For people who have been on my bath bombing list the past few years or so, this info is probably not new.  But since ’tis the season for handmade bath and body gifts, here is a quick roundup of suggestions from bath bombers.

Fragrances

* It’s sick season!  Try experimenting with peppermint, eucalyptus, spearmint, rosemary, and other medicinal-type scents.  Be careful with essential oils, though — fragrance oils with these scents will contain some of the essential oils, too, just in moderate doses.

* Beware the usual suspects.  You way want to steer clear of holiday spice, Xmas spice, pumpkin spice, fir and spice, etc.  These “holiday” scents get over used — the default impersonal gift is a seasonally-scented set from Bath and Body Works.  It can be seriously overkill, especially if you’re a woman who works in a large office or church!  You want your stuff to be useful after the holidays, as well.

* That being said, I can’t get enough of fig/spice and “pomander,” which is usually orange, lemon, clove, and musk.  Kind of like a fruitcake, but not sweet.  Beware using actual clove and cinnamon essential oils, though — they can be irritating.

* Also try heavier and old-fashioned florals, like rose, jasmine, violet, and narcissus.  Often, Oriental perfumes are classified as “winter.”  You can create a quick blend with a nice designer duplication that you doctor up with something unexpected.

* Real spruce, pine, and fir essential oils can come across as Pine-Sol-tastic.  For some people, that’s a good thing, but if you don’t want that, try softening them with a light, clean citrus or floral fragrance oil.  Berries + fir often comes out to cough syrup.

Sizes (based on my own mold sizes)

* Small bath bombs are very gifty and have many packaging options.  Try this page to see specific suggestions for this size.

* Medium and large bath bombs sell the best, individually.  However, in our store, they often cracked. Make sure you let them cure for 48 hours before selling or giving — most cracks will occur during that time.  The other problem is splitting along the seam, so minimize the seam, and make sure you press hard enough when molding your bath bombs.

* You can hide prizes inside, starting with the large.  Extra large and Jumbo are the best, but are more challenging to mold!  (XL is 3.5″ diameter, and Jumbo is 4″ diameter.)  For small prizes, try sponge capsules, waterproof fortunes (printed on waterproof paper), small coins, or pewter charms.  For the XL bath bomb, I’d love to see someone try hiding a friendship bracelet or a charm on a chain!  I’d also like to see

* To help the XLs and Jumbos stay together, try adding white clay to the bath bomb mix.  You’ll have to experiment and see what works the best.

Special Ingredients & Gimmicks

* XLs and Jumbos are awesome for including oatmeal, Epsom or Dead Sea salts!  To make a really effective mineral bath, you need at least 1/2 cup of salts in warm, not hot, water.  With the larger two sizes, you can include 1/2 cup or more of salt per bomb and still have a bath bomb that holds together.  I originally got the XL size to make my “Earth Bombs,” with 2/3 cup of oatmeal!

* Exotic butters and oils are still in.  Grate, don’t melt, the harder butters and waxes — it’s a lot easier.  You can “cut in” the softer butters with a pastry cutter (or use your fingers.)

* Sugarcraft.com has wafer paper flowers and other decorations — this is what Lush uses for its famous jasmine Sex Bomb.  Just put the wafer paper rose in one end and pack the bath bomb mix around it.  You can make a holiday-themed one with a snowflake or something — no one does this enough, and in person, these things sell like crazy.

Anything to add?  Just email info@excellentlivingguide.com, and I’ll include it.

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