Sugar Scrub Bars from Craft Bits

Makes 1 solid sugar scrub bar

Materials:

1/3 cup of sugar
Optional Food Coloring
1/2 tsp of Coconut oil
10 drops of fragrant or essential oil

Instructions:

Sugar scrubs are great for exfoliating dead skin cells and stimulating blood flow.

Mix all the ingredients together and then press into a lightly oiled mold.

Allow it to dry for 24-48 hours.

To Use:

Take the sugar bar and rub it onto wet skin. Placing the bar in water or under a shower will cause the sugar to dizzolve and the bar to turn to mush. If you want to use it in the shower make smaller one time use bars or try our peppermint candy project.

Source: http://www.craftbits.com/viewProject.do?projectID=1484

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Craft Blogs – Blogs Can Set Your Shop Scene

In the article, "Craft Blogs – Blogs Can Set Your Shop Scene", the Etsy seller behind Etsy’s Haptree shop and informative blog recently shared her ideas about handmade craft sellers starting blogs for their marketing efforts online.

If you are a crafter and you have a blog that is just not going anywhere, then you should read this article. It is very interesting and gives you a inside look at blogging as a marketing tactic for one to sell their crafts.

http://etsymarketing.org/etsy-blogs-how-to-blog-for-handmade-shop/

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Preparation of Perfumes

A perfume is one of the essential parts to surround ones self with a charming grace. A perfume really happens to be a true treat to ones mind and soul. A nice perfume can always wash away all stress and tiredness providing everlasting peace. There are various kinds of perfumes available in the market and if one is really looking for the fascinating one then it is very difficult to find it in the first go. One is required to spend lots of time and energy in selecting the right one.

One also requires shelling out a hefty sum of money to get a bewitching perfume. Here are some recipes for preparation of perfumes by putting one’s own effort. The preparation of perfumes will really be a fascinating task to do. It will also be a great achievement to make people enchanted by using these home made perfumes.

These are some very easy preparation of perfumes and the ingredients required to prepare them are also easily available.

Preparation of spicy perfume (150ml)

Ingredients: 115 ml rubbing alcohol, 4 tbs of whole cloves, 1 tsp Orris root

Preparation: The alcohol and the cloves are needed to be put in a jar and the orris root should be put in it. The jar should be closed and shaken for some time and then kept for 2 days so that the ingredients must settle down, although occasionally the jar should be stirred. After 2 days the mixture must be strained and put in a clean jar. This will result in a nice perfume to applied behind the ears and the wrist.

Basic Flower blossom Perfume

Ingredients: 2 cups of water, 1 cup chopped flower

Preparation: Put a cheese cloth in the bowl with the edges of the cloth hanging out of the bowl. A flower of choice and two cups of water should be put in it and kept overnight. In the morning the components should be pulled out along with the cheesecloth and squeeze the water which will bear a nice smell in the bowl. Simmer the liquid and after cooling it store it in a clean container. It is better to use highly fragrant flowers for this purpose and it lasts for about 1 month.

Perfume containing essential oil

Ingredients: 3 tbs of ethyl alcohol, 5 drops of sandalwood oil, two cups distilled water, ten drops of cassis essential oil and ten drop of bergamot fragrance oil,.

Preparation: All the ingredients must be put in a bottle and shake well and then kept for 12 – 14 hours. After that it will be ready for use. Whenever it needs to be used it should have a good shake.

Floral Perfume

Ingredients: 2 tbsp. jojoba oil, 3 drops bergamot oil, 8 drops jasmine oil, 2 drops neroli oil, 8 drops ylang-ylang oil, 12 drops geranium oil, 8 drops ylang-ylang oil, 4 drops patchouli oil.

Preparation: The jojoba oil needs to be put in a glass container. The essential oil must be put drop by drop. The Geranium oil enhances the essence factor, the patchouli essence should be put very cautiously as it can spoil the scent altogether if won’t be put in a proper proportion. The mixture should be mixed thoroughly.

Try preparing this easy perfumes and you will be proud of your achievement.

Source:
http://www.beautytipshub.com/preparation/perfumes.html




Monday, August 3, 2009

Properties of Olive Butter

Olive Butter properties from Oils by Nature

Olive Butter (Olea Europa)

Olea meaning olive. Olea is the latin name for this most long lived economically important fruit. Europa meaning European.

Grown specifically in the Mediterranean region and obtained from the selected fruit, the natural oil contains essential fatty acids.

Cold pressed from selected fruits, this butter has excellent emollient and antioxidant properties making it a natural moisturizer.

For those people who have found they have a sensitivity to shea butter, olive butter is a good substitute as this butter exhibits many of the same characteristics. Containing natural essential fatty acids and unsaponifiables this butter is an essential ingredient for anti-aging products.

Due to its spreadability properties, this butter makes a wonderful massage butter. This butter is off white in color and has a softness rating of 5.

Common Uses of Olive Butter

* Lip balm
* Massage butter
* Lotions and creams
* Anti-aging products

Benefits of Olive Butter

* Antioxidant properties
* Contains natural fatty acids
* Excellent spreadability
* Moisturizing

OLIVE BUTTER TECHNICAL DATA SHEET
TRADE NAME: OBN 038
CHEMICAL NAME: OLIVE BUTTER
INCI NAME: OLEA EUROPACAS 
NUMBER: N/A

For full properties, visit here

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Labelling Your Soaps for Resale

If you are interested in selling your soaps and you want to know how to label your creations, here is an informative article from Denise's Yadda Yadda Blog:









Saturday, August 1, 2009

Strawberry Salt Scrub Recipe

Cleanse your feet with equal parts fresh lemon juice & water.

Have this homemade scrub recipe ready to use:

Ingredients:

5 or 6 very ripe strawberries
1 tbs oil (olive, sunflower, canola-whatever you have on hand)
1-2 tbs salt
1 tsp honey
squirt fresh lime or lemon juice

Directions:

Mash the strawberries in a bowl, add the other ingredients to make a paste. Adjust the ingredients to create your desired scrub consistency. Massage into feet, rinse well.

Tips:

*Omit honey for a vegan friendly recipe.

*Substitute sugar for the salt if you prefer a sugar scrub.


Source: http://www.ladiesblend.com/index.php/recipes/Strawberry_Salt_Scrub