Benefits of Flaxseed – Natural, Healthful, Homemade Skin Care

The benefits of flaxseed and flaxseed oil are numerous!  Flaxseed comes from a blue flowering plant located on the western prairies of Canada.  The plant, linum usitatissimum, bears fruit.  Inside the fruit lies glossy brown seeds. These seeds are best digested when ground to a fine texture or used as oil. A clear to yellowish oil is pressed from these seeds, called flaxseed oil or linseed oil. Flaxseed has a sweet and nutty flavor. Flaxseed and flaxseed oil offer many healthful benefits and are used a variety of ways!

BENEFITS OF FLAXSEED / FLAXSEED OIL:

FIBER:

The fiber found in flaxseed oil contains a balance of soluble and insoluble fiber.  This fiber helps clean the colon, inhibits the formation of disease causing organisms in the intestine, stabilizes blood sugar levels and is a natural laxative.  Fiber maintains proper functioning of the digestive system and acts like a sweeper, cleaning the colon of toxins, metabolic waste and dried mucus.

PROTEIN:

Flaxseed oil provides essential protein for the body.  It is considered to be a complete amino acid, essential for healthy metabolism and the absorption of nutrients.  Its high quality protein source helps maintain healthy hair, skin and nails.  Its protein source increases energy, as well!  For every 100 grams of flaxseeds, you average 25 to 30 grams of protein.

LIGNANS: (Natural Anti-Bacterial Nutrients)

One hundred times more lignans are found in flaxseeds than wheat bran, rye, oats, and soybeans.  Lignans have anti-viral, anti-tumor, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties.  They reduce the activity of free radicals and flush excess estrogen out of the body, reducing estrogen-linked cancers.  Lignans are found in flaxseeds themselves but not in the extracted oil.  Some brands have lignans added during the production phase.

MUCILAGE:

Mucilage forms from flaxseeds after soaking them for about thirty minutes.  This mucilage has the consistency of light oil, which lubricates and absorbs toxins, well.  It helps to prevent toxic build up in the bowels and makes a gentle, non-irritating, laxative.

VITAMINS & MINERALS:

Flaxseeds contain an impressive list of vitamins and minerals including: vitamin B1, B2, B6, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, calcium, sulfur, potassium, phosphorous, manganese, silicon, copper, nickel, molybdenum, chromium, cobalt, iron, carotene, zinc, magnesium, riboflavin, niacin, folate, selenium and pantothenic acid.  The benefits of vitamins and minerals maintain healthy cardiovascular system, colon, brain function, skin, boosts immunity, metabolic system, circulatory system, and more!

ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS:  Omega 3 & Omega 6

Omega 3 fatty acids lower LDL, (bad cholesterol), improves brain function, (memory, performance, behavioral functions), lowers risk of heart disease, lowers blood pressure, reduces risk of estrogen linked cancer, reduces symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, (joint pain and morning stiffness), and reduces inflammation.

Omega 6 fatty acids improve brain function, stimulate skin and hair growth, maintain healthy bones, regulate metabolism and maintain the reproductive system.  Both omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids are necessary for human wellbeing.  Since the body cannot make these essential fatty acids, they must be found in external sources.

HOMEMADE SKIN CARE:

Flaxseed improves skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, inflammation, acne, rosacea, dry and mature skin by providing healthy cellular activity and skin regeneration. It softens skin, heals abrasions, reduces scars, heals burns, reduces the redness of rashes, and reduces inflammation. When combining this natural oil with calendula oil and mango butter, it is healing for dry skin, dry flaky skin, dry scaly skin and more. Flaxseed can be used for making homemade soap, lotions, creams, balms and more.  Flaxseed is well known for its overall healthful skin care benefits!

Flaxseed can be used internally and externally.  Internally, you can sprinkle ground up flaxseeds on foods like oatmeal, mixed vegetables, cereals and breads. Instead of grinding up flaxseeds, some find it easier to take a recommended dosage of flaxseed oil. Add this natural oil to a protein shake or just a glass of water.  The health benefits of flaxseed oil and flaxseed are numerous!

Externally, flaxseed or flaxseed oil can be used in making homemade lotion, soaps, creams, balms and other homemade skin care products! You can improve your overall health, inside and out, with the benefits of flaxseed and flaxseed oil!

Making Soap Balls – A Wonderful Highly Affordable Homemade Gift

Once when the planet was a whole lot more frugal, whenever wasting anything out was basically quite like damaging the unwritten eleventh rule. Every little thing was saved and set to excellent application. Leftovers of fabric grew to become scarfs, pieces of remains became a mouth-watering stew, and in many cases all those very small, unusable nubs of cleaning soap have been transformed into charming and useful soap spheres. cost effectiveness has reached a recovery, along with it the ability of building hand-milled cleansing soap spheres. Recede up your long sleeves, call up the little children, clear from the table, and find out your cleansing soap! You’re going to be producing cleansing soap spheres.

The alternatives for creating soap balls are controlled exclusively because of your elements and your creative thinking. Stay within the standard directions directly below, right after liberate your own imaginative energies by just attempting a few of the way more intricate models.

Standard Hand-Milled Cleaning soap Spheres

You may would need chunk cleansing soap, whether complete notches or simply edges. While odorless is preferred, employ exactly what you’ve got on hand. You will at the same time be needing a meager amount of water, a grater, as well as a large container.

Grate that soap right into a dish, coming up with a considerable hard work to safeguard the actual skin on your own hands. Add a moderate volume of water, ample to produce the actual cleansing soap stick in unison if tighten up in to a circle. Always be for certain to supply only a dash or simply 2 at a time, so as not to end up together with cleansing soap soups. Employing your hands, roll the particular cleansing soap into your chosen measurements. (If you happen to really don’t wish for soap-coated hands, layer your hands with any sort of lube before creating.) Enable your masterpieces to harden for 2 or about three days and nights. Congratulations! You , yourself are at present an official professional of producing cleaning soap spheres!

Now you are aware of how to build sphere soap, absolutely free your inventive facet to research the limitless alternatives regarding tinkering with the fragrance and appearance of your respective tiny little treasures.

Parcels as well as Showcasing Soap Balls

Cleaning soap spheres earn practical and inexpensive home made trinkets when attentively packed. Loose or bundled soap spheres help to make outstanding novelty container tips nestled together with other sensible hand crafted products, or simply they might end up being beautifully packaged alone. Fit three little sphere soaps inside a nest-like, raffia-full package. Encapsulate a trio of balls or one significant sphere found in cellophane and link it off with a easy lace or raffia having a homemade label. Put a selection in a modest container, a gift basket, a lovely bowl, or possibly a good looking bin such as a small sprinkling receptacle for display on a counter.

Pack a minimal, appealing container or other remade box in a collection of cleaning agent balls for a birthday present, and enable the receiver to make a decision on the presentation program. Everyone might even bare the material from a box of chocolates or plastic bag of coffee beans and replenish from with accordingly perfumed cleaning agent spheres. A “do not consume” label would most definitely be in concept.

Often the alternatives for manufacturing, beautifying, demonstrating and packaging cleaning agent spheres are constricted solely by your creative imagination. Cooking cleansing soap spheres can be a fun, inexpensive challenge which results in an cost-effective home made gift accompanied by a authentic item that hearkens directly into the great ol’ days. Take pleasure in the fresh and clean, old-fashioned fun of creating cleaning agent balls! 

Soap Making – The Home Business That Makes Scents

Maybe you’ve been making soaps for a while now and it has become more of an addiction than a hobby. Why keep investing more money into your “hobby” without getting anything in return? Why not turn your hobby into a full-fledged business? One that not only makes sense, but can also earn you some major cents!

The Basics

More and more, people are turning their hobbies into money-making opportunities. And it’s no wonder. There’s nothing better than getting paid for something you spend time doing anyway and already know you enjoy!

With much focus these days on taking care of our earth, soap making offers a wonderful way you can do your part in promoting products with natural ingredients – vegetable oils, herbs and clays, to name a few.

It may take some trial and error on your part to get the hang of it, but once you have it down, the marketing options are endless. Not only do homemade soaps appeal to earth-conscious consumers, but they have also become popular gift items. Aromatherapy items are in demand, as are fun and unique products you can’t find on every store shelf. Homemade soaps make perfect gifts for house-warming, bridal or baby showers, Teacher Appreciation, Mother’s Day, or even as children’s birthday party favors.

What you will need to begin

While oils, lye and distilled water are the base ingredients, there are several others you will need for your soaps, including fragrances and colors. You’ll need to research which exact ingredients are needed for the particular soaps you intend to make.

Other than ingredients, moulds are a must. You can use any form of mould made from plastic, wood, or cardboard. Some candle and candy molds work well but there are many various soap moulds available, which give you plenty of options.

Of course, a computer and Internet access is vital with any home business today so you can promote and advertise your soaps on message boards, blogs, and by creating your own website.

And don’t forget about the technical stuff, like a business licenses or permits and record keeping essentials.

Money matters

You definitely will not get rich quick making soaps. In fact, you may not even get rich slowly. But once you’ve established your business, you could earn a comfortable income, depending on how much time you invest into it. The major factor will be how well you market yourself as a soap-maker and how quickly word spreads.

Between moulds, ingredients, and wrapping materials, the cost per bar of soap you make can be anywhere from $ .50 – .00. So, if you charge say, .99 per bar, you will earn a 100% (or more) profit. And then you must also factor in your time and other miscellaneous business costs. But don’t let that seemingly small number discourage you. By researching wholesale supply companies and spending wisely, as well as learning to make soaps quickly, your overall earnings greatly increase. It’s not unusual to make upwards of 500 bars of soap per month. That can add up to a nice amount of cash.

Where to sell your soaps

As mentioned above, a website is an easy way to widely spread word about your business and direct potential customers for more information. Other avenues of advertising and selling include craft fairs, local gift shops, or hosting home parties. But, of course, word-of-mouth is the best way to gain a reputable reputation and cause those orders to start rolling in. Give your soaps away as gifts and include a tag or business card with contact information.

Basic Components On How to Make Soap Base

Vehicle Herbal oils

The variety of cleaning soap you are going to make decides the exact groundwork cleaning soap you will have to begin using. Would you desire your main homespun cleansing soap to be hard? Pliable? Sudsy? You are able to get started on understanding in regards to the many kinds of foundation natural oils by reading through the tags of business soaps that you employ continually. You can actually likewise sign up to posting records and also sign up at cleansing soap producing organizations online; almost all of the individuals who acknowledge the best way to create homemade soap are generally exceptionally willing to disclose details with other people.

vehicle herbal oils pass on the essential basic characteristics of the soaps. Hard not to mention particularly long lasting cleansers are often constructed via palm oils; cleansers that give an excellent lather are generally produced by making use of virgin coconut vegetable oil along with using castor oil; organic extra-virgin olive oil, canola vegetable oil as well as soy bean essential oil may possibly wind up being put into use in making moisturizing and defining cleansers; together with high-class soaps are often made with the help of cocoa powder milk butter, hemp vegetable oil, and almond vegetable oil amidst numerous affairs.

Oils like almond oil and avocado vegetable oil supply you with a skin pores and skin conditioning quality in your cleansers. Distinct herbal oils suggest different cleansers. As soon as you become accustomed to the actual attributes every different oil imparts, you’ll start to have an understanding of what precisely sorts of bar a particular formula is going to develop.

Lye

Lye is the most vital element in generating soap if you are making use of the particular cool or warm techniques. Salt hydroxide or Lye can be a incredibly formidable chemical and coping with it involves serious caution. Moreover , you may want to determine your current utensils cautiously when confronted with Lye – don’t use anything except wooden as well as plastic spoon for stirring and containers constructed of enamel, plastic material or cyrstal glass for the purpose of mixing. Basically cool normal water ought to be utilized together with Lye, and often try to remember to pour the Lye directly into drinking water.
An individual aren’t able to build homespun cleaning soap notches completely from scratch without having working with Lye. In the event that, even so, you will desire to forget about working with Lye, you may try utilizing the particular dissolve as well as dump procedure with pre-made glycerin cleansing soap bottoms.

Drinking water

Yet another main compound in cleaning soap creating, standard water is imperative to the procedure. For the most beneficial ultimate results, apply sanitized water for producing your own Lye solution. You can also employ de-mineralized water in cleaning soap creating.

Other Elements

Natural herbs and flower petals will add odor on your cleansing soap, nonetheless you’ll want to think of that all these could very well be burned off when put onto very hot refined cleaning soap. A few other herbs really do not take a look at all tempting any time utilized in soaps. Should you choose to employ herbs as part of your handmade soap, undertake your basic research and learn what precisely herbal products can are great for usage in creating

cleaning soap.

colors come in varied designs – fluids, powders and glycerin primarily based colorants are generally common. Start using these to add color for your cleansing soap, even so, you’ll want to also keep in mind that most of various other constituents might have an impact on the total outcome of your soap hue. 

Essential essential oils and scent natural oils can certainly be put into your soaps so it can have a curing effect. Quite a few fundamental natural oils including linden can be somewhat high priced. It really is perfectly up to you in the event you would like to add more crucial essential oils into your cleansing soap. If you ever desire to just simply incorporate a aroma without the need of a healing benefit, you are able to choose to make use of fragrance natural oils instead.

Soap Making Procedure – Hot Soap Making

If you have suddenly become interested in making soaps as a hobby or for profit, you might be surprised to know that there is more than one way to make soap. Yes, there are different kinds of procedures for making soap and there is always a certain soap making procedure which is most appropriate to the kind of soap that you would want to make. So it can really help to get to know some of them.

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Perhaps the most common soap making procedure is what people call the cold process soap. This is the type of soap that your grandma has most probably made in the past. It involves combining fatty acids and lye, and many people refer to this process as a combination of art and science.

There is also the melt and pour process. This procedure involves melting large blocks of clear soap base so you can add color and fragrance into it. The melted, colored, and scented soap can then be poured into molds so it can once again take shape. Not too hard to figure out why the process is called that way, is it?

There is also a method cold hot process soap making. It is actually an interesting take on the cold process method. This process involves taking all the ingredients you need into a pot placed over a heat source and then stirring the mixture frequently until it goes through many different stages. Once cooled, the soap is already ready for use.

These are only some of the many soap making procedures. It can help to select which soap making procedure you would want to follow so you can go through the whole process more effectively and efficiently. And remember, there is always a procedure that is best for the kind of soap that you are planning to make.

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Rene Whitlock Hot Soap Making – Make Your Own Soap Review

Are you planning to make your own soap? If you are, you might want to check the Rene Whitlock Hot Soap Making guide. This is a complete guide to soap making using the hot soap making process, and it will show you an effective way to make all natural organic soaps that are ready to use in just a few days.

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This guide has been referred to as the faster and better way to make real soap. And with the Rene Whitlock Complete Hot Soap Making Guide, you will be able to make the kind of soaps you want using completely natural ingredients right away. And if you think it is the same as the traditional way of making handmade soap, you are definitely wrong.

This guide will you a faster, easier, and more predictable way of making natural soap so you can have youthful looking skin. With this guide, you can learn how to add color and scent after the chemical reaction has taken place. Quite unlike the traditional way of soap making, isn’t it?

Through this guide, you will be able to make soaps with natural colors and with scents that stays in the soap, even if you use less than two-thirds of the essential oil that you would normally add to traditionally-made soaps. Talk about a good way of saving money without compromising quality! And the best thing about all these is that the results are predictable and you can start using your soap just after a couple of days or so of making it.

No need to wait for weeks for your soap to sit in molds. With the Rene Whitlock Hot Soap Making guide, you can look forward to using the soaps you have made in just a couple of days. Wouldn’t you say this is way better than the procedure taught by your grandma?

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all natural soap, soap lye, making bath salt, wholesale bath salt

We’d like to raise a topic of some concern for you to think about. According to the FDA, many of the soap bars available on the market cannot be considered ‘soap’ at all, and are instead labeled as ‘beauty bar’ or ‘bath bar’. These harsh cleansers contain chemical detergents which clean skin (or even floors) by stripping all the oils off the surface. Our skin contains natural oils which balance, hydrate and protect it. To compensate for lost moisture these oils are replaced with chemically composed petroleum, humectants, surfactants, etc. Another culprit we’d like to call out is Sodium Tallowate. Tallow is a highly saturated fat derived from beef and mutton. This animal byproduct is inexpensive which is why it is widely used, and is said to clog pores, creating blackheads and increase the incidence of eczema in sensitive skin. sodium cocoyl isethionate, stearic acid, coconut acid, sodium tallowate, water, sodium isethionate, sodium stearate, cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium cocoate or palm kernelate, fragrance, sodium chloride, tetrasodium EDTA, trisodium etidronate, BHT, titanium dioxide and sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate. You’ve been near it all your life, bassinet to bath to boudoir. It was used behind your ears before perfume was used there. It has removed dirt and grime from your face, fingers, and knees. If you’ve said naughty words your mother may have threatened to wash out your mouth with it. It has cleansed you, made you smell good, added a glow to your complexion, and helped make you feel fresher. But what do you really know about soap? Well, in the first place the product you regard as soap may not be soap at all, but a synthetic detergent “beauty” or “bath” bar. These and similar names have been used by copywriters to spare the consumer the awful knowledge that she is not bathing herself with real soap, but with a synthetic detergent which, ironically, is for some purposes superior to soap. Some “soap” bars may consist of soap and synthetic detergent. Soap, as long as we can remember, has enjoyed an enviable respect in polite society and this could be at least a part of the reason why Congress placed soap above the law in enacting the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of 1938. This law exempted soap from regulation as a cosmetic.

all natural soap, soap lye, making bath salt, wholesale bath salt

We’d like to raise a topic of some concern for you to think about. According to the FDA, many of the soap bars available on the market cannot be considered ‘soap’ at all, and are insteaWe’d like to raise a topic of some concern for you to think about. According to the FDA, many of the soap bars available on the market cannot be considered ‘soap’ at all, and are instead labeled as ‘beauty bar’ or ‘bath bar’. These harsh cleansers contain chemical detergents which clean skin (or even floors) by stripping all the oils off the surface. Our skin contains natural oils which balance, hydrate and protect it. To compensate for lost moisture these oils are replaced with chemically composed petroleum, humectants, surfactants, etc. Another culprit we’d like to call out is Sodium Tallowate. Tallow is a highly saturated fat derived from beef and mutton. This animal byproduct is inexpensive which is why it is widely used, and is said to clog pores, creating blackheads and increase the incidence of eczema in sensitive skin.

sodium cocoyl isethionate, stearic acid, coconut acid, sodium tallowate, water, sodium isethionate, sodium stearate, cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium cocoate or palm kernelate, fragrance, sodium chloride, tetrasodium EDTA, trisodium etidronate, BHT, titanium dioxide and sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate.

You’ve been near it all your life, bassinet to bath to boudoir. It was used behind your ears before perfume was used there. It has removed dirt and grime from your face, fingers, and knees. If you’ve said naughty words your mother may have threatened to wash out your mouth with it. It has cleansed you, made you smell good, added a glow to your complexion, and helped make you feel fresher. But what do you really know about soap?

Well, in the first place the product you regard as soap may not be soap at all, but a synthetic detergent “beauty” or “bath” bar. These and similar names have been used by copywriters to spare the consumer the awful knowledge that she is not bathing herself with real soap, but with a synthetic detergent which, ironically, is for some purposes superior to soap. Some “soap” bars may consist of soap and synthetic detergent.

Soap, as long as we can remember, has enjoyed an enviable respect in polite society and this could be at least a part of the reason why Congress placed soap above the law in enacting the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of 1938. This law exempted soap from regulation as a cosmetic.

So long as no cosmetic representations are made for soap, other than that it cleanses, and no claims are made that it will affect the structure or functions of the body or treat a disease, it is beyond FDA regulation. When such claims are made the soap must meet all FDA requirements for a cosmetic or a drug or both, whichever is appropriate. If it’s represented as a drug the label must list all active ingredients; if represented as both a cosmetic and drug or as only a cosmetic the label must list all ingredients.

For instance, if a soap is labeled as a deodorant soap, FDA considers this to be a cosmetic claim and the label must, as with other cosmetics, carry a list of ingredients. If the soap makes a medical claim, such as that it will cure dandruff, it is considered a drug and must carry required drug labeling and also meet FDA safety and effectiveness requirements.

How To Make Soap Bars – Effective Approaches On The Best Way You Will Be Able To Create Your Own

It is really turning into far more and much more popular currently than ever. Homespun soaps are often a excellent adventure not simply to your sight and nasal area, your pores and skin will certainly appreciate it. Certainly no market-produced cleaning soap will come near the softness of a all-natural cleansing soap since handmade cleansers you should never hold any specific nasty chemicals which often over-dry your skin layer. Shall we move by way of the practices you will definitely must decide to use to read and learn about this particular rewarding art.

Soap is definitely the reaction to a chemical strategy among Lye, a ingredient that comes about naturally, as well as pretty much any kinds of natural oils or saturated fats. In a approach of a cleaning agent generating that is definitely acceptable for inexperienced players often known as cold approach cleaning agent creating, individuals will warm up all the herbal oils and body fat adequate enough to make all of them sizzling hot and unite these with Lye. In the aftermath of adding the actual required essences and aromas, you place it into a cast to lay.

That general procedure for rendering one group of cleaning soap requires around two hours, on the other hand it should set within the mold for approximately 1 day. Aside from that, the actual cleaning soap is not equipped for you to utilize prior to it is totally remedied – and this may take you more or less 4 weeks. Thus in the event you be taught to generate cleaning soap this four week period, you could possibly be producing your own cleansers certainly in a month’s time!

You may will need canisters and tools and equipment, most of which you can expect to have a need to put aside just for generating cleaning soap with. This would be the most important financial investment you have to invest in, but just after it is undertaken, you could possibly be creating cleaning soap for several years and cutting down commercially concerning the revenue you would commonly have spent on chemically-produced store-bought soaps.

Here’s a common breakdown of the instruments you ought to have: safety and security gadgets to handle Lye (plastic hand protection, unwanted and old jacket with lengthy sleeves, clear plastic eye protection, cane vinegar in case you have to counteract the Lye), high temperature proof pitcher for the purpose of mingling the Lye, your kitchen weighing machine, metal or ceramic vessel, cooking thermometer, silicone spoon. A stick mixer are also enthusiastically ideal as without it, you could be grilling the formula for 1 or 2 hours further!

And additionally soon after one is accomplished, you’ll be at the same time preparing to will need a mold, of which it is possible to try to make your self out from a card board box layered with wax tart wallpaper, as an example, along with a holder to lay the cleansers to remedy on at the finish. Additionally , the greatest important in all – since Lye is really powerful and acidic, it could melt away your skin layer immediately after you leak it, therefore you should be heedful and comply with most of the standard safety procedures. Ensure you really feel self-assured working with Lye long before you attempt to build your own cleaning soap.

However as soon as you have studied the tips, every thing is relatively easy and extremely rewarding. Contemplate precisely how your own private cleaning soap with fantastic aromas might possibly feel on your epidermis. Or maybe the appearance on your pal’s face if you give a homemade soap as a keepsake! You will find so many nice reasons to study how to produce cleaning soap bars.

Finding out easy methods to establish cleansing soap normally takes just a small amount of effort and time. You’ll notice fairly a bunch of tricks which make cleansing soap creating faster and easier, speedy and even more cost-effective. Discovering the tips is part of the satisfaction of soap building. It’s an interesting leisure activity that will turn into a property dependent company too.

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Garden Planning

For years I have been going to the nursery in the spring and buying flowers and plants that I thought were “pretty” only to get them home and realize they don’t go together or don’t all fit in my small city garden. This year, I have decided to put a little effort into planning my garden before I go out and let my impulses drive my purchases. There are several questions you should ask yourself before you decide which plants and flowers to put in your garden.

1. What is your gardening experience level? If you’re a novice gardener, don’t fill your garden with high-maintenance, temperamental plants that require a lot of attention and knowledge. If you are interested in gaining gardening experience, I suggest that you add one higher-maintenance plant such as a rose bush which requires regular pruning to get some idea of the work involved. If you enjoy it, you can consider adding more next year.

2. What is the purpose of your garden? Some people have a garden because they love to spend hours and hours gardening. Others just want some pretty flower to look at while sitting outside on the deck. There are lots of options for the “lazy” gardener who enjoys the beauty of a garden, but doesn’t want to get her hands too dirty. Do some research before you buy or ask an expert at the garden center which plants and flowers are easiest to grow.

3. How big is your garden? You should plot out your garden space on graph paper and plan where each plant will go and how much space it will need. Be sure to allow room for plants that will need to spread out as they grow. Empty spaces can easily be filled in with small green plants or decorative rocks.

4. What color combinations will work best? Some colors go very well together while others seem to stab your eyes. It’s also important to consider the location of the garden. The surrounding structures and foliage will also help you determine the best color scheme.

5. Are you planning to grow food? Fruits and vegetables have their own requirements that must be kept in mind when planning a garden. You might choose to have a separate space for growing vegetables and keep a separate flower garden.

6. Do you want a more formal, manicured look or a natural wildflower garden? Some plants and flowers spread out on their own and require little maintenance. Occasional weeding is all that you’ll need to do for this wildflower garden. A more manicured garden obviously requires much more work. In addition to weeding, you will have to keep shrubs trimmed and pruned as well as maintaining the flowers you choose so they don’t spread out of control.

7. Have you done enough research? This might actually be a better first question to ask yourself. There are so many books, websites, and magazines dedicated to gardening, you have no excuse for not doing the research. Spend a rainy afternoon in the library browsing through gardening books and then choose two or three to check out and use in you actual plan. Visit gardening websites and get specific information about plants, vegetables, and flowers that grow best in your area.

My last word of advice is to start small and create a garden that you will enjoy for years to come. The beauty of home gardening is that you don’t have to create your dream garden all at once. Make small changes here and there throughout the season or from year to year. The creative process and the experience of nurturing your own garden can be extremely rewarding.

Make Soap

Soap is a necessity. Everybody; young or old, men or women, rich or poor uses it. Wouldn\’t it be great if you can make your own soap for living or perhaps for your personal needs? By doing this you can save money from buying commercially expensive soaps. This article focuses on teaching even first-timer of the hassle-free way to make soap.

Above anything, ensuring your safety is a must. Chemicals such as sodium hydroxide and lye may cause chemical burns if it comes in contact with the skin therefore it is highly advised to wear rubber gloves. For more details www.greateducationonline.com  Also, might as well use goggles to shield the eye area. If it will permit, you can wear long sleeves or apron. Do not attempt to do the process with kids or pets are around.

Here is what you do: Add lye and distilled water in a glass of bowl, this should be done slowly. Set aside. In another container chiefly stainless steel pot, melt your oils. The instance when the temperature of the lye and oil are close to each other, you can pour the lye water into the oils. This is exactly what will create the soap mixture. Continue to stir slowly the mixture until it comes in reaching \’trace\’ where you need to add essential oils that will serve as the fragrant of the finish product. Stir again while this time you pour it into soap molds. After, cover the mold with towel and wait for about 1 or 2 days. (Twenty four to forty eight hours) When the soap becomes solid in form, you can then remove it from the mold as you wait again for another six weeks before it can be used.

Perhaps the hardest part in making soap is to establish if the lye is in its right strength. To be guided, most experienced soap maker try to let a potato or an egg floats in the lye. Once it floats, the lye is in its right mixture for soap making but if it fails then the other way around is true. For more details www.greatindustrialguide.com For you to make weak lye stronger, you can boil it up or you can simply pour the whole solution to a new batch of ashes. For weaker solution on the other hand, simply add water and it will be fine.

For more unique ideas, try adding other components like papaya extract to whiten skin. Milk is also popular these days to make the skin smooth and silky, why not try to add it up to the solution after all they are just found around your kitchen. Truly, once you make soap on your own, you will never come back to buy commercially created soaps sold on the market that is full of unknown chemicals.

Reasons You Should Buy Handmade Products over Commercial Products

Reasons You Should Buy Handmade Products over Commercial Products
1. Handmade products are unique. Do you really want the same scarf, mug, earrings, necklace or other item that 20,000 other people have? Of course not! Handmade items are always unique, even if they are the same type of product because they are not made by machines they are crafted by human beings so each piece will have it’s own unique characteristics.

2. Handmade items have personality. Life is not about being blah. Life is about expressing yourself and to do that your things need to have as much personality as you do. If you are happy with buying mass produced items that have no personality off a shelf at Wal Mart think about what that says about you. Don’t you want to express some personality?
3. Handmade items are special. When you get a gift don’t you feel a little bit more loved when someone gives you a handmade gift? Everyone loves getting handmade gifts or wearing something that was made just for them.
4. Handmade items last longer. Because they are made from high quality materials and handcrafted by trained artists items that are handmade last longer than low quality imported mass produced items.
5. Handmade goods are high quality. If you are a person who values the quality of an item more than the price then you already know that handmade items are far superior to mass produced items. While a mass produced item may be cheaper initially is it really cheaper when the item needs to be replaced a month later? When quality matters, go handmade!
6. Handmade items are not made by children in sweatshops in Third World countries making 10 cents a day. Experienced and trained craftspeople make each handmade item. So while you might pay a few dollars more for a handmade item it’s because you are paying for quality, experience, talent, and craftsmanship. Isn’t that worth paying for?
7. When you buy handmade you are supporting traditional arts and crafts techniques that have passed down through generations. In today’s high tech world the old arts and crafts traditions are being replaced by mass production but when you buy handmade you are saying that you prefer your items to be high quality pieces of art instead of mass produced trinkets.
8. When you buy handmade you are supporting local and small businesses. By paying artists and craftspeople for their goods you are supporting them and all the businesses that they do business with. If you are a person who believes in supporting your community economically then buying from local artists is a great way to support your community and make sure that your money goes to support local businesses.
Keep these things in mind the next time you see a scarf, a bracelet, some great handmade soap or other item and think, I could get that for half price at Wal Mart.!

For more information,

visit: www.NaturalHandcraftedSoap.com or email: naturalhandcraftedsoap@gmail.com.

The Truth About Your Facial Cleanser Cream

I was enraged after reading about this! Much of the facial cleanser cream on the market should bear a warning label. Laboratory evaluations conducted by the state of California showed that many of them contain Dioxane, a known human carcinogen. Cleaning products that have been prepared using ethylene oxide are the culprits. Interestingly, these contaminants have been found in standard and supposedly “natural” cleansers, as well.

The state of California has sued several companies. They must either correct the problem or include a warning label stating, “Use of this product may increase your risk of cancer.” Carcinogens seem to abound in what one would think were harmless products. I’m sure that there is no way to avoid all of them, but if you’re like me, you want to protect yourself, whenever you can.

Some ingredients that are standard fare in cosmetics are not believed to be carcinogens, but they are known allergens and skin irritants. It seems like a risky business plan to sell facial cleanser cream that is likely to cause an allergic or other adverse reaction, but the companies have gotten away with it for years. It’s not likely to end any time soon.

When you use cleansers that cause redness or burning, then you are actually damaging the underlying fibers responsible for firmness and elasticity. The redness and burning is indicative of underlying inflammation, which, if it becomes chronic, damages collagen fibers. Some people think that the burn is a good thing. Actually, cleansing should be a soothing experience.

Some of the ingredients that soothe and reduce inflammation include manuka honey, natural plant oils and oatmeal. These ingredients can be found in some of the better handcrafted soaps. If you want a little extra cleansing that will also help reduce the signs of age, use a deep cleansing mask on an occasional basis. If you want a little more of an anti-aging effect, use a moisturizer after cleansing. The ingredient to look for is CYNERGY TK.

CYNERY TK can be found in facial cleanser cream masks, daily moisturizers, eye gels and body lotion. The compound is composed of naturally active proteins and minerals that stimulate the production of new cells, fibers and tissues. In clinical studies, the ingredient has been shown to reduce wrinkles, sagging and inflammation, partially because of its antioxidant activity.

Antioxidants scavenge or neutralize free radicals. Free radicals are naturally present in the cells, but exposure to UV rays from the sun and environmental toxins increase their number and their activity. When you are out in the sun or exposed to smoke, it doesn’t take long for the antioxidant content of your skin to become depleted.

A natural facial cleanser cream that contains vitamin E can help to supplement the antioxidant content. But, the most beneficial antioxidant skincare product is one that you leave on; in other words, your daily moisturizer.

Put this to the test right away! Coenzyme Q10 combined with natural vitamin E is one of the best ingredients for moisturizers. After you rinse off your facial cleanser cream, use a nourishing moisturizer. In a few years, you’ll be really glad that you did.

To learn more about vitamins for healthy skin, and other incredible unique substances for natural healthy skin care, visit my website today.

Craft Show Tips

Helpful craft show tips. Have an added advantage when selling at craft shows. Make good use of these practical craft show ideas.

How to choose a craft fair

Know what to look for in a craft show and make sure it is the right opportunity for selling your crafts. Consider these criteria when deciding on renting a booth at a craft show. What are the entry fees? Is there a straight fee for the booth or does the promoter take a percentage of your sales? What other products are for sale at the show and will your product fit in with the general style of the show? What sort of attendance numbers can you expect? How many vendors are there and how many are selling similar products to you? How much marketing and advertising do the promoters do for their craft show?

How to set up your craft fair booth

Craft show tips for setting up a good booth include the following. Delineate your space by using a canopy or display boards. Set up your display tables in either a Y, L or U shape for easy access to your crafts. Customers must be able to easily reach your display and move around freely. They need to be able to pick up the crafts without too much effort. Put your table at the right height. Often the table is too low for comfortable viewing making customers bend over.  Avoid tables that are too wide making it difficult for customers to reach across to items at the back. Avoid cluttering your booth with too much product. If you provide too many different options it becomes overwhelming and customers will often choose nothing. Use attractive signage to inform people about your products and draw them into your booth.

Craft show tips for displaying your products

Help customers visualise using your crafts by displaying the product as it would be used. Create an attractive arrangement of candles, use mannequins and display busts to show off clothing and accessories, fill your ceramic vases with flowers. Highlight the benefits of your product in the display. Light the candles so that customers can see how they burn and enjoy the smell they create. Create different levels, a flat row of crafts is uninteresting. Use risers or display items to do this. Use background colors that complement rather than compete with the products.

Come up with different sales strategies

You have a wonderful product but you still need to come up with great ideas to keep your product selling. What about combining items at a special price? For example pair up a handmade candle with your handcrafted soap for a beautiful bath experience! Make use of the many different holidays by offering customers a holiday related deal. Offer special promotions like a lower price for seniors. Tailor sales promotions to the type of people likely to attend the craft show.

Selling at craft fairs requires preparation and imagination! Don’t be afraid to try something new and create a great craft fair booth that brings in the customers and makes the sales.

More craft show tips and helpful information about craft shows can be found at About Craft Shows

Amazing Natural Soap And Work From Home

You’re a stay-at-home Mom, or a retired person, or someone who lives in an area where decent full-time jobs are hard to come by.  Or you’re just someone who loves to create, and would love it even more if you could recoup the expenses you put into your craft, or would walk on air if you could actually support yourself at it.

But whatever your situation, you have begun exploring the possibility of becoming a work-at-home soap maker.  You love the idea of producing a natural product which will have health benefits for those who use it, and offer an alternative for over-processed, and often toxically-altered, commercial soaps.

So you want to get started, but what is the minimum you need to know before you do?

First, you need to assess you living situation and decide if you have the physical facilities to make soap making on an income-producing level.  It’s one thing to whip up a couple of pounds of soap for the family’s use, and another thing entirely to produce it in batches large enough to satisfy demand from dozens, or, hopefully, hundreds of customers.

Second, decide which technique of soap making you will employ.  As a beginner, you might be wise to start by using “melt-and-pour” soap bases and adding your own fragrances and colors, until you are satisfied that you want to continue with a more advanced technique.

If you have either a microwave, or double boiler and standard stove, you can use the melt-and-pour method.  You’ll need to have a supply of the soap base, a heat-resistant container, essential or fragrance oils, colorants and any other additives–oatmeal or dried flower buds for exfoliates, honey, glycerin, or Aloe Vera gel as healing and emollient agents, and almond meal to absorb excess skin oils are just a few suggestions.  All of them can be found at your crafts or grocery store.  

You’ll just melt your soap base, according to the manufacturer’s directions, in the microwave or double boiler, stir in your additives, and pour it into your molds.  Once cooled, it will pop right out, and you’ll have your first home-made soap!

If, however, you want to make soap the “old-fashioned”, cold-pressed way, remember that it requires the use of lye.   So you’ll need to have an area where you can use the lye without its caustic fumes being a problem.  This implies an area away from your normal living space–perhaps a porch, garage, or workshop.  

Since cold-pressed soap ingredients need to be measured by weight, you’ll need an adjustable scale.  Research the types of oils available, and learn what properties each will lend to your finished soap.  Most soap makers use a blend of different oils.

You’ll need, when you work with lye, gloves, goggles, and protective clothing; glass, enamel or plastic containers in which to mix the lye, and wooden or plastic utensils with which to stir it as lye will corrode metal, and a supply of white vinegar handy to neutralize any lye that is spilled.  You’ll also need two glass or stainless steel thermometers to measure the temperatures of your oils and lye/water mixture before combining them.

Most soaps, if left unscented, will have an “oily/ lye” odor, so it’s best to add essential oils to your batch of soap at about one tablespoon per pound.  The essential oils, because of their molecular structure, act as “aromatherapy” when hot water releases their fragrance.

So you will, of course, need to find some reliable local or online suppliers to provide you with what you need for your business, and don’t be afraid to approach them about discounts on your volume purchases.  

You’ll also need to decide about your bookkeeping and order-taking systems, and incorporation choices.  You’ll need a marketing plan, and at least at the start, will have to spend as much time publicizing your soaps as you do making them.  You’ll have to familiarize yourself with the tax and insurance consequences of owning a home-based business, so you will very likely have to talk to an attorney at some point.

But if you have tried, and loved, making your own soap, have gotten positive feedback from friends, and have the time and financial resources to devote to turning your passion for soap making into a full-time business, in the not too distant future you and your natural soaps might be “cleaning up!”

Basics For Making Your Own Natural Soap

Soap making is a craft that can be an outlet for your stress or creative skills. You can even make your own soap for practical purposes so that you don’t have to purchase it from the store or to get that perfect soap with the cleansing effect and scent that you specifically want. The materials, equipment and ingredients for making your own soap are readily available in industrial stores and they are also inexpensive. Here are the basics of soap-making:

Materials and Equipment:

-           Sharp knife, goggles, stainless steel pot, thermometer, wooden spoon, glass jug and a mold that has the shape that you would want for your soap

Ingredients:

-           Coconut oil, sodium hydroxide, olive oil, and vegetable shortening

-           Combine the vegetable fat and oil and place the mixture on a pan and heat on the stove top. Once they are completely mixed together, remove them from heat and leave them to cool.

-           Next, in a jug, combine sodium hydroxide and water and continuously stir until the sodium hydroxide has dissolved.

-           Use the thermometer to check if its temperature has reached 50 degrees celcius. Once it has reached this temperature, add this mixture to the cooled pan of vegetable oil and fat.

-           Stir the mixture, while avoiding any bubbles to form and wait for it to thicken. When it has thickened, with a consistency similar to that of a melted candle, pour the mixture into the mold and tap it or lightly drop it to make it even and to remove any air or bubbles to form.

-           Have this rest for a minimum of 24 hours while the mold is wrapped in a towel to protect it from moisture and air.

-           After 24 hours, you can now cut up the block of soap into smaller pieces using your knife.

-           Have the blocks of soap rest again for at least a month before distributing them.

You can also add essential oils such lavender, chamomile, sandalwood or jasmine to make your soap not just great-smelling, but use of these oils can bring therapeutic effects as well. Aromatherapy is not just limited to candles as more and more people want to experience these scents while they are bathing. Especially during evening baths, where people want to relax and prepare themselves for sleep, chamomile scented soap has been a popular choice.

You can try at first and eventually, you will be more confident in your soap making skills, and maybe confident enough to launch it as your business especially if you make one-of-a-kind soaps.

Soap making can be fun and when you get the hang of it, it can be financially beneficial to you as well. More and more people are into organics or natural ingredients nowadays as we now further understand its significance in our health and its impact on the environment. Natural is now the way to go and with natural soaps that are homemade, you can be sure that it is something not just your whole family will love, but rather even potential customers as well.

Find Out All About Lye Soap Making!

Lye can be brought from many suppliers, The health benefits of lye soap can be wonderful and it be amazing for your skin. Although a lot of people doubt the benefits of lye soap, it is a product that is natural and gentle on your skin. Lye is caustic, and dangerous so it is vitally important for anyone making lye soap to be aware of and dangers, be careful and concentrate on the task. Too much lye can cause burns, and too little can keep the soap from going hard. However, nowadays with easy directions from soap mentors, recipes and measurements worked out already we be sure the soap making process is a lot easier.

Up until mid 1800′s, Many people use to make their own lye soap from simple household supplies. They used three main ingredients Lye, Lard (pig’s fat) and hard labour. Back in these times people had huge wooden bins outside their homes, they use to pour the left over ashes from their wood stoves into these bins and when the time came to make their soap they would tip water onto the ashes, it would pour through and they would siphon out the liquid, lye. Lard (fat) was obtained through an annual hog killing that took place once a year around the time of the first hard frost in autumn. The fat was then saved to make the soap. The third ingredient needed was a a pair of hands for some hard labour.

The lard and Lye were then mixed together over a fire and stirred with a long handled paddle for hours, it was then poured into a metal pan and left for anything from a week to a month. Once it hardened, it was cut and divided out for everybody to use in cleaning and laundry, people today still purchase the original lye soap.

These days the lard which was once used is substituted for different oils. Fragrances are added for scent, and sometimes natural oils such as aloe, jojoba, or coconut are added which soothe the skin. Oatmeal is great for sensitive and reddened skin and lye soap itself is good for reducing the itching caused by insect bites. The health positive benefits of natural soaps are incredible, It can reduce irritations of previous or exciting skin conditions, make you feel cleaner and you get to avoid the harsh chemicals and by-products in most commercially produced soaps.

A fantastic hobby and very cheap to start up, you will find that when you make lye soap yourself you can guarantee that a custom made soap is far better then anything brought of a store shelf.

5 Tips On How To Start Easy Soap Making

Soap Making is easy and alot of fun which is why so many people love to do it. You get to create something unique, useful and lavish for very little expense. However to really enjoy the fantastic benefits of soap making, it’s important to keep a few things in mind in order to create the best product possible. Ive provided 5 very useful tips to help you on your easy soap making adventure….saving your pocket, your time and making the process alot easier.

5 VERY USEFUL TIPS!

#1 Safety First:

They do say that don’t they…… It is important to remember when working with soap’s main ingredient, Lye. Because Lye involves a heating process you need to make sure you have an apron, rubber gloves and safety goggles to avoid any burns. Lye is caustic and can be dangerous if the proper precautions aren’t taken care of. Easy soap making is not difficult, keep it simple!

#2 Avoid The Mess:

using sticky ingredients like honey you can deal with it better by using a non-stick cooking spray to spray your untesils with, this will stop the ingredients sticking to your tools and also help to get your measurements correct.

#3 Be a Smooth Soaper:

You may find that the soap you have made from molds get little bubbles on the surface of the soaps, a great way to remove these is by rubbing some surface alcohol on bubbles and blending them in with your finger, this should smooth out the soaps surface.

#4 Trace & Sapnification:

I know what you’re thinking……What the heck does that mean? Well these two concepts are very important when it comes to easy soap making and two which you need to understand. These two concepts ultimately affect the end result of your soap. An example is that a trace is when your soap takes on a cake like batter leaving a trail behind when dripped or dribbled onto the soaps surface. Saponification (meaning soap making) is the chemical reaction that occurs when fats or oils come into contact with lye. This is very imporatant because different types of oil have different measurement values to the lye, so always follow your recipes, or it wont work.

#5 Patience:

Patience is very important when you soap making, if there is a time frame in which your soap needs to dry the wait for it. The process you choose will determine the drying time! Even though its exciting to see the end result the soap batch will be damaged if you take them out of molds too soon. Make sure the soap has completely cooled, it is crucial.

Soap making is great fun, relatively cheap to start doing and a hobby that once you start, you will never give up. So whether your soaping for fun, profit or to spoil loved ones, the result is the same a creation entirely your own that is natural, unique, beneficial and totally worth it!

How To Make Spa Products At Home – Hand Crafters Companion

Almost all of us are very busy with our daily routines and an experience in a spa is all we need to relax. That’s why most of us would seek to create a restful retreat at home. Most of us would resort to learn how to make spa products at home.

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This is a much convenient option compared to a visit to one of the spa centers in your place. This is a good way to relax and ease stress. Making spa products at home is a good idea, for you to have a spa experience at home, you can save money and also you might want to earn from this learning.

Spa products ranges from handcrafted soaps, bath teas, additives & soaks, spa treatments, bubble baths & bath bombs, butters, balms, lotions & creams, scrubs, polishes, salts & masques, home fragrance products, potpourri and sachets, and aromatherapy blends. You will find that making spa products is an enjoyable and exciting experience.

One popular spa product that you can make is the bath salts. In a large bowl mix 2 cups of Epsom salt and 1 cup of Sea salt. Then add all other ingredients; 6 drops eucalyptus oil, 10 drops rosemary oil and 15 drops peppermint oil. Mix very well. You can also use food coloring to make the salts colorful. Put it in a bag or bottle it and let it sit for 6 hours. Now you’re ready to use your bath salt.

To make a clay facial mask; you will need 1 ½ teaspoons of beeswax put it on top of a double boiler then add 4 tablespoons of anhydrous lanolin. Stir to blend. Add 1 cup of rose water or plain water, then add 1 tablespoon of borax and stir to dissolve. Pour the mixture to the melted wax. Add ½ pound of fuller’s earth to the blended wax and water, stirring to a smooth paste. Let it cool before using.

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What is All the Fuss About Hand Made Soaps?

Hand made soaps are usually made in small batches using traditional methods and plant-based ingredients. Because they are made in small quantities they are fresh and can be made from seasonal ingredients. Hand made soaps are high in glycerin. Glycerin is a neutral, sweet-tasting, colourless emollient and when mixed with water it will soften and moisturise your skin. It has a natural antiseptic quality and because it is so gentle it is especially good for tender skin and children.

Glycerin is a natural by-product of the soapmaking process and while commercial manufacturers remove the glycerin for use in their more expensive lotions and creams as well as other industries (it is used to make nitroglycerin for explosives), handcrafted soap retains glycerin in each and every bar.

A number of oils are blended when making soap by hand to ensure that the skin is left feeling soft and that the soap is sufficiently hard whilst at the same time bubbly.

Palm oil, for example, has emollient and antioxidant properties for skin. Olive Oil is High in Vitamin E and known to be the very best oil to use in soap for sensitive skins. It is a fantastic skin softener and moisturizer.

Cocoa butter contains natural antioxidants and is a natural preservative. It has a smooth texture, sweet fragrance and moisturising properties, hence it is frequently recommended for prevention of stretch marks in pregnant women, treatment of chapped skin and lips, and as a daily moisturizer to prevent dry, itchy skin.

Coconut oil will absorb easily, keep the skin soft, and yet without feeling greasy. It will help to reduce chronic skin inflammation within days and be soothing and healing to wounds, blood blisters, rashes, etc. It is an excellent ingredient to use in healing salves and ointments. Psoriasis and eczema suffers often find coconut oil to be very helpful.

Favourite hand crafted soaps include Honey and Oatmeal, which when curing smells just like flapjacks! Gorgeous. It is great for all skin types and when combined, honey and whole oats exfoliate skin and encourage regeneration of new cells.

Honey is also a great natural anti aging skin care product. Throughout the centuries, legendary beauties like Cleopatra have used raw honey as part of their skin and hair care treatments to keep them looking youthful. This natural healing agent is a mild antiseptic, includes antibacterial agents and is also a natural moisturizer. It is has the ability to attract and retain moisture, and to rebuild the moisture level in the skin without making it oily. It helps replenish necessary skin moisture, especially during the winter months. This is why honey is a popular anti aging skin care ingredient . And because it’s so gentle, it is suitable for sensitive skin and baby care products.

Oats are also highly absorptive, hypoallergenic, and help to soften skin. They have the best amino acid balance of all the cereal grains (amino acids work as water-binding agents in skin care products). Oats have also been clinically shown to help heal dry, itchy skin.

Of course, many essential oils can be used to perfume hand made soaps. Orange oils contain high level of Vitamin C, which is proven to be an effective antioxidant. Antioxidants are a critical natural defence against “free radicals,” unstable molecules that age the skin as a result of pollution, smoking and sun exposure. Yet another benefit of Vitamin C is its ability to enhance the synthesis of collagen: a critically important skin protein that strengthens structural support and resilience of the skin.

Other fruits such as strawberries make a gorgeous soap – the alpha-hydroxy acid in strawberries help clear up acne and oiliness, removes dead skin cells to make skin look younger and smoother. Strawberries are wonderful combined with vanilla. Did you know that Vanilla is one of the oldest and one of the most expensive spices as well as one of the most familiar. Among the purported health benefits of vanilla by ancient peoples was that it could act as an aphrodisiac. More recently, aromatherapy tests carried out on different aromas showed that the one that aroused most men was vanilla! So make yourself irresistable this Autumn and treat yourself to a hand made soap. You will never look back.

Handmade Soap – Good For Your Skin AND The Enviroment!

Handmade or handcrafted soaps can come in many shapes and sizes, there are also many different ways to make these soaps.  One of the most common is the Cold Process Method where different oils react with lye (sodium hydroxide) to create a skin-friendly bar of soap.  So why is handmade soap so much better for your skin than commercial ‘soap’?

Because commercial soaps are made up of synthetic detergents, most are labeled as ‘beauty bars’ not soap.  They also have many harsh additives and fillers, not to mention perfumes and dyes.  Natural handmade soap is made using many different oils, such as olive, coconut and palm oils, to name a few.  Natural soap is also usually scented with pure essential oils.  It is naturally gentle and mild, since it contains naturally forming glycerin, something that is usually removed from commercial soaps.  Glycerin is a humectant, which means it attracts moisture to your skin, it is a natural byproduct of soap making.  Many commercial manufactures remove the glycerin and use it in more profitable products, such as lotions and creams.  Handmade soaps can also have an excess of oil left that has not reacted to the lye giving you that extra bit of moisture that is great for your skin.

Since handmade soap is not made from synthetic materials it does not add any excess phosphates to the environment, which cause the overgrowth of algae.  And because of the all natural ingredients, handmade soaps are easily biodegradable.  So they are good for your skin and the environment!

Hot Soap Making – Making Homemade Soap

If you are thinking that soap is just another product to include in your grocery list, better think again. For several people today, soap is among the most important goods needed at home. And this is one of the many reasons why most of them started learning making homemade soap. The good thing is that you too can start making soap at home and get to create a unique recipe without the harsh irritations that some readily available soap often bring.

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With the global economical crisis that we are facing these days, who would not want to gain extra income? One good business venture to consider investing your time and effort is in making homemade soap. It is not only a legitimate way of making more money; it is also a fun and exciting hobby to start doing.

There are two basic methods in soap making. One is the solid soap making where the byproduct you get is often called as soap bars. And the other method is liquid soap making. Regardless of what method you choose to follow, it is important that you consider with caution the kinds of ingredients you decide to include in your soap.

In the old days, tallow is often used for soap making. Today, different kinds of essential oils are pretty much available and you can use these as a substitute for tallow. In fact, essential oils that you get from vegetable, grains, and nuts are chemically superior to tallow and are more readily absorbed by the skin. Plus, the use of animal oils can clog pores and have been found to worsen skin conditions.

Another thing you should know is that lye should not be used in excess. Making homemade soap is easy but overlooking the amount of lye can cause your skin to go dry. It could also lead to further skin irritations.

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Lye For Making Soap

You can’t make soap without lye, so finding lye for soap making is your first challenge. Unfortunately because lye is used in the making of methamphetamines. With a bit of research online you will find places that will ship to you as long as you are ordering from the country you live in.

You can also check out local hardware stores and if they don’t carry it, they can usually refer you to a chemical supplier. Once you have found some, keep a good relationship with your supplier and you should have no problems in the future. If you have to buy in large quantities consider contacting other soap makers and see if they are interested in dividing up the order.

The common chemical name for lye is sodium hydroxide. This is simply a chemical that can dissolve fat which is why it’s the main ingredient for soapmaking. When making liquid soap you will most often be using potassium hydroxide and when making hard soap you will use sodium hydroxide. This lye can be found in different solid forms and may be a powder or granules. If you find it in liquid form it will have been mixed with water and this must be taken into account when using it in a recipe. When using it for hard soap, there is no substitute for sodium hydroxide. It’s the one ingredient that makes everything work and turns out perfect soap for you.

Lye soap has been around for hundreds of years. It’s makes soap making easy and it works well in your recipes. Despite rumors to the contrary, lye soap is very gentle. The soap you make at home, using lye, if far superior to what you buy in the store and has a lot less harmful chemicals. On top of that, it saves you a considerable amount of money.

So, you’re going to use lye for soapmaking, and one of the first things you need to know after you have purchased your lye, is how to use it safely. First, the one most important rule is to keep it in a safe place, high up and out of the reach of children or pets. When making your soap you should always wear eye protection, long sleeves and rubber gloves.

Never pour your water into the lye. You are at great risk of it splashing up and injuring you as well as it can cause a violent reaction in the mixture itself. When putting lye into water you should always add it very slowly and stir gently while doing it.

If you have your mixture of lye/water completed, make sure you label it well in big black bold letters. If you store it somewhere or even leave it on a counter for a few minutes, you risk someone else thinking it’s some sort of beverage and they may drink it.

Thanks to the internet you can easily find online lye calculators that will be of great help to you when using lye in your recipes. Many of the online lye calculators will also help you in determining whether the essential oils you are going to use will produce a good lather. When using online calculators it is wise to use at least two different sites, to make sure you are getting the correct calculations. This simple step can save you a lot of money and heartbreak. Since using lye in soap making is one of the most crucial steps, don’t take chances. Check and double check. Another consideration is that some of the world uses metric measurements and by using lye calculators you take out all the guesswork.

If you’re ready to start making soap, remember when it comes to lye for soap making, lye is going to be your best friend. It’s the one ingredient that makes it all come together and is safe enough to be used in soap for newborn babies. You’ll find more information on our site specifically about lye for soap making as well as much more information on all the different soaps at Soap Making Made Easy.

Men! Try An Amazing Hobby And Make Soaps

Men look at a craft shops as a strange land filled with sequins, glitter, and flowers. Because of this they cant imagine finding themselves in one let alone trying a craft. However, soap making is an incredible hobby for both men and women. The fact is that everyone uses soap, and when you choose to make it you are able to personalise it for yourself.

Homemade soap is very simple to create. It only takes a day or two to make a large batch of soaps, and you are able to completely customize your soap. This means that you can add your preferred scents and embellishments to your soap. It’s a fact that soap making started with a complicated lye formula. However, today there are many melt and make soaps that make the entire process much easier.

The most important thing that you need to start with is a soap base. You can get these at a craft store. Typically an alive oil soap base is a good place to start, but there are other options like aloe vera, goats milk, honey, and shea butter basses. Actually, men you can even make a shaving base for your soap if you want. Once you have a base you are going to want to think about what you can add to that base. There are many different options, but some of the most popular things to add to your soap base are essential oils, textured elements like pumice or loofah, or other natural exfoliants like cornstarch, coffee grounds, or cinnamon. You will want to think about what ingredients combine well together.

Be careful when you choose your scents. In general if you want something that is appropriate for both men and women you want to steer clear of very floral scents. Instead, you might want to decide on more commonly used scents like coffee, lemon, or sage.

When you have set your soap up to harden you can decide whether to use molds or to shape them with your hands. Usually most men decide whether to make their soaps molded by hand or with simple mold shapes like circles or ovals. Do not feel the need to make it overly ornate. You are making something functional so simple is often better.

Once your soaps have set you are going to want to think about how they are going to be stored. Generally soaps are best kept in a simple cardboard box until you are ready to use them. However, if you do not have one near by then you can put your soaps in a paper bag and store them in a cool spot. You may even want to think about storing your soap in one of your clothing drawers because it will stay safe in the cool environment and it will make your drawers smell great.

Starting A Soap Business — 5 Tips To Get Started Fast

Starting a soap business sounds like fun?  Handmade soap really sells well and you really can turn a soap making hobby into a money maker very fast.  See, it costs so little to get started that many people give soap selling a try.  Here are tips for starting and running a soap venture.

Do you really want a business?

Often turning a hobby into a business ruins the hobby and never makes any money.  Do you really want to deal with all that goes into interacting with people and selling?  Then there’s volume production.  How would you like to move from making dozens of bars of soap to tens of thousands of bars?  It may turn into a lot of work. 

Licenses and other obstacles.

Sometimes that’s the first thing business writers want to talk about.  Get real…  There are very few regulations about making soap.  Now cosmetics, like lotions, are a completely different matter.  Soap is not highly regulated, so that’s a real plus.  Now licenses are something you should look into, but be realistic.  To start, you’re probably just working at the hobby level.  Don’t let the need for licenses stop you from getting started.  Get what you need, but don’t be paralyzed into inaction.

The product.

Here’s the deal.  There are plenty of people making soap.  Why should anybody buy yours?  Can you answer that easily? 

What you need is a product that truly is different, something that’s unique to you.  That’s fairly easy to do with soap if you know how… and you can learn.

Marketing easy.

Making soap is one thing.  Selling is another.  Your plan should include a way to get people to try the product, hopefully a way to get lots of people to try it.  There are ways, you know.  Then the easy part is following up with customers to get repeat sales.  Even though that’s easy, most soapmakers don’t do it… probably because they don’t know how.

Can you make money?

Maybe…  That’s because there is a good potential profit in a bar of soap.  The material cost is quite a bit less than the price a bar of soap brings.  But you have to buy materials wisely, plus you have to move a lot of soap in a hurry.  Both of those can be done, if you know what you’re doing.

My family learned about starting a soap business by doing it.  We sold about 35,000 bars of soap, plus many other related items, working part-time.  Starting a handcrafted soap business must be one of the easiest to start manufacturing businesses there is.  However, you have a lot of competition so you have to get started right or you’ll probably fail…

Rene Whitlock Hot Soap Making – Soap Making Guide Review

We all want to feel beautiful, clean and fresh. All around us today there are many beauty products as well as services that entices us to believe that they have all the solution and they can definitely help in making us achieve our goals.

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Do you always wanted to make your own soap? Do you want to make your own mixes as well as incorporate your own ingredients on your own soap? Then why not do it? You have to learn it well in order for it to possibly happen.

Here is Rene Whitlock and his Hot Soap Making guide that will help you in making your own natural process. You get to learn the hot process of soap making. It is very easy to learn and you have easy steps to follow with pictures on it that will help you achieve what you want.

You get to learn all about the oils that you are going to use and what are best for you to use in soaps. Also, you get to know where you can find cheap yet quality materials for your soaps. Learn the difference of the hot soap making process compared to the cold soap process. Why it is better and why should one opt for it rather than the other. Learn how to combine different ingredients into a great soap.

For the price of , you get to have your own natural soap. Now you know what ingredients were used and you get to combine your own soaps. You do not need to worry that it can destroy your skin. Just follow the instructions very well and in time you get to learn and become better. Grab a copy now and enjoy the benefits of an all natural soap. Have fun and slather the soap all over you and enjoy your own creation.

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Why buy natural made soap when comercial soap is much cheaper?

You may have asked yourself the question, why would I buy hand crafted soap when I can buy commercial soap at a larger quantity and for a much lower cost?  Logical thinking of course, especially if you have a large family on a budget.  Well if you are at all chemically sensitive you may want to reconsider your reasoning.  Though hand crafted natural soaps may be more expensive; in terms of your health it is well worth it.  Shouldn’t your skin deserve only the best and most natural ingredients? We think it should.

Chemicals!  It seems every day there are more allergies, skin problems and different types of cancers and lung diseases, all linked to exposure to chemicals.  Look at the ingredients on any bar of soap the next time you’re in a store.  You will find names like, Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, Petroleum, animal fat, carcinogens like Formaldehyde in shampoos, and many more toxic chemicals that research has been finding in our bodies. The skin is the largest organ of the human body and can and will absorb what is put on it directly into the body.  Just look at some of the new medicines that are now out there, and how they are absorbed through the skin.

Not only are soap companies using all synthetic ingredients, they are taking out one very important ingredient that naturally occurs during the soap making process, and that is glycerin.  Glycerin is what promotes moisture.  This is what best helps treat dry, flaky and itchy skin.  Glycerin actually cost more than the soap, which is why commercial soap companies sell it to pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies, to make expensive lotions and creams.

Some commercial soap companies will market and advertise some of their products as natural, but do not be fooled.  In most cases they are adding such small amounts and are still not replacing all the other synthetic ingredients.  Do your homework and inform yourself, read all the ingredients.

Another alarming fact you should know about commercial soaps, is that the anti- bacterial soaps that are good for fighting off germs, actually contains the chemical Triclosan which has been classified by the EPA as a pesticide.  Triclosan during the manufacturing process can form dioxins, a highly carcinogenic, which has been linked to several health problems.  Some of these health problems include a weakened immune system, cancer, decreased fertility, birth defects, and allergies.  Triclosan is not just found in soaps but many products such as toothpaste, deodorant, cosmetics, toys, clothes, personal care products and more.

Natural hand crafted soaps are made in much smaller batches and take up to 4 to 6 weeks to cure.  You will not find any harmful chemicals that you can hardly pronounce on the ingredients label.  Natural hand crafted soaps are filled with all the finest ingredients.  Instead of synthetic fragrances essential oils such as lavender, rosemary, peppermint, and tea tree are used and spices like oatmeal, cinnamon and ground almond are used for exfoliating.  You can also find herbs like one my favorite’s calendula, and lavender to name a couple.   We use oils like palm, coconut and olive oil, and in our specialty bars we use castor, jojoba, cocoa butter, and aloe Vera.  .  A lot of the ingredients used in Pure-N-Simple Soaps come right from my garden.  It does not get any purer and simpler than that!

We do hope that this article has helped inform you of the ever so subtle dangers of commercial soaps.  We hope that we sparked a curiosity in you to research this some more and find that not only soaps, but many of the products we buy and consume on a daily basis are surprisingly not very healthy and safe for us or the environment.  We do hope that you do make that pure and simple choice.

Making Spa Products – The Handcrafters Companion

A spa experience is one of the best ways for people to relax from the busy everyday routine. And these usually cost a lot of money. That is why most of us would seek to create a restful retreat at home.

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Somehow from our busy schedule we manage to squeeze in some spa experience. Since it is one way to relax and ease stress. Making spa products can be a good suggestion, for you to have a spa experience at home, you can save money and also you might want to earn from this learning.

Spa products ranges from handcrafted soaps, bath teas, additives & soaks, spa treatments, bubble baths & bath bombs, butters, balms, lotions & creams, scrubs, polishes, salts & masques, home fragrance products, potpourri and sachets, and aromatherapy blends. You will find that making spa products is an enjoyable and exciting experience.

Here is how you can make bath salts. In a large bowl mix 2 cups of Epsom salt and 1 cup of Sea salt. Then add all other ingredients; 6 drops eucalyptus oil, 10 drops rosemary oil and 15 drops peppermint oil. Mix very well. You can also use food coloring to make the salts colorful. Put it in a bag or bottle it and let it sit for 6 hours. Now you’re ready to use your bath salt. To make a clay facial mask; you will need 1 ½ teaspoons of beeswax put it on top of a double boiler then add 4 tablespoons of anhydrous lanolin. Stir to blend. Add 1 cup of rose water or plain water, then add 1 tablespoon of borax and stir to dissolve. Pour the mixture to the melted wax. Add ½ pound of fuller’s earth to the blended wax and water, stirring to a smooth paste. Let it cool before using.

These are just few examples of spa products that you can make at home.

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How to Make Liquid Soap – the Secrets to Liquid Soap Making

When you start making soap and you get the bars down pat, some like to make liquid soap. Liquid soap is a nice alternative to the sometimes messy bars of soap. With liquid soap there is no soap scum build up to deal with and no hard soap to have to clean off of the counter. Finding the time to clean up after your family can be hard enough without having to clean up after soap.

To make liquid soap isn’t nearly as difficult as you would have thought. There are actually many ways that you can make liquid soap, some more difficult than others. One of the easiest ways to make liquid soap is to melt down a bar of soap. All that liquid soap is is a bar of soap that has more water added to it. When picking the bar to use to make liquid soap, it is best to use one that has little to no colors and fragrances added. I say this because those are the things that can be irritating to your skin causing it to dry and flake. A pure castile bar of soap would be best as the main ingredient in them is olive oil which is known to nourish your skin.

Basically the only things that you will need to make this simple liquid soap are a bar of soap, some water, a stove and pot and last but not least, a glass heat resistant measuring cup. Of course if you wish to add fragrances, vitamins or any other additive you will want to have them on hand too. To begin to make your liquid soap you will need to either grate or cube your bar of soap. Once this is done, add the grated or cubed soap to the glass measuring cup with an equal amount of water. Most bars of soap weigh approximately four ounces and so you would want to add in four ounces of water. If you get a bar that weighs six ounces, add six ounces of water and so on.

Now with the soap and water inside of the heat resistant glass measuring cup, place the cup inside of a pot that is about half full of water. Turn the stove top on a low heat setting so that you can start to melt the soap gently. Heat the water to where it is almost at a boil but not totally. You can remove the cup with the soap inside once the soap has become a uniform liquid, meaning that there is no separation of the soap and water. If you do not wish to add any other additives to your soap then you can remove it from the cup and place in the container of your choice.

I personally like to place additives in my soap so that it has some antibacterial action and also can soften my skin. Even the best bar soaps out there can leave your skin feeling a little dry and so I like to add some vitamins to my soap. To do this you can simply take some vitamin A and E gel caps and empty the contents into the soap. You can add about three or four of them to be just right. If you want you can add more, this is just the amount that I suggest. Also, to get some natural antibacterial soap you can simply add some eucalyptus, tea tree or even grapefruit oil to your soap. This is a natural alternative to some of the harsh chemicals that are available to do the same thing. When adding in the oils I only use ten to twelve drops of any or a mixture of the oils. Basically no more than twelve drops total.

This soap will be something that you can give as gifts or have just for your family to use. And what’s great when you make liquid soap is that it is just what you wanted. This soap is something that you can use knowing exactly what is in it.

Rene Whitlock Hot Soap Making – Easy Steps To Soap Making Review

Are you particular with the kinds of ingredients that your soap comes with? Do you find it frustrating to know that the only soap brand for your skin type is either out of stock or is no longer available? No need to worry, you can always have the kind of soap you have been wanting with the help of Hot Soap Making by Rene Whitlock. With the easy steps to soap making included in this complete guide, making your very own soap at home is always possible.

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You have probably heard about the cold process in soap making. The problem with it is that it takes too long to cure and the outcome you get is quite unpredictable. Get to learn how to speed up the process using the tips you can find in Hot Soap Making. Why wait if you could easily learn the secrets to accelerate the curing process and get to preserve the essential oils plus the fragrance you have chosen for your soap to possess?

With over 60 photographs of the step by step process, no longer will you find it quite confusing to create your own batch of wonderful, all natural, organic soap. You will also get to have tons of savings out of making your own homemade soap for using the cheapest of ingredients that you can easily get a hold of.

If you think that soap making is quite overwhelming, better reconsider your thoughts. All the information you need are no longer kept a secret. The guide also comes with useful videos that will very much take you by the hand each step of the way.

Who knows what you can come up with the moment you have this guide with you? Visit Hot Soap Making now and discover the tips and techniques to successfully create your very own soap at home. Grab your very own copy today.

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Soap Making Instructions – Making lush Soaps cheaply!

Soap making is a challenging and rewarding hobby. And the most exciting some of it is the hobbyist is free to select what type of soap she or he’s going to make or what type of additions she or he’d like to include. No requirement to fret about the way to do it because soap making instructions are generally available online.

When choosing to make luxury soaps, ingredients used are typically natural and added with costly oils. The best luxury soaps are only made from superb and top of the range ingredients. Getting the very best of everything features a price ticket, particularly if it is hand-crafted it is going to be more dear.

But this is nothing compared with the satisfaction an individual can draw from opulent hand made soaps. Try making your by using this recipe : 123.656 grams of lye 326.07 grams of sterilised water 90 grams of palm oil ninety grams cocoa butter 90 grams shea butter 2 cups olive oil cup grated carrots The soap making instructions : Put the scraped carrot in a glass jar.

Use a pan to heat the olive oil. Adding a little gram of olive oil seems to be a fair idea since carrots may absorb some of the oils. When the oil is hardly effervescent that implies that the oil is hot, tip the olive oil in the glass jar. Don’t close it just yet, permit 1 or 2 mins to permit it to cool down before sealing the jar. Set aside and leave it for a day. When the carrot seethed the olive oil it is prepared. Now mix the lye with purified water, guaranteeing that all crystals are properly liquified. Set aside again.

Mix the cocoa butter and shea butter in the pot and position in the burner under a low-medium heat. Prepare and measure the palm oil and then measure 360 grams of the carrot diffused olive oil, excluding the carrot bits. Stir and totally mix the ingredients permitting it to warm up together while mixing.

Then remove it from the flame. Let both the lye mix and the oil and butter mix to equalize the level of its temperature from 9- 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the lye mix is at the same temperature as the other mix, decant the lye blend into the oil and butter mix, steadily whisking at the exact same time.

Do not forget to maintain a steady and consistent whisking till the mix thickens and reached it’s ‘trace ‘. When ‘traced ‘ it is prepared to be poured into the mould and then wrap the mould with a towel. Put it to one side for 24 hours to allow hardening of the soap.

Once the soap is hardened it could be removed from it’s mould and then permit another three to 4 weeks curing period. After that period your luxury handcrafted soaps are prepared for family use or party gifts or for selling. With these simple soap making instructions glamorous dear looking soaps can be made cost effectively .

Natural Soap Versus Regular Soap

Soap is one of the oldest and most popular human cleansing products in the world. Over the years, the manufacturing of soap has undergone many changes which now allow consumers to have a much better choice in what they use to clean themselves. Two soap products available on the market are regular soap and natural soap.

Regular Soap

Although we refer to them as soaps, regular soap is really a form of detergent. Products that are identified as detergents contain such ingredients as petroleum by products. Regular soap is created using mass product manufacturing methods. The ingredients can include: DEA, Glycerin, Isopropyl Alcohol, BHT, Triclosan, Alkali, and sodium tallowate. These chemicals can be source of skin irritation that can result in dry, itchy, and flaky skin. As well, sodium tallowate is a by product of beef fat.

Other unhealthy ingredients that can be found in regular soaps include: aluminum, formaldehyde, butyl, ethyl, methyl, and propyl parabens, phthalates, propylene glycol, synthetic colorants, synthetic fragrances, and toluene. Continual use of chemical loaded products will cause the body to store the chemicals in the body fat. With enough buildup of toxins in the body, illness such as cancer can occur.
Natural Soap
With the increase in research studies showing the harmful effects of chemicals in our products, natural soap is becoming a more popular choice for many consumers. Natural soaps are normally made with ingredients as natural botanical oils such as palm, coconut, jojoba, and olive oil. They are all-natural so they do not contain any chemicals or additives. Quality natural soaps are made without animal products and are cruelty-free. Oatmeal, almonds, and various plant extracts are commonly found in natural soaps.

Studies have shown important health benefits of using natural soap. This type of soap is very mild and can relieve such conditions as psoriasis, eczema, as well as being very gentle on people with sensitive skin. Natural fragrance soap promotes relaxation and stress relief. As well, another beneficial ingredient that can be found in natural soaps is Bentonite clay. Bentonite clay binds with and removes toxins from the body. It also helps increase soap lather.

Natural soap does not remove the skin’s natural oils. These soaps are processed at cool temperatures so that all of the natural ingredients remain intact, and as a result, the user receives all of the healthy properties. The skin is nourished and revitalized leaving a soft and smooth texture.

There are a number of natural soaps that can be used on both the face and body. There are natural soaps that contain ingredients specifically for anti-aging treatment and other conditions that require natural healing properties. Natural soap is an easy to acquire and affordable indulgence that will cultivate a pampered feeling.

The skin is the largest protective organ of the body. It is important that we take care of it by implementing a daily skin care heath routine. Using natural soaps is one way to ensure soft, health, and shiny skin.

The History Of Soap Making

I run across people all the time that ask questions about the lye in our handmade soaps. Some come away with a new understanding of soap making, others just turn up their nose.

Lye is essential to the art of soap making. It has been used for literally thousands of years to make various kinds of soap across every continent. Handmade soap has its origins in ancient history.

Although it is believed by many that soap’s history actually began around 2800 B.C. in Babylonia (where historians found a barrel containing a soap-like substance), undeniable proof of soap’s existence was first provided by a Mesopotamian clay tablet dating back to 2200 B.C. with an actual soap recipe inscribed on it. The ancient soap making technique described mixing potash and oils to form a cleansing agent.

It’s almost a given that Egyptians would also make some type of soap or cleanser. Egyptian manuscripts describe a substance created by combining animal fats and vegetable oils to create a soap-like base. The documents from approximately 1500 B.C. go on to explain another type of soap that is used in the production of wool.

Around 200 A.D. the ancient Greeks were said to have used an ash mixture to clean their statues and pots. The Gauls and Romans also made soap with animal fat, beech tree ashes and Goat’s Milk. The goat’s milk seems to have been their favorite, and I can understand why! They made both hard and soft soap products.

Today, soap is made from vegetable or animal fats and an alkali. In the past however, people made their own soap from animal tallow and wood ashes. Regardless of who first created the concoction, it was undoubtedly used in Rome. This is an established fact because a soapmaker’s shop was discovered within the rubble of Pompeii after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The Romans often used soap as a cosmetic. It was quite popular with the ladies, for they used it to dye their hair red. Plant extracts were probably used to acquire this color.

By 600 A.D. soap making guilds were formed and the modern formula for the soap that we use today was created.

The Hebrews used a salt base when creating their cleanser. This salt, used in a similar manner by many ancient cultures, could be found quite easily in their local lakes. They used the salt to create the alkali called for in the recipes.

By the eighth century, it is documented that there were soap factories in Italy and Spain. It was not until the twelfth or thirteenth century that this industry was embraced by France. France then passed on the tradition to England. The French made their soaps almost exclusively from olive oil, while the English delved into many different kinds of soap.

The Industrial Revolution forever changed the commercial production of soap. People stopped making it at home and started buying it from a catalog or store. Although, poor people did still make their own soap from wood ash and animal fats.

Today, lye is a product on the “hit list” because it is used in methanphetamine production. You can’t just buy it at the store like we did 30 years ago. It must be ordered or bought from a supplier with plenty of paperwork to go along with it! But, it’s still possible to make your own inexpensive and all-natural soap at home. You can make it from scratch with lye and soybean, coconut or olive oils, or you can order a rebatching base from a reputable supplier.

Either way, natural glyercin soaps are the way to go! Commercial soaps are more detergent than moisturizer these days. Vegan or at the very least, all natural, ingredients are best. Make your own soap or buy from soap-makers like me — and be kind to your skin!

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The Magic in Goat Milk

Goat milk, unlike any other type of milk, has great medicinal and therapeutic characteristics and has been known to aid/cure skin problems, assist respiratory and digestive processes in infants and promote all around good nutrition in humans.

The Differences between Goat Milk to Cow Milk

Goat milk as a food source is naturally homogenized unlike cow milk, due to its smooth texture, which makes it easy to absorb in the body and digest. Goat milk contains more vitamins A and B than cow milk although both types of milk have the same levels of vitamins C, D, Iron, Protein and Fat. Goat milk contains less lactose than cow milk.

Digestive, Respiratory and other Medicinal Properties

The molecular structure in the fatty acid and protein in goat milk is shorter, unlike cow milk globules, which are big and separate on the surface rendering them hard to digest. Goat milk molecules break down faster and are easier on the human digestive system. This is extremely beneficial to infants who have symptoms of diarrhea, constipation, vomiting and even colic. Goat milk has been known to treat allergies in both infants and adults. In some cases, goat milk has also been found aiding respiratory difficulties in infants with Cystic Fibrosis and children with epilepsy. Goat milk can help in minimizing cholesterol deposits in the arteries as well as improve mineralization of the skeleton, balancing mineral and hemoglobin levels in the blood and increase blood serum vitamins.

Skin

Goat milk is probably most well known for its therapeutic qualities to the skin. It moisturizes and balances the skin PH. This is because goat milk has the same level of acidity as our skin; hence, it prevents harmful bacteria from forming. Goat milk can greatly aid in healing cases of acne, eczema and dermatitis.

Summary

By regularly using goat milk in our soap, we assist our skin in retaining health and vitality. As the PH level is balanced, the skin is continually nourished and moisturized.

Goat milk is applied to the soap making process by adding fresh goat milk or goat milk in powder-form during the cold process, or a goat milk glycerin base during the melt and pour process. Goat milk has remarkable qualities, which we can all benefit from.

Effortless To Make Soap Recipes

If you begin by using the proper soap recipes, soap making can be an exhilarating hobby. A lot of people are turned off simply because they think that it is actually hard to make soap, but it is often quite straightforward. Resulting from a recent rise in ready-made melt and pour soap making kits appearing on the craft market, soap making has become more popular. With a soap kit, you can very easily create colorful soaps with exceptional herbal ingredients and fragrances.

Short history of soap-making

Babylonians and Phoenicians from age-old history found it necessary to create their own soaps. They discovered soap by accident when ash and fat drippings that were left in the fire got wet and produced a foamy substance. Ancient folks discovered that when the combination of animal fat and ashes went into the cooking vessel, the foamy substance it formed made it less difficult for them to wash pans.

As time passed, people started to realize fat and ash as the main ingredients to soap. It wasn’t until the Romans began to investigate different recipes for soap and created factories that made soap that soap became widely used everywhere.

Well known homemade soap recipes

It doesn’t matter if you are eager to make soap as a hobby or if you are attempting to make gifts for individuals, you will have to get familiar yourself with a few soap recipes for decorative and fragrant hand soaps. After you have mastered some easy melt and pour soap-making procedures, you can easily create your very own set of handmade soaps.

Hemp Glycerin Soap Recipes

This recipe makes a soap that is somewhat clear, and it is abundant with hemp oil. Hemp oil includes enzymes, essential fatty acids and Vitamins E, D and A. Alcohol-free hemp blocks with 20% glycerin are best for designing mild hand soaps for sensitive skin types. By melting slabs of hemp glycerin and pouring them into a mould, you can very easily create a glycerin-rich soap that can keep your skin smooth and silky.

Transparent glycerin soaps

It does not matter if you are only beginning, or a soap making specialist, this recipe is perfect no matter what your skill level is. They’re see-through and they have low shrinkage qualities. You can very easily add color and fragrance to the mix, and they are a fantastic soap to use every day.

These see-through soaps are furthermore excellent for creating soaps in a number of layers. No matter whether you want to create soap bars for your every day use or a set of hand or body soaps as a gift, a clear glycerin soap recipe will be ideal for you.

Important soap ingredients

The two most evident ingredients when it comes to producing soap is color and smell. In the melt and pour method, you can without difficulty add any aroma you want by making use of specific fragrance oils. All you really need to do is to pour .25 ounces of fragrance oil for every pound of soap base.

You can easily additionally add inspiring colors to soaps by blending one-eighth teaspoon of mica with melting soap base. Then all you need to do isinclude food coloring a drop at a time until you have the desirable color.

After trial and error with these melt and pour soap recipes, you will recognize how enjoyable and innovative soap-making can be.

What Can You Make With Goat’s Milk?

I am often asked, What can you make with Goat’s Milk besides soap and lotion? Well, almost anything that you would make with regular cow’s milk can be made with goat’s milk: cheese, yogurt, ice cream, butter, etc. You can also add it in liquid or powdered form to recipes for everything to fudge to soap to skin cream!

After several people asked us this question, I began to search the internet. We scoured the local stores — country stores, farm markets, etc. We picked the brains of dairy goat keepers. We found lots of cheese recipes, and tons of other stuff. You can make Mozzarella cheese, ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, cultures for cheese making, goat’s milk fudge, and more. We’ve even found a few recipes of other dairy goat keepers online. Most goat dairys will sell goat milk, goat milk butter, and several varieties of goat cheeses.

You can substitute Goat Milk products in any of your favorite recipes that call for milk. If you are interested in making your own goat milk cheese, ice cream or yogurt, be sure to see a few of our recipes below or you can do a google search for your own.
Like most milk products, goat milk can be frozen. Canned or reconstituted powdered goat milk should be frozen in plastic or glass containers allowing enough room at the top for expansion. It is recommended that you thaw your frozen milk in the refrigerator and use it within seven (7) days after being defrosted. To maintain good flavor, do not freeze goat milk for more than two months. Goat Milk Butter may be frozen for 6 months. We do not recommend freezing quality goat cheeses. (Don’t freeze cow’s milk cheese either; if you’ve tried it, then you know why they say not to freeze it!)

Here are some favorite recipes, but we are always looking for more delicious ways to serve goat milk products. Please feel free to send us your family’s favorite recipes!

These dishes are for all goat milk lovers and may call for ingredients such as eggs, nuts, or cow butter and cheese, to which some people may be sensitive. Adjust recipes by substituting egg replacers, margarine or goat cheeses as necessary.

Remember, you can substitute Goat Milk in any of your favorite recipes that call for milk!

Simple Soft Cheese: This is an easy recipe that only requires 1/2 gallon raw goat milk, the strained juice of 2 medium lemons, a thermometer capable of the 180-200°F range, some “cheesecloth” (many cotton cloths will work for straining), and some coarse salt (kosher or sea salt). (This recipe will not work well with pasteurized milk).

Heat milk on medium heat (in a stainless steel pot) to 185°F

Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice

Stir for several minutes until milk has curdled

Add 1/2 tablespoon of coarse salt (optional)

Pour milk through cheesecloth

Wrap curds in cheesecloth and hang (using a rubber band works well) in the refrigerator to drain

Drain for 4-8 hours, depending on how dry you want the curds

Scrape curds off cloth into bowl and stir.

That’s all there is to it! Use on toast, in salads, with pancakes – whatever you wish. Experiment using herbs (added at the end when you stir the cheese). For larger curds, heat the milk well into the 190′s before curdling. Experiment with curdling temperature and drying time to get the cheese that meets your needs.
Cajeta (Mexican Caramel Candy)
3 quarts goat milk
2 tablespoons cornstarch
3 cups sugar
¼ teaspoon baking soda
Dissolve baking soda and cornstarch into 1 cup milk. Stir well to dissolve any lumps. Add rest of milk and add sugar. Bring mixture to boil, stirring constantly while cooking. Cook until the mixture is thick and looks like caramel sauce. Pour into jars, cool, and refrigerate. This makes a great topping for ice cream and makes a delicious apple dip!
Fudge
3 cups sugar
2/3 cup goat milk
3/4 cup margarine
6 oz. chocolate chips
7 oz. marshmallow creme
1 tsp. vanilla flavoring
Combine sugar, milk and margarine in heavy quart sauce pan. Stirring constantly, bring to full rolling boil. Reduce heat to medium and continue boiling five minutes. Remove from heat and stir in chocolate chips until melted. Add marshmallow creme and vanilla, beating until well-blended. Pour into greased 9 X 13 pan. Cool at room temperature. You can also add nuts, if you wish. Enjoy!!!
Fias Co Farms has some great recipes for goat’s milk dishes:
http://fiascofarm.com/recipes/index.html

Meyenberg.com is a another great resource for Goat’s Milk and info about Goat’s Milk. These are a few of their famous recipes!

Famous Chocolate Fudge –Goat Milk Flan –Whipped Cream– Pumpkin Pie –Tuscan Orzo– Peanut Butter Fudge –Creamy Marshmallow Fudge –Chick Brick–Fudge Pecan Pie –Rosemary Scented Savory Muffins –Goat Milk Cheese –Goat Milk Yogurt –Goat Milk Ice Cream –Ambrose Vanilla Goat Milk Ice Cream –Asparagus – Tuna Noodle Casserole –Baked Cup Custard –Banana Milk Shake –Vanilla Custard Ice Cream
 Thank you!  http://www.NeeNeesSoapShop2.blogspot.com

How To Fight The Signs Of Aging Skin – 7 Habits To Stop Today!

Our lifestyle choices contribute every day to aging our skin.  This means that most of the lines on our faces are our own fault!  Read on to find out what you can do about it to reduce and possibly eliminate the factors contributing to your fine lines and wrinkles! While moisturizers, lotions and facials can help to keep our skin looking young, what you do on the INSIDE is just as important as what you do on the OUTSIDE. 

Many of the external causes of aging skin are determined by the health and lifestyle decisions we make every day.   Some of how we look is in our genes, the rest is up to us.  Making unhealthy choices can cause prematurely aging skin, and this makes us look older much faster.  Bottom line: the result is more wrinkles, puffiness and fine lines than Mother Nature can correct for us.  An important part of any anti-aging skin care regimen is to know what you may be doing that is harming your skin and accelerating the skin’s aging process.

Here are 7 habits that contribute to aging skin, making you look older than your years:

Cigarette smoke: STOP SMOKING AND STAY AWAY FROM THOSE WHO DO. Whether you smoke, or you spend time with a smoker, cigarette smoke is damaging and detiorating to your skin. Research has shown that exposure to cigarette smoke significantly increases skin wrinkles, discoloration and dryness. This is partly due to the smoking itself, and also because cigarette smoke depletes your body of Vitamin C, which is a key ingredient for keeping skin plump and moist.  Smoke carries horribly toxic chemicals into the air and into your body.  Your skin cells don’t stand a chance!  Some researchers believe that exposure to cigarette smoke (whether you smoke or the one you live/work with does the smoking) is as damaging to aging skin as exposure UVB and UVA rays.

Sun exposure: WEAR SUNSCREEN AND COVER UP. Sun exposure is very aging to skin. Unprotected skin that is exposed to the sun becomes more mottled in appearance. Freckles can turn into brown sun spots.  The skin takes on a dry, leathery appearance, and wrinkles and sagging increase. The risk of skin cancer is significantly increased by sun exposure. The good news is that sun damage is avoidable, and if you start now, you can improve the condition of sun damaged skin. See your health care provider to assess the amount of sun damage you may have, and to rule out possible skin cancers. He or she may be able to prescribe medication that can help to reduce existing sun damage. If you want to avoid aging skin but don’t want to avoid the sun, make sure you use sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Choose sunscreen with SPF of 30 or higher, and use it all year-round, even on cloudy days. Clouds do not protect you from ultraviolet ray exposure.  Ladies, try a foundation with an SPF of 10-15, as well as lip balms with the same.

Lack of exercise: GET MOVING! Living a sedentary life contributes to aging skin, because exercise helps to tone your muscles and get your blood flowing. Exercise should be an important part of every anti-aging skin care program. Researchers have also discovered that sedentary older adults are at higher risk for dementia, blood pressure problems and diabetes. In addition to the physical benefits of exercise, the benefits of a regular exercise program will show on your face. Having a bright smile and lots of energy will help you look and feel younger, at any age.   10 minutes a day of light to moderate exercise can significantly improve mood and increase blood flow.  (PS  Love making is a form of exercise! And so is light housework!) 

Exposure to cold weather: STAY OUT OF THE COLD; MOISTURIZE. Cold winds and low temperatures contribute to aging skin by making skin dry, so if you venture out in the cold be sure to use a good moisturizer. It’s important to use moisturizer indoors too, as heated rooms can be very drying to skin. Consider using a humidifier to help keep your skin more comfortable and reduce the aging skin effects of heated rooms.  Allow your shower to humdify the bedroom and even setting a small pot of water on the stove in winter (keeping a close eye on it so it doesn’t run dry, set it on low) is a good deterrent for the winter “itchies”.

Alcohol use: STOP DRINKING. Alcohol contributes to aging skin by dilating small blood vessels in the skin and increasing blood flow near the skin’s surface. Over time, these blood vessels can become permanently damaged, creating a flushed appearance and broken vessels on the skin’s surface.  One or two drinks a week (of wine) have a health benefit, but just remember — all things in moderation!  (Also, the bar is full of cigarrete smoke, so stay away if you can. See tip #1.)

Stress: CHILL OUT. Maybe you’ve heard this expression: “Don’t frown, your face could stay that way.” Stress and worry cause frowning, and over time the muscles in the face actually conform to that movement.  The lines in your face will be etched into a perpetual frown.  Rather, to help reduce aging skin due to stress, be aware of your stress level and try to vary your facial expressions during the day.  Smile at your co-workers, laugh at a good joke.  A good anti-aging skin care program should include meditation, yoga, gentle exercise or other relaxation techniques. Keeping stress in check — and frown lines and aging skin wrinkles to a minimum — will help you look and feel younger.

Lack of sleep: GO TO BED EARLIER. Too little sleep makes you look and feel tired. One of the first places lack up sleep shows up is on the face, with dark circles and bags under the eyes, and sagging skin. Lack of sleep is also a major factor in memory loss and symptoms of depression that include low interest in daily activities and negative thinking. Research has shown that most adults function best with 8-9 hours of sleep each night. Reduce caffeine during the day (with none in the evening after 5 pm), avoid eating at least 2 hours before bedtime, and maintain a sleep routine that includes going to bed at the same time each night.  If you are having trouble sleeping, for any reason, it’s important to see your health care provider.

While some signs of aging skin are inevitable, there’s a lot you can do to look your best at any age. Taking good care of yourself is the most important step in your anti-aging skin care program.  For more advice and free recipes to moisturize and fight the signs of aging with our goat milk soaps and lotions:  visit us at http://www.NeeNeesSoapShop2.blogspot.com .  Thank you and God Bless You.

1 John 4:7

Your Skin Will Love You Using Pure and Natural Soap

I, among many of us, have used a leading brand baby soap on my children for some time thinking that it was perfect for them, but I was terribly wrong! I was introduced to Pure and Natural Soap a few months ago and since I have changed I will never use anything again.

Our daughter who is 2 years old has had cradle cap since birth. It is a condition that she has always had and although it is not bad enough to get medication it was still something that I wanted to clear up. I just couldn’t understand why she was getting it. Since changing to Pure and Natural Soap her cradle cap is gone…and I mean gone! Pure and Natural Soap is truly remarkable.

Our son, who is 6 months old, also seemed to react very negatively to the leading brand baby soap and many kinds of lotions, trust me I tried them all. He broke out in a very nasty rash all over his body especially his face. He also had really red, dry, wrinkly cheeks from drooling and I am sure our Cold Canadian winters didn’t help the matter much. But, of course, once changing to Pure and Natural Soap and Lotion his rash and his dry skin cleared right up. Pure and Natural Soap made his skin finally looked just as a babies should…silky and smooth.

Both our son and our daughter have always had rough feeling skin. It just never had the soft feeling that babies skin should be all about. I never realized that it was because of the soap I was using. The change in their skin was truly incredible once I started to use Pure and Natural Soap. It made their skin so moisturized and healthy and this was all due to using Pure and Natural Soap.

Last but not least, the smell of Pure and Natural Soap is amazing!! Who knew soap and lotion could smell so sweet and yummy! Every time I put Pure and Natural Soap on my kids I just want to eat them up.

The three products including Pure and Natural Soap that I use religiously are:

Pure and Natural Soap

A pure, Pure and Natural Soap is a tear-free formula that combines Coconut and Sunflower Oils with Soy Protein to gently clean and moisturize their skin. Pure and Natural Soap is made from only the finest ingredients of Water, decyl & lauryl glucosides (natural coconut oil, corn starch & sugar soap blend), coco betaine (coconut oil moisturizer), soy protein, coco-glucoside & glyceryl oleate (natural sunflower & coconut oil soap blend), sucrose laurate (sugar ester), vegetable glycerin, betaine (sugar beet), glucose (sugar), fragrance, orange oil, anise oil, lemon oil, vanilla extract, clove oil, xanthan gum (natural thickener), glucose oxidase & lactoperoxidase (natural thickener).

Organic Natural Baby Buttermilk Soap

Both babies and some adults have sensitive skin and Pure and Natural Soap can be used daily on your face and all over your body. This Pure and Natural Soap is vegetable-based soap which contains buttermilk to naturally soothe and cleanse the skin, while honey naturally moisturizes. Made from vegetable soap base, glycerin, honey, buttermilk powder, oatmeal flour, fragrance.

Organic Natural Baby Buttermilk Lotion

This superior, pure lotion is enriched with aloe vera, buttermilk and vitamin E. Perfect for all-over hand and body use, this lightweight lotion absorbs quickly yet provides long-lasting moisture and protection. Formulated for baby’s sensitive skin and sensitive skin of all ages. Made from filtered water, sunflower seed oil, coconut oil, vegetable glycerin, stearic acid (vegetable fat), beeswax, fragrance, glucose, orange wax, tocopheryl acetate & tocopherol (vitamin E), aloe barbadensis leaf juice, buttermilk powder, rosemary leaf oil, sodium borate (natural borax), xanthan gum (natural thickener), glucose oxidase & lactoperoxidase (natural enzymes), sucrose stearate (sugar emulsifier).

Organic Natural Baby Skin Cream

Perfect for delicate faces and body skin too. Aloe Vera, vitamin E and beeswax guarantee soothing relief to the diaper area. Made from Sweet almond oil, water, beeswax, aloe barbadensis gel, kaolin (natural clay), grapefruit seed extract, carrageenan extract (Irish moss), fragrance, sodium borate (natural borax), glucose, glucose oxidase & lactoperoxidase (sugar & natural enzymes), tocopherol (vitamin E).

I honestly cannot say enough about Pure and Natural Soap. I feel good everyday using such gentle Pure and Natural Soap and Lotion. The changes that I have seen in my children’s skin is remarkable and I only wish I had known about Pure and Natural Soap earlier.

Skin Care On The Cheap, Easy Recipes For Younger Looking Skin

Aging Skin Fighter Recipes

Fight back against aging skin! Try these recipes!  Everything you need to treat your dry skin and fine lines is right in your kitchen.  Remember, if you are allergic to any of these ingredients, don’t try this at home!  But, with a few minutes in the kitchen, you can save 0′s or even ,000′s at the store on beauty aids and puffy eye treatments.  The natural, healing things our great-grandmothers used are sometimes the best rememdy.  Get back to the basics!

Aging Skin Fighter: 2 teaspoons plain yogurt 1/2 teaspoon honey 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice 3 capsules vitamin E (equivalent of 300 units)

Combine yogurt, honey and lemon juice. Prick open the vitamin E capsules and
fold contents into the mix. Leave on skin for 15 minutes.

Bags Under Eyes Remedy: Brew a cup of strong rose-hip tea. Soak two cotton pads in it, and lie down with the pads over your eyes. This reduces swelling, refreshes and tightens the skin.

Eye Puffiness Easer: 2 teaspoons grated raw potato (no skin) 1 teaspoon moisturizer (without urea)

Mix well, then apply around the eyes. Cover with cool, damp cotton or gauze for
10 to 15 minutes.

Dry Skin Facial: 1 tablespoon dry oatmeal 1/2 mashed ripe banana 2 ounces plain
yogurt

Cleanse face, steam, splash with cool water and pat dry. Massage with the dry
oatmeal. Rinse off. Then apply a mask made by mixing yogurt and banana; spread
evenly on face. Leave on for 20 minutes; rinse off.

Dry Skin Mask: Mix 1 tsp. of butter in 1 teaspoon of water. Apply it thoroughly into all the dry areas and leave for 15 – 20 minutes. Rinse with cold water,

Banana Mask for wrinkles:  Mash 1/4 banana until very creamy and apply on face and leave for 15-20 minutes. Rinse with warm water, then use cold water to close the pores.

Avocado Facial Mask:  Mash the meat of the avocado into a creamy texture. Apply it thoroughly on face and leave for 15 – 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water, then use cold water to close the pores.

Cucumber Face Pack to get Smooth Skin:  Mash 1 whole cucumber, strain water, add 1 tablespoon of sugar and mix well. Put in a container,l keep refrigerated and take out whenever you want to use it. Apply on your face and leave for 10 minutes, then wash with cold water and enjoy the smoothness of your skin.You can try on it on other parts of body as a scrub. Test an area first!

Grape Cleanser : Split 2-3 grapes and rub the flesh over face and neck. Rinse with cool water.

See our other article in the Articles Base that also have easy and free recipes for dry hair and healthy skin!

Please check out our natural and handmade goat milk soaps, lotions and foot creams to aid in your fight against aging. 

http://www.NeeNeesSoapShop2.blogspot.com

2008 JRV

Soap Making Ingredients – Keeping It Healthy

It is believed that soap probably had its origins in sap from different plants. These were referred to as soap plants and one could take the roots of the plant, crush them in water and the result would be a rich lather. These plants still exist today but are no longer used in their raw form.

Plants that fell into the category of soap plants were soap bark, soap wort and a plant that was called soap berry. All of these plants would produce a foam that could also be used as a lather. In ancient times these plants were also used to catch fish as the lather could immobilize them, thereby making them easier to catch.

Much later people found that certain fats could react when combined with the alkalies found in the ashes of burned wood. It would cause the fat to saponify different compounds such as sodium sterate as well as potassium sterate.

In todays world soap is now made from a combination of fats and oils that interact with lye. Oils such as coconut, palm, tallow or rendered beef and lard which is rendered fat from pork are commonly used in bar soap and are normally hard soaps that do not dissolve easily in water.

Castile soaps are mainly made using olive oil, normally the purest you can find, and yields a soap that is known for being very mild and soft on your skin. This is a favorite soap for many because of its healing properties for your skin.

There is also a process in soap making that is called super fatting. Once the interaction with lye is complete the soap tends to have some fat remaining. This soap is normally easier to cut and feels very smooth on your skin. The lye is completely burned off and none remains that could cause any kind of irritation to the skin of the user. This type of soap is also very low in alkaline.

Glycerin is also another popular ingredient in soap making and many will use it to make transparent soaps. Glycerin is also one of the main ingredients that you rarely find in commercial soaps as it is usually removed. This is one reason that commercially bought soaps are so hard on your skin and often contribute to skin dryness.

Soaps that are sold commercially usually contain ingredients such as sodium tallowate, sodium palmate and a number of other ingredients that are not naturally produced. This is one of the main reasons that people prefer to buy homemade soaps as they realize the health value of using these soaps as well as the value to their skin.

People also like to buy natural soaps as not only do they like to use them to bath with but in many cases the soaps are great as a shampoo. Naturally made soaps will not contain harmful ingredients and harsh chemicals.

One of the fun soap ingredients is using essential oils. People love to use them separately for a pure scent as well as combining them to make a combination of scents. Soap makers love to experiment with essentials oils and it helps to lend a certain amount of creativity to the soap making process.

Another soap making ingredient that people love to work with is different colors that are produced from many different sources. From Crayola crayons to pigments from different plants the choices are endless.

But in the end, the great thing about soap is that these use basic ingredients, naturally produced and much healthier for the person using them or purchasing them.

For more information on soap making ingredients visit our website Soap Making Made Easy and read about the many choices that are available to soap makers today.

Why Use Natural Soap, Is it Really Better For You?

In order to maintain a youthful appearance, a good natural soap is essential.  These treatments smooth out and tighten the skin.  In doing so, fine lines, wrinkles, and even sagging skin are less noticeable.  Without these telltale signs of aging, it is easier to show our most confident selves and, in doing so, are able to lead the happiest, fullest life possible.  Everyone knows men are attracted to both beauty and confidence.  However, when you are unhappy with your appearance, you run the risk of this self-consciousness affecting your relationship.  Sad but true, your disposition might even cause your man to start looking elsewhere.

However, a good natural soap can reverse and prevent the unattractive wrinkles and sagging that come with age.  The improvement that they can make will undoubtedly work wonders on your self-esteem and will allow you to show your best self to the world.  It is no longer just a cosmetic issue if your aging skin is affecting your life and relationships.  When you feel better, you look better, and vice versa.  Therefore, it only makes sense to take advantage of some of the new, advanced products that are now available.

In a time when cosmetic surgery and procedures, like Botox, are so prevalent, it seems almost absurd that a skin soap can work as effectively.  But with all of the recent scientific and technological advances, some of these creams can produce results that are just as good, if not better, than even the most extreme procedures.  Some of the progress that is currently being incorporated to firming products comes from studying the foods that we eat.  Nutrition plays a large role in skin health and because of this, many researchers are learning more about the effect that different nutrients have when being applied to the skin.  Therefore, the healthy foods that keep you feeling younger can now keep you looking younger as well.

Other than giving your cells the proper nutrition, new improvements in anti-aging treatments now make it possible to replace collagen and elastin.  These two elements are plentiful in young skin but reduce with age.  Also, a good natural soap should only contain ingredients that are beneficial to your skin.  I know it seems crazy, but there are some products out there that can actually make your face appear older.  Why they continue to use these ingredients I will never know.  But by leaving out the harmful chemicals and adding in the beneficial nutrients, these new creams can leave you with a natural, fresh-looking face.

How to Remove Eczema and Itchy, Dry Skin Naturally

How to remove eczema and dry, itchy skin is not easy but it can be done successfully.  Knowing the causes and treatment that works is what this article is about.  Your skin can be healed with a new, fresh look IF you use the right natural skin care ingredients.  I will let you know what to do.

Eczema Symptoms

Your symptoms may also include redness, swelling, crusting, flaking, blistering, cracking, oozing or bleeding.  Bleeding is often a result of scratching or abrading by washing too hard or rubbing dry rather than patting. 

Causes of Eczema

The causes of eczema are various.  It is a broad term used to describe a number of different conditions.  Some of which arise from underlying health problems, such as lymphoma.  If it’s not winter and you have not been exposed to an allergen or irritant, then you probably have “atopic eczema”.

Traditional Chinese practitioners have been able to successfully and permanently resolve the condition by treating it as a symptom of underlying ill health.  Many natural health experts feel that the cause of eczema and other allergic reactions is poor nutrient intake, which would of course result in underlying ill health.

Below, you will see recommended “self-help” tips for cleansing, eating, supplementing and moisturizing.  These combined with avoiding irritating clothing made from rough or unnatural fibers should help you remove eczema and get rid of itchy skin for good.

Cleansing

In order to heal and remove eczema, you must not use detergents.  In fact, you should only use a cleanser when water alone is not enough to wash away the dirt.  Over cleansing is the most common cause of itchy skin, especially in Western cultures, where people often shower two or three times a day.  Don’t buy any cleanser that contains sodium lauryl sulfate or irritating petrochemicals.  Super-fatted goat milk soap is the best choice.
 
Eating

Recent studies indicate that food allergies may be a factor, but testing for food allergies is difficult.  People with eczema respond to practically all allergens in a patch test.  It may be possible for you to remove eczema, without subjection yourself to patch testing by keeping a food diary and identifying triggers.  Some common triggers that tend to cause itchy skin and other conditions include eggs, nuts, and wheat, sweet corn, coffee and dairy products. 

One way to see if any of these foods are giving you trouble is to eliminate all of them from your diet.  Then wait 1-2 weeks while your system clears out any “residue” from these foods.  Then re-introduce one food at a time for at 1 week; watch how you respond.  Get going until one rears its ugly head.  This will take patience but it could be an inexpensive way to find out what is bothering you.
  
Supplementing

Trying to identify food triggers necessitates the use of supplements to prevent nutrient deficits.  Some studies indicate that an omega 3 supplement is particularly beneficial to help remove eczema and calm itchy skin.  
  
Allergic reactions are basically caused by an overactive immune system.  Specific nutrients are beneficial for modulating inflammation, the immune system response responsible for eczema and other types of dermatitis.  Omega-3 fatty acids, for example, have anti-inflammatory activity.  The brand with the most anti-inflammatory activity, according to scientific analysis, is Omega 3/DHA Fish oil. I mention on my website, listed below, where I get the one I use daily.

Moisturizing

There is no doubt that an effective moisturizer is absolutely essential for itchy skin, but most of the so-called moisturizers on the market do not actually contain moisturizing ingredients.  Avoid products that contain petrolatum or mineral oil.  Look for a body lotion that contains a variety of natural plant-based oils, including jojoba, grape seed and olive oil. 

Manuka honey is another good ingredient.  It has proven benefits for conditions like acne, eczema and psoriasis.

I use an  Age Defense Body Lotion that  is particular beneficial for people that want to remove eczema.  Using it could be the most important step of all. See my website listed in the box below for the source from which I get my lotion and fish oil.  Thanks, Margaret Bell

How to Write a Headline for Article Writing

Successful article writing requires more than just basic writing knowledge.  Every part of the article serves an important purpose.  The writer must know how to create a powerful headline, introduction, body and conclusion.  Of all the parts, it is the headline that is usually viewed first by the reader.  In order to entice the readers into reading the body of the article, the article writer must guarantee the headline is attention grabbing and interesting.

An ideal headline must consist of only a few words as the elaboration must appear in the body.  The question is how to create a headline with only a few words and at the same time, make it attractive to its potential readers.  Here are some key tips every article writer must know:

Use the keywords in the title
Using the keywords in the title will make the article more searchable.  Since the keywords appear in the title, the reader will have an overview of exactly the subject being discussed in the article.  If the title is about Resorts 360, the article writer might use “What to Expect from Resorts 360 Membership” for example.

Play with Words
Do not limit the headline writing with formal words. Have fun with it. Some writers get inspiration from popular song or poem titles and incorporate them with the keyword.  For example, The Da Vinci Code: To Read or Not to Read.  This was inspired from a famous literary piece, To Be or Not to Be.

Try using numbers
Numbers can be used to quantify the ideas presented in the article.  For example, you can create an article giving X number of tips.  This way, the readers will immediately know what the article writing is providing for them.   For example, “5 Effective Ways on Getting Your Ex Back”.

How to Headlines
How-to headlines also gain more reader attention.  This is because these articles usually provide instruction to the reader on how to do something.  There are many readers who rely in the Internet regarding exactly how to perform a specific task.  Examples of how-to headlines are “How to Make Soap at Home” or “How to Brew Beer”.  

Advantage and Disadvantage
Another way to draw the attention of readers who are just looking at the headlines of various articles is to show them the advantage or disadvantage of the subject being discussed.  For example, the article writer could put in “The Benefits of Green Tea” or “The Bad Effects of Cola”.

Make the headline as interesting as possible. Choose the right words and express the right thought.  The headline will serve as the invitation to your readers.  You are inviting them to take a look at the article itself.

To your article writing success!

Soap Making Ideas – Hot Soap Making

Have you ever thought of making soaps on your free time? Yes, you got it right, soap making. Some might raise an eyebrow on this but making soaps can be real fun and you can get to make your own ones. And if you are interested in this kind of craft or hobby, you will need to have some good soap making ideas. While it can be challenging to find ideas on which soaps to make, you can be sure that you will find some soon.

Click Here For Hot Soap Making Instant Access Now!

There are lots of ways for you to find ideas on how to make soap. First off, you might want to know that there are more than two ways to make soaps. With this said, you can just imagine how many soap making ideas you can find out there. You can bet that there can be tens and tens of them.

A good way to find ideas for making soap is to thumb through arts, crafts, and hobby books and magazines. You can try to purchase back issues at great discounts or you can buy new ones for fresh ideas. Or you can always try your luck in the World Wide Web. This virtual library will never fail you when it comes to ideas for making soap.

It can also help for you to decide on what kind of soap you want to make. Is it for personal use? Is it for profit? Or are you giving them away as gifts? This can help a lot in making you decide which techniques or designs to focus on.

Having a good store of soap making ideas can really a big help for your hobby. In this way, you will not end up undecided all the time. This can also help much in keeping you from wasting a lot of your time, effort, and money.

Click Here For Hot Soap Making Instant Access Now!

Benefits of Kukui Nut Oil in Natural Soap

Kukui Nut Oil has a long tradition in Hawaii, but in recent times it gained global recognition. One of its main advantages is that it makes the skin look younger and smoother without being greasy. The oil is obtained from the seeds of Aleurites moluccana tree, which is believed to have been brought to Hawaii by the first settlers from Polynesia. Natural soap based on Kukui Nut Oil is not only able to moisturize and nurture healthy skin, but also to help treat some health conditions that affect the skin. As a consequence, such a natural soap is highly recommended for damaged or dry skin.

Dry skin fully benefits from natural soap that contains Kukui Nut Oil. This ingredient is absorbed by the skin very fast, fact that makes it very efficient. After using a Kukui Nut Oil natural soap, the hydrated skin feels soft and silky, as it never felt before. Antioxidants are essential for the health of the skin, and this oil abounds in them. More precisely, Kukui Nut Oil includes the following:

. Vitamin A
. Vitamin C
. Vitamin E

Due to a protective shield that the oil creates inside the skin layers, all the moisture is kept within. This fact makes the Kukui Nut Oil natural soap particularly good for people with sensitive skin. Besides that, such soaps are highly recommended as an alternative remedy in the treatment of the following skin conditions:

. Acne
. Eczema
. Psoriasis
. Rough and dry skin
. Scars
. Sunburns and windburns

Kukui Nut Oil does more than just making the skin look soft. It can also improve the health of the hair and scalp. Because of this reason, it is included in shampoos that are recommended for the treatment of dry and damaged hair.

Work From Home Promote Your Handmade Soap Business

Doing free soap making demonstrations is a win-win situation for the sponsor and the crafter. Many organizations have loyal members who are looking for new ideas and crafts. This is where you, as an experienced crafter, step in. You offer to do a free soap making class for the group and the charity/organization charges a nominal fee for any member wishing to attend the class. They provide the venue and you provide the expertise. They get to raise some much-needed funds, and you get a new customer base with a very loyal following.

Virtually every charity across America is strapped for cash. They are always looking for new and creative ways to raise money. Many of their members are affluent and have their own businesses and volunteer their spare time to their favorite charity. More and more of these charities are offering classes taught by their members as a way of raising money. Their members have plenty of expertise in diverse fields that fellow members would love to know about. As an experienced soap maker and crafter you can provide the very thing that they would like to offer – a class in soap making from an experienced soap maker.

When doing the class, remember an hour and a half is generally considered the maximum amount of time to keep a class interested in a specific subject. If you need to melt your oils beforehand, do that to save time. Do some background research on your fats and essential oils so you can integrate this knowledge into the class. Open the class to questions as you go along to maintain interest. Be very careful and take full safety measures with your lye solution. Doing a dry run and having family members ask you questions should iron out any wrinkles in your presentation and give you a degree of comfort that will show in your demeanor.

Make sure you take some of your own products and promotional material to make available after class. This is where you can make valuable contacts that make the whole effort worthwhile. A basic handout at the beginning of class should cover the soap making process. Your name and website should appear at the bottom of the flyer. Take a wide variety of soap with you and offer a special class discount. You could even offer a secret supplier list for small fee to those who want to start a soap making hobby of their own. Stress the creative aspects of the endeavor and you will make soap making friends for life. Also explain that many different creams, bath salts, and body butters are offered by soap makers as complimentary items to their natural soap. And each soap maker has a different specialty. Especially with all of the exotic fats available nowadays, you can develop your own niche quite easily.

Remove Eczema Stop Pain in 4 Simple Steps

To remove eczema and stop the pain can be done if you follow these 4 tips.
First, read about the symptoms and causes, then the 4 tips to remove eczema.

What Are Eczema Indications?

Symptoms usually are:
*Redness  *Swelling  *Crusting  *Flaking  *Blistering *Cracking  *Oozing  *Bleeding

Bleeding is usually because of scratching or rubbing too hard.  Patting your skin is the gentlest way to treat an already irritated condition.

What Causes Eczema?

There are many causes of eczema.  Eczema is a word or expression used to cover many conditions.  Sometimes it is caused by an underlying health condition.  Your health care provider may be able to determine if that is the case.  Atopic eczema is what many people have unless it is winter or you have been subjected to some kind of allergen.

The opinion of some health experts is that the cause is bad or poor nutrient consumption.  Being undernourished can also lead to health problems.

4 Tips – To Remove or Relieve Eczema

Tip 1 – Cleansing

Detergents should not be used when dealing with a dry, itchy or eczema-like condition.  The only time a cleansing agent should be used is when water by itself will not clean the area.

Frankly, too much cleansing can actually elevate the irritation and cause more dry, itchy skin.  Showering 2-3 times everyday is usually not necessary and could wash away the natural oils the body has to help with the condition.

Bonus Tip:  Don’t purchase any cleansing product that has sodium lauryl sulfate in it.  Also stay away from all petrochemicals.  Petroleum jelly or petrolatum is in many products but try to find alternative ingredients.   Super-fatted goat milk soap is a wise choice for many of us. 

Cleanse wisely.  Your skin will respond positively if you do.

Tip 2 – Eating

Food may be a factor that causes allergies or may be just an intolerance to some ingredient.  Testing is not easy and takes time.

One possible way to discover your “food problem”  is to keep a food diary for several weeks.  Sometimes this will identify the culprit.  Some of the culprits are: eggs, nuts, corn, coffee, dairy and wheat.  Wheat was my problem.  I found out I was gluten intolerant.  Your doctor can do a blood test that should show if you are or not.

Using the food diary to keep track of what you eat will help.  My suggestion is to eliminate all of the above possible food culprits.  Wait a couple of weeks then start eating one at a time for a week or two.  Record the results.  You may be surprised at what is causing the problems.  Have patience your skin will appreciate the new look.

Tip 3 – Suppplements

When you go through the above food elimination process be sure to include a good quality multi-nutrient in your diet.  Do this even after the food situation is resolved.  Your skin needs the help.  One of the best supplements is omega3/DHA fish oil.  I take 2 capsules daily and it has made a big difference.  My mirror appreciates it.

Tip 4 – Moisturizing

Most moisturizers that I tried did nothing for the skin.  Avoid products that have mineral oil or petrolatum.  What you need is what I found in a body lotion.  It contains natural, not synthetic, ingredients like jojoba, grape seed and olives oils.  These are all plant-based oils that are natural and non-irritating.

Another good find was manuka honey.  It has been found to help acne, eczema and psoriasis.

What I use is an Age Defense Body Lotion that has done wonders for irritated skin conditions.  My tested strong recommendation is to follow the above four tips faithfully.  Also see my website for the source of a good omega3 fish oil and body lotion that will definitely help your skin return to a healthy, radiant glow.

And now please visit the XtendSkinCare website listed below for updated information on how to remove eczema and stop itchy skin.

Pure Natural Soaps

You are about to wash your body in the refreshing morning shower that kicks off the start of a brand new day. Now which of these ingredients sounds like they would make a welcome addition to this essential every day event? Would you like Diethanolamine, Polypropylene, or Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate with that shower? Now how would rosemary, lemon or basil oils sound or converted olive, coconut or palm oil? Certainly the second list sounds more pleasant than the first. The first almost unpronounceable grouping can be found in conventional soaps while the next more appealing group are natural ingredients that can be found in our line of pure natural soaps at Bodylish.

The laboratory versus Mother Nature, it doesn’t seem to be much of a contest. Your body is a temple, so others tell us, so it should be treated with respect and pampered. A good rule of thumb for healthy and natural body care is if the ingredients are next to unpronounceable, well then maybe they shouldn’t come into contact with your respected skin. The chemical ingredients listed here have been brought into question regarding their potential for health hazards while the ingredients in Bodylish pure natural soaps come from sources that grow outside the confines of a chemistry lab. We have all heard it said that cleanliness is next to godliness but somehow it doesn’t seem so appealing coming from someone wearing a lab coat, rubber gloves and special breathing apparatus.

Natural ingredients have a simple approach to their origin. They all come from things that we can eat such lemons, coconuts, herbs and tree leaves. The creatures that live out there in the wilderness do very well consuming these items. They don’t seem to do very well when they come into contact with synthesized products that we have manufactured in some chemical processing plant. Going back to nature is a good thing and perhaps we can learn from those creatures and do ourselves a great favor by using more natural products in our every day lives such as Bodylish Pure Natural Soaps.

Your skin absorbs the ingredients from the soap that you use in your daily cleaning activities so it would seem wise to let it absorb healthy stuff that can be found growing naturally. If you are interested in healthy living and would like more information on our line of environmentally agreeable and refreshing pure natural soaps please look us up at www.Bodylish.com.

Work From Home: Amazing Natural Soap

You’re a stay-at-home Mom, or a retired person, or someone who lives in an area where decent full-time jobs are hard to come by. Or you’re just someone who loves to create, and would love it even more if you could recoup the expenses you put into your craft, or would walk on air if you could actually support yourself at it.

But whatever your situation, you have begun exploring the possibility of becoming a work-at-home soap maker. You love the idea of producing a natural product which will have health benefits for those who use it, and offer an alternative for over-processed, and often toxically-altered, commercial soaps.

So you want to get started, but what is the minimum you need to know before you do?

First, you need to assess you living situation and decide if you have the physical facilities to make soap making on an income-producing level. It’s one thing to whip up a couple of pounds of soap for the family’s use, and another thing entirely to produce it in batches large enough to satisfy demand from dozens, or, hopefully, hundreds of customers.

Second, decide which technique of soap making you will employ. As a beginner, you might be wise to start by using “melt-and-pour” soap bases and adding your own fragrances and colors, until you are satisfied that you want to continue with a more advanced technique.

If you have either a microwave, or double boiler and standard stove, you can use the melt-and-pour method. You’ll need to have a supply of the soap base, a heat-resistant container, essential or fragrance oils, colorants and any other additives–oatmeal or dried flower buds for exfoliates, honey, glycerin, or Aloe Vera gel as healing and emollient agents, and almond meal to absorb excess skin oils are just a few suggestions. All of them can be found at your crafts or grocery store.

You’ll just melt your soap base, according to the manufacturer’s directions, in the microwave or double boiler, stir in your additives, and pour it into your molds. Once cooled, it will pop right out, and you’ll have your first home-made soap!

If, however, you want to make soap the “old-fashioned”, cold-pressed way, remember that it requires the use of lye. So you’ll need to have an area where you can use the lye without its caustic fumes being a problem. This implies an area away from your normal living space–perhaps a porch, garage, or workshop.

Since cold-pressed soap ingredients need to be measured by weight, you’ll need an adjustable scale. Research the types of oils available, and learn what properties each will lend to your finished soap. Most soap makers use a blend of different oils.

You’ll need, when you work with lye, gloves, goggles, and protective clothing; glass, enamel or plastic containers in which to mix the lye, and wooden or plastic utensils with which to stir it as lye will corrode metal, and a supply of white vinegar handy to neutralize any lye that is spilled. You’ll also need two glass or stainless steel thermometers to measure the temperatures of your oils and lye/water mixture before combining them.

Most soaps, if left unscented, will have an “oily/ lye” odor, so it’s best to add essential oils to your batch of soap at about one tablespoon per pound. The essential oils, because of their molecular structure, act as “aromatherapy” when hot water releases their fragrance.

So you will, of course, need to find some reliable local or online suppliers to provide you with what you need for your business, and don’t be afraid to approach them about discounts on your volume purchases.

You’ll also need to decide about your bookkeeping and order-taking systems, and incorporation choices. You’ll need a marketing plan, and at least at the start, will have to spend as much time publicizing your soaps as you do making them. You’ll have to familiarize yourself with the tax and insurance consequences of owning a home-based business, so you will very likely have to talk to an attorney at some point.

But if you have tried, and loved, making your own soap, have gotten positive feedback from friends, and have the time and financial resources to devote to turning your passion for soap making into a full-time business, in the not too distant future you and your natural soaps might be “cleaning up!”

Starting A Soap Business Is Easy In 5 Ways

Starting a soap business takes hardly any investment and less time than most home scale businesses you may examine. It’s very possible to grow a kitchen scale soap making hobby into a home based business with really a lot of profit making capability. Beginning takes learning about all kinds of issues, but nothing that has to be done is in fact all that involved to do nor does it take all that much time or money either. Following are 5 ways a soap business is simple to get started.

Easy Production Methods

Some crafts take years to learn and the more you advance the more equipment you need. All that often takes much time and money as well. On the other hand, soap making can be learned quite fast and many folks already enjoy it as a hobby anyway. That doesn’t mean that you can learn everything there is to know really fast, not at all. You could learn new techniques and improve for years. That’s one reason it’s an interesting hobby. There’s lots of room to grow. But learning the basics to make quality products only takes a short time and a small amount of material and not much cost.

Low Cost To Get Started

Many businesses you can start offer a chance to make profits but the cost of entry is too high. Making and selling personal care items like soap requires just a small investment to start. You can then use your earnings to buy more equipment and expand based on earnings. It really is inexpensive to get started and possible to get your initial money that you put in back in just a few weeks.

People Will Buy From A Soap Business

By now many people know why handcrafted soap offers more than commercial soap. Many potential soap buyers are constantly on the lookout for good soap. Especially something a bit unusual attracts attention if it’s in the right place. Let’s face it, handmade products have a certain appeal and the demand exists for quality products at a fair price. It’s just a matter of getting the products in front of somebody who is already on the search for just such things.

You Can Sell In Several Ways

Recently we received a rural living products catalog. On the top left corner of the first product page was a bar of “lye” soap offered for sale. Such a spot for soap suggests to me that quite a few people buy soap from that catalog. Do you know you can sell soap from a simple little hand produced catalog? It’s true… The soap users who will buy it are the people who’ve already tried it.

You can find customers many ways. you can sell through gift shops, at craft fairs, at home parties, and through mail or even on the Internet. Many ways work but some work better when combined with other methods.

Customers Buy Again If You Do It Right

Key to building a real business is repeat sales. Selling to somebody who already knows how good your products are could not be easier. On top of that, soap gets used up and they come back for more, if they can find you. Just make sure you make it easy to find you!

Starting a soap business works because it’s easy to do. Either as a business by itself or combined with other crafts, it’s a simple to run venture with potential for a real part-time income. The cost to get started is quite small as is the investment in time to develop products and learn how to make them.