About.com Candle & Soap Making

Friday News - Saponifier Revamps its Design

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:04:16 +0000

The Saponifier is a wonderful bimonthly magazine written to the manufacturers of handcrafted soap, toiletries, cosmetics, and candles. It has been published for 11 years now and has grown as much as the soap, candle and cosmetic industry has grown over the years. Whether you're a beginner or an old timer, you'll find the Saponifier relevant, interesting and inspiring. I love seeing it in my email inbox. You can view a preview of their current revamped and redesigned issue here...or subscribe here.

Summertime Floating Candles

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:38:45 +0000

One of my favorite summertime centerpieces is a bowl of floating candles. On the table, inside or outside, they can make a stunning statement. It's something about the mix of fire and water...and the movement of both the flames, and the candles themselves in the water. They can be romantic or whimsical depending on the bowl and candles you choose. While there are lots of special molds for floating candles, you can use plain muffin tins like I did in Basic Floating Candles and you'll have a nifty bowl full of candles in no time.

Liquid Soap Making Tip - How to Store Liquid Soap Paste

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 09:59:14 +0000

I guess we've been washing our hands a lot lately; the bottle of liquid soap at the kitchen sink is empty. Luckily, I've got ready-to-dilute soap paste in the refrigerator. Dividing up the soap paste (even small recipes still make a LOT of soap) into portions and storing it in the refrigerator is a great way to not only use all of the soap, but have some variety in how you fragrance it.

Further Adventures of the Soap Queen

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 22:52:22 +0000

My friend Anne-Marie Faiola of Bramble Berry has been hosting a free Do-It-Yourself soapmaking series on YouTube, appropriately titled Soap Queen TV. She's done some really fun and creative melt and pour soap making projects. Her latest videos include:
Swirling Melt & Pour Soap
Embedding in Melt and Pour Soap
and Doing a Double Pour
She says, "Soapmaking is one of those things that really comes together once you see someone doing it." I can't agree more. We also have many other Candle and Soap Making videos here on this site that have proven to be amongst the site's most viewed candle and soap making pages.

Planning Your Summer Garden - Vegetable Soap Recipes

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 09:31:21 +0000

It's almost officially summer here in Texas. My bean plants are thriving and the tomatoes are growing quickly...I'm sure we'll have enough zucchini to last us until well into next year, and a fair amount of cucumbers too. I didn't do carrots this year...but, that's what the Farmer's Market is for. Most folks probably don't plan their summer gardens with soap making in mind...but using vegetable purees and juices in soap is a wonderful seasonal variation. You need to mix your lye solution a little differently (here's how) but the results can be really wonderful. The vegetables mostly add color. (The scent really doesn't stick.) But the skins can be mildly exfoliating as well. Here are some summer vegetable-themed soap recipes:

Cucumber Soap - crisp and refreshing.
Carrot Juice Soap - muted, light and intriguing
Tomato Basil Soap - my favorite summertime soap

So when you're going to the market, or tending your garden to nurture some fresh vegetables, make sure to save a few for some soap!

Keep the Kids (or Yourself) Busy with Fun Melt and Pour Soap Projects

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:00:35 +0000

Whether you're a beginner soap maker, have some kids to entertain, or just looking for some cool easy summer soap projects, try making one of these melt and pour soaps:
Gem Stone Soaps - with sparkly mica and gem colors
Dipped Flower Petal Soaps - easy and unique
Super Soap Scrubbies - great fun for kids
Morning Mint Soap w/Swirls - a brisk wake up
Loofah Soaps - super scrubby
Chunk Soaps - amazing varieties
Soap on a Roap - convenience in the shower
And don't forget the Melt and Pour Basics Video to get you started...
Even if you're a veteran soap maker, don't discount how easy and quick and fun using melt and pour soap base can be. Enjoy!

Resources for Labels for Your Soaps and Candles

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:11:27 +0000

Chances are, if you're making candles or soap, you're making enough for your own family AND other people. You may have even branched into selling your candles and soaps. Either way, you've had to figure out how to label them. I've compiled a list of great resources, supplies, vendors and tips for creating the most professional labels possible. And for the bible on labeling soap and cosmetic products, be sure to check out Marie Gales, Soap and Cosmetic Labeling. (Now in its second edition!)

How to Make Lotion Bars

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:09:23 +0000

Well...they're not really "lotion" - in that lotion is a combination of oils and water. Technically, they'd be called "balms" - but "balm bars" just doesn't sound as nice. They're a little bit lotion, a little bit massage oil - closely related to the candle - but in a class all by their self...we can call them massage bars, I suppose. With ingredients you probably already have on your shelf if you're a candle and soap maker, you can make these decadently easy massage bars. And though technically not a candle or a soap - it's so closely related that I've created a whole new category on the site -- Bath & Body -- that has information on Bath Fizzies, Bath Salts and more.

2009 Texas Soapmakers Association Annual Convention Coming Soon

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:40:10 +0000

I often take for granted how lucky I am to have the Texas Soapmakers Association in my own state. Their annual convention is one of the best in the U.S. and people come from all over to attend. This year, it's going to be held in my own backyard, Dallas,Texas July 17-19, 2009. Marie Gale, President of the Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild will be the keynote speaker. Check out the TSA website for more information about the convention. If you're anywhere near, it's a GREAT opportunity to learn, meet other soapmakers (including me), and have a lot of fun.

Skin Care Doesn't Just Stop with Natural Soap -- Exfoliate!

Sat, 30 May 2009 00:04:11 +0000

Some people like their soap rich and smooth and creamy.
Some like it full of scrubby stuff.
Most, like me, like it somewhere in between...or a combination of both
After cleansing, exfoliation is one of the most important parts of overall skin care; a little bit of scrub is actually quite good for you! So why not incorporate a little bit of scrub along with your cleansing? Along with dozens of natural colorants you can add to give your soap (both cold process and melt-n-pour) color, there are many natural exfoliants you can add to give your soap some scrubbiness. Here�s a growing list I�ve been compiling from my own soaps, tests and other soapers.
Using Natural Exfoliants in Soap.
You really will notice a difference in your skin if you regularly exfoliate.