Crafts2Cherish Shop

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Thursday, October 20, 2011

Homemade Eau de Cologne recipe

We love natural cosmetics and always make our own creams and lotions.During the summer we made a lovely and light Eau de Cologne with few herbs and spices.This recipe is from James Wong's fabulous book: Grown your own drugs.
Cologne and all other liquid scents are simply a mixture of fragrant oils and alcohol .You too can create your own favourite signature scent if you start to experiment with this recipe. Best is to make it in summer when  fresh flowers and herbs are available.
It's important to test homemade cologne before you actually use it. Not only do you want to experience the full scent, you need to check for any allergic reactions. Apply a small amount of cologne to a patch of skin on your arm. Wait 24 hours to check for any adverse reactions. If no reactions are noted, the cologne is safe to use.

You'll need:
  • enough vodka /80% proof or 40% alcohol/
  • handfuls of fresh basil,lavender and lemon balm
  • Other herbs you can use: rosemary,mint,sage
  • few fresh pansies (viola tricolor)
  • peel of 1/4 organic lemon or organic orange or both if you like citrus smell.
  • Spices you can add:cardamom, aniseed, cinnamon
To create a light and refreshing cologne, roughly chop your basil, lavender ,lemon balm along with your other chioce of herbs and the add the chopped lemon or orange peel in a wide mouthed jar.Cover with vodka and seal your jar.Leave to steep in dark warm place for 12 hours to capture volatile oils.Do not leave in your herbs and lemon or orange peel longer.
Next day strain and leave your infused vodka to 'mature' for 2weeks.After you can make a decision about scent- you can put in your jar more herbs and leave them again in the vodka for 12 hours or overnight then strain.
If you would like to add some spices ,these can be infused now. Add only a small amount and leave to infuse for 2weeks, shaking the bottle well once a week and after strain again.Once you're happy with the scent, pour into spray bottles.Your all natural Eau de Cologne will keep for up to 1year.


Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Card Making Workshop



Card making has become a very popular craft pursuit that is also inexpensive. Come and join us if you like to make cards,Artist Trading Cards, scrapbook pages. If you have never made anything before that's okay too we will show you the way! Collage, stationary cardmaking, scrapbooking, or stamping we have expertise in paper crafts &we  have selected projects that will inspire you to want to create more.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Wet felting a three dimensional object workshop Saturday the 5th of November 2011

This course teaches the Scandinavian style technique that allow the student to create a seamless three dimensional purse- beginning with a flat resist form. Skills taught are design, felting technique,learning basic density and edge techniques, color blending  and and shaping. Ideally, this is a three hour workshop format and students can expect to complete 1 basic project.Materials provided include a selection of fibers, resists, etc.Places are limited to 8 participants per course so if you are interested please contact us as soon as possible (0861973576).We look forward to meeting all interested in exploring the delights of feltmaking.