Tons of stuff!

[lil-bella-girl.livejournal.com]

I finally got around to taking some pictures and posting some stuff I made in my jewelry class. A Silver and Copper ring and Zebra Agete pendent. Also some more Twilight quote bracelets and earrings... take a look...



( more more more )

Some soap questions formulation, rancid oil, skin issues

[paosparti.livejournal.com]

Hi All,

1. I would really like some info on telling if an oil has gone rancid. I have mostly only been able to find people saying "You'll know" and that isn't very helpful. I really do need some characteristics... how will it smell will it be a slightly off smell, or like over powering and knock you over.

The problem is I have some Sweet almond oil that I had lost and just found I've had it for probably 3 years, it's been closed and in the dark but has been through temperature fluctuations has it was in a cupboard in my carport. It smells slightly... I don't really know how to describe it... it could be a nutty sorta of smell or maybe musky would be a better description, but I haven't used sweet almond in so long I haven't the faintest idea if that is how it is supposed to smell or if it's too far gone to use for soaps.

Please help I really wanna start on some crock pot HP ASAP.

2. I have had to stop using my homemade soaps because my skin gets horribly dry and itchy in the winter. This makes em really sad. But even the super conditioning soaps with a 10-15% super fat (I am afraid to go any higher for fear of dreaded orange spots) in the best conditions... summer high humidity and so on... leave my skin with a squeaky tight feeling in the winter it gets simply awful with itchy, flaky skin. Mostly the soaps I've been making are 1/3rd lard, olive, and coconut. I also tried reducing the coconut and adding shea with still no luck. I even tried using lotions, aloe, and oils as after products but it still wasn't enough finally I just had to go get some super moisture body wash and quit using my homemade soaps in the winter.

Any suggestions? Would taking the coconut out completely help? Would a totally different formula? What about using KOH instead of NaOH?

If anyone wants to help me figure out a good formulation here are the oils I have at home. If I don't have them currently The only other oils I have quick enough access to are found at grocery stores.

Have on hand:
liquid lanolin
Castor oil
Olive oil
Shea butter
Coconut oil
Lard
and if it's not rancid the sweet almond

Thanks so much for your help
x-posted to soap_making, and craftygoths

jewels

[appareils.livejournal.com]

( jewelry i've made )

Plush shield-dragon

[ldhenson.livejournal.com]

The dragon on Camelot's shields from the new Merlin TV series, in 3D plush form.





( Follow the fake cut... )

Jack Frost mask

[cyprith.livejournal.com]

I've been working on this on and off all week. It's a Jack Frost mask. A little late for Christmas, but I procrastinate.




( Because there are lots of really big images... )

Scrabble Tile Pendants

[ashea.livejournal.com]

Hi everyone! I'm noticing that those Scrabble Tile Pendants are all the rage right now...anyone have a good tutorial that doesn't involve drilling into the tile? :)

Thanks! <3

Nine Patch quilting question

[emraldfire.livejournal.com]

Hey guys i have a question about nine patch quilts. I have a book that tells me how to make a block (says to make two strip sets using 3 1/2" x 42" and cut them at 3 1/2" to make the 3 blocked strips). I am guessing that with a 1/4" seam this will mean that the blocks will be 9 x 9" when sewn together. I need to know- how many blocks will the two 42" strip sets make, and how many 9 x 9" nine patches do i need to make a queen sized quilt? Thanks a bunch!

it is better to light a candle...

[nux-vomica.livejournal.com]

than to complain about the darkness!

( what i did on winter solstice )

(no subject)

[siskys-sweetie.livejournal.com]

hey
does anyone know a good site to order custom t-shirts from? not mass amounts, just 1


something like this would be amazing --> flickr.com/photos/k_cockriel/2942785059/
but if not a normal t-shirt will do :)

thanks
happy holidays