The home of SwiftCraftyMonkey! Join Susan as she obsesses about cosmetic chemistry and other things (some possibly related to monkeys). Often strange, occasionally useful, and always worth a stop as a point of interest on your journey through the Intertron.
I wrote this last year, but didn’t share it, for some strange reason. It was supposed to come after the ingredient entry for cream of tartar last November… So why use might we use cream of tartar (INCI: Potassium bitartrate) instead of citric acid? Why do I use it in my bubble bath bars instead of citric acid?…...
As I mentioned the other day, I am so excited that my muscle spasms are at a point where I can offer classes again! I have missed spending time with people who love this craft as much as I do, and can’t way to get started! My first class at Voyageur Soap & Candle is … Read more
In this post on Spectrastat G2, Ally D shared, So far I have had success with this in my shampoos. However, at 1% usage (recommended usage is 1-1.2%) it curdled my lotion emulsion! I was very disappointed to say the least. I may try to pre-mix it with a bit of the emulsion and then add…...
Wow! What a lovely outpouring of concern and help I’ve seen over the last few days. You’ve made amazing suggestions for how I can supplement my income and re-assured me that things happen for a reason. I totally believe they do, and I’m open to what can happen next. Please keep those ideas and thoughts…...
In this post on bath bombs, Emily ask: Can you use bio oil instead of vegetable or soy bean oil? Are you referring to this product, Bio-Oil? Yes, you could use any type of oil soluble ingredient or oil in a bath bomb. But I’m wondering why use this ingredient? It’s really really expensive, and…...
In this post, Back to Basics: Bath bombs, Annie asks: I found your link when I was enquiring on Google as to why cornstarch is used. I really couldn’t find a valid reason and didn’t want to waste time and ingredients. I always go to you – my first place to enquire on anything technical…...
Have something you want to ask? Visit the Weekend Wondering comment post and ask away! COMPENSATION FOR EVAPORATION AFTER HEATING AND HOLDING In an e-mail, Brittany asks: I’ve struggled with the heating of the water phase for a while now. You suggest to heat the water phase for 20 minutes, but to add more than…...
One of my first projects was making bath bombs. This is one of those things that can seem completely easy or unbelievably hard, and I’m not really sure why some people succeed so well at making them and others have so much trouble! One of the big issues is water – whether you’re adding it…...
Another late morning for Swift, so here’s a post on what we’ve done in our craft groups lately! I’ll be back with a post on ferulic acid tomorrow morning! I love teaching bath and body classes to youth. They have the fun and excitement of making something that smells and feels amazing and I can…...
Bath bombs seem like a really simple concept – a little citric acid, a little baking soda, some fragrance oil, and you have a wonderful acid-base reaction in the tub that brings happiness to the bather. But they can cause such headaches to even the most seasoned bath and body creator! As a point of…...