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If you've been reading my newsletters or blog posts very long, you have certainly heard that autumn is my favorite time of the year. That first breath of cool, crisp air that says summer is over...and fall is here. Here are some of my favorite fall fragrances and a new opportunity for you to share YOUR favorite fall fragrances. Let us know what scents make you think of fall...and what you're going to be featuring in your soaps and candles this autumn.

Share Your Favorite Fall Soap & Candle Fragrances originally appeared on About.com Candle & Soap Making on Monday, September 6th, 2010 at 21:18:56.

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Several months ago, I featured a blog post by the folks at Cibaria Soap Supply, that showcased some examples of the real artistry that you can create with soap. Their examples were all inspired by food. (Check them out - they're really wonderful.) Today, I came across this blog post entitled 30 Weird and Awesome Soap Designs. And they're certainly right...some of them are awesome...and some are just weird! Soap can indeed be molded and crafted into some amazingly creative shapes. Tell us what you think about them by clicking on the "comment" link below!

Weird Soap Designs! originally appeared on About.com Candle & Soap Making on Friday, September 3rd, 2010 at 20:41:44.

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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.

Why Plants Smell? (And Why That's Good for Us!) originally appeared on About.com Candle & Soap Making on Wednesday, September 1st, 2010 at 11:41:49.

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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.
Photo credit: Steve Wisbauer / Getty Images

Crisp and Warm - Green Tea & Lemongrass Soap Recipe originally appeared on About.com Candle & Soap Making on Saturday, August 28th, 2010 at 11:28:44.

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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.
Photo: Medioimages/Photodisc / Getty Images

It's Time to Start Thinking About the Fall Craft Show Season originally appeared on About.com Candle & Soap Making on Wednesday, August 25th, 2010 at 22:55:05.

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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 have produced and are marketing a colorant kit that will allow you to make every color of the rainbow. They're calling the set the Jewelry Box Soap Colorants Set and they are fabulous and affordable too! Yes, they will bleed in melt and pour soap, but that just means that you need to use your colorful creations quickly before the color starts to bleed. For more inspiration on how to use these colors, and a preview of Debbie's super book SoapyLove (book review coming soon), check out these SoapyLove projects:

• Two Scoops Ice Cream Soaps
• Ombre Heart Soaps
• Lucky Star Soaps

Two Great Soapmaking Minds Collaborate in Rainbow Bright Colors! originally appeared on About.com Candle & Soap Making on Friday, August 20th, 2010 at 23:24:41.

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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.

And after you've read the information, here's information on what you can do about it.

More Information About the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010 originally appeared on About.com Candle & Soap Making on Wednesday, August 18th, 2010 at 23:06:06.

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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.

Adding Shreds & Chunks to Your Soaps originally appeared on About.com Candle & Soap Making on Monday, August 16th, 2010 at 21:18:28.

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