Saturday, October 14, 2017

Giving Pink Zebra Products a try!

"Pink Zebra"



A good friend of mine recently became a Pink Zebra consultant and hosted an online FB party. I had never heard of Pink Zebra before this and since it was my first time I was very curious about their products, so I attended the party.




I am so glad that I did!!

Well let me tell you they have way more to offer than those pretty pink boxes, which I totally love.
I ended up ordering the Silver Mercury Simmering Lights wax warmer, some wax sprinkles and a bottle of Soak (which is a fragrance spray for your home, car etc.)


 The Silver Mercury simmering lights wax warmer is just Gorgeous, once it is plugged in and all lit up!!  I put about 1 TBLS. of Toasted Marshmallow sprinkles in it and the aroma was very pleasant! Can't wait to try out the other sprinkle scents as well.


 If you have never gave "Pink Zebra" a try you may want to do so, I think you will be very pleased !


Oh, and "Praisly" the Pink Zebra (Stuffed Plush)  is just the most darling thing ever !!! I am thinking that I may just order one on my next purchase!


 Here are a couple of  "Pink Zebra consultants if you would like to give it a try, just follow the links below:



Or just click on the following link and request to join Dots very own group...
"SPRINKLING DOTS"   https://m.facebook.com/groups/120060388674300


 Have you tried "Pink Zebra", If so what products did you like?

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Soap Making Resources

My Favorite Soap Making Resources



There are many different calculators online, one can choose from.
Some of my favorites are below:

My favorite calculator for making bar soaps:
  https://www.brambleberry.com/Pages/Lye-Calculator.aspx

Favorite calculator for making Liquid soap: http://soapcalc.net/calc/soapcalcWP.asp

Summer Bee Meadow Soapmaking Calculators - will transfer to the new website at sbmcrafters.com once the site is up and running


Fragrance Calculator:  https://www.brambleberry.com/Pages/Fragrance-Calculator.aspx

My favorite soap making suppliers:

For molds & etc.          https://www.brambleberry.com/
For oils & Additives:  https://www.naturesgardencandles.com/
For soap making oils: https://www.soaperschoice.com/product-list-2  
All kinds of things: http://makeityourself.com/


Soap making forums:

http://www.soapmakingforum.com/

http://www.teachsoap.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=5


A few of my Favorite Soapy Blogs:

http://www.lovinsoap.com/blog/

https://auntieclaras.com/blog/

https://www.soapqueen.com/


Favorite Books:

Simple & Natural Soapmaking by: Jan Berry

Liquid Soapmaking by: Jackie Thompson

Favorite Ebooks:

Cream Soap Naturally:
http://www.creamsoapnaturally.com/cart/cream-soap-naturally-pdf-ebook-p-1.html http://www.lovinsoap.com/product-category/books-ebooks/


What are some of your favorite soapy places?

Safe Lye Handling, Precautions!!

Safe Lye Handling, Precautions!!



Lye is a caustic material and must be handled with care. Please follow the safe handling precautions when working with and handling lye.
 The following safty precautions apply when using both Sodium Hydroxide (for making bar soap) or Potassium Hydroxide (for Liquid soap making).

1.) Always wear your protective gear when handling or working with Lye.
gogles or face shield, gloves (Nitrile,Latex or rubber), long sleeves, long pants, shoes (No open toes). An apron is also nice to wear. I like ones with big pockets. A soap makers hat is a nice addition as well.


2.) Mix lye solution in a heavy duty plastic #6 container or in stainless steel (NEVER use glass and NEVER use aluminum when soap making) Stir your  lye solution with a rubber heat resistant spatula or a stainless steel utensil. The container used to mix lye solution in should always be maked with an "X" and read "Caustic" to prevent other from touching the container/lye solution and hopefully prevent accidents.


3.) DO NOT breath in lye fumes!!
Always work in a ventilated area when working with any type of lye or when mixing  your lye solution. Mixing lye solution under a running exhaust fan on your stove is a good idea. Leaving a window open works as well.
You could also mix your lye solution outdoors, then bring it in and set it in the sink or in a safe place until ready to use.


4.) Always add Lye to the water.
NEVER EVER add water to the lye, because this can create a volcano effect and burn you.
When i first started out making soap, my soap teacher helded us to remember by telling us to remember that "Snow falls on the Lake"..  Meaning you add your lye to your water and never the other way around.
(Use cold water or room temperture water, NEVER use hot water)


5.) Keep a spray bottle of White Vinegar beside you when your using lye.
Vinegar neutralizes lye.
If you have a spill (and I certainly hope you do not) spray some vinegar on the spill to neutralize it before you clean it up.
DO NOT, Neutralize lye on your skin!!! I
If you get a splash of lye on your skin rinse immediately under cold running water for 15-20 minutes. After that wash area well with warm soapy water and rinse well. Then you can spray the vinegar on your skin if you feel the need.
 If lye splashes you in the eye (hopefully this will not happen and you are wearing gogles) flush eye out immediately with cold water for 20 minutes.



* If you want to be on the safe side please call poison control and/or go see your medical Care provider.


6.) Keep out of reach of children & pets.
Please make sure children and pets are in another room out of the way when you are handling and working with lye. They could get under your feet and cause serious injury to themself or to you...


7.) Obtain and print out a (MSDS) Material Safty Data Sheet from your supplier for the type of lye that you are using in case of emergency. Keep a copy of this print out and the number to Poison Control by your telephone.


8.) Storing Lye:
Always store your lye in a cool, dark, SAFE place away from children & pets.


9.) Always run your soap recipe through a lye calculator to make sure it is accurate, No matter where the recipe came from.


10.) Always use a good working scale (make sure it is calerbrated right) to weight your ingredients.