Tutorials on soapmaking, bath fizzies, lotions and more
Color contrast can really make your soap stand out. It makes each color in the soap pop, and creates a dramatic effect. You can also add different exfoliants to your soap for interest and texture. This Currant and Cranberry Cold Process Soap is a perfect study in color contrast. Merlot Sparkle … Continue Reading
If you want to add color to melt and pour soap, there are plenty of options. You can use micas, liquid colorants (like LabColors), natural colorants and more (click here to check them out!). One of my favorite ways to color melt and pour projects is with Color Blocks. Color Blocks are small pieces … Continue Reading
Being Nordic, one of my favorite Christmas treats are pepparkakor, a traditionally Swedish ginger cookie. They are made with a combination of spices and orange zest, and are traditionally served on St. Lucia Day. You might be familiar with Anna's Thins found in grocery stores and IKEA...those … Continue Reading
Essential oils are a great option for scenting your products naturally. Based on the definition from the International Organization for Standardization, essential oils are defined as “a product obtained from a natural raw material of plant origin, by steam distillation, by mechanical processes from … Continue Reading
I attended the Whatcom Women in Business event a few weeks back (congratulations to Lydia Place director for the win). The question they asked all the nominees was: "What advice would you give your younger self?" There were some funny responses ("Dump that guy!") and some serious responses ("Study … Continue Reading
Happy weekend everybody. =) This past week has been extremely (extremely!) exciting. I got my hands on the first copy of my upcoming book Pure Soap Making, and I visited Project Violet to donate the proceeds of October's Handmade Beauty Box. In addition, Otion participated in a local Christmas tree … Continue Reading
We got so many amazing entries for the contest to win sixteen new micas and pigments; over 800 entries on the blog and 500 on Facebook...WOW! For both the blog and Facebook, we used a random number generator and chose the comments that corresponded with those numbers. Our Facebook winner is Evelyn … Continue Reading
Bath bombs are one of my favorite projects. They are fast and easy to make and, they give the gift of instant gratification because you can use them right away. The combination of fizzing, color and scent creates a fun bath experience. These Hidden Color Bath Bombs introduce the element of … Continue Reading
UPDATE: Thanks to everybody who entered the giveaway! Two winners have been chosen, and the contest is now closed. Congrats to Heather and Victoria! I'm so excited to introduce sixteen new micas and pigments! We spent months searching high and low for the best colors, and then tested them in a … Continue Reading
One of my favorite ways to treat myself after a long day is with a hot bath and a book. This is especially true during the cold winter months! A hot bath can keep you warm and comfy for hours. To make your bath time extra fun, bath bombs are a must. These Peppermint Candy Bath Bombs are made … Continue Reading
Beeswax is an amazing option for handmade candles. Not only is it natural, but beeswax smells amazing. These Pure Honey Beeswax Candles are made with the sweet and delicious Pure Honey Fragrance Oil. The combination of the fragrance and yellow beeswax creates an incredibly warm and comforting scent. … Continue Reading
Happy Sunday! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. Mine was full of family and food...just the way I like it. =) Today has been a day to get back on track and prepare for the week. In addition, we took the kiddos to see Santa and get photos today. I'm officially in Christmas mode … Continue Reading
Are you wondering where to go with your business? Are you looking for a breakthrough in your life? Have you ever wanted to mastermind with smart, savvy, experienced businesswomen? We've got the answers for you! I'm speaking at 2x4 Live along with three other dynamo, powerhouse business owners. 2x4 … Continue Reading
Happy Small Business Saturday! We're so excited about today because our retail store, Otion, has a whole host of fun things going on for our local Washington State and Vancouver, BC customers on November 28th. If you're unfamiliar with Small Business Saturday, it's a day to shop and celebrate small … Continue Reading