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Polymer clay earrings are having a moment right now. This is a type of jewelry constructed from polymer clay which is a synthetic type of clay that is moldable and then baked to allow them to cure or harden for wearing. There are several reasons that polymer clay earrings are so popular: Lightweight. You can have larger earrings that weigh and feel like you are wearing next to nothing. Variety. There are endless ways to design these earrings. They can be created to match any wardrobe item. Long-lasting. When polymer clay is cured, it is quite strong. This doesn’t mean...

A mushroom for skincare? Tremella fuciformis is a snow mushroom. It looks more like a fluffy sea sponge than a fungus. The snow mushroom is a tropical gelatinous mushroom that has been used in Chinese medicine and cooking for thousands of years. It is making its rounds in skincare thanks to its amazing, 100% natural skin enhancing properties. It is considered nature’s hyaluronic acid. Why snow mushrooms are good for skin. Snow mushrooms contain polysaccharides (a bunch of sugar molecules that have water binding properties) that help to hydrate the skin by binding moisture to its surface. How much moisture?...

Winter Skincare tips Cold air doesn't hold much moisture.  Since there is less in the air, it can be drawn from your skin causing dry, irritated, and itchy winter skin. Having a winter skincare routine can help fortify your skin barrier and renew hydration of your skin. 1.  Although most of us love a hot shower or bath during the winter months, don't linger too long, it can strip the skin of natural oils.  Reduce the temperature and the duration of bathing to avoid losing excessive moisture from your skin barrier. 2.  Pat dry right after exiting the shower or tub...

October Soap Challenge Club 2021 This blog post is for soap makers or anyone interested in the soap making process.  Almost every month, I participate in the Soap Challenge Club, hosted by Amy Warden of Great Cakes Soapworks.  I have been participating in the challenge for years because, as you all know, I’m a bit obsessed with soap making.  I love learning new soap making techniques, it is really about the love of learning and growing as a soap maker.  This month’s challenge was a recycled soap scrap method.  There were many options to choose from, confetti soaps, tile soaps,...

Plum seed or plum kernel oil is a powerhouse in skincare.  It is an emollient that moisturizes, conditions, and protects the skin barrier.  Rich in the essential fatty acids of oleic and linoleic acids, plum kernel oil is a great support partner for the lipid barrier of the skin.  Not only is it a great hydrator, it has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.  Protecting the skin against free radical damage and regulating sebum are its other super-hero abilities.  A lightweight, easily absorbed, and noncomedogenic oil makes it ideal for skincare products.  Plum kernel oil’s amazing chemical makeup is enough on its...