Eczema and Psoriasis

Eczema (atopic dermatitis), and the closely associated psoriasis, are two very common skin problems.

Both eczema and psoriasis are potentially allergic conditions that can be triggered by environmental factors and dozens of other external irritants like:

Laundry detergent
Soaps
Household chemicals
Workplace chemicals
Perfumes
Animal dander
Metals (such as nickel in jewelry)

Interestingly this info came from a Doctor and note what is at the top of the list!
Your skin not only protects you from the elements, it reflects the state of your health. And whether you like it or not — your age. Smooth, silky skin has been coveted by people for centuries — the "Fountain of Youth" is a legend spawned by our eternal quest for youthful looks. You can’t prevent the onset of aging, but in this century you CAN prevent the ravages of time… and enjoy the second looks you will surely get with radiant, glowing skin — at any age!

Keep on soaping!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Maria

Year End Clearance

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! Two fragrances on special Special (forgot I even had these, me bad). Will add a nice sweet note variety to your soaps.

Passion Fruit - musky, guava-like fruit scent.
Fruit Punch - same tones as Fruitberry - Smells like real fruit punch.

Both are only $1 per ounce. Stock up now. Please notice class schedules for the Spring when I can bring your order with me.

Get Soapy!
Ri

Spring 2009 Soapmaking Class Schedule

Spring 2009 Soapmaking Class Schedule

Broome Community College, Front St., Binghamton (607)778-5012
Natural Soapmaking - Beginner
Saturday, February 21
Session 1 – 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Advanced Soapmaking
Saturday, March 14
Session 1 – 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Master Soapmaking Techniques
Saturday, April 4
Session 1 – 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Cortland OCMBOCES, Center for New Careers, (607)758-1111
Natural Soapmaking - Beginner
Saturday, March 7
Session 1 - 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon

Advanced Soapmaking
Saturday, March 28
Session 1 - 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon


Norwich DCMOBOCES, Chenango Campus, (607)335-1210
Natural Soapmaking - Beginner
Saturday, March 21
Session 1 - 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon

Advanced Soapmaking
Saturday, April 18
Session 1 - 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Master Soapmaking Techniques
Saturday, May 2
Session 1 – 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

ALL CLASSES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE IN MY CHENANGO FORKS HOME ON SCHEDULED SUNDAY AFTERNOONS – 1:00 – 4:00 PM. CALL (607) 204-0343 TO SCHEDULE AND GET DIRECTIONS.

Big Tree

Merry Christmas Soapers! Went a little overboard with the tree in the new house! Still had time to make some new and restock a few soaps. Eucalyptus/Spearmint (wreath designs), Carma/Relaxation, Goat's Milk Cinnamon Oatmeal, Patchouli Oatmeal, Ginger/Mango, Luxury Bar, Goat's Milk Honey Almond and GM Rose Petals (nice rose silicon molds). Did you make your laundry soap? If so, I'd love to hear how you like it? Classes are scheduled for the Spring already. Look for the announcement of the upcoming Soap Studio Brookside! Will be posting soon!
xo
Maria

Finally Cortland Class Recipes and Photos

Hi Soapmakers!
Busy, busy time of year but the long awaited Homemade Laundry Recipe is here. It was a great time and I enjoyed the whole day. Thank you all - Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Homemade Laundry Soap
Make 64 loads
One whole bar of homemade soap (I used my laundry bar-100% tallow)
1/2 cup washing soda (NOT baking soda but Arm & Hammer WASHING soda)
1/2 cup borax powder (20 Mule Team Borax)
Small bucket - 2 gallon size
Grate the soap and put it in a sauce pan. (If you want to add the water all at once, it is 2 gallons of hot water.) Add 6 cups of water and heat it until the soap melts. Add the washing soda and the borax and stir until it is dissolved. Remove from heat. Pour 4 cups of hot water into the bucket. Now add your soap mixture and stir. Now add one gallon plus 6 cups of water and stir. Let the soap site for about 24 hours and it will gel. Use 1/2 cup per load. To control long term soap build up, use 2 teaspoons of white vinegar in the rinse cycle.
Notes: Finished soap is a watery gel such as "egg noodle soup" look. It is low sudsing soap (bubbles are not the cleaning agent). For scent, add 1/2 to 1 ounce of e.o. or fragrance.
The cost is $.71 scents per gallon vs. $17 per gallon of commercial brand detergent.

Watch out for Parabens

Parabens – Widely used as preservatives in the cosmetic industry (including moisturizers). An estimated 13,200 cosmetic and skin care products contain parabens. Studies implicate their connection with cancer. They have hormone-disrupting qualities – mimicking estrogen – and interfere with the body’s endocrine system.

If you make your own soap and make a soap whip/lotion, you can control what you put on your skin.

Be Well and Care About Yourself,
Maria

Homer Center for the Arts Festival

Beautiful building in wonderful town but the weather gave us a lake effect that hung for awhile. The show was a bust but hey, the hair and new outfit were a hit! Thanks Paul!

Cortland Classes Tomorrow

Beginner and Advanced in Cortland at the OCM BOCES. See my insert photo that is Cortland's kitchen. Making goat's milk rose in rose molds today. Also, experimenting with Karma and Relaxation blend with St. John's wort herb.
Keep on soaping!
Maria

HSMG Member Benefits

I am so excited about setting this up! She is the soapmaking guru!!

It is with great respect that the Handcrafted Soap Makers Guild, Inc. presents our first Experts Panel, Business Day at the Forum venue, hosted by the most impressive, Sandy Maine, President and CEO of SunFeather Natural Soap Company. Sandy will be available this Friday, December 5, 2008 from noon to 5:00 pm Eastern Standard Time. Clear your schedules and prepare your questions to post to the HSMG Forum area entitled, Experts Panel, during this timeframe. Sandy will reply asap with Expert business advice.

Maria Gelnett
BoD
P&S Chair

Shea Butter

Shea butter is a slightly yellowish natural fat extracted from fruit of the shea tree by crushing and boiling. Shea butter is widely used in cosmetics as a moisturizer and an emollient. Shea butter is also edible. Remember you don't want to put anything on your skin that you wouldn't eat. Shea butter is included in my Luxury Bar as a main ingredient but can also be added at trace to enrich or "superfat" your soap.
Soaps make great stocking stuffers!
Maria