Author: Li

I didn’t get to post earlier as planned (I am sorry for the delay; I got caught up with family and personal matters). So here’s my long awaited first post on crafting Chen perfume!

Although I am still currently on hiatus, I have been crafting on and off. Right now I have mostly been crafting perfumes. I made a few perfumes for a perfume swap I was in, and I am also working on Chen: my Year of the Dragon perfume. Perfumes take many weeks to months to make plus they also need a lot of time to age properly, so hopefully by the time I reopen (I still am not sure when that will be but I am hoping sometime very soon, this summer, if all goes well), Chen will be completed and become part of Earth Alkemie’s product line. 🙂 I need to make fresh batches of other Earth Alkemie perfumes and products too, so will be working on crafting those in the coming weeks!

I have talked a little bit about perfumes and perfume crafting in a previous blog entry but I thought I would write a bit more about it since a question on research and my Chinese astrology perfumes was asked on the forum many months ago. So I decide to write a few entries on crafting Chen and general perfume making; this is the first post (more to come)! (For info on the perfumes I made for my perfume swap, I posted about that on my eco blog, Solarkat’s Eco Blog).

Since I have previously formulated and offered perfumes for the Year of the Tiger (Hu) and the Year of the Rabbit (Tuzi), I started work on my perfume for the Year of The Dragon earlier this year. The Year of the Water Dragon started in late January, so I hope everyone is having a wonderful year so far! If you are interested in reading more about Chinese astrology, I have posted about a few good Chinese astrology resources on my eco blog, in past years.

So the first two entries will be on the steps I go through to craft a perfume for the business, and the last entry will be about Chen in detail. 🙂 Here is part 1!

Concept and names:

My Year of the Dragon perfume first started with a name and a concept. Like my other Chinese astrology perfumes, every single ingredient (except for the base/carrier oil) is a plant associated with the Year of the Dragon or the elements associated with the sign. There are five Chinese elements, and each sign has a fixed element (that is the same every year) and also one that changes each year. So the fixed element for the Year of the Dragon is the element of Wood. And the element (that changes) for 2012 is Water. So that makes this year the Year of the Water Dragon.

Not all of my perfumes or products start out with a name: often my creations don’t get a name until the very end. Sometimes the names will pop into my head immediately and other times it can take me weeks to think of the perfect name that captures the essence of my creation. However since my other Chinese perfumes were named after their signs (Hu means tiger, and Tuzi means rabbit in Mandarin Chinese), I have naturally chosen to name this perfume Chen, which means dragon.

Initial research:

Research for a product can take a long time. For my Chinese astrology perfumes, I searched through all of my Chinese astrology books and essential oil books (I have a lot of books on essential oils which range from cosmetics, medicinal to spiritual uses. For astrology or the elements, I tend to look at the more spiritual essential oil books for that information). Next I looked at online sources, mostly websites by authentic Chinese astrologers. I searched for plants, flowers, food, scent/ fragrance, drinks, perfumes, etc that are associated with the Year of the Dragon or the elements of wood and water. I also looked at plants associated with both the western elements and Chinese elements (since although there are differences, there are also some similarities too). I entered all of the information into a database.

After I finished my initial research, I looked at my database and cross compared resources. I then decided on the main heart note or heart accord (often I build perfumes around a flower or flowers that are strongly associated with the sign). For Hu, I decided to make a perfume that centers around carnation and violet absolutes, along with jasmine since those plants are linked with the Tiger. For Tuzi, I created a heart accord of chamomile, lavender, and rose, since those flowers are strongly tied with Rabbits. For Chen, it is a floral bouquet with a bit of spice and citrus, and so far smells amazing!

Part 2 will be notes about initial and final formulation and will be posted in the coming weeks. 🙂 Over the next few days I will be posting about articles and also product giveaways, so please check back for many more new posts!

I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Memorial Day. Today is the day we honor those who have passed serving our country, in the line of duty. I hope that on this day of remembrance, everyone is remembering those who have passed, and also spending time with their loved ones too.

I posted about my new article on Earth Alkemie’s face book and also the forum, but didn’t post it here yet.

An Earth Alkemie customer and friend, Barbara (hugs Barbara!) just asked an excellent question on the all natural beauty website (I am the Eco Living and DIY Natural Beauty Formulating Expert for the all natural beauty websites). She asked if tea tree essential oil was effective for tick repellency, and also if it was safe to use on children and pregnancy. I also included information on other essential oils that can be used as repellents, and also some information on usage of herbs on animals.

I used to craft and carry some ‘Outdoor Oils’ made with the mentioned essential oils, as well as many others. I loved them, and used them as body oils year round. I stopped carrying them but if there is interest in bringing them back, I will consider bringing at least one of them back. There were three formulas: Lemongrass Forest, Picnic, and Woodlands. Picnic was the one that I crafted for children over the age of two. Lemongrass Forest was my favorite because although it contains some potent essential oils, it smelled like a simple perfume. It was aromatherapy at its best. And last but not least, there was Woodlands, which contained the most potent blend of essential oils (it smelled very lemony, and was crafted for deep wood usage). The first year I was open I sold them. The second year, I gave them away for free with orders. So if you’ve tried them, let me know if you’d like to see them back again.

I have been working very hard to reopen Earth Alkemie. I still have much to do. Currently I am working on the website and ordering new, fresh supplies of ingredients and containers. Then I have to revamp the labels and make new batches of products (I will be revamping the line and am still deciding which products to carry, and may have to reformulate a couple products too, since a couple ingredients are no longer available or since some ingredients contain gluten). Then I will need to take new pictures and work on the website some more. I hope to complete this within the next few weeks. So no set date yet but I will announce the exact date on this blog, facebook, and the forum when I reopen.

I will start posting my perfume making notes (which I have mentioned previously) on Chen very soon. The first post will be sometime this week (I have written a series of a few posts).

Thank you all for your patience since I have been closed for a long time. Take care!

Edited to add: I forgot to mention some containers, sizes, and prices will be adjusted too.

I love eating super healthy food. But just because it is healthy, doesn’t mean it can’t taste delicious. For my newest eco living article, I have shared my recipe for kale, spinach, and chard chips. They are super simple to make but taste great! Enjoy! And Happy Mother’s Day! 🙂

It is with great pleasure that I announce my newest endeavor: I am now the all natural beauty (anb) Eco Living and DIY Natural Beauty Formulating Expert.

I have been involved with all three of the all natural beauty websites (all natural beauty website, the anb portal, and also the anb mall) for many years. Years before I started my business, I contributed articles and recipes to the anb website and anb portal, and hung out at the anb forum. I really love the anb websites, and not just because they are owned and run by my friend, Sharon H., but because all three websites are so informative, and have experts from many fields (aromatherapy, herbalism, natural skin care experts, natural skin care vendors, and diy enthusiasts too!). Some of the best in the field have contributed to the websites over the years, including herbal and aromatherapy pioneer, natural skin care formulator, and perfumer Jeanne Rose; aromatherapist, natural perfumer, and skin care specialist Alexandra Avery; and mineral makeup formulator Deb Bilezikian (owner of Monave, a mineral makeup company). In addition to recipes and recommended vendors, there are numerous natural beauty articles on many different topics. I have learned a lot from the websites, and since Sharon is my friend, I was always happy to give a little back and share my experiences and knowledge.

In fall 2008, when the anb mall was created, I became the Eco Living writer there, and have written articles on a wide range of topics from DIY formulating, conservation related topics, simple tips to live a greener lifestyle, food recipes, green house cleaning, and more: basically anything environmental or nature related under the sun!

And when I opened my business, I am proud to say that Earth Alkemie has become an anb partner to all three websites. Sharon has very high standards on who she accepts as an anb partner. For the anb mall, all of the vendors there range from natural based (which is mostly natural) to all natural. But the vendors on the all natural beauty website, and anb portal make only all natural products (you will not find more natural lines than the vendors on those websites). I am very picky (in other words: anal 🙂 ) in what ingredients I use in my line, and I am glad that Earth Alkemie has met Sharon’s super high standards!

I am honored to accept this position. I have answered two questions so far: one on more natural thickeners and emulsifiers in cream making and also oils and rancidity on the skin. The other is one making herb infused oils and herb infused witch hazel. So if you have a question, please feel free to ask (click on this link and ask me using the link on anb portal)! And as a bonus, by asking me or any of the other experts (Rose, Avery, and Bilezikian are some of the experts. I am in VERY good company!) you will be entered in anb’s monthly giveaway for FREE products.

Earth Alkemie news:

Keep an eye out for June! Lots of Earth Alkemie activity in the works!

I am not sure the exact day I will reopen yet, but I will be reopening sometimes towards the end of this month or June, if all goes well (depending on my health and my dad’s at that time). I am very anxious to reopen since I’ve been closed for so long, but I still have much work to do! Keep checking this blog (or Earth Alkemie’s forum or Earth Alkemie’s facebook) for news on when that will be!

Happy Earth Day and Month! I have been quiet in posting. I just posted a post on my personal blog on Earth Month and local eco events, but thought I would post a couple things here too!

I have been working to get Earth Alkemie to reopen. I still have quite a bit to do (it has been a very busy month personally, I have been focusing on my health, taking care of my dad, and I have been trying to work a little bit every day) but many things are coming along nicely. I have been working on inventory, restocking ingredients, revamping the product line, and reorganizing the business. I have also been working on redesigning the website and hope to have that up when I reopen. So far it is looking great! But I have many pictures to retake and have to work on redesigning my labels too. I am not sure yet of my reopening date but I am excited.

Just thought I’d post a couple quick eco natural cosmetics tips of the day:

Try to find ingredients or brands that use many natural, organic, ethically wild harvested or fair trade ingredients. For more information, read my blog entry (on my personal eco blog, Solarkat’s Eco Blog) that I wrote a few years ago on the benefits of natural cosmetics. I also wrote a couple eco living on what is natural and what is organic.

Try to buy only what you need or will use (overconsumption is one of the most devastating environmental issues). If you try a brand of cosmetics, I recommend to first try samples or small sizes before committing to full sizes.

Buy local when you can 🙂 By buying local this supports your local community and also can help reduce gas consumption.

This has been a very busy month (in taking care of my health, my dad’s health, dealing with other family issues, and slowly working everyday toward reopening 🙂 ). I have finally posted my extra notes on my eco blog on conservation and preservation (I usually try to post extra thoughts or notes whenever one of my eco living articles is released). It took a while to write the blog post, and I hope you enjoy it! Happy Earth Awareness Month!

Cheers,
Li

Happy Earth Awareness Month! One of the things I love most (besides making natural skin care!) is teaching others about the environment. In my newest eco living article on anb (all natural beauty) mall, I have written about the differences between conservation and preservation. I have also included some quick tips to be more green, and have included a long list of good environmental, conservation and preservation non-profits and organizations. Happy reading!

I hope that you will join me this month (and every month!) in learning more about environmental issues and ways that you can live in an eco-friendlier manner. 🙂

One of the cosmetics I enjoy making the most are perfumes. Here is my entry on my personal eco blog (Solarkat’s Eco Blog) on perfume crafting for perfumes I am making for a perfume swap. I really like all the perfumes I have made so far, and am having so much fun crafting them!

I will be posting a few entries on a new Earth Alkemie perfume (Chen) over the next several weeks here on Earth Alkemie’s blog: a few entries on crafting perfumes (the steps I take to craft perfumes for my business), and also notes on the actual perfume too. So stay tuned for that. 🙂

I really love posting articles on ‘kitchen cosmetics’ (or ingredients commonly found in most people’s kitchens); you can make super specular skin care with some of your favorite foods! This month’s eco living article is on the humble potato! In my article called ‘Potato Eye Remedy’, I have included three super simple recipes featuring this amazing plant, made with other common foods (such as organic milk and chamomile!). These recipes are helpful for some types of puffiness and dark circles.

I hope everyone has a Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Happy crafting! 🙂

I have been writing a lot recently. I just finished my newest eco living article (which will be released on anb mall on friday), and I have been working on a number of posts (for my eco blog and this blog). I have also been writing in my journal again (it’s been a long time since I’ve written in a personal journal) and I am thinking about starting work again on my fiction and non-fiction works too (sci-fi/fantasy, and also natural skin care. I have been working on these on and off for years). I love writing; it is nice to have time to write again. 🙂

One of the things I was working on is my newest post on my eco blog. It is on some of my favorite resources for natural cosmetic (skin care, hair care) recipes and books. I hope you enjoy this post!

I am working on a number of other blog entries, including entries on perfume making for both this blog and my eco blog too. The posts on this blog will be related to Chen, my year of the dragon perfume, which I am currently working on. So keep an eye open for them!