Recharge and Re-energize with Aromatherapy Oil

We all have busy and stressful lives, which can at times take its toll on our moods and wellbeing. We spend our whole lives rushing from A toB and from one problem to the next, without taking time out to rechargeand re-energize the body and mind. Living like this for too long can have adverse affects on your health and can cause you to feel depressed and fatigued.

The use of Aromatherapy oil and some simple techniques can help to re-vitalise and recharge your flagging batteries. You don’t need to be a professional to use these techniques; all you need is a few minutes out of your busy schedule, to practice these simple methods.

If you awake in morning, feeling exhausted and you have a tough day ahead, an aromatherapy bath will mentally prepare you for the rest of the day. 6 drops of Peppermint oil, blended with Rosemary and Juniper will make an excellent morning bath, which will both energize and
uplift.

If you are feeling mentally fatigued in the mornings, during your commute to work, you could try a single drop of Rosemary oil on each wrist. The energizing and stimulating properties of the Rosemary oil will uplift, clear the head and make you alert for the day ahead.

In the evening, after a hard day, a simple oil burner and some relaxing music can do wonders for your moods. A few drops of energising aromatherapy oil such as Orange, Grapefruit, Lemon or Citronella will lift the spirit and calm the nerves. These citrus oils also blend well with Bergamot,which is also a great oil to refresh and relax with.

You can also use simple aromatherapy techniques in the workplace,to keep up your energy levels and concentration throughout the day. An oilburner onthe desk is not always convenient, so you could try making asimple air spray consisting of Flower Water and essential oils. Mix togetherin aspray bottle, shake well and spray when you are in need of a tonic.

By following these simple techniques, along with others that youwill learn as you progress in the world of aromatherapy, you will findthat the stresses and strains of everyday life will soon become more manageable.

About the Author

Emma writes articles on how Aromatherapy can help you in your daily
life and runs various Aromatherapy websites. To buy Aromatherapy oil for use with the above techniques, visit us at http://www.discount-aromatherapy-oil.co.uk/



Source: ArticleTrader.com

Shrink Wrapping Soap

For those who make melt and pour and cold-process/hot-process soaps, one way to wrap the soap bar that ensures that it stays fresh and does not lose moisture or fragrance is to wrap it in shrink-wrap. One has to be careful that the soap to be wrapped is thoroughly dried, especially cold process or hot process soaps. I have found that soaps that are cold processed or hot-processed may develop moss or get slimy in the plastic. Again, this is only my experience. In addition, melt and pour soap will need to be air dried for a couple days so that the shrink wrap does not stick to wet spots on the soap. Please test your product to see how it reacts in different wrappings.

Essentially, there are two popular types of shrink-wrap used to wrap soaps. One is PVC and the other is polyolifin. PVC is a shiny wrap that is crisp to the touch and is excellent for wrapping bars of soap as well as baskets and small packages. PVC holds up to wear and tear and has that shiny surface that most people are used to seeing on large items like gift baskets and gift trays. Though it is contended whether or not one can smell the scent of soaps through PVC, I have found that PVC 60gauge, allows the scent of the soap to come through.

Polyolifin on the other hand is softer to the touch, has more give, especially for wrapping unusual shaped objects and has very tiny holes (check with supplier to make sure that they have customized their polyolifin with tiny holes) that allows the soap to breathe, retain some moisture and allows the scent of the soap to come through the packaging. This type of shrink-wrap is popularly known as ‘smell through’ shrink-wrap. In addition, one of the great features of this type of shrink wrap is that it is biodegradable and is acid free.

Most companies that sell shrink-wrap film also offer a basic starter shrink-wrap system. This is a one-time investment that is worth its weight in gold. Shrink wrap equipment can last for years. Prices start from $100.00 to several hundred dollars depending on the type of equipment used. Here is a list of what you will need to get started:

Manual Impulse OR Freewand sealer
Heat shrink-wrap gun
Roll of double-folded shrink-wrap film (PVC or Polyolifin)
Extra wires and Teflon tape for impulse sealer

60gauge and 75gauge polyolefin are great for wrapping melt and pour soaps. For soaps that will be handled heavily or that will need to have a longer shelf life, I like to use a stronger gauge of polyolefin, say 75gauge, or 60-100gauge PVC. Please be sure to test the different gauges to see which one suits your product best. In addition, before wrapping make sure the soap is dry to the touch so that when shrink-wrapped, the film puffs up around the soap and then shrinks evenly on all sides. Prepare soap by leaving them out to air dry for a day or two. If the shrink film forms a balloon around product, prick a small hole in an area that will be covered by a label, and give it another blow with the gun.

At first when you wrap the soap, the scent may not come through, but over time, the bar of soap will give off its fragrant aroma.

Here are some sources for shrink-wrap supplies:

National Shrink Wrap (http://www.nationalshrinkwrap.com/default.asp)- The shrink wrap experts for soapers. Speak to Art Marko, the owner who knows all there is to know about shrink-wrapping soaps. Much of their equipment is designed by them for the Bath/Body care packaging industry. Starter Kits are available with polyolifin film

Complete Packaging and Supplies - New York based company -- Speak to Jeff who will be more than happy to take orders on the phone for PVC as well as Polyolifin. They are reachable at 1(800)-269-7872

Saratoga Scents (http://www.saratogascents.com/)- Smell through shrink wrap

Essence Supply (http://www.essencesupply.com/shrink/shrink.html)-Pictures and instructions

Uline (http://www.uline.com/Browse_Listing_2455.asp?desc=Economy+Shrink+Wrap+System )– Starter kits (shrink film has to be purchased separately),PVC and polyolifin film available

Source: Permission to reprint by Winsome Tapper, Soapmaking Editor, http://www.bellaonline.com/site/soapmaking.

Melt and Pour Projects From Michaels

Some of the projects from Michaels website recommend using the Life of the Party Soap Kettle. My previous experience with this product is not a very good one. I found it to be very messy to use. What I mean by that is that once the soap is melted, I had to transfer the soap to a measuring cup to mix in my coloring and fragrance. I would have spillage between the two. The keep warm function is worthless. Often it would cool down before I would get enough soap into my measuring cup which resulted in me going to the microwave and reheating the soap. Also, I would find that once you got to bottom of the kettle it would be difficult the remaining melted soap out which causes alot of waste. Since the insert is not coated, it is very difficult to clean. This product is not worth the $29.99 they are asking you to pay for what is similiar to a rice cooker.

Here are some of the melt and pour soap making projects from Michaels website:

Soap Ornaments (http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=c00296)

Cookie Cutter Soap Bars (http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=e03242)

Soap Chunk Bars (http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=e03240)

Soaps for Dad (http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=e03100)

Herbal Soap Rolls (http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=24169)

Marbelized Fall Leaf Soaps (http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=e02390)

Silk Flower Soap Bars (http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=e02391)

Spooky Halloween Foam Soap Bars (http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=e02389)

Fun Soap with Craft Foam (http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=21463)

Natural Green Tea Soap (http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=e00980)

Stained Glass Soap (http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=e00828)

Layers of Color Bar or Loaf (http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=e00827)

Checkerboard Soap-in-a-Soap Bar (http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=e00825)

Curks, Noodles, Shavings - Bars or Loafs (http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=e00826)

Embossed Soaps (http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=e01795)

Soap Strings (http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=e03241)

Bath Salt Soap Bars & Sachets (http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=e03238)

Bath Salt Soap Bars (http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=24074)

Patriotic Swirls Soap (http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=e00806)

Clever Swiss Cheese Soap (http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=e00807)

Rock Bar Soap (http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=e01893)

Chunk Loaf Soap Bar (http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=e02254)

Soapmaking Fun (http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=20077)

Shea Butter Soap

(from Soothing Soaps by Sandy Maine)

Ingredients:

2 cups glycerin soap base, melted in a double boiler
2 tbsp shea butter, melted separately
Several drops of your favorite essential oil (optional)


Directions:

Mix well, pour into molds (you can use regular food storage containers), and cool.


If you are looking for other recipes, check out some of the links in the side bar or check in my archive. There are alot of recipes in both places. I am always looking for new recipes to post on my blog, so please return in the future.

Source: http://www.motherearthliving.com/issues/motherearthliving/natural_health/Recipes-to-Make-Your-Own-Soap-Lotion-More_562-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS

Bath Ice-cream Bomb Recipe

Bath Ice-cream Bomb is fragrant and makes beautiful bathroom accessory. You can gift them to your friend or just keep it in your bath and use it while getting ready for a romantic evening. Keep these bath bombs neatly stacked in a large bowl and perhaps decorate them using fake cardboard wafers to make them look like a real sundae scoop. Pack some for your valentine or fiancée to make an impression. The bath craft project here makes 7 medium sized ice-cream balls.

Things You Will Need:

½ cup Citric Acid
½ tbsp Water
1 ½ cup Baking Soda or Soda Bicarbonate
10-15 drops Fragrance Oil or Essential Oil
2 tsp Almond Oil or Apricot Kernel Oil
5 drops Food Coloring

Method:
Stir the dry ingredients well in a bowl.

Drizzle in almond or apricot kernel oil, while stirring until the mixture is moistened.

Add more fragrance or essential oil and base oil as needed and keep stirring until it mixes well.

Add water so that the mixture is not crumbly.

Roll the mixture in shape of a ball using your hands.

Put the ball in a lightly oiled round mold or ice-cream scoop to give it a better shape.

Let it slip gently on a sheet of wax paper, where you have to leave it until it dries and gets set which can take many days.

Keep these ice-cream bombs in your bath and add 1 bath bomb to the bath under running water to get that special frizzing spa-like bath that helps to relax us so much.


If you are looking for other recipes, check out some of the links in the side bar or check in my archive. There are alot of recipes in both places. I am always looking for new recipes to post on my blog, so please return in the future.


Source: http://www.iloveindia.com/homemade-crafts/bath-icecream-bomb.html