The Miracle of Poly Clay

Years ago,  I bought a ton of polymer clay.  I planned on making alpaca-shaped pin with it,  as I was an alpaca farmer way back then.  Things didn't go as planned,  and these 25 +/- chunks of clay just sat.  And sat.  And sat.  Then one day,  after I'd exhausted all of my soapmaking supplies and didn't want to draw or sketch,  I remembered that shoebox full of poly clay!  And it has only grown from there!

I used my tiny tiny heart soap molds to make these "Happy Hearts" pins.  Each one has a different motiff.  I wear them on my winter hats.  They add a splash of colorful fun in winter.

And I decided to make some beads.  I figured there was no way I would be able to compete with accomplished jewelry artists,  but my beads would be one-of-a-kind creations.  I make them in very small lots,  so they are guaranteed to be unique within the beading world.As always,  comments are always welcome.  Ich kann' Deutsch lesen,  also schreib' doch in Deutsch!

Why Do I Love COPPER?

Many people favor the shiny yellow color of gold. My personal favorite used to be white gold or silver. However, since I’ve been dabbling in jewelry making and wire wrapping, I find myself drawn more to the richness of copper. I love its color, aura, and its flow.  It seems to enhance the beauty of the colors, textures,  and materials around it without detracting or calling attention to itself. It’s not ostentatious, nor is it so subtle that it goes unnoticed. 


I thought it would be interesting and perhaps helpful to do a little research into the healing,  mythical, and folkloric traditions surrounding the use of copper in ornaments and jewelry in order to fully understand its draw.


Here are some interesting facts and beliefs about copper:


Copper is an excellent physical conductor of electricity and heat. Spiritualists believe that is it also the conductor of spiritual energy between people, auras, the mind,  and the spiritual realm. Healers believe that copper can facilitate the process of healing by stimulating the flow of energy within the wearer.


Physiologically,  copper helps to ensure the proper functioning of the glands.


It assists in the treatment of arthritis, inflammatory,  and rheumatic diseases, as well in the prevention of wear and tear on the joints. Copper also helps to alleviate cramps.


It contributes positively to cleansing, purification,  and detoxification.


Copper improves blood circulation, helps the body to achieve maximum use of its oxygen, and stabilizes the
metabolism. It relieves lethargy and increases energy.


Copper is also believed to increase the self-esteem of the wearer, and to relieve him of worries, anxiety, and bias.
It promotes self-acceptance,  optimism, self-reliance, and tactfulness.


From a magical standpoint,  copper is considered to bring good luck to its wearer, and is carried with other luck bearing stones, talismans, and amulets to increase their power. It is often used in rituals surrounding healing, love, money,  protection, and luck.


If you have a favorite or feel particularly drawn to a stone or metal, you might enjoy digging a little deeper into its properties!    You might find some fascinating and worthwhile information!  There are many good sources for information regarding the metaphysical powers of copper as well as nearly  every other mineral,  metal, stone, herb,  plant, flower, and stone you can think of. Some of this information was compiled from http://shimmerlings.com and www.powersthatbe.com. Here are some other sites of note:

http://www.beadage.net/gemstones/gemstonesA_F.shtml - A very informative and concise record of the properties of gems and crystals.
http://crystalsandjewelry.com/metaphysicalproperties.html  - Offers a pdf catalog of stones with their uses and properties,  and information to assist in stone identification,  amongst other curiousities.



**Here’s my little disclaimer:  Independent of my beliefs,  the information provided herein has been compiled from numerous sources and is for informational purposes only. No claims or representations are expressed or implied by providing this information.

Sugar...no honey, honey!!!!

It must be several years since I saw a disquieting picture of a honey-coated band-aid as I was flipping through a magazine. I was disturbed yet somehow intrigued, curious enough to read the article. I was astonished and impressed by the wealth of knowledge imparted by the piece. I was also inspired. I took the tub of raw honey that a friend had given me out of the cupboard and began experimenting. 

I added it to my pure vegetable glycerin soap, to my goat milk soap. I slopped a ladle full into crocks of shaving soap, and added a small amount to my all natural lip balm. (None of these are my original ideas) And of course, I ate some!!!!! That tub of honey collected from hives placed in local organic apple orchards was worth almost as much as gold to me!!! My favorite natural soap is a vegetable glycerin base augmented with goat milk, a small amount of shea butter, local honey, and topped off with lavender, tangerine (or orange) and chamomile essential oils. This makes the most beautiful silky smooth ivory colored bar. The PERFECT white soap.

Anyway, please find below a list of some of the many therapeutic uses of honey collected from various and sundry magazine articles and sources on the web:

        - Anxiety, nervous tension, insomnia.
        - Relieves pain and cough, asthma, and some allergies (not for those allergic to bees and bee by-products).
        - Hang-overs, fatigue.
        - Treats burns, promotes healing, clears and prevents infection and scarring, found to be effective in the treatment of multi-resistant strain bacteria.
        - Enhances longevity, (treats impotence!) 
        - Stomach ulcers, gastroenteritis, and other digestive issues.
Honey is anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-irritant, an antioxidant, a humectant, and can be used as a cleanser and toner when applied to skin. It can be used in soap, lip balm, cleansers, sunscreen, moisturizers, facial scrubs, facial masks, and myriad other cosmetic and beauty applications.

Not only is it delicious AND healthful, it’s natural perfection.  A cure for all that ails us. 

…Did I mention that it tastes delicious?

 

 

 

 

The Goat Milk Soap Miracle

 

Have you ever tried an all-natural goat milk soap?  If you haven’t, I strongly suggest that you do.  I know it’s strange, to wax poetic about a bar of soap, but this is perfection.  And honestly, until I used my first bar of this naturally cleansing goodness, I never gave my soap choice much thought.  The only things that were important to me were cost, fragrance, and lather.  I never considered the effects that my favorite body wash was having on my chronically dry skin.

 

That first bar of creamy goat milk soap delicately scented with lavender, tangerine, and chamomile essential oils, and minus all synthetic colorants, fragrances, and preservatives  changed my bathing experience forever.  My itchy, flaky, dry skin became a thing of the past, washed away with that incredibly rich, silky, soothing goat milk lather.

 

It’s no mystery. Goat milk has been used in beauty applications for millennia.  And for good reason.  Goat milk is a natural moisturizer, chock full of skin-loving vitamins, minerals, and essential amino acids.  Soap containing goat milk has been proven to have a Ph level closer to that of our own skin compared to soap made without it.  This makes it exceptionally gentle and kind to our skin.  In fact, many people who have sensitive skin and chronic skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, seborrhea, acne, and allergies find that goat milk soap relieves many of their symptoms. 

 

If you aren’t already sold on this miracle of nature, consider the oodles and oodles of rich silky lather that goat milk bars produce.  Think of smooth, supple skin that you’ve only dreamed of – no cracking or flaking, no itching, no patchy redness.  You might even consider the ‘green’ factor; no synthetic preservatives or fragrances, no harsh colorants, only the pure goodness of the goat milk, a renewable resource.

 

 

Do yourself a favor. Give it a try.  You will be so glad you did.

The proof is in the pudding,  take a look at these stats!  Table of Nutrients as per the USDA

Little Green Box

I've had this little wooden box forever.  When I got it at the craft store it was unfinished and had some wire mesh across the top,  like an old fashioned pie safe.  I bought a couple of them...I'm a sucker for little wooden and papier mache boxes.
A couple of days ago,  I retrieved it from it's longtime hiding place and took it apart to sand it so that I could paint it and make it pretty.  Accidentally,  I pushed the mesh out of it.
In a fit of creativity,  I got out Tony's dremel tool and drilled some holes.  I found my mom's 20 year old crackle finish (believe it!  It still works!),  and I gave this little treasure a couple coats of paint.  Finally,  I threaded copper wire through the holes,  anchored at each side with wrapped beads and swirls.  I slid some beautiful beads onto the wires covering the top of the box to form a decorated sort of grate.

I was thinking,  perhaps I could put some deliciously fragrant potpourri into it - it would be cat safe.  I don't dare place a bowl of loose potpourri anywhere in this house,  as DC and Pete are notoriously curious!  Any ideas?  I would welcome some creative input!

My Favorite Fragrance Oils

My Favorite Fragrance Oils…Ahhhh,  one of my favorite topics!  I LOVE FRAGRANCE!!!  I put it in my bath,  in my hair, on my linens,  in my clothes dryer.  One of the great benefits of being a soap and candle maker is that I get to try out bunches and bunches of fragrance oils!  Here are some of my favorites…

Tuscan Nights from Peak Candles is my absolute favorite at the moment.  It’s a totally unique scent that smells clean,  woodsy,  minty,  and just plain incredible!  And it’s both male and female friendly.

Dual from Bramble Berry runs a close second.  It’s modeled after a men’s cologne,  but it’s decidedly feminine.  Rich, sensual,   and heady,  it reminds me vaguely of Giorgio of Beverly Hills (which dates me!).  I made a room spray using it,  and it is the one that my boyfriend faithfully chooses to spritz our furnishings.

Asian Plum from Wholesale Supplies Plus is a sweet fragrance with delicate fruity and floral notes.  It doesn’t necessarily smell like plum to me,  but it does remind me of those beautiful Chinese paintings of chrysanthemums and peacocks and cherry blossoms. 

If you are a fan of tropical scents or coconut (or even if you aren’t) you will love Bramble Berry’s Papaya Coconut!!!  I received this as a sample with my last couple of orders and was completely bowled over by the smoothness of this
fragrance!  It’s more like buttery coconut milk,  or the actual flesh of a coconut than it is perfumy and overpowering like a car air freshener.  I highly recommend this oil.

Peak Candles offers Apple Blossom within its vast array of fragrances.  I love anything having to do with “blossoms” so I had to try it.  While it doesn’t remind me of apple blossoms,  per se,  it is an awesome scent!  Very clean and sweet with a hint of apple orchard – fruit and blossom.  I love this one!

Bramble Berry’s Sea Moss is one of those fragrances that brings up wonderful memories of visits to the beach.  Sweetly saline,  it smells just like icy droplets of sea spray as waves crash on the beach.  This is a great oil to use in a sea salt bath.

Stargazer Lily by Peak Candle is incredible!  It smells just like a stargazer lily looks – bright,  pink,  elegant,  playful,  and summery.  It’s the perfect floral.

Cool Water,  a  replica of Cold Water men’s cologne,  is available at Wholesale Supplies Plus.  It’s clean, fresh,  crisp,  and masculine…and smells almost exactly like the cologne.  This is my favorite men’s fragrance.

 

Other fragrance oils of note:

Passionfruit Rose flavor/fragrance oil – Bramble Berry

Nile Queen – Bramble Berry

Spellbound Woods – Bramble Berry

Sweet Pea – Peak Candle

Black Canyon – Peak Candle

Cedar and Saffron – Bramble Berry

China Rain – Bramble Berry

Why I LOVE Lavender Essential Oil!

My first real experience with a lavender fragrance was when I received a gift of lavender linen spray.  It was a small bottle of fresh lavender fragrance that I fell in love with at first spray.  I coveted that tiny bottle of lavender goodness.  Its amazing aroma inspired me to create my own version of the ideal lavender blend.  


Lavender isn’t your typical sweet floral,  and may take some getting used to.  It’s a very green (herbaceous),  organic-type scent with a touch of old-world mixed in!  Today,  I use it in many of my essential oil blends,  as much for its aromatherapeutic properties as for its fragrance.

Lavender essential oil is revered for its ability to calm and soothe.  It is said to be effective in the treatment of headaches and migraines. It eases  the nerves,  calms anxiousness,  combats depression,  and relieves stress and nervous exhaustion.  And while it is claimed to increase mental activity,  I must say that I use lavender blends on my linens (and even on my person!) immediately prior to going to bed,  and I strongly believe that it helps me to fall asleep and achieve a restful slumber. 

Lavender is also known to have antiseptic and anti-bacterial properties!  I have applied lavender “neat” (undiluted) directly to blemishes,  and I strongly believe that it helps them to heal faster! I’ve also used lip-safe lavender in lip balms and lotion bars designed to soothe dry,  chapped lips and hands! 



 Favorite Lavender Essential Oils Blends:

Lavender,  Chamomile,  Orange is my all-time favorite lavender blend.  It’s the exact recipe that I spray onto my pillow each night just prior to bedtime.  It envelops me and seems to wash away the stresses of the day so that I can get a good night’s sleep.  Lavender calms,  chamomile relaxes,  and orange brightens my spirit (and adds the perfect sweetness to this blend). Tangerine and lemon also work well in this combination.


Lavender,  Vanilla Oleoresin is a popular blend.  Vanilla oleoresin is a rich,  deep fragrance that softens the sharper edges of true lavender.


Lavender, Rose Absolute, and Geranium Bourbon is a heady  blend guaranteed to relax you at the end of the day.  I daresay,  this blend could stir up a little romance too!  This is a rich floral aroma that is awesome when added to the bath, lotion,  personal fragrance,  and even massage oil!!! 


Lavender,  Tea Tree,  and Lemon is a blend I use in lotion bars and in cuticle oils.  Since this is such a strongly herbaceous combination, I add a drop or two of lemon to brighten and sweeten the blend.  Tangerine or Orange would also work well.

My favorite resources for information about lavender essential oil (and other aromatherapy goodies!):

The Essential Oils Book by Colleen K. Dodt.  This is a fascinating and practical handbook with many awesome recipes for natural bath and beauty products,  as well as ideas for using essential oils in many home applications.  Numerous ways to use lavender essential oils in blends.  I absolutely love this book.  It's only one in the author's series of natural care books.

AromaWeb has a nice detailed description of the therapeutic uses for lavender essential oil at this link: http://www.aromaweb.com/essentialoilsgo/lavender.asp.


The Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham takes a look at the countless uses of hundreds of common and not-so-common plants.  He also gives insight into folklore and ritual uses.  Don’t let the word “magick” dissuade you.  This is a valuable and interesting book for anyone interested in the uses of essential oils,  plants,  and herbs.


Clairmont Farms in Los Olivos,  California describes many and various uses of lavender essential oil on its website at: http://www.clairmontfarms.com/usesofla.php.  They offer up a variety of recipes on this site,  and give you a video of the distillation process.  This is a beautiful,  interesting,  and informative site!  Makes me wish I was there!  Roadtrip anyone?

My Favorite Essential Oil Blends

Patchouli,  orange and cedarwood is a delicious,  grounding blend that is subtle and earthy is a silky goat milk soap.  A perfect fragrance for men and women.

Lavender,  tangerine and chamomile works well when I need a mood overhaul or I want to have a restful night's sleep.  The calming,  soothing effects of lavender and chamomile combined with the uplifting and brightening properties that most citrus oils have,  make a blend that is guaranteed to lift your spirits.

Peppermint,  orange (or tangerine) and vanilla is a fantastic wake-up blend.  Peppermint on its own can be overpowering and harsh.  Vanilla softens the harshness without overpowering the mint,  and orange adds just the right amount of sweetness.  Somehow it all pulls together and makes the PERFECT peppermint!

Orange,  cedarwood,  and cinnamon bark smell\ just like Christmas to me.  Not a great choice for bath and beauty products,  but awesome in candles,  potpourri,  and room spray.

Patchouli,  lime,  and vanilla oleoresin is a rich,  earthy combination that is subtley delicious in soap.  Exotic and reminiscent of the Far East,  this is one of the best!

Tea tree and lemon with just a dash of peppermint smells like an herb garden replete with dark,  loamy soil.  I'm a huge fan of tea tree!

Adorable Personalized Block Letter Names

Several years ago when my niece,  Emily,  was little,  I saw these awesome big block wooden letters at a local craft store.  And since I was big into rub-on transfers at the time,  I decided to buy some and decorate them for her.  What little girl doesn't want her room personalized with her name done up all fancy and cute?
A couple of years ago,  Emily's big sis,  Tiffney,  asked me to make the name of her daughter,  Sophie.  I bought some and collected a bunch of new-fangled Vinyl rub-ons.  Unfortunately,  over a short period of time those vinyl things peeled right off.  Frustrated,  I threw them away.  The letters,  I mean.  (I get discouraged sometimes...)
Anyway,  since Tiff asked me for the letters,  another niece has been born and Sophie's little sister is due April 15th!  I rolled up my sleeves,  assumed an adult attitude (with a childlike imagination),  refined my limited painting skills and got to work!I painted these three names differently...with gradient color from dark to light.  I added swirls in an antique gold paint,  highlighted with permanent ink and embellished with funky and colorful polymer clay flowers (that I made - some with glitter!!!) and little dots of bright puff-paints.  I love the end results!  Take a look,  see what you think.  Much better than rub-on transfers...