Sunday, September 26, 2010

How to Make Cleaner with Soap Nuts



Making cleaner with soap nuts is a great way to get rid of germs and clean your house without chemicals. Its also incredibly easy!
to make the cleaner I take 7-10 soap nuts in a pot with 6 cups of water
bring to a boil, and let it boil for 30 mins

its as easy as that! You should end up with about 4 cups of liquid.
At this point you can strain the nuts and put the liquid into an air tight container. (Mason jars work best)
Some prefer to leave the soap nuts in the liquid, its really up to you.


Because soap nuts are a fruit, the liquid can go bad if left in an unseal container, or left for to long. I have left my liquid in a mason jar in my cupboard for over a month at a time and in my time with Soup nuts I have yet to experience it go 'bad'. If you are concerned about the possibility or to be proactive on the life of your cleaner keep it in the fridge.
If you are interested in adding scents to your soap nut detergent or cleaner put in a couple drops of essential oils. The liquid will last longer on the shelf with it, and it smells great.


This liquid can be used undiluted as laundry detergent, or mixed with water as a household cleaner (1 part liquid to 3 parts water).


The best part about cleaning with soap nuts is its versatility. I use the same spray bottle on my floors, my bathtub, my counters, even my couch!


Tried and tested I have yet to find something soap nuts can't clean. (It even cleaned blood out of the couch when my dog cut himself!) Try it for yourself and feel free to leave any comments!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Athena Design..Fall coulors are here!




This is my latest from the craft room. The Athena design. Gorgeous fall colors of yellow and browns. I love the fall, the leaves fall from the trees and reminds me how amazing mother nature really is, how despite everything going on in the world there are somethings that remain unchanged. This necklace is made with yellow Aragonite, a gemstone that is believed to hold properties to de-stress and ground the holder. This piece also has gorgeous vintage brown beads, the color of a dark ale (ale, also known to de-stress the drinker). Fall leaves and dark ale, a great combination for any September day. :)

Monday, September 20, 2010

Someone's in the kitchen with Dinah....

















This is a new creation, this necklace has gray agate, blue lace agate, rose quartz, rhodochrosite,
olive fresh water pearls and garnet. That's lot of diversity! This was a good creative night for me, definitely one of my best pieces right here.









Heres a frame just finishing up. Pretty awesome I know. Lime green, bright blues, deep purple...need I say more











Heres another finished frame. A lime green and lavender, reminds me of spring :)
































Festivals, fairs and fundraisers oh my...

Last Saturday was a lovely day for the Preston music festival. I, selling my jewellery and my nuts at the store across the road didn't get to SEE it but everything sounded super awesome and the weather was wickedly cooperative. Was a good day though for me, got to chat with some other craft addicts, make some sales and soak up the sun.
I am going to be taking soap nuts to CH candle Making with my LMD designs :). CH candle making is so much more then candles. Its basically your 'everyday craft sale' (which i got from the painting on the window). The store also carries a ton of all natural goodies and earth friendly helpful goodies.
Because of rental prices at any location Soap nuts from CH candle making or The market will be 7 dollars a bag. Still an amazing deal and half the price of any other natural laundry detergent, and even cheaper then REGULAR laundry soap. cheaper then chemical filled, mass produced cleaners. and 100x better for you, for the environment and for your karma!http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_constraint=0&ic=48_0&search_query=laundry+soaphttp://
(There's a lot of other stuff on this link, but roll down to see Walmart's prices on detergent..nothing under 10$! and the high efficiency stuff...19.97 holy crap!)

So with Loriea Moon Designs, I have been working hard to get frames vases and candle holders ready for the Christmas season as well as a few new pieces of jewellery to add to my HUGE collection. I am working on funky funky designs with help from my frame maker...who shall remain nameless as he's opposed to fame and fortune.

We will be at the Oakville Humane Society's Fundraiser on October 3rd. Last yr there was a ton of awesome vendors and lots of people, any one in the area needs to check it out and of course I will be there...what more can one person want! Also this weekend (september 25th) There is a TON of craft shows going on Downtown kitchener. Just show up and walk the main drag you wont miss it!

Pictures will be posted soon!!
Well i was going to post this big pretty picture of this sun with some trees and happiness sprinkled all around but for some reason I can't so close your eyes....and theres a tree and some happy sprinkles. You got it!

Friday, September 10, 2010

what the heck is a soap nut?!



Soap nuts? Huh? a nut made from soap? soap that grows on a tree?

Does this sound a little crazy to you? Here's a bit more info on where soap nuts come from:




The tree the nuts are grown from is called 'spandius mukorossi'

http://http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapindus

I thought about re-writing into my own words...but lets be serious no one can write that scientific stuff like good ol' wikipedia.


Here are some commonly asked questions regarding the nuts, I've taken these questions for http://www.superiorsoapnuts.com/ which is the soapnut supplier.


Are soapnuts safe to use on delicate clothes?


YES. Soapnuts are safe to use on even the most delicate of fabrics, such as wool and silk. The gentleness of the product will maintain the structure of the fabrices for longer. No chemicals means less wear and tear.


Are soapnuts safe for people with sensitive skin?


YES. Because they are chemical free, users will find they are better then other detergents and cleaners. Soap nuts are reccommended for individuals with exzcema, allergies and senstivities.



Are soapnuts safe for my machine?


YES. The life of your machine will only be greater by using the nuts. If you are switching to soapnuts, they will even clean your machine of left over chemical residues from pervious washings.



There aren't many suds is that a problem?


No. Your cleaning will be just as effective without the suds. Soapnuts don't contain the chemical foaming agents used in commercial cleaners, which is why the suds arent as visible.



There is more Q&A's about soap nuts http://http//www.superiorsoapnuts.com/FAQ.html



I got my shipment in yesterday :) My husband thinks im nuts (baha no pun intended!) for being so excited about a GIANT box of laundry soap! but Im pretty sure he decided id gone of the deep end a long time ago, before the age of the soapy nut. He came home one night late, around midnight and I was still up decoupaging my coffee table and he said thats when he knew id lost it and let crafts take over my life. Its true im addicted to crafts and soapnuts. its probably as hard to quit as crack, but not as bad for my lungs? heart? brain? whatever it is that cracks messes up.

With my shipment in I have gotten right to work to offer a great local place for people to come and pick up their soapnuts. We will be at the Kitchener Market!!! (starting the 25th)

Kitchener Market is 7am-2pm Saturdays

Friday, September 3, 2010

Where to Shop for Jewellery and Glass work!

Here is a bit of info on where in Kitchener/Waterloo/Cambridge you can find Loriea Moon Designs my handcrafted art division of Rebel Flower Company

Ch Candle Making:
111 Westminster Dr Cambridge (Downtown Preston).
The store focuses on items based around candles, bath and body. They have amazing unique offerings from many great artisans in the area. You will find Loriea Moon Necklaces, bracelets and earrings here.
http://www.chcandlemaking.ca/

RareFunk:
91 King St. Kitchener
Rarefunk, is what is says. Rare and funky. They have jewellery, clothing, home decor, recycled art, candles, soaps etc. etc. etc. This is another store that features many great local artists who create handmade goodies. Rarefunk sells Loriea Moon Frames, Vases and Candle holders.
http://www.rarefunk.ca/

The Euphorium:
101-20 Dickson St Cambridge (Downtown Galt)
The Euphorium is located within the coffee smoothie shop Euphoria. The Euphorium is brand new and will be opening this Tuesday September 7th! Again another great shop with lots of great artisans, crafters and designers. Lets not forget the smoothies!


Check out Ch Candle Making, Rarefunk and The Euphoria on Facebook, or even better go in to the store closest to you and take a look.

Please email me with any custom orders, questions, or soap nut orders!

www.loriea_moon_deisgns@live.ca