Carolyn's Cabinet: Specialty Merchandise, Home Decor, Candles, Gifts

Handmade Soaps, Candles, Dolls, and Gift Baskets

Soap Making

[ Soap Additives ] [ Cold Process Soap ] [ Soap to Order ]

Honey Almond Soap

Ingredients:
1 cup melted white soap base
1 tablespoon pure, filtered beeswax
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon almond meal
6 drops amaretto (almond) fragrance oil

Instructions:
This is one of our favorite soap recipes and makes a very fragrant sweet smelling soap. Melt beeswax in double boiler and hold over hot water. Melt the white soap base separate from the beeswax either in a double boiler or in the microwave. Mix hot, melted soap and melted beeswax. Add honey and stir until dissolved. Allow soap to cool until a thin film covers the top (not too long or soap will be too cool to pour). Stir in the almond meal and fragrance oil. Pour into prepared molds. Remove from molds when hardened (approximately 2-3 hours).

Salt Glow

Recipe compliments of Lori Denison of Walterville, Oregon. This recipe is fun and easy to do. The salts work great for dry skin and can be used on hands, feet and legs. Remember that if you have a cut on your skin, the salt will sting!

Ingredients:
2 parts coarse sea salt
1 part Epsom salt
liquid soap
jojoba oil
essential oil or fragrance oil
gel tone colorant
containers

Instructions:
Mix sea salt and Epsom salts together in large mixing bowl. Add enough liquid soap to help hold the salts together (so that the salts are slightly damp, but not mushy). Add a small amount of jojoba oil (suggested use is 1 tablespoon per pound of salts). Add desired amount of fragrance and colorant. Mix well, pour into containers and enjoy!

Fizzy Bath Bombs

These shapes of fizzing fun are great for children and adults alike. This recipe can be varied to include some your favorite fragrances, colors and shapes.

Ingredients:
2 cups baking soda
2/3 cup citric acid
2 tablespoons of soluble dextrose
5 tablespoons of sweet almond oil
6 drops of gel tone colorant
6 drops of essential oil or 1 teaspoon of fragrance oil
plastic mold (the 6-in-1 plastic soap molds work great)

Instructions:
Combine dry ingredients (baking soda, citric acid and soluble dextrose) in medium bowl. Mix well making sure to break up any large clumps. In a glass measuring cup, mix the sweet almond oil with the colorant and fragrance. Very quickly, so that the base does not start to fizz, pour the oil into the dry mixture. Continue to mix all ingredients together with your hands until all the oil has been completely dispersed and the mixture stays compressed when squeezed in your hand (does not fall apart immediately). Prepare the mold by wiping the inside with a small amount of sweet almond oil. This will prevent your bombs from sticking to the mold. Fill each mold cavity 1/3 full with the mixture and press down firmly. Repeat this process until your mold is completely filled and the ingredients are firmly packed down. Smooth the edges and top with a straight edge knife. Turn your mold over and bang firmly on a flat surface lined with wax paper until the bombs slide out of the mold. Let them set for 24 hours and then they are ready to use! Makes approximately six 2 oz. bombs.

Bath Salts

Ingredients:
2 cups epsom salts
2 cups sea salt
2 cups Baking Soda
Essential Oil of your choice

Instructions:
Blend above ingredients in a large bowl. Blend 1 Tbs Sweet Almond Oil and 25 drops Lavender or other favorite essential oil

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour oil blend into it. Blend well. Allow to dry for one hour, package in containers of your choice.

Loaf Soap Using Bread Tube Molds

Instructions:

Melt approximately 2 oz. of soap base.
Fill metal end cap of loaf mold with this melted soap so that it fills the end cap ¾ of the way full.

Immediately insert the loaf mold into the end cap and stand straight up with the opening at the top. Other end cap will not be used.
Place the mold in the freezer for approximately 15 minutes to allow the soap to harden or let harden at room temperature for approximately 1 hour. This will seal the bottom of the mold so that your warm soap base will not run out the bottom when poured.
Once the bottom is completely sealed, pour melted soap base into the mold so that it completely fills up to the top.

Let soap dry at room temperature for approximately 3-4 hours until the soap is completely hard.

When completely dry, remove end cap from the bottom. Peel away any soap that is sticking to the sides.

To remove the loaf of soap from the mold, warm the outside of the mold slightly with a hair dryer for approximately 2-3 minutes. Push the loaf of soap from one end and slide it out the other end. Once the loaf is removed and completely dry, slice to desired sizes.

Soap on a Rope

Ingredients:
Translucent Soap Base
Soap Mold of your choice
Red, yellow, green & blue soap color chips
Rope (nylon cord works well)
Fragrance Oil or Essential Oil (Choose type and amount you like)

Instructions:
Bring ends of cord together and tie an overhand knot. Cut ends off close to the knot. If mold is too shallow to hide the knot, tape cord ends together. Pour the mold half full of melted soap. Place the cord ends in the mold. Hold or tape the cords in place. Fill the mold with the remainder of the soap. Don't move the cords until the soap cools. Remove the soap from the mold when it is completely cool and hard.

Popsicle Soap

Ingredients:
Six 1" cubes of translucent soap base
2 popsicle sticks
Red, yellow, green & blue soap color chips
Popsicle molds
Fragrance Oil or Essential Oil (Choose type and amount you like)

Instructions:
This soap recipe is a fun one for the kids. Melt one cube of soap at a time for 15 seconds (in a microwave), don't let it boil. Add yellow color and fragrance. Stir thoroughly and pour into mold. Spritz with rubbing alcohol. Let set for five minutes or until a thick skin forms. Melt another cube and add red color and fragrance. Stir thoroughly and pour onto the first layer. Spritz with rubbing alcohol and let set. Melt another cube, color it with green and add fragrance. Pour over red layer. Spritz again. Insert the popsicle stick and hold until it will remain upright without support.

Soap in a Bag

Ingredients:
Clear polypropylene bags
Curling ribbon
Translucent soap base
Fragrance Oil or Essential Oil (Choose type and amount you like)
Rubber or plastic fish, duck, alligator, etc.

Instructions:
Open and stand bag upright in a cup or bowl. Melt the soap in the microwave, watching to be sure it doesn't boil. Add fragrance to the melted soap. Pour a small amount of soap in the bottom of the bag. Place the plastic fish (or other animal) inside the plastic bag on top of the soap, so that it stands upright. Cover the fish with more melted soap. If using two fish, allow soap to form a film that will hold the weight of the fish. Place the second fish in the bag and cover it with soap. When the soap is cool, gather the bag at the top and tie it with ribbon.

Flower Soap

Ingredients/Equipment

Clear melt & pour glycerin soap
A plain mold of your choice with at least 1" in depth
Small silk flowers
Fragrance oil
Microwave safe measuring cup
P lastic wrap
Cellophane bags
Ribbon.

Cut your M&P (melt & pour) soap into cubes.
Heat in the microwave on high for 30 seconds at a time until completely melted.
Lightly grease your mold with spray vegetable oil or Vaseline (optional).
Remove the silk flowers from their stems and place two or three face down in your mold.
Add fragrance oil and blend well.
Slowly pour the soap into the mold. If the flowers float to the top of the mold (the area that will be the bottom of your soap), gently push them back down into the mold.
Let the soap harden and remove it from your mold.

Wrap your soap in plastic wrap and wrap again with cellophane bags. Tie the package with a wired ribbon.
Label your soap with your company name, the ingredients you used, the net weight of the soap, and your contact information.

Goat's Milk Soap (Cold Process)

Makes 4 lbs. Weigh all ingredients.

8 oz. cold distilled water
8 oz. cold goat milk
6.5 oz. lye
8 oz. palm oil
17 oz. coconut oil
17 oz. olive oil
1 oz grapefruit seed extract
2-3 ozs. essential oil

Mix the distilled water and goat's milk. Add the lye to the mixture. It should turn a tan color. Stir. Let the mixture rest for about 10 minutes. Prepare your oils. Add the lye/water/goat's milk mixture to the oils. Using a stick blender, mix well to trace. Add grapefruit seed extract as a preservative and your favorite scent. Pour into a soap mold, cover and let set for 24 hrs. Cut and cure for 4 weeks.

Foaming Bath Oil

Ingredients:
½ cup liquid soap base
1 tablespoon liquid vegetable glycerin
½ cup castor oil
½ cup sweet almond oil
20 drops fragrance oil of your choice
5-10 drops gel tone colorant of your choice (optional)

Instructions:
Mix all ingredients well. They will turn milky, but will soon separate into three layers. The colorant, if used, will color only the heavier castor oil layer, and makes for an interesting effect.

Herbal Bath Oil

Ingredients:
2/3 cup almond oil
½ cup dried chamomile flowers

Instructions:
Place the oil in a glass jar and add the chamomile flowers. Place the lid on the jar and leave in a dark place for 1 week. Strain the oil to remove the chamomile. Use as a bath oil by adding 2 tablespoons to the bath water or apply to skin after a shower. Makes enough for 4 applications. For normal skin.

Bath Oil (for Dry Skin)

Ingredients:
¾ cup avocado oil
5 drops of vitamin e oil
2 tablespoons of jojoba oil

Instructions:
Combine the ingredients and add to bath water or apply sparingly to skin. Makes enough for 5 applications.

Herbal After Bath Splash

Ingredients:
½ cup rubbing alcohol
½ teaspoon propolis
3 tablespoons dried sweet marjoram
2 tablespoons dried rosemary
¾ cup rose water

Instructions:
Combine the alcohol, propolis and herbs in a glass jar. Cover and do not disturb for 5 days. Strain and add the rose water to the strained liquid. Apply liberally. Makes about 1 ¼ cups. For oily skin.

For a spicy after-bath splash, substitute the following: 3 whole cardamom seeds, 1 whole cinnamon stick and tablespoon of whole cloves for the herbs. Lavender after bath splash may be made by using ¼ cup dried lavender.

Cleansing Honey Mask

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon bentonite clay
1 teaspoon rose water
½ teaspoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon honey

Instructions:
Mix all ingredients together. Apply the mask in a smooth layer after cleaning the face and avoid getting any near the eyes, lips and nose. Leave the mask on for about 10 to 15 minutes and rinse off with lukewarm water. Use three times per week.

Facial Freshener

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons witch hazel
½ lemon, sliced
½ cup rose water
1 tablespoon aloe vera concentrate

Instructions:
Combine the witch hazel and lemon slices and allow to steep for 30 minutes. Remove the lemon and add remaining ingredients. Apply to a clean face with a cotton swab. Fresheners help to tighten pores and tone skin. Makes about ¾ cup.

Rose Facial Astringent

Ingredients:
¾ cup dried rose petals
1 cup white wine vinegar
¾ cup rose water

Instructions:
Place the rose petals in a glass jar. Heat the vinegar to the boiling point and pour over the rose petals. Cover the jar and place in a dark area for one week. Strain and add the rose water to the strained liquid. Apply to clean face with a cotton swab. Makes about 1 ¾ cups.

Herbal Astringent

Ingredients:
½ cup witch hazel
¼ cup dried hibiscus flowers
½ cup rose water
¼ cup apple juice

Instructions:
Combine the witch hazel and hibiscus and allow to steep overnight. Strain to remove the hibiscus and add the remaining ingredients to the liquid. Apply to a clean face with a cotton swab. Makes about 1/14 cups. For normal skin.

Sugar & Salt Scrub

Ingredients: Makes approx. 16 ozs.
1-1/2 cups fine white sugar
1/2 cup fine sea salt
1/2 - 3/4 cup Virgin Coconut Oil (as needed)
1 tblsp. Pineapple Fragrance Oil (optional)
16 oz container

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and add more or less of the Virgin Coconut Oil to your suit your preference. The mixture may seem dry at first, but wait a few hours and then add more of the coconut oil, if necessary. Scrub should be moist, and not too much of the oil should be floating on top. Spoon the mixture into your container.

The Virgin Coconut Oil smells just like coconuts, is very light and absorbs nicely in the skin. We've scented ours with pineapple fragrance oil for a real Hawaiian tropical scent. This scrub makes a great gift idea -- pair it with our Coconut and Kiwi flavored lip balm (see Lip Balm Kit), and you'll have a winning combination.

Use this scrub on any part of your body except the face. Rub it in with a pair of exfoliating bath gloves. It will leave you feeling fantastically smooth and the scent will make you feel like your really in the tropics!

Herbal Steam Facial

Ingredients:
2 ½ cups boiling water
4 tablespoons dried rosemary
2 tablespoons diced fresh lemon peel
2 tablespoons honey

Instructions:
Combine the ingredients in a large bowl. Cover your head with a towel and hold your face over herbal steam for 10 minutes. Use once a week.

Facial Cleanser

Ingredients:
¾ cup boiling water
1 tablespoon bee pollen
½ cup dried chamomile flowers
¼ cup aloe vera concentrate
½ cup liquid vegetable glycerin
1 tablespoon honey
¼ teaspoon calendula extract

Instructions:
Combine water, pollen and chamomile. Allow the mixture to steep for 1 hour. Strain and add the remaining ingredients to the liquid. Use cold cream to remove make-up, then cleanse with this mixture. Makes about 1 ¼ cups. For dry skin.

Cocoa Butter Moisturizer

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons beeswax
4 tablespoons cocoa butter
¼ cup sweet almond oil
3 tablespoons coconut oil
¼ cup aloe vera concentrate
1 tablespoon honey

Instructions:
Add the wax, cocoa butter and oils to the top of a double boiler and heat until the wax and cocoa butter melt. Remove the pan from the heat. In a separate container, combine the aloe vera concentrate and honey. Stir the aloe mixture into the hot wax. Stir continuously until the mixture thickens. Makes about ¾ cup. For dry skin.

Sandalwood Foot Rub

Ingredients:
½ cup sweet almond oil
¼ cup apricot kernel oil
1 tablespoon cocoa butter
2 tablespoons beeswax
10 drops sandalwood essential oil
Heat safe glass or ceramic bowl
Small saucepan

Instructions:
Combine the sweet almond oil, apricot kernel oil, cocoa butter, and beeswax in a small, nonmetallic container and place in a saucepan that has about 2 inches of water in it. Heat the mixture over medium heat until the beeswax is completely melted. Remove from the heat, and as it cools slightly, add the essential oil. Pour into containers and set aside to cool. Makes about 1 cup.

After Shave Lotion

Ingredients:
½ cup witch hazel
¼ teaspoon propolis
½ cup mineral water
1 tablespoon liquid vegetable glycerin
1 tablespoon aloe vera concentrate
¼ teaspoon lime oil

Instructions:
Combine the witch hazel and propolis in a jar with a tightly fitting lid and let sit overnight. Add the remaining ingredients and shake well. Makes 1 cup.

Basic Lotion

Add the ingredients, heat and blend.

Ingredients:
24.0 oz. distilled water
4.0 oz. jojoba oil
1.2 oz. emulsifying wax
1.2 oz. cosmetic grade stearic acid
1.0 oz. liquid vegetable glycerin
.3 oz. germaben II
.3 oz. essential oil or fragrance oil
pump or squeeze bottles

Instructions:
Heat all ingredients except the last two in the microwave until all is melted. Stir with stick blender until creamy (It is very important to use a stick blender). Add the last two ingredients and mix well. Pour, while still warm, into containers. Cool and enjoy. Makes approximately 32 ounces of lotion.

Cleansing Lotion

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons beeswax
¼ cup almond oil
1 tablespoon liquid soap
3 tablespoons water

Instructions:
Combine the wax and oil in the top of a double boiler and heat until the wax melts. Add the soap and remove from the stove. Stir in the water a drop at a time, stirring constantly. Continue stirring until the mixture thickens. Makes about ½ cup. For normal and oily skin.

Beeswax Cold Cream

Ingredients:
1/3 cup beeswax
3 tablespoons coconut oil
¼ cup almond oil
1 teaspoon liquid vegetable glycerin
2 tablespoons rose water

Instructions:
Combine the beeswax, oils and glycerin in the top of a double boiler. Heat over low heat until the wax melts. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the rose water one drop at a time stirring constantly. Continue stirring until the mixture thickens. Makes about 2/3 cup.

Jojoba Hand Lotion

Ingredients:
1/3 cup beeswax
4 tablespoons walnut oil
2 tablespoons jojoba oil
¼ cup coconut oil
½ cup water
½ cup rose water

Instructions:
Combine the wax and oils in the top of a double boiler. Heat the mixture until the wax melts. Remove the pan from the heat. Stir together the water and rose water and gradually add to the hot wax, one drop at a time, stirring constantly. Continue stirring until the mixture thickens. Makes about 1 ½ cups.

Herbal Massage Oil

Ingredients:
4 cups olive oil
½ cup dried rosemary
¼ cup dried sage
¼ cup dried thyme

Instructions:
Combine ingredients in a jar with a tightly fitting lid. Let steep for two weeks. Strain before using. Makes 4 cups.

Massage Bars

Ingredients:
½ cup melted cocoa butter
½ teaspoon vitamin e oil
1 tablespoon melted coconut oil
10-20 drops of fragrance oil or essential oil of your choice

Instructions:
Mix all ingredients. Let cool slightly then pour into molds and let harden. Makes approximately three to four small bars.

Aloe Lip Balm

Ingredients:
1/3 cup beeswax
1/3 cup safflower oil
1 tablespoon sweet almond oil
1 tablespoon rose hip seed oil
2 tablespoons aloe vera concentrate

Instructions:
Combine the wax and oils in the top of a double boiler. Heat the mixture until the wax melts. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the aloe. Stir the mixture constantly until it is thorough mixed. Pour into containers. Makes ¾ cup.

Peppermint Lip Balm

This soothing and healing lip balm has the tingly fresh sensation of mint. It will help heal and protect your lips from the elements. The peppermint essential oil is added for flavoring and fragrance. Other food grade essential oils and/or flavorings can be substituted for the peppermint.

Ingredients:
1 oz. pure, filtered beeswax
1/2 cup sweet almond oil
1/2 teaspoon vitamin e oil
1/4 teaspoon aloe vera concentrate
1/2 teaspoon peppermint essential oil
lip balm pots or tubes

Instructions:
Combine beeswax, sweet almond oil, vitamin e oil and aloe vera concentrate in a small, pourable container (a glass measuring cup works well). Place this container in a saucepan fill with approximately 2 inches of water. Heat the mixture over medium heat until the beeswax is completed melted. Remove from heat and add essential oil. Pour into containers. Cool completely before use. Makes approximately two dozen 5 gram (.15 oz.) pots or tubes.

The following recipes were submitted to our website or collected from publicly available sources.

If you see a recipe that is copyright protected or otherwise restricted, please contact us immediately and we will give appropriate credit or remove it!