After taking the Lotions and Creams class at the Nova Studio, I realized that I needed to purchase some equipment so that in the future I could make those products. I really did not want to spend a heck of alot of money since I am on a limited budget, but I did not want to pay a arm and a leg for something that I am going to make body products with. What I was looking for was a 3 quart stainless steel double boiler with a glass lid for about $20.00. You think that would be an easy task, but it was not.
First, I looked at Walmart since I was finding a stick blender, 8 cup measuring cup, and a thermator for great prices. I found a 3 quart double boiler for $30.00, but it had the casserole type handles and I was looking for a stick handle double boiler which would be alot easier for pouring purposes. Then I checked TJ Maxx and Marshalls. They had a 3 quart, but it had the steamer insert ($16.99) instead, so that was not going to work. I even tried Mervyn's and Macy's. Mervyn's did not have anything and Macy's had a their own brand of a 3 quart (with no glass lid, but a stainless steel lid) for $24.99. That was a great price, but not exactly what I was looking for, but in a pinch I would consider it. I checked out Williams Sonoma and all they had was a copper double boiler with a ceramic insert. I think the price was $179.00 or something out of this world. I did not go into a Crate and Barrel, but I checked out there website and did not find anything.
Then I tried the internet. My first instinct was Ebay. Nothing there. Then I tried Bed, Bath and Beyond and Linens-n-Things. Did not find anything there. But, I did go into a Linens-n-Things in Union City and found that they have a 3 quart from Faberware for $34.99. I thought that was way too expensive, even if I used a 20% coupon. But, then I found there own brand of a double boiler. It was a 2 quart and it was a great price of $14.99. And with a coupon, the price would be even better. Plus the handles were ergonomically comfortable with a rubber grip. But, it had a ceramic insert and since I would placing that insert on a digital scale, I did not want the insert to mess up the scale in any way.
So, I checked Target's website. They had a Farberware for $39.99. A Welco 2 qt for $19.99, a Gourmet Standard 2 at w/glass lid for $22.99 and a Krona 1.5 qt for $39.99. The Welco sounded about right, but then I thought about the shipping charges and tax which would make it alot more expensive. I thought it may be better to go directly to a Target store. I went to the aisle with the pots and pans. I will admit I was disappointed because I did not see any double boilers. I was about ready to leave, but something told me to go to the next aisle over. On the shelf there were some stock pots. Low and behold there was a 3 qt double boiler (with a glass lid and cushioned handles) by Chef's Choice for $21.99. Then and there I bought it. Yeah! I would have like to have paid under $20.00, but I was really tired of looking. So, a difference of a couple of bucks is not such a big deal. I am happy that I finally found one.
If you are looking for a double boiler to make your lip balms, body butters, lotions or creams- check out Target's Chef's Choice Double Boiler for $21.99.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Friday, June 8, 2007
FDA Rules and Regulations
According to Kelly Ewing, author of Making Candles and Soaps for Dummies, if you are a soapmaker then the agency that regulates you will depend if your product is classified as a soap or as a cosemetic. If you are claiming special benefits of any kind, such as moisterizing or relaxing, then you fall into the cosmetic category and thus face stricter FDA regulations.
If you wares are considered cosmetic, then you have to face labeling guidelines and very strict production sanitation rules, which unfortunately most home businesses cannot meet. It is a good start if you wear gloves and hairnets and you do not smoke. But you also need to have someone else around to double check your measurements and your water tested.
There is also the requirement of labeling your product. Labeling is consider to be alot simpler aspect of the process because basically you just need your contact information and net weight of soap in ounces. But if you fall in the FDA domain, then you must list all ingredients, just like food labels do. Even if you are just labeling basic soap, if you list any of your ingredients, then you must label them in descending order. You can't just list the essential oils and special additives without listing all the other ingredients because liting only the special oils can give the impression that they are the primary ingredients when they are likely aren't.
Even if you color your product, keep in mind that all colorants pass regulations. Check with the FDA to find out if your colorant of choice passes its test. You can access the FDA website at www.fda.gov. For a very detailed and lengthy Cosmetic Labeling Manual check out http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/cos-labl.html.
Source: Making Candles and Soaps for Dummies by Kelly Ewing, Wiley Publishing, Hoboken, NJ. 2005. Page 232.
If you wares are considered cosmetic, then you have to face labeling guidelines and very strict production sanitation rules, which unfortunately most home businesses cannot meet. It is a good start if you wear gloves and hairnets and you do not smoke. But you also need to have someone else around to double check your measurements and your water tested.
There is also the requirement of labeling your product. Labeling is consider to be alot simpler aspect of the process because basically you just need your contact information and net weight of soap in ounces. But if you fall in the FDA domain, then you must list all ingredients, just like food labels do. Even if you are just labeling basic soap, if you list any of your ingredients, then you must label them in descending order. You can't just list the essential oils and special additives without listing all the other ingredients because liting only the special oils can give the impression that they are the primary ingredients when they are likely aren't.
Even if you color your product, keep in mind that all colorants pass regulations. Check with the FDA to find out if your colorant of choice passes its test. You can access the FDA website at www.fda.gov. For a very detailed and lengthy Cosmetic Labeling Manual check out http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/cos-labl.html.
Source: Making Candles and Soaps for Dummies by Kelly Ewing, Wiley Publishing, Hoboken, NJ. 2005. Page 232.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Directions For Creating Potpourri
1. Spread newspapers over your work area since oils can stain.
2. On your work area, layout your bags of filler. You may want to have your toolds laid out. Group all of your flowers together by color, arrange the fruits and repeat with spices, cones and other ingredients.
3. Line up your bottles of scents.
4. Choose a potpourri theme, either by scent or decorative aesthetics.
5. If your theme is a fragrance, choose a fixative that best represents your fragrance choice.
6. In a bowl, pour a handful of fixative.
7. Add 4 to 7 drops of fragrance, depending on your desired strength. Use a spoon to blend ingredients.
8. Add fillers that match your theme.
9. Use a spoon to blend the mixture together. Scoop into pitcher.
10. Pour ingredients into a covered jar of your choice.
11. Pack loosely at the top, cover with an airtight lid and shake.
12. Store in a warm, dry place and shake the jar every few days.
13. Allow the fixative, filler and fragrance cure for 2 to 4 weeks
14. After curing, pour potpourri into another bowl for display.
15. The potpourri scent will last from 6 months to 1 year or longer.
16. To refresh, simply add several drops to the mix.
Source: Calming Crafts, Dawn Frankfort, Bristol Publishing San Leandro, Ca, 1999, page 69.
2. On your work area, layout your bags of filler. You may want to have your toolds laid out. Group all of your flowers together by color, arrange the fruits and repeat with spices, cones and other ingredients.
3. Line up your bottles of scents.
4. Choose a potpourri theme, either by scent or decorative aesthetics.
5. If your theme is a fragrance, choose a fixative that best represents your fragrance choice.
6. In a bowl, pour a handful of fixative.
7. Add 4 to 7 drops of fragrance, depending on your desired strength. Use a spoon to blend ingredients.
8. Add fillers that match your theme.
9. Use a spoon to blend the mixture together. Scoop into pitcher.
10. Pour ingredients into a covered jar of your choice.
11. Pack loosely at the top, cover with an airtight lid and shake.
12. Store in a warm, dry place and shake the jar every few days.
13. Allow the fixative, filler and fragrance cure for 2 to 4 weeks
14. After curing, pour potpourri into another bowl for display.
15. The potpourri scent will last from 6 months to 1 year or longer.
16. To refresh, simply add several drops to the mix.
Source: Calming Crafts, Dawn Frankfort, Bristol Publishing San Leandro, Ca, 1999, page 69.
General Materials & Tools For Potpourri
According to Dawn Frankfort, author of Calming Crafts, recommends the following items for creating potpourri:
Fillers
Fixatives
Fragrance
1 Large Non-plastic bowl
1 Small Non-plastic bowl
2 Non-plastic spoons
1-quart pitcher
glass jars - any size
Newspaper
**The author mentions that plastic will retain the scent of your potpourri. So for stronger scents use non-plastic bowls.
Fillers
Fixatives
Fragrance
1 Large Non-plastic bowl
1 Small Non-plastic bowl
2 Non-plastic spoons
1-quart pitcher
glass jars - any size
Newspaper
**The author mentions that plastic will retain the scent of your potpourri. So for stronger scents use non-plastic bowls.
Potpourri Fragrances
If you have taken any classes from me, you know that there are fragrance oils and essential oils. Fragrance oils are a manufactured fragrances, which is an advantage because you can find a variety of scents to choose from. Whereas, essential oils are pure oils from the essenses of botantical plants. A third option for creating fragrances for potpourri are the natural scents from potpourri fillers.
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