How to Use the Soap Maker’s Calculator
The Oil & Lye Soap Calculator is a great starting place for those who want to craft their own hard bar soap or liquid soap recipes. There is a ton of information provided on the recipe result page that is provided once the recipe is built and calculated. It doesContinue Reading
The Craft of Artisan Rug Making
Top 16 Homestead Cottage Business Ideas
Home based businesses are the bedrock of the American economy. Family run and small businesses power 80% of the American economy. In the post lock down world more and more people are looking to build a back up plan to provide a sense of security should the world become lessContinue Reading
The Great American Soap Swap
Welcome to the Great America Soap Swap : A Community Game for Soap Makers Every soap maker is welcome to join. You must be a member in the Crafter’s Community here. Everyone can be a part of the Soap Swap including FREE members. (Once you register you must be sureContinue Reading
Water & Oil Emulsions Make Beautiful Hand Made Lotions
Body care lotions are made from part water and part oil. Anyone who has ever tried to combine the two knows that oils do not dissolve in water. No matter how long you stir, blend, or shake the two parts, they will pull away from each other and separate. OilContinue Reading
Preservatives ~ A breakdown for lotion & cosmetics
Why do we need a preservative in topical cremes and cosmetics? A preservative is essential to help prevent microbes (bacteria, mold, and yeast) growing. Preservatives stop growth by acting on spores when they germinate and killing cells (usually by disrupting cell membranes) or by making the product hostile to growth.Continue Reading
The basics of DIY lotion to body butter creation
Let’s walk through how to make a natural lotion, cream, body butter and moisturizer from scratch. Lotions, creams, body butters and skin soothers are all a combination of water/oil emulsions that are made with a blend of mostly the same ingredients. Light lotions and summer cremes tend to beContinue Reading
The harsh reality of a chemical burn from soap making.
Accidents are called accidents for a reason, and even when responsible, careful smart people do what they are supposed to do, sometimes accidents happen. One rarely dives into hand made soap making without almost immediately hitting foot notes or comments from the author to makes sure that anyone attempting thisContinue Reading