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Very basic learner's recipe

I have been asked several times for a small batch formula for beginning soapmakers to learn with so I thought I would post the recipe we followed when I took my soap making class many years ago.

Unlike today's formulas, this one is measured out by volume rather that by weight which also makes it a bit easier for beginners.  This will make a one pound batch.

Here is the recipe:

1 cup tallow
1/2 cup distilled water (or rain water)
2 TBSP. lye

(If you do not like using beef tallow you may substitute a vegetable shortening but the result will be a softer soap.)

Follow the normal soapmaking procedures (http://www.islandartisansupply.ca/soapmaking/instruction.html) and allow to cure 4 weeks before using.

This is what got me hooked on making soap!

New Lip Balm Tubes

We are happy to announce that we now have natural lip balm tubes in the store. They are an opaque plastic which allows the colour of the contents to show through nicely - great for coloured balms!

New on the Shelf

Burgandy Scarf

Cream Scarf

Liquid Laundry Detergent

I finally had time to try out a recipe for liquid laundry detergent and I am happy to report that it works really well. The formula makes 5 gallons of detergent with just one bar of pure soap and a little bit of borax and washing soda - all available at the grocery store. I will give you more details a little later.

Coconut oil prices

Did you know...

• from May 2010 to May 2011 coconut oil rose in price by 125%
• over the past 5 years it has increased by 259.69%
• over the past 10 years - up by 610.85%
• and from May 1986 - May 2011 we have seen a whopping increase of 800.00 %!!!

Hmmm... I wonder what we paid for a bar of soap in 1986. We should not be surprised if we pay 800% more today!

Homemade Dishwasher Detergent

Here is an inexpensive alternative for dishwasher detergent from Money Talks. We have not tried it yet but it is next on our own 'to do' list.

Dishwasher Detergent

1 cup of borax
1 cup of baking soda
¼ cup of table salt
2 packets (half an ounce) of unsweetened lemon Kool-Aid

The amounts listed above will last for 16 loads using one tablespoon for each load.

Bee Balm

This recipe is for a vaseline type jelly which contains no petroleum. It is fantastic for those tender baby bottoms, and we use it ourselves for our own dry, chapped skin. Kelly says it seems to penetrate deeper and last longer than anything else he has tried for his cracked thumbs, and it seems to be the only product which actually gives him relief and healing.


This is adapted from a recipe I found years ago, and is about as easy to make as you can get.


4 ounces sweet almond oil
1 ounce beeswax  (pure beeswax, not the refined white kind)
Lavender and Tea Tree essential oils

Melt the oil and beeswax together using a bain marie or double boiler. When completely melted remove from heat and allow to cool, stirring often. Add the EOs, just a few drops of each, and pour into a jar. Leave the lid off until the product is completely cool.


You can add vitamin e if you want, and change the essential oils to whatever you prefer.   If you are making this product for babies though, and want to use different EOs, be sure to check the safety profile of the essential oils you plan to use first! Lavender and tea tree are both safe, and very healing.


When making this as a baby balm, I like to first infuse the almond oil with calendula petals. You can also change the oil used to olive, grapeseed, apricot, or nearly anything else, or you can use a blend of oils. The sky is the limit!


Have fun with this, and let us know how it works for you!

Check this list for your favourite sunscreen.

http://breakingnews.ewg.org/2011sunscreen/best-sunscreens/best-beach-sport-sunscreens/

Sunshine and Cancer???

Check out the latest from Natural News on sunshine and cancer:

http://www.naturalnews.com/032533_sun_exposure_skin_cancer.html#ixzz1NZPAFVn6

Pearly Whites

Just made a great toothpaste! It has a texture similar to the 'Pearl Drops' formula, cleans well, and leaves a fresh feeling for a very long time. Bonus is it cost just pennies to make.

4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp hydrogen peroxide (3%)
4 drops spearmint eo
6 drops liquid stevia (to counteract the saltiness)

We will be testing more formulas so if you have any recipes you would like to share please feel free to send them in.

Worth reading - Chemicals in Your Cosmetics

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/estelle-hayes/chemicals-in-cosmetics_b_826191.html

What's wrong with commercial cosmetics?

Botanicals

Rose Petals

Eucalyptus Leaf

Lemongrass

Jasmine

 

Available at Island Artisan Supply

MSM Cream from scratch

Why pay the tremendously high price for commercially made MSM cream when you can make your own for so little? Here is a really easy formula for whipping some up in a flash, courtesy of Mike at New Horizons MSM in the UK;

Super easy to make MSM Cream

"The easiest, quickest and probably the most effective recipe of them all! Non greasy and absorbs in to the skin and tissues extremely rapidly. Note: Because you are making it yourself, you won't be adding preservatives (like most manufacturers do) so it's best to make 100 mls at a time - that way you can keep making it freshly and it won't have a chance to spoil."

Ingredients:

Pure Aloe Vera Gel - 100 mls (or more if you want to make more)

MSM Crystal Flakes - 15 grams for every 100 mls of Aloe Vera Gel) (Note: 3 x rounded teaspoons of Crystal Flakes = approx 15 grams)

Method:

1. Put 100 mls (or more) of pure Aloe Vera Gel in a container or mixing bowl.

2. Add approx 15 grams of MSM (3 x rounded teaspoons of Crystal Flakes)

If you want to make more, simply add 15g of MSM for every 100 mls of Aloe Vera Gel you use. Note: Don't add more than approx 15grams of MSM for each 100 mls of Aloe Vera Gel or it will become a saturated solution, which means the MSM won't dissolve, and will re-crystallise and make the mixture gritty.

3. Mix with a fork or spoon and leave for about 30 mins. The MSM will dissolve naturally in the Aloe Vera Gel. (Note: Use an electric hand blender if you want it to dissolve really quickly)

Both pure MSM and pure Aloe Vera are non allergenic so are usually suitable for even the most sensitive skin types, however, always rub a small amount on a small area of skin and leave for several hours to make absolutely sure it suits you.

Use: As often as you wish.

Storage: Store in a sealed container (Use a well washed out old cream tub). Store in a cupboard at room temperature.

Melt & Pour Soap Base

Many people prefer to use glycerine melt & pour soap base over the do-it-yourself-from-scratch lye method. After a few requests for it we did lots of research and found some good bases which are as chemical free as you can get with melt & pour.
We have five different bases available - clear, goat milk, shea butter, white, and organic. Check them out:
 http://www.islandartisansupply.ca/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=90

Botanicals for colours

I love the colour of beet root powder. This vegetable powder can be used to colour lip balms, scrubs, and more. Apparently it does not keep it's lovely hue in cold process soap though and will turn a shade of grey.

Spa Cloths

Colette's fingers have been flying as you can see by the colourful back scrubbers and cloths she has been busy whipping up. Although the cloths are great for washing dishes, they are even better in the bath, and they make a lovely addition to a gift basket for that special person. These are 100% cotton, thick and luxurious!

Summertime

Summer is just around the bend and the weather is finally warming! Craft markets and farmer's markets are in full swing, fresh veggies and fruit are abundant, and the hummingbirds and a variety of other feathered friends are emptying the feeders faster than we can fill them. It's a beautiful time of year, and my favourite season for sure!

With blue skies and beach days ahead concern arises over the use of sunscreens. Like other manufactured skin care products, most sunscreens are made up of a mix of chemicals, many of which are considered toxic to humans and the environment. And, since 85% of everything we put on our skin is absorbed directly into the bloodstream I can't help but wonder if it does more harm than good. There are times, I admit, when sunscreen must be used, but generally it is better to cover up or seek out shade instead. Since the human body manufacturers Vitamin D through exposure to the sun, I am not convinced that the sun is such a bad thing. While not an advocate of all out sunbathing, I do believe the reports now surfacing which show that sensible sun exposure is beneficial with the resulting Vitamin D actually working to prevent cancer.

There are ways to stay protected. Why not make your own using natural ingredients? An internet search will bring up several formulas. Or check out the products created by small scale or home based artisans who have a passion for all things natural. You may very well be much healthier for it.