Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope you and yours have a wonderful day! Enjoy! I'm thankful for all of you. If you get a chance, squeeze in a batch. Anise-Lavender today!
Maria

What's Neem Oil?

An ingredient of my Acne/Psoriasis bar, neem is rarely known. It has a unique smell (strong coffee maybe?). Neem oil (Azadirachta Indica) has antiseptic properties and can be used in the treatment of dandruff, skin conditions, and oily skin. This oil also has use in insect repellents. Usually imported from India, this is powerful treatment for skin disorders. Great for teenagers!
Til next time.
Maria

St. Pat's Craft Fair Sunday

Don't let this Church crafts fair fool you. About 50 vendors fill the gym on Oak Street in Binghamton. I'll be selling lots of new hand blown glass pendants and a fresh batch of wine soap, among other soaps.

Sunday 10-4 pm.

Be there,

Maria

Norwich BOCES Master Soapmaking Class

Coming up quickly this Saturday is a class for those who took the Beginner and Advanced so basically know how to make soap and have accomplished a few batches. Now, with the ultimate of ingredients, can double swirl, layer, make cakes, superfat (can't we think of a new word for enriching your soap?) and split batches. Get ready for a day of fun!
See ya,
Maria

Show This Saturday

You are invited to join us for our 2^nd annual

*HOME PARTY CHARITY JUBILEE*

Take advantage of this opportunity to do your holiday shopping, book your own party, donate to

CHOW or S.P.E.A.K. Animal Sanctuary, and earn free products!

A voluntary donation is requested at the door for one or both of these organizations.

These businesses will be available to you:

Come see what each has to offer!

lia sophia,home interiors,Tastefully Simple,Young Living,Avon,Stampin’ Up,Mona Vie,Creative Memories,Silpada,PamperedChefHiawatha Giftbaskets,Arbonne,Longaberger,AngelicGlow Soaps,Dove Chocolate at Home,Signature Homestyles,World of Products,Homemade Gourmet,Perestam hiropractic, DC (chair massages ill be available),Tupperware,Cookie Lee,Watkins,Mary Kay,Usbourne Books,For Every Home,Linen World

When: Saturday, November 15, 2008

12pm - 4pm

Where: Knights of Columbus

136 Park Ave, Binghamton, NY 13903

Everyone in attendance will be entered to win the FABULOUS gift baskets!

Bring a non-perishable item for CHOW or an item for S.P.E.A.K. Animal Sanctuary (cat food, litter, postage stamps, towels etc.), and you will receive more chances to win! For every item you bring, you will receive an equal number of opportunities to win!

Come support SPEAK , CHOW and these businesses and have a blast doing it!!

Saturday's class photos

Wine soap and swirl demo...
Raspberry Mead with Berry Wine and Raspberry Scent

Enjoyed it with some very creative ladies!

Olive Oil and Palm Oil

Did you know?

OLIVE OIL

It is an emollient, which softens and soothes. Olive oil produces nourishing, hard, and mild bars. Its composition is very similar to that of human skin so it doesn't cause any reactions and promotes softness. The higher proportion of unsaturated fat and vitamin E (high in antioxidants) are particularly good on sensitive skin and promotes rejuvenation.

PALM OIL

Palm oil adds firmness to soaps. Palm oil is rich in vitamins A and E.

Lesson for the day! Have a soapy weekend.

Soap Whip

Many have asked for specifics on the “lotion” I demonstrate in the Beginner class and then we enrich in the Master Class. Here is one “recipe” but remember the amount of water you add determines the resulting use for pump soap, lotion, cold cream, etc.
4 ounces fully cured handmade soap
4 ounces warm water or hydrosol
4 ounces of warm coconut oil (or other enriching oils)
1/8 teaspoon of Vitamin E
1 tablespoon of honey
1/8 teaspoon essential oil (optional)
Blending Procedure:
1. Shred the soap as finely as possible. Add the warm water or hydrosol and coconut/other oils and use a blender to "whip" the mix until it is thick, smooth and creamy.
2. Add the honey to the soap mixture and blend again.
3. Add essential oil last and blend again.
Enjoy! Maria

Does Your Skin Care Products Contain These Chemicals?

Check the bottles of skin moisturizers you currently use. You might find that your personal care products contain one or probably more of many potentially dangerous ingredients. Here are a few of the most common suspicious ingredients:
• Mineral Oil, Paraffin, and Petrolatum
• Parabens
• Phenol carbolic acid
• Propylene glycol
• Acrylamide
• Sodium laurel or lauryl sulfate (SLS), also known as sodium laureth sulfate (SLES)–
• Toluene – Poison! Danger! Harmful or fatal if swallowed! Harmful if inhaled or absorbed through the skin.
• Dioxane
So, do you want to put these chemicals on your skin? Hopefully not...You’d be better served by switching to skin care products made of plant names you recognize, can pronounce, and could even eat (if you had to).
Food for Thought!
Maria