I will no longer be blogging on my shop blog.  I will be blogging using Google's blogspot.  The url is http://handmadecraftitems.blogspot.com/... » Read More

I can never believe how long it takes me from the time I conceive a new product to the time I actually have it available for sale.  I am particular about my packaging and labels and they still don't always turn out perfect.  Plus I still haven't quiet got the hang of photography so that causes delays.I am hoping to finish up pictures today of the solid perfumes and cuticle product, as well as new pictures of my wrinkle oils because I had someone help me with more pictorial labels.I am also trying to find the time to bottle my luffah/oatmeal scrub and see if it actually works out in a tube rather than a jar.  Plus I am looking for bottles that a... » Read More

I created a bath salt blend with dead sea salts as the primary ingredients and European sea salts plus Epsom salt and a bit of dendritic salt to prevent clumping.Now I just need to create the label and decide on the blends.  Of course some will be available for custom blends (scents).  This product is net wt. 8 oz and any of the oils listed on the previous post can be added at varying costs.The recommendation for a relaxing bath salt consists of 3 or 4 of the following essential oils.chamomile roman (pricey)geraniumlavender mandarinneroli (pricey)sweet orangepetigrainrose woodrose (pricey)sandalwoodvanillavetiverylang ylang... » Read More

bergamotblack peppercardamoncarrot seedchamomile Roman (precious)cinnamoncitronella javaclary sagecypresseucalyptusfrankincense (precious)galbanum (semi precious)geranium bourbon (semi precious)gingergrapefuitjasminejasmine absolute (precious)lavenderlemonlemon myrtlemandarinmyrrh (precious)nutmegorange - sweetpalmarosapatchoulipeppermintpetigrainrosemaryrosewood (endangered)rose otto (semi precious)sandalwood (precious)spearminttea treevanillavetiverylang ylang (semi precious, depending on which grade)New arrivals:Neroli (precious)rose damask absolute (precious)plus lime... » Read More

For atmosphere there are also the following three blends.Balancing and calming (lavender, bergamot, rosewood)Meditative and supportive (sandalwood, cedarwood, lavender)Juicy and tropical (lime, grapefruit, mandarin)These are considered blends for personality types, but of course we all have moods don't we?Sporty: Bergamot, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lemongrass, Lime, Orange Sweet, Petitgrain, Tangerine, Vanilla.Sophisticated: Azalea absolute, Bergamot, Geranium, Geranium Rose, Ginger, Lavender, Neroli, Petitgrain, Clary Sage, Vetiver, Ylang Ylang.Outdoorsy: Cedarwood, Cypress Blue, Cypress, Eucalyptus, Fir, Juniper, Lavender, Myrtle, Pine, Rosemary, Rosew... » Read More

I do have a product ready the I named cuticle goodness, all I have to do is get good lighting so I can take the picture.Other than that I am working on bath bombs.  I ordered some special molds so I can make up a grab bag of different shapes and put them in a organza bag with a ribbon for gift giving.  Bath bombs can be lots of fun, but a bit difficult to get perfect.Also working on some blending for bath oils.  This make take a while as I want to test different oil combinations.Actually I am also working on an oatmeal/luffah scrub designed for the sensitive face area.I will be using some rare and precious scents such as geranium bourbon, Nerol... » Read More

There are several different scents combinations that are specifically used to create a certain type of  atmosphere.  They are as follows and I will be introducing them into my shop for sale as bath oils or you can choose any to add to a custom made product.Refreshing and stimulating (ginger, grapefruit and lime)Euphoric and elevating (ylang ylang, orange and clary sage)meditative (sandalwood/cedarwood/lavender)spiritual (frankincense, myrrh and cinnamon)warming and spicy (blood orange, clove and cinnamon)nurturing  and balancing (rose geranium, rosewood and palmarosa)refreshing and purifying (lemon, rosemary, thyme)grounding and tension-releasi... » Read More

I know some people wonder about those chemical looking names on the labels.  Well here is a list of what some of them probably are for.Emulsify-combines liquids that do not usually combine well, like oil and vinegar or water and oil  Cetyl alcohol-a fatty alcohol commonly from coconut or palm oil that is heated and combined with a base (pH term)  this is the same process that is used for “saponification” (making soap).  Stearic acid=Is a naturally occurring fatty acid primarily derived from rendered fat.  Can be used as a surfactant or emulsifier.  Humectants-a hydrophyllic molecule that bonds with the hydr... » Read More

from Rox and Things-blue pearl necklace, baroque crystal bridal necklace and earring set and amber crystal earrings.Bonnie the Soapsmith-soap rock treasury collectionGinger's Garden-Natural facial serumspecialtivity-beaded sapphire earringsAir Plant Globe Terrarium Large... » Read More

This one was much tougher to do than the raw sugar scrubs.  There is an issue with blending an oil with a butter that is basically very hard.  Unlike shea which can be very soft unless wax is added to the shea.When I incorporated the apricot shells the mix became very rigid and therefore difficult to blend.  I actually had to use a hand blender and add more oil than I originally thought would be necessary.This was my first time working with kokum butter (which is more expensive than shea) but I wanted to use a butter that would not be oily if used in a shower because someone could slip due to the oiliness.  Also apricot oil is not oily either.... » Read More

Every day I will attempt to remember to take a few minutes out of the day to feature one item from a different shop on Wanelo.  This means the item will also be Tweeted and pinned since it is very easy to do so from the Wanelo site.This week on Sunday it was the Bohowirewrapped shop and the blue  Kyanite earrings (which were repinned many times).  On Monday I did a blue swirl clay door knob from Artmaker's world.On Tuesday I choose a gold and green hand made lampwork bead from Firespirit beads and supplies..On Wednesday I posted (and I was not the only one) a beautiful green jasper necklace from Studio914On Thursday I posted the paisley guitar ... » Read More

Last night I made my apricot body scrubs (there are ten of them) and my cuticle creamy lotion.  It's a consistency that is between the two.  I am going to test it in a bottle to see if the consistency is correct for a flip top bottle. Otherwise it will go into a jar.I plan on making the cream for the reduction of the appearance of scars sometime tomorrow and to start working on the labels sometime tomorrow as well.  I also now have beautiful hunter green sheer organza bags.  They are very lovely.  For now they will be used to ship the lotion bars, however I will have someone make some more suitable bags for those.  I think cotton would be be... » Read More

Yesterday I listed a new product (a lip balm).  Lip balms aren't really that difficult to make but can get messy if you aren't careful.First you have to gently melt your wax and butter(s).  Gently means don't use really high heat.  I use candelillia wax which has a high melting point, therefore I cannot let my mixture cool too much before adding any other ingredients or the wax solidifies.  I don't think this is as much a problem for those who use beeswax.When the butter/wax mixture is completely melted I let it cool down and add my oil, then cool down a bit more and I add my essential oil.  When I say butter, I am not speaking about cow's bu... » Read More

I am only waiting for the labels for the rest of my supple feet formulations, lip balm and sample sizes.  As you may have noticed my lotion bars are already finished and will come most likely in a muslin bag (later I might try using some nice boxes or organza bags).I am investigating ingredients for a cuticle cream or oil and am also interested in a emollient butter that should be even better than cocoa or shea butter and beneficial for reducing the appearance of scars.  My doctor recommended cocoa butter so apparently emollient butters are good with keeping scarring to a minimum.I have also ordered packaging and ingredients for my detox scrub a... » Read More

I will tell you now how easy it is to make a good sugar scrub.  I love jojoba oil because it is not only good for the skin, it also takes a very long time to get rancid.  The same is true for olive oil.  Right now there is a world wide shortage of jojoba oil, so I will be using olive oil once I run out of my current stock until the shortage is over.To make sugar scrubs I would advise that you purchase a jar of at least a 6 oz size.  You can use any type of sugar you would like.  Some people do like the white processed sugar, but I use raw organic sugar in my scrubs.If you have a small scale, simply place your jar on the scale and zero out the... » Read More

Okay I finally have several sample sizes completed and ordered the packaging and labeling for the rest of the samples.  Now all I need to do is get the photography down and I will be putting up the rest of my products with samples sizes which will be 1/2 oz to 1 oz.The costs for samples will be approximately at my costs for the materials and will range between 25 cents and $2.00, plus shipping.  Only 1 sample of each item will be permitted per household.  I have made the costs to you as low as possible to encourage feed back and sales of all my items.Please not the wrinkle oils are only 1/3 of an ounce, so there are no samples sizes for that pr... » Read More