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Determined To Trace - A New E-Book by Benjamin Aaron

Mon, 26 May 2014 22:33:09 +0000

In this new, short e-book by Benjamin Aaron, there isn't a lot about the actual making of soap - but that's o.k. This book is about how to make your soap making business (or any other entrepreneurial endeavor for that matter) successful. It is chock full of the same sort of advice life coaches, gurus and other guides give: in order to build the best business, you need to build the best you. Stay organized, manage your time, and focus on the important stuff. Make sure that your business and your life is full of learning, creativity and gratitude.

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Making Herbal Oil Infusions for Soap Making and More

Sat, 24 May 2014 16:50:40 +0000

I was inspired to so some herbal oil infusions this week. I did a couple of small infusions of natural colorants...and the others were just nice herbs to make soap with. Whether you infuse calendula petals or lavender...eucalyptus, patchouli, or sage, it's a lovely way to add some extra herbal goodness to your soaps (both liquid and bar), lotions, bath oils, massage bars and even bath bombs. It just takes some oil, some herbs and some heat.

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Mailbag Monday - How to Size a Soap Recipe to Fit a Particular Soap Mold

Tue, 20 May 2014 05:00:54 +0000

George Doyle / Getty Images

Shelly from Cincinnati recently asked, "My family is in love with these new greek yogurts that come in short round plastic containers. I think they would make interesting round soap bars, but I don't know how much soap to make to fill them. (I've saved 10 of them.)"

Great idea Shelly - you get yummy yogurt and soap molds at the same time!

I've seen those containers. They're short and round, but taper a little from the top to the base, so you're not going to be able to use the standard "height X length X width" formula. You're going to need to use the "water method" - which calculates the total volume of the mold using water - I cover it in methods of calculating the volume of a soap mold. I happened to have one of those containers handy, so I went ahead and calculated the volume and the recipe that would go into 10 of them. Here are my results.

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Mailbag Monday - How to Size a Soap Recipe to Fit a Particular Soap Mold originally appeared on About.com Candle & Soap Making on Tuesday, May 20th, 2014 at 05:00:54.

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Dipped Taper Candles - Try Them at Least Once

Mon, 19 May 2014 11:20:41 +0000

You, like me, may remember making them with a bit of string and a coffee can full of wax - in a summer camp program. But to make them really well, dipped taper candles are a lot of work.

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Using Tea and Other Liquids in Soap

Fri, 16 May 2014 08:08:27 +0000

Did you know that you can use liquids other than water to make soap? Tea, juice, milk, wine, infusions, even beer. A cup of tea for the soap...a cup of tea for the soap maker. It takes some extra steps, and requires some extra caution, but you can make some wonderful soaps!

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Marbled Container Candles

Sun, 11 May 2014 20:45:14 +0000

I love revisiting projects that I haven't made in a number of years. Marbled Container Candles was one of those. I've been spending so much time marbling and swirling soap, that I haven't done much experimenting with candles. But as I was cleaning up in the garage this weekend, I came across my heat gun, and some old clear glass candle containers that I was going to reuse, so I headed to the kitchen and made a few candles. The results are unpredictable, but pretty cool. Give them a try!

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Citronella Candle Torches for Outdoor Summer Parties

Wed, 07 May 2014 21:27:44 +0000

We're just a few weeks away from Memorial Day (in the U.S.) which is the kickoff to "summer". It's a time of cooking out, swimming, and general fun outdoors. Candles in your outdoor living spaces can bring drama and practicality - giving light and ambiance, and helping to repel mosquitoes. Bucket candles can be put onto tables, votives can be placed around the perimeter of your space, or these great dipped torches can be placed in a prominent location. Most all of the candles you make during the year can be adapted for an outdoor use.

Mosquitoes are Here - Time to Make Some Candles

Sat, 03 May 2014 09:45:15 +0000

As I was watering my fledgling tomato and basil plants (yes, I'll be making soap with them!) last night...I got at least 4 mosquito bites!

And while I'm probably not going to put a bunch of citronella candle torches around my garden, it certainly was notice that it's just about mosquito season...and time to make up a batch of mosquito votive candles. You'd be surprised at some of the many different essential oil blends that repel mosquitoes...many of which smell great too!

So You Want to Make Some Soap?

Mon, 28 Apr 2014 16:00:00 +0000

Monica Rodriguez / Getty Images

I'm not sure what is aligning in the universe of late...but this past week, 4 different people have come up to me and said, "I want to learn to make soap - what do I need to get started?"

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From the Groves to Your Candles and Soaps - Orange Essential Oil

Thu, 24 Apr 2014 13:40:38 +0000

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From the Groves to Your Candles and Soaps - Orange Essential Oil originally appeared on About.com Candle & Soap Making on Thursday, April 24th, 2014 at 13:40:38.

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