RECIPE: Whipped Lip Butter - Strawberry Sorbet

Have you ever heard of or used a lip butter?  According to Wholesale Supplies Plus, this lip butter has butters and oils that will help dry lips feel hydrated and soft. It quickly soaks into the skin without any greasy after feel.  Want to learn how to make this recipe?  Check out the recipe called Whipped Lip Butter - Strawberry Sorbet.  If you are not a strawberry lover, then substitute with something that would suit more your taste.

Resizing and Converting Soap Recipes

Recently, I posted the article by David Fisher called Calculating the Size/Amount to Fill a Soap Mold to help you to figure how much of a batch of soap that a mold will hold.  Well what if you have the opposite problem?  You know how much the mold will hold but your have a batch of soap that won't fit that mold?   What do you do?  I have the answer for you.  Check out Lather Be Soaping's posting called Resizing and Converting Soap Recipes. In this posting discusses the reverse of adjusting your batch to fit into a mold that may hold a different amount of soap.

Calculating the Size/Amount of Soap to Fill a Soap Mold

To be honest I have been a melt and pour soap maker for many years.  I have taken plenty of cold process soap classes through The Nova Studio over the years and I would like to venture out on this process in the near future.  So you can say that I have purchased a lot of soap making supplies and equipment. Some of the equipment I have purchased have been molds including silicone bake ware that I want to use for soap batches, but I was in a quandary on how much soap to make for a particular mold especially if it originally was intending for baking.  So I looked online and found an article written by David Fisher called How to Calculate the Size/Amount of Soap to Fill a Soap Mold.  This article covers every shape you can think of of. So if you are mathematically challenged then this article is for you.

Once Upon a Dream Cold Process Tutorial

Childhood stories always starts with Once upon time.  But here is a recipe from The Soap Queen that brings the princess theme of true love, happiness, magic and morality into a bar of soap.  The name of this cold process soap project is called Once Upon a Dream. This project features the hanger swirl technique, which is best suited for a more advanced cold process soap maker, that involves layers and swirling them with a bent hanger or wire tool.

How to Care for Silicone and Wood Molds

Taking up a hobby has it costs.  Soap making is no different.  There are supplies such as carrier oils, colorants, fragrance or essential oils, and molds which can surely add up.   But one should invest in quality soap molds to take your products to the next level.   Soap making mold come in various shapes, sizes and materials.  Among the most popular are silicone and wood.  With proper care, your will last for years.  Would you like learn the proper care of your molds?  The Soap Queen recently posted an entry on How to Care for Silicone and Wood Molds tells you everything that you need to know.

Coconut Oil Salt Scrub

Forget buying those expensive scrubs from the stores and make your own in just minutes.  Here is a recipe which appears on Health and Natural Living called Coconut Oil Salt Scrub which originally comes from Coconut Mama.  So go directly to How to Make A Coconut Salt Scrub on Coconut Mama's website and get started.

How to Use 2-Part Silicone Molds

Are you afraid to use a two part silicone mold?  Or have you always wanted to try but never found any instructions that were really helpful?  Here is a video which appears on Soap Queen TV called How to Use 2-Part Silicone Molds which shows you how to make melt and pour soapy embeds.

Sunday Night Spotlight: Cocoa Butter

I have taken a variety of body product classes from The Nova Studio.  Some of the products I learned how to make used Cocoa Butter.  You say that you never used Cocoa Butter in your body products?  I have used in both refined and unrefined versions and I have to say that sometimes I like to have the chocolate scent and sometimes I do not.  If you have never used cocoa butter while making your own  body products and want to learn about it, I found a post from The Soap Queen called Sunday Night Spotlight:  Cocoa Butter.  This posting breaks down in simple terms about how to use this wonderful ingredient in your products.  You should give it a try sometime.

Vanilla Neroli Lip Balm Recipe

This Vanilla Neroli Lip Balm recipe from the Mountain Rose Blog was inspired by sweet spring memories.  It is made with the precious essential of Neroli (orange flower blossom) which also can be used for making perfumes and body sprays that are perfect for the season.  And this recipe uses infused jojoba beads with with vanilla beans.  Sounds wonderful that I am ready to make a batch right now.

Mermaid Tail Cold Process Soap

The Soap Queen has been in a mermaid phase.  She had an eye shadow project and now she has posted a cold process soap project.  This Mermaid Tail Cold Process Soap is an advanced level project that takes 1-2 hours that yields 2-3 pounds of soap. I like the look of the soap, what about you?  I think I will like to give this technique a try.

How to Price Your Products for Profit

So you are thinking about selling your handcrafted items? Congratulations. There is so much to consider but one of the most important things is pricing your products.  If you are not sure how to price your products in order to make a profit, you should read Erica Pence's blog posting on How to Price Your Products for Profit.  Erica breaks down the formula on how to determine how to price your product.  Since we are on the subject of pricing, you may also want to read her posting called 3 Pricing Strategies for Small Business.  In this posting Erica covers the subject of Premium Pricing, Neutral Pricing and Penetration Pricing.  Both postings have great information for you.

Soft & Creamy Blush Sticks

Love to wear blush?  Guess what?  I found this tutorial from The Soap Queen called Soft & Creamy Blush Sticks which is simply to make and all of the supplies for this product can be purchase from Brambleberry.  So it cannot get simple enough to get started.

Mystic Mermaid Eye Shadow + Application Tutorial

If you just wear the basic eye shadow colors and would like to spice it up abit, you may want to try and make your own.  Here is a tutorial on how to make a different shade plus application.  This tutorial from The Soap Queen called Mystic Mermaid Eye Shadow that just may be the trick.

How to make a longer lasting lotion?

Do you make your own lotions?  Are you wondering how can you make your lotions last longer on your skin?  To be honest there are alot of varying opinions on this subject and probably there something more than just the oils that you use.  And it also depends on your skin type.  If you want to find out more, then I would suggest reading a recent post from Point of Interest called How to Make a Longer Last Lotion? to find out if there is something that you can do to fix this problem.

Shimmering Sea Salt Scrub Recipe

Spring is arriving on Friday and it is not to late to get your skin in shape.  You are probably how can you do that?  Well, you can making this Shimmering Sea Salt Scrub recipe from The Soap Queen.

So you have never used a salt scrub before and are wondering how a scrub works?  Well, the sea salt removes the dead skin, while the oils leave the skin feeling hydrated and smooth.  According to the Soap Queen, the end result is moisturized, extra soft skin.  Since this recipe uses hard hard oils that become liquid when heated, the texture of the scrub will depend on the temperature of the room.  Just remember that using a scrub in the shower will create a slippery surface so be careful.

Lemon Poppy Seed Cold Process on Soap Queen TV

Do you lemon poppy seed cake?  Would you believe The Soap Queen has a video tutorial on Soap Queen TB called Lemon Poppy Seed Cold Process Soap that you can make at home.  This project is for the advanced CP soapmaker with a super straight mica event and a textured top.

Lacy Soap - The tutorial

Are you a cold process soap maker that loves lace?  Here is a technique from Riverlea Soap that you may want to jazz up your soaps.  This tutorial called Lacy Soap may just be up your alley if you like lace and vintage stuff.

WHAT METHOD OF SOAPMAKING IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

Are you interested in making your own soap but do not know which one is best for you?  In a recent post called What Method of Soapmaking is Right for You?, Kenna of Modern Soapmaking wrote about the different types of soap making.  My first soap making class was on melt and pour and I have been doing that process for years.  It is very simple and an easy one to start with.  But over the years I took some classes on Cold Process (CP) and Hot Process (HP) soap making through The Nova Studio.  I have not have the opportunity to make soap by these process yet, but I am getting the itch to give it a try really soon since I purchased a really nice soap mold from The Nova Studio garage sale last month.

Fresh Rose & Almond Milk Beauty Treatments

Have you ever wondered about using Almond Milk in making your own beauty treatments? In a recent posting from The Natural Beauty Workshop titled Fresh Rose and Almond Milk Beauty Treatments discusses using almond milk.  Would you believe that Almond Milk is a great choice for skincare?  Do you know why?  It is because it is loaded with Vitamin E.   Since the almond milk you purchase at your local grocery store often contains additives and stabilizers, you can easily whip your own for all of your beauty formulations.  Learn how easy to to do that and a facial recipe in this article.

How to Use Leftover Soap Scraps

After you have made some soap and you have had leftovers (could be a bar that did not turn out the way you liked or something like that) and you do not like to see it go to waste.  Well good news you can reuse or what is called rebatching.  Rebatched soap involves melting soap with a bit of liquid like distilled water.  What is unique about this technique is that it gives your soap a rustic look
without having to handle lye.  If you are interested in this technique, I would suggest reading The Soap Queen's post on How to Use Leftover Soap Scraps.

Solid Shea Butter Sugar Scrub Cube Recipe

Out of all of the classes I have taken through The Nova Studio, I have to say that there are a couple of recipes that are truly my favorite to make.  One of them is body balms/butters and the other is Sugar Scrub Cubes.  Here is one by Rebecca Dillon called Solid Shea Butter Sugar Scrub Cubes which appears on Rebecca's Deli News Blog from July 2011.  If you cannot find natural shea soap base, you probably can sub clear vegetable soap base instead.

Sugar Cube Bath Melts

If you are new to making your own bath and body products, here is an easy one for you to try....Sugar Cube Bath Melts.  When I first saw this recipe it reminded me of one of my favorite products to make Sugar Scrub Cube but this recipe from Wholesale Supplies Plus has one ingredient missing and that is melt and pour soap base.  With that missing ingredient it would be more of a bath melt than a sugar scrub.

Candy Crush MP Soap Loaf

Do you have the passion for playing Candy Crush on your smartphone or tablet?  Would you like to carry that over to a bar of soap?  I found this project from Wholesale Supplies Plus called Candy Crush MP Soap Loaf that would fit that bill. It is a moderate level project that should take 2 hours to make.  And you would be able to get eight 1" slices to give out to other Candy Crush fans.

Rose & Aloe In-Shower Lotion

I am sure that alot of you use your favorite lotion after you get out of the shower, but would you believe that there is a type of  lotion called "in-shower lotion is a product that is applied in the shower and it is rinsed off. The steamy shower creates the perfect environment to give your skin the extra hydration that it needs. So you could call it a conditioner for your skin. Would you like to try some?  There is a recipe called Rose & Aloe In-Shower Lotion from The Soap Queen that would be the perfect recipe to try to make on your own.

Shades of Strawberry Lip Balm

Is there one shade of lip balm you prefer over another? If you love shades of reds, here is a recipe from Wholesale Supplies called Shades of Strawberry Lip Balm.  This is a basic recipe that is great for beginners that uses four different types of color for you to see and compare.  The range of colors are made with a matte oxide pigment powder, oil locking mica shimmer, neon powder and sparkle mica powder and is flavored with a strawberry flavoring.

Easter Eggs in Basket MP Soap

Easter comes early this year.  April 5th to be exact.  Make make this adorable Easter Eggs in Basket MP Soap.  This project is from Wholesale Supplies Plus will make a perfect addition to your Easter basket.  Or if you sell, then add it your spring craft show.  It takes about an hour to make eight bars of soap.

In the Pot Swirl Cold Process on Soap Queen TV

Want to take your cold process soap technique to the next level? Then try this In the Pot Swirl Cold Process technique that is currently being shown on Soap Queen TV.  This is more of an advanced technique, so it is recommended to watch the Basics of Cold Process Series before watching this techinque.  Then get some experience in making batches before attempting this project.

Rainbow Hearts Melt & Pour on Soap Queen TV

Love hearts?  Love Rainbows?  Why not create a melt and pour soap bar that combines the two.  From Soap Queen TV is an instructional video on how to create Rainbow Hearts Melt and Pour Soap. This updated bar of soap will make anyone smile with plenty of sparkle, color and hearts.

Bedtime Bath Salt Bars

Have you ever heard of a salt bar?  They are the coolest thing.  Take a look at this posting from I'd Lather be Soaping called Bedtime Bath Salt Bars to learn more about this unique bath and body product.

Soapy Mess-Up Quick Guide

If you are a cold process soap maker (or if you never made soap before), this process is both an art from and a science (chemistry especially).  It requires precise measuring of ingredients to get the saponification process to go just right.  Time and temperature are just as time important so that the chemical reaction of the lye, water and oils reaction properly. Since you need to be precise in making cold process soap, mistakes sometimes happens to the best of us..  But would you believe that there are methods to prevent and fix your mistakes.  Would you like to learn how?  In a recent post from The Soap Queen called Soapy Mess-Up Quick Guide can help you on various mistakes.