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Discover the art of soap and candle making at
Violet Grant Soapery Blog.
Dive into topics like creating beautiful candles and soaps; tallow's benefits and crafting exquisite skin and
hair care products.
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Tallow
Tallow, a traditional ingredient is valued for its natural composition and compatibility with both skin and hair, making it a versatile addition to modern personal care routines.

Violet Grant
May 3, 20253 min read


The Benefits of Cold Process Shampoo Bars
Cold process shampoo bars have become increasingly popular as consumers seek natural and eco-friendly alternatives to traditional liquid shampoos. This method of creating shampoo bars offers several advantages over other production techniques, making it a preferred choice for those who value both efficacy and sustainability. The Benefits Preserves Beneficial Ingredients One of the primary benefits of cold process shampoo bars is that they preserve the integrity of beneficial

Violet Grant
May 1, 20257 min read


Surfactants in Shampoo Bars
By understanding the differences between natural and synthetic surfactants, you can choose to create shampoo bars that meet your hair care needs while aligning with your values regarding natural ingredients and environmental impact.

Violet Grant
May 1, 20254 min read


Mastering the Art of Decorative Handcrafted Soap
Unlock the enchanting secrets of handcrafted soap decoration: Indulge in the aromatic allure of crafting scents and colors. Australian Lemon Myrtle Soap decoration is an art form that goes beyond functionality. Handcrafted soap has gained popularity not only for its natural ingredients and luxurious lather but also for its stunning visual appeal. The art of decorating handcrafted soap involves a combination of craftsmanship, scientific knowledge, and artistic techniques. By e

Violet Grant
Sep 14, 20233 min read


What's the Goss on Soapmaking Oils?
In my mind, 'What's the Goss on Soapmaking Oils?' begs a couple of other questions. For instance, do the benefits of oils and butters...

Violet Grant
Jul 19, 20236 min read


Displaying Your Artisan Soap
Display options include soap band, soap tux, soap box, soap wrap. The Soap Band Since beginning soap making, I have morphed my labels and...

Violet Grant
Jul 5, 20232 min read


Soap and Labelling
When you intend to create and sell your soap, there are a number of things you need to consider, one being the labelling of your soap. The Consumer Goods (Cosmetics) Information Standard 2020 requires that you must label the ingredients appropriately to enable the safety of all who purchase it. I have copied the information below to enable all Australian Soap Makers to get it right according to the legislation requirements. You will notice that International Nomenclature C

Violet Grant
Mar 6, 20232 min read


Handcrafted Soap vs Commercial Soap - What's the Difference?
The History of Soap The creation of soap can be traced back to around 2800BC. Babylonians, Mesopotamians, Egyptians, as well as the ancient Greeks and Romans all made soap by mixing fat (usually animal fat), wood ash and water. Read an extensive history of Soap here . From its beginnings until the 1800s, soap making was monopolized by a few groups using exclusive techniques unknown to the general public. As the demand for soap was high (still is) this made the cost of soap

Violet Grant
Oct 17, 20223 min read


The Best Essential Oil Blends for Cold Process Soap
Essential oils are extracts from the roots, stems, leaves, bark, flowers, wood and resin of plants. They are highly concentrated oils consisting of volatile chemical compounds that contain the essence of the source from which they are extracted. Essential Oil Safety As many soap makers are inclined to create other products such as bath bombs, body scrubs, lotions and creams etc. it is important to note that all essential oils should be diluted in either a carrier oil or in a

Violet Grant
Oct 5, 20224 min read


The Use of Clay in Cold Process Soap
Clays are wonderful ingredients for adding to cold process soap. They are reported to bind to essential and fragrance oils to assist...

Violet Grant
Sep 2, 20224 min read


Creating Cold Process Soap
Creating soap using the cold process method can be quite satisfying and very addictive. The cold process method is ideal for preserving the benefits of plant-derived oils and butters and can be customized down to the last ingredient! Step by Step Cold Process Soap Please read through the following prior to making your soap SAFETY PRECAUTIONS Lye or caustic soda is an alkaline chemical that can cause chemical burns to any exposed part of your skin. It is a dangerous and cor

Violet Grant
Aug 1, 20224 min read


Citric Acid & Soap Making
The most abundant organic acid in lemons is citric acid. Lemons and lemon juice are one of the most concentrated sources of natural citric acid. A whole lemon contains about 3 grams of citric acid. Around 140 grams of lemon juice will contain roughly 6 grams of citric acid. Citric Acid in Soap Making ~ What's the Point? When citric acid and sodium hydroxide lye (NaOH) are combined, sodium citrate is created. Sodium citrate works as a chelator in soap. A chelator traps meta

Violet Grant
Aug 1, 20222 min read


Soap Mold Size Calculation
Whether you use a traditional soap mold or some other container, you can calculate just how much soap you need to make to fill that particular mold. Soap Calculators There are a number of great online Lye/Soap Calculators to assist you in making sure that your soap batch is going to fit your mold. Click on the links below to check out these calculators to see which is your preferred option. LyeCalc (my favourite and the one I typically use when creating a new recipe) Soap

Violet Grant
Jul 29, 20223 min read


Soap Care ~ make it last!
Handmade soap is often costly and worthy of taking a little effort to help make your investment last a little longer. Keep your soap dry with a self-draining soap holder where the air can circulate around the bar Apply the soap bar to a washcloth or loofa and use that to lather yourself. Before use, store your soap in a cool, dry, preferably dark area. Avoid direct light, excessive heat, and humidity. Store scented soap in a container, such as a carboard soap box. Use your

Violet Grant
Jul 29, 20221 min read


Soap Craft ~ I think I can, I think I can...
I know, I know - what on earth am I doing placing a blog post on this subject when I haven't tried this since high school, where I can only remember three ingredients: olive oil, coconut oil and sodium hydroxide - yikes! This blog is aptly named 'The Creative's Blog' and I can't help myself - I try just about every genre of art and craft to expand my craftiness and keep myself deeply satisfied and informed regarding creativity options. I have been diligently researching this

Violet Grant
Jul 8, 20221 min read
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