Free Crochet Patterns: Crochet Stitches
Sign up for the All Free Crochet Hooked on Crochet newsletter and receive “Free Crochet Patterns: Crochet Stitches” free.
{ 0 comments }
Crafts
Save Money on Candle Making Supplies
Candle making can be a great past time, hobby, or business venture. While the supplies for candling making are remarkably inexpensive, the cost does start to add up over time. There are many ways you can cut back the cost of the candle making supplies, but I caution you not to sacrifice the quality of the products you purchase just to save a few dollars. This is especially important for those who sell their candles. If the quality of the product goes down because you are buying wax and other supplies that are of less quality, you will end up costing your business money over the long haul.
Keep a list of the candle making supplies you use. Include the brand, the price, and the amount of the item you get for that price. This will help you compare the prices with sales you run across and know if you are getting a better deal or not. Many craft stores run sales on candle making items before and right after the holidays. This can be a great time to stock up.
Checking online auction sites including Ebay and Yahoo Auctions can often be an excellent way to find the same candle making products you use at a discounted price. It could be that the seller of the items doesn’t have the time to make candles anymore or they simply have moved on to other things.
If you use a large volume of candle making supplies on a regular basis, consider buying them wholesale. You will pay more up front for your supplies, yet overall you will save a considerable amount of money. You can search such wholesalers on the internet and compare prices. Many online wholesalers offer free shipping as well so that is another area where you can save money if you normally purchase your candle making supplies online. If you know other people who make candles as well consider buying in bulk and sharing the cost as well as the supplies. This is an easy way for everyone to get a discount as well as reduce the cost at the time of purchase.
Some of the discount candle making products on the market are very comparable to the quality products you already use. A good way to tell is to compare the ingredients. You can research the necessary ingredients of each item on the internet. If the discount products contain all the major ingredients as the candle making supplies you already use, then give it a try. It is recommended that you only purchase one or two items at first to test the quality. Keep track of where you purchased the discounted items so you can return to that retailer or online store if you are happy with the quality of the products.
Containers and holders for your candles are one area you should never spend a great deal of money on. I won’t recommend buying them for regular price unless they are for a wedding or other very special occasion. You can buy mason jars, extra glassware, votive holders, and many other containers to use candle making at thrift stores and garage sales for a very reasonable price. You might also check the online auctions to purchase large quantities of candle making container and holders at a very good price.
The supplies used in candle making can cost you a great deal of money over time. To save money on the quality supplies you use, take the time to compare prices both online and at local retailers. Take advantage of discounts and sales throughout the year at craft stores. Be cautious when looking at discount candle making supplies. You want to make sure they offer the same quality that you are already using. Finding supplies at online auctions and buying them in bulk are also great ways to save you money on candle making supplies.
{ 0 comments }
How to Make Soap Easily at Home – Soapmaking
Let’s face it, making natural soap is no easy task.Learning how to make soap is probably one of the most difficult lessons any person can try to learn. There are some key things told by this book that you need to know that no one is telling you at this time.
Of course, some people will go on and tell you can do just fine without an advanced understanding of how to make soap. Thats incorrect. Just take a look at how many people who fail miserably after purchasing book after book. The biggest problem is that most books on the subject of soap making are filled with content created by ghostwriters (not someone who is currently making the book).They are filled with highly complex information which basically require you to be a brain surgeon to figure out!If you want to learn how to make soap the easy way, then following the advice given by this ebook – which does not require you to be a mastermind of any sort to figure out, should make a lot of sense to you. Some of the things you will learn include Advanced Soap Making Techniques, PH lessons and its role in skincare, List of 30 soap making oils and benefits of each,general troubleshooting, Step-by-Step Instructions on Cold-Process, Hand-Milled and M&P Soap,A Shopping Guide for Easy-to-Find Additives to Jump Start your First Batch and the list simply goes on.this really is the ultimate tutorial for making soap at home, but until now doing it yourself probably meant checking out 10 or so books from your local library and spending hours without an understanding of what to do!So at the end of the day even if you are experienced in soap making,you will benefit greatly from the secrets given by this easy to follow and comprehensive book.
Making Scented Soap 60 Fragrant Soaps and Bath Bombes to Make at Home
{ 0 comments }
How to Make Goat’s Milk Soap Using the Melt and Pour Method
Interested in making goat’s milk soap using the melt and pour method? Well, you can buy goat’s milk melt and pour soap bases to make your own goat milk hand made soap. The advantage of making and using your own soap is you know exactly what’s in it. Goat’s milk is considered to be a soothing and moisturizing soap making ingredient.
First, decide on a recipe using a goat’s milk melt and pour base. What kind of molds are you going to use? Do you want to make shaped soap, like seashells or flowers, or plain bars of soap?
Once you’ve decided on the recipe and molds, find a goat’s milk melt and pour soap base. It should be easy to find a soap supply site selling this on Google. Just type in goat’s milk melt and pour soap base. Once you’ve found your goat’s milk melt and pour soap base (check the ingredients it contains first) you can start looking for soap fragrances and colors, if you need any. The site where you found the goat’s milk melt and pour soap base may sell them.
Once you’ve decided on your ingredients and have the necessary equipment (including safety equipment) ready, it’s time to start making your goat’s milk soap.
Of course, it’s really important to follow your soap making recipe so you know exactly when to add each ingredient but basically to make melt and pour soap you melt the soap in a suitable double boiler or microwave safe bowl or jug, then add the soap coloring and fragrance and pour it into molds and leave it to set. Once it’s set you can unmold it. Unmold your soap by gently popping it out of the mold. If it sticks, try running some water over the base of the mold and then attempt to pop it out of the mold again. Once it’s unmolded you can use it right away!
Once you’ve made your first bar of goat’s milk soap, you may never want to use non-goat’s milk soap again. When I make goat’s milk soap for my friends and family, they can’t stop raving about it! So why not get started on making your own goat’s milk soap today?
{ 0 comments }
How to Make Organic Melt and Pour Soap
Want to make organic melt and pour soap? Yes, you can buy organic melt and pour soap bases to make your own organic hand made soap. The advantage of making and using organic soap is you know it’s good for you and your skin and it doesn’t contain any harsh, nasty chemicals.
First, find an organic melt and pour soap base. It should be easy to find a soap supply site selling this on Google. Just type in organic melt and pour soap base. Once you’ve found your organic melt and pour soap base (check the ingredients it contains first) you can start looking for organic soap fragrances and colors. The site where you found the organic melt and pour soap base may sell them. This way your soap will be truly organic.
Of course, if you just want the soap base to be organic, you don’t have to worry about the fragrance and colors being organic and you can use soap suitable ones which will most likely be cheaper.
What kind of molds are you going to use? Do you want to make shaped soap, like hearts or stars, or plain bars of soap?
Once you’ve decided on your ingredients and have the necessary equipment (including safety equipment) ready, it’s time to start making your organic soap.
Of course, it’s really important to follow your soap making recipe so you know exactly when to add each ingredient but basically to make melt and pour soap you melt the soap in a suitable double boiler or microwave safe bowl or jug, then add the soap coloring and fragrance. Then you pour it into molds and leave it to set. Then you can unmold it. To unmold your soap, gently pop it out of the mold. If it sticks, try running some water over the base of the mold and then try to pop it out of the mold again. Once it’s unmolded you can use it right away!
Once you’ve made a great bar of organic soap, you may never want to go back to using unorganic soap. So here’s to your organic soap making success!
Soapmaking: Easy Melt & Pour Creations
{ 1 comment }
Make Your Own Cards – Fun and Easy!
Instead of giving out a store-bought card for the next special occasion, try your hand at making your own cards. Making your own cards does not require a lot of hard work, but rather a bit of creativity and the right materials.
To start creating your cards visit your local arts and crafts store to search for materials. Most arts and crafts stores have big scrapbooking sections. This is where you will be able to find the materials to make your own cards. Let your inspiration guide you as the possibilities are unlimited. You can create various themed cards such as Christmas, birthday, Valentine’s Day cards and much more.
Rubber stamps are widely available and you can buy virtually any color ink to go with the stamps. There are several stamping methods that you can use when making cards including embossing. Embossing is the process of creating a raised image on the card and it can give the card an elegant appearance.
There are several die cuts and die cut machines available as well. Die cuts allow you to punch a shape out with ease. They come in all different shapes and sizes and can be very useful in achieving a layered look. Die cuts can be punched out of different color papers to display a colorful card.
Scrapbook papers come in all different colors, textures and themes. Patterned paper can be purchased as well as glitter paper and pre-scored card kits. Card kits come with the note cards already made and ready to decorate. The kits come in different sizes and often different colors to meet a variety of needs. During seasonal periods, such as Christmas, card kits come out with note cards, envelopes and many different die cut shapes.
Stickers are available, both regular and 3D and also come in many different themes. Disney stickers are available as well as licensed characters and many 3D designs. Adding stickers to your cards can help to foster even more creativity when matching colors and themes. You can further enhance your handmade cards by adding ribbon or brads. Ribbon comes in a plethora of colors, shapes and textures. Brads can be used to hold items such as die cuts on the card without the use of an adhesive.
Simply put, making cards is a creative process that only you can foster. Cards can be created with a variety of items found in your local arts and crafts store. You can play around using different methods to decorate the cards and have fun at the same time!
{ 0 comments }
TWO FREE Easter Crafting eBooks
Two Free Easter Craft and Recipe eBooks: Hop into Spring featuring over 60 free Easter craft projects and 10 bonus Easter recipes.
Get Two Free Easter Craft and Recipe eBook: Hop into Spring featuring over 60 Easter craft projects including homemade cards, holiday decorating, gifts and creative activities for all ages. Enjoy 11 different Easter egg crafts, including Glittered Easter Eggs (pg. 23). Create a Dyed Felt Spring Wreath to hang from your door all season (pg. 53). Also find a bonus section of 10 free Easter recipes, including Easter Ham (pg. 87) and Cherry Easter Biscuits (pg. 91). Plus – The Easter Crafts: Blogger Edition has 19 quick and easy ideas all from the foremost crafting bloggers online.
{ 0 comments }
