Saturday, December 18, 2010

Gift Vouchers

If you are finding yourself short of time to shop for that craft driven friend consider a gift voucher.  These are delivered by email straight to your inbox for you to forward or print as you wish - no waiting around for the postman to arrive with prayers that it will make it in time.


http://www.heirloombodycare.com.au/gift-voucher-c-171.html

Friday, December 3, 2010

Milky Way Products

We are often asked if we can get in special items from Milky way Molds for people and we do it happily, but the practice is not well known about
If you find an item on the Milky Way Mold site (www.milkywaymolds.com)  that we do not carry as a stock line please use the "contact us" link and ask us to order it for you.  We will incorporate your item in our next order and supply it to you at the same rate as our regular stock product of the same ilk.  If it is a line we dont carry from Milky Way Molds we are happy to quote you before ordering it for you.
You may need to wait up to a month for it to arrive at the outside, but if we need to order within that time it will be earlier.

Monday, November 29, 2010

Soap Moulds - How should you look after them?

Basic Soap Mould Care

Cleaning the Moulds:

Use warm tap water and soap (if the molds have been used for soapmaking, simply soak in warm water for a half hour or so). Hot water, including dishwasher water, may warp the plastic.

Pour Temperatures:

The moulds can tolerate wax and transparent soap temperatures of 135-145ºF. If you're concerned about warping, set the molds in a shallow cold-water bath for hot-temperature pours.

Unmoulding:

Please don't manhandle the moulds when releasing contents! If you have any difficulties with soap or chocolate, place the moulds in your freezer. For chocolate, a few minutes of freezer time will allow for easy unmoulding. For soap, 1 hour should be sufficient.

Opaque Cold-Process Soap Considerations:

Because opaque cold-process soap undergoes a chemical reaction in the moulds, there are a few extra considerations to keep in mind:
  • Soap needs a certain amount of heat to saponify properly.
  • Most cold-process soap books call for pour temperatures of 80-100ºF. These temperatures are fine if you're pouring several pounds into one large mold, but when soap is poured into individual 3 or 4 ounce moulds, heat is more easily lost regardless of how much insulation you use. If you've measured your ingredients correctly but your finished soap is soft and/or grainy, raise the soap's temperature to between 115-125ºF next time you pour.
Transparent Soap Note:
Opaque Cold-Process Soap Considerations don't apply to transparent soap since it's neutral when poured. Transparents also lack "stickiness," so there shouldn't be any problem unmoulding them.

Pour Time:

When filling many cavities, realistically consider just how much working time you have before your soap begins to thicken beyond the "easy-pour" state. Dividing soap up into smaller portions for different colors and fragrances will slow you down; some artificial fragrances will speed the thickening. If this is the case, think about making smaller batches. If your soap does thicken before all the cavities are filled, spoon the soap in and tap the moulds lightly on the counter top. The clear plastic will allow you to see if any air bubbles remain on the mould's detail surface.

Super fattened Soap Problems:

Super fatted soap and/or soap high in soft oils such as canola, avocado, safflower, etc. are a bit sticky, and therefore may unmould with more difficulty than firmer soaps high in palm oil or tallow. These softer soaps will unmould if placed in the freezer for 1 hour.

One Great Soap Mould Recipe:

For a firm, easy-release soap with a good lather try: 22 ounces palm oil or tallow 3 ounces coconut oil 2 ounces olive, canola or any other soft oil 4 ounces sodium hydroxide 8 ounces water Heat oils to 115-125ºF. then add 115-125 degree lye solution. Stir until traced.
If temperature has dropped much below 115-125 prior to pouring, reheat on stove top. Makes 2 pounds, or enough soap to fill approximately 9-10 cavities.
Tip:
Mould designs show up clearer and "crisper" in hard soap than in soft soap.

More on unmoulding soap:

If the soap is allowed to remain in the moulds for 12-24 hours after cooling down, it releases much more easily than unmoulding it immediately upon cooling. (During this extra time the soap is both shrinking and crystallizing.)

One final option:

If you'd like to experiment with a fairly effective mould release, melt one part paraffin wax then stir into 3 parts mineral or baby oil. Best used when it is hot and liquid, but if applied to the molds when cold (as a soft paste) use a stiff brush to insure thin and even application, otherwise inconsistencies can mar the smoothness of the finished soap. Plain mineral or baby oil can also be used to lightly coat the moulds (vegetable oils or PAM may possibly saponify if used as a mold release).

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Freebies

Time to put something out there for all you wondeful people. Until next Friday 19th Nov) all orders placed on the website worth over $50 that have "lip balm pots please" in the message box will receive 10x10gm plastic pots for free.

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Scales

We have been planning to stock measuring scales for some time, and now we have them.
These little cuties are compact, but strong. Measuring up to a massive  5kg in weight they will fit in a large pocket.    

http://www.heirloombodycare.com.au/tools-c-157.html?page=2&sort=2a

 The precut wicks that were mentioned earlier are in too, so if there is a size you use that we dont have and you would like us to please let me know.



Friday, October 29, 2010

Feedback please

I have had feedback from people that our home page is too wordy and "boring" to bother reading through. I have tried to simplify this and make it easier to work through. If you have a minute would you mind having a look and letting me know your honest thoughts please?
www.heirloombodycare.com.au

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Twitter and Facebook

We have just implimented, for one week only, a 10% discount for those who become our friends on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter. This offer is for regular priced items only and does not include shipping. Offer expires 29th October
Follow HeirloomBody on Twitter
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