Defining Desire

Did you know Nahia Creations has a fan page on Facebook?

We’re excited about our fan page, because it’s a place where YOU can also share your experience with Nahia Creations via fan photos, post comments and ideas via the wall, and connect with us and other customers by asking questions via discussion threads.  Our fan page is about creating an interactive community for those that love everything Nahia Creations.

We will also keep you posted on upcoming events, exclusive fan specials/giveaways, and what’s new at Nahia Creations.

Click here to visit the Nahia Creations fan page and join us!

Small victories are sometimes the best!  They lift our spirits, give us confidence, make us smile, and just keep us going throughout out the day.  Yesterday, I had a small victory during my yoga class - I was able to get into Warrior 3 position and hold it!

The photo is from my “Yoga Deck.”

If you aren’t on the Twitter bandwagon yet that’s okay.  But Twitter is getting quite a following…

I was fairly skeptical when I joined Twitter… What is this?   Why do I need this?  How will this help me?

The most wonderful thing about the indie bath and body industry is the tremendous support we give each other.  We drool over each others products and even buy from each other!  I also network with some of my suppliers and other twin parents.  When I was feeling nervous the night before my half-marathon, I received lots of encouraging words.  When I was worried about my son one night, I received lots of support and advice.  So, to all of those that follow me - thank you!

Twitter to me is similar to the last place I worked, as I had a very dear friend & co-worker in the office next to me and frequently throughout the day we would have mini-conversations between our offices - bounce ideas off one another, ask if we knew where to locate XYZ, and of course, the ‘how was your evening’ type of stuff.  We were in the quiet end of the building, so we could have these conversations without either of us getting up from our desks.  If ever asked, what I miss most about working - that is it.

Still not convinced about Twitter - that’s okay.  However, if you feel like following me, go here.

Vote for Nahia Creations at the Start-up Nation 2008 Home-Based 100 Competition.  A competition”celebrating America’s most-outstanding home-based businesses and the people behind them.”

 We learn wisdom from failure much more than from success. We often discover what will do, by finding out what will not do; and probably he who never made a mistake never made a discovery. ~Samuel Smiles

I was born in the 1970s.  The biggest fear I had growing up was the cold war.  But, like most people, September 11, 2001 was a life changing day.  I still recall it so vividly.  I was on the other side of the United States when this tragedy on American soil occurred. My husband and I were getting ready to go to work.  I was preparing my breakfast, when I remember my husband shouting at me from the living room and really it sounded like random loud mumbles.  I remember watching in pure horror as to what has happening on my television screen.  I remember having to pull over on the side of the road on my way to work when the second tower fell -I was crying too hard to drive.  I cried most of the day… I may have been living a coast away secluded in rural life but this day truly effected me.  I remembering searching airline manifests for passengers I may have known (I lived in NYC for a year) and trying to find out where my family was (I have family that lives in Secaucus, New Jersey).  I remember thinking for most of the day at work - why I am I even here?  But like I said, this was a life changing day for many including myself.  Questions about life began swirling in my head:

• What is my purpose?
• Who is really important to me?
• What is really important to me?
• What am I doing?
• What do I want to so?
• How can I be a better person, friend, family member?

As I pause and reflect today for those that lost their lives, those that survived, and those that this day effects more than I could ever know, I am also pausing to reflect on my own life yet again.  Thankful for long lost friends that have reached out to me this past year, thankful for reaching out to friends, thankful for what I have and yet returning to timeless questions:

• What is my purpose?
• Who is really important to me?  Who do I still want in my life 10, 20, 30 years from now?
• What do I want to be doing 10, 20, 30 years from now?
• Am I doing what I really want right now?
• How can I be a better person, friend, family member?

I will always remember…

The past few weeks I have been having lots of soapy fun!  So, I thought I would share some of the soaps I have made the past few weeks.  What do you think?  Any favorites?

For the Pacific Northwest Soapers Meet-up last August, I did a presentation on Body Bronzing Lotion!  I did quite a bit of experimenting beforehand to find the *perfect* recipe that I liked.  I prefer to have my lotion more on the creamy side.  This was (gulp!) also my first attempt at making lotion.  I had a lot of fun and learned a ton in the process, which was one of my goals in volunteering to do a presentation on lotion.  The final recipe was created after numerous attempts, but I started with this recipe from Teach Soap (also listed below).

Thanks to Anne-Marie, Soap Queen, for taking my photo at the meet-up and letting me borrow it!

I also did quite a bit of research on how to make lotion, types of preservatives, the need for preservatives, and parabens.  Needless to say this was a very education experience!

FINAL RECIPE

Ingredients

• 10.08 oz Distilled Water
• 0.56 oz Stearic Acid
• 0.84 oz Emulsifying Wax
• 1.12 oz Jojoba Oil
• 0.28 oz Sweet Almond Oil
• 0.56 oz Advocado Oil
• 0.56 oz Shea Butter
• 0.14 oz Phenonip
• Micas: 1T Gold, 0.5T Cappuccino, 1t Copper

Instructions

1. Add the Emulsifying Wax, Stearic Acid, Jojoba Oil, and Sweet Almond Oil to a microwave safe container or double boiler.
2. Melt the waxes and oils together in a microwave in short bursts or double boiler.
3. Add the Shea Butter and melt it with the mixture.
4. Measure the distilled water and heat for about one minute.
5. Pour the distilled water mixture into the oils/wax mixture. Stir as you pour.
6. Begin to mix with Stick Blender or Kitchen Mixer. I usually mix for a few minutes and then let it sit and then mix & sit and so on.
7. Add the preservative when mixture begins to thicken. I have also read to add it when the mixture cools to 110 degrees.
8. Once the preservative is mixed, add the micas.
9. Pour into containers.

Please note: The ratio of micas will depend on your skin tone. The micas in this lotion will rub off on your clothes, just like any other bronzer. For the demonstration I added 1 Tablespoon Gold, 0.5 Tablespoon Cappucino, and 1 Teaspoon Copper.

This is the recipe I started with:

Original Recipe

Body Bronzing Lotion
Recipe by Anne-Marie Faiola of Brambleberry
www.teachsoap.com
Makes 14 oz.

• 4.5 oz. Jojoba
• 1.0 oz. Evening Primrose Oil
• 0.3 oz. Emulsifying wax
• 0.2 oz. Beeswax
• 8.0 oz. Distilled water
• 0.14 oz. Phenonip preservative or GermabenII
• Micas: Cappuccino, Gold, Light Gold and Copper

Please note: I haven’t done any challenge tests on either recipe and I assume no liability if they are used.  I also reserve all rights to my recipe (the first recipe listed), please use it to create personal creations for yourself.  Please don’t use it to sell.

Don’t know what a challenge test is?  Look for a future post on challenge testing.

If you are thinking of taking up soaping as a hobby or already are soaping, it is a good idea to review soaping safety periodically.  (I am really going to be discussing safety for cold-process and hot-process soapmaking methods.)

Reviewing is a great idea, especially as life circumstances change - our kids grow up, grandchildren visit,  pets come into our life, etc.  Are you still following the safety guidelines?   Why did you stop?  Is it worth the risk to not follow safety procedures?

Let’s Review:

1. Read and observe precautionary statements on your lye container.
2. Do not undertake soapmaking when tired or rushed.
3. Wear goggles.  Your eyes are important - don’t risk burning them with lye!
4. Wear gloves - somewhat close fitting and allow you to grip.  I wear industrial gloves when mixing lye, checking trace, etc.  Hubby wears medical gloves when pouring into the mold.
5. Wear long sleeves, pants, and an apron when working with lye.  Protect your body!
6. Always add lye to the water.  The other way around can cause a volcano-type reaction.
7. Vinegar is said to neutralize lye burns - keep some in your soapmaking area.
8. Have water nearby or make soap near a sink.  It is also considered good practice to irrigate lye burns.
9. Work in a well-ventilated room.  Do not inhale lye fumes.
10. Mix and store lye away from children, pets, etc.
11. Use stainless steel, plastic, ceramic, and glass containers and utensils.
12. Set aside utensils just for soapmaking.
13. Thoroughly clean every utensil, container, and counter after the soap is poured into molds.
14. If appropriate, put up warning signs.

This story posted at Teach Soap, left me shaking and near tears… safety is important!  We can all learn and we all need a refresher now and then.

Sources:

• Snowdrift Farm
• The Soapmaker’s Companion by Susan Miller Cavitch
• Milk-Based Soaps by Casey Makela
• Teach Soap

Lately, I have been having some soapy fun and I am finally feeling caught up so I can share with you!

Recently I received this clever “tool box” mold.  Definitely, next time I will use different colors for the different tools and purchase a syringe for the detail work.  Wouldn’t this be a great little party favor for a little boy’s (or little girl’s)birthday party?