Thursday, June 30, 2011

Wavy Confetti Loaf Soap

For those who have taken my melt and pour soap making classes in the past and were interested in learning how to make a loaf soap, here is a basic layer soap project from Soap Place.

The instructions for this Wavy Confetti Loaf Soap is very basic, although I am concerned with the non stick loaf pan being used as a mold. I do not know for sure how well the soap will come out once it is cured. You may want to spray the pan with some cooking spray or better yet use a silicone loaf pan.

As for the color and scent of these bar of soap, you do not have to follow what the instructions call for you can purchase what fragrance or coloring that you choose. You can purchase the Life of the Party supplies from Michaels. As for the crinkle cutter, I found mine on Ebay. If anyone else knows where else someone can purchase one please let us know.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Homemade Lip Balm & Salve Recipes (With Aromatherapy)

Are your lips chapped and dry? Do not reach for that normal store purchase product that contains parabens and petroleum! Plus mineral oils and additives dry out the sensitive skin, temporarily soothing, but in the end, resulting in the need for more and more product to keep lips luscious and moisturized.It is easy enough to create your own by making your own. This Homemade Chapstick Recipe by Maddie Ruud is simple enough to create your own lip balm in your very own home. According to Maddie, mineral each of the lip balms made from this recipe stores well at room temperature, out of direct sunlight, for up to six months. She recommends that essential oils can be added to each of these recipes for scent and soothing properties. The amount she recommends is no more than 4 drops per ounce, meaning 4 drops maximum for the Simple Chap Stick, 10 drops maximum for the Basic Balm, and maximum 8 drops for the Lip-Saving Salve. In the latter two, you may also substitute cocoa butter for shea butter and add a drop or two of chocolate extract for a rich cocoa-scented lip treat.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Tye Dye Soap Project

In a recent melt and pour soap making class, I demonstrated on how to do a swirl soap with clear soap base. For those who were in the class and who would like to see what a bar created with the opaque soap base looks like, then I recommend taking a look at the project sheet from SoapPlace.com - Tye Dye Soaps. They use the Life of the Party Soap supplies that we used in class and can be purchased at Michaels.

Monday, June 27, 2011

How to Make Wood Wick Candles

Have you ever heard of candles that had wood wicks? Sometime ago I saw QVC selling them. The wood wick simulates a crackling noise like you are burning logs in your fireplaced. I have never used them before but I found these instructions from Lone Star Candle Supply on How to Make Wood Wick Candles. If you are interested in creating other types of candles check out Lone Star Candles Step by Step Guides section on their website.

Start by gathering all the items that you will need. The candle making process will go much more smoothly if everything is readily accessible.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Understanding Liquid Soap Making

If you are interesting in learning how to make your own liquid soap, here are a few links to help you out:

Making Liquid Soap
Make Liquid Soap by David Fisher
Liquid Soap Dilution Table

Here are some recipes:

All-Natural, No-Alcohol Liquid Soap Recipes

History of Soaps

The History of Soaps and Detergents

If you know of any other articles that I could add to this list about this subject, please let me know. I would really appreciate it.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Coco-Lime Bath Cookies

Don't these look good enough to eat? But do not be fooled! Even those they look like Mexican Wedding Cookies, they are Coco-Lime Bath Cookies created by The Natural Beauty Workshop but Alison Kontur of Bath Body Supply shared this fantastic recipe on her site. You are probably wondering what you are supposed to do with these delicious looking cookies - to be used in the bath not eat them. In this recipe, the author also gives you packaging tips for this adorable recipe. But one thing I would add is a warning on the label - Do Not Eat.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Shea Butter Soap Cupcakes – Cold Process Soap

Here is an adorable party favor to make from Erin Pikor of Naiad Soap Arts. Erin is a true artist and craftsperson by creating this Shea Butter Soap Cupcake Recipe which appears on Soap Queen's site. So if you want to venture on something creative to give as a favor at your next party or just to give out as a gift, then try this cold process soap tutorial.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Recycle Wax Scraps

If you are new to candlemaking and you are wondering what to do with your with your wax scraps? Do not throw them out! You can recycle the wax and use it for another project. But you are asking how to do that. Well here are some tips to get you started.

(1) Separate the scraps into an unscented/uncolored pile and a scented/colored pile. I would also recommend keeping the similiar types of wax in the same pile (ie beeswax, parafin etc) if you are using different types of wax. With your scented wax, coordinated similiar scent families together ie citrus, floral etc.

(2) Starting with the unscented/uncolored pile, trim off as much of the burned wick as possible. Remove any wick tabs or labels as well.

(3) Brush or scrape off any dirt or dirty areas.

(4) Put the pieces in your melt pot and melt them down.

(5) Once melted, remove all of the wicks and wick tabs from the melted wax with a chopstick, tongs or fork.

(6) If there is a lot of debris still in the wax, you can filter it through an old flour sifter, or other type of strainer.

(7) Once the wax is clean, either pour it into a tub or pail for later use, or fragrance and color it and make candles as you normally would.

(8) Now, if your wax IS colored and scented, you can still reuse it, you just have to figure in the extra color and scent. Mixes of colors will usually come out some shade of brown. Mixes of scents can be wonderfully complex, or just plain awful. So try to keep it simple when your are first starting out. Also I would try to keep the colors in the same families together. You may come out with some strange color that your may not like.

Would like to hear from anyone who has recycled their wax for other projects. How did it turn out? Do you have any other suggestions that might help in this situation?

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Cold Process and Melt and Pour Whipped Soap

Have you ever heard of mixing soap from the cold process method with the soap from the melt and pour method? Marla Bosworth from Back Porch Soap Company came back from the 2011 Soap Maker's Guild Conference in Miami, Florida where she presented two classes on two topics, "How to Successfully Wholesale" and "Wild Child Soapmaking: MP and CP Combos."

In her article "Wild Child Soapmaking Techniques: Mixing Cold Process Soap with Melt and Pour", Marla has beautiful pictures on Cold Process Soap with a MP swirl and Cold Process Soap with MP Embedds. She has kindly shared a Cold Process and Melt and Pour Whipped Soap recipe for everyone to try. So if you want to go on the wild side and try this technique, then I would say go for it.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Votive & Tart Melts: Lemon Cream

The scent of lemons brings the thought of summer to mind. If you love lemons then you may want to create these Lemon Cream Votive and Tarts Melts. This recipe from Wholesale Supplies Plus yields 48 votives and 12 melts.


Monday, June 20, 2011

How Can I Make my Own Exfoliating Scrubs?

You love using exfoliating scrubs? Are you interesting in making your own. Well, if you are overwhemled with all of the information on the internet, here is an article from Wisegeek.com that can help you get started:

"Exfoliating scrubs for the body are an excellent way to enhance skin nutrition and leave a layer of soft, healthy, glowing skin behind. Commercial exfoliating scrubs are readily available, but making your own is more cost effective and fun. While you make your own exfoliating scrubs, you can explore varied ingredients and different exfoliants to achieve the desired effects. Many suppliers sell spa ingredients at reasonable prices, and some ingredients can also be found at the local market.

The most crucial ingredient in exfoliating scrubs is, of course, the exfoliant. An exfoliant abrades the top layer of skin to remove dead skin, and also buffs and polishes the healthy fresh layers underneath. Depending on skin sensitivity, different exfoliants are more suitable than others. If your skin is delicate, exfoliants such as turbinado sugar, fruit seeds and fibers, coffee, or ground loofah are all excellent choices. If the skin is more robust, exfoliants such as salts, grains, or pumice are more appropriate. Salts can also help to restore the balance of minerals in the skin, depending on the source, and they also come in a wide range of grains from very thick to fine. More exotic exfoliants include ground walnut shells, shredded coconut, and ayurvedic herbs.

Once a base has been selected, the rest of the scrub can be created. To add color and texture, dried flowers and herbs can be used. Rose petals, orange rinds, rosemary, lemongrass, and sage are all excellent choices. In addition to providing color and smelling good, these herbs all have unique properties which can enhance skin health when included in exfoliating scrubs. Many Internet databases of herbs list their effects on the skin and general health. You can also include essential oils, which will make the scrub smell delicious and add aromatherapy to the experience.
Most exfoliating scrubs are suspended in oils such as grapeseed oil, and sometimes also have natural preservatives such as vitamin E oil added. Using a preservative is necessary if the scrub is going to sit on the shelf for a long time or if it includes unstable ingredients which may mold or rot. A scrub made from salt and essential oils will not need a preservative: a scrub with sugar and orange rinds would.

Exfoliating scrubs are limited only by your imagination. Many spas offer themed scrubs with imaginative names like Tropical Paradise or Chocolate Sensation. You can replicate these exfoliating scrubs at home with your own ingredients. For tropical themed exfoliating scrubs, think about tropical ingredients like shredded coconut, sugar, essential oils of mango or tangerine, and fruit fibers from mangos, papayas, and guavas. For chocolate exfoliating scrubs, you can use cocoa powder, grated chocolate, sugars, chocolate essential oils, and coffee for a mocha effect. Coffee should be used in moderation because caffeine can be absorbed through the skin. Other exfoliating scrubs could include soothing herbs like lavender and orange or a relaxing experience, or refreshing and invigorating ingredients like salt and essential oils of lime and mint."



Source: http://www.wisegeek.com/how-can-i-make-my-own-exfoliating-scrubs.htm

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Swirling Alkanet Infusion Soap Tutorial

Alkanet is one of Amanda's from Lovin' Soaps favorite natural colorant to use in her cold process soap recipes. She says that you end up with a wide variety of shades ranging from smoky purple to maroon depending on your soap’s PH, base oils and whether your soap gels or not.

If you happen to like the shades of color that Alkanet will bring to your cold process soaps, you may want to take a look at this Swirling Alkanet Infusion Soap Tutorial that appears on Soap and the Finer Things in Life.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Make Your Own Shimmer Lip Gloss

Here is an intresting recipe for Making Your Own Shimmer Lip Gloss by Bella Sugar. In this recipe, Bella Sugar uses food coloring, but I would recommend comestically safe coloring in this recipe. Also make sure that your use cosemetically safe glitter.

For this particular recipe you will need:

•food coloring
•an empty container
•1 tsp. sugar flavoring (i.e. Pixy Stix)
•a pinch of glitter
•1/4 tsp of hot water
•1 heaping tbsp. petroleum jelly

For three fool-proof directions, read more.

•STEP 1: In a small mixing bowl stir the petroleum jelly, 1/4 tsp. of hot water, and the Pixy Stix until the sugar is dissolved.

•STEP 2: Then, slowly add in one drop of food coloring and a pinch of glitter. Stir well and quickly. Continue to add in food coloring and flavoring until you reach your desired taste and color. Let the mixture cool for about three minutes.

•STEP 3: Scoop out the contents in the bowl and neatly pack it into a clean, empty lip gloss container — voila!

Friday, June 17, 2011

How to Make Homemade Cellulite Cream Using Cocoa Butter

I found this interesting recipe on How to Make Homemade Cellulite Cream Using Cocoa Butter on a website titled Homemade Cosmetics. Looking at the recipe I find two things really interesting. The first thing is that the recipe does not contain water which means it is truly not a cream in the normal sense. Second of all is the use of petroleum jelly. Since petroleum jelly is a by-product of petrol....this recipe is not a 100% natural like the source article states. But it is nice that the articles states that "This homemade cellulite cream is effective, but if you have a very unhealthy lifestyle its progress will be slow. Cellulite builds up in the body because of poor diet and lack of exercise, so make lifestyle changes if you really want healthy and beautiful skin." So you may want to try a combination of the cream and a change of diet and exercise to help with your cellulite. I know that cellulite is unpleasant to discuss but if anyone out there has any other recommendations that you have found successful.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Soap Queen TV Makes Soap for a Gardener

Got a gardener in your life? Then how about learning to make soap especially for that person. Do not know how? Well, take a look at this special episode of how to make soap for a gardener from Soap Queen TV which is running an instuctional video on how to do so.

Anne-Marie shows how to make a beautifully layered soap using 2 kinds of natural exfoliants – Walnut Shells and Shredded Loofah. This project is perfect for that gardener in your life or just someone who needs a little extra help getting those little piggies clean! And if you’ve ever wondered about our tray molds, this episode shows just how easy it is to make 8 bars of soap at once. For those who have never made soap before this soap is made by the melt and pour techinque which is a very simple process to make soap,

All ingredients can be purchase through Brambleberry if you cannot find them at your local retail establishment.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Citrus Garage Soap Recipe

Do not let the name of this liquid soap recipe fool you! Alison Kontur of Bath Body Supply shared her recipe for Citrus Garage Soap because she
grew up in a garage filled with pumice cleaners that smelled bad and were loaded with chemical solvents. So if your dad, brother or uncle works in the garage alot, then this would be the perfect hand soap to make for Father's Day.

For those who are interested in making this recipe, the soap base in this recipe is a suspension gel soap which can be purchased through Bath Body Supply Company so you will not have to make it from scratch. Since you will not have to make this from scratch, according to the website the list of ingredients are Water, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Glycerin, Disodium Cocamido MIPA Sulfosuccinate, Propylene Glycol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Triethanolamine, Disodium EDTA, and DMDM Hydantoin.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Room Temperature Soap Making

If you want to make your soap from scratch, most soap makers would use either the hot or cold process method. But now there is another method called room temperature soap making that is becoming more popular because it saves time and energy. In her article titled, Room temperature Soapmaking Method Saves Time and Energy , Brenda Sievers discusses this alternative process to making your soap from scratch. If you are a soap maker who makes your soap by the cold or hot process method you made be interested in learning how to make your soap with alternative process.

Brenda has been a professional soap maker for over 10 years. She is a member of the Handcrafted Soap makers Guild and the owner of her own business. And she currently writes articles for Examiner.com.

Monday, June 13, 2011

Brenda's Beeswax Balm Recipe

I found this recipe in the May 20, 2010 issue of the The San Mateo Daily Journal in the suburban living section of the paper. The article titled "A Beeswax balm you can make yourself" was written by Sean Conway.

Brenda Brock, owner of Farm Aesthetics, a company that creates organic skincare for select spas, boutiques and high-end hotels stopped by to tape a segment for the show, "Culivating Life".

Tools

Quart size storage jar with cover
Strainer
Cheesecloth
Double Boiler
Small new or recycled containers

Ingredients

1/2 cup of packed lemon balm leaves, washed & dryed
1/2 cup organic almond, grape seed or soy oil
1/8 teaspoon vitamin E
1/4 teaspoon of pink grapefruit essential oil

Instructions

Start by putting lemon balm leave in the jar, then pour over the almond oil and the vitamin E. Cover tightly and set aside mixture in a dark place for a week or longer. This will allow the essential oil of the lemon balm to infuse the oil.

Strain the infused oil twice through a strainer lined with cheesecloth to separate oils from the lemon balm leaves. Discard the lemon balm.

In a double boiler, combine the infused oil and beeswax. Heat gently (but do not boil) until the beeswax is melted. Remove from heat and add grapefruit essential oil. Pour into tine lip pots, jars or tubes. Allow to cool. Cap securely.

Note: It is not mentioned all citrus essential oils are photosensitive which means that you can develop a rash or sunburn. So I would not recommend wearing this lip balm out in the sun.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

How to make Gelato Soap

Summer is just around the corner. How would you like to cool down with this delicious gelato soaps? This first gelato recipe appears on the Go Planet Earth's blog Denise's Yadda Yadda would be perfect to wash your hands.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Natural Candles - Waxes

Are you new to candlemaking? And you do not know which wax to select? Erica from Bonnie Bath Company has posted her blog an article on Natural Candles - Waxes. The following is a list of some natural waxes that can be used in candle making.

Beeswax – A natural wax formed by bees to incubate their larvae. It has a golden color and a sweet scent. It burns slowly and is stickier and more expensive than paraffin. It comes in slabs, pastilles, and pre-rolled sheets, which can be used to make candles without melting the wax.

Soy – A natural wax developed in more recent years derived from soy beans. It can be purchased in a variety of melting points and blends. It is most often used in container candles. It burns longer than paraffin and comes in the form of easy-to-use flakes.

Palm – A natural wax derived from palm oil. It is firm and brittle and is typically used in pillar candles, and can have a feathery effect that people have come to enjoy in their candles. It comes in blended forms as well.

Bayberry – A natural wax that is made from bayberries with a light, earthy scent that comes in block form. It was used during Colonial times and remains a favorite during the Christmas holidays. It is only used to make hand-dipped tapers.

Of course I have heard of Beeswax, Soy and Palm. Primarily I have used Beeswax and Soy, but never palm. Never heard of Bayberry has anyone used it before?

Friday, June 10, 2011

Jar Candle: Lilac in Bloom in Apothecary Jar

Love the candles you find at Bed Bath and Beyond? Would you like to learn how to create your own. Here are instructions from Wholesale Supplies Plus on how to create Lilac in Bloom in Apothecary Jar Candle. This recipe makes 1o candles but if you use different containers you make get more or less. Plan for up to six hours to create these beautiful candles.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Fantastic Lip Balm Recipes from DIY Skincare

If up like making your own lip balms and you are looking for some really great lip balm recipes you may want to check out these popular recipes from DIY Skincare. You will not get lip services from any of these recipes. If cherry cola is your favorite drink, then you should check out this recipe Cherry Cola Lip Buff. Or if love the flavor mint chip ice cream or Junior Mints, then you may want to try this recipe for Cocoa-Mint Lip Butter. Some others you may want to try are Olive Lip Balm, Winter Lip Butter, Aloe & Lime Lip Buff and Moisture-Rich Lip Balm.









Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Cocoa Bath Bomb Recipe

Do you love the smell of chocolate? How would you like to incorporate it into your bathing experience? Then check out this recipe for a Cocoa Bath Bomb from Do it Yourself Skincare.

This recipe combines Kaolin Clay, Natural Cocoa Butter, Sandalwoods Essential Oil Blend or Sandalwood Fragrance Oil and Organic Vanilla Bean Specks with Citric Acid and Baking Soda to make a wonderful bathing experience.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Gnome Soaps

Recently a really cute movie called Gnomo and Juliet appeared in the movie theatres. If you loved the movie and would like to capture the essence of the movie, then may I suggest the following tutorial by Amanda of LovinSoap.happens to be a guest blogger this time for The Soap Queen's Soap and the Finer Things in Life blog. This adorable gnome soap tutorial is made by the melt and pour soap method and all supplies can be purchased through Brambleberry. So if you have never made soap before then melt and pour is perfect place to start.

Monday, June 6, 2011

DIY Reusable Liners for Slab Mold

Do you use wooden slab molds for your soap making projects and you are tired of using plastic liners for them? Are you thinking that there is a better way? Well, I found this DIY Liner tutorial on the Lovinsoap website on how to create your own reusable liners. Now the author of this tutorial has the Brambleberry 9 bar slab mold, but I if you a slab mold from another vendor I am sure you can somehow adapt this tutorial for your particular slab mold.

Has anyone tried to make their own resuable liners? If you have any tips and tricks that might be helpful - please share.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Red White and Blue Massage Bars

Here is a perfect way to celebrate our nation's birthday. These Red, White and Blue Massage Bar Soaps from The Soap Queen are a perfect way to show your pride. And the directions for this project are very simple.

The supplies you will need for this project are 12 oz Clear Soap Base, 1 oz White Soap Base, Oval Massage Mold, .25 Coconut Citrus Sorbet scent, Liquid Blue Colorants, Non-bleeding Red Colorant and Droppers. Or if you need to purchase any of one of the supplies, you can purchase them directly from Brambleberry.




Saturday, June 4, 2011

MP Soap: Watermelon

For me I always look forward to summer when watermelons are in season. Why not bring up thoughts of the good old summer time by making these melt and pour watermelon soaps? Why not bring back those wonderful summertime childhood memories by making this watermelon soap?

This Watermelon Soap tutorial from Wholesale Supplies Plus is the perfect solution. If you need to purchase the supplies, you can conveinently all of the supplies need through Wholesale Supplies Plus.


Friday, June 3, 2011

How to Make Rolled Beeswax Candles

Rolled Beeswax Candles are the safest and easiest way to make candles. Since they are safe to make that you can get your children involved in making them. These candles would be a perfect gift to give out during the holidays or even give them out at the end of the school year to each of your children's teachers. Erica from The Bonnie Bath Company has provided simple instructions on how to make rolled beeswax candles on her blog.


Thursday, June 2, 2011

Warming Massage Bar Recipe

Sorry to announce that The Natural Beauty Workshop has retired the Kapha Massage Bar Recipe. But if you loved that recipe and would like another to recplace, then you will love the recipe for their Warming Massage Bar. According to the author, What makes this recipe special, is the warming sensation provided by the ingredients. In their original formula, they used Kapha Oil. In this reworked version, they used Angelica Root Essential Oil to achieve a similar effect.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

What types of Oil to Use in your Cold Process Soapmaking

If you are wondering what kind of oils to use in your cold process soap making recipes, then check out this article about what types oils to use in your cold process soap from Soap Making Essentials. The article goes into detail on how Formulating a Recipe, Bring on the Bubbles, Conditioning, Creamy Lather, and more. These are especially important because everyone's skin is different and by using a variety of soap making oils, you can tailor a soap to meet the needs of any skin type. I believe the information to inspired you to start creating your own cold process soaps. Good luck and have fun!