Thistle Dew! Farms, Teas 'n Bees

Making Potpourri 101

This is a step by step process of making Potpourri
 
1. Plants are gathered, harvested or purchased.
2. Plants are dried via hanging, a dehumidifier or silica desiccant (which retains color and form) this step may take several weeks.
3. Once the plants are dry, the flowers and leaves are removed from their stalks and placed into their own bins (now they are components).
4. If color is desired the individual components are then placed into a tumbler. (I use a large plastic bin and hand tumble so that the components do not get broken). The dye is misted evenly over the components. If uneven coloring is desired then the dye is added as droplets. This step will take several hours under a drier.
Repeat if dark color is desired.
5. Once the components have completely dried they are returned to their bins and dying bin is cleaned.
6. Next the desired individual components are placed into another mixing bin to achieve the desired look and texture of the potpourri.
7. Blend and tweak until you are happy with the appearance. I have my own recipes that I follow, to try and keep my potpourri consistent, however artistic expression do show thru from time to time.
8. Once you are happy with the blended components the potpourri is ready to be scented. and placed into the scenting bin.
9. Scenting- some potpourris, if natural can be scented directly via a spray mister. However, most potpourris use a fixative-either sea salt, corncob cellulose, lemon or orange peels, diced apples, mushroom pieces, bark or anything porous. This is scented separately with a fragrance oil. Once the oil has completely soaked into the fixative and has dried, it is added to the potpourri. This step is essential for dyed potpourri or the colors will run. If a stronger scent is required, mix more potpourri and add. If the fragrance oil is added directly to the potpourri, it must be misted evenly and tumbled dried, then sprayed again, dried, sprayed a third time. This keeps the components from getting soggy. The scenting process can take several hours under a drier. The scented potpourri is then placed in an air tight plastic container to steep for 4-6 weeks in a cool dark place. It must be 100% dry or it will get moldy and rot. Once a week the steeping potpourri is tumbled and mixed again to evenly distribute the fixative. If at the end of 4 weeks the potpourri scent is not strong enough, it is put thru the scenting process again.
10. A final review is done of the potpourri checking for broken components, sticks or stems, color, texture, and scent. Once it has passed this examination it is finally ready for packaging.
 
Potpourri can be displayed in a covered candy dish, an ivy bowl, a clear glass apothecary jar, a China bowl, a pottery bowl, a ceramic vessel or even a glass mason jar. If you used wood or cloth the dyes and oils can leach through. And if you use metal the oils can react with it.

 

Recipes for Making Your Own Scented Gifts

How to Make your Own Aroma Fragrance Potpourri Beads

Aroma Beads Instructions
Materials Needed:
  1. Container (Glass Jar or HDPE Plastic Container)
  2. Unscented Aroma Beads (1 lb.)
  3. 1 to 2 ounces of Fragrance Oil (per lb. of beads)
  4. Liquid Candle Dye
    (optional)

Pour 3 to 4 tablespoons of fragrance oil into container.
Add a few drops of candle dye (about 3 to 8 drops, more or less depending on intensity of color desired).
Add 1 lb. of unscented aroma beads. Shake vigorously until evenly coated.
Continue to shake every hour or so, until all oil is completely absorbed.
This may take anywhere from 8 hours to 36 hours depending on the fragrance.
Oils containing Citrus or Essential Oils will cure within minutes, so shake often.
Once complete, the beads will no longer stick to the sides of the container.

View our Organza Bags for Packaging to Make Sachets!!

How to Make your Own Scented Bath Salts

Bath Salts Instructions
Materials Needed:
  1. Medium-sized bowl
  2. Medium-sized baking pan
  3. Wooden spoon
  4. 1 cup unscented bath salts
  5. 1/8 cup epsom salts
  6. 1/4 oz. fragrance(per lb. of salts)
  7. Liquid Soap Safe Dye
    (optional)

Making bath salts is very easy to do:
Step 1: Mix the bath salts/ blend with epsom salt in a medium sized bowl.
Step 2: Check your salts for any large, dark colored, or undesirable pieces and discard them.
Step 3: Pour fragrance oil evenly on salt mixture.
Step 4: Stir with wooden spoon until evenly blended.
Step 5: Add a couple of drops of FD&C dye for color.
Step 6: Spread the mixture evenly to cover the entire pan.
Step 7: Let sit overnight or for a few hours.
Step 8: Package as desired.
Be sure to adjust your formula accordingly for larger or smaller batches.

How to Make your Own Scented Body Lotion

Lotion Instructions
Materials Needed:
  1. 1 lb. Lotion Base
  2. Liquid Soap Safe Dye
    (optional)
Have Hand Towels ready
Step 1: Slowly heat a medium to large sized pot of water for double boiling (using a double boiler works best).
Step 2: Fill the bottle(s) with lotion.
Step 3: Put the bottle(s) in the pot and watch very closely (this will thin the lotion and make it more manageable). Do not over boil, as the lotion tends to bubble over. WATCH THE LOTION CAREFULLY
Step 4: When the lotion is thin, remove from water.
Step 5: Add your fragrance oil, and a couple drops of water based colorant as desired.
Step 6: Put the cap on, and gently shake to mix evenly.
Step 7: If you are pouring into smaller containers, now is a good time, otherwise, let cool in this bottle and the lotion will thicken.
For larger batches (1 gallon) put filled gallon jug in a pot of water and follow the instructions above. Be sure to have a lotion pump as it may make it easier to work with.
NOTE:
· You can also heat up larger batches in the microwave. However, you will need to watch this product very closely, as it will overflow.
· Fragrance usage rates: 2-4 oz per gallon (depending on preference). FD&C colorant: add by drops.
How to Make your Own Soy Container Candles

Candle Making Instructions
Materials Needed:
1 quart (32 oz.) measuring cup Wick Stabilizer Glue Gun
  • Wicks
  • Glass Candle Container/Jar
  • Soy Wax Flakes
  • Liquid Candle Dye
    (optional)
  • Fill measuring cup with soy wax flakes (to 32 oz. mark). Do not fill to overflowing. Microwave for 4 minutes. Wax should then be melted to 16 ounces. Add more soy flakes to melted mixture until cup is filled back up to 32 ounces. Microwave for 4 more minutes. This will give you 32 ounces of melted wax (about 180 degrees). Set oven to lowest setting (warm). Wait 10 minutes and add candle dye to the mixture. Immediately add fragrance oil of your choice. Pour mix into prepared containers. Set poured candles in a pan the oven. After 5 minutes of candles being in oven on "warm", turn oven off. Keep oven door closed until candles are "set". You are finished!!

    How to Make Votive or Pillar Candles

    Candle Making Instructions
    Materials Needed:
    Melting Pot Molds & Wick Pins Thermometer Mixing Spoon Measuring Device (i.e. Scale) Votive/Pillar Wax
    Warning Labels
  • Liquid Candle Dye
    (optional)
  • Instructions:
    Weigh out amount of wax you'll need. 1 pound of wax makes about 8 votive candles. 2 lbs. of wax makes one 4x4.5" pillar candle. Place wax in melting pot and heat on low setting. Use thermometer and heat to approximately 170-180 degrees. Be sure to keep an eye on your wax and do not over heat. While wax is melting, set up your molds on a sturdy surface. Add wick pins. After wax has melted, remove pot from heat source. Add your fragrance oil. 1 ounce of fragrace oil to 1 pound of wax gives you a 6% fragrance concentration. You can use up to 2 ounces per pound, but do not exceed this measurement for safety reasons. Add your dye using a dropper, adding one drop at a time, stirring constantly, until the desired color is achieved. You can test your color by dropping drops of wax on wax paper. Check your temperature (should be between 160-170 degrees). Slowly pour wax into the mold leaving about 1/4" from the top. You will have wax left over. Let the wax harden. You will notice a sinkhole at the top of the candle. Warm remaining wax. Do not overheat. When wax is re-melted, slowly pour wax on top of candles. Let the candles completely harden. Time varies. They should be cool to touch. Remove candle from mold, push wick in from bottom of candle, apply warning label to bottom. You are finished!!


    How to Make Jar/Container Candles

    Candle Making Instructions
    Materials Needed:
    Melting Pot Hot Glue Gun Thermometer Mixing Spoon Measuring Device (i.e. Scale) Container Wax Containers
    Warning Labels

    Instructions:
    Weigh out amount of wax you'll need. 1 pound of wax makes about 4 small container candles, 2 -10 oz. jar or 1 20 oz. jar candle. Place wax in melting pot and heat on low setting. Use thermometer and heat to approximately 170-180 degrees. Be sure to keep an eye on your wax and do not over heat. While wax is melting, set up your containers on a sturdy surface. Add appropriate size wick with hot glue gun. After wax has melted, remove pot from heat source. Add your fragrance oil. 1 ounce of fragrace oil to 1 pound of wax gives you a 6% fragrance concentration. You can use up to 2 ounces per pound, but do not exceed this measurement for safety reasons. Add your dye using a dropper, adding one drop at a time, stirring constantly, until the desired color is achieved. You can test your color by dropping drops of wax on wax paper. Check your temperature (should be between 160-170 degrees). Slowly pour wax into the container Adjust your wick so that it sits centered in candle, check wick before wax hardens. There is no need to re-pour wax, using this blend of wax. After the wax is hardened, trim wick to 1/2". Apply warning label to bottom. You are finished!!

    How to Make your Own Soy Container Candles


    Candle Making Instructions
    Materials Needed:
    1 quart (32 oz.) measuring cup Wick Stabilizer Glue Gun
  • Wicks
  • Soy Wax Flakes
  • Liquid Candle Dye
    (optional)
  • Fill measuring cup with soy wax flakes (to 32 oz. mark). Do not fill to overflowing. Microwave for 4 minutes. Wax should then be melted to 16 ounces. Add more soy flakes to melted mixture until cup is filled back up to 32 ounces. Microwave for 4 more minutes. This will give you 32 ounces of melted wax (about 180 degrees). Set oven to lowest setting (warm). Wait 10 minutes and add candle dye to the mixture. Immediately add fragrance oil of your choice. Pour mix into prepared containers. Set poured candles in a pan the oven. After 5 minutes of candles being in oven on "warm", turn oven off. Keep oven door closed until candles are "set". You are finished!!

    How to Make Your Own Crystal Potpourri

    Scented Crystal Rocks Instructions
    Materials Needed:
    Cardboard Gloves HDPE Plastic Container or Glass Jar DPG (Di-Propylene Glycol) Glycerin
  • Mica Powder (optional)
  • Instructions:
    Place 1 pound of unscented crystal rocks in Glass Jar or HDPE plastic container. Add 1 teaspoon of Glycerin & 1/4 oz. of Di-Propylene Glycol DPG (optional)-This helps to evenly coat the rocks with dye & fragrance. Add 5 to 20 drops of liquid dye-more or less depending on your shade preference (candle dye, FD&C dye or liquid food coloring will work-we recommend candle dye). Add 1/2 oz. to 1.5 oz. of fragrance oil (your preference). Shake vigorously until evenly coated. Allow to soak for at least 24 hours, shaking often. Spread out rocks on thick cardboard to dry. (Drying is optional, but we highly recommend it due to the fact that the dye & oil will stain fabrics & surfaces). We also recommend that you use gloves. After drying, add mica powder for sparkle & extra flair!
    How to Make your Own Incense


    Incense Making Instructions
    Manufacture Your Own Quality Incense & Make a 700-900% Mark Up!
    Make your own hand made incense in your favorite scents and make money doing it! Make incense to match your candles, soaps and bath & body products for wonderful gift sets! It's easy & extremely profitable!
    Any of our Fragrance Oils can be used for scenting our Unscented Incense Sticks, regardless of flash point or soap/lotion safety, etc. Some popular incense scents are Patchouli, Sandalwood, Lavender, Rain, Juniper Breeze, Jasmine, & Nag Champa. Or create your special scents by mixing different fragrance oils together.
    Materials Needed: Unscented Incense Sticks Bundle (approx. 100 sticks) DPG (Di-Propylene Glycol) Fragrance Oil
    Bottle for Mixing Oil
  • Aluminum Foil
    Mix 1 1/2 ounces of fragrance oil and 1 1/2 ounces of DPG together and stir well (for 3 ounces of liquid). Do not use alcohol in place of DPG, it does not work well! Do not use straight fragrance oil as it will make excessively smoky incense!
    Method 1 (Maximum Strength Incense)
    This method is perfect for those of you who want the absolute best product. Soak incense in scent mixture for at least 24 hours in a glass or HDPE Plastic Oil Bottles container. Soaking takes time and patience, but is necessary to allow the incense to fully absorb the oil.

    Method 2 (Economy Incense)
    This method is fast and the result is a strong scented incense that is ready for market in a matter of hours. Use a shallow aluminum baking pan with a layer of Aluminum foil. Place your Unscented Incense Sticks on the layer of foil. Pour oil mixture over incense, wrap up in Aluminum foil sheet, label properly, and let soak.

    USAGE RATES:
    *For Maximum Strength Incense
    Straight or Mix 1 part fragrance oil to 1 part solvent liquid DPG. NOTE: You can go up or down on the FO if you like. Just use your best judgment when you are testing.
    *For Economy Incense (For Maximum Profit!)
    Mix 1 part fragrance oil to 1-2 parts solvent liquid DPG.
    You can also soak your incense sticks while still bundled in a tall glass, vase, or cylinder.
    For making cones, a glass bowl works very well. After soaking, pour the leftover oil mixture back into a glass or HDPE Plastic Oil Bottles. You can use this again to make more incense, so it doesn't go to waste.
    Lay the cones or sticks out on a window screen or drying rack with several layers of paper towels underneath to soak up any oil drippings. Or if your sticks are still bundled, you can hang them to dry on a hook with some paper towels underneath. Be sure to put incense where they will get plenty of air flow to help them dry. If incense is still wet or damp, it may not burn properly! Be patient and allow it to dry fully before using for best results. (FACT: Some People Like to Sell Their Incense Wet, Customers Love the Freshness! But be Sure to Tell Your Customers to Let it Dry on a Plate with a Paper Towel Underneath). Do not bake incense in an oven or microwave to dry! Cones tend to take a little longer than sticks because of their thickness. Note: It is also important that you make sure the incense is totally dry with no wet or damp spots before packaging in plastic bags or tubes, etc. Fragrance oils are very strong and can melt or eat through many types of plastic! To be sure you have the right Incense Bags!

    Two and a half (2 1/2) to three (3) oz. of fragrance oil mixture should make approx. 100 or more sticks or cones. Properly made, fully dried incense will burn for approximately 1 hour.
    Incense is very popular with every generation and a great seller at Flea Markets, Craft Booths, etc, (along with burning & body oils and Oil Burners). We suggest packaging your incense in bags of 15 sticks or cones, and sell for two ($2) dollars. That's about 7-9 times your cost, You'll make a huge profit! Let the customers mix and match, they love a choosing their own selection. You may also want to offer a bulk package of 100 sticks for a savings to your customers. For a professional looking package, try printing your own "labels" on business card stock, and fold the card over top of your bag and staple it. Use a hole punch to make a hole in the top of the card to hang on a rack.
    How to Make your Own Scented Shower Gel/Bubble Bath

    Shower Gel Instructions
    Materials Needed:
  • Have Hand Towels ready
    Step 1: Slowly heat a medium to large sized pot of water for double boiling (if you have a double boiler- use it).
    Step 2: Fill the bottle(s) with shower gel.
    Step 3: Put the bottle(s) in the pot and watch very closely (this will thin the shower gel and make it more manageable). Do not over boil, as the gel tends to bubble over. WATCH THE SHOWER GEL CAREFULLY
    Step 4: When the shower gel is thin, remove from water.
    Step 5: Add your fragrance oil, and a couple drops of water based colorant as desired.
    Step 6: Put the cap on, and gently fold mix evenly. (Tip: Put the bottle in your hand and extend your hand in front of your body. Then gently rotate the bottle from left to right. DO NOT SHAKE THE BOTTLE or you will get a massive amount of bubbles and it may break down the consistency permanently.
    Step 7: If you are pouring into smaller containers, now is a good time, otherwise, let cool in this bottle and the gel will thicken.



    How to Make your Own Smelly Jelly

    Smelly Jelly Air Freshener Instructions
    These unique polymer crystals are capable of holding 400 times their weight in water. One pound of crystals makes approximately 80 9 oz. jars!!
    Materials Needed:

    Take 1 heaping teaspoon of smelly jelly water crystals and add 8 oz. of warm distilled water. Add a few drops of liquid soap dye to the mixture along with approximately 2 tablespoons of fragrance oil. Allow the mixture to swell for about 15 minutes and place into jar. This recipe will fill one 9 oz. Hexagon Glass Jar.
    As a preservative, you may add 1/2 teaspoon of salt or 1 teaspoon of ethyl alcohol to the water before adding the crystals.

    Thistle Dew! is not responsible for the products you create from our supplies. You alone are responsible for product and recipe testing to ensure compatibility & safety.

     

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