With all the of changes happening at Creations from Eden the last month or so, as a thank you for your patience (and the fact we do not want to move all of the inventory) we are offering all of our customers a limited time, single use coupon discount where everyone will receive the Tier 5 discount plus an additional 5% off orders from now until Sunday, July 26th, 2009. This amounts to savings of 20% on most items (new stock, clearance, bulk and sale items do not apply).
Please use coupon code "SUMMER " to take advantage of this offer!
Please note, our fall restock orders are going in July 31, 2009. If you are looking for something we do not have in the store, or items in large quantities, please let us know by the 29th so we can give out quotes and make sure everything is added to the orders. We expect to receive the stock by mid August.
Anyone that received the previous bulk buy pricing sheets please note that we have managed to lower our bulk pricing on many items such as coconut oil, palm oil, deodorized cocoa butter and much more. These items are slowly being added to bulk in stock when the pricing is set in stone. To take advantage of these bulk quantities, please order as soon as possible. Items will be added regularly in the next two weeks. For bulk buy terms, please click here.
Thank you all and Happy Creating!
Randi Carr
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Antioxidants versus Preservatives
After many inquiries over the past year, I figured I would write up a post about the differences between an antioxidant and a preservative. The two are not synonyms... they are different products, which do completely different things.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are substances that prevent or slow oxidation. What this means in the cosmetic world, is adding an antioxidant to your cosmetic formula will prevent the oils from going rancid prematurely. They are not preservatives. they cannot preserve a formula where water was added. They are generally used in anhydrous (lacking water) formulas such as balms, ointments and body butters. Examples of antioxidants include Vitamin E, Rosemary Oleoresin Extract (ROE) and Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE).
Preservatives
Preservatives are substances that preserve the formula by preventing (for a reasonable time) the growth of microorganisms, or occurrence of undesirable chemical reactions (such as oxidation), that spoil it. Preservatives are very necessary to hydrous formulas as it is the water in the formula that becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. Without a preservative your product is not safe for use as bacteria will start to breed in a very short time period. Placing your formula in the fridge, will help lengthen it's shelf life, but for maybe a few hours at best. Examples of preservatives are Liquid Germall® Plus , Optiphen® , and Phenonip, to name a few.
What about Natural Preservatives?
There are a few natural preservatives out there, however they are either extremely hard to work with, not approved for cosmetic use, and/or they are extremely stinky.
GSE is said to be a preservative, but this is not the actual case. 100% GSE might have some merit, but most GSE out there is a 60/40 mix of glycerin and GSE. Some even contain synthetic preservatives that work as the preservative in the cosmetic formula, making it appear that the GSE is effective. I would personally not bet my life on GSE being an effective preservative on it's own.
Some companies have worked out wonderful natural preservative systems, and because of this edge they do have over the rest of us, they will not share their secrets to the general public (hey, would you?). Alot of people are skeptical in this regard and believe the company is outright lying. I, however, believe that if there is a will there is a way and I just have not figured it out yet.
So, truth be told, as natural as you want to be, your formula probably does need a preservative, most likely synthetic, if you add water (or any ingredient that has water in it, such as aloe vera)and want it to be safe.
I hope this clears a few questions up!
Happy Creating!
Randi Carr
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are substances that prevent or slow oxidation. What this means in the cosmetic world, is adding an antioxidant to your cosmetic formula will prevent the oils from going rancid prematurely. They are not preservatives. they cannot preserve a formula where water was added. They are generally used in anhydrous (lacking water) formulas such as balms, ointments and body butters. Examples of antioxidants include Vitamin E, Rosemary Oleoresin Extract (ROE) and Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE).
Preservatives
Preservatives are substances that preserve the formula by preventing (for a reasonable time) the growth of microorganisms, or occurrence of undesirable chemical reactions (such as oxidation), that spoil it. Preservatives are very necessary to hydrous formulas as it is the water in the formula that becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. Without a preservative your product is not safe for use as bacteria will start to breed in a very short time period. Placing your formula in the fridge, will help lengthen it's shelf life, but for maybe a few hours at best. Examples of preservatives are Liquid Germall® Plus , Optiphen® , and Phenonip, to name a few.
What about Natural Preservatives?
There are a few natural preservatives out there, however they are either extremely hard to work with, not approved for cosmetic use, and/or they are extremely stinky.
GSE is said to be a preservative, but this is not the actual case. 100% GSE might have some merit, but most GSE out there is a 60/40 mix of glycerin and GSE. Some even contain synthetic preservatives that work as the preservative in the cosmetic formula, making it appear that the GSE is effective. I would personally not bet my life on GSE being an effective preservative on it's own.
Some companies have worked out wonderful natural preservative systems, and because of this edge they do have over the rest of us, they will not share their secrets to the general public (hey, would you?). Alot of people are skeptical in this regard and believe the company is outright lying. I, however, believe that if there is a will there is a way and I just have not figured it out yet.
So, truth be told, as natural as you want to be, your formula probably does need a preservative, most likely synthetic, if you add water (or any ingredient that has water in it, such as aloe vera)and want it to be safe.
I hope this clears a few questions up!
Happy Creating!
Randi Carr
Thursday, July 16, 2009
What to do with all this soap?!
Have you soapmakers out there ever wondered what to do with all of your less than perfect soap? The end pieces, scraps and the unsellable experiments that did not go quite right, but are still soap and safe to use? There are actually three ways to get use out of these creations.
The first: If it's not lye heavy, fully cured and just not what you wanted... give it to a homeless shelter! Your hand crafted soap would be such a luxurious gift to those that rarely get to use soap, nevermind authentic true soap!
The second: If it is a little caustic or lye heavy it can always be turned into laundry soap by grating it up and tossing it into the washer. I'll add the recipe soon.
The third: Rebatch (aka handmill)... although most people hate this idea and the whole process of it, it can save your whole batch!
So, please don't throw any soap out. It can always be used or turned into something else!
Happy Creating!
Randi Carr
The first: If it's not lye heavy, fully cured and just not what you wanted... give it to a homeless shelter! Your hand crafted soap would be such a luxurious gift to those that rarely get to use soap, nevermind authentic true soap!
The second: If it is a little caustic or lye heavy it can always be turned into laundry soap by grating it up and tossing it into the washer. I'll add the recipe soon.
The third: Rebatch (aka handmill)... although most people hate this idea and the whole process of it, it can save your whole batch!
So, please don't throw any soap out. It can always be used or turned into something else!
Happy Creating!
Randi Carr
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Newsletter: Sale & Store Hour Information.
Hi all,
I apologize for the very short notice, but we will be closing July 15th, until July 19th, 2009. We will resume operations July 20th, 2009.
I can honestly say with all the events the past few weeks I need a break to get back my sanity and get organized. Anyone with outstanding orders, do not worry, they will get to you during this time as well as all promises made will still be fulfilled.
On a good note, however, effective July 15th the following items will be on sale until the end of July! Some of the items are running low in stock, so act fast! Orders are filled on a first come, first served basis.
~ In stock Powdered colourants
~ Butters
~ All Rainbow Soap, in stock, is now only $3 per bar until it's gone!.
~ Preservatives & Antioxidants
~ Glass jars
~ Flat Slip tins
~ as well as various sale items throughout the website.
And please note... our Chase Creative Mold order was put on hold until summers end. If you are interested in any of the molds, please send me an email at randi@creationsfromeden.com indicating which ones you are interested in. We are hoping to have them arrive for mid August.
Thank you all and Happy Creating!
Randi Carr
PS. As an advance warning, we will be closed September long weekend 2009.
I apologize for the very short notice, but we will be closing July 15th, until July 19th, 2009. We will resume operations July 20th, 2009.
I can honestly say with all the events the past few weeks I need a break to get back my sanity and get organized. Anyone with outstanding orders, do not worry, they will get to you during this time as well as all promises made will still be fulfilled.
On a good note, however, effective July 15th the following items will be on sale until the end of July! Some of the items are running low in stock, so act fast! Orders are filled on a first come, first served basis.
~ In stock Powdered colourants
~ Butters
~ All Rainbow Soap, in stock, is now only $3 per bar until it's gone!.
~ Preservatives & Antioxidants
~ Glass jars
~ Flat Slip tins
~ as well as various sale items throughout the website.
And please note... our Chase Creative Mold order was put on hold until summers end. If you are interested in any of the molds, please send me an email at randi@creationsfromeden.com indicating which ones you are interested in. We are hoping to have them arrive for mid August.
Thank you all and Happy Creating!
Randi Carr
PS. As an advance warning, we will be closed September long weekend 2009.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Newsletter: Important Creations from Eden update!
I would once like to start by thanking each and every one of you for making Creations from Eden what it is today. With that said, we are experiencing some wonderful and big changes currently and I feel it is time to fill everyone in.
When I started in March 2008, I had little idea that this little hobby business was going to explode like it has. My little home business has grown and flourished and unfortunately, and fortunately, has grown out of my 12 x 10 room in the basement (much to my hubby's dismay as he just built it recently). I have watched beginner crafters turn their hobbies into flourishing businesses and the hobbyists perfect their creations. With this came a greater demand for better pricing, larger quantities and more product options. With that said we have some pretty big changes happening with CfE in the works.
As I type, documents are being looked over by our accountant and lawyer and the name Creations from Eden will soon be followed with three little letters indicating we have incorporated. The rust bucket in the garage, some (hubby) like to refer to as a truck in my household, is being hauled away and the garage is being turned into a climate controlled warehouse to house the increasing stock. We are negotiating with suppliers, both new and old, to bring our pricing down and bring in larger bulk size quantities. Creations from Eden will no longer be me, but a two man operation as I am taking on a partner to help with the administrative tasks. Please welcome Pete Kennedy to Creations from Eden and please be gentle on him, he is learning (hehe).
So thank you to everyone for being patient during this transition and please forgive me if orders and responses are a bit delayed. We hope to have everything ready to go by mid-August for all of your Christmas supply needs. If you would like to see a product we do not carry there a couple ways to reach us:
1. Our Facebook Page has a product request thread under "discussions" which I do frequent at least once a day. This can be found here.
2. Send an email to randi@creationsfromeden.com with your request.
We have access to most products, and for the most part, are willing to bring in what our customers would like to see.
Even though we are expanding, please rest assured, we will still be offering the same quality, atmosphere and customer service we have based Creations from Eden upon from the start.
Once again, thank you all and Happy Creating!
Randi Carr
Thursday, July 2, 2009
July Newsletter! Specials and an update!
At Creations from Eden we are still clearing out the old and getting ready for the new in late summer. Please take a look at our clearance items including packaging, essential oils, soap and more! Please follow this link to view our clearance items
This July we are running a sale on our in stock Organic and Wild harvested products as well as our in stock candle supplies. The sale price is 5% off of our regular prices. This discount stacks on the Loyalty discounts. To view these items follow this link
There is alot of exciting things happening in the background at CfE currently. We are negotiating with suppliers to bring down their pricing, so that we can pass this discount on to our customers. We are also working on bulk sizing, warehouse space, and much more! We hope to have all of this completed and in effect by late August in time for the soapers and crafters to start their Christmas inventory. Please stay tuned.
Don't forget, the bulk buys for oils, butters and herbs are due tomorrow (Friday, July 3rd). Please send in your requests as soon as you can. If you need a bulk pricing sheet, please send your request to Randi.
To see what new products we have at CfE please follow this link as always we are adding to our inventory! We have recently brought in many organic products for your cosmetic and soaping needs!
Have a wonderful summer and Happy Crafting!
Randi Carr
This July we are running a sale on our in stock Organic and Wild harvested products as well as our in stock candle supplies. The sale price is 5% off of our regular prices. This discount stacks on the Loyalty discounts. To view these items follow this link
There is alot of exciting things happening in the background at CfE currently. We are negotiating with suppliers to bring down their pricing, so that we can pass this discount on to our customers. We are also working on bulk sizing, warehouse space, and much more! We hope to have all of this completed and in effect by late August in time for the soapers and crafters to start their Christmas inventory. Please stay tuned.
Don't forget, the bulk buys for oils, butters and herbs are due tomorrow (Friday, July 3rd). Please send in your requests as soon as you can. If you need a bulk pricing sheet, please send your request to Randi.
To see what new products we have at CfE please follow this link as always we are adding to our inventory! We have recently brought in many organic products for your cosmetic and soaping needs!
Have a wonderful summer and Happy Crafting!
Randi Carr
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