Curious Chipmunks Originally uploaded by Sandra Leidholdt While these aren't the chipmunks at our house, ours have been out in full swing all morning. I will post a video or two of them later. We're busy today, catching up on the mundane that doesn't get done during the week (cleaning, washing … Continue Reading
Candlemaking – Final Touches
Final Tips and Tricks: 1. Thank you to the Anonymous poster for writing and telling us her experience with hot wax on her hands. She recommended wearing gloves when making candles to protect hands from burns. I find gloves cumbersome and bulky but might consider them for future projects. Third … Continue Reading
Kiwi Soap from Otion!
The soap geniuses at Otion made this plate of kiwi and cream soap. It looks edible and smells delicious. Melt and pour is a wonderful medium to work with; it gives great artistic freedom and creative options for crafting with. The best soap supplies on the internet are found at Bramble Berry. Click … Continue Reading
Crave Party in Seattle
I have the privilege of speaking at CraveParty in Seattle next weekend. If you're in the area, please stop by! The scoop: CRAVE Show ’07 is Seattle’s premier indulgence and style event for women. CRAVE Show ’07 showcases nine themes for smart, urban-minded women. To empower and inspire CRAVE Show … Continue Reading
Candlemaking – Pouring, Steady Hands & Straight Wicks
For Candlemaking Set Up, click here. For information on wick and fragrancing, click here. For wax spill cleaning, click here. Once the wicks are anchored and centered, fragrance added and your wax is colored. You are ready to pour. Pouring has been briefly discussed here already. Most cotton … Continue Reading
Best in Show from the ADGA Contest
There were over 80 entries to the Soap Contest that the American Dairy Goats Association sponsored. The Handcrafted Soap Guild designed the contest rules about what makes a "good" bar of soap. Some of the criteria included: Fragrance Color Even Texture Lather Residue Feel when … Continue Reading
Lusting after these personalized cards
From their site: cheerful, colorful avians, two by two. freehanded on felt, so every bird is one-of-a-kind, like you. two-line saying in lovebird cursive (neat, carefree handwriting). The cards are $42 for a box of 12 which seems pricey but when the work to cut out the felt birds and the custom … Continue Reading
Thanks, Carrie Gigi!
Thanks to Carrie Gigi From Mud Puddle Girl for the shout-out and the "You Make Me Smile" award. Look for another candle making installment later today or tonight! The best soap supplies on the internet are found at Bramble Berry. Click here to browse Bramble Berry. Have a question about … Continue Reading
Candlemaking – The Inevitable Spill
Crafting with soap and candles is a wonderful family activity. For this Container Candle experiment, my Dad and I took the opportunity to spend the morning crafting and laughing together. I've mentioned my propensity to ruin the kitchen (here and here), much to my husband's bemused chagrin. This … Continue Reading
Candlemaking – Wick Centering & Fragrancing
Click here for Day One of Container Candle Making - set up and melting instructions. Step Three: This is where you will center and place your wick. You can purchase specialty glue dots to hold your wick in place and buy wick centering devices (such as the EZ Wick Setter here). If you're not … Continue Reading
The Day That Got Away
I am mid-way through the Wick Setting and Fragrancing instructions for our candle tutorial but the day has gotten away from me! I will work more on the post at home and (hopefully) get the 2nd part of our candle tutorial posted to the blog tonight. The best soap supplies on the internet are found … Continue Reading
Orange Passion – Newbie makes soap!
Diana wrote me to share her successful first soapmaking foray. She learned how to make soap from our Cold-Process DVD! Here is a photo of Diana's soap. This is what Diana had to say about her soapy creation: I added Orange Valencia, Red Grapefruit & Plumeria fragrance. Also added was the … Continue Reading
Candle Making – Set up and Melting
Bramble Berry has a substantial line of candle fragrances, colors, waxes, wicks and candle glass containers. I love making candles but don't make them enough. Once you get a perfect recipe down, the outcomes are more predictable than cold-process soapmaking. For this Beeswax Container Candle … Continue Reading
Back from Denver!
Originally uploaded by mselderhuis I am back from the National Dairy Goats Association trade show and excited to start working on the Beeswax Container Candlemaking tutorial this week. Also, I have the "Best in Show" winner from our soap judging to announce! The best soap supplies on the internet … Continue Reading