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Living life as a creative entrepreneur is, in many ways a fulfilling experience, but it also results in a certain level of emotional exposure. Inevitably, someone will criticize your work or the way you are running your business. This can feel intimidating, even overwhelming. In the worst of times criticism and negativity can stop an entrepreneur from taking the chances necessary to grow.

It's amazing the things people come up with for soaping. Fruit, coffee, wine, beer, nuts. Even grass clippings. The saponification reaction is so robust that it can accommodate a wide variety of non-soap additives. One of the most counter-intuitive of these is vinegar. After all, vinegar is an acid and soap is a base. But there is enough buzz about vinegar in soap that I thought an article might be helpful to those considering it.

In this first WSP Video Newsletter, Debbie May talks about all new products including fruit powders, fragrance oils inspired by the Pantone Color of the Year, fragrance oils inspired by crystals, new natural fragrance oils, Life of the Party Molds, and a special offer if you buy tickets to Handmade Conference! 

Indulge in the luxurious embrace of our rose milk bath tea recipe, a sublime concoction designed to transform your bathing experience into a haven of tranquility and opulence. Elements Bath & Body is proud to introduce this exquisite blend, meticulously crafted to nourish the skin, soothe the soul, and infuse your bath time with the enchanting aroma of roses. Our rose milk bath recipe is more than just a routine; it's a ritual, promising a rejuvenating escape into a world where your well-being takes center stage. At the heart of our rose milk bath tea recipe lies the harmonious blend of milk and rose petals, two timeless ingredients celebrated for their beauty and healing properties. The milk bath with roses is a testament to the luxurious baths of antiquity, where milk, rich in lactic acid, was revered for its ability to gently exfoliate and hydrate the skin, leaving it silky smooth and radiant. Coupled with the therapeutic properties of rose petals, known for their calming and anti-inflammatory benefits, this milk bath tea recipe offers a sensory journey that pampers the body and uplifts the spirit. Creating your own rose milk bath at home is a simple yet profoundly rewarding process. Our rose milk bath recipe is designed to be easily incorporated into your self-care regimen, offering a sanctuary of peace in the hustle and bustle of daily life. Whether you're seeking a moment of solitude or a special way to unwind, the rose and milk bath provides a luxurious escape, enveloping you in its soothing embrace. Embracing the milk and rose bath is more than just an act of self-care; it's a holistic experience that benefits the mind, body, and soul. The lactic acid in milk works to gently remove dead skin cells, while the natural oils in rose petals help to moisturize and improve the skin's texture. The aromatic fragrance of roses also plays a pivotal role, acting as a natural mood enhancer that reduces stress and promotes relaxation.This rose milk bath tea recipe from Elements Bath & Body is a celebration of self-care, inviting you to immerse yourself in a bathing ritual that rejuvenates and restores. Embrace the luxury, embrace the tranquility, and let the magic of milk and roses transform your bath into a sanctuary of bliss. How often can I use the rose milk bath tea recipe?You can enjoy the rose milk bath 2-3 times a week. However, those with sensitive skin should start with once a week to ensure their skin adapts well to the ingredients.Is the rose milk bath recipe suitable for all skin types?Yes, the milk bath with roses is crafted to be gentle and is suitable for most skin types. The natural ingredients are chosen for their soothing properties. However, if you have extremely sensitive skin, it's recommended to do a patch test first.How long should I soak in the rose milk bath for optimal benefits?For the best experience, we recommend soaking for at least 20-30 minutes. This allows your skin ample time to absorb the nutrients from the milk and roses, maximizing the benefits of your bath.Can I add other ingredients to the rose milk bath tea recipe?Certainly! Feel free to customize your bath tea with additional ingredients like oatmeal for extra soothing properties, Epsom salt for muscle relaxation, or essential oils for enhanced aromatherapy benefits. The rose milk bath recipe serves as a perfect base for your personal touch.

Ever wonder what's on your Lip Butter Label? Find out here!

I am frequently asked to diagnose problem soaps. One recurring “problem” that I see is a bar whose center is slightly off color from its exterior, a problem often referred to as a “crop circle,” or “partial gel.” In the last installment of this column, we saw that two parameters determine whether a soap reaches gel phase (the term used in the handcrafted community) or “neat soap” (the term used in the commodity soap industry). The first of these parameters is temperature; the second is water concentration. Typical cold-process soaps melt into gel phase at temperatures near 140º F.  My diagnosis of the partial gel is that the warm interior of the log went through gel phase while the cooler exterior did not. If you want to ensure complete gel phase, you can increase the temperature of the oils or insulate the mold, thus increasing the final temperature of the soap. If you want to avoid gel phase altogether, you can decrease the amount of water in the formula by using a more concentrated lye solution.

This video showcases Crafter's Choice Cake Slice Silicone Soap Mold. Make sweet smelling soap cake or soap pie slices with this mold! Layered cake, peanut butter chocolate pie, and key lime pie all make beautiful bars of soap.

Fix common cold process soap problems: seizing, ricing, soda ash, orange spots, glycerin rivers, cracking and overheating, with the cause and fix for each.

If a picture paints a thousand words, then a video can expand that impact exponentially. Television advertisers have taken advantage of this for decades, but the cost of such ads prohibits their use by small businesses. Along comes online video, enabling every small business to broadcast its message to the entire world at minimal cost. If you’re not already taking advantage of it, it’s time to get onboard.

Creating an effective and pleasant lip scrub is essential for anyone looking to enhance their skincare routine or add a unique product to their small business offerings. With the right approach, ingredients, and method, you can achieve a lip scrub that not only exfoliates but also nourishes the lips, leaving them smooth and prepared for any lip color application. In this blog post, we will dive into how to make an Orange and Shea Lip Scrub that is perfect for achieving such results. We'll guide you through the process, share tips and tricks, and discuss how to package and sell your DIY lip scrubs. This recipe is a wonderful addition to the collection of any skincare enthusiast or small business owner specializing in soap and candle making. Give your lipstick a perfectly smooth canvas with this diy lip scrub with shea butter. This scrub is formulated with cocoa butter, beeswax, and luxurious shea olein, and is scented with sweet orange essential oil, making it an irresistible orange lip scrub. It tastes just like an orange gum drop! For those looking for a twist, you can use a different essential oil, such as Spearmint, Peppermint, or one of our Flavor Oils instead.Tip:For a more personalized scrub, consider blending essential oils to create a signature scent. Remember, a little goes a long way with essential oils, so start with a drop or two and adjust according to your preference.INFORMATION Difficulty: Beginner Yield: 4 Lip Scrubs (1.76 oz / 100 g each) This shea butter lip scrub recipe is perfect for beginners and offers a satisfying yield, making it an excellent project for both personal use and small-scale production.TIMING Prep Time / Clean Up: 5 Minutes Perform Time: 5 Minutes Setting Time: 10 Minutes Total Time: 20 Minutes, 10 Minutes Active Time Trick:To streamline the cleanup process, lay out a silicone mat or wax paper under your work area. It catches spills and solidifies drips for easy disposal.SUPPLIES Digital Scale Spray Bottle w/ 70% Isopropyl Alcohol Pipettes Small Spoon or Spatula Small Microwaveable Bowl Microwave or Double Boiler and Stovetop Freezer 4 x 1 oz Round Tins w/ Friction Lids Tip:Always calibrate your digital scale before use to ensure accurate measurements, crucial for the perfect balance of ingredients.INGREDIENTS 2.1 oz / 59 g Shea Olein (May Substitute with Jojoba Oil, Apricot Kernel Oil or Sweet Almond Oil) 0.35 oz / 10 g Beeswax (Natural or White) 0.71 oz / 20 g Cocoa Butter 1 g / about 1 ml Sweet Orange Essential Oil 3.5 oz / 100 g Sugar Trick:For an extra boost of hydration, add a few drops of Vitamin E to your scrub mixture. Not only does it act as a natural preservative, but it also provides additional nourishing properties to the scrub.DIRECTIONSBefore starting this tutorial, please read all instructions. Use caution when handling melted oils. Spray the work surface, utensils, and ramekin with 70% isopropanol and wipe with paper towels. Place the beeswax, cocoa butter, and shea olein in a small microwaveable bowl. Microwave for 60 seconds, stirring every 20 seconds, or until fully melted. Stir the sugar and essential oil into the scrub base. Place the scrub in the freezer for 5-10 minutes to harden up a bit before you pour it. If you try to pour the scrub while it’s hot, the sugar will sink to the bottom of the tins. Spoon the scrub into the tins. Place the lids on and enjoy! To use the scrub, place a tiny bit of scrub on the tip of your finger and gently scrub your lips. Gently wipe the scrub away with a damp cloth. (Or lick your lips. We won’t tell!) Tip:To ensure even distribution of sugar within the scrub, gently stir the mixture as it begins to cool but before it fully solidifies. This keeps the texture consistent throughout. When it comes to packaging and selling your DIY lip scrub with shea butter, presentation and branding are key. Use labels that clearly state the product name, ingredients, and usage instructions. Opt for packaging that aligns with your brand's aesthetic, whether minimalist, rustic, or vibrant. Additionally, consider sustainability in your packaging

Whether a product is a cosmetic or a drug under the law is determined by a product's intended use. Different laws and regulations apply to each type of product. Firms sometimes violate the law by marketing a cosmetic with a drug claim or by marketing a drug as if it were a cosmetic, without adhering to requirements for drugs.

The Goal: The 'In The Pot Swirl' is one of the easiest swirls to accomplish, and helps bring your soap making bragging rights from hobbyist to seasoned crafter. Before swirling, make sure you are using a tried and trusted cold process soap recipe with important consideration on your fragrance. You'll want a slow moving fragrance and colors that complement the scent. If you haven't swirled before, be warned that it easily becomes an addiction, and you'll soon realize why so many soap makers consider swirling soap one of their favorite pastimes!