How to Make Your Mojito Soap

Love to drink Mojitos? Then why not make this bar of soap! Even if you do not drink mojitos, you will love the scent of lime and mint together. This easy melt and pour project from The Soap Queen appears on her blog Soap and the Finer Things.

This is the first melt and pour Mojito Soap Project I have seen. Most of the recipes have been for cold process soap. If you need any of the supplies can be purchased through Brambleberry.

Rose & Mimosa Solid Perfume

Are you looking for a new perfume to wear? I found this Rose & Mimosa Solid Perfume recipe from The Natural Beauty Workshop.

This all natural, vegan, perfume is made from only three ingredients: Mimosa Floral Wax, Clear Jojoba, and Organic Rose Damnascena CO2 Extract. This is a pretty luxurious recipe, as it is made with mostly precious ingredients. You can create a more economic version of this recipe by swapping the CO2 out for something less expensive.

Hologram Ice Soaps

Here is a really "cool" winter soap to create for the Christmas and/or the winter season. This melt and pour Hologram Ice Soaps project from The Soap Barn is really easy to make and would keep the kids busy during winter break from school.

Vanilla Scrub Recipe

When teaching my classes, I find that vanilla is one of the most favorite scents of my students next to lavendar. If is your favorite fragrance and you would like to incorporate it into your scrub recipe, here is a Vanilla Scrub recipe from Craftbits that you may want to try. But if you do not prefer to scent your body scrubs with vanilla, I am sure that it would be no problem to select some other fragrance to make your product more pleasing.

Secret Message Soap Tutorial

You have heard of fortune cookies, right? Why not take that concept and create these secret message soaps? You can create these soaps to give a secret message to your secret admirer for Valentine's Day or any special occassion. Wouldn't it be cute to give these out as favors if you are making Chinese food?

To make your own secret message soaps you will need the following supplies: Clear Melt and Pour soap base, Soap Mold, Microwave safe container, Saran Wrap [plastic cling wrap], Spritzer bottle filled w/ rubbing alcohol, Colorant, Fragrance oil, and Lip Butter Pot. Are you wondering what the lip butter pot is for? It is to put your message or money in.

Cheery Holiday (Advanced) CP Soap

Here is a really cool advanced cold process soap recipe from Anne-Marie. The name of this bar of soap is Cranberry Inclusion and it is a really cheery holiday soap to make and give as gifts for the holidays.

Learn to Make Felted Soap

I never tried making felted soap before but I remember seeing it demonstrated before on one of the craft shows. I think it is rather an unique idea because it actually could be used as an exfoliator while you are showering. Has anyone ever used a felted bar a soap before? I would like to know what it feels like.

If you are interested in learning how to make felted soap, here are instructions which appears on the blog The Little Traveler's.

If you do not have any yarn to spare, you may want to ask any of your friends who do knit if they have any unwanted yarn for you to use.

Body Butter Recipes

Love to make your own body butters and looking for a new recipe? Well you may want to check out this article on Body Butter Recipes ,which appears on the blog Skincare Naturals. There are 4 different recipes for you to try. And the names of the recipes are quite unique: Bronze Goddess Body Butter, Splendor in the Grass Body Butter, Golden Goddess Body Butter, and Pure Goddess Body Butter. Also included in this article is information on Body Butter Recipe Ingredients and a link to an article on ehow on why you should make your own body butters. So if you are really interested in learning more about body butters and more recipes, then I would highly recommend checking out the information out. Have fun!

Button Lip Balm from the Katie Brown Workshop

I recently caught Episode 2 of Season 5 of the Katie Brown Workshop on KCSM (Channel 17 on Comcast and Channel 60 regular broadcast) where she is demonstrated how to make this Button Lip Balm Project. I think is would be a really cute idea to give out as favors for a bridal or baby shower or for any other get together you may be having. This may also be a cute idea for teenager's slumber party. The possibilities are endless.

I thought it was very create how she decorated the top of the lip balm pot with the buttons. Now I have a good reason to use put some buttons I purchased at Michaels long ago.

Although in her recipe she suggests using 2 drops of essential oils. In her demonstration on her show she used Jasmine. Now I love the smell of Jasmine, but I am not sure I would want to have it in my lip balm. I thought she would use a more "edible" flavor of essential oil such as vanilla, or use a candy flavoring to "flavor" her lip balm. I really did not see the essential oil bottles up closely but from afar I do not think they may have been a true essential oil. The bottles were about 1-2 oz and from what I know Jasmine is a very expensive essential oil. I suspect that she is using is not.

Also, I noticed with her instructions that step #1 says melt the beeswax using hot water. This could be miss leading if someone never made lip balm before. You want to use a bain marie or double boiler and melt the beeswax over boilding water, not melt the beeswax in the boiling water. I will have to email them to let them know that they should correct this.

Night Sky Beeswax Tarts

The winter season is upon us. Why not bring the scent of the winter snow inside and leave the cold out. Here is a recipe from "Design It Yourself" Skincare to create Night Sky Beeswax Tarts. If do not want to use the fragrance that Alison recommends then select your favorite fragrance to add to this recipe. Make sure that the fragrance you choose is candle friendly.

Peppermint Cocoa Candle

Doesn't this candle look good enough to drink on a cold winter day? This Peppermint Cocoa Candle was created by Dee & Debbie L. from the Customer Service Staff at Wholesale Supplies Plus. Thank you Dee and Debbie for sharing this great candle project with us.

Make sure to check out Wholesale Supplies Plus' Blog and Website for more creative soap and candle making ideas.

The Ingredients you need for this project are 1 lb. IGI 4633,
1 oz Peppermint Cocoa FO ,/4 #23 Mohogany Candle Color Block, 8 oz Smooth Jelly Jar, 1 Low Smoke Zinc Wick #23, Candy Sprinkles and Lollipop Candy Sticks. All ingredients can be purchased through Wholesale Supplies Website.

To complete this project you will also need the following utensils: Wax Melting Pot, Wax Mixing Bowl, Spoon, Candy Thermometer, Measuring Cup, Hand Mixer, Hot Glue Gun, Drinking Straw
and 70 mm Wick Holder.

For full directions on how to make this project, visit Peppermint Cocoa Candle link through Wholesale Supplies Plus Blog.

Aromatherapy for the 21st century

Are interested in Aromatherapy? Here is an article by Annalisa Zisman which appears on Article Trader:

"Aromatherapy has become a very popular form of relaxation for many people. People find themselves under more and more stress in the 21st century than ever before. Many try to juggle a career, family, and still need to find time for themselves. Aromatherapy is a great method with which to relieve the stress of everyday life.

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils which occur in nature and have the effect of altering our state of mind. It is believed that certain scents may not only affect just our mood, but also our health as well. While man may have used scents to cure themselves over the years, aromatherapy is a relatively new science in that presses out or distills out the volatile scent bearing parts of plants. The word aromatherapy was actually firstused by French chemist Rene Maurice Gattefosse in the 1920s. He was working in a perfume lab when he accidentally burned himself. He put his burned hand into the closest liquid – lavender oil. He noticed that it seemed to help the pain and the burn healed very quickly. And so the art of aromatherapy was born.

The oils can be poured into bathwater, inhaled (when combined with water to make steam or in a diffuser), in a cold compress (especially to treat muscle injuries), or as a salve, cream or gel. You can use aromatherapy oils in a humidifier,but remember that only a few drops are needed. Most oils you can buy will last between six months to two years.

There are different materials that can be used to create different aromas. Many people like touse essential oils. These are obtained from plants through distillation or expression. Something like eucalyptus oil would be distilled while oil such as grapefruit would be expressed. Other types of oils thatmay be used are absolutes, infusions, and carrier oils.

There are different scents used for different things. For example, if you want to sharpen your concentration, you may want to use an oil that contains basil. It has a sweet and mildly spicy smell. Using oil that has basil may also help lift depression as well as relieve headaches. If you suffer from headaches, you may want to consider using peppermint. It is said to help relieve headaches and help indigestion.

Another popular type of oil used in is bergamot. Bergamot oil comes from the small, pear shaped citrus fruit. It is believed that bergamot can help your digestive and urinary tract. It can help relieve skin conditions caused by stress. Aromatherapists believe that lemon and citrus can also help heal wounds and infections. Another oil that heals wounds and infections is Chamomile. It will also relieve muscle aches and help with anxiety.

One of the most popular oils is eucalyptus. It can help with coughs, colds, and asthma. It is also believed that eucalyptus aromatherapy will help boost your immune system. Rosemary will also boost your immune system and help mental stimulation. Lavender not only has a great smell, but is also very relaxing and good for treating wounds and burns.

While aromatherapy can help many of your ailments, you should never ingest any type of essential oils. They should always be used only as directed by a qualified aromatherapist. The therapist can blend according to age, condition and skin sensitivity, which is important.

What better way to relieve your stress, help with various conditions and leave you smelling wonderful."

About the Author

Annalisa Zisman, a proficient author and tutor, she is a leading practitioner for many massage courses. Annalisa specializes in Indian Head Massage, Thai Foot and Thai Herbal Compress Massage techniques.

Source: ArticleTrader.com

What are the Different Types of Incense?

Insense is used in may different ways. And you are wondering what is the significance of insense and what it is purpose? Well, according to Wisegeeks.com:

"For centuries, people have been using incense for religious or spiritual, aesthetic and therapeutic reasons. Today, incense is still used for these purposes, as well as for creating a pleasant atmosphere and scent to enhance the ambiance of a home. Because of its long history, incense has evolved into many different types and forms, from its scent, to its shape, to the way it burns.

Stick incense is probably the most common form of incense. The gum or resin from which the incense is made coats a long thin stick that burns slowly, releasing the particular fragrance that it contains. Stick incense can also be solid so there is no stick center or core, only a solid chunk of incense material.

Spiral incense is similar to the stick incense, but it is shaped in a coil. Spiral incense burns very slowly, lasting for hours or days depending on its composition. This type offers an interesting form in addition to its fragrant properties.

Cone incense is a chunk of the same gum or resin used in the types described above, but it stands alone in the form of a cone. It is lit at the tip and burns down, releasing more smoke and fragrance as it nears the base. Cone incense, because of its mass, does not burn uniformly as stick incense does. Cone incense is lit and extinguished, leaving a burning ember which continuously releases smoke and fragrance.

Powdered incense is usually reserved for religious ceremonies. The amount of preparation required to burn it is often inconvenient for someone who only wishes to enhance their surroundings. Powdered incense is burned in a censer, a container for burning incense. This type of incense, along with others that are made purely of resins, require a separate heat source. Traditionally, these are often burned directly on hot ash, coal or specially made heated plates.

Incense comes in a variety of different colors and fragrances. Fragrances are created from different organic plant materials, animal derivations such as musk and essential oils that are extracts of either or both. The fragrance can be a single scent found naturally or a combination of two or more ingredients. The combinations of incense scents are endless, as is the variety of burners and paraphernalia that hold them."

Source: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the-different-types-of-incense.htm

New Pharmacy Opens in Menlo Park.

In 2008, Elephant Pharm (my favorite pharmacy) in Los Altos closed. So for two years nothing could fill my void of essential oils and herbs that I could use in my classes. Recently, a new integrated pharmacy in Menlo Park opened by the name of Pharmaca.

I finally got to visit this new pharmacy today and want to tell you about it. Besides refilling your prescriptions you can purchased alot of other products. But the one thing I wanted to report to students who have taken classes from me that they carry some of the Aura Cacia essential oil and carrier oils that I have used in class. The prices are comparable to Whole Foods Market but if you are looking for more of a variety then to Whole Foods. Pharmaca would be good in a pinch.Pharmaca also sells some of their own brand name essential oils. I do not know the brand personally but would aske the staff more on it. They also offer limited workshops. For example, they had a discussion of aromatherapy and colds.

Pharmaca is located at 871 Santa Cruz Avenue, Menlo Park, Ca. Phone number is 650/818-6300. Hours are Monday-Friday 9 am to 9 pm; Saturday 9 am to 9 pm and Sunday 9 am to 7 pm. Pharmaca's website is http://www.pharmaca.com/.

For those who cannot make to the Menlo Park location, there is a location in Los Gatos.

Pharmaca does not compare to Elephant Pharm but I would say that it comes in a close second. I will still shop there if I need to run in for a last minute for a certain essential oil.

Beeswax Pine Cone Firestarters

It is that time of year when you are having more fires in your fireplace. You probably start your fires with newspaper or kindling? Instead why not recycle the newspaper and make these Beeswax Pinecone Firestarters? If you do not have a fireplace but know some that do, then why not create these firestarters and give them as gift this holiday season? If you are trying to be creative this holiday season this would be a great give to make and give. Thank you Alison for posting these instructions on your blog Bath Body Supply.

What is Frankincense?

It is that time of year when we hear so much about Frankincense. But you do not know much about it? Well, here is a basic explanation from Wisegeek.com:

"Frankincense gets much of its fame from the Biblical story in which the newborn baby Jesus receives gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Although many people are able to retell the story, surprisingly few are able to state what exactly frankincense is. Frankincense, like myrrh, is a dried tree sap, or resin, primarily used to make incense.

Frankincense comes from the deciduous tree Boswellia Thurifera. Somalia, Oman, and Yemen are all known for having trees that produce this high-quality resin. In order to collect the sap, the tree bark is cut, allowing the sap to ooze out of the bark in the places it was cut. The sap dries on the tree and is then collected. This procedure is repeated two or three times a year, and the resulting frankincense is opaque if it is of superior quality. The young trees produce higher-quality resin than the older trees.

In some parts of the world, frankincense is known as olibanum, which comes from the Arabic word for "the milk," al-lubán. This is most likely referring to the milky color of the sap which hardens to make frankincense. In Exodus 30:34 in the Bible, it is referred to as levonah, which can mean "Lebanese" or "white" in Hebrew. In the Western world, the name "frankincense" is a more common term. This name is likely to have been derived from "the incense of the Franks" since it came to Europe via Frankish crusaders.

In the ancient world, frankincense was generally used to make incense. It was used to perfume the homes of the ancient Greeks and Romans. The ancient Egyptians, Assyrians, and Babylonians used frankincense in their religious rituals. It later became a part of Jewish rites, and even later, in the rites of the Catholic Church.

Frankincense has also been used throughout history for medicinal purposes. It was used in the first century as an antidote to hemlock poisoning. In Iran in the tenth century, it was thought to cure vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and tumors. In China it is still used today to treat leprosy, gonorrhea, and other ailments.

Frankincense is mixed with spices, seeds, etc. to create the desired scent, and is still used in incense in the Western world. The frankincense essential oil is used in aromatherapy, as some extol its stress-reducing powers. Perfumes may contain the oil, which evaporates slowly, maintaining its scent. The raw chunks of resin may also be directly set on a heat source, such as hot coals, to have the same incense experience as ancient peoples."

Source: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-frankincense.htm

Baby it's Cold Outside Snowflake Soap Tutorial

What to create an unique bar of soap for the Winter season? Then why not create these beautiful snowflake soaps? The instructions for these Baby it's Cold Outside Snowflake Soap Tutorial are from Erin Pikor of Naiad Soap Arts.

These would be beautiful to hang from your Christmas tree if you celebrate the holiday. What a great idea to hang them from the tree in your office and give them as gifts to your co-workers in the office.

Super Sweet Bath Fizzies Recipe

Everyone has heard of bath fizzies. Now here is unique take on bath fizzies - Sugar Cubes. Just like an ordinary bath fizzy you will use baking soda and citric acid to make it fizz but with one twist of confectioner's sugar which will make your bath extra sweet.

Thank you Alison Kontor of Bath Body Supply by providing this recipe on your blog "Design it Yourself" Skincare. Make sure to check out Alison's blog for more fantastic bath and body recipes.

Recipe for Homemade Deodorant

Are you looking for a recipe to make your own homemade deodorant? Well here is one which appeared on a crafting forum called Craftster.com. This Homemade Deordorant Recipe was authored by Girl on Bike from Berkeley CA, who originally posted this recipe on her blog by the same name - Girl on Bike back in January 2010. I look foward to seeing more interesting recipes from her.

Making Christmas Container Candles

Are you in the crafty mode this holiday season and want to save money by making your gifts? Then why not make Christmas Container Candles? David Fisher from About Candles.com compiled these instruction on how to make these simple candles. If you find that you have other decorative mugs, you can make this container candle anytime of the year.

Snowflake Soap Tutorial From All Things Hold Together

Is Winter your favorite season? Then why not recreate these Snowflake Soaps to bring in the season? I found another Snowflake Soap Tutorial which is from All Things Hold Together. It is similiar to the earlier tutorial from Annie-Marie but it slightly differently. It is just as simple as Annie Marie's project and it is perfect to give out as gifts whether you celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah.

The materials for this project are a six cavity silicone muffin pan, Goat Milk Soap Base, Cornflower Blue Mica, Peppermint Essential Oil (second distillation), Small Metal Snowflake Cookie Cutter, Alcohol in a Spray Bottle, Measuring Cup, Spoons, Etc.

Although this recipe asks for goats milk soap base, some of you may be hesitant to use that particular soap base for certain reasons, you could subsitute any white opaque glycerin soap base to your liking. I have seen soap base with coconut and others out on the market. So it will be easy to find.

Melt & Pour Candy Swirl Pinwheel Soaps

How cute are these soaps? Learn how to make Melt & Pour Candy Swirl Pinwheel Soaps from Aussie Soap Supplies. These soaps remind me of peppermint candies that you often find around Christmas. Why not make some and put them in your kid's stockings or if you do not have any kids, you can give them to friends to put in their powder rooms. If I received one of these soaps as a gift, it would definately put me in the holiday spirit.

The Advantages of French Milled Soap

Have you heard of French Milled Soap? Or have you tried French Milled Soap and are wondering what the advantages of using this type of soap? Here is an article, titled The Advantages of French Milled Soap by Tricia Ballad, eHow Contributor explains what the advantages of using this type of soap and why it is beneficial to make soap by this technique. I have never made soap by this technique before but I am sure there are some benefits in making soap this way and would like to some day give it a try.

Since I have not received a soap made by this technique before I cannot say if I like it or not. But according to the author, a bar of soap made by this process last longer than a regular glycerin melt and pour soap. I am sure that would be true. If I ever find a bar of soap made by this process in the store, I would like to purchase one just to give it a try.

Has anyone tried to make a bar of French Milled Soap or have purchased one? Let me know what you think.

Peppermint Swirl Soaps

If you like those individually wrapped peppermint candies (I think they are called Sparkles) that come in a large bag, then this melt and pour soap making project is just for you! This would be a great to make as a gift or stocking stuffer this holiday season! So check out the Peppermint Swirl Soap video from Ehow. This project looks really fun in addition to being easy.

If you want step by step instructions, there are plenty of links out there that can tell you how:

(1) Peppermint Candy Soap from Free Bath Recipes

(2) Candy Swirl Soap from Soap and the Finer Things

(3) Peppermint-Candy Soap from All You

If you know of any other instructions on how to make these type of soaps, please feel free to share your recipe and where you found it.

Christmas Forest Floating Candles

Here is a really cute candle idea to make for celebrating Christimas from Wholesale Supplies Plus. So why not add alittle sparkle to the holidays by making these Christmas Forest Floating Candles . These easy step by step instructions appear on Wholesale Supplies Plus blog/website. And all supplies can be purchased through Wholesale Supplies Plus. So no need to worry about having to search all over for supplies.

Thanks Debbie for a cute and creative idea for a festive Christmas gift idea/decor. Make sure to check out Wholesale Supplies Plus' Blog and Website for more creative soap and candle making ideas.

Which Clays, Salts and Natural Additives are Right For Me?

According to Craftbits.com, here is a list of different clays, salts and natural additives that are used in bath and body recipes. Here is some helpful information to assist you in choosing clays and additives for your bath and body products.

Choose a clay that suits your skin requirements you can always substitute you clay ingredients for one that is more suitable, more affordable or simply to one that you may already have.

Different types of clay

Dead Sea Mineral - and nutrient enriched for detoxification.

Green Clay - Detoxifies, oily skin, stimulates circulation.

Moroccan Red - Exfoliates, stimulates circulation.

Fullers Earth - Oily skin, exfoliates and stimulates circulation.

Red Clay - Stimulated circulation, removes dry skin cells.

Rose Clay - Exfoliates, stimulates circulation.

Which Salt is right for me ?

Epsom Salts - Relaxes the nervous system eases pain and removes toxins.

Sea Salt - Draws toxins from the body.

Dead Sea Salt - Skin tonic, detoxifying, nutrient enriched.

Natural Additives-

Aloe Vera Gel - moisturizer.

Rice Bran Powder Fine - Prevents wrinkles, exfoliates skin, absorbs excess oil and dirt.

Honey Powder - Skin cleaners, softener, absorbs dry skin.

Coconut Milk Powder- Skin softener, full of nutrients.

Source: http://www.craftbits.com/project/which-clay-is-right-for-me

Peppermint Bark Soaps

It is that time of year when peppermint bark comes out for the holidays. IF you love peppermint bark as much as I do then you may want to check out The Soap Queen's first holiday tutorial for 2010. This Peppermint Bark Soap Tutorial appears on the Soap Queen's blog Soap and the Finer Things in Life and I must admit that the soap looks good enough to eat. If you know someone on a diet, why not give a box of these soaps instead? I know I would like a box of this soap candy. It is all the guilt without the calories. You may want to put a warning label on the box of these adorable soap. Thanks Anne-Marie for another cute soap idea! Looking forward to more cute soap ideas from the Soap Queen.

How to Make Baking Soda and Sea Salt Scrub

I have been making salt scrubs for many years and recently took a class on how to make sugar scrubs. Now I found this article on ehow titled, How to Make Baking Soda and Sea Salt Scrub .
This is an unique recipe that incorporates sea salt, baking soda, episom salts, borax, glycerin, fragrance and coloring to exfoliating your aching and tired feet. This recipe is great because it is economical from the highly perfumed and expensive products you would find in the retail stores. Plus it is really easy to make. So if you know someone who is on their feet all day you may want to make a batch of this recipe and give it to them for the upcoming holidays.

Debbie's "Best Ever" Gingerbread Scrub

It is getting close to that time of year when the aroma of gingerbread wafts from room to room. What a great way to celebrate one of the most celebrate scents of the season by making Debbie's "Best Ever" Gingerbread Scrub? Debbie has shared her recipe for this scrub on her website Wholesale Supplies Plus and blog.

This definately would be a great product to make and give as gifts. So start planning and purchase your supplies before it is too late.

Lump of Coal Gift Box

When you were a kid. did a parent ever say that if you were not good that Santa would leave a lump of coal in your stocking? Well, I found these instructions to make a Lump of Coal Gift Box on Martha Stewart's website.

If you want to give some jewelry or small gift for Christmas this would be a really creative way to give a gift when someone you love could been alittle naughty during the year but you want to give them something anyway.

Old Fashion Candy Candy Salt Tubes

Here is a really festive stocking stuffer that you can easily make for the Christmas season. Even if you do not celebrate Christmas, this bath salt recipe is fantastic for all winter long. Allison B. Kontur of Bath Body Supply has kindly posted the instruction of this Old Fashion Candy Candy Salt Tubes on her blog Design it Yourself Skincare.

What I like about this recipe is the layered and fragrance about it. But besides that I think the packaging is really unique. I suggest giving this recipe a try and give it too all of the ladies on your gift list that could use a really relaxing soak!