Set aside the idea of fancy beading, knitting or scrapbooking for the moment. One of the coolest (and cleanest) projects to make right now is soap.

Sure, the concept has been around forever, but thanks to recent innovations in materials, crafters are approaching the genre as an art form with therapeutic qualities.

I recently chatted with Glendale's Rose Slotter, founder of the Arizona Soap and Candle Makers group. She not only offered insight into the latest concepts in soap making, but also shared details on the Arizona Gathering, a soap- and candle-making conference in the Phoenix area in June.

Details: The 10th annual Arizona Gathering of Soap and Candle Artisans will be held 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 7 at the Doubletree Paradise Valley Resort, 5401 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Registration for classes closes today, so visit azgathering.com if you are interested in signing up. Regular admission is $55.

Rose was also kind enough to share her Cupcake Bath Fizzies project!

Create Cupcake Bath Fizzies

Supplies
1 cup baking soda
1/2 cup citric acid
1/2 cup cornstarch
2 1/2 tablespoons grapeseed oil
1 tablespoon purified water
1/4 teaspoon borax
1 teaspoon fragrance oil (optional)
5-10 drops skin-safe coloring (soap colors)
Witch Hazel in a spritz bottle
Meringue frosting (supplies and directions are available at the end)

Directions
1. In a large bowl, sift together the baking soda, citric acid and cornstarch. Set aside.

2. In a small jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the grapeseed oil, purified water, borax, fragrance oil (if you wish) and coloring. Cover tightly and shake vigorously to combine all ingredients well.

3. Slowly drizzle the wet mixture into the dry mixture while blending thoroughly with a spoon (or your hand). Mix until you have a "wet sand" texture - spritz with Witch Hazel if necessary.

4. Tightly pack the "wet sand" mixture into a silicone cupcake mold (I like using the mini cupcake molds) until you cannot fit any more "wet sand" into the mold. Press the "wet sand" down into the mold as hard as you can.

5. Carefully flip over the mold and tap the bottom of the silicone mold three times to release the Cupcake Bath Fizzie from the mold. After un-molding the bath fizzie, immediately spritz it with a light spray of Witch Hazel. (If the cupcake crumbles when un-molding, place back into the big bowl, spritz with Witch Hazel, mix thoroughly and pack the mold again.)

6. Set the Cupcake Bath Fizzie on a surface to dry overnight.

7. After the cupcake section is completely dried, mix up the "frosting" and decorate as you would real cupcakes.

Note: Do not create bath fizzies on humid days, as they will absorb moisture and grow little bumps all over their surface - not a pretty sight.

Meringue Frosting

Supplies
3 tablespoons of meringue powder
6 tablespoons warm purified water
4 cups sifted powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon fragrance oil (optional)
1/8 - 1/2 teaspoon skin-safe coloring (soap coloring)
Sugar Sprinkles (optional)

Directions
1. Mix meringue powder into the warm purified water.

2. Slowly add the powdered sugar, cream of tartar, fragrance oil (if you wish) and skin-safe coloring while mixing with a mixer on medium speed for seven to 10 minutes, until stiff peaks form.

3. Place frosting into a pastry bag with decorative tip (or plastic storage bag with one corner snipped off to form decorating point) and decorate a Cupcake Bath Fizzie as you would a real cupcake.

4. Quickly decorate with Sugar Sprinkles if desired, and let dry several hours.

5. Store the Cupcake Bath Fizzies in an airtight container until ready to use in a bath.

To use: Toss one or two mini cupcakes or one large Cupcake Bath Fizzie into your bath water and enjoy.

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* All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2007. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com * for awesome crafty resources check out DuncanCrafts.com

Labels: beauty

Alrighty! Here is the new "Crafting with the Chica" LifetimeTV.com video. But please be gentle on me for this one - it was the first one we shot, I was SO nervous, I'm a little stiff in it. Plus we had to turn off the air conditioning in my house because it was so loud and the tech could hear it in the background.

It was 113 degrees outside that day, so imagine what it was like inside the house!

The next day the production crew rented a 5 ton air conditioning unit to chill the house in between shoots. so it is just the first day that I have a totally frizzed coif. There are two other eps that followed where you can see my hair get progressively worse.

At least the project rocks!! Hope you like it!

***
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* All content/photos copyright, Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2006. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: beauty, crafty video, LifetimeTV

This project goes out to Dana from Tucson who wrote me about my lack of wedding crafts. I have one, The Wedding Cake Card Box - so yuppers, I agree I'm lacking. So I'm adding a few wedding themed ideas tonight.

This soap is super easy. It's made from Melt N Pour soap, candy sprinkles and packing tape. You can leave these sweet little babies around the wedding recpetion bathrooms. Unless you are having a Godfather-sized wedding, I don't think they will get worn down enough for the candy to come out. The idea is to insert an image or phrase, or the wedding date info. If you are worried about them getting used, just give them as party favors, people will want to preserve the memory and won't dare use them at home. Unless later on at home, they run out of Caress Body Wash or something...

Supplies:
Printed phrases or photos
Clear packing tape
Candy sprinkles
Scissors
Butter knife
2 pounds of clear glycerin soap, fragrance optional
Plastic pitcher and spoon
Rubbing alcohol
Soap coloring (optional)
Soap mold trays (smooth tops only)
Small spray bottle with rubbing alcohol
Clear plastic wrap

Directions:
1. Create messages by writing or printing them from a computer. Cut to fit in the molds. Cover each picture with packing tape, make sure edges are sealed.

2. Chop the block of glycerin into 1-inch cubes. Separate the cubes into piles if you are going to color them (see note). Put a handful of cubes in the plastic pitcher and melt in microwave according to directions. Remove pitcher and stir contents until completely liquefied. Stir in desired amount of fragrance drops.

3. Pour a super thin layer into each of the molds. If tiny bubbles appear, spray with rubbing alcohol.
Next, *carefully* set a message facedown on the layer. If it falls crooked, do not lift or move it or your soap will become cloudy. Add another super thin layer of melted soap. Sprinkle on a thin layer of the candy sprinkles. Top off the rest of it with more melted soap.

4. Let the soap harden for an hour. Remove and pop soaps out by twisting the tray. Wrap each bar in clear plastic wrap. Use a colorful sticker on the bottom to seal the ends.

Note: To color and scent the soap, add desired number of drops to liquid after removing from microwave and stir. Don't use too dark a color, because you want to see the messages clearly.

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* All content/photos copyright, Kathy Cano Murillo, 2006. Photos property and courtesy of Arizona Republic and AzCentral.com. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: beauty, wedding

(Photo and text copyright Kathy Cano Murillo/The Arizona Republic, 2006)

This mask takes minutes to make and is a luscious treat for tired eyes. This little baby goes in the fridge as well, so it will be chilly to the touch. After a hard day at work or working on the lawn, lie down and plop it over your eyes for ultimate relaxation.

Supplies:
2 pieces of cotton fabric, each 6 by 3 inches
Straight pins
Pinking shears
Sewing machine or needle and thread
1 cup of rice
Essential oil (if desired)

Directions: Line up the two pieces of fabric, right side out, and pin around three sides. Sew with straight stitch around the three sides, removing pins as you go. Pour in rice and sew up the top. Sew another seam around the whole mask. Use the pinking shears to trim the excess fabric around the edges. Store mask in freezer or fridge.

Variation: When adding rice, add one to two drops of essential oil. Experiment with different fabrics such as satin or ultra suede, to see which you like best. Make several bags so you can rotate them.

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* All content/photos copyright, Kathy Cano Murillo, 2006. Photos property and courtesy of Arizona Republic and AzCentral.com. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: beauty, summer/4th of July, wearable art

Photo and text copyright Kathy Cano Murillo/The Arizona Republic

This is a must-have to take with you on road trips and even shopping trips. After you complete this project, store the bottle in the fridge or an ice chest. Use it to mist your skin for a sharp and tingly sensation.

Supplies:
1 new travel-size spray bottle
Distilled water
Essential oil of choice (lavender is nice!)
E6000 industrial-strength adhesive
1 package of Austrian crystals
Chopstick or toothpick

Directions: Using the toothpick or chopstick, dab the end in the glue and make random dots around the outside of the bottle. Apply the crystals, one by one, over the glue. Let dry. Fill bottle with water and add one to two drops of essential oil of your choice. Shake. Keep in the refrigerator to keep cool. To use, lightly mist face and arms for a tingly sensation.
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* All content/photos copyright, Kathy Cano Murillo, 2006. Photos property and courtesy of Arizona Republic and AzCentral.com. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: beauty, inside, summer/4th of July

The nice folks at CraftMoldsPlus.com sent me a batch of their rubbery soap molds (Flexus Molds) to try out. The picture is of the soaps I made for Father's Day.

O.M.G! They are like nothing I've ever tried before. One of the reasons I rarely make melt-n-pour soap anymore is because of the hassle of popping the dang soap out of the hard plastic casing. That isn't a headache anymore thanks to these heavenly puppies. Here is where you can buy them.

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* All content/photos copyright, Kathy Cano Murillo, 2006. Photos property and courtesy of Arizona Republic and AzCentral.com. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: beauty, father's day

Dive into luxury with honey and sugar this weekend! It's a gentle easy-to-make scrub.
Caramel Body Polish
From Crafty Chica's Art de la Soul: Glittery Ideas to Liven Up Your Life

Supplies:
1 glass or plastic jar
1/2 cup of dark honey
1/4 cup of white cornmeal
1/4 cup of grape seed oil
1 tablespoon of sugar
20 drops of mint flavoring (if desired)
Mixing bowl and spoon
Assorted patterned papers, pictures, rubber stamps, glue stick

Directions: Combine the honey and cornmeal in the bowl and microwave for 15 seconds until the mixture thins. Add in the remaining ingredients and blend with spoon. You are ready to go! This is a simple, tasty sugar scrub that you can use straight from the bowl to rub on feet, elbows or other areas of your body that need softening. Apply in a circular motion. Rinse off with warm water.

Store excess in a jar with a rubber sealed lid. Use the glue stick, papers, pictures and rubber stamps to decorate the jar. Using a permanent marker, write the date on the bottom of the jar. Unopened, the mixture will keep for three months. If you plan to keep it by the tub, use a plastic jar for storage.




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* All content/photos copyright, Kathy Cano Murillo, 2006. Photos property and courtesy of Arizona Republic and AzCentral.com. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: beauty, food crafts, Valentine's Day

In the world of crafts, soapmaking is good clean fun. From the easy melt-and-pour method to the traditional lye-and-thermometer process, the results are always something to brag about. These days, a new concept is making its way into craft workshops across the country. The idea is to take ordinary store-bought bars and jazz them up with painted, stamped, decoupaged or even embedded items (such as leaves or flower petals). Paraffin wax is then used to seal the creation for long-term preservation.
After all the hard work, these soaps are best left for decoration. Try arranging them in a basket or gluing them inside a shadow box.

Supplies:
* Soap bars
* Light-grain sandpaper (optional)
* 1 saucepan
* 1/2 block of paraffin wax
* 1 empty coffee can
* Metal spoon
* Oven mitts
* 1 craft brush
Ideas for designs:
* Rubber stamps or stencils
* Colored markers or acrylic paint
* Stencil brush
* Colored tissue paper, wallpaper cut-outs, leaves, potpourri, flower petals, magazine clippings, photos
* Glue stick
* Ball-point pen
Directions: If soaps have imprints from brand logos, smooth out by lightly sanding. Apply design onto soap by any of the following methods: rubber stamps with markers; stencils with stencil brush and paint; decoupage (apply with glue stick). To create more embellishments, use a ball-point pen to create fancy scrolls or borders around your image. Fill in grooves with paint and a thin liner brush.
For protective coating: Fill the saucepan halfway with water and heat until it simmers. Cut the paraffin into small chunks. Put them inside the coffee can. Set the can in the simmering water. Use the spoon to slowly stir the paraffin as it melts. Always use low heat, as paraffin is flammable (do not leave unattended). Put on your oven mitts to prevent a wax burn. Dip the craft brush into the wax and then apply a thin coating of it on top of your soap design. Add one more layer so your design will have an "embedded" look. Set aside to dry.
Tip: Don't just use white rectangle soaps -- look for round shaped and colorful scented bars as well.

* For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: beauty, inside

Do you ever think about spaces of time that are taken for granted?
In our busy daily routines, there are certain minutes of blankness that pass. Going through the carwash, chopping lettuce, brushing teeth and washing hands are just a few of them. Wouldn't it be great to slip in a positive subliminal message in there somewhere?
Start with a batch of Daily Affirmation Soaps for use in your bathroom and kitchen.
They also work nicely as a cozy housewarming treat or as a gift for someone who needs cheering up.
Begin by collecting motivational thoughts from favorite authors, or jokes that will force you to smile. Heck, even some campy bumper-sticker sayings will do the trick.
However, I don't recommend working on this project at the same time you are chopping lettuce.
Some blank moments of time are best left that way.

Supplies:
Colored paper, markers, stickers
Laminating sheets
Scissors
Butter knife
2 pounds of clear glycerin soap, fragrance optional
Plastic pitcher and spoon
Rubbing alcohol
Soap coloring (optional)
Soap mold trays (smooth tops only)
Small spray bottle with rubbing alcohol
Clear plastic wrap
Directions:
Create messages by writing or printing them from a computer. Decorate with markers and/or stickers. Laminate and cut them apart to fit the molds.
Chop the block of glycerin into 1-inch cubes. Separate the cubes into piles if you are going to color them (see note). Put a handful of cubes in the plastic pitcher and melt in microwave according to directions. Remove pitcher and stir contents until completely liquefied.
Pour a 1/4-inch layer into each of the molds. If tiny bubbles appear, spray with rubbing alcohol.
Next, set a message facedown on the layer. If it falls crookedly, do not lift or move it or your soap will become cloudy.
Melt another batch of squares to top off the molds.
Place the filled mold tray in the freezer for 30 minutes. Remove and pop soaps out by twisting the tray. Wrap each bar in clear plastic wrap. Use a colorful sticker on the bottom to seal the ends.
Note: To color and scent the soap, add desired number of drops to liquid after removing from microwave and stir. Don't use too dark a color, because you want to see the messages clearly.
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* For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: beauty, empowerment crafts, inside

There comes a time in every non-sewer's life when a needle and thread will actually come in handy.
My moment of truth came when I was locked in my house with my kids and four of their friends. Imagine loud thumps on the walls; squeals throughout the house; me rubbing my temples because I knew Calgon was out of the question.
I thought how nice it would be to have one of those aromatherapy eye masks I had seen at Scottsdale Fashion Square. Once the quarters were quiet again, I could just plop one of them over my peepers and dream the agony away.
Forget Fashion Square. I realized I had everything at my fingertips to make my own eye mask at a fraction of the cost and twice the creativity. With scrap fabric, my checkbook, thread, rice and scented oil, I was in business.
I made my makeshift prototype that afternoon, and by night I was on a mission to make more.
I ended up at the fabric store, clutching several bundles of silky material on one side and trim in the other. I placed all my goods on the measurement counter while the clerk stood there and gave me that deadpan "You've got to be kidding" stare.
"Hi!" I said. "I would like a piece of each of these fabrics that measures a little bit bigger than my checkbook; and enough of this trim to fit around them. Do you carry HeatnBond?"
I was afraid to look her in the eye, but I went on to explain my eye-bag inspiration anyway. I promised if she helped me I would come back and show her the finished product. It was enough to win her over.
She did sell me the HeatnBond, but suggested I buy a sewing machine.

What you need:
* Soft and slinky fabric (8 by 8 inches square)
* Trim measuring 24 inches long (optional)
* Sewing machine or needle and thread for hand-sewing
* 1 cup rice
* Aromatherapy oil, such as lavender for relaxation
* Glue gun or fusible web such as HeatnBond (optional)
How to make it: Set rice in bowl and apply two drops of oil. Mix well and set aside. Take fabric square, fold inside out and sew three edges, leaving part of one narrow side open. Put rice on a sheet of paper, pick it up by folding lengthwise and pour rice into bag. Use invisible stitch to close the end. Apply trim with glue gun, fusible web or by sewing.
These eye bags can be heated in the microwave or chilled in the fridge.
Caution: If you have an illness or medical complaint, consult with your physician before using an essential oil.

* For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: beauty, inside, mother's day, sewing

The Fourth of July is the most picnic-friendly day of the year. However, before you bust out the barbecue sauce, hot wings and other finger-licking good entrees, have plenty of soap nearby. Sticky fingers can ruin a party in no time. These dimensional star soaps made from "melt and pour" glycerin not only will do the trick but also will add a layer of fun to your patriotic festivities.
White and clear glycerin, molds, dyes and scents are available at local craft stores.

STAR-SPANGLED SOAP
SUPPLIES:
* Paper towel
* Petroleum jelly
* Plastic soap-bar molds
* Large knife
* 1 pound of "melt and pour" clear glycerin soap
* 1 pound of "melt and pour" white glycerin soap
* Short glass measuring pitcher
* Soap dye in red and blue
* Spoon or Popsicle stick
* Soap scent (optional)
* Star-shaped soap log
DIRECTIONS: Use the paper towel and petroleum jelly to line the inside of the molds for easy removal of the soap. Cut the glycerin into 1-inch cubes. Put four cubes of the clear glycerin in the pitcher and melt in the microwave on high for 30 seconds. Remove and stir. Add five to six drops of red color and stir again until smooth. Add a couple drops of soap scent, if desired. Pour the mixture into the molds at a 1/3 level. Let set several minutes, until firm. Rinse the pitcher until all of the red soap is removed. Put in four cubes of the white glycerin and repeat melting process. Pour the mixture on top of the red and let set until firm. Repeat process with another layer of clear glycerin tinted with blue dye. When the soaps are fully set, turn over the mold and pop them out. Makes four bars.
Slice the star-shaped soap log into 1/4-inch slices. Add a dab of melted glycerin to the top of the layered soap bars and then place a white star on top. Hold in place until it sets.
TIPS: Use extreme caution, as melted soap is hot. Always clean the container before melting new glycerin. Adding red coloring to white glycerin will result in a deep fuchsia color, as opposed to bright red. Use the leftover glycerin to make theme soaps for other upcoming events or parties.
VARIATIONS: Create chunky soap by pouring solid color bars and then cutting them into squares. Lay them in the mold and then pour melted clear glycerin over the top. The star molds can be used to insert inside the soap bar molds for another type of dimensional effect.
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Labels: beauty, summer/4th of July