5 comments about Essentially Soap: The Elegant Art of Handmade Soap Making, Scenting, Coloring & Shaping.

1. This book was recommended to me when I deceided to start making soap on my own. This is the essential book for all beginners. I must admit I was VERY nervous when making my first batch however I forged ahead with the help of this book and I havent looked back.



2. Well written with lots of excellent tips. As this book is written by a chemist, it answered a lot of my questions and gave me insight on soapmaking as no other book has. I highly reccomend it.



3. In my opinion this is the best soap book there is. It is the answer to any soapmakers questions--beginner or advanced. Being a visual person the many pictures with pictured step by step instructions are invaluable to me. If you do not have the space or money for every book that is out there this one book can be the one guide you refer to time and time again.



4. In my opinion this book is a must read for any soaper. It introduces both the history and the science behind soap making in a way that is easy to understand and enjoyable to read. My favorite piece of information gleaned from this book is that regarding the INS Scale. Being fairly new to the art of soap making this was a new concept to me and the simplicity with which it is presented is wonderful. The one drawback that I found to be most notable is the authors lack of encouragement in attempting CP soap at home while discussing the re-batching method. He frequently stresses how dangerous CP soap making is and how much safer it is to buy already made CP soap. While it is true that the process of CP soap making can be dangerous I don't believe those interested in giving it a go should be intimidated. As long as you are well informed and follow basic chemical handling safety you'll be fine!



5. I'm new to soapmaking and have taken 1 class on it. I'm obsessed with this new art and have poured thru 6 books in 4 days I love it so much! I can tell you this book was one that I got from the library (but will own soon!) and it's a MUST HAVE! It's informational more than a book of recipes but it's very clear and one I will refer to always. Don't get me wrong, the recipes are great but they are for 4 lb batches which seem a bit big for me right now (2 solo soap adventures so far)....very new. The other must have book with 2lb recipes is "Smart Soapmaking" by Anne L. Watson! YOU have to have this book in your soap library!

5 comments about Making Herbal Dream Pillows : Secret Blends for Pleasant Dreams (The Spirit of Aromatherapy).

1. This book does have some nice recipes. I have seen some better sources with many more recipes as well as ways of actually making the pillows themselves, I also didn't like the fact that in the book it was recommended to NOT use essential oil, I dissagree & many others do as well.



2. "Making Herbal Dream Pillows : Secret Blends for Pleasant Dreams" is a perfect gift choice for that someone special. If you or a friend like herbal fragrances, arranging flowers or just potpourri in general this has many possibilities and suggestions. Thoughtful in its approach this is very well conceived. Highly recommended.



3. This was a Christmas gift for my 30 yr old daughter in law. (It was on her wish list). She read me a few 'recipes' from the book over the holidays. The book seemed to hold her attention. The recipes sounded fun and made one want to start on them right away. But a trip to an Herbal Store is definitely needed. There are a lot of herbs required to make the pillows that won't be on your pantry shelf. Overall though, she seemed happy with the book. 5 stars if there weren't so many herbs not commonly on hand. The book is nicely made, not cheap looking.



4. I give this book four stars because of the beautiful artwork and wonderful recipes. Very beautifully illustrated and simple to follow. However I have one complaint: most of the herbal recipes call for mugwort which I cannot find. I haven't yet tried any of the recipes in here because of that but in my opnion it is very original and definitely a keeper.



5. Wonderful book! Jim Long has done alot of research into the origins of the pillows. Very informative compact book.

5 comments about Lavender: How to Grow and Use the Fragrant Herb (Herbs (Stackpole Books)).

1. Well written, detailed, and informative book, with lots of pictures and useful tips. The subtitle describes it all!



2. Nature's beauty challenges our ability to describe in mere words or even in photographs. Ellen Spector Platt's new edition of Lavender - How To Grow And Use The Fragrant Herb (Stackpole Books 2009) meets this challenge and then some.
   
   The book, 145 pages, contains photographs of lavender fields, garden paths, wreaths and more images. The beauty of lavender dazzles us; however this book invites us to discover more about this plant. Platt's book describes its history from ancient times when Roman soldiers used the herb to perfume their bath water to now when lavender is celebrated in festivals around the world.
   
   Platt provides useful advice about growing lavender. Full sun is a must for this plant. Good drainage and alkaline soil are also preferred. For harvesting Platt offer tips for cutting, drying and using lavender making it easy to enjoy its beauty even after summer is over.
   
   Farms and festivals offer visitors opportunities to "observe essential oil being distilled from the harvest; hear the banjo picker, the country trio, the six-string electric violin, or the Celtic fiddle." Once again Platt speaks to all our senses and invites us to appreciate lavender for its beauty, fragrance, usefulness and its taste. She provides a list of festivals so you can discover the experience of lavender yourself.
   
   Taste, my favorite part, is now coming into its own in America. In France, lavender has been a favorite in the kitchen for a long time. Platt shares recipes for Poached Apples, Aromatic Chicken and instructions for serving Edible Flowers. I am pleased to have contributed one of my special recipes - Roasted Halibut a la Provence.
   
   If you are intrigued with Lavender, this book will help you discover its array of attributes. If you are looking for an unforgettable Mother's Day gift, look no longer. Pick up a copy of Lavender - How To Grow and Use The Fragrant Herb and why not splurge and add a lavender plant!
   
   Gifts That Bloom ~ Aromatherapy Lavender Garden
   
   Munstead Lavender Herb - Perennial - 8 Plants



3. Ms. Platt has once again demonstrated her ability to provide a wealth of information in an entertaining and engrossing manner. There is truly something for everyone - from growing tips to wonderful desserts. Her practical advice as well as the easy to understand project directions encourage even the "bumblers" like myself to undertake a creation. The lavender farms and festivals are now on my vacation "wish list". This is an inspiring book from start to finish complete with beautiful photos and wonderful memories.



4. This book was everything I hoped for: projects (lots more than the first edition), recipes, tips on drying, propagation, and perhaps most importantly, recommended varieties and suggestions on how to grow lavender in containers and in the ground. Pretty pictures, clear instructions, tasty deserts...what more could a lavender lover ask for?



5. This is the companion for anyone starting a love affair with lavender. The author, in an easy to understand style, covers the history, the different varieties and the how to of growing. There are chapters showing how to use the plant in home projects and in kitchen recipes. Lavender festivals and sources are even part of this all in one book on lavender. The accompanying pictures are an added bonus in this 5 star book.

5 comments about Making Soaps & Scents : Soaps, Shampoos, Perfumes & Splashes You Can Make At Home.

1. I actually found this book at a flea market. I loved the layout and the size of the book. It isn't very large, which I like. I think big books are too bulky. The recipes are easy to follow and soaps turn out wonderful. Informative and easy to read and understand. This book is all cold-process soap. No melt and pour recipes. I haven't yet tried the shampoos or fragrances but the soaps are very nice. Smell good, and lather wonderfully.



2. I loved this book! Beautifully written and filled with expert wisdom. All I can say is it's a great book for your learning experience. Follow and you'll get it right!



3. The soap making process is not well illustrated so this is not a good book for your first batch of soap. But there are interesting ideas beyond the basics. You can follow the recipes if you don't have much experience but you are encouraged to improvise if you are comfortable doing so.
   
   Ideas I have used are her non-traditional soap mold list, the color chart, I like the Rosemary Lavender Hair Soap recipe (also a moisturizing body soap) and recommend the Buttermilk Oatmeal Soap. She gives one basic vegetable soap recipe and one basic tallow recipe, then each custom recipe includes additives like ground spices, herbs, coffee or grated veggies, and scent blends. Again not many photos of finished soap, but the directions are clear.
   
   The section on fragrance families and profiles and making scents is followed by blends to use for a few bath products like splashes and scented waters.
   
   If you need glasses for reading be warned, the type font is smaller than the norm.



4. This book is mostly about making soap from scratch. There are good lists of supplies and formulas included within the book. A good starter book for soap making and precautions in handling your product in process. The scents section is not the main focus of the book but has some good ideas for creating fragrant soaps that should prove helpful.



5. NOT for the novice soaper but interesting for inspiration, this book has some major errors that may cause a novice headaches and make an accomplished soaper wince.
   
   Oh - I am not addressing the fragrance portion of this book
   
   For starters, please do NOT mix your lye solution in a glass container - even Pyrex can shatter and you could end up with horrid burns. And a dust mask doesn't protect you from fumes so keep that in mind!
   
   Please also, don't use crayons to color your soap... I mean REALL!?!
   
   And while I'm at it, don't line your mold with waxed paper. Or go ahead and try it and then come back and write your own review! It won't peel off easily... I recommend freezer paper myself.
   
   And the last thing I will mention is that her discourse on how much better vegetable oil soaps are than animal fat soaps is just plain wrong. She gives a nicely balanced "basic" recipe for veg soaps, but doesn't do the courtesy of providing one for animal (just tallow alone is not great, but then neither would be just coconut oil). You can use almost any blend of oils & fats to produce a soap to meet almost any needs... don't limit yourself to what she thinks is gospel.
   
   Go online, read a ton of free stuff on a few sites, join a soaping forum online or find a friend who soaps... That will be much more helpful than this book.
   
   Some of the references and suppliers are outdated, but it was published in 1999 so that is to be expected, and some are still around.
   
   Good luck.

1 comments about Relax to the Max: 60 Candles, Scents, Soaps & Potpourri Crafts to Create Your Own Bliss.

1. This book is great if you are a beginner. Has melt and pour recipes, candle recipes, and easy bath recipes. If you are looking to experiment with making cold processed/hot processed soap, this is NOT the book for you! If you are into arts & crafts and looking for a hobby, this book was made for you...You'll love the bright photos, and the recipes are easy understand.

3 comments about The Good Earth Bath, Beauty & Health Book.

1. This is a great beginner book for those who want to try to make their own personal care products. Easy to follow recipes using products that are readily available at your local health food store with some being available at your regular grocery store. Good variety of recipes.



2. For me, it was love at first glimpse. I grabbed this book and raced to the nearest checkout lane. I couldn't wait to get home and read it from cover to cover.

   I am a self-proclaimed "beauty Products Junkie" and addict. There are worse things to be addicted to. My one problem is that I have fairly sensitive skin and am sensitive to overpowering scents. I also get migraines on a regular basis.

   There's nothing worse for a migraineur and cosmetic-junkie than to get home with a fabulous new product, only to realize that the scent makes you sick! This book teaches you how to make your own homemade products with your own custom-blended scents. I am now able to smell good and FEEL good at the same time.

   I've discovered which scents I like and can tolerate and am able to make products with those scents using fragrance and essential oils. Don't limit yourself to the fragrance and essential oils available to you in your town or city, however. Explore the internet for websites that sell fragrance oils and essential oils. You will find many, many different scents. Choose an odd one and you'll be guaranteed not to wear the same fragrance as your friends and co-workers do!




3. What I did like about this book is the fact that it truly is a book based on natural products you can make yourself, and if it is a natural ingredient, it probably is healthy. The one thing that puzzles me, is where on Earth are busy, working people going to find the time to not only go out and purchase some of these little basic ingredients, but find the time to mix up the wonderful little potions and lotions? I have a top-management position and a family that keeps me going from sunup to sundown. Then, there is the clean-up afterward. With all the brands in existence today, I cannot for the life of me figure out why I would want to make my own toothpaste! I barely have time to brush my teeth, let alone make the toothpaste. If I am fortunate enough that my husband has time to give me a message at the end of the day, there are times when I would not know if he was using an exotic message oil or WD-40 for his car!

   For those people on a limited budget, by the time you run around and buy the basic ingredients(even "basic" can be expensive today,) I cannot see where this would really be a great money saver. "Dollar Stores" sell the finished product for less than some of these basic ingredients, and it is certainly not a time saver. Is it better for you....worth the hassle? I guess that is a matter of personal opinion. As for the book, it was ... in Canadian funds and definitely not worth the price!

2 comments about The Naturally Scented Home: Creating Traditional Scented Products with a Modern Twist.

1. You know you've been led astray before. Other books in this genre rely heavily on expensive, hard to find ingredients you've never heard of, forcing you to spend far more on searching and supplies than store bought versions of the finished products. This book is so simple and easy to follow, you'll smack yourself on the head and wonder "Why didn't I think of that?" Within an hour of cracking open this book, I had already tried out three different ideas. A handful of fresh Verbena on a string perfumed my living room, a new spray bottle of dryer scent was blessing my clothes with amber, and I was cleaning my kitchen counters with citrus scrub. The next day I was experimenting with creating new tea blends with the herbs in my garden. As days progressed, store bought sprays and cleaners were pushed aside and forgotten. I was so pleased! My only additional expenditure was a whole ten bucks on the two ingredients I didn't have - Borax and Soap Flakes - and now I can make all but two of the recipes in this book.
   
   Speaking of recipes, the Tudor Lemon soap is probably the easisest, and thankfully, Julia Bird skips the animal fat and burning lye steps I've seen in other books. Just soap flakes and lemons, really, that's all you need. No need to endanger yourself at all. No need for goggles and a burn kit. None.
   
   I love this book, and I feel I made a good investment by buying it. I think you'll like it too.



2. For anyone who wants a useful index of how to mix scentful herbs for food, oils for aromatherapy, natural and effectful house cleaners, keeping bugs out, etc - close to hand. It's got beautiful photography to illustrate it and it is very easy to follow, lots of tips on 'how to', psychological as well as physical impacts of the different scents. Basically an instruction for beeing one with nature in your everyday life making things a lot easier:-)

2 comments about Potpourri, Incense, and Other Fragrant Concoctions.

1. As a general book for people wanting to work with fragrant materials it has some contribution, but I couldn't recommend the techniques on making incense, or for someone looking for books on natural aromatics. That just isn't what this book is about.



2. This is about the only book on the market that I've been able to find on making aromatics that isn't just stuffed with useless "new age" tripe, especially on making incense. Incense is more than 5000 years old. Wicca and the literary works it is based on have been around at most 200 years. The use of incense in Christian services alone predates the wiccan use of it by at least 1800 years, yet every reference available bombards you with the nonsensical "modern" reinterpretation.

   Rubbish.

   The antiquity of incense is well established, and in all that time, the process for making it has changed little.

   If you are looking for a simple book on making incense, potpourri and other fragrant things, without all the odius drivel, this is the best I've been able to find to date.

1 comments about Sachets, Potpourri and Incense Recipes, Etc..

1. This enigmatic little book is not too bad. Fully one-third of the book is devoted to a list of various plant & their extracts used in perfumery and what they smell like to the author. Some of his spellings for herb names are archaic. The other two-thirds consists of recipes for potpourri of various types, with four pages devoted to incense. All the information is presented in an anecdotal style, and is very general. Strangely, though the author/publisher lives in Glenwood, Illinois, all of the suppliers he lists but one are far away (New York, California, etc.) even though many suppliers exist much closer to his home, in Chicago and the surrounding area. However, there are some useful recipes in the book, and it is as informative as many more expensive books that devote way to much space to color pictures that add nothing to the information and serve only to increase the price of the book. A good book for the price. This would be a good book for a resourceful beginner, particularly one who doesn't want to invest a lot of money in an expensive coffee-table book that doesn't contain any more or better information.

3 comments about Making Potpourri, Colognes, and Soaps: 102 Natural Recipes.

1. This book has great directions for making soaps and colognes. There are 102 recipes. Pictures are in black and white but still very detailed. This would be a good book to use with scouts 12 and up. I think anyone who is into making soaps and colognes will like this book.



2. While the potpourri and cologne recipes may be fine, I strongly advise against using his soap recipes, as the high percentage of lye isn't safe. If you wish to make soap, please invest in another, safer book--any of the following three have wonderful recipes that don't run the risk of destroying your skin: The Natural Soap Book, The Soapmaker's Companion or The Handmade Soap Book.



3. It containted a lot of simple, but useful recipes. Easy to use and understand.