Here in Texas, we have a beer called Shiner Bock. It's made in Shiner, Texas and has the characteristic rich, amber color of most bock beers. I know it sounds odd to make soap with beer, but I'd made soap with tea and goat's milk and carrot juice...so I tried making my lye solution with beer, and combined it with honey and a fresh, citrus essential oil blend. It turned out amazing and was a top seller for several years! The only thing better than the rich, creamy soap...was people's reaction when I told them that the soap was made with real beer. Give it a try!
Photo Credit: George Marks / Getty Images

My Mosquito Repelling Essential Oil Blends article is on both the "What's Hot" and "Most Popular" links for Candle and Soap Making - which means one thing - the mosquitoes are out, and people are looking for more natural ways to control them. Well, you can lighten up our outdoors, and repel the mosquitoes at the same time, with a candle made with an essential oil that repels mosquitoes. Many of you like the Citronella Bucket Candles, or the dramatic, primitive, Citronella Torch Candles. But what do you do if you want a more intimate setting...or are using the candles in a smaller space? Citronella votives! Cute and functional at the same time. They're really not much different than making a regular votive candle. The key is to substitute your normal favorite fragrance oil for a Mosquito Repelling Essential Oil Blend.