Anyone else make homemade soaps etc

[MrsC]

Hi all

Just wondering if anyone else makes soap/bath bombs etc. Maybe we could share ideas? I've been a busy bee making bath bombs and soaps the last week. They make lovely gifts.

Wonder if the mods would allow a thread on craft activities? Any chance mods? Might be a good way to share ideas especially for making homemade gifts etc.

Sue

[Two_Sheds]

I opened your post because I thought it said "homemade soups" lol

You could put some photos on here: http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...are_43900.html
so we can see

[Alison]

Funnily enough I was searching on t'internet for home made soap (not soup, I have loads of those!) recipes earlier today. Not made it before but am intending to try this year. Any clues on where you get your ingredients or what recipes you use?

[lindyloo]

when i qualified as an aromatherapist, i went through a phase of making soaps and candles, bath salts and milk baths, and herbal baths, using essential oils, and other ingredients.. i didn't do it in the traditional way though, as i bought pure soap tablets, remelted it and added the oils and ingredients, such as cinnamon and orange pulp , clary sage ess. oil and leaves of mint, le,mongrass oil with grated lemon. etc. kirsty allsop did a program on crafts and gifts which featured soap making in the traditional way- i keep intending to do it properly!! she also did candles i think. which i did cheaply my melting done candles and adding my own oil blends to. dried herbs can be used to make bath bags to hang under tap- i cheated and used a ready made herbal blend for horses, called 'stroppy mare'!!!! it was very relaxing! bath milk was made with essential oil and powdered milk, and bathbombs, i didnt make, but recall they were made using bicarb. of soda, i think. i , too, would be interested in hearing of other crafty makes, such as- how to dry fruit such as oranges, in the microwave, for ornamental use?

[lizzylemon]

I have done a couple of times now. I got my ingredients from ebay very cheaply and then surfed the www for ideas. I made exfoliating soaps this time using poppy seeds in one set and dried basil in another. I also used madder root for red colouring, as well as spices from the cupboard to see what colours they produced. They were all quite earthy.

I'd love to make bombs though

I'd be happy to share

[MrsC]

Funnily enough I was searching on t'internet for home made soap (not soup, I have loads of those!) recipes earlier today. Not made it before but am intending to try this year. Any clues on where you get your ingredients or what recipes you use?

Alison this is a good site www.soapbasics.com. I've got the basic recipes from the internet and been experimenting with my own also. Used essential oils and dried herbs and flowers which I have grown myself.

[OverWyreGrower]

I do soap, bath bombs, bath salts, healing salves, body butter etc...

Get my products from:
Aromantic.co.uk/
Fresholi - Home
UK Soap Making Supplies & Fragrances
The Soap Kitchen

[MrsC]

I do soap, bath bombs, bath salts, healing salves, body butter etc...

Get my products from:
Aromantic.co.uk/
Fresholi - Home
UK Soap Making Supplies & Fragrances
The Soap Kitchen

Thanks for sharing OWG, it's very addictive isn't it

[jackie j]

Wasnt there a thread about money saving gifts for Christmas last year. Maybe something in there. I cant remember ther exact thread name.

[OverWyreGrower]

Thanks for sharing OWG, it's very addictive isn't it

I started off with a 'make your own soap' kit and now have about 3 boxes of raw ingredients, oils, moulds etc, plus a recipe file!

Bath salts are dead easy, and can be packaged really nicely, and my healing salve is a big hit - I use it for everything - cuts, bites, spots, grazes - have even used it on my dogs!

[Alison]

my healing salve is a big hit - I use it for everything - cuts, bites, spots, grazes - have even used it on my dogs!

Recipe please

[OverWyreGrower]

OWG's Healing Salve

Ingredients
42g beeswax (pellets or solid) OR 42g olive wax (vegan alternative)
42g cocoa butter
114g olive oil (any grade)
10ml (2 tsp) lavender essential oil OR 5ml lavender essential oil & 5ml rosemary essential oil

Method
Weigh out the olive oil in a measuring jug
Weigh out the cocoa butter and beeswax into a small non-stick pan and heat gently (this can be done with a bain-marie as well).
Once the wax and butter has just melted, remove from the heat and add the olive oil into the pan, mixing thoroughly.
Add the essential oil(s) and mix thoroughly.
If the mixture starts to set, apply a little more gentle heat to liquefy.
Whilst the mixture is still warm and liquid, pour into suitable clean jars/tins/containers and leave to set fully (overnight will usually do).

[MrsC]

Ingredients
42g beeswax (pellets or solid) OR 42g olive wax (vegan alternative)
42g cocoa butter
114g olive oil (any grade)
10ml (2 tsp) lavender essential oil OR 5ml lavender essential oil & 5ml rosemary essential oil

Method
Weigh out the olive oil in a measuring jug
Weigh out the cocoa butter and beeswax into a small non-stick pan and heat gently (this can be done with a bain-marie as well).
Once the wax and butter has just melted, remove from the heat and add the olive oil into the pan, mixing thoroughly.
Add the essential oil(s) and mix thoroughly.
If the mixture starts to set, apply a little more gentle heat to liquefy.
Whilst the mixture is still warm and liquid, pour into suitable clean jars/tins/containers and leave to set fully (overnight will usually do).

Thanks OWG, that sounds a super recipe, another one for my notebook

[Florence Fennel]

Wasnt there a thread about money saving gifts for Christmas last year. Maybe something in there. I cant remember ther exact thread name.

Jackie's right, I remember that too. Try the Excellent Search Thread! I know there were bath bombs on it.

[MrsC]

Jackie's right, I remember that too. Try the Excellent Search Thread! I know there were bath bombs on it.

I mean't a part of the GYO forum on crafts where we could post individual threads eg - soapmaking, quilting, cardmaking etc