Owner: TC Fragrance Crafts Blog URL:http://www.tcfragrancecrafts.blogspot.com Join Date: Sun, 04 Feb 2007 14:16:31 -0600 Rating:0 Site Description: Welcome to my blog! You will find information about the art of fragrance crafting, as well as craft projects, and decorating ideas.
I own a small fragrance craft business. We make candles, soap, potpourri, fixins and gift baskets. Our products are hand Site statistics:Click here
Scented Candle Wicks - Mushrooming 1970-01-01 00:59:59 One of the main problems that interferes with the scent throw of a scented candle is something called "mushrooming". This is the formation of carbon dioxide that builds up at the end of the wick and interferes with the combustion. This happens because the wick becomes clogged. This carbon formation causes soot and an odor of burning.In order to reduce mushrooming it is best to have a candle with a non-cored wick. This type of wick is less likely than a cored wick to become clogged. Non-cored wicks produce a cleaner burn and will not interfere with the scent throw of the candle. Read more:Candle
Whipped Wax 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Many beautiful candle creations can be achieved with whipped wax. Toppings of whipped cream and frosting can be added to candles giving them that authentic look, just like real desserts. Color and fragrance can be added to the wax too. Melted liquid wax is literally hand whipped with a whisk or fork when it cools until it reaches the right creamy texture. It gets tricky though and you must work fast because as the wax hardens it will lose it's creamy texture.With the right color and fragrance, wonderful candles can be made. They look so good, you won't want to light them. They make great gifts and table favors for parties, especially birthday parties.
Simmer Potpourri 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Simmer potpourri is a great way to fill your home with the wonderful scents of the Fall and the Holidays. Special potpourri simmer pots are sold, but you don't need one, all you need is a regular kitchen cooking pot. Just fill it with 1 quart of water and you can choose from an array of wonderful dried herbs, spices, and fruits to mix together and add to your pot. Simmer the mixture on your stove top for several hours and the pleasant aroma will waft through your home. As the potpourri simmers, add more water as needed. Simmer potpourri is also a great way to make your kitchen smell nice after you cook foods with particularly heavy unpleasant odors such as fish or garlic. You can make great fragrant combinations according to your liking. Below are some examples of what you can add to your simmer pot.-Orange slices-Apple slices-Lemon slices-Lime slices-Citrus peel-Cloves-Cinnamon Sticks-Allspice-Nutmeg-Bay leaves-Mint-Chamomile-Lemon verbena-Lavender-Rose petals-Pine needles-Sta Read more:Potpourri
Bath and Body Herbs 1970-01-01 00:59:59 There are many herbs that have beneficial properties and make great additions to soap and other bath products. Some have natural astringent, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory properties. Some herbal scents can be uplifting and stimulating and others can be soothing and relaxing. Herbs
can enhance the quality of your bath.Chamomile: Chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties and is very soothing and relaxing.Citrul Peel: The peels of orange, lemon, and lime are natural exfoliants and have astringent properties. They also have a strong uplifting scent. Green Tea: Green tea contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Studies show that it can protect the skin against sun damage. Lavender: Lavender provides antiseptic, antibacterial and healing properties. It is soothing and can relieve stress.Lemon Verbena: Lemon verbena has a gentle lemony scent and can soothe dry or irritated skin.Mint: Mint contains antiseptic properties. It contains menthol which is cooling to the skin.
The History of Potpourri 1970-01-01 00:59:59 People utilized the fragrances of flowers, herbs and spices for at least 6,000 years. Originally, herbs, scented oils, extracts, and incense were used only in religious rituals and ceremonies. However, the nobility and the wealthy began to indulge in scented products. The extravagant Roman emperors used them in festivals, rituals, and sporting events. The Romans indulged in public bathing and constructed elaborate bath houses where people had aromatic oils massaged onto their bodies and in their hair and beards to enhance the bathing experience. By the Middle Ages in Europe, however, bathing became quite rare. Houses had very little or no plumbing, and public bathing was condemned as immoral by the religious community. There was poor ventilation in buildings and homes. In order to combat odors in castles and banquet halls, fragrant herbs were strewn on the ground so that they would be trampled by the crowds of people, thus releasing the fragrances into the air. People also c Read more:History
, Potpourri
The History of Candle Making 1970-01-01 00:59:59 In ancient times, the precursors to candles were torches and rushlights made by dipping the pithy center of tall grasses into tallow (animal fat). The wicked candle was developed during the Roman Empire. The Romans melted tallow and poured it over a horizontally held wick made from the pithy center of tall grasses. The cooling tallow was smoothed and shaped by hand around the wick. These candles were used to light homes, during religious ceremonies, and also for traveling after dark.During the Middle Ages, beeswax, a natural material produced by honeybees, was discovered as an improvement over tallow for use in candle making. Tallow produced alot of soot and gave out a sharp, bitter odor as it burned. Beeswax burned clean and odorless. The problem was, however, that beeswax was much more expensive, thus it was mainly used by the rich and by priests for use during religious ceremonies. In 15th century France, people began to use molds to make candles. Hollow cylinders were us Read more:History
, Candle
Herb Myths 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Throughout the centuries, herbs have provided many practical uses. Their aromatic leaves have been used for cooking, decorating, and medicinal purposes. Many myths and legends have also become associated with herbs. With their healing properties as well as being tasty, fragrant, and attractive, people throughout the ages believed they the plants possessed magical qualities and attributed some interesting myths to them:Bay Leaf: According to myth, the beautiful Daphne was changed into a bay as she escaped the clutches of Apollo. Thus, Apollo made a crown out of bay leaves and branches and wore it in her honor; In the 17th century it was believed that bay leaves repelled witchcraft. Pots of bay were placed in front of doorways in order to ward thwart evil spells and curses; It was also believed that bay would prevent one's house from being struck by lightning.Chamomile: The Anglo-Saxons believed chamomile was one of the sacred herbs given to the earth by the god Woden; In Victoria Read more:Myths
I've Been Tagged 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Well I've been tagged and I'm supposed to list 5 wierd things about myself and/or my pets. Hmmm...ok here goes:- I can't bring myself to eat Jello, it just won't go down. I can't take the jiggly consistency.- I prefer the cold winter weather to the hot summer weather.- I'm obsessive about germs. - My cat loves eating vaseline.- My cat also loves vinegar. Read more:Tagged
Fall Soap 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Ahh Fall is here. We have some adorable fragrant soaps for this time of year. They work wonderfully to create a seasonal bathroom decor. Handpainted glycerin soap and decaupage hand milled soap. They are scented in seasonal fragrances such as pumpkin and cinnamon. See our website for more: TC Fragrance Crafts.
The History of Valentine's Day 1970-01-01 00:59:59 There are many legends about the origin of Valentine
's Day, although the actual facts are obscure. According to most scholars, it is based on an old pagan fertility festival known as Lupercalia. The annual festival was held in February, which was the official start of Spring and a time for purification to the ancient Romans. In order to "Christianize" pagan holidays, in the 5th century Pope Galasius I replaced Lupercalia with St. Valentine's Day, in honor of Valentine, a Christian martyr. But it is not clear exactly who St. Valentine was. Subsequently, many legends arose as to his identity.According to one legend, Valentine was a Christian priest in 3rd century Rome. At the time, Emperor Claudius II outlawed marriage for young men because he believed that single men made more effective soldiers on the battlefield rather than men who were married and had families to care for. Valentine secretly defied the Emperor and continued to perform marriages for young couples. He was eventually Read more:History
Another Christmas Picture 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I'm posting this picture because I think it's so cute. Every Christmas
I buy a present for my cat. She's my baby :) This time I bought her a new set of food and water. They come on a little metal stand with a frame in the shape of a cat attached to it.Here is my cat with her new food/water bowls. Read more:Picture
Christmas Pictures 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I would like to share some of my Christmas
pictures. I know it's a little bit late, but these pictures were taken with my 35mm and I didn't get the film developed until recently. I love Christmas. I love baking and all of the fun and creativity that goes into decorating cakes and cookies.This is a batch of cookies (gingerbreads, santa's, candy canes, tree's, bells, wreaths) and mini bundt in the backgroundThis is a full Christmas tree cake decorated with green frosting with little piped icing decorations and garland added.Sant CakeThis is a round cake made into a Santa Claus face. The eyes, nose, and mouth are made with piped icing; the hat is made with red colored frosting, and the beard, eyebrows, and fur trim of the hat are made with white frosting. The face is made with peach colored frosting. Read more:Pictures
Pumpkin Soap Project 1970-01-01 00:59:59 We have a fun Fall project that can be done with the kids - little pumpkin soaps.These cute little soaps are made using the hand-milled method. This method requires bars of pure, white, unscented soap. You can buy them at your local drug store. Make sure they are unscented. Usually hand-milled soap recipes require the additives such as herbs, cocoa butter, shea butter, etc., But since this is a project for kids, we'll keep it simple and fun. For this project you will need:2 bars of unscented, white soap1/2 cup waterA kitchen graterA bowlPumpkin
scented soap fragranceA wooden spoonA double boilerNon-toxic acrylic soap paints in orange, green, and blackArtist paint brushesIn a bowl, shred the bars of white soap with your grater until you get 2 cups of shredded soap.Add the water to the shredded soap. Place the soap/water into a double boiler and place on the stovetop range with medium heat. The soap will slowly begin to absorb the water. You may stir gently with a wooden spoon b Read more:Project
Holiday Gingerbread Cookie Recipe 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Ahh the holiday spirit is in the air and nothing says Christmas quite like a batch of gingerbread cookies. Not only are they tasty but they are fun to decorate as you let your imagination take you back to your childhood. We would like to share a recipe for a great batch of gingerbread cookies.You will need:1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened.1/2 cup suger.1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger.1 teaspoon ground cinnamon.1 teaspoon baking powder.1/2 teaspoon allspice.1/2 teaspoon baking soda.1/2 cup unsulphured molasses.1 large egg.2 cups all-purpose flour.Tubes of white, green, and red icing.In a large bowl, beat the sugar and butter with an electric mixer until smooth. Beat in the ginger, cinnamon, baking powder, allspice, and baking soda until blended. Beat in the molasses and egg. Beat in the flour on low speed until blended. Wrap the dough and chill until it is firm, about 1 hour and a half. When it is ready, roll out the dough on a well-floured surface and cut with gingerbre Read more:Holiday
, Cookie
, Gingerbread
Dried Fruit 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Dried fruit slices and peels are a great way to give your home a country prim look. They are fragrant and can be added to potpourri blends, fixins blends, wreaths, swags. They also make pretty and fragrant gift package decorations. When they are placed around candles, especially bakery candles, they give a nice country prim look. The pic above is of an orange fixins blend. It combines dried orange slices and orange peels with fragrant spices like cinnamon sticks, allspice, and cloves. The look and smell is very seasonal and makes a great addition to country prim home decor.The easiest way to dry fruit slices is to use a dehydrator. If you do not have a dehydrator, you can use the standard oven method.To dry apple slices using the oven method, core your apples and slice them about 1/4 inch thick. In order to prevent them from oxidizing and turning brown during the process, dip the slices into a solution of 2 cups lemon juice and 3 tablespoons salt. Make sure the slices are well Read more:Fruit
Fall Table 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Using shades of bright Fall colors like orange, yellow, and green you can make a lovely Fall table setting. Pumpkins, gourds, and squash can be used as the base for your centerpiece. Surround your base with Fall flowers, leaves, and dried fruit. Pie candles will add a unique and charming look to your centerpiece, especially for Thanksgiving. You can add decorations like scarecrows or turkeys to finish it off. Read more:Table
Clear Glycerin Soap 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Glycerin soap is always my favorite, I never use commercial soap anymore. I only bathe with glycerin soap and I even use it to shave my legs. Unfortunately I have very dry and sensitive skin, and I have always had problems with commercial products. Shaving my legs was always a bad experience, I used to end up with red marks, cuts, and nicks, no matter what I tried. I have tried soap for sensitive skin, creams, lotions, ladies shaving foam, men's shaving foam, etc., I even tried shaving with baby oil and baby lotion. Even Nair and Neet irritated my legs.Glycerin soap has been a miracle for me. I have never had any problems since I started using it. I never get any nicks, cuts, or irritation anymore. My skin feels like velvet after I use it. I especially love lavender glycerin soap, it's so fragrant and soothing.Lately, I have been working with clear glycerin soap, and I created 2 pretty bars. I like the transparency, it makes a great decorative soap. Both of these soaps c Read more:Clear
, Glycerin
February Sale 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Throughout the month of February
, all orders with a total of $20.00 or more (before shipping) will get a discount of 15% off at our store TC Fragrance Crafts.TC Fragrance Craftshttp://www.tcfragrancecrafts.com
Dried Flowers 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Dried flowers are not just to be enjoyed in the winter months when there are no fresh blooms. They can be enjoyed all year round, and if they are cared for properly, dried flower arrangements can last for years. Dried flowers come in many shapes, sizes, and bright colors, they are not small, faded, crusty blooms. Dried flower arrangements are just as colorful and vibrant as their fresh counterparts, and they last much longer. They can brighten up any room and fit style of home decor. Dried flower arrangements must be cared for properly. They should be kept out of direct sunlight. They should not be allowed to become damp, rooms with alot of consensation should be avoided. In order to clean any dust that may collect on the flowers, a simple hairdryer can be used, it should be set on low speed with the cool temperature setting.Flower Pot Arrangement with OrangesI created a flower pot arrangement using a mix of flowers with hues of orange, yellow, tan, and white. This arrangement Read more:Flowers
Festive Pinecones 2007-12-19 22:49:00 You can transform ordinary pinecones into beautiful festive decorations. It is a fun project where you can use your creativity and spice up your holiday decor. You will need:- Pinecones (Available in you local craft store)- Acrylic Craft Paint (Non-Toxic) in holiday colors like red and green- Artist Paint Brushes (Available in your local craft store or pharmacy)Begin by making sure you remove any loose wood splinters from the pinecones. Brush with a clean cloth to make sure that surfaces are smooth and free of splints. Paint the entire pinecones red. Use the elongated brushes to make sure you get into all of the crevices of the pinecones. You will probably have to apply 2 to 3 coats to get a nice color. After the paint has dried, dip your paintbrush in green paint and paint just the outer edges of the pinecones. Of course you can reverse the colors as you like, or use entirely different colors. When your pinecones are finished, you can wrap string around them and hang them as
Christmas Cookie Recipes 2007-12-19 22:38:00 If you are looking for yummy Christmas
cookie recipes, look no further than Christmas-Cookie
s.com, a database filled with wonderful recipes not just for cookies, but all kinds of holiday baked goods and candies. You're sure to find what you're looking for and more.~ Christmas-Cookies.com ~
Orange Pomanders 2007-12-19 22:33:00 Orange pomanders are a wonderful way to add fragrance to a room. They are pretty and fragrant. They can be hung with a decorative ribbon or placed in bowls with potpourri and/or country fixins. They look great during the Fall season and the Christmas holidays. They are very simple to make. You will need:-Oranges-Cloves-Powdered Cinnamon-Powdered Allspice-Powdered Nutmeg-A round toothpick or skewer-Decorative Ribbon (optional)-Dried or artificial flowers (optional)-Pins (optional)Before you begin, decide what design you would like to make on your orange with the cloves. You can make lines, swirls, or cover the entire orange with cloves. If you plan on hanging your completed pomander it is a good idea to place the ribbon around the orange and secure it in place with pins before you start adding the cloves. In this way the cloves will not get in the way of your ribbon and it will fit snugly around your orange for hanging. When you have decided on your design, create your pattern Read more:Orange
Insect Theme Gardens: Bees 2007-12-19 22:30:00 You can create fun and interesting theme gardens by planting certain plants together to attract beneficial insects such as bees. Bees perform the essential task of pollinating the plants in your garden. They are attracted to plants by scent and color (except for red - they cannot perceive the color red. They are mainly attracted to flowers that are yellow, blue, and purple.) You can plant a variety of fragrant herbs and flowers for a bee garden. They are very much attracted to the scent of Basil, Chamomile, Dill, Borage, Bergamot, Fennel, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Oregano, Sage, Mint, Thyme, Daisies, Sunflowers, Dahlias, Larkspur, and Snapdragons.Bees are pretty little creatures as you watch them hovering around your garden, landing from plant to plant. Even though bees are beneficial to the garden, some people fear their presence becuse of the possibility of being stung, (some people even have allergic reactions to stings from bees & wasps). It is important to remember, however, th Read more:Theme
, Gardens
Insect Theme Gardens: Ladybugs & Butterflies 2007-12-19 22:28:00 You can create fun and interesting theme gardens by planting certain plants together to attract ladybugs and butterflies. Pretty little spotted ladybugs are are not only attractive but they are also very beneficial to the garden because they control aphids and other plant pests. If you would like to attract ladybugs to your garden, plant flowers such as Dandelions, Marigolds, Tansy, and Yarrow. Ladybugs are also attracted to fragrant herbs such as Dill, Fennel, Coriander, Angelica, Cilantro, and Parsley. You can also attract beautiful, colorful butterflies to your garden by planting flowers rich in nectar such as Aster, Lillies, Violets, Thistle, Cyprus Vine, and Liatris. Butterflies also like aromatic herbs such as Dill, Marjoram, Oregano, Mint, and Creeping Thyme. Read more:Theme
, Gardens
Are Candles Made From Gel Wax Dangerous? 2007-12-19 22:17:00 Are Candles
Made From Gel Wax Dangerous?There have been chain emails circulating around the internet claiming that gel candles are dangerous because they explode while they are burning. Here is an example of one of the emails:"Thought you all need to know about this since you love to burn candles. This came from a friend in Texas. jwMy former secretary had a gel candle burning in her bathroom ... it exploded and caught her house on fire. The house burned down and they lost everything. The Fire Marshall told her that this is not the first incident where a gel candle has exploded and caused a fire. He said that the gel builds up a gas and often times it explodes and sets fire to the room it is in, which is what happened to her. The fire was so hot it melted the smoke alarm, and they didn't discover the fire until there was an explosion, which was her toilet blowing up, and then it was too late...the entire upstairs was engulfed in flames. Smoke damage and water damage have destroyed w
Candle Waxes 2007-12-19 22:14:00 Wax is the material that fuels a candle as it burns. Throughout history, people used many various substances as candle waxes. Various fats and oils were used, as well as materials obtained from animals and insects. Nowadays there are several different candle waxes from which scented candles are made. Different waxes have different properties.Paraffin Wax: The most common wax is paraffin wax. Most scented candles are paraffin candles. Paraffin wax is a white odorless wax. It is a blend of organic compounds and it is derived from filtered petroleum.Soy Wax: Soy wax is made from the oil of soy beans. After soy beans are harvested, they are washed, crushed, and rolled and the oil is drawn out and hydrogenated in order to be used as wax.Beeswax: Beeswax is the most expensive wax. It is made from the material that honey bees use to build the honeycomb. It is produced from the glands of worker bees. It has a naturally sweet scent. Beeswax is yellow due to the natural coloration Read more:Candle
Stuffed Grape Leaves Recipe 2007-12-19 22:08:00 Stuffed grape leaves, also known as "Dolmathes" are a Mediterranean and Middle Eastern delicacy made with tasty and fragrant herbs like dill, fennel, and parsley. They are usually served as an appetizer. There are many variations to the recipe, some include meat. This is a family recipe from Greece. It is meatless and contains fresh herbs. The rolls are traditionally accompanied by Feta cheese and olives.- 1 Cup Rice- 1 Jar ( 8 ounces) Grape
Leaves- 3 or 4 Scallions, chopped- 4 Cups Water- 1/4 Cup Chopped Fennel- 1/4 Cup Chopped Dill- 1/4 Cup Chopped Parsley- 1/2 Cup Olive Oil, Plus 2 Tablespoons- Juice of 1 LemonPlace 2 tablespoons of olive oil into a skillet and saute the scallions until tender. Add the herbs, rice and 2 cups water, cover and simmer for about 10 or 15 minutes, until water is absorbed and rice is al dente. Salt the mixture to taste.Remove the grape leaves from the jar and wash gently and remove the stems. Place the leaves in a saucepan and blanche for a few m Read more:Stuffed
Lemon Scented Herbs 2007-12-19 21:53:00 There are 3 herbs whose leaves give off a lovely lemon fragrance. In addition to their fragrance, their leaves have a lemon flavor and they are used to season foods and drinks. Their fragrant leaves are also used in fragrance crafts like soap, bath products, and potpourris.Lemon
GrassLemon Grass is a perennial herb that grows in clumps with long, thin, grass-like leaves. It usually grows 3 to 4 feet tall although it can grow to 6 feet tall. It can be planted in full sun or partial shade. When the leaves are broken, they release a lemon-flavored oil. Lemon Grass is mostly used as a seasoning in Thai and Vietnamese cuisine. It also has antiseptic properties and is used in cosmetics. When dried, the fragrant leaves can be added to citrus potpourri blends.Lemon VerbenaLemon Verbena is a deciduous woody shrub with pretty elongated leaves and tiny pale flowers. It grows to 4 feet tall although it has been known to grow up to 10 feet tall. It grows best when planted in full sun. Sin Read more:Herbs
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