Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Glitter Egg Soap Making Project

For your next Easter Egg Hunt instead of boiling eggs and hiding them, why make these cute glitter egg soaps for the kids to find? Or decorate your holiday with them. If you do not celebrate Easter, then maybe you can make them for some other reason.

In the directions for these Glitter Egg Soaps, the author recommends using candy molds, but often times candy molds do not last as long as regular soap molds. I would recommend getting the egg shaped silicone muffin mold or the petite egg silicone mold from Wilton. You can purchase these in most craft stores such as Michaels or Joann when they put out the seasonal Easter baking items out. To purchase online, I would recommend Wilton or Wholesale Supplies Plus. If you want to make a 3D egg, just make both halves and then use some melted soap base to glue them together.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Double Poured Layered Soaps

This interesting Double Poured Layered Soaps melt and pour soap tutorial that appears on the SoapyPlace website shows you how to make these diagonal layered soaps using different colors. Wow! what a different way to bring a pop of color to your bathroom. Check out Soapy Place's website for more melt and pour soap projects to make.

Monday, February 27, 2012

Lip Exfoliant Scrub Recipe

Have you ever tried a lip scrub before? Well, it is a natural exfoliant will help brush away dry skin from your lips and taste good while doing it. In this article Lip Exfoliant Scrub Recipe by Carolynn Banks, eHow Contributing Writer says wintertime or dry conditions can leave your lips rough and chapped. Exfoliating lip scrubs work well to combat dry lips, but they can be pricey if you purchase them from the cosmetics counter. In her article she says that making your own is easy and fun, and will also save you money. Plus it leaves your lips soft and kissable. Carolyn cautions her readers by saying that one should not overuse a lip exfoliant. Using lip scrubs too often can exacerbate the problem and result in painful, cracked lips. And that you should only use a lip scrub once a week, and use lip moisturizer the rest of the time.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Tutorial - Melt and Pour - Scrunchie Soap

Love using scrunchies when you shower? Well, why not combine both soap and scrunchie? This Melt and Pour Scrunchie Soap Tutorial from Riverlea Soap will show you how to do it.

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Scenting Naturally: Making Natural Perfumes - Part 2 Bases, Proportions and Blends

After reading the first article from Erica about Perfume Family and Notes, you are probably want to learn more about making your own perfumes? In part 2 of this series of articles, Scenting Naturally: Making Natural Perfumes - Bases, Proportions and Blends goes into more depth about the necessary bases and proportions you need to know about making your perfume recipes.

Erica, owner of The Bonnie Bath Company, maker of handcrafted soaps, bath and body products and candles. She is also an Advanced Certified Soapmaker and Column Editor for the Saponifier Magazine.

Friday, February 24, 2012

Soapwort: Herbal Hair and Body Wash Recipe

Have your ever heard of soapwort? It is new to me. Soapwort is defined by Joan Morais as tg he plant, the leaves and the root of soapwort naturally cleans. The plant contains saponins which are in soap. The word, soap, comes from the Latin word sapo and means soap. Joan Morais formulates and professionally makes shampoos, liquid soap and body wash, shes loves to use totally pure concoctions every now and then. Here is a simple and pure recipe for an herbal hair and body wash. Try it as a pet wash. It does not have any suds.

Does this sound interesting? Want to learn how to make Joan's recipe for Soapwort: Herbal Hair and Body Wash? Then check out her blog to find out how.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Macadamia Nut Lip Balm

Here is a really rich and glossy lip balm with a nice nutty flavor call which appears on the Soap Crafters website.

The ingredients you will need for this project are 1 TBSP Macadamia nut oil,1 TBSP Coconut oil (it is semi-solid below 76 degrees, 1 TBSP Jojoba oil, 1/2 TBSP Castor oil, 1 TBSP of beeswax pearls, 1/4 Tsp of flavor oil (try something 'nutty' like Oatmeal, Milk and Honey or a vanilla).

All you have to do is melt the oils and beeswax till liquid (the author used a microwave at 40% power for a few minutes) but you can also use a double boiler (or a make shift one with a glass measuring cute and a sauce pan). The add the flavor oil and pour into pots or tubes. If you do not want to add flavor oil, the macadamia nut oil provides a nice subtle scent. And it has a nice custard color without any coloring.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Cherry Bomb Body Frosting Recipe

Love body butters? You may want to try making this Cherry Bomb Frosting Recipe from DIY Skincare. In this recipe there are three ingredients: Tropical Butter Cream, Cherry Bomb Fragrance Oil and Mica Pigment Powder - Red (Oil Soluble) which can be purchased through the Bath Body Supply website.

Even though the Tropical Butter Cream is premade unscented cream which Shea Butter and Cocoa Butter, which has historical benefits to the skin. Scars, blemishes, imperfections have known to heal from these nourishing oils. In addition, Vitamin E and C, plus Japanese Green Tea to help combat free radicals. This wholesale cream is suited for the body, but many use this on the face (although really not designed as such). If you are wondering what the ingredients, Bath Body Supply lists the following as the ingredients for this particular cream: De-Ionized Water, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Emulsifying Wax NF, Stearic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides, Vitis Vinifera (Grapeseed) Oil, Glyceryl Mono Stearate, Camellia Sinensis (Japanese Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Allantoin, Disodium EDTA. Phenoxyethanol and Caprylyl Glycol.

Monday, February 20, 2012

3D Bath Fizzy Tutorial from Go Planet

Have you ever make a 3d bath fizzy bomb before? If you want to learn how? In this tutorial titled 3D Bath Fizzy from Go Planet Earth can show you how. In this tutorial you can print out the instructions for your records use them to follow along the instructional video. This recipe yields approximately 4 bath fizzies.

From this picture I like the swirl bombs (pink, blue and yellow). I have never tried to make a swirled bath bomb before and would like to try. If anyone has tried to make a swirled bath bombs before, please let me know any tricks or suggestions you may have in making them. I would really appreciate it!

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Bubble Gum Soap Recipe - Cold Process

When I saw this cold process soap recipe called Bubble Gum Soap on the Soap Making Forum site I had to check it out. If you have kids that do not like to take a bath, this recipe may be the soap for you. If you are vegan I would suggest using palm oil or crisco instead of tallow. And since this recipe is calling for a bubblegum fragrance oil, make sure that the fragrance oil you purchase can work in a cold process recipe. The ingredients you will need for this recipe are 8 oz soft water; 3 oz lye, 7 oz crisco, palm oil or tallow; 7 oz coconut oil; 6 oz olive oil; 1 oz jojoba oil; 1 oz Bubble gum fragrance oil, and Imperial Red Mica to color.

Friday, February 17, 2012

Coconut & Plum Whipped Body Butter

Do you love the feel of a body butter on your skin? And you are wondering how you can create your own? Here is a recipe from Natural Beauty Workshop called Coconut & Plum Whipped Body Butter that should fit the bill. Whipped body butters are really easy to make and once you make this recipe, you will never buy retail again! All the supplies for this recipe were purchased From Nature With Love.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

St. Patrick Soaps: Gift Packaging Ideas

Valentine's Day has just past and now it is time to think about St. Patrick's Day. If you do not have any ideas to wrap your soaps for St. Patrick's gift giving, here are some ideas from Denise from Go Planet Earth. Denise has kindly shared her wrapping ideas on her blog Denise's Yadda Yadda which has the best ideas. I love following her blog to get great ideas on packaging and soap projects. You should check it out.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Lip Butter Recipe

Do you love using either a balm or butter for your lips? Here is a lip butter recipe from DIY Skincare that comes in a tube. Allison from Bath Body Supply is graciously sharing this wonderful and simple recipe with her readers. This recipe combines some really wonderful ingredients such as Jojoba Oil, Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Natural Cocoa Butter and Olive Butter. Allison has added vanilla swirl flavoring and a touch of powdered sweetner to make it even more delicious. If you are not a a fan of vanilla, you could subsitute some other flavoring. I am sure that you would not hurt Allison's feelings. Just remember you can purchase all of the supplies for this recipe directly from Bath Body Supply!

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

How to Sell Consignment

Do you make crafts and were wondering which vehicle to sell them? One way is to sell them is on consignment. Never heard of consignment, well the best to to describe it is that a store owner will take your product and instead of buying it, they will pay you for the product when they sell it. And what is great about selling your craft by consignment is that is often a first step to getting into a retail store. Want to learn more? Here is an article titled,
How to Sell Consignment by Anne Marie (aka The Soap Queen) which appears on her site The Soap Queen. If this sounds like if it works for you, it may be the best way to sell your craft items.

Monday, February 13, 2012

Current Simply Homemade Magazine Craft Projects

Just got back from Barnes and Noble spending time reading some of the craft magazines out on their stands. One that I was most interested in was Simply Homemade published by Practical Publishing International Ltd in the United Kingdom.

In this particular issue they had two articles on my favorite craft hobbies: Candles and Soap Making. The project I particular liked in the candles article was an ice candle where the majority of the wax was white but the wick of the candle was provided by a pink taper candle. It looked nice. In the instructions, it asks for so much wax to make the candle but it does not specifiy what kind. I am presuming paraffin. Is there anyone out there than tell me if you can use soy wax to make to ice candles. I am thinking not, but if anyone knows for sure and knows....

The second article contained melt and pour soapmaking projects that were suited for Valentine's Day. Two of the projects used flexible heart shaped ice cube trays to make soap. Then once the soap was hardened one had placed a small rose petals and the other one placed purples rhinestones (which have one flat side on them) that you can find at the craft store. But the one I really thought was cute was a flat heart shaped soap that had an adorable ribbon threaded through the top. Basically this soap was made by melting opaque white soap and adding coloring and fragrance. Then pouring the melted soap into what looked like an 8x8 silcone brownie pan. Once hardened removing the soap from the mold and using a heart shaped cookie cutter to cut out the soaps. Then piercing two holes at the top of the heart and threading really cute ribbon through the holes.

So the project that I am most likely to make is the ribbon soap. When I make them, I will take pictures and post it hear first!

2 Color Side by Side Swirl Soap

Are you wondering how to make this different looking layered soap? There are many different places where you can find how to do it but Lovin' Soap has kindly shared on her site on how to create her beautiful two color side by side swirl soap. Now you do not have to use the colors Lovin' Soap used, you can use your favorite colors or to match the decor of your own bathroom. Give these instructions a try and let use know how your soaps came out.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Marbling: Torching Your Candles

Soapmaking has a variety of different techinques. But did you know that candlemaking does too? I only new of a few, but never heard of marbling your candles by torching them. According to Erica of Bath Alchemy, torching is a very unique technique in marbling involves concentrated dyes and a blow torch. The effect is sometimes referred to as “tie-dye” since it mimics the look of tie-dyed fabrics. If you are intriqued on how to do this techinque, then I would highly recommend reading the tutorial by Erica on how to marble your candles by torching.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Conversation Hearts Melt and Pour Soap Recipe

This Conversation Hearts Melt and Pour Soap Recipe from Wholesale Supplies Plus reminds me of the candies you find in the cute boxes every Valentines Day. I always love reading the messages on each heart. Why not show your love this Valentine's Day or matter of fact anytime of the year. This intermediate project should take you a half hour to make (allow time for the soap to cool) and you should get (8) 1" bars of soap from this recipe. Wholesale Supplies Plus has conveniently provided a print recipe button so you can print out this project and put it in your files.

Friday, February 10, 2012

Papaya Smoothie Sugar Scrub

In the world of sugar scrubs there is the single use sugar cube version and this more fluid liquidy version. This Papaya Smoothie Sugar Scrub from The Natural Beauty Workshop is a perfectly tropical scented sugar scrub. This recipe uses Honey Granules and Coconut Milk Powder to enhance its cleansing ability. Tiny Jojoba Wax Beads give it a touch of color, and Water Dispersible Apricot Fragrance Oil, a luscious mix of papaya and cream fragrances.

Kernel Oil makes it rinsable. The Natural Beauty Workshop scented this recipe with their mouth watering Papaya Milk.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Cocoa Butter Massage Bar Recipe

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and you are thinking what I can give my valentine, right? Well, I found this really cute Cocoa Butter Massage Bar from DIY Skincare that just might fill that bill. Even if it is not Valentine's Day you can make these massage bars for any occassion plus you do not have to make them in the heart shape Alison has suggested. All ingredients can be conveniently purchased through Bath Body Supply if you do not have a regular vendor to purchase the supplies from.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

MP Loves CP

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, wouldn't this be a really adorable soap to make and give as gifts? Anne Marie aka The Soap Queen is really in love with Brambleberry's new silicone cube mold that she even designed a brand new mini heart mold specifically for embedding in the cube mold. In this tutorial she uses the technique of combining melt and pour with cold process soap is super simple with lovable results. She says that it is even easy enough for CP beginners! It should take you 45 minutes (not including curing time) to make this recipe. Once completed you should get 5 pounds of soap. If you would like to try and make these adorable soaps, check out the full instructions (Valentine Heart CP/MP Soap) on her website. All supplies can be purchased through Brambleberry.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Red Hot Lip Gloss Recipe

According to Alison of Bath Body Supply, "a lip plumper is a cosmetic product used to make lips appear fuller. In appearance, it ranges from translucent to opaque and tinted. Lip plumpers are used by those with thinner lips when full, "pouty" lips are desired. These products typically work by irritating the thin, delicate skin of the lips with ingredients like menthol, cayenne or cinnamon. This makes the lips swell slightly, which may also diminish the appearance of fine lines in that area. Other perceived benefits include stimulating collagen production and moisturizing. A lip plumper's effects are temporary, so it must be reapplied throughout the day to maintain the results."

She posted this recipe to create this Red Hot Lip Gloss on her blog DIY Skincare. In this recipe, Alison has for the first ingredient is Natural Lip Balm Base (For Pots) which you can purchase through Bath Body Supply but if you have your own recipe you could probably subsitute.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Adzuki & Asian Olive Tapenade Spa Soap

Looking for something different in melt and pour soap project? You may want to check out this melt and pour soap tutorial from Go Planet Earth called Adzuki & Asian Olive Tapenade Spa Soap.

You too can learn how to make adzuki goat's milk soap. According to Go Planet Earth, it is also referred to as Aduki or Azuki Bean, which has been used in Japanese skin care regimens for centuries.

To make this soap, you will need the following supplies: Suspension Soap Base, Goat's Milk Soap Base If using the Mold Market Groovy Bar mold ,Olive Asian Tapenade Fragrance Oil, Adzuki Beans, and Mold Market Groovy Bar Spa Mold.

For full instructions and to find out exactly how much of each ingredient you will need, visit
Adzuki & Asian Olive Tapenade Spa Soap tutorial from Go Planet Earth. If you are still having problems, scroll down the page and watch the instructional video for this project.

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Scenting Naturally: Making Perfumes Part 1 - Families and Noties

Have you recently developed an interest in making your own perfumes? You do not know where to start? In part 1 of this 2 part series Erica from The Bonnie Bath Company has written this article titled, Scenting Naturally: Making Perfumes Part 1 - Families and Notes which appears on the her blog Bath Alchemy discusses how perfumery is an art form. It is almost like a composing music and takes alot of its terminology from that genre. Making your own perfume is typically experimenting but you can also use tried and true formulas as well.

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Bombs Away–Valentine heart fizzies

Hearts will be fluttering when you give this heart shaped bath bomb to your sweetie for Valentine's day. This Bombs Away–Valentine heart fizzies project from Riverlea Soap is really easy to make and she even shows you a really easy way to package your bath bomb if you are not creative to come up with your own.

Friday, February 3, 2012

Soapylove Valentine Hearts

Riverlea Soap recently purchased Debbie Chiltas (SoapyLove)'s book and she asked Debbie if she could put one of her recipes on her website. Odie selected Soapylove Valentine Hearts to be showcased since it is Valentine season. Take a look at these simple instructions and make these simple melt and pour soaps for your own own sweetie!

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Linear Swirling (Cold Process)

Swirling several colors in a batch of cold process soap is a very popular technique. In this Linear Swirling (Cold Process) tutorial is part 5 of Advanced Swirling by guest Kat from Otion (Bramble Berry’s retail store). This project is for a more experienced cold process soapmaker so if you are a beginning cold process soapmaker, it is recommended to have practice making some cold process batches before trying this project. If you want to get more comfortable with this technique, you may want to try swirling two colors before moving on to a third one. Before you get started you should check out what you need for completing this technique. So check out Kat's listed of must have materials for swirling!

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Chocolate Lip Scrub Recipe

Do you love using lip scrubs to exfoliate your lips? Here is a delicious Chocolate Lip Scrub recipe from DIY Skincare
that would be perfect to make for yourself. Or better yet since Valentine's Day is just around the corner, you can make them and give as gifts.