Miss Estelle

Handmade Home: Simple Ways to Repurpose Old Materials into New Family Treasures

• TRU-5959
• 9781590305959
• Brand New Item / Unopened Product
• Random House

For many of us, our home is the center of our life. It is the place where our families meet and mingle, where we share our meals and share our dreams. So much more than just a space to live, our homes offer us a place of comfort, nourishment, and love for us and for our children.

In Handmade Home, Amanda Blake Soule, author of The Creative Family and the blog SouleMama.com, offers simple sewing and craft projects for the home that reflect the needs, activities, and personalities of toda

List Price: $ 21.95

Price: $ 13.32

Smart Soapmaking: The Simple Guide to Making Traditional Handmade Soap Quickly, Safely, and Reliably, or How to Make Luxurious Handcrafted Soaps for Family, Friends, and Yourself

 Maybe you’ve made melt-and-pour soap and want to move on to something more challenging and rewarding. Maybe traditional soapmaking appeals to you, but you figure that working with lye is too difficult or dangerous. Or maybe you’re already doing it, but outmoded ideas and methods are complicating the process and slowing you down.  No matter which of these fits you, you’ll find “Smart Soapmaking” practical, helpful, and refreshing. Written by a former professional soapmaker, this book explodes

List Price: $ 12.50

Price: $ 12.49

by Will Pate

Handmade Soap For Your Family

Handmade soap may seem similar to the mass produced soap but this is not the case. When your family washes with everyday soap, they are using harsh chemicals which can cause problems and irritation as it strips and does not preserve their precious skin. Handmade soaps are sensational and feel great to use, they are made with premium essential oil and aromatics which protect skin and make it beautifully scented and moisturized.

Handmade soaps are gentle, and soothing and there is a soap to suit everybody in your family. Pure–Light’s range of hand made soap with natural ingredients include; tea tree, lemon, coconut, rose, lavender and jasmine among others. Handmade soaps contain blends of natural oils that promote a balancing effect to skin complexion. Often, no chemical or synthetic colour is added to handmade soaps. The natural colours are achieved with pure ingredients such as lavender which can colour soap a pale purple or blue. The colouring techniques used are natural, are friendly to the skin and have no side effects at all.

Skin has to look attractive and radiate health to enable you feel confident, so you need natural moisturizing soaps that would not age or destroy your family’s skin. In handmade soap, Glycerin is often used as a soap base because it naturally hydrates skin and creates a superior soap even though it is costly.  Big soap manufacturing companies eliminate Glycerin because it’s so expensive, but it has great benefits for skin and wonderful moisturizing lather.  It is made through a traditional process, saponification which helps keep moisturization in the soap.

Your family’s skin may age prematurely and dry if you’re using conventional soaps most of the time. These soaps may seem okay to look at but they contain cheap industrial detergents which are normally made with animal fats and are not healthy for your skin. One advantage of  handmade soap is that it prevents dehydration and cares for the skin so that cleansing is a gentle and soothing experience.  Handmade soap is skin friendly, it pampers the skin and doesn’t dehydrate or strip the natural PH balance.

The ingredients are carefully combined to benefit family skin and promote health often through aromatherapy which also makes handmade soap smell so nice. Pure-Light handmade soaps are enriched with essential oils and they consider the aromatherapy and natural advantages to the skin. In today’s world, people are beginning to note the benefits of natural soaps which are chemical free and their popularity is growing rapidly. Many people are looking for the alternatives due to the effects caused by synthetic products.

Everyone wants healthy skin for their family and should try handmade soap. It leaves skin feeling soft especially for children prone to sensitive skin or allergies, you will see and feel the benefits after the first wash. Handmade soap is a natural, affordable way to protect your family‘s gentle skin.

by gemteck1

An Antique Engagement Ring Provides an Instant Family Heirloom

Searching for the perfect engagement ring for your girlfriend? Is she “that” one-in-a-million, deserving something that is as unique as she is? Perhaps an antique engagement ring is just what you need for that special moment when you “pop the question”. The gift of an antique engagement ring will say, with quiet subtlety, that she is the one for you, unique above all others. It will say that she is the one that you have been waiting your lifetime to find. Antique engagement rings typically refer to a ring that is over 50 years old. They are typically less expensive and yet, the craftsmanship is often much better than rings made today. An added bonus, it becomes an instant family heirloom for generations to follow. When searching for a unique antique engagement ring or “vintage engagement ring” as they are often called, request to see rings made prior to 1950.

Most Popular Eras of the Antique Engagement Ring

There are three widely recognized eras in antique engagement rings, the Victorian, the Edwardian and the Art Deco. It is best to be an informed shopper when buying antique jewelry. The Victorian period is classified between the years of 1835-1900. These rings are made of yellow or rose gold and vary from simple to elaborate designs. It wasn’t until 1886 that the classic style called the “Tiffany” was introduced. The Edwardian era generally refers to the 1900-1920’s. During this era, platinum became a popular metal choice, often set with rose cut diamonds or sapphires. It was also during this time that the use of delicate scrollwork, milgraining and filigree details gained in popularity. Art Deco began in the 1920-1930’s, an exotic and exciting time in the history of the United States and this is reflected in the jewelry and art created during this time span. The rings of this era have a wide variety of themes ranging from the Egyptian, Asian and the Native American cultures. Many contain a variety of contrasting gemstones in one setting. At the conclusion of the era, a diamond encrusted platinum setting boasting a multitude of diamonds became extremely popular. The Art Deco antique engagement ring is currently the most popular choice for newly engaged couples.

Become an Educated Shopper

It is a true fashion statement when a young couple purchases an antique engagement ring. However, it is important that they not do so without observing caution, as there is a considerable amount of information one must know prior to making a final purchase. Be cautious when buying a ring that contains a soft stone such as a pearl, emerald or opal, which may have internal damage that is not visible to the naked eye. Also, these stones will not hold up as well as a diamond for the intense damage that may occur from day-to-day wear. In addition, it is important to look closely at the craftsmanship of the antique engagement ring to insure that it is genuine and not a poor replica. In addition, if you are purchasing your ring on a budget, consider looking specifically at each ring band as many are designed to make a smaller diamond appear larger in size. When purchasing, look carefully at the written description of the piece, making sure that the details including condition, color, clarity, cut, carat, age and size are clearly stated and if possible, ask for a gemologists report. It is important to make educated decisions when buying an antique engagement ring, as it will be a significant statement on your big day.

For more information from Brian Welsch about Antique Engagement Rings check www.ringsforengagement.com