TC Fragrance Crafts Blog![]() TC Fragrance Crafts Blog Welcome to my blog! You will find information about the art of fragrance crafting, as well as craft projects, and decorating ideas. Fragrance crafting includes scented candles, scented soap, potpourri, florals, herbs, and more.
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Candle Waxes
0000-00-00 00:00:00 Wax is the material that fuels a candle as it burns. Throughout history, people used many various substances as candle waxes. Various fats and oils were used, as well as materials obtained from animals and insects. Nowadays there are several different candle waxes from which scented candles are made. Different waxes have different properties.<br><br> <U>Paraffin Wax:</U> The most common wax is paraffin wax. Most scented candles are paraffin candles. Paraffin wax is a white odorless wax. It is a blend of organic compounds and it is derived from filtered petroleum.<br><br> <U>Soy Wax:</U> Soy wax is made from the oil of soy beans. After soy beans are harvested, they are washed, crushed, and rolled and the oil is drawn out and hydrogenated in order to be used as wax.<br><br> <U>Beeswax:</U> Beeswax is the most exp... More About: Candle
Lemon Scented Herbs
0000-00-00 00:00:00 There are 3 herbs whose leaves give off a lovely lemon fragrance. In addition to their fragrance, their leaves have a lemon flavor and they are used to season foods and drinks. Their fragrant leaves are also used in fragrance crafts like soap, bath products, and potpourris.<BR><BR> <center><B>Lemon Grass</B><BR><BR> <BR><BR></center> <P align="left">Lemon Grass is a perennial herb that grows in clumps with long, thin, grass-like leaves. It usually grows 3 to 4 feet tall although it can grow to 6 feet tall. It can be planted in full sun or partial shade. When the leaves are broken, they release a lemon-flavored oil. Lemon Grass is mostly used as a seasoning in Thai and Vietnamese cuisine. It also has antiseptic properties and is used in cosmetics. When dried, the fragrant leaves can be added to citrus potpourri blends.<BR><BR> <center><B>... More About: Cent , Herbs , Herb
Dried Flowers
0000-00-00 00:00:00 Dried flowers are not just to be enjoyed in the winter months when there are no fresh blooms. They can be enjoyed all year round, and if they are cared for properly, dried flower arrangements can last for years. Dried flowers come in many shapes, sizes, and bright colors, they are not small, faded, crusty blooms. Dried flower arrangements are just as colorful and vibrant as their fresh counterparts, and they last much longer. They can brighten up any room and fit style of home decor.<BR><BR> Dried flower arrangements must be cared for properly. They should be kept out of direct sunlight. They should not be allowed to become damp, rooms with alot of consensation should be avoided. In order to clean any dust that may collect on the flowers, a simple hairdryer can be used, it should be set on low speed with the cool temperature setting.<BR><BR> <B>Flow er Pot Arrangement with Oranges</B><BR><BR... More About: Flowers , Lower , Lowe
Transparent Glycerin Soap
0000-00-00 00:00:00 Glycerin soap is always my favorite, I never use commercial soap anymore. I only bathe with glycerin soap and I even use it to shave my legs. Unfortunately I have very dry and sensitive skin, and I have always had problems with commercial products. Shaving my legs was always a bad experience, I used to end up with red marks, cuts, and nicks, no matter what I tried. I have tried soap for sensitive skin, creams, lotions, ladies shaving foam, men's shaving foam, etc., I even tried shaving with baby oil and baby lotion. Even Nair and Neet irritated my legs.<BR><BR> Glycerin soap has been a miracle for me. I have never had any problems since I started using it. I never get any nicks, cuts, or irritation anymore. My skin feels like velvet after I use it. I especially love lavender glycerin soap, it's so fragrant and soothing.<BR><BR> Lately, I have been working with clear glycerin soap, and I creat... More About: Glycerin soap , Trans , Rent , Soap , Transparent
The History of Valentine's Day
0000-00-00 00:00:00 <center></center><BR>&l t;BR> <P align="left">There are many legends about the origin of Valenti ne 's Day, although the actual facts are obscure. According to most scholars, it is based on an old pagan fertility festival known as <em>Lupercalia</em>. The annual festival was held in February, which was the official start of Spring and a time for purification to the ancient Romans. In order to "Christianize" pagan holidays, in the 5th century Pope Galasius I replaced <em>Lupercalia</em> with St. Valentine's Day, in honor of Valentine, a Christian martyr. But it is not clear exactly who St. Valentine was. Subsequently, many legends arose as to his identity. According to one legend, Valentine was a Christian priest in 3rd century Rome. At the time, Emperor Claudius II outlawed marriage for young men because he believed that single men made more effective soldiers on the battlefield rather than men who were married ... More About: History , Story , Stor
Holiday Gingerbread Cookie Recipe
0000-00-00 00:00:00 <center></center><BR> <P align="left">Ahh the holiday spirit is in the air and nothing says Christmas quite like a batch of gingerbread cookies. Not only are they tasty but they are fun to decorate as you let your imagination take you back to your childhood. We would like to share a recipe for a great batch of gingerbread cookies.<BR><BR> <U>You will need:</U> 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened.<BR> 1/2 cup suger.<BR> 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger.<BR> 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon.<BR> 1 teaspoon baking powder.<BR> 1/2 teaspoon allspice.<BR> 1/2 teaspoon baking soda.<BR> 1/2 cup unsulphured molasses.<BR> 1 large egg.<BR> 2 cups all-purpose flour.<BR> Tubes of white, green, and red icing.<BR><BR> In a large bowl, beat the sugar and butter with an electric mixer until smooth. Beat in the ginger, cinnamon, baking powder, allspice, an... More About: Holiday , Recipe , Read , Bread , Cook
Orange Pomanders
0000-00-00 00:00:00 Orange pomanders are a wonderful way to add fragrance to a room. They are pretty and fragrant. They can be hung with a decorative ribbon or placed in bowls with potpourri and/or country fixins. They look great during the Fall season and the Christmas holidays. <br><br> They are very simple to make. You will need:<br><br> -Oranges<br> -Cloves<br> -Powdered Cinnamon<br> -Powdered Allspice<br> -Powdered Nutmeg<br> -A round toothpick or skewer<br> -Decorative Ribbon (optional)<br> -Dried or artificial flowers (optional)<br> -Pins (optional)<br><br> Before you begin, decide what design you would like to make on your orange with the cloves. You can make lines, swirls, or cover the entire orange with cloves. If you plan on hanging your completed pomander it is a good idea to place the ribbon around the orange and secure it in place with pins be... More About: Pomander
Gift Certificates
0000-00-00 00:00:00 We are now offering gift certificates at TC Fragrance Crafts. If you need to buy a gift for a person that is hard to shop for and you don't know what to get, our gift certificates are ideal. The recipient can choose whatever they want to buy. We will make out the certificate and mail it to the recipient. Check out our website for more details: www.tcfragrancecrafts.com More About: Gift , Certificates , Cert
Insect Theme Gardens: Bees
0000-00-00 00:00:00 You can create fun and interesting theme gardens by planting certain plants together to attract beneficial insects such as bees. Bees perform the essential task of pollinating the plants in your garden. They are attracted to plants by scent and color (except for red - they cannot perceive the color red. They are mainly attracted to flowers that are yellow, blue, and purple.) You can plant a variety of fragrant herbs and flowers for a bee garden. They are very much attracted to the scent of Basil, Chamomile, Dill, Borage, Bergamot, Fennel, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Oregano, Sage, Mint, Thyme, Daisies, Sunflowers, Dahlias, Larkspur, and Snapdragons. Bees are pretty little creatures as you watch them hovering around your garden, landing from plant to plant. Even though bees are beneficial to the garden, some people fear their presence becuse of the possibility of being stung, (some people even have allergic reactions to stings from bees ... More About: Gardens , Theme , Arden , Garde
Christmas Pictures
0000-00-00 00:00:00 I would like to share some of my Chris t mas pictures. I know it's a little bit late, but these pictures were taken with my 35mm and I didn't get the film developed until recently. I love Christmas. I love baking and all of the fun and creativity that goes into decorating cakes and cookies.<BR><BR> This is a batch of cookies (gingerbreads, santa's, candy canes, tree's, bells, wreaths) and mini bundt in the background:<BR><BR> <center></center><BR>&l t;BR> <P align="left">This is a full Christmas tree cake decorated with green frosting with little piped icing decorations and garland added:<BR><BR> <center></center><BR>&l t;BR> Santa Cake<BR> This is a round cake made into a Santa Claus face. The eyes, nose, and mouth are made with piped icing; the hat is made with red colored frosting, and the beard, eyebrows, and fur trim of the hat are made with white frosting. The face is made wi... More About: Pictures , Picture
Pumpkin Soap Project
0000-00-00 00:00:00 We have a fun Fall project that can be done with the kids - little pumpkin soaps. <BR> <center></center><BR> <P align="left">These cute little soaps are made using the hand-milled method. This method requires bars of pure, white, unscented soap. You can buy them at your local drug store. <i>Make sure they are unscented</i>. Usually hand-milled soap recipes require the additives such as herbs, cocoa butter, shea butter, etc., But since this is a project for kids, we'll keep it simple and fun. For this project you will need: 2 bars of unscented, white soap<BR> 1/2 cup water<BR> A kitchen grater<BR> A bowl<BR> Pump kin scented soap fragrance<BR> A wooden spoon<BR> A double boiler<BR> Non-toxic acrylic soap paints in orange, green, and black<BR> Artist paint brushes<BR> In a bowl, shred the bars of white soap with your grater until you get 2 cups of shr... More About: Project , Soap
Drying Fruit
0000-00-00 00:00:00 <BR><BR> Dried fruit slices and peels are a great way to give your home a country prim look. They are fragrant and can be added to potpourri blends, fixins blends, wreaths, swags. They also make pretty and fragrant gift package decorations. When they are placed around candles, especially bakery candles, they give a nice country prim look.<BR><BR> The pic above is of an orange fixins blend. It combines dried orange slices and orange peels with fragrant spices like cinnamon sticks, allspice, and cloves. The look and smell is very seasonal and makes a great addition to country prim home decor.<BR><BR> The easiest way to dry fruit slices is to use a dehydrator. If you do not have a dehydrator, you can use the standard oven method.<BR><BR> To dry apple slices using the oven method, core your apples and slice them about 1/4 inch thick. In order to prevent them from oxidizing and turning brown during... More About: Fruit
Simmer Potpourri
0000-00-00 00:00:00 Simmer potpourri is a great way to fill your home with the wonderful scents of the Fall and the Holidays. Special potpourri simmer pots are sold, but you don't need one, all you need is a regular kitchen cooking pot. Just fill it with 1 quart of water and you can choose from an array of wonderful dried herbs, spices, and fruits to mix together and add to your pot. Simmer the mixture on your stove top for several hours and the pleasant aroma will waft through your home. As the potpourri simmers, add more water as needed. Simmer potpourri is also a great way to make your kitchen smell nice after you cook foods with particularly heavy unpleasant odors such as fish or garlic.<BR><BR> You can make great fragrant combinations according to your liking. Below are some examples of what you can add to your simmer pot.<BR><BR> -Orange slices<BR> -Apple slices<BR> -Lemon slices<BR> -Lime slices<BR> -Citr... More About: Potpourri
Stuffed Grape Leaves Recipe
0000-00-00 00:00:00 <br><br>Stuff ed grape leaves, also known as "Dolmathes" are a Mediterranean and Middle Eastern delicacy made with tasty and fragrant herbs like dill, fennel, and parsley. They are usually served as an appetizer. There are many variations to the recipe, some include meat. This is a family recipe from Greece. It is meatless and contains fresh herbs. The rolls are traditionally accompanied by Feta cheese and olives.<br><br> - 1 Cup Rice<br> - 1 Jar ( 8 ounces) Grape Leave s<br> - 3 or 4 Scallions, chopped<br> - 4 Cups Water<br> - 1/4 Cup Chopped Fennel<br> - 1/4 Cup Chopped Dill<br> - 1/4 Cup Chopped Parsley<br> - 1/2 Cup Olive Oil, Plus 2 Tablespoons<br> - Juice of 1 Lemon<br><br> Place 2 tablespoons of olive oil into a skillet and saute the scallions until tender. Add the herbs, rice and 2 cups water, cover and simmer for about 10 or 15 m... More About: Recipe , Rape , Leaves
Fall Table
More articles from this author:0000-00-00 00:00:00 <center></center><BR> <P align="left">Using shades of bright Fall colors like orange, yellow, and green you can make a lovely Fall table setting. Pumpkins, gourds, and squash can be used as the base for your centerpiece. Surround your base with Fall flowers, leaves, and dried fruit. Pie candles will add a unique and charming look to your centerpiece, especially for Thanksgiving. You can add decorations like scarecrows or turkeys to finish it off. More About: Tabl , Table 1, 2 |




