A Quick Rest

[shanmonster]

I'd like to learn how to make incense. Have you ever done it before? Is it more trouble than it's worth? Will I end up making horrendous stink sticks? Enquiring minds want to know!

I'd also like to learn how to make perfume oils and soaps. I suspect that wouldn't necessarily be as stinky or messy, but I could be sorely mistaken.

So far, work has been very busy. I'm not counting on this lull lasting.

My vacation time is approaching pretty quickly. I'm planning on taking a working vacation. I'll still do my workout time in the mornings, and I'll follow it up with dancing until noon, a break, and then creative work until supper time. My evenings shall be free for whatever strikes my fancy. And at some point in there, I need to look for employment in a bigger city. I think this will probably be the best time of year to look for work, because this is the time of year when people are not looking at the job market as much as they are their Christmas shopping.

Comments

[morriganswitch.livejournal.com]

I've made TONS of types of Incense. What kind are you looking to make? Are you mixing your own herbs to burn on Charcoal, or do you want to scent "Punk Sticks" (unscented incense sticks) ? Scenting Punk Sticks is easier than it sounds. All you need are the blank sticks, a tall skinny baggy, some Jojoba oil (as a carrier) and something to fragrance With. I suggest Essential oils, as they are the most pure. for 20 punk sticks I'd measure out 1 1/2 oz jojoba, and 10 drops min, of the essential oil. You put the sticks in the baggie dump in the oil, and let them soak for an hour or two. then leave them in a bud vase to dry a bit before storing them. You can re use the baggie if you're scenting more sticks. You can find a good price here...
http://froogle.google.com/froogle_cluster?btnG=Search+Froogle&hl=en&oid=15769188796594978473&pid=1926167453647126780&q=%22punk+sticks%22%2Bincense&scoring=p

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

Thanks! That looks less labourious than I feared.

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

Doh! They took the link down.

[morriganswitch.livejournal.com]

that's funny, it still works on my end. Just google Punk Sticks + incense.

ps

[morriganswitch.livejournal.com]

melt and pour soap is fun too. You can get started at your local Craft store! they also have next to the soap, Bath Fizzie Kits. (sorta like alka-seltzer for your bath.)

[duhastbees.livejournal.com]

all well and good, but to actually make soap, it's both stinky AND messy.

also, there's the possibility that any splatter will eat through your, uh, skin.

so be careful! lye is EVIL!!
but otherwise, it's a fucking blast.
my mother does it all the time.

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

I'd probably make glycerine soaps. I don't think that's quite as dangerous/stinky. And I like glycerine soap. It's like gross-tasting candy.

[duhastbees.livejournal.com]

mmm.
soapycandy.

[zombienought.livejournal.com]

Don't you have to render fat, too? :D

[duhastbees.livejournal.com]

sometimes. if you can't buy tallow, then yeah. you gotta render fat.

rendering fat = yuk.

or, there's recepies that involve olive oil instead of tallow. They're good for vegans and are called castile soaps. I like them more. They smell better.

[ex-dragonfis12.livejournal.com]

I haven't made soap, but my flatmate has, and we are both going to make it again soon.

Mmm, animal fat.... Messy, and icky to deal with. There is a reason I am keen to try making the olive oil based soaps. I don't care that the ones made with animal fat often clean better.

And lye/caustic soda burns. I imagine you would want to be quite careful handling it.

You could always start with hand milling soap from premade bars. I imagine it's still messy, but much safer and more on the fun with less on the processing side....

[(Anonymous)]

dude, and castile soap is so much smoother and gentler on the skin. Doesn't take scents quite the same, but I love the texture so much more.