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How to Make Pine Tar Soap

2013-01-27T23:18:32Z

<img class="alignleft" style="float: left; margin: 8px;" src="http://0.tqn.com/d/candleandsoap/1/0/K/q/PineTarSoap01.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="150" />A soap, made and celebrated for centuries, that is surrounded by some controversy, <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/beyondbasics/ss/Pine-Tar-Soap-Recipe.htm">pine tar soap</a> has been often touted to help with help with skin conditions like <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/conditionsetoh/a/Eczema.htm">eczema</a>, and <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://altmedicine.about.com/od/skinconditions/a/psoriasis.htm">psoriasis</a> - but the controversy over whether pine tar contains the carcinogen creosote has stifled its manufacture and sale by home based soap makers. Whether you use a creosote-free pine tar, or disregard the controversy, adding some of this gooey pitch to your soap recipe, with its smoky, pungent, woodsy, leathery scent, is a wonderful soap making adventure! <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/beyondbasics/ss/Pine-Tar-Soap-Recipe.htm">How to Make Pine Tar Soap</a>

How to Make Pine Tar Soap originally appeared on About.com Candle & Soap Making on Sunday, January 27th, 2013 at 23:18:32.

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Chunks, Chunks, Chunks

2013-01-23T21:24:26Z

<img class="alignright" style="float: right; margin: 8px;" src="http://0.tqn.com/d/candleandsoap/1/0/1/L/P1010276.JPG" alt="" width="175" height="131" />Perhaps it's the new energy of the new year - full of <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/ideafile/tp/ttcraftroomorg.htm">organizing the craft room</a> and trying new projects and recipes - but I tend to find myself using a lot of chunks this time of year...both in soap and in candles. You can use leftover (or specifically designed) wax chunks in <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/votivesandcontainers/ss/chunkvotives.htm">chunk votive</a> or <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/moldedandpillarcandles/ss/chunkbarcandles.htm">chunk pillar </a>candles...and you can use leftover soap in both <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://video.about.com/candleandsoap/How-to-Make-Chunk-Soap.htm">melt and pour</a> and <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/soaprecipes/ss/confettishreds.htm">cold process chunk soaps</a>. In all of them, it's a not just a great way to use up a bar of soap or a candle that didn't come out quite right - it's a cool design feature.

Chunks, Chunks, Chunks originally appeared on About.com Candle & Soap Making on Wednesday, January 23rd, 2013 at 21:24:26.

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Infusing Oils for Soap & Bath Products

2013-01-19T12:44:37Z

<img src="http://z.about.com/d/candleandsoap/1/8/-/2/P1010016.JPG" alt="Herbal Oil Infusion" width="160" align="right" />In the cold of winter, I tend to cook more, bake more, and use the crock pot more. One of the things you can use your crock pot for that's not dinner-related is making <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/coldprocesssoapmaking/ht/htoilinfusion.htm">infused oils</a>. Like making a cup of tea, letting herbs or other botanicals steep in fresh oil transfers some of the scent and other properties into the oil. You can infuse calendula petals, lavender, eucalyptus, patchouli and others. It's a wonderful way to add some extra herbal goodness (and some marketing interest) to your soaps, lotions, <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/bathbody/a/waterdisbathoil.htm">bath oils</a>, <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/bathbody/ss/cocoabuttermass.htm">massage bars</a> and even <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/bathbody/ss/bathbombs.htm">bath bombs</a>.

Infusing Oils for Soap & Bath Products originally appeared on About.com Candle & Soap Making on Saturday, January 19th, 2013 at 12:44:37.

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Melt and Pour Soaps for Valentines Day

2013-01-14T22:20:19Z

<img class="alignright" src="http://z.about.com/d/candleandsoap/1/0/U/M/mpvalentinesblog.jpg" alt="Valentine's Soaps" hspace="12" align="left" />If you're looking for a fun and easy-to-make project for Valentine's Day themed soaps for friends and co-workers, try these <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/holidayprojects/ss/mpvalentines.htm">Layered Melt and Pour Valentine's Day Soaps</a>. These are a great example of the truly creative designs that <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/soapmakingbasics/ss/basicmeltpour.htm">melt and pour soap</a> will allow that <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/coldprocesssoapmaking/ss/sscpsoap.htm">cold process</a> just won't. These particular soaps have always been very popular for me - the text, the bright colors, and fun <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/fragrancesandaromatherapy/tp/tpvdayfo.htm">Valentines Day fragrances</a> just seem to delight folks...and you can have a batch ready to go in an afternoon. <ul> <li><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/holidayprojects/tp/ValentinesDaySoaps.htm">Valentines Day Soap Projects</a></li> </ul>

Melt and Pour Soaps for Valentines Day originally appeared on About.com Candle & Soap Making on Monday, January 14th, 2013 at 22:20:19.

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Using Eucalyptus Essential Oil

2013-01-09T23:08:59Z

<div style="width: 175px; float: right; font-size: 0.8em; margin: 8px 8px 0px;"><img style="width: 195px; border: medium none;" src="http://0.tqn.com/d/candleandsoap/1/G/G/Z/EucalyptusLeaves.jpg" alt="Eucalyptus Leaves" /> Getty Images / Jim Esposito Photography L.L.C.</div> It's winter cold and flu season and the perfect time to formulate some candle and soap projects with <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/essentialoilprofiles/p/eucalyptusEO.htm">eucalyptus essential oil</a>. It contributes a wonderful green <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/fragrancesandaromatherapy/g/topnote.htm">top note</a> that lends itself to <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/fragrancesandaromatherapy/ht/htcustblend.htm">essential oil blends</a> that have been used to treat respiratory ailments for centuries. But here's a suggestion - don't just think of it as an essential oil to clear up congestion. Just a little bit of eucalyptus added to other essential oil blends or even to traditional fragrance oils can give them a complexity and brightness that is really nice.

Using Eucalyptus Essential Oil originally appeared on About.com Candle & Soap Making on Wednesday, January 9th, 2013 at 23:08:59.

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Don't Wait for Spring - Organize Now

2013-01-04T22:08:10Z

<img src="http://z.about.com/d/candleandsoap/1/0/P/G/P1010058-blog.JPG" alt="Craft Room Needs Some Help" hspace="8" vspace="8" width="130" align="right" />I tend to have the best results when I organize a bit at a time. For example, putting all of my soap making oils, or wick assortments away in their proper place as soon as I'm done doing a project - instead of just sitting them in a box or corner for putting away "later." If you're anything like me, "later" never comes...and you just keep getting more and more cluttered. I think we all get overwhelmed by clutter some times. Here is a collection of articles to help you get more organized, organize your craft rooms, and stay more on track with your supplies and ingredients. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/ideafile/tp/ttcraftroomorg.htm">Organize Your Craft Room and Soap/Candle Making Supplies</a>

Don't Wait for Spring - Organize Now originally appeared on About.com Candle & Soap Making on Friday, January 4th, 2013 at 22:08:10.

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Shaving Your Way into the New Year

2012-12-31T12:56:44Z

<div style="width: 175px; float: right; font-size: 0.8em; margin: 8px 8px 0px;"><img style="width: 195px; border: medium none;" src="http://0.tqn.com/d/candleandsoap/1/0/J/q/manshaving.jpg" alt="Shaving Soap" /> Stockbyte / Getty Images</div> In his book, "<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/BeginnerSoapBooks/fr/Leisureguy-S-Guide-To-Gourmet-Shaving.htm">Leisureguy's Guide to Gourmet Shaving</a>," Michael Ham was focused on the folks doing the shaving rather than the women (and men) who are making shaving soap - for the men (and women) who are shaving. But the book gives a wonderful, detailed explanation of the art of shaving well - and a great overview of shaving soaps, creams and other products. By helping me to understand shaving better, this book helped me better understand what was really needed in a great shaving soap. I've reformulated my <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/soaprecipes/a/cpshavingrecipe.htm">cold process shaving soap recipe</a> to better reflect Ham's recommendations for the perfect shaving soap. May your 2013 be filled with perfect shaves and satisfied shavers!

Shaving Your Way into the New Year originally appeared on About.com Candle & Soap Making on Monday, December 31st, 2012 at 12:56:44.

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You're Going to Have to Label it Now

2012-12-27T00:06:31Z

<div style="width: 175px; float: right; font-size: 0.8em; margin: 8px 8px 0px;"><img style="width: 175px; border: medium none;" src="http://0.tqn.com/d/candleandsoap/1/G/O/b/soap-for-sale.jpg" alt="Soap for Sale" /> Stockbyte / Getty Images</div> I remember it well. It was right after a Christmas many years ago for which I had made soap for gifts for friends and family. As many of you have experienced...I was bitten by the soap making bug...and soon had more soap that I knew what to deal with...and people who wanted to buy it. One of the things I recommend learning early on is how to <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/soapglossary/a/soaplabeling.htm">label your soap</a>. It not only keeps you straight about what's in each particular batch...but allows the people who are buying your soap to know as well. And when you decide that you really want to set up shop, make sure that you understand <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/bookproductreviews/fr/Good-Manufacturing-Practices-For-Soap-And-Cosmetic-Handcrafters.htm">good manufacturing practices</a>, and get your soap or candles business set up right - right from the start!

You're Going to Have to Label it Now originally appeared on About.com Candle & Soap Making on Thursday, December 27th, 2012 at 00:06:31.

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Set Your Table with Handmade Dipped Taper Candles

2012-12-24T14:26:11Z

<img class="alignright" style="float: right; margin: 8px;" src="http://0.tqn.com/d/candleandsoap/1/5/E/q/DippedTapers20.jpg" alt="dipped taper candles" width="200" height="267" />This Christmas Eve, it's time to prepare your tables for tomorrow's dinner. And what a better touch to your holiday table than handmade dipped taper candles. They take some time, but they are pretty easy to make. I remember making dipped candles in kindergarten with pieces of string dipped into a coffee can full of wax colored with crayons. These dipped tapers are a bit more advanced than that - using real candle wick instead of string - but the process is pretty much the same. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/basicinstructions/ss/How-To-Make-Dipped-Taper-Candles.htm">Make Dipped Taper Candles</a>

Set Your Table with Handmade Dipped Taper Candles originally appeared on About.com Candle & Soap Making on Monday, December 24th, 2012 at 14:26:11.

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Peppermint Ice Melt and Pour Soap Project

2012-12-19T00:03:57Z

<img class="alignright" style="margin: 8px; float: right;" src="http://0.tqn.com/d/candleandsoap/1/5/d/B/P1010164.JPG" alt="peppermint ice soap" width="175" />Sometimes "cool" soaps are great in the winter time too. This soap, made with <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/essentialoilprofiles/p/All-About-Peppermint-Essential-Oil.htm">peppermint essential oil</a> will be a cooling, wintery wake up in your shower. It uses a variations of <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/soaprecipes/ss/confettishreds.htm">chunks</a>, and a pearlescent <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/soapglossary/g/Mica-Colorants-In-Soap-Making.htm">mica</a>. It's easy to make, interesting to look at, and makes a great gift. Put a little peppermint under your Christmas tree! <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/meltandpoursoapmaking/ss/peppermintice.htm">Peppermint Ice Melt and Pour Soap Project</a>

Peppermint Ice Melt and Pour Soap Project originally appeared on About.com Candle & Soap Making on Wednesday, December 19th, 2012 at 00:03:57.

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