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Cold Process Soap Making (Layering and Swirling) Class
2008-01-28 21:17:00 On January 19, 2008, I took Lori Nova's Cold Process Soap making 201 (Layering and Swirling) Class . Normally this class is offered with her two day boot camp, but now she is offering this intermediate class separately. This is great news for potential students the opportunity of learning this technique if the cannot or unable to commit to the two day boot camp.In this demo style class, you will learn how the layering and swirling techniques that Lori is famous for. Her soaps have won the past two years at the Soapmaker's Guild Conference two years in a row! With this class, you will receive a detailed handout on the process, handout regarding using a lye calculator and a bar of soap.If you are a cold process soapmaker, I highly recommend taking this class. If you have never made a bar of soap by the Cold Process (CP) method and would like to take this class, you are required to take her Cold Process 101 class which goes over the basics you need for this class.I was not sure if I wa...
Cold Process Soapmaking Class @ Nova Studio
2008-01-27 19:35:00 Just announced! If you could not make the CP 101 class offered on January 19th, The Nova Studio has added the Cold Process Soapmaking class to the February calender. The date is Wednesday, February 13th from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm.For more information, here is the link for all the information on the class - http://www.thenovastudio.com/descriptionc oldprocess.htm.If you are on the fence about taking a cold process soapmaking class, I highly recommend this class. More About: Class
Aromatherapy Diffuser Blends
2008-01-26 23:49:00 Aromatherapy Room Diffusers are a really big thing these days. If you like to create your own scents but do not know where to start, here are some recipes to give you some ideas.It is should be noted that if the recipe does not state whether or not the oil is a fragrance or essential oil, the recipe would more or less call for an essential oil rather than a fragrance oil. Just make sure when you purchase your Essential Oil (EO) that you are purchasing from a reptutable source. There are clear signs where are not your EO is a true EO. First, EO's are most commonly found in amber glass bottles. Second, the pricing of EO's from the supplier should vary for the same quanity ie an 1 oz of lavender is going to cost differently than an 1 oz of rose. And this is because it takes more of the plant to make the same amount of oil. Those are the two major ones. There are many other tell tales signs.Mind Stimulating Infuser Blend - July 2005 Online NewsletterCombine equal parts:Spearmi... More About: Aromatherapy , Thera
Ginger Body Scrub
2008-01-25 18:39:00 Use this one in the morning as the essential oils are invigorating.Ingredients:1/4 cup Sea Salt1/4 cup Cornmeal1/3 cup Olive Oil or another base oil.2 drops Ginger Essential Oil4 drops Peppermint Essential Oil3 drops Rosemary Essential OilDirections:Mix salt and cornmeal. Combine warmed oil and essential oils then mix with dry ingredients. Use in the shower or standing in the tub. Apply in circular motions, working from the extremities inward, working towards the center of the body and the heart. Rinse with warm water. Gently pat dry. Your skin will feel smoother and have a nice glow.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.aromathyme.com/recipes.html More About: Body
Cold Process Soap Molds and Bevellers
2008-01-24 19:23:00 If you make your soap by the cold process method and you are looking for a great mold to pour your soap mixture in, I would recommend purchasing F&D Soap Mold & Cutter Box for 4 LB Batch from Mission Peak Soap in Fremont. It is a great quality mold and cutter that will create a batch yields 18 bars weighing approximately 4.5 ounces each. The mold comes with complete instructions and a couple of sample mold-liners to get you started. The price of this great mold and cutter is $70.00.I would also recommend the F&D Soap Beveller from Mission Peak Soap. The Beveller puts a beautiful 45 degree bevel on the edge of your soap with a safe, thin wire. The bevel gives your soap a gorgeous, jewel-like appearance and will help open doors to a new, upscale, clientele. This beveller is itself a real work or art - handmade in the USA from native hardwood. A multi-position adjustment gives you the option of either small or large bevels. The price of this beveller is $75.00.I am planning... More About: Cold , Molds , Process
Confetti Soap Loaves Class @ Opalz Zoaps
2008-01-23 23:43:00 In this class you will learn how to make the fun soap loaves that can be sliced. We will make one with "confetti" inside, one with a soap log shape inside and one with a loofah inside.February 28, 20085:00 PM - 7:00 PMCost: $35.00 (Class fee); $20.00 (Materials Fee)Opalz Zoaps719 Colorado AvenuePalo Alto, CA 94303650/322-6500email: annie@opalzoaps.comwebsite: http://www.opalzoaps.com/If you have taken my melt and pour soapmaking class and want to take your soap making technique to the next level, then I would recommend taking this class. I would recommend that you pre-register for this class so that it does not get cancelled! More About: Soap
Cold Process Soap Making Class @ Opalz
2008-01-23 22:54:00 In this class you will learn to make soap like Grandma made. It is made by combining oils and lye ? in this case we will use all vegetable oils. You will learn about the different types of oils and working safely with lye, different types of colorants and fragrances. We will make two different recipes. It is part art and part science. It is a lot of fun to make. This is an information filled class! The soap we make the day of the class will need to cure before it is ready to take home, but along with the handouts of lye safety, suppliers lists and recipes, you will receive a few slices of soap that I made ahead of time. Pre-registration is required.March 9, 2008(11:30 AM - 1:00 PM)Class Fee is $35 + $20 materials fee payable the day of the class.Opalz Zoap719 Colorado Ave.Palo Alto, CA 94301650/322-6500email: annie@opalzoaps.comWebsite: www.opalzoaps.com More About: Cold , Soap , Process
Purchasing a KD 7000 Scale
2008-01-23 20:13:00 If you are looking to purchase a KD 7000 scale, you can find one for $48.95 at Mission Peak in Fremont, Ca. Here is a link to the description of the product:http://www.missionpeaksoap.com/eq uipment.htmIf you live in the Bay Area, you would definately be able to save on shipping on this product. You may be able to arrange to pick up the scale instead of having it shipped. The best way to contact Mission Peak is by email at missionpeaksoap@sbcglobal.net. But if you do not have access to email than you can call 510-795-1326 or send a fax to 510-791-1672. More About: Equipment , Scale
Cold Process Soapmaking Tutorial
2008-01-23 19:50:00 If you are interested in learning how to make soap by the Cold Process Method and cannot find a class in your area, here are links to a step by step tutorials:http://www.mullerslanefarm.com/ soapmaking.htmlhttp://homeschool.priswell .com/soap.htmIf you know of any others, please let me know in the comments section so I can check it out and pass it along.Good Luck and Have Fun! More About: Tutorial
Natural Additives for Colorants (Cold Process Soapmaking)
2008-01-22 21:38:00 If you make your soap by the Cold Process Method, you may find that coloring your soaps can be unpredictable . If you want to use something other than pigments such as ultramarines and oxides, you may choose to go the natural root (no pun intended). Here are some suggestions:Alfalfa Powder - light green color. You only need to add 1/2 teaspon per pound.Alkanet Root - pink/blue/purple.Annatto Seeds - yellow/orange color.Beet Root ? muted pink to red.Calendula Petals retains their color in soap.Chamomile Powder - yellow/gold color.Chlorophyll (liquid) - light green color. You should know that the color will fade over time.Cinnamon- beige/brown. Add only a 1/2 teaspoon per pounding to swirl.Clays will come in white, light green, beige, yellow, pink and red.Cochineal powder? deep redComfrey Root - deep sage color. Just add 1 teaspoon per pound.Cocoa Powder - brown. For swirling effect add 2 teaspoons to 2 cups of soap.Curry Powder - yellow/peach color.Elderberries ? steep in lye solutio... More About: Natural , Additives
Two Halved Soap
2008-01-21 20:09:00 Have you ever wondered on how to make a soap sculpture or a two halved soap. I found the instructions and would like to share them with you:(1) Melt the glycerin soap according to instruction. You will have adjust the amount you use according to the size and shape of your mold. Add your color and fragrance.(2) Let this half cool completely. And remove from mold.(3) Fill the mold again with the melted soap mixture. While still hot and liquidity, place the harden half on top of the melt portion.(4) Allow to completely cool. Remove from mold and remove any excess soap from the seams.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: Making Soap by Paula Romanelli, North Light Books, Chicago, page 112-113. More About: Recipe
Calling all Cold Process Soapmakers
2008-01-20 21:22:00 I am new to cold process process soapmaking. And I wanted to ask some of the experienced CP Soapmakers out there this question - Cooling down the lye mixture can often take a long time. So, I was wondering is there anyway to excelerate this process? I have heard that some will add ice to the lye and water or adding the lye/water mixture container into a ice water bath. Please your experiences in the comment section. I would be interested in hearing from you. More About: Tips , Cold , Calling , Process
What is Castile Soap?
2008-01-19 19:20:00 According to Janice Cox, author of Natural Beauty at Home...More Than 250 Easy to Use Recipes for Body, Bath and Hair, Castile soap is a mild white soap made with olive oil. It is named after the Castile region in Spain where it was developed. Real castile soap must be made with 40% olive oil. It can be purchased at many grocery stores (like Trader Joe's) and natural food stores in both bar and liquid forms. More About: Ingredients , Soap
Selecting the Right Colorant for Making Your Own Bath & Body Products
2008-01-17 23:36:00 If you are new to making your own bath and body products and you do not know which type of colorant to use for your recipes, here is some information to help you.Dyes ? Dyes produce a color that is translucent in a clear glycerin soap bases (sometimes is referred to ?Stained Glass? look). Powdered dyes on the market can be very concentrated, which means you do not have to use as much. The liquid dye bars and solid dye bars are most easily blended to make unique colors. It is very important that you do not use candle dye in your soap or any other skincare product that you create.Cosmetic dyes are only produced and inspected by the FDA during certain months of the year. When the FDA approves a color for cosmetic use, you can be assured that it does not contain heavy metals that can be toxic if absorbed into the human body.Dyes are most commonly used in skincare products such as lotions, cremes, bubble baths, bath salts, bath bombs and Melt & Pour Soap Crafting (MP). If you create ... More About: Products , Bath , Body
Soapsicles Soaps
2008-01-17 19:10:00 Serve "soapsicles" for a fun way to bath.From "Craft Lab"episode DCLB-261 which airs on the DIY Network.Jennifer Perkins and Debbie Chialtas make soapsicles out of Popsicle molds. This is a really fun project that is a great way to get the kids to stay clean. Materials:white soap basemica colorant lime, orange and strawberry fragrance oilsrubbing alcohol in spray bottlePopsicle moldsglass measuring cupPopsicle stickssmall cups Steps:- Melt three ounces of the white soap base in a measuring cup.- Dissolve orange colorant in the orange fragrance in a small cup.- Mix the orange colorant into the white soap base and stir thoroughly.- Pour orange soap into a Popsicle mold. Let set for 15 minutes until set but still slightly soft.- Insert a Popsicle stick. Put soapsicles in the freezer for 30 minutes for easy removal of the soapsicles from the mold.- Remove soap from the mold and allow to warm to room temperature.- Cut one-third off of each side of the orange soapsicle lengthwise.- Melt a... More About: Project , Soaps
Life of the Party Kits
2008-01-16 19:25:00 I was at the Joann's Superstore in Fremont yesterday. While I was browsing the store, I found an end cap that had a bunch of new soap and body kits.The new ones I found were Soap Strings, Soaps with bath salts, Botanical Soap Making and Exfolating Gel Scrubs. Recently recent editions were Body Scrubs (Salt), Shower Gels, Bath Bombs, Flower Shaped Soaps.If you are wanting to try making these products without the commitment, they are great. I would say that if you want to create these products there are so many recipes that you can find online and the ingredients really do not cost you that much. More About: Life , Party , Kits , The Party
Toys for Soaps
2008-01-16 19:24:00 If you like to put toys in yours soaps (ie Rubber Duckies. Mini Koosh Balls, Erasers) and your finding your local party store is way too expensive, then I would suggest going online and check out the Oriental Trading Company (http://www.orientaltrading.com/).Since I teach melt and pour soapmaking classes on a regular basis that these toys get used quite frequently. So I think this will be a source I will use in the future. More About: Toys , Soaps
Dusting Powder Ingredients
2008-01-15 20:05:00 There are alot of dusting powder recipes on the internet. And most of them will ask for arrowroot or white kaoling clay. If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, I found that Elephant Pharm carries those particular ingredients in the herbs department. They have a herbalist on staff to help you with your needs. I highly recommend their expertise. More About: Vendors , Ingredients
Customize your Own Soap Base
2008-01-14 23:28:00 Some of the most memorable soaps made by soap makers are made using melt and pour bases. One great advantage in using soap bases rather than starting from scratch with cold process type soaps is that just about anybody can learn to make soap this way. There are no dangerous fumes to contend with and all that?s needed is melted soap, fragrance and color. Even children, supervised, can make melt and pour soaps. Though this is a fun and easy way to make soap, yet one should not underestimate the power of melted base, colors and additives at the hands of a creative mind. And let?s face it, which purveyor of body care products would not die to concoct the latest craze in bath and body products!Though there are many different types of melt and pour bases available, yet in order to create innumerable types of soaps, one only has to have a clear base. For variety, this clear base can be used to create all the other existing bases. The wonderful thing about being able to create your own cust... More About: Soap , Base
Kukui Nut Oil Profile
2008-01-14 19:39:00 Botanical Name- Aleurites MoluccansOrigin- HawaiiExtraction- Cold Pressed/Partially RefinedShelf life- 12-14 monthsKosher Certified- NoNotes- Keep away from high temperatures and direct light. A semi-clear liquid having little or no odor, and blends well with most formulations.For cosmetic purposes only.SpecificationsColor- Light YellowOdor- Characteristic and odorlessFree Fatty Acids- Peroxide Value- Non-Saponifiables- Not more then 1%Saponification Value- 191Iodine Value- 92Specific Gravity- 0.915pH- 4.61Fatty AcidsOleic- 78%Palmitic- 6%Linoleic- 19%An IntroductionKukui Nut Oil has been used for many years in Hawaii , and has only recently become known to the rest of the world. It is prized for its rejuvenating and soothing effects upon the skin, without leaving a greasy or oily film. Pressed from the seeds of the Aleurites moluccana tree, Kukui Nut Oil is invaluable for many different skin conditions, providing moisture and nourishment to dry, mature, and damaged skin.The History... More About: Profile , Profil
Sodium Hydroxide aka Lye for CP or HP Soapmaking
2008-01-12 19:17:00 If you are just starting out making your soap by either the cold process method or hot process method and you do not know where to purchase lye in small quanities then may I suggest the following online site:http://www.certified-lye.com/ Most other sources sell in it in 50 pound bags and for the someone who is just starting out making their soap by CP or HP that is alot. That amount can be difficult to store. So I recommend checking Certified Lye. More About: Ingredients , Sodium
Mineral Make-up Class Offered at DeAnza College
2008-01-10 19:24:00 Are you fed up with your current make-up? And would you like to try something new? Or are you currently using a mineral make-up and want to make your own? Then may I suggest taking Lori Nova's Mineral Make -up class at DeAnza College . If you cannot make it to her studio in Point Richmond, then this is the perfect opportunity. Below is a full description of the course.Making Mineral Make-UpART 012.S1Did you know that with very little equipment and materials, you can make your own foundation, blush and eye shadow at home? It's not only fun and makes a great gift, but the cost of the raw materials is about one-tenth of what you would pay at a name brand cosmetic company - for the same or better quality!Come and learn about all the raw materials commonly used to make loose mineral makeup from scratch like zinc oxide, bismuth oxychloride, micronized titanium dioxide, iron oxides, serecite mica, and colored micas. We'll also discuss the different brushes and containers that are commonly... More About: Make Up , Class , Make-up
Scented Body/Dusting Powders
2008-01-08 16:23:00 Body or dusting powders are used to absorb and keeps the skin dry. These poweder can be used as deordants, baby powders and even foot powders. Most of the commercial body and baby powders on the market consist of talc. Talc is a mineral (magnesium silicate) produced by the mining, crushing, drying and milling of talc rocks. The problem with talc is that it is closely related to the carcinogen asbestos. Talc particles have been shown to cause tumors in the ovaries and lungs. The good news is that making your own body powders is very easy and inexpensive natural alternative by using vegetable starches and clays. It should be noted that inhaling powders of any kind is bad for the lungs, so try not to made a cloud of dust when you are making your powders.The ingredients for making your own body powders are:4 oz bottle1/2 cup Arrowroot Powder or cornstarch (absorbing)2 tablespoons Kaolin White Clay (helps with adhesion)1 tablespoon Baking Soda (deodorizing)Approximately 1/8 teaspoon Mica... More About: Body
Craft Show Tips from Wholesale Supplies Plus
2008-01-07 19:27:00 Contacting Craft Show OrganizersIn preparing to sell your product at craft shows, it is a wise idea to find out which craft shows are well attended and have many booths of quality crafts. The following places are good locations for craft shows: public high schools, private high schools, public middle and elementary schools. Indoor shows tend to attract more buyers than outdoor shows. You can contact PTA Presidents about their upcoming shows in May of the prior year after the new President has been chosen. Contact the organizer early enough to fill out an application.Things to ask the craft show organizer:- Size of tables.- Are tables and chairs included in price.- Are there runners available for the crafters. Runners are used for change, food and bathroom breaks.- Do they advertise and how do they advertise.- What is the historical attendance. What do they expect this year.- Is there an admission price for customers? (Free shows are better attended)- Is it a juried show where each c... More About: Tips , Supplies , Wholesale
Brown Sugar Body Scrub
2008-01-05 20:25:00 Ingredients:2/3 cup brown sugar, packed1/3 - 1/2 cup almond oil1/2 tsp of vitamin E45-60 drops of fragrance or essential oilDirections:Mix almond oil, vitamin E and fragrance or essential oil together in a glass bowl. Add the brown sugar and mix in well. Divvy up into jars and have a great time using it!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.teachsoap.com/recipes.html More About: Body , Sugar , Brown , Brown Sugar
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
2008-01-01 09:01:00 Welcome Back to my blog.As I reflect on 2007, I have to say it has been exciting creating this blog to bring you recipes and information to create your own soaps, bath and body products. Of course, I will continue to do so in 2008.Last year I took alot of new classes in lotions, creams, body butters, and cold process soap making. This year I am planning to more of that. On January 19th, I will be taking Lori Nova's Intermediate Cold Process Soap Making class where I will learn about swirling and layering colors. Of course, I am planning to take her Hot Process Soap Making class the next time she offers it. Maybe we will meet in one of these classes.After taking all of these classes, I am planning to make some of the products I learned and enter them into the county fair. In a future entry, I will have to share my first experience when I entered in 2006. And I hope it will inspire you to try and enter in your local county fair.Of course, I will be teaching classes through Palo Alto ... More About: New Year , Happy , Happy New Year , Messages , Year
Martini Soaps
2007-12-31 19:04:00 From "Craft Lab"episode DCLB-261 on the DIY Network.GUESTS : Debbie ChialtasSoapyloveWebsite: http://www.soapylove.com/This would be a great soap project to create on New Years Eve! Add mini ice cube soaps to a martini glass or another special container for a great gift!Jennifer Perkins and Debbie Chialtas make mini-cubed soaps with mini ice cube trays. This is a great idea for making simple soaps for around the house or to fill chic containers to give as gifts!Materials:glass measuring cupsmicrowaveclear glycerin soap (Melt & Pour)green and red liquid colorantpeppermint fragrancerubbing alcohol in spray bottle*2 mini ice cube trays craft sticksmartini glass - optional*Fill a small spray bottle with rubbing alcohol to break any surface bubbles on the soap while it?s still liquid.Steps:- Cut clear soap into 1-inch chunks and place in a glass measuring cup. Melt enough for 1-cup in the microwave.- Add a few drops of red color and stir with a craft stick.- Add 2 ml of fragrance and... More About: Project , Soaps , Martini
Romantic Essential Oil Blends for Soaps
2007-12-31 06:18:00 These romantic soap blends are great in a variety of products. What separates these kinds of blends from others is their tenacity and sensual aromas. I typically do not like to use expensive essential oils in cold process soap making because only the most tenacious essential oils survive saponification. It is important when formulating soaps with essential oils to make a test batch of say 1/2 - 1 pound of soap first to see how the essential oils fare.In giving the cons of using essential oils in soaps, let me say that the benefits far outweigh the detractions. Firstly, and especially when making soap using melt and pour bases, that the therapeutic effects of the essential oil is preserved. Plus, though some essential oils dissappear in cold process soapmaking, yet for essential oils that stay, the scent tends to last longer than fragrance oils. Some examples of essential oils with killer dry downs that may survive months and even years in storage are: patchouli, vetiver, clove, clar... More About: Romantic , Soaps , Fragrances , Essential
Wake Up Scrub
2007-12-29 20:29:00 Here is a recipe for a scrub from the diva herself, Martha Stewart:Nothing rouses you in the morning quite like the smell of coffee, so go ahead -- slather some on. A skin-softening body scrub made from coffee grounds and aromatic plant essences is a traditional treatment that's used in Thai and Balinese spas, and it's a luxurious way to start the day.This recipe couples a rich, smoky coffee aroma with the sweet scent of peppermint -- known in aromatherapy for its mentally stimulating, energizing properties. Thanks to raw sugar crystals and olive oil, which exfoliate and moisturize, your body gets a pick-me-up, too. It makes enough for two to three applications.Tools and Materials1/4 cup olive oil1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract1 cup pure turbinado sugar15 drops peppermint essential oil (Mentha piperita)1/2 cup used coffee grounds from a freshly brewed potWake -Up Scrub How-To1. Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl; using a fork, thoroughly blend. Transfer the scrub to a wide mo... More About: Scrubs , Wake up
Citric Acid Profile
More articles from this author:2007-12-28 19:25:00 Botanical Name- Non-botanical ingredientOrigin- CanadaExtraction-Shelf life- 3 year recommendedNotes- The particular variety of Citric Acid offered by Mountain Rose Herbs is USP grade and is soluble in water and very soluble in alcohol. Can be used for both cosmetic and culinary use.Ingredients (Derived From)100% pure anhydrous Citric Acid from crystallized fruit sugarSpecificationsAssay- 99.98% PureColor- WhiteAppearance- Crystalline powder US #30 MeshOdor- OdorlessHeavy metals- IntroductionCitric acid is a very useful and effective preservative, obtained from naturally occurring organic acids. It exists in many different fruits and vegetables, but is especially concentrated in lemons and limes. Although it is also produced in refineries by using cane sugar, molasses, and dextrose, the citric acid stocked by Mountain Rose Herbs comes from the fermentation of crude fruit sugars. Citric acid is used extensively in the food, beverage, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. It has be... More About: Profile , Profiles , Profil 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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