New Soaps

Man in a Bar

                                                  A walk in the Herb Garden

                                                                 Passion

                                                     Peppermint-Patchouli

                                                             Gardners Scrub

                                                                    Watermelon

Here is a great post on anyone looking to make liquid soap. She explains the process so simply and easy to understand. I have made three batches of liquid soap so far and on to making more till I find a recipe I like. Do know if making liquid soap it takes hours so make sure you have lots of time and patience! Things are busy here at the Hoover house. My daughter has recently took up making bath bombs and I love them. So do the customers! Our summer markets start up soon we will be doing five this year. Hoping we have enough soap to make it through the summer.  Have a great day! Rebekah
http://chickensintheroad.com/house/crafts/how-to-make-liquid-soap/

Small Batch Of Soap

I found this soap recipe on the internet yesterday and it is so cool. It is a great recipe for trying a new scent or for someone that only needs a few bars of soap. I did run it through soap calc. Here is the recipe
Olive oil 4 ounces
Shea Butter 4 ounces
Water 3 ounces
Lye 1 ounce
Fragrance .5 ounces
Heat oils in a double broiler just until shea butter is melted remove from heat.
Mix your lye and water always put the lye in water never pour water in the lye.
Bring the temp of oils and lye to around 100%
Mix with hand blender till you have reached a light trace.
At this point add fragrance and color if you wish.
Pour into molds wait 24 hours unmold. I do not insulate molds.
This will make approx 6 mini muffin cups

Here is another version with a different oil added just follow same directions for above soap.
Coconut oil 2 ounces
Shea Butter 2 ounces
Olive Oil 4 ounces
Water 3 ounces
Lye 1.1 ounce
Fragrance .5 ounces
Have fun! If you try leave me a comment on how it turned out. 

How Lye Becomes Soap Article

http://www.grit.com/Tools/How-Lye-Becomes-Soap.aspx

STILL ALIVE

Hello everyone yes I'm still alive. Summer is here and things have kicked into to high gear. I will not have another post untill around Nov. I have five farmers markets a week so not much time to do any thing else. I hope to post alot this winter and give alot of information on making soaps and candles. I would like to share my experiences and hope it helps others. Have a great summer and if I have a free moment maybe I can get a post on. Thanks for following. Rebekah

BASIC LOTION RECIPE

This recipe came from http://www.asonomagarden.wordpress.com/
1 1/4 cup hot water
1/4 cup emulsifying wax
1/4 cup olive oil
24-36 drops essential oil
Melt the emulsifying wax and olive oil together temp will be around 155% set aside Warm water to
125%  mix with wax/oil mixture at this point it will turn milky white. Add essential oil.  I then put in my blender and blend for a few minutes. Then put in containers of choice. If it does not set up like lotion just reheat in the microwave till hot. Blend again and pour into containers. There are things you can add a little of and will not effect the consistency of the lotion. Some examples are vit. E, glycerin, cocoa butter. Below is a list of oils that can help preserve the life your natural hand lotion.

Essential oils are the most natural antimicrobials you will find.

 Preservatives for Cosmetics by David C. Steinberg, essential oils that have demonstrated antimicrobial activity include;
caraway,
cinnamon,
clove,
cumin,
eucalyptus,
lavender,
lemon,
rose,
rosemary,
sage,
sandalwood
thyme
Grape fruit seed extract
Re-posted from http://www.making-sense-of-scents-aromatherapy.blogspot.com/

Buying Opprutunity

I have put a list of my soaps on the right.  Also I have put the shopping cart button on the right so you can also buy my soap right from the blog. Shipping costs are estimated so if they are less I will refund your money. Happy shopping and hope you like the soaps. Have a great night Rebekah