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.

Bath & Body Gift Ideas

I found this creative gifts  on Bath and Body Craft Gossip (http://bathnbody.craftgossip.com/bath-body-gift-ideas/2010/02/05/) site:

#1 Butter Cream Bath Jewels from Dearly Yours (http://www.dearlyyours.com/store/WsDefault.asp?One=271)

#2 Gift Sets by Wild Women Soaps (http://www.wildwomensoaps.com/gifts/sets.html)

#3 Bath Teas by A Little Something Wicked (http://www.alittlesomethingwicked.com/Bath-Teas-pr-18.html)

#4 Majesty Gift Sets from Primal Elements (http://www.primalelementsonline.com/majesty.html)

#5 The Birthday Box by Seascape Soap Company (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=36402267)

#6 Bee Refreshed Gift Basket by Bee Beautiful Natural Skin Care (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=36021795)

My favorites if these gift ideas are  #1 and #5.  I like #1 for the actual cuteness of the bath bomb. The frosting seals the deal for me on that one.  And #5 I like the whole packaging aspects from the bright foil wrapping to the clever box container. Anyone of these would be great presents but my favorites would be great for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, or birthday.

Valentine Cupcake Votive Candles

Valentine's Day is around the corner. It is not too late to contact your customers with creatively fun products such as these.

Ingredients:

1 lb. Pillar Soy WaxCrafter's Choice Simple Soy Wick V
1 oz Crafter's Choice Cupcake Fragrance Crafter's Choice Liquid Candle Color (your choice of color)

Silicone Heart Cupcake Mold
Silicone Round Cupcake Mold

Directions:

Cupcake Base:

Melt wax as directed.
Add your choice of fragrance and color.
Place your wick in the mold.

Carefully pour the wax into the mold. Allow wax to fully return to room temperature and unmold. Note, if you try to remove wax from mold too soon, the wax will stick to the mold.

Cupcake Whip Topping:

Melt wax as directed.
Add your choice of fragrance and color.
Whip with hand mixer. When the wax appears fluffy, spoon onto unmolded wax cupcakes. If the cupcakes are hard and the whipped wax does not want to adhere, heat the top of the cupcake slightly with a heat gun or hair dryer. Then spoon wax topping.

Scent Suggestions:

You can use the same fragrance for top and bottom. In our case we used Crafter's Choice Cupcake Fragrance Oil.You can also use two different scents for the cupcake and the topping. Examples might include: Chocolate Drizzle & Caribbean Coconut, Birthday Cake & Lemon Ice, French Vanilla & Marischino Cherry, Vanilla Cream & Orange Burst - the list is almost endless.

Happy Valentine's Day!
Debbie May
http://www.wholesalesuppliesplus.com/
1-800-359-0944



Source: http://www.wholesalesuppliesplus.blogspot.com/

Cranberry Pumpkin Salt Scrub

This fragrant Salt Scrub is packed with skin loving ingredients that can help to soften and moisturize your skin. Pumpkin Seed Oil contains high levels of zinc, and vitamins A, C, E, and K. Cranberry Seed Oil is rich in antioxidants, and essential fatty acids. All of this natural goodness can help to improve your skin's condition while mineral rich Bolivian Pink Salt provides exfoliation and stimulates circulation. This simple scrub is quick and easy to make, and a pleasure to use. We've added Polysorbate 20 to this recipe to make it rinsable, and Cranberry Fragrance Oil to enhance the scrub's aroma. For an all natural scrub, simply leave out these two ingredients and double the amount of Cranberry Seed Oil and Pumpkin Seed Oil.

Cranberry Pumpkin Salt Scrub
Makes about 4 Ounces

Ingredients

1/2 cup Bolivian Pink Salt, Fine
1/2 ounce Pumpkin Seed Oil
1/2 ounce Cranberry Seed Oil
1/2 teaspoon Cranberry Fruit Fiber
1/2 teaspoon Cranberry Fruit Seeds
1 ounce Polysorbate 20
1/2 teaspoon Cranberry Fragrance Oil

Directions

In a small mixing bowl, combine the Pumpkin Seed Oil, Cranberry Seed Oil, Polysorbate 20, and Cranberry Fragrance Oil. Stir the liquids well to make sure they are fully combined. Next, add the Bolivian Pink Salt and stir again, making sure to break up any clumps in the salt. Add the Cranberry Fruit Fiber and Cranberry Fruit Seeds and mix well. A natural or synthetic preservative may be added to this recipe at your own discretion. For information on preservatives, please visit our informational library.

Packaging & Usage


Spoon the mixture into a PET plastic Jar. Make sure that the top of the jar and the lid are totally free from oil before you cap the jar. Any oil on the lid or the top of the jar can cause the scrub to leak. In a sealed container, this scrub should last several months, but after it is opened it can easily become contaminated during use. Keeping the jar away from water, and using clean utensils to scoop out the scrub will help to keep it from becoming contaminated. You can also package the scrub in single serving containers so that they will be used up completely after they opened.

There are many scrubbing techniques out there, but this is one I am particularly fond of. Step into the shower and before turning the water on, scrub your body all over! (Of course, avoiding very sensitive areas or broken skin.) When you are thoroughly scrubbed, turn the shower on and rinse. When the shower is over, make sure to moisturize your skin with a body oil, cream, or lotion.

To Make an All Natural Version

Simply double the amount of oils, and leave out the Polysorbate 20 and Fragrance Oil. An Essential Oil can be added or you can leave the scrub unscented.

Now you can purchase all the ingredients and packaging you'll need to create around our Cranberry Pumpkin Salt Scrub in our Body Care Craft Kit for just $20.00! Body Care Craft Kits or finished cookies make excellent, affordable holiday gifts.

Source: http://www.naturalbeautyworkshop.com/my_weblog/scrub_of_the_month/

Jewelry Gift Pouch

This Valentine's Day, show your love by giving this beautiful heart pendant wrapped in a lovely jewelry gift pouch.

Tools and Materials

Template
Gray or brown Ultrasuede
Fuchsia or pink Ultrasuede
Scissors
Pinking shears
Needle and coordinating thread
6-millimeter crystal bead
Fabric glue
Screw punch

Jewelry Pouch How-To

1. Print template.

2. Cut a 5 1/4-inch piece of Ultrasuede. Make a fold at 2 3/4 inches and press.

3. Use pinking shears to create a decorative edge on the shorter half, as shown in the template.

4. Sew a crystal to the shorter half, as marked by a small circle on the template.

5. Cut a 3-by-3-inch square from Ultrasuede. Use pinking shears to create a decorative edge on one side.

6. Make a line of fabric glue along long edges of the folded Ultrasuede piece. Lay square on short side of fold, with pinked edge along pinked edge. Fold the other half of pouch over and secure to other side of square.

7. Cut a heart in fuchsia or pink Ultrasuede. Use a screw punch to make a hole at the tip of the heart, as shown in the template.

8. Using fabric glue, attach the top of the heart to the back top of the pouch. Fold over to create a flap, and put crystal through hole to secure.

Resources

Ultrasuede from bandjfabrics.com; Crystallized-Swarovski Elements from swarovski-crystallized.com; Fabri-Tac fabric glue by Beacon Adhesives; screw punch from Martha Stewart crafts; all other tools and materials available at crafts and sewing supply stores. Visit our Valentine's Day ideas photo gallery, and sign up for our Valentine's Day Workshop for countless ways to say I love you.

If you would like to check out Martha's Valentine's Workshop, the go to the following link http://www.marthastewart.com/valentinesworkshop

Source: http://www.marthastewart.com/article/jewelry-gift-pouch?lnc=38f9cf380e1dd010VgnVCM1000005b09a00aRCRD&rsc=showmain_tv_the-martha-stewart-show

How to Make a Ribbon Rose (English Version)

You know that a bouquet of long stem red roses die so quickly in addition of being so expensive. What not give your sweetie a bouquet of red roses made out of ribbon for Valentine's Day? Here is a clip from You Tube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qN_b3nT4uvk&feature=related

Raspberry Truffle Lotion Bars

It may seem a little early for Valentine's recipes, but if you ask me, it's always a great time for love! Besides, Valentine's Day is about a month away, and you may need some extra time to plan out that perfect valentine. These sweetly scented Lotion Bars look adorable when they are made with our Heart Shaped Soap Molds, and make great gifts for your special valentines. Made with aromatic Cocoa Butter, skin nourishing Passion Flower Oil, and a touch of candy sweet Fragrance, Raspberry Truffle Lotion Bars make a decadent treat for thirsty winter skin.

Raspberry Truffle Lotion Bars
Makes about four 2.5 ounce bars

Ingredients::
1 1/2 ounces Beeswax
1 teaspoon Red Jojoba Wax Beads
*4 ounces Cocoa Butter
2 ounces Babasssu Oil
1 ounce Red Raspberry Seed Oil
1 ounce Passion Flower (Maracuja) Oil
1/4 ounce Raspberry Truffles Fragrance Oil*

Special Equipment Needed: 1 Heart Shaped Soap Mold

Directions
In a double boiler, gently melt Beeswax, Jojoba Wax Beads, Babassu Oil, and Cocoa Butter completely. After the oils and waxes are melted, remove them from heat and allow them to cool for a few moments before adding the Passion Flower Oil and Red Raspberry Seed Oil. Stir the mixture well, then add the Raspberry Truffles Fragrance Oil. Carefully pour the mixture into four cavities of the Soap Mold, initially leaving about 1/4 inch of space in each cavity. Split any remaining mixture between the four cavities. Allow the bars to cool completely before attempting to remove them from the molds. I don't recommend forcing them to cool with a freezer or refrigerator, as this could cause the bars to crack.

Usage & Packaging
Lotion Bars can be rubbed directly onto dry skin. Doing so after a shower or bath can help to replenish moisture and form a protective barrier over the skin. Lotion Bars can be stored in small airtight tins or plastic containers. When giving them as gifts, try packaging them in Small Cello Bags, as pictured above. Tiny red heart stickers look adorable polka dotted on the package, but these bags can also be embellished with ribbons, paper, or other crafty goodies.

*For a more natural product, these Lotion Bars can be left unscented. The rich aroma of Cocoa Butter in the recipe, combined with the slight fatty aroma of Raspberry Seed Oil will create a subtle, pleasant scent. The Jojoba Wax Beads can also be removed from the recipe, and replaced with additional Beeswax. To add a natural color to your Lotion Bars, try infusing 1/2 teaspoon of Alkanet Root Powder in the warm oils.

Source: http://www.naturalbeautyworkshop.com/my_weblog/2009/01/raspberry-truffle-lotion-bars.html

Last Minute Holiday Gifts

Here is an excerpt from Martha Stewart's show on making candle with Harry Slatkin. I reconize the soy wax - you can purchase it from Michael's or Joann's.

http://www.marthastewart.com/affiliateinfo

This Christmas season, it is really big to make your own crafts and give them as gifts. Just last week, one of the local news reporters was at Michaels in Emeryville. And the manager they interviewed said that this Christmas season they are beating last year.

Good for all of you that make your gifts! I really think that the reciptent appreciates it more.