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View entire thread: Need HELP!!

Posted by emalicious on 2006-07-10 22:43:39      Post Subject: Need HELP!!



i have just started making my own lip balms and have begun to come across a problem. when i pour the lip balm into the tubes, air bubbles form, causing holes to appear in the lip balm (near the center). how do i prevent this from happening??

i have read that the lip balm could be too hot to pour...is this the case? does it have something to do with the ingredients (i am using sunflower oil and beeswax). has anyone had similar problems? any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

thanks. :-)

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View entire thread: beeswax/natural resin as well, resin? anyone?

Posted by stella on 2006-01-18 22:51:31      Post Subject:

since none of the plant resins you mentioned are hard enough to be worn as jewelry, and mixing them with beeswax would make them softer, i'm going to guess that the answer to question two is no. amber, benzoin, myrrh, and beeswax are also all pretty much opaque.

the synthetic resins are pretty safe as long as you follow the instructions for use an disposal.

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View entire thread: how do you make leather shoes waterproof?

Posted by peanut on 2005-02-10 16:56:31      Post Subject:

beeswax:
http://www.mrboots.com/general_store/index.html?loadfile=itemsno-seal-07.html

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View entire thread: lipbalm with shea butter?

Posted by yardenxanthe on 2007-12-17 18:19:52      Post Subject:

You could just experiment w/melting the beeswax & shea butter together until you get a consistency you like. I don't know what other oils you have available to you, but pretty much any will do (sweet almond, olive, etc... fill in the blank with what's available.)

Let us know how you do!

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View entire thread: lipbalm with shea butter?

Posted by peanut on 2007-12-12 09:59:15      Post Subject: lipbalm with shea butter?

Hi all, sorry I've been in hibernation for awhile.

I am looking for a lipbalm recipe that involves the following ingredients, because they are available and CHEAP here in Dakar, Senegal where I am living right now.
-Shea butter
-Beeswax

If anyone wants to buy high quality pure shea butter, I can also hook you up. PM me for the EXTREMELY low prices (but I can only ship over a pound).

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View entire thread: beeswax/natural resin as well, resin? anyone?

Posted by honeybee on 2006-01-18 12:21:21      Post Subject: beeswax/natural resin as well, resin? anyone?

i have some ideas for encasing small objects in resin, but i want to steer clear of toxic resins. i've heard that beeswax can be mixed with natural resins (amber, benzoin, myrrh, etc), but has anyone ever tried this? is it transparent, and is it solid enough to be worn as jewelry?

thanks in advance :)

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View entire thread: Have you made sushi candles, or other specialty candles?

Posted by CraftinFool on 2004-11-28 11:00:39      Post Subject: Have you made sushi candles, or other specialty candles?

I've been seeing those awfully cute sushi candles online and wondering if anyone has tried their hand at making sushi candles? Like, either molded ones that look like whole pieces of sashimi, or the handrolled beeswax ones that look like cut sushi rolls? Or how about other novelty candles?

I have candle-making stuff but I'm realizing I'm only motivated to use it if it's for less traditional candle-making.

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View entire thread: Have you made sushi candles, or other specialty candles?

Posted by girlthursday on 2004-12-06 13:34:37      Post Subject:

I made sushi candles a couple years ago and gave them out as Christmas gifts on realy inexpensive sushi plates from a dollar store-type of place. I just used sheets of beeswax and placed the wick in the middle and rolled them with the different colours- pink in the middle (tuna) with a thick rolling of white for the rice and then one layer of black on the outside for the seaweed. Super easy and cute!

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View entire thread: how do you make leather shoes waterproof?

Posted by peanut on 2005-02-10 16:53:35      Post Subject:

mink oil is good, you should be able to get it at the drugstore or the hardware store. also, there's this beeswax waterproofing stuff you might try.
best,
pnt

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View entire thread: PUMPKIN LIP BALM

Posted by alohomora on 2006-05-06 04:17:42      Post Subject:

what's your lip balm recipe?



i can't remember where i got it. i searched for a simple lip balm recipe a few years ago and finally came up with this one because it seemed the easiest. here it is for ya:


2 tbsp. petrolleum jelly
1 tsp. beeswax
10 drops of essential oil

It says to melt the jelly & beeswax and then add the essential oil. Very easy. And then just add it to your little tins or whatever you want to put the lip balm in.

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View entire thread: PUMPKIN LIP BALM

Posted by yardenxanthe on 2006-05-06 13:29:42      Post Subject:

If you already have beeswax (usually the most difficult lip balm making supply to find), I suggest skipping the petroleum jelly!!! Instead, use any kind of cooking oil (olive, etc.) and if you have coconut oil (can also be found in the cooking section of your local store), some of that.

Use 1/3 beeswax, 1/3 olive (or whatever other liquid oil), 1/3 coconut.

If you can't find the coconut, use roughly 1/2 and 1/2 (although you might want a bit more liquid oil to make it softer).

This is a natural lip balm that can be absorbed by your lips. Petroleum just makes a seal over your skin, but doesn't actually penetrate your dry skin. Also, do you really want to smear a product that is a by-product of crude oil on your lips??

Hope that helps!

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View entire thread: Getting Started: Jewelry Making

Posted by stella on 2007-05-07 01:48:39      Post Subject:

what kind of jewelry do you want to make? for beads, all you really need is nylon thread, beeswax, scissors, a lighter, beading needles, and beads. use the biggest thread that will fit through your beads, and stretch and wax it before you start. after you tie a knot at the end of your necklace or whatever, trim the thread ends to about 1/8" and melt them with the lighter. i make almost all of my jewelry with those tools, and maybe some leather needles and epoxy if i want to use leather.

for wire jewelry, you'll want a few kinds of pliers and a pair of wire cutters. i don't like the ones that are pliers and wire cutters, because one or the other part is always crappy. round-round, chain-nose, and wire cutters are a good start. ideally, you want pliers made in Germany, but if you're just starting out and don't want to spend a lot of money, cheap pliers (usually from Pakistan or China) work okayish. the pins that alate mentioned are called "head pins".

try picking up a basic beading magazine. they have lots of patterns and list the tools you'll need, and that makes it easier to get started. a lot of bead shops offer classes, too.

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View entire thread: making wicks for candles?

Posted by Jan1311 on 2005-12-26 06:58:28      Post Subject:

You need cotton yarn and beeswax. You wax the yarn, and then use it as the wick for your candles. I've never made a candle myself but my cousin makes them, and that is what she does.

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View entire thread: making wicks for candles?

Posted by xuli on 2005-12-26 10:35:57      Post Subject:

Also, you might want to compare the cost of getting cotton yarn and beeswax vs. just buying pre-made wicks. Pre-made wicks are very inexpensive and might even be a better idea, given that this is a new craft for you and not something you are looking to invest a lot in. You can get pre-made wicks at places like Michael's.

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View entire thread: Burt's Bees Products - what do you think?

Posted by kari-star on 2004-10-14 16:05:00      Post Subject:

I have used both the beeswax creme and the marshmallow creme and I prefered the beeswax one, but that's because in the winter my face gets so dry and red that I treat it by gooing on the goo, and the beeswax one was a little more gooey than the marshmallow. I do get some break outs but no more so than I would if I weren't using the goo. I think it took a little bit of time for my skin to get used to it, too. but I would reccommend! I started with a sample kit myself, and then was hooked.

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View entire thread: making lip balm?

Posted by tigerlily on 2005-04-07 12:49:04      Post Subject:

I've made lip balm before and it isn't hard at all. It's a lot of heating up and cooling down, but once you get the right mixture of wax and oil, it's really easy.

I would suggest using the microwave over the stove. You use up less pans, and it takes a lot less time to melt. All you need is a small plastic bowl and it usually takes about 30 seconds to 1 minute to melt.

All you need to mix is either beeswax, shea butter, or coco butter with almond oil, sunflower oil, or similar. You can add flavors, colors, or Vit. E if you want. I would play around with the wax to oil ratio. You can have it oily to hard, so find a consistancy that you like. To do this, you will have to heat it up, mix it around, and place a little sample to the side. When it dries, rub it and see if you like it. Simple.

It can get kinda messy, but not bad. You can usually scrap it off the counter, or squeeze it out of the eye dropper thing.

I've made it for friends and family and they've enjoyed it. I like chocolate mint flavors. It seems to last only about 4 months, so don't make more than you will give out.

Hope that helps.

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View entire thread: I love fall but my skin does not! Moisturizer question

Posted by peanut on 2004-10-10 15:38:14      Post Subject:

i have dry skin with acne and i use two excellent products: bert's bees beeswax lotion (for face), smells good and is awsomely rich--good for winter. for breakouts i suggest jason's skinamins line vitamin a cream. it will knock out even subterranean zits when they are starting, does it fast (overnight sometimes) and is not drying.

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View entire thread: Psoriasis blows! :(

Posted by kindarana on 2006-04-09 09:09:38      Post Subject:

While you're waiting for meds, try to massage as much cream as you can stand into your feet. It will soften up that scaly skin and hopefully alleviate some of the itchiness. If the skin is softer, it may be easier for the medical cream to work.

Try to find the least chemical cream you can, no perfumes or anything, you don't want to have your skin freak out more. I'm thinking along the lines of beeswax, Lubriderm maybe, or petroleum jelly.

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View entire thread: EEK! Need help with embroidery!!!

Posted by lizzymahoney on 2004-09-10 17:22:20      Post Subject:

If you use a hoop, you probably don't need stabilizers. If you are doing beaded embroidery or couched threads you might want stabilizer or interfacing, though.

Keep your floss short. Saves the headache of smoothing out the knotty wrinkles.

What sorts of things will you work on? Types of fabric, use of fabric, motif, etc.?

There are lots of little tricks like taking tinier stitches at the narrow ends of curves, or using spit or beeswax to keep the tail of your thread together.

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View entire thread: EEK! Need help with embroidery!!!

Posted by ti on 2004-09-11 14:21:22      Post Subject:

Thank you for all of your help! I am learning about tension in my hands, not unlike crocheting (or am I imagining it?) I kinda like the softer stabilizer for my cotton fabrics, beeswax is a great addition, longer needles for my tiny fingers are better (umm not so tiny but certainly small!!) they help me navigate with the floss so much better ... As with anything, I think practice opens up new doors to me.

Candice and Melissa S. -- I think I will go to my friendly bookstore and see if they have that book in stock. :)

btw - for some odd reason I use thread and floss interchangeably - bad habit. I meant, I was losing so much floss when I was trying to separate the floss into two piece section ... it seemed such a waste and was thinking there had to be a better way!

Anyone have some embroidery picts they want to share??

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View entire thread: Burt's Bees Products - what do you think?

Posted by kazoogrrl on 2004-10-15 09:45:21      Post Subject:

I picked up the Beeswax Light Creme, so we'll see how it goes! I wish it didn't smell like rosewater, but I'll live.

I also got the Mulberry lipstick - I really like how it feels and goes on. I wanted it to be a little more burgundy in color, but I think if I get a slightly darker lipliner for when I want longer wear, it'll work out great.

A friend used to use the cuticle butter as a lip balm - it said it would satisfy her craving for something sweet to eat!

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View entire thread: Burt's Bees Products - what do you think?

Posted by kazoogrrl on 2004-10-14 10:39:01      Post Subject: Burt's Bees Products - what do you think?

Last week I asked about moisturizers for my poor oily-breaking out- yet dry and dull face. (thanks for all the advice! I think I'm going to cut back on the salicylic acid products and see how it goes)

I was thinking about giving Burt's Bees facial products a try - but none of them are labeled what kind of skin they are for. Peanut recommended the Beeswax face creme (the light one, I assume?), which looks good - but of course, the words "wax" and "creme" cause a knee jerk reaction and I think "That's going to make me break out!". The Marshmallow Vanishing Creme looks good too.

So, what are your experiences with Burt's Bees products, especially the facial ones?

(I use Burt's lip balm and coconut foot cream and I love them both!)

-Amy (who hopes to one day use only one line of facial products)

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View entire thread: Holiday Gift Ideas for Co-workers

Posted by lizzymahoney on 2004-11-12 22:59:54      Post Subject:

Candles, like sushi candles made with beeswax in colors, or gel candles with some local touch .

Assortment of hand stamped cards and note paper?

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View entire thread: Holiday Gift Ideas for Co-workers

Posted by lemonfish on 2004-11-17 01:45:00      Post Subject:

Candles, like sushi candles made with beeswax in colors, or gel candles with some local touch .

Assortment of hand stamped cards and note paper?

Any instructions or illustrations for the candles?

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View entire thread: what's the oddest tool in YOUR craft room?

Posted by redheadedali on 2004-09-13 22:48:39      Post Subject:

Whenever I take my beadweaving somewhere where other people can see me do it, they seem mystified by the beeswax I use to condition the thread. I really don't understand why it's so interesting, but it inevitably draws question.

Alison

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View entire thread: Need Ideas for Handmade Wedding Favors

Posted by delqc on 2005-07-13 17:37:32      Post Subject:

We just received a pair of home-made dipped beeswax candles at a wedding we attended a few weeks ago... a friend of the couple made them for the couple for a wedding present.

del

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View entire thread: crafty things to do on a plane

Posted by breewell on 2005-01-01 22:55:28      Post Subject:

I love to embroider and cross stitch on planes, but I also have knitted alot too. I have never been questioned about the knitting needles (I even printed out the TSA guidlines last time just in case since I was in the middle of a project). I did get some tiny scissors taken away once in Vegas, and I had bought the sewing kit at the gate in LA a few days before (they obviously don't communicate with the Hudson News folks). The only other thing I have ever had confiscated was some sheets of bees wax that the guy said was flammable. I thought that was wierd since flammable beeswax would make for a fairly dangerous candle... but what do I know? Anyway, I wouldn't worry about knitting needles (go with plastic or wood if you want to be careful), or sewing needles, and I would use nail clippers to cut the wool or thread.
Have fun in Europe!

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View entire thread: get married, change name, catch hell??

Posted by brdgt on 2004-05-25 14:44:36      Post Subject:

While I agree with everyone else here that it is none of your boss' beeswax - I think I see why she has a problem with it (that doesn't mean she has a right to bitch you out about it though).

Fewer and fewer women are keeping thier names anymore (less than 2%) and in a culture saturated with gender expectations I wonder how much of the name changing "choice" is really a choice. I know a lot of women who are pressured to do it before marriage, or don't like correcting people after the fact so they end up changing it.

(I did not change my name and constantly get mail - from my own relatives - addressed to Mrs. Husband's last name)

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View entire thread: what do you make with this?

Posted by kohuether on 2005-03-19 12:52:20      Post Subject:

How similar is evaporated milk to sweetened condensed milk? I use the condensed stuff when I am making fillings for chocoaltes. I take some confectionary sugar, coconut, and that milk stuff and mix it all together. I form it into balls and then refrigerate it until firm, then dip it in bittersweet chocolate mixed with a little beeswax.

I bet you can also mix it with milk to make a chowder.

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View entire thread: get married, change name, catch hell??

Posted by Miss E on 2004-05-24 02:20:10      Post Subject:

Yeah, I think that your boss was totally rude. To put it mildly, she needs to mind her own beeswax. I think that the whole deal about feminism is choice. You can chose to take his name or not to, but the emphasis is that you have the ability to choose.

My partner and I have talked about the whole name change thing. I don't want to change my name for a few reasons:

1. I like my name the way that it is.
2. It reflects my cultural heiritage (chinese), which I love.
3. I don't like his family all that much, and neither does he for that matter.
4. I don't think that it's fair that I have to change mine, and he doesn't.

So we settled on something that we both are really satisfied with. We're both hyphenating our last names:

Miss E My Last Name-His Last Name and Mr. R My Last Name-His Last Name.

But we will both continue to use our maiden names professionally. We're not sure about kids yet, but we have plenty of time to think about that.

miss e

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View entire thread: daily update

Posted by vatic on 2005-07-15 13:55:10      Post Subject:

Wearing: hooray for casual fridays as well. i'm wearing lavendar corduroy trouseres, new adidas (first pair ever... fancy!) shoes that are very breathable, a grey tank top, with a v-neck lilac coloured shirt on top.
Make-up: Burt's bees beeswax lip balm. i alternate between that and my Body Shop lip balms.
Hair: in a bun, usually pony tail, but it's so long that i can bun it now!
Last ate: a chicken and cheese sandwich with Walkers sweet thai chili crisps because it's Friday and i wanted to treat myself
Listening to: Radio France Internationale
Mood: hungry, eager to get out and walk around
Craving: going back outside
Reading: Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut, finally
Watching: the second season of Arrested Development, Wallace and Gromit
Going: to the movies tonight with the s.o., flatmate and friend training it up from London.
Thinking: about how gloriously office-free this weekend will be
Doing: checking mail, bills online, etc.
Planning: to do a lot of washing of clothes and dishes this weekend, finally sending people letters/postcards.

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View entire thread: What's your crafty secret?

Posted by researchasaurus on 2004-09-14 15:27:06      Post Subject:

A chunk of beeswax to make hand-stitching easier.

Really--you can usually get it at the health food store, or at a really good sewing supply shop.

You thread the needle and tie a knot at the end of the thread. Then you drag the entire length of thread through the edge of the wax to coat it.

As you sew, you will not have any of the annoying twisting (or un-plying if you use poor-quality thread). And it smells great AND it washes out of your fabric easily!

Though maybe not on silk. But everything else.


Submitted by Heidi.

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