just another seller among the millions of other sellers
Archive - April 2008

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a little morning spam (but only the good stuff)

Not All Soaps Are Created Equal

 

It's a misconception that the longer you have been making soap the better the soap will be. The important part of soap making isn't the years of experience, but the soap maker must also have an understanding of the science behind the actual recipe that is being used. This is something I have taken a lot of time in doing and I hope to help explain some of it to you to so you know you are getting high quality product.



Many people don't realize that soap is actually a chemical reaction between oils that are used and the lye. But because lye is in a powder form it needs to be dissolved into a liquid first before it can be incorporated into the oils. While many soapers are still using water to dissolve their lye, I believe it's important to think outside the box and to take advantage of the many different other liquids that can be used that will enhance the soap further to benefit the skin even more.   Which is why I take full advantage of this and never use water in any of my soaps.


But it's more important to be aware that in soap making not all oils are created equal, and they can't be interchanged. For example, palm oil, lard (tallow) or even hydrogenated vegetable oil (aka crisco) is what is used to help make hard bar of soap. Olive oil can also be added to this list if it's given enough time to cure, which is usually longer than the average 3 weeks required by other soaps. Coconut oil, palm kernel oil and castor oil are used to help give the soap it's big bubbly lather. However other oils are responsible for the creamy lather found in a bar of soap. And other oils fill in the middle ground. I don't like to say filler oils because many of them double duty and add different qualities to a bar of soap. And then you have your oils that help moisturize the skin even after the skin is rinsed.  Such as your shea butter, mango butter, cocoa butter (and other butters) as well as many other oils such as emu oil, jojoba oil, macadamia oil, sesame seed oil.


When I personally configure a soap recipe I look at 5 main aspects of how that recipe will turn out. Each oils is given specific details about when it's made into soap that needs to be looked at. And then those numbers need to be looked at together when considering the final outcome of that bar.


I look at the lathering numbers to make sure there is the right amount. To determine if the bubbles should be big bubbles or just a soft creamy lather. Different types of soap do have different lathering needs.


I want to make sure the soap will clean the skin and how well it does the job. If the numbers are to high it will over clean the skin and may strip off the natural oils found on the skin. If the numbers are to low, then the user will find it won't clean very well. And each type of soap requires different levels. My baby (sensitive skin) soap needs to be more gentle than a bar of kitchen/mechanics/gardeners cleaning soap.

I also look at how hard the soap will be. If you have to many soft oils used, the bar simply won't harden up and will be soft and mushy. Least to say that isn't a desirable bar of soap. Or it may be to hard by not having enough of the other oils to balance everything out.


I also look at how well it's going to moisturize the skin. I want a soap that's going to leave the skin moisturized even after it's been rinsed off the skin. If the numbers are to low on this, then your skin may feel dry and tight.


So you can see how it's important to understand how important it is to get the right balance of all the oils used in a recipe. And that not all recipes should be interchanged. A regular bath bar might be to harsh for a baby's skin. Nor would that same bar of soap clean very well for someone who has been working in their garden all day in the dirt.

 

Currently my soaps also all have raw silk fibers added to make it even more luxurious.

 

I have taken the time to learn about all this to perfect each and every type of soap that I make. Tailoring each and every recipe I used to how it's going to be used.



Tune in later for more posts about each different type of soap that I make...........


I have received many compliments about my soaps from my buyers both online and locally. So should you choose to purchase some I know you will be very happy with your purchase. I will be listing many more scents that are made up, cured and ready to be sold. All my soaps are made using the cold process method.

 

If your a soap maker and want me to look at a recipe you use or are considering using to help make it even better or are looking for advice on how to make hot processed or cold processed soaps, please just ask. 

Did You **KNOW**

 

Time for Afternoon Tea and *spam*

I've got some great bath and body items for you to peek at.  I have taken a lot of time researching soap making to make the highest bar possible.  Please read my blog entry about the recipe making the difference for more on that.

And my creamy non-oily body polish is just a dream to use.   Far better than scrubs that are just an oil and sugar/salt mixture.  Choose scented or unscented, and i use the appropriate liquapar oil as a preservative to protect my customers from mold and bacteria from growing.  (yeah i know safety first)

Will be adding more items soon !!!

A few of my eBay items - qsell
4oz Sweet Grass SOAP Goats Milk Shea Butter Silk Aloe
4oz Polo SOAP Goats Milk Shea Butter Silk Aloe Vera
4oz Oatmeal Milk Honey SOAP Mango Butter Cream Aloe
4 bars Lard Coconut Oil Soap 4 LAUNDRY SOAP handmade
12oz Handmade Sugar Scrub Polish Creamy Non Oily
Juniper Breeze Handmade Cream Mango Butter Silk Soap
First Kiss Handmade Goats Milk Shea Butter Silk Soap
colloidal OATMEAL MILK BATH scented or unscented
Free Quick*Sell Gallery from ISDN*tek

*smacks* ebay upside the head

I just listed an item on ebay and the contents weigh 13 pounds & 12 ounces and I could fit it into a flat rate priority box.  And I indicated that when I chose my shipping option.  That the flat rate box was going to be used.  And I charge $11.00 for that so shipping is actual shipping ($8.95) plus $2.00 handling fee rounded up a nickle to make  a number that is even and easier to work with. 

And before I click to submit my listing I get this attention seller notice..... HELLO ebay !!!!!   What are you doing now ???

When the recipe does make a difference

 

It's a misconception that the longer you have been making soap the better the soap will be. The important part of soap making isn't the years of experience, but the soap maker must also have an understanding of the science behind the actual recipe that is being used. This is something I have taken a lot of time in doing and I hope to help explain some of it to you to so you know you are getting high quality product.



Many people don't realize that soap is actually a chemical reaction between oils that are used and the lye. But because lye is in a powder form it needs to be dissolved into a liquid first before it can be incorporated into the oils. While many soapers are still using water to dissolve their lye, I believe it's important to think outside the box and to take advantage of the many different other liquids that can be used that will enhance the soap further to benefit the skin even more.   Which is why I take full advantage of this and never use water in any of my soaps.


But it's more important to be aware that in soap making not all oils are created equal, and they can't be interchanged. For example, palm oil, lard (tallow) or even hydrogenated vegetable oil (aka crisco) is what is used to help make hard bar of soap. Olive oil can also be added to this list if it's given enough time to cure, which is usually longer than the average 3 weeks required by other soaps. Coconut oil, palm kernel oil and castor oil are used to help give the soap it's big bubbly lather. However other oils are responsible for the creamy lather found in a bar of soap. And other oils fill in the middle ground. I don't like to say filler oils because many of them double duty and add different qualities to a bar of soap. And then you have your oils that help moisturize the skin even after the skin is rinsed.  Such as your shea butter, mango butter, cocoa butter (and other butters) as well as many other oils such as emu oil, jojoba oil, macadamia oil, sesame seed oil.


When I personally configure a soap recipe I look at 5 main aspects of how that recipe will turn out. Each oils is given specific details about when it's made into soap that needs to be looked at. And then those numbers need to be looked at together when considering the final outcome of that bar.


I look at the lathering numbers to make sure there is the right amount. To determine if the bubbles should be big bubbles or just a soft creamy lather. Different types of soap do have different lathering needs.


I want to make sure the soap will clean the skin and how well it does the job. If the numbers are to high it will over clean the skin and may strip off the natural oils found on the skin. If the numbers are to low, then the user will find it won't clean very well. And each type of soap requires different levels. My baby (sensitive skin) soap needs to be more gentle than a bar of kitchen/mechanics/gardeners cleaning soap.

I also look at how hard the soap will be. If you have to many soft oils used, the bar simply won't harden up and will be soft and mushy. Least to say that isn't a desirable bar of soap. Or it may be to hard by not having enough of the other oils to balance everything out.


I also look at how well it's going to moisturize the skin. I want a soap that's going to leave the skin moisturized even after it's been rinsed off the skin. If the numbers are to low on this, then your skin may feel dry and tight.


So you can see how it's important to understand how important it is to get the right balance of all the oils used in a recipe. And that not all recipes should be interchanged. A regular bath bar might be to harsh for a baby's skin. Nor would that same bar of soap clean very well for someone who has been working in their garden all day in the dirt.

 

Currently my soaps also all have raw silk fibers added to make it even more luxurious.

 


 

I have taken the time to learn about all this to perfect each and every type of soap that I make. Tailoring each and every recipe I used to how it's going to be used.



Tune in later for more posts about each different type of soap that I make...........


I have received many compliments about my soaps from my buyers both online and locally. So should you choose to purchase some I know you will be very happy with your purchase. I will be listing many more scents that are made up, cured and ready to be sold. All my soaps are made using the cold process method.

 

If your a soap maker and want me to look at a recipe you use or are considering using to help make it even better or are looking for advice on how to make hot processed or cold processed soaps, please just ask. 

Non-Oily Creamy Body Scrub - Polish


A few of my eBay items - qsell
12oz Handmade Sugar Scrub Polish Creamy Non Oily
Free Quick*Sell Gallery from ISDN*tek

 

12oz Handmade Sugar Scrub Polish Creamy Non-Oily


This is my creamy non-oily body polish that is made with sugar. A body scrub or polish is used to gently exfoliate and help remove the dead dry skin to leave behind soft smooth skin.

This is a creamy version so it won't leave that thick oily feeling of a scrub that is only made with oils and an abrasive ingredients such as sugar or salt. Instead you will find that my scrub will leave your skin feeling more like it's been moisturized with lotion when it's rinsed off. No need to rewash with soap to remove that heavy oily residue that is left on your skin after using a more common oil/sugar scrub. And you can enjoy your soft smooth freshly exfoliated skin.

 



As you can see by the photo this is a very thick, rich and creamy scrub.

My scrub will not not need to be stirred before using. Simply use it straight from the jar.

Because a scrub is used where water can and will be introduced into the container a preservative is needed. However the correct preservative is needed to protect you from mold and bacteria from growing. Never buy a scrub that does not contain a proper chemical preservative. Many use an antioxidant and call it a preservative but that will only keep the oils from going rancid and will do nothing to prevent mold and bacteria from growing. So protect yourself and make sure the proper preservative is used. The preservative in this product is LiquaPar Oil and is very safe to use. However I also do use Vitamin E (tocopherols) to help prevent the oils from going rancid so it's shelf life is even longer.

Because I want my customers to know what they are buying, here is a list of the ingredients in alphabetical order. The label will contain the ingredient list as required by the FDA.
* Beeswax * Emulsifying Wax * Fragrance * LiquaPar Oil * Mango Butter *
* Rice Bran Oil * Safflower Oil * Stearic Acid * Sugar *
* Unrefined Shea Butter * Vitamin E (tocopherols) *

Caution needs to be used with all scrubs because they do contain a high amount of oil, and it may cause the bottom of the tub/shower to become slippery.



You may decide if you wish your scrub to be scented or unscented.
Please check out the actual listing for the link to my master fragrance list to see all the Fragrance Oils and Essential Oils that I have in stock and on hand.

 

I haven't been on the blogs for awhile

I've been trying to cope with issues with the kids and sort out why my parents are acting odd.  They didn't call for Easter, not even to talk to the kids.  (did i mention we live 6 miles from them.)  And I haven't spoken to them since a few days before the holiday.   Till this morning when my mom called to say she had an Easter gift for the kids from my brother and his wife.... Hello.... but what about something from grandma and grandpa for the kids like she usually does..... Nothing from them...........  This has affected me greatly.  (I wrote about it more on my typepad blog)  And I'm still trying hard to work through those issues.   Since the last time i talked to her she went on and on about the different houses they went to look at with my brother and his wife in our local town since they want to move here.

Then yesterday I took the kids to Grand Forks, to see the shrink...... And we are adding prozac to Case's list of meds.  I feel so bad having to give him so many meds every day, but there really isn't any option.

There were a few hairy moments when Lizzy was overwhelmed by the day's events, and Case wanted to invade her personal space.

But the worst part was when we were in Wal-Mart, and someone was screwing with the PA system.  And no one was talking but it was squelching. (It wasn't very loud but it was there and continued for about 4-5 minutes before it stopped.)  And my baby (ok she's 4) just stood there with her hands over her hears saying "it's to loud, make it stop", she is getting very sensitive to sounds lately.  Sometimes even a normal talking voice is to much for her to deal with.  That was very hard on me to see, especially in public.  

But the shrink did have me talk to the hospital social worker to help me to figure out who I need to talk to about additional programing we can get for the kids.   One special needs child is hard, but two is even harder.  Every day is a struggle, and there hasn't been one single day for years that hasn't had some sort of melt-down or blow up of some sort.   So today I talked with the right person from the human service center who is going to mail me out papers to apply for respite care, as well as any other services that would benefit the kids and myself.  Since some days it is very hard to cope with life around our house.  And they have sometimes to help me as well, not just the kids, since it's a family issue, not just for the individuals with the disabilities.   Counciling and other programs and summer programs for the kids when they are out of school so they don't backslide.

Sometimes I am so jealous of parents that don't have to drive 300 miles to see specialists, have to give their kids meds, deal with behavior problems every day of their life, and know before they say "no" it's knowing to cause the world to end and a major melt down over that one little word.   Wishing they liked their music loud and meal time was a fight over eating the broccoli and not the chicken strips.  Or that they would sleep just one night all night in their beds, and wouldn't depend on a pacifier and a blanket to provide comfort on the floor curled up in a fetal position instead of in mommy's arms to hold and kiss the hurts away.  

And today I had to run back to devils lake to get Case's prescription filled where Lizzy had a total melt down in the grocery store. Screaming at the top of her lungs, but i had no choice but to finish my shopping before picking up Case's script.   But part of her behavior plan is to continue with the activity and ignore the behavor.  Since she is also showing a few signs of OCD as well as her PDD-NOS. (autism)

Challenges are always around the corner.

 

Sadly one thing that gives me joy is my soap making and the other products i've figured out how to make.  And make well.   Darleen I'm so glad that the body mousse is working for your skin!!! That makes me feel so good that I was able to help you in such a small way.  Tomorrow I need to make another 12 pounds of soap.  Some of my scrub base for one of my good friends locally, and if i have time I'm going to make some goat's milk lotion/cream.

Anywho just wanted to let ya'll know what i've been up to, and i need to get more soap listed.  So far i've got the following scents made up and ready.  And all have either goat's milk or heavy cream in them.  And they all have aloe vera juice and raw silk fibers in them as well.

* oatmeal milk & honey

* dragon's blood

* sweet grass

* gardenia

* lavender & chamomile

* bubble gum

* lavender

* polo

* juniper breeze

* plumeria

* watercress & aloe

* first kiss

 

well anywho the kids just got home so i've got to run, but i'll blog more later, about something...... * need more happy thoughts * need more happy thoughts * need more happy thoughts * need more happy thoughts * need more happy thoughts * need more happy thoughts * 

 

 

standing outside the fire


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