centralvalleysoap

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Emulsified Sugar Scrub

I love scrubs!

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Double Embed Technique

This is really cool. I love the creativity here. To bad I can really see what Jennifer was talking about and this being very tone consuming and labor intensive.

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Don’t forget to like and reblog!

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I love bath bombs!

In this tutorial, Holly from the Lotion Bar Cafe shows you how to make bath bombs with a surprise inside! Holly, who wrote an entire book on bath bombs, also shares her bath bomb tips and tricks.

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Love the idea of Sugar Scrub bars!

Just whipped up a fresh batch of Black Amber & Lavender Sugar Scrub bars!

#exfoliate #beauty #londonsuds #etsy #etsystore #artisan #scrub #sugar #lavender

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Nepal Government Struggles to Provide Earthquake Relief

More than 2,400 people were killed and more than 5,900 injured after the quake hit near Katmandu. The death toll is expected to rise.

How to Help

Mercy Corps Mercy Corps has been in Nepal since 2006 and has more than 90 volunteers on the ground trying to distribute water, shelter kits, mosquito netting, tarps, cooking utensils, hygiene materials, and some other household provisions. @mercycorps on Twitter

Catholic Relief Services Catholic Relief Services and its partner organizations have begun procuring emergency relief materials such as shelter kits and sanitation and hygiene materials. @CatholicRelief on Twitter.

Habitat for Humanity International The group says its disaster response teams are coordinating efforts with local government agencies and disaster relief partners, and will be assembling emergency shelter kits. @habitat_org on Twitter.

Global Giving Money donated to support relief operations in Nepal will go toward helping first responders “meet survivors’ immediate needs for food, fuel, clean water, hygiene products, and shelter,” the organization said.  “Once initial relief work is complete, this fund will transition to support longer-term recovery efforts run by local, vetted local organizations.” @GlobalGiving on Twitter.

The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee   The New York-based nonprofit is providing medical assistance through aid workers traveling from India to Nepal. @TheJDC  on Twitter.

Oxfam Oxfam is an international coalition of charities dedicated to fighting poverty. Aid workers from the group are on the ground, preparing to hand out food and water.  @Oxfam on Twitter.

World Vision “We are initiating a response to meet basic, urgent needs with temporary shelter, food, water, emergency health interventions, and other vital aid.” @WorldVision on Twitter.

Red Cross Volunteers from the Nepal arm of the Red Cross are helping in the search for survivors. @ICRC on Twitter.

United Nations World Food Programme The United Nations agency is providing food and other aid to survivors. @WFP on Twitter.

Samaritan’s Purse Samaritan’s Purse is a Christian organization providing food, water, shelter, medicine, and other assistance to earthquake survivors. @SamaritansPurse on Twitter.

CARE CARE is asking for donations for critical relief. The group said its humanitarian workers were currently on the ground assessing the situation in Nepal and determining the most immediate needs. @CARE on Twitter.

Save the Children Donations to Save the Children, an organization with extensive reach in Nepal, will go toward efforts to provide protection for children and relief to their families. @SC_Nepal on Twitter.

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Eye of the Tiger

This weekend the soap gods were kind to me.  I made soap and not only did it work beautifully, I got a wonderful surprise inside.

Last week I received my haul from Nurture Soap.  I couldn’t wait to try out all of the many colored micas.  I spent the rest of the week pondering to what use I would put them.  I finally decided to follow through with the plan I’ve had for many moons to make my…

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Great Cakes Soapworks Soap Challenge Winners

Congratulations to all the winners of the Great Cakes Soapworks Spinning Swirl Soap Challenge Winners!

As a participant, I had the most fantastic time learning a new technique.  I can’t wait to try this again with more spectacular colors.

I want to personally congratulate every winner in this month’s challenge.  Please see the link above for the full article on the Great Cakes Soapworks blog.…

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So Many Colors, So Little Time

My Nurture Soap Haul

YAY!  I finally got my colors from Nurture Soap this week. I am so excited. Nurture Soap recently had a sale that I was waiting on for a while. I love their micas and couldn’t wait to get my hands on some.

Top: Brights Mica Set – Hollywood Pink, Sunshine Yellow, Apple Green, Turquoise, Wisteria Purple with Sahara Gold off to one side. Bottom: Vibrance Mica Set – Pink Vibrance, Purple Vibrance,…

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This is awesome.  I love humor when selling good products.

Ironically enough, you can actually buy this soap by clicking here.

-Sarah J Dhue

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Makes me so hungry.

s'mores soap ! looks so yummy !!<3

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Yep, will be trying this one next.  Might have to make a few changes to adjust to the oil I have on hand but I’ll be making this one soon.

This natural homemade raspberry cold process soap recipe is made with ripe raspberries which are naturally rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants have been shown to help to prevent and repair skin damage caused by free radicals. In addition because antioxidants protect cells and encourage cell growth they are also believed to be helpful in an in fighting fine lines and wrinkles. Learn how to make this raspberry cold process soap recipe now at Soap Deli News blog here.

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Sounds so yummy.  I’ll have to try it.

3 Veggie Packed Popsicle Recipes

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sew-much-to-do: a visual collection of sewing tutorials/patterns, knitting, diy, crafts, recipes, etc.

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I like his sense of humor :D

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Soap Challenge - Spinning Swirls

So I’m a pretty new soaper.  I made my first soap, after much research, in November 2014.  Since then I've made about 26 different soap batches.  Each have been a unique recipe.  

Every soap is different, that’s a part of the appeal for me.  I also love the merging of my sciency analytically side with my artsy creative side.

When I found Greatcakes Soapworks soap challenge in January 2015, I wanted to join for February.  But, I didn't feel good enough.  It took 2 more months before I got the courage up to try this challenge.  I’m so glad I did.

When I saw the picture Amy put on her website of the spinning swirls, I was hooked.  I had to try it.

I mixed a couple of recipes with no luck.  I was looking for a very loose batter that gave me plenty of time to work.  Eventually I found one.

I decided to use Activated Charcoal & Titanium Dioxide mixed with grapeseed oil as my colorants.  I wanted to use something simple that wouldn't cause any acceleration of trace.

Then I decided to add a 3 color and combined the two to make gray.  This would give the swirls some depth, I hoped.

I decided to use a faux funnel pour method.  It created a nice pattern in the middle I hoped would stay for the top.

Finally, I gave a nice paisley swirl to the top and popped it in a cool oven to keep it away from my very curious 2-year old.  She just loves to “help” mommy do everything.

And finally, after curing for 26 hours, the cut was perfect!  I loved this whole process.  Thank you Greatcakes Soapworks for this great opportunity!

I love how the cut looks a little like a geode in one and a tulip in another.  Originally this was meant to be a practice run before I posted for the actual challenge.  But I've thought it over for a few days and I really like how this turned out.  I’ll do this swirl again, but I’m so in love with this batch I wanted to share it with everyone else.

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Spinning Swirls, Practice, The Cut

All I can say is WOW.  I had worked, for the right recipe.  I had practiced, with all other swirls, drops & layering.  I had prepared, watching a multitude of tutorials online and on YouTube.  And there is no greater feeling that opening that first cut and seeing exactly what I had so hoped for.

I think I’ll sit back and just stare at the culmination of months of hard work, studying, learning and practicing.

What a perfect ending to the day.

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Spinning Swirls, Practice

Saturday my husband made me a new wonderful slab mold.  Its a little mold, only 7.5″ x 5″ x 2.5″ (internal dimensions) but its enough to hold 32 oz oil.  

So, I yesterday I decided to try my hand at spinning swirls.  I’d never done this before so I thought I’d better try it before making one for submission in the Greatcakes Soap Challenge this month.  I hope my order of mica come in this week so I can complete a new one for submission that isn't black and white.

The whole process went very smooth.  I actually felt in control the whole time, and for me as a new soaper, it was a wonderful but unique feeling.  

And the final product.  Looks really good on top.  I’ll cut this tonight and we’ll see what’s inside.  Stay tuned...