Make Your Own Scented Candles 

Learning how to make candles has been at the top of my list for a long time. For years now, I’ve sourced most (if not all) of the candles I burn in my home on the cheap from garage sales, because they’re readily available for a good price. A dime here, a quarter there— a dollar if and only if the candle is exceptional. I’ve never had to resort to paying $5-$25 for a single scented wax candle in retail stores.

Candle-making is a long-beloved crafts. You can use them in your own home, or take the tutorial and make candle gift favors for an event. I prepared for this project by gathering a few items:braided wick rope, wick tabs, 5 pounds of unscented soy candle wax (soy burns longer than paraffin), and a small container of fragrance oil formulated for use in candle-making: Cinnamon Sugar! I had trouble finding a variety of scents, but came across this one at the local craft store. Hopefully this means that my house will smell like delicious baked goods all winter.

I have lofty dreams, now that I’ve gotten my feet wet, to attempt DIY pillar candles, so check out this tutorial and then check back soon for more candle making ideas. And if you’re still swatting mosquitoes this summer, you can also learn tomake your own citronella candles.

• Time:1 hour
• Cost:$20-$30
• Tools:4
• Materials:4

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Step 1

I’d like to eventually explore different forms for my candles, hopefully mastering the art of the pillar candle, but I have to graduate up to that. Summertime goals. For now, I found a glass vase that I liked at a local vintage shop (one that I can either reuse for future candles, or retire into a classic vase) and set out on a mission to make a great candle for my home.

 

Step 2

I didn’t buy the pre-tabbed wick assemblies, the ones that come pre-assembled, because I wasn’t exactly sure what size candles I would decide to make. Buying the materials separately cost a little less anyways (just about $8 for 150 wick tabs and 100 feet of braided rope).

To assemble the wicks, cut lengths of the waxed rope for the candle. For ease of making the candle, cut a few inches longer than needed so you can trim the wicks to length at a later point. Secure one end of the wick rope into the wick tab base, and use needle nose pliers to pinch the metal tight.

 

Step 3

To melt the wax, set up a double boiler system on your stovetop. It is important to watch the temperature of the wax with a thermometer as it climbs. You will need to heat it to 180 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 4

When the wax is 180 degrees and all of the flakes have melted, remove it from the heat, add your fragrance oil (optional) and color (optional, not used in this tutorial) and let it cool down to about 125 degrees. Contrary to what you might think, the wax will stay completely liquid during this time! Note: If you add the fragrance oil while the wax is still over the heat, you risk the scent evaporating away.

 

Step 5

When it reaches 125 degrees, carefully pour the wax into the container(s) of your choosing. Allow the wax to sit for a few moments, watch for the bottom and top edges to begin to solidify around the container, and then drop in the assembled wick and tab. I used a chopstick to help push the tab down to the base of the container and center it, and then looped the end of the wick, centered in the candle, over a construction pencil that wasn’t likely to roll away.

Step 6

Your work is done! Let the candle solidify for several hours, and trim the wick down to a 1/4 inch. Any excess braided rope can be saved for a day when you make a shorter candle.

 

Step 7

I can report that making a candle of this size used about 2 pounds of wax. I still have 3 pounds of wax (and plenty of wicks and rope from my original $25 investment) to make a lot more candles before summer time! 

Homemade Bubble Bath Recipes

-via home remedies

Homemade Bubble Bath -  Natural Bubble Bath Recipes, Fun, Simple, Great For Your Skin & The Whole Family Can Enjoy!

I'll show you some bubble bath fun for kids, milk bath recipes, Castile soap recipes, a bath bomb recipe and more!!

I like using Castile Soap in my homemade bubble bath recipes because it is made from olive oil instead of animal fats which can be found in many other soaps.

Castile Soap originated in the Castile region of Spain and has been around since 1567.                                           

You can find it in most all health type stores and available in liquid or bar form, providing more options for the user.

I buy the plain (it can come in eucalyptus, peppermint, lemon, etc) to avoid competing with the use of essential oils.

O.K., time to get started!!!

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 Homemade Basic Bubble Bath Recipe

(Use ¼ Cup of your favorite recipe for a special bath treat!)

4 Cups Water (distilled is a better choice than tap – stays fresh longer or boil water first, allow to cool)

1 Cup liquid Castile Soap 

5 drops of essential oil of your choice.

Keep in mind, do you want your bubble bath to be relaxing? (lavender, clary sage, geranium, bergamot, sandalwood)

Invigorating? (Eucalyptus, Lemon, Peppermint)

Relax sore muscles? (bergamot, ylang, ylang, eucalyptus)

Calm irritated skin? (lavender, peppermint, tea tree)

I would recommend mixing just the water and soap, pouring solution into a glass or plastic bottle and with each bath, you can add the essential oil(s) of your choice at that time....Add oil after filling tub and give a quick hand stir before entering.

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 Homemade Simple Coconut Milk Bath

1 C Coconut Milk - Simply add to your bath, stir by hand before entering.   Of course you can also add 5 drops of essential oils or simply enjoy the soothing and moisturizing benefits of a coconut milk bath.

Option:   You can also add 1/2 C of Rose Water or 1 C Rose petals.  Learn how easy it is to make your own rose water.   

Homemade Coconut Oil Bath

(substitute coconut oil with almond oil if you don’t like the coconut scent)

Use ¼ Cup per bath

4 Cups Water (distilled or boiled first, let cool)

4 oz. liquid Castile Soap

3 oz. Coconut oil

Pour ingredients into a glass or plastic bottle, give it a good shake to mix.

---

Homemade Vanilla & Honey Bubble Bath 

Use 1/4 C per bath

1 Cup Almond Oil

½ C honey

½ C Castile soap

1 T Vanilla

In a sauce pan on low heat, stir the almond oil and honey 3-4 mins. (just want it warm and mixed)

Remove and let cool 10-15 minutes.

Add Castile soap and pure vanilla extract then stir and transfer to glass or plastic bottle.

Honey helps our skin retain the moisture from the almond oil and both provides nutrients to our skin (vitamin B, C & riboflavin along with beneficial minerals)

Homemade Dry Bubble Bath Mix

(Baby Bath Time)

2 Cups Powder Milk

1 C Cornstarch (good for itchy skin)

4 oz Castile Soap flakes (grate from bar soap - using a cheese grater)

Add 5 drops of essential oil and mix well.

Sprinkle desired amount in bath and stir by hand before entering  

 Bath Bomb Recipe

Ingredients Needed:

1 C Baking Soda  

1/2 C Citric Acid

1/2 C Corn Starch

1/3 C Epsom Salt

15 drops essential oil   

Witch Hazel or water (in a spritz/spray bottle)

Mix dry ingredients well - (sifting will prevent clumps)  Add essential oils and mix well.

Putting it Together - 

Begin by mixing together your dry ingredients. Sifting each ingredient as it is added will help to prevent clumps. Sprinkle essential oil over the powder and mix some more.  (15 drops max)

Spritz (with a squirt bottle) the witch hazel onto your mixture while stirring.  When it starts to stick together, it's time to mold.  Do this quickly.

Put the bombs in molds or use ice cream or melon ball scooper – wait a few minutes and tap them out. Let them air dry for 3 or 4 hours and voila! (good to let air dry another 24 hrs. before wrapping in plastic - good for several months)

If you want to soften your bath water, use 2 T of light oil mixing in with essential oils.

How to Add Essential Oils to African Black Soap

Quick Tip: How to Add Essential Oils to African Black Soap

-Via DIY Craft Soap Making

Black soap or African black soap is an all-natural soap made from shea butter, plantain leaves and cocoa pod ashes. It's a very mild soap that can be used for gentle facial cleansing or hair care, and is often praised for relieving oily skin and eczema.

The 'formalator' in me likes to add essential oils to black soap for aromatherapy benefits, however, unlike melt-and pour-soap bases, black soap can be difficult to alter. It doesn't melt easily unless you add water, but this only makes the soap very soft and it evaporates quickly.

Here's a quick tip on how to successfully add essential oils or other fragrances to black soap, while retaining a solid bar format. This recipe makes two 3oz bars or two 85 gram bars.

Supplies

• 6oz/170g African black soap
• 10-20 drops essential oil of choice
• Soap mold
• 2 heat-safe ramekins
• Aluminum foil
• Spoon

1. Preparation

Cut the black soap into cubes and place into heat-safe ramekins.

2. Cover and Heat

Step 1

Tightly cover the containers with foil and place in the oven at 250 degrees Fahrenheit or 120 degrees Centigrade.

Step 2

Heat for one hour or until the black soap becomes soft and pliable.

3. Add the Oils

Add your choice of essential oils or fragrance.

4. Mix

Use the spoon to incorporate the essential oils with the black soap. Work quickly because the soap tends to harden quickly.

5. Spoon Into Molds

Spoon the black soap into soap molds and leave to cool. This shouldn't take long.

6. Pop Out the Molds

Once hardened, carefully release the black soap out of the molds and you're done!

Use Your Aromatic Soap

You've just learned a quick tip on how to add essential oils and other fragrances to African black soap. Black soap is a great natural soap all on it's own, but you can enhance its properties by incorporating a custom mix of essential oils for added aromatherapy and skin care benefits. Try using a few different combinations and see what works for you.

Energies of Today: Twas the Eve Before the Winter Solstice

Twas the Eve of the Winter Solstice

Happy Venus Day Fam! It’s Friday the eve of our 1^st Winter Solstice since the 2012 ascension shift. We all know about the big 2012 scare of the world ending, in reality it was a huge shift into a different dimension for us humans and space family, it was a true spin in time for all of the universal cosmic fam, everything that exists has changed frequency. Since the 2012 shift into the Aquarian age and new dimension, it has become more apparent among all people that time has definitely sped up, we are no longer within that 24 hour window frame that mankind so lovingly placed us inside for their own control. I just don’t fight with time anymore! I will not try to control time and fall over to make it somewhere at a destined man made time marker. “In divine time”, has become my favorite slogan for 2013. Definitely all things happen as it should at the right time and place whether you feel it is a good or bad thing. So time as an essence and energy has sped up, which means that karma is right on your heels as well as our thoughts manifesting so much quicker than before. I mean, I speak and it is there. The energetic sparks that our minds are sending via our ancestors, spirit guides, or direct connection to the infinite (reiki) rains back down abundantly as well. I know the past two New Moons I planted seeds and when my crop arose from the Earth blessed by the heavens it was totally like boom, boom, boom! All at once everything rolled in, I mean you ask for abundance, be ready because we are in alignment for it to pour down, and I mean pour down literally! This is very exciting for us, especially those of us who put in the time to align our lives spiritually, do the work to better ourselves and humanity, as well as devoting our lives to serving our infinite. Being expressions of the infinite is such as beautiful thing, being on Earth is equally awesome. Though we have our obstacles that we’ve created for ourselves in our lives to grow stronger and expand in wisdom and love, we have been supplied with an immense amount of spiritual tools equipped with a plethora of wisdom since the first vibration of creation that consistently guides us. We are living in such a divine moment in space and time.

Allow this 1 year anniversary of our New Dimensional Living and Space Reality to be a blessing to you. Our Earth is in an excellent position with the Sun in our Milky Way Galaxy tomorrow at 11:11 am CST which will align us with the opportunity to tune into this vibrant energy of manifestation of all things we wish, dream and desire, with a special focus on finances, careers, travel, and home stability. When we have sacred alignments with our home Earth and cosmic family planets, Our Milky Way Galaxy serves as a portal where all of the abundant energy pours through from the space surrounding our galaxy. We have direct access to all things within our Galaxy and spiritually speaking we have to ascend before our access is granted to receive the highest potent forms of success, prosperity and increased awareness from the space outside of our galaxy. (Ascension is a DNA Upgrade where the remaining parts of your brain are awakened being no longer dormant and able to tune into different dimensions outside of ours, resulting in contact with space family that has the keys to ancient wisdom and guidance.) So if you are already in a spiritually high place and you are consciously aligned at a sacred place on Earth at this time when the portal opens up you will be immensely blessed and connected with the other realms outside of ours.

Last Solstice 12/21/2012 I organized a gathering on the ancient and sacred Cahokia Mounds East of Saint Louis, MO. We arrived around 5am to watch the Sun Rise and come in full speed. We were freezing, yet the energy was amazingly powerful and it carried us through the day, until noon time and into this year 2013. This year for me personally, I was able to accomplish lifelong dreams of traveling and living in Africa at the age of 26. I was able to pursue my dream of teaching Yoga in Ghana and studying Midwifery. This seemed so impossible before 2012, but being aligned with spirit and the sacredness of Earth I gained an immense amount of support and power from the cosmic heavens to manifest any and everything I wanted in the frame of divine time. You too can achieve and manifest all that you wish, be ready to receive because it is coming your way!

Message of the Day:

“Yes you are a soul star experiencing a physical life on Earth, yet study the stars and planets gently, they are within you and outside of you, and they will show you the way.”

Today’s Meditation:

Wait until about 3 hours after your last meal and find a quite space, bring along pen and paper. Create you sacred environment with candles, music and incense if needed. Smudge. Breathe long, slow and deep, quiet the mind, settle into your space. Allow your mind to drift to your purpose on Earth. See yourself on your path for the things you have accomplished before 2013. Then begin to see yourself as if you’re in a movie accomplishing your goals in 2013. Now see your future self in all of the things your soul needs your physical body, mind and heart to accomplish in 2014. Allow that energy to penetrate your space and take over your body, become this energy, get excited because it is manifesting as you think and breathe. After your thoughts and breathing return to normal, take the time to write down your goals for 2014. On the Solstice find yourself in a sacred place on Earth or a special place to you. Whether it is a Sunrise, 11:11 CST, or Noon Time charge your goal list, read aloud your desires, confirm them with a confident voice, feel them being accepted as you send them to the heavens through your ancestors and spirit guides. Bask in the energy of our Sun, Earth and Galaxy as it opens up. Enjoy!

Energies of Today:
Numerology: Today is 20 =2 day/December 20, 2013= 11/ Day 354/11 days left in year

Planet of the day: Venus/Friday~ Love, Friendship, Reconciliation, Beauty

Sun Sign: Sagittarius/ Fire Nov. 22nd-Dec.21

Moon Sign of the Day: Leo~ draws emphasis to the self, central ideas, institutions, success, power, luck, increased energy and awareness.

Herb of the Day:  Lavender, Rose, Jasmine, Hawthorn Berries

Essential Oil of the Day: Palmrosa, Lavender, Jasmine

Color of the Day: Pink, Red, Purple, Green

Chakra of the Day: Anahata~ 4th Chakra~ Heart Space

Sound of the Day: Yam

Incense of the Day: Yarrow

Gem/Stone of the Day: Rose Quartz, Moon Stone,

Foods for the Day: The heart chakra encompasses our ability to give and receive love. When this is area is not in balance, it can leave your heart energy dry and lackluster. Through the process of sharing foods with others in a mutual exchange, you can practice giving and receiving love in a healthy way. The heart chakra blossoms when we express gratitude for eating, donate to food banks, and infuse love into our food and water. Foods for love and compassion: Vegetables, sprouts, raw foods, foods rich in chlorophyll, any green-colored foods.

Medicine Card of Today: Dog Card 14~ Loyalty~ Ask yourself these questions to use Dog Medicine:

1.      Have I recently forgotten that I owe my allegiance to my personal truth in life?
2. Is it possible that gossip or the opinions of others have jaded my loyalty to a certain friend or group?
3. Have I denied or ignored someone who is trying to be my loyal friend?

4.      Have I been loyal and true to my goals?

Tree of the Day:

Yoga Pose of the Day: Heart Salutation

Book to Read Today: Winter Solstice 2013

Getting Creative with Shampoo Bars!!

Herbal Shampoo Bars

Shampoo Bars are awesome for so many reasons, #1 it's eco friendly! No plastic bottles, waste, or extra time & money to spend on bottling your shampoo. It's an excellent way to wash your hair with root strengthening, healing and moisturizing herbs and oils. This is actually my favorite way to wash my hair. Their is a slight difference in making a shampoo bar of soap and it's a lower ph level of 7. Below you will find 2 different ways to create your very own biodegradable shampoo soap bar. Have Fun!!

 

 

How to Make an Herbal Shampoo Bar Soap :: Horsetail and Argan Oil :: A Recipe for Damaged Hair

Restore luster.
Shine.
Nourish.

This shampoo bar was created to strengthen damaged hair.

Vitality.
Hair growth.
Rebalance scalp.

Beneficial oils and butters along with magical botanicals combine in this luxurious shampoo.

Argan oil…

…as quoted by Mountain Rose Herbs ”is rich in natural tocopherols (vitamin E) and phenols, carotenes, squalene and fatty acids, making it a truly luxurious oil. Argan oil absorbs quickly and is often used in skin, nail and hair treatments to deliver deep hydration, strengthen brittle hair and nails, and prevent/reduce stretch marks.” It actually penetrates the shaft of the hair improving elasticity and shine.

Horsetail…

…is super high in the mineral silica (the essential element in the production of collagen) – which is known to help strengthen weak, dry, brittle or damaged hair — and when applied to lifeless hair…shine, smoothness and vitality are what remain. Also high in minerals such as potassium, selenium and manganese – horsetail prevents hair loss, promotes hair growth, and contributes flexibility and strength to the hair.

Essential oils…

…of ylang ylang, bay, clary sage, sweet orange, and cedarwood together help with a multitude of hair and scalp conditions such as dandruff. They also stimulate hair growth and restore health to greasy or lifeless hair.

Horsetail Shampoo Bar Recipe

Ingredients

Oils

• 8 ounces coconut oil
• 8 ounces olive oil
• 8 ounces organic, sustainably-sourced palm oil
• 4 ounces shea butter
• 2 ounces cocoa butter
• 3 ounces castor oil

Liquid

• 10 fluid ounces handmade horsetail water infusion, click here to learn how to make an herbal water infusion
• 4.52 ounces lye (7% excess fat)

Add-Ins

• 1 tablespoons horsetail powder
• 2 ounces argan oil
• 2 ounces essential oil blend of ylang ylang, bay, clary sage, sweet orange, and cedarwood

Soap-Making Basics
*Thanks to the Internet and amazing people who are willing to share their wisdom so freely…I was able to learn the skill. I primarily use the hot processed method…however, choose the method you feel most comfortable with:

• Wardeh, who runs Gnowfglins, on her personal blog Such Treasures gives the clearest, most easy to follow directions ever! This is the exact post that got me started. She uses the hot processed method and I highly recommend that you read her recipe if you are even the slightest bit interested in making your own soap.
• Renee of Fimby was also very inspirational and such a great resource! Watch her awesome video that describes the cold processed method for making a simple soap by clicking here.

If you are new to soap-making, I strongly suggest you read through these very informative articles and find what will work for you:

• Crock Pot Soap
• Beginner’s Guide To Soap Making
• 4 Steps To Making Homemade Soap

I would also recommend borrowing a few of these books from the library if you really find yourself wanting to know more:

• Handcrafted Soapby Dolores Boone
• The Soapmaker’s Companionby Susan Miller Cavitch
• The Natural Soap Book by Susan Miller Cavitch

Hot Process Method
*Remember…there are 2 different methods for soap-making — hot and cold process — this is the Hot Process Method.

1. Measure both the lye and herbal infusion – each in separate bowls — using a kitchen scale. Note: Always run your recipe through a lye calculator to be sure that you are using the proper amount of oils, lye, and liquid.
2. Carefully combine the lye and herbal infusion by pouring the lye into the liquid (never pour liquid into the lye) and stir liquid until lye is completely dissolved. The liquid is caustic and not to be touched in anyway. The outside of the bowl will be extremely hot as well. Be careful when working with lye and follow all of the recommended precautions. Note: What I’m trying to say is, I can not be held responsible for any craziness, mishaps, explosions, etc. that may happen when making this recipe.
3. Allow the lye mixture to stay under a vent and cool down while you prepare the oils.
4. Measure the oils – by weight – and then place in a crock pot to melt on low heat. Please omit the essential oils…we will be adding them later.
5. Once melted, add the lye/water mixture to the oils in the crock pot and stir. Note: Any equipment the lye touches needs to be neutralized in a mixture of white vinegar, soap, and water.
6. After a brief stir, grab your stick blender and get to work! Blend the oils and liquid in the crock pot for at least 1-2 minutes. We are working toward “trace.”
7. After 1-2 minutes, add the horsetail powder. Using a wire whisk, whisk until well combined.
8. Continue whisking for 2-3 minutes more – until the mixture becomes a thick, pudding like consistency.
9. Once the mixture is pudding-like, cover the crock pot and “cook” the soap, on low heat, for approximately 1 hour.
10. Prepare your mold. Note: I just use a standard loaf pan lined with parchment paper and it’s always worked perfectly and this recipe is enough to fill one loaf pan.
11. Once the soap is done “cooking” remove from heat and quickly add the essential oils and argan oil.
12. Stir until well combined.
13. Spoon soap mixture into molds.
14. Allow soap to cool and harden for 24 hours.
15. Remove from mold on to cutting board and cut into bars.

Place bars on a tray with good airflow so that they can harden further.

 

 

Soap Queen Sudsy Shampoo Bar



Snow Soap

Winter Snow Soap!

It's winter time fam and I want to make some snow soap! So I am a huge kid when winter time comes and I am so excited that it has snowed already! So I happily went outside and scooped up our first snow into a ziploc bag and it's snow patiently awaiting in our freezer. On Sunday night the little one's got restless and said to heck with the xbox we're going to play in the snow! The also decided to collect their own personal bags of snow to help me make snow soap! This is going to be awesome. So the plan is to make a winter soap for the house and also for loved ones for Christmas. If you are an experienced soap maker it is a very simple thing to implement into the process. Your soap just takes the place of your water! If you are new to soap making familiarize yourself with the basics which are listed in the blog archives and follow the directions below. The recipe below is cold process but we will do ours hot process. We plan to add pine, cypress, a bit of cinnamon and peppermint essential oil for that holiday aroma. Have fun!!

Directions for How to Make Snow Soap

1

Measure out snow and add sodium hydroxide.

Mix thoroughly as snow melts and be sure all sodium hydroxide is thoroughly dissolved into snow water. Set aside. ***This soap recipe assumes basic soap making knowledge. Always wear goggles and gloves and work in a ventilated area when working with lye.

2

Measure and heat oils.

Measure and heat carrier oils. Melt to between 110 and 120 degrees. In a separate container, melt 1oz of Mango butter and melt until liquid. Measure fragrance and essential oils into a separate container and set aside.

3

Add soap colorants to oils.

Add titanium dioxide, diamond dust mica and kaolin clay into the oils and blend until well mixed. Titanium Dioxide tends to clump easily. That is why we are mixing the color into the oils first.

4

Make Soap!

Pour snow lye solution into the melted carrier oils. Mix to a light trace.

5

Additives

At light trace add melted mango butter and mix well. Add in fragrance and essential oil and mix well.

6

Mold

Pour soap into the prepared soap molds. Allow soap 24 - 48 hours to set up.

7

Cure

Remove the soap from the molds and allow them to sit 4 weeks to cure.

Tip

Please watch the instructional video. http://youtu.be/KFM-eH4SWtc