Etsy Rave: the Sequel

As much as I rant on my other blog, I do like to reserve this one strictly for raves (especially those pertaining to anything handmade!) and after what a wonderful experience I just had, I needed to share it with everyone.

A few of you may remember [[this post]] from February of this year, about the gorgeous hairpins and necklace I purchased from the seller dandyapple on etsy. Well, since midterms are over and I'm still alive, I decided I needed a treat...so I went back to that same shop and purchase myself some more jewelery that I'd been drooling over...namely, some gorgeous lucite earrings and a matching ring.

Choosing between such a wide range of colors was challenging, but blue is my favourite color, so it won out in the end. I was completely suckered in by the way the lucite seems to glow!

image © dandyapple

The package arrived only a few days later, and I was ecstatic to wear my new prezzies to myself the following morning. Unfortunately, at one point during the end of my six-hour stint on campus, I realized that the ring had fallen off my finger. Typically I don't wear rings, so I suspected that the dome had caught on the pocket of my jeans or jacket (I have a habit of always cramming my hands in my pockets) and I had failed to notice. I quickly went back to the last area where I remembered having it, and then to the building I had come from beforehand, but it was gone.

I was incredibly sad, and that night when I left feedback for the ring I mentioned to the seller that I had lost it and was interested in buying another one. Fast forward to today; it's been a long, rainy day and I'm stumbling off the bus and towards my apartment, ready to curl up in bed and call it a day. My coat is halfway off when I spy a package for me on the kitchen counter. I hadn't ordered anything recently and my curiosity immidiately took over. A happy looking Surprise! had been scrawled on the back of the envelope and I had a brief inkling as to what might be inside...I ripped open the top of the envelope and found myself peaking into a small jewelry box at a brand new ring!

Let's just say I am one VERY happy customer! After two amazing experiences in a row, I am definitely going to be making many future purchases at this shop. If you didn't have time to check it out last time, take a few moments to look it over now by clicking the image below. You'll like what you see!

Fresh Cut Grass

The perfect summertime scent. Remember those days of getting up early (before the sun got too hot), dragging out the old mower, greasing up the blades and just relishing in that sweet scent of freshly-cut, dew-kissed grass?

Well, even if you don't, this soap smells the same! Check it out in my etsy shop!

How to: Blueberry Muffin melt-and-pour soap

Summer vacation is nearing it's end, but before my life falls back into its strict college routine, I may as well make myself plenty of deliciously scented soaps to get me through the semester! Today I'd like to share my recipe for making one of my most popular "Bakery-Sweets Soaps", Blueberry Muffin.

Ingredients you will need:

• 1 oz. clear soap
• 5 oz. white soap (shea and goats milk are also fine substitutes)
• a non-bleeding blue colorant
• your favorite Blueberry Muffin fragrance oil

Tools:

• digital scale
• small mouth-wide container (such as a glass measuring cup)
• knife or soap cutter
• two 3 oz. soap molds in any shape you prefer
• eyedropper
• spray bottle of rubbing alcohol
• spoon or other mixing utensil

Hint: make sure all of your tools and work area are clean and dry before beginning!


Step 1
Using your digital scale, measure out 1 oz of clear soap for the "blueberries". Using your soap cutter, slice the soap into smaller cubes (this will help it melt faster and more evenly) and place the cubes into your container.

Step 2
Place your container in the microwave and melt for about 10-15 seconds. Do not allow the soap to boil. Always keep an eye on your soap when it's in the microwave! If you finish nuking and there are still a few small unmelted pieces, don't worry; just stir very gently and the heat of the melted soap will melt the remaining chunks.


Step 3
Once all your soap has melted, add 1-2 drops of a non-bleeding blue colorant (Brambleberry has an assortment of non-bleeding colors. If you don't use a non-bleeding color, after a few weeks the blue color will leech into the white and you'll end up with an ugly [albiet still awesome smelling] bar of soap!) Proceed to add 2-4 drops of your fragrance oil. Gently mix with a spoon and pour into your mold. Spritz your rubbing alcohol over the surface to evaporate any bubbles. Now it's just a matter of waiting for this soap to harden before we move to the next step (depending on the temperature of your workspace, this can take 15-30 minutes). Blow gently on the surface of the soap to tell if it has begun to set. If it doesn't move, you can always gently poke a corner of the soap. If it bends inward at all, it's not hardened enough!)

Hint: While you're waiting for your blue soap to harden, begin preparation for the next step: weigh out 5 oz of white soap and place it in your container (make sure you have cleaned it since using it for the clear soap!!!) and have it ready and sitting next to the microwave.

Step 4
Unmold. If you have trouble unmolding the soap, try popping the mold into the freezer for 30-60 seconds. Press your thumbs gently on either side of the mold and try to get an air pocket to form between the mold and the soap. Once you've succeeded in this, the soap should pop right out. If you have soar thumbs at the end of the day, don't come crying to me! SOAP = SERIOUS BUSINESS!


Step 5
Proceed to chop your soap into small "blueberries" and desperse between your two 3 oz. molds. Before adding your white soap, you will need to gently spritz the "blueberries" with rubbing alcohol. This will help to adhere the layers so the blue chunks won't fall out of your soap while bathing!

Step 6
Remember how I hinted that you should have your 5 oz. white soap weighed out, chopped, and ready for nuking? Pop your container into the microwave and melt for 20-30 seconds. Add 4-5 drops of your Blueberry Muffin fragrance oil and mix gently. Once the soap and fragrance have been thoroughly mixed, slowly pour your white soap over the "blueberries". Spritz surface with rubbing alcohol to eliminate any bubbles.

Hint: Make sure your soap is not too hot before pouring!!! As you can see, I was too focused on getting a picture that I forgot to check the temperature before pouring. As a result, the white soap ended up melting a portion of the blueberries. While this does look pretty, it's not the look we were aiming for. Luckily I have two molds to work with, so you can see the consequences of not paying attention! Test the soap with your fingertip before pouring; if it feels too hot for your finger, it is too hot to pour! Allow the soap to cool slightly before pouring, and stir gently and frequently to prevent any skin from forming on the surface.


Step 7
Unmold, and eureka! You've just made a bar of gorgeous, delicious-smelling soap!


I hope you enjoyed the tutorial :)

A Brief Hiatus in Soaping Adventures

Just dropping a line to let everyone know I'm still here, just not soaping at the moment.

I've been back and forth between Moscow and Sandpoint for the past several weeks to help look after my mom, who was suffering from melanoma of the liver and brain and had very recently contracted a staph infection during one of her chemo treatments. According to the doctors, at that point she had pretty much a 0% chance of recovery (although before the infection, she was already looking at a timeframe of only a few months more), and she wanted to die in her own home rather than the hospital, so we complied; soon after, she lost the ability to walk or speak, and someone needed to be there with her 24/7. A few days ago she passed away, as she had wanted (given the circumstances); in her own home, with my dad and me next to her. A hospice nurse was visiting at the time and was able to confirm time of death.

The hiatus won't go on forever, but for the next week or so I may not have much of an online presence. Thanks for the understanding, the patience, and the support you've all given me.

Cherry Blossoms and Blueberry Muffins!

Here's the latest from Sweet Tangerine!

I'm sure some of you can remember my *ahem* DELICIOUSLY scented Blueberry Muffin soap from before (just imagine a fresh, warm batch of buttery, sugary blueberry muffins straight out of the oven!). I wasn't happy with the flat pastel blue/purple color I had used before, so I came out with a new design for this bar. Let me know what you think!


I've also tried out a new fragrance, Cherry Blossom. Normally I'm not one to like floral scents, but something about cherry blossoms just makes me weak in the knees. The floral tones are very soft, and you can smell a distinct note of cherries as well.

These new soaps are available now in my etsy shop!