How much stuff should you order when you buy supplies?

I have been teaching bath and body classes for a long time and sometimes I had to figure out how much supplies to order. My math skills had to come into play to figure out how much a recipe could accommodate how many students I have and double or triple a recipe.  So if you are not teaching classes and you are doing this for a hobby or actually taking it to the next level and making a business out of your hobby and wonder how to handle ordering supplies, then I would suggest you read the blog post from Point of Interest! called How Much Stuff Should You Order When You Buy Supplies?

Found a New Source For Muslin Bags

Previously I had order the small muslin bags from Mountain Rose Herb to use in a holiday bizzare that I will be participating in.  I thought they were too small but I kept them anyway.  I ordered the large size and I did not check the measurements.  But they wound up being 4" x 6" . They were too large.  I wanted something in between the 3" x 5" and 4" x 6".  I searched on line and found a company in Kansas City, MO called State Line Bag Co. I am happy to say that they had a 3.25" x 5" bag that was perfect.  State Line Bag Co. has a variety of sizes from 2" x 3" to 12" x 20".  So if you are looking for an unique size for muslin bags, then I would check them out.

How Do I Choose the Best Lip Balm Tubes?

Selling lip balms is big business. Is this something that interest you since you have been creating your own lip balms and giving them out to friends and family? Or are you in a quandry which is the best tubes you should select for your lip balms? How Do I Choose the Best Lip Balm Tubes? is an article that appears on Wisegeek which can help you solve your problem. Selecting your lip balm tubes can be very insteresting part of the lip balm making experience wouldn't you say? There are a variety of sizes and colors to choose from and it can be confusing. So start reading the article to help you on your way to success.

Draw String Muslin Bags

I used to be able to purchase individual muslin bags when Elephant Pharm was open but they closed back in September 2008. And recently I found out that Sun Country Market in Palo Alto no longer sells them invididually.  Sun Country has 3 in a pack for around $2.

So I now I have resorted to purchasing them online.  The two places I have purchase these items are at Wholesale Supplies Plus and Element Bath and Body.

Element Bath and Body has 2 sizes 3x5 and 4x6.  Prices vary depending on the quantity you purchase.  As for Wholesale Supplies Plus, they also have 2 sizes (4x6 and 5x7).  The prices of these will vary but unlike Element Bath and Body, Wholesale Supplies Plus sells them in packages starting with a quanity of 25 and up.

If you know of anywhere else that someone can purchase these, please let us know so we can pass the information along.

Melt and Pour Soap Bases

If you have taken a melt and pour soapmaking class from me and were interested in other varieties in soap bases, Snowdrift Farms (http://www.snowdriftfarms.com/) has quite a selection.

They supply the regular white and glycerin, but they carry a selection of premium bases which includes Aloe Vera, Cocoa Butter, Emu Oil, Hemp, Honey, Olive Oil and Olive Oil.

Here is direct link to the soap bases page:

http://www.snowdriftfarm.com/melt_and_pour.html

Make sure to check out other supplies to create your own bath and body products. For those who have taken some of my other classes, Snowdrift Farms sells Dendritic Salt, Citric Acid, Bath Salts, E-Wax, Stearic Acid, bottles and jar and more!

Where to purchase Citric Acid in SF Bay Area

If you are looking to purchase Citric Acid in the San Francisco Bay Area, you may want to take a trip to Berkeley and visit Juniper Tree on San Pablo Avenue. For more information about Juniper Tree visit their website at http://www.junipertreesupplies.com/.

I know in Palo Alto that Crossroads World Market on 720 San Antonio Road (cross street Middlefield) sells Citric Acid. There hours are Monday - Friday 9:30 am - 7:30 pm; Saturday 10 am 7:30 pm; Sunday 10 am - 5 pm.

You may want to check health food stores or places that sell items to make jams or jellies.

If I find any other places that sell it locally, I will let you know.

Whole Foods Market

Just want to let you know that if you are interested in purchasing some essential oils you can purchase a variety of scents from Whole Food Markets. The essential oils are located in the beauty section of the store and the price range is from about $5 to $45 depending on the scent. They only carry one size.

The philosophy of the high cost is the more of the plant they have to use, the more the cost. Or the smaller the bottle, the larger the cost.

If you need to purchase and perservative you can purchase grape seed oil for about $12.

The only thing you must be aware of is that essential oils will eventually expire. I have read that it be 2 years after you open the bottle. You will know if the essential oil is not good because it will have a rancid smell.

To help prolong the life of your oils, store them in a cool dark place or have a dedicated fridge. You do not want the fragrance to mingle with your food or visa versa.

For a location near you, check out their website at www.wholefoodsmarket.com.

Juniper Tree

Juniper Tree is a store in Berkeley which carries supplies to make your own soap and bath supplies. I was introduced to the store in 2003 when I took a Melt and Pour Soap Making class taught by Lori Nova through DeAnza's Community Education.

If you have taken anyone of my classes I make references to this retail establishment to purchase supplies. I have been to the store and have made purchases there. Everytime I go there to purchase some supplies, I have a game plan of what I need and wind up purchasing more than I need.

I like the variety of fragrances and botanicals they have. On my next trip, I am planning to purchase some of the coloring used for soap making and will give a product review in the future.
So, look out for future product reviews.

The staff at Juniper Tree is very helpful and resourceful. I highly recommend anyone to make the trip over there.

Although I find parking to be a problem, I often will take Bart to the Downtown Berkeley Station. Once I get out of the station, there is a Bus Stop. If you wait for the #9 Bus it will take you to San Pablo Avenue. And you are only a couple of stores away.

They have a website you may want to check out before you venture out. www.junipertreesupplies.com