Tutorials on soapmaking, bath fizzies, lotions and more
Handmade products make great gifts and party favors. This week featured several gift ideas, like the Minty Mocha Mantra Marble Cold Process Soap by Erica Pence of Bath Alchemy Lab. Her technique creates a unique marbled look in soap. The soap is scented with Turkish Mocha Fragrance Oil and Peppermint Essential Oil, 1st Distill, making it the ideal gift for the coffee lovers in your life.
Crafters often plan projects months ahead of time. This week was all about getting ready for fall. The blog featured several fall projects, including the Pumpkin Spice Swirl Cold Process Soap. The recipe is made with real pumpkin puree and pumpkin seed oil. An orange and brown color palette and Pumpkin Spice Fragrance Oil make the soap feel and smell like a crisp autumn day.
The projects inspired by the Alps and The Sound of Music ended this week. The series includes the Lavender Goat Milk Melt and Pour Bars, which are made with Goat Milk Melt and Pour Base. To go with the earthy scent of Lavender 40/42 Essential Oil and Spring Meadow Fragrance Oil, the soap is colored with Ultramarine Violet Color Block. It’s easy to make and enjoy.
This week is the start of a series of tutorials inspired by the Alps and The Sound of Music. The series includes the Sparkling Snow Sugar Scrub, which is made with Foaming Bath Butter. It also has sugar to exfoliate, and Fresh Snow and Spring Meadow fragrance oil for a clean scent. Snowflake Sparkle Mica and Super Pearly White Mica are added to make the scrub look like sunshine on snow.
Experimenting with new techniques and products is fun. This week featured a tutorial using a new Bramble Berry product, Stephenson Jelly Melt and Pour Base. The base has a jiggly texture and washes like normal soap. The Shimmery Summer Soap Jellies are colored with LabColors and scented with sweet Summer Fling Fragrance Oil. It also has Fine Iridescent Glitter for a touch of sparkle. The jelly is a crowd pleaser, and not just for kids. It caused quite a stir in the break room with the team.
The Back to Basics series ended this week. It was nice to revisit important soapy concepts, like how to choose a mold. There are several different types of molds, including silicone and wood molds. Each type of mold has pros and cons. For instance, recyclable molds are cost effective, but you may only be able to use them once. Learn more in the How to Choose a Soap Mold post.
There are many factors to consider when making cold process soap. This week and next week will focus on the basics of soap making. One of the most important parts is safety. When working with sodium hydroxide lye, it is important to wear safety gear like goggles, gloves and long sleeves. With the correct precautions, soaping is a safe process. Learn more in the Back to Basics: Lye Safety Guide.
This week was all about the 1960’s, with inspired tutorials like the Groovy Peace Sign Melt and Pour Tutorial. The Peace Mold is iconic and creates an unforgettable bar of soap that symbolizes peace and love. The swirled effect is achieved with LabColors dropped into the mold before the soap is poured. The soap is scented with Flower Child Fragrance Oil.
The Basic 12 LabColors used in the tutorial are 25% off until midnight tonight! Just use the code: BASICLAB at checkout.
This week was all about experimenting with soapy techniques. In the Thai Tea Melt and Pour Tutorial, a melt and pour swirl technique is used to mimic cream mixing into tea. Thai tea is black tea mixed with spices and topped with some sort of cream, like coconut milk. For an authentic smell, the soap has a blend of Black Tea Fragrance Oil, Burnt Sugar Fragrance Oil and Coconut Cream Fragrance Oil.
Happy almost 4th of July everyone! If you’re looking for a little crafty inspiration during the long holiday weekend, you’ll love the Argan and Ginseng Gel Eye Serum video on Soap Queen TV. The serum has argan oil, jojoba oil and ginseng extract, which help moisturize your skin. Bonus, it doubles as a makeup remover.
The African-inspired tutorials continued this week with the Animal Print Melt and Pour Bars Tutorial. The Animal Print Tray Mold is used to create an alligator, zebra and leopard design in the bars. The colors are complemented by sultry and creamy Sandalwood Vanilla Fragrance Oil.
From now until June 27th, receive 25% off a selection of products used in the tutorials. Use coupon code SAFARIMADE at checkout. To see the full collection of Handmade Safari sale items, click here.
With vibrant colors and wild animals, Africa is full of crafting inspiration. This week featured several Africa-inspired projects, including the Whipped Amber Bronzing Butter. The butter gets its fluffy and moisturizing texture from three butters, including coffee butter. It has Copper Sparkle Mica, which adds shimmer and a slight tint to skin. Amber and Ancient Sedona Fragrance Oil are added for a warm scent.
From now until June 27th, receive 25% off a selection of products used in the tutorials. Use coupon code SAFARIMADE at checkout. To see the full collection of Handmade Safari sale items, click here.
Warm weather is perfect for outdoor activities, like swimming and gardening. After a long day of fun in the sun, it’s nice to relax. The Aloe Bubble Bath Bombs are a great way to unwind. They create big bubbles with the addition of SLSA, and soothing properties from aloe extract. The fizzies get a fresh and sweet scent from Basmati Rice and Kentish Rain Fragrance Oil.
Exfoliants help scrub away dirt and dead skin, leaving your skin feeling fresh and smooth. Bramble Berry carries a variety of exfoliants, such as colloidal oatmeal, shredded loofah and cranberry seeds. What exfoliant you choose for your recipe depends on personal preference. Learn more about which exfoliant is right for you in the All About Exfoliants post.
