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Kayla Fioravanti just posted a great article about "Why Plants Smell" in her Essential U blog. I've always maintained that essential oils are some of the most amazing, complex and fascinating substances on earth. In her article, she says that "Plants smell for two main reasons, defense and attraction. The aromatic oils promote a plant's growth, aid in reproduction by attracting insects, repelling predators and protecting them from disease. " Our job, as candle and soap makers, is to blend those essential oils, both the "attracting" and the "defending" into blends that serve our purposes - that smell nice, that promote a sense of relaxation or tranquility, or even repel insects. Understanding the background, botanical information and even the chemistry of these essential oils makes the scent all the more enchanting.

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I needed to make some soap the other day, and was trying to think of an appropriate recipe for these waning days of summer. Green Tea and Lemongrass was perfect. The lemongrass essential oil is hearty, yet crisp and brisk - the green tea gives it a sense of warmth, a warm color, and a feeling of a comfortable autumn. I also add some eucalyptus essential oil to help balance the heavy citrus sweetness of the lemongrass. (Which made it an even more perfect autumn soap.) Make the soap using brewed green tea instead of plain water...and add the steeped leaves at the end. It's an easy and exotic soap recipe for you to try.
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I know it's not even Labor Day yet, but if you're going to be taking part in the fall craft show season, it's time to get started planning and making. The fall craft show season leading into the winter holidays is one of the biggest sale seasons for soap and candle makers. Many candle and soap makers even start preparing in the spring and summer - picking out which scents and styles of soaps and candles they are going to make. There are as many different size, theme, style and type of craft shows as there are craft-makers. Here are some tips, ideas, guides, lists and resources from craft show participants all across the country.
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Two of my friends and fellow soapmaking colleagues have joined forces to bring you some amazing supplies, colors and project ideas for your soaps! Debbie Chialtas of SoapyLove and Anne-Marie Faiola of BrambleBerry...

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Robert Tisserand has posted a wonderful overview and commentary of the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010 and the potential problems it may cause small to mid-sized cosmetics manufacturers. I've got more information about the act here...but give Robert's post a read...it's a wonderful, well reasoned commentary on just how devastating this bill could be.

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Adding chunks or shredded bits of already finished soap to a fresh batch of soap is a really easy method to add some neat variety to your soap bars, give them a unique look, recycle a batch of soap - or all of the above. The concept is the same as with Chunk Candles, or my Morning Mint melt and pour soap recipe, but with a few changes and a little bit more math. But it's worth it. You can get colors, scent blends and designs that just aren't possible with a plain "one-batch" soap.

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Whether you've been part of this soap and candle making community for a day, a month, a year or a decade...chances are there was one moment...one book, one friend, one website...that got you started. For me it was picking up a copy of Susan Miller Cavitch's The Soapmaker's Companion. It had that amazing mixture of science, art, cooking and crafting that attracts so many of us to candle and soap making. So how did you get started? Everyone has a story. Some of you needed a better skin care/skin healing solution, others were following in the footsteps of their pioneer grandmothers. I know a few who were just needing something to do with all of the fresh goat's milk they had on hand.
Whatever your story...tell it to us. The one thing that all candle and soap makers seem to have in common is an appreciation of scent, care about how things are made, and a true delight in creativity and crafting. What's your story? How did you get hooked? Read other candle and soap maker's stories...and share your own!
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After scent, color is probably the most common custom touch that most soap makers add to their soaps. There are all sorts of natural colors, as well as oxides, micas, dyes and more. Now, if they're using colorants, most soap makers are generally trying to color their soaps a color other than white...or they're using recipes that will make a really nice white color. Whether you want bright white, or you're trying to add a purple swirl, don't forget that white can be a really nice component to a soap design. Here's a project that uses white as a "color" in a two color swirl. (And yes, the same technique really applies for any two color swirl.) Enjoy!

(l to r) Donna Maria Coles Johnson, Kayla Fioravanti, Anne-Marie Faiola, Lela Barker, Leigh Mitchell O'Donnell - photo courtesy of Bramble Berry...

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