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Poison Ivy soap recipe

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soap-main_thumbHow to Make a Natural Poison Ivy Soap
By JuDea Bentley from eHow.com

This is a very easy recipe for homemade soap that can be used for poison ivy or other uncomfortable rashes. This soap is also great for sensitive skin.

Difficulty: Moderate

Ingredients:
2 cups melt and pour soap or re-batched soap. Or you can use  store bought soap.
4 tablespoons calamine lotion
4 tablespoons liquid glycerin
4 tablespoons finely ground oatmeal
microwave
plastic juice pitcher that fits in the microwave
A mold to use for the soap. I usually look around the house and see what I can find. A frosting can makes a nice round soap like in the picture.
Vegetable spray for mold
40 drops of rosemary essential oil

1. Cut the soap into small pieces. Place them in the pitcher. Heat on high for 20 to 30 seconds. Stir every 5 seconds. Repeat until all the soap is melted. This will be very hot when taken out of the microwave, so please use caution.

2. Allow the soap to cool slightly. Then stir in the glycerin, calamine lotion, and oatmeal. Then place the rosemary essential oil into the soap. This is a good preservative.

3. Next spray you mold with vegetable spray. I use a lot of household items for molds. The silicon cake pans are great for mold. The cake rosette silicon pan make adorable soaps. For the round soaps I just use a 16oz frosting plastic tub.

4.  After you spray the containers pour the soap in slowly. Let the soap sit until hard. What I like to do is to put the mold in the freezer for a few hours before I pop it out of the mold. If you should decide to us a frosting tub you can always cut the tub if you cannot get it to pop out. Then cut the soap into 1 inch thick pieces. Happy Soap Making!

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What Type of Clay Should I Use? Comparing Three Stoneware Bodies

If there’s one question that potters—especially beginners—ask over and over again, it’s this: “What type of clay should I use?” With so many options available, from smooth white bodies to gritty, speckled stonewares, the choice can feel overwhelming. In this Clay Studio Series feature, we’re reviewing a video that takes the guesswork out by throwing, trimming, and comparing three distinct stoneware clays side by side.

Why This Video Stands Out

Instead of just talking about clay in theory, the potter works directly with three clay bodies and shows the differences in real time. You can see how each clay reacts on the wheel, how it trims when leather-hard, and what kinds of issues may arise depending on the body you choose. This hands-on comparison makes it far easier to understand than simply reading product labels.

The video also tackles a common curiosity: the pink-toned ES80 stoneware, often admired for its warm coloring. The creator points out that this clay is manufactured for reduction firing and won’t give the same results in oxidation, a detail that often gets overlooked by beginners.

Key Lessons for Beginners

  • Not All Clay is Equal: Some clay bodies are far more forgiving for new potters, while others require more experience to manage.

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Why We Recommend Watching

For beginners, choosing the right clay can mean the difference between frustration and success. This video demystifies the process by giving a clear visual comparison of three popular stoneware options. By the end, you’ll have a better idea of what qualities to look for in a clay body and which ones might fit your needs best.

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This review proves that clay choice is less about finding a universal “best” and more about learning what works for you. Whether you want smooth, easy-to-handle clay for your first mugs or a robust, grogged body for sculptural pieces, this video is a fantastic guide to help you make a confident decision.

Watch the full video here: What Type of Clay Should I Use?