How To...

Susana Medina

How To Make A Candle

Cajun Candles:
http://www.cajuncandles.com/beginnersguide.html

"Everything you ever wanted to know about candle making"

GirlSpeak Highly Recommends Cajun Candles for a fun and interactive candle making experience. Not only does this website supply you with step-by- step instructions but also money saving tips when purchasing supplies. There is an array of options when making candles. For example, the candle base can either be wax, gel or soy. The design of the candle depends on the mold: votive, pillar, tea light, etc. In addition, there are a wide variety of scents and colors that you can choose from: coconut, amber, magnolia, sandalwood complement, red, yellow, brown, purple and ivory wax dyes. Finally, you select the glassware, which is your candleholder. After you visit this site, you won't have an excuse for not making your own homemade candle. Although Cajun Candles is extremely fun, at times all of the information can overwhelm. The columns are filled with links that can sometimes open to a new window, throwing you off.

General Wax & Candle Co. :
http://www.genwax.com/candle_instructions/candlemaking_instructions.htm

"A candle is a device for providing light or dispersing fragrance."

GirlSpeak Highly Recommends Gen Wax for a splendid candle making experience because it offers countless ideas and tips. The site is straightforward and informative. It has straightforward candle making instructions, including the option to buy supplies online. Unlike Cajun Candle, General Wax focuses more on the purchasing of supplies and candles then on actually making them. But there are also instructions on selling candles and candle supplies. When trying to decide which wax, mold, color or scent to choose from, use the helpful links provided on the left side of the website. Your candle will come out exactly the way you imagined the second time around!

How To Make A Soap Bar

Soap Making: http://waltonfeed.com/old/soaphome.html

"It is abundantly rewarding to use something like this that one has made himself. I have also found that making my own soap from store bought raw materials is cheaper than buying it."

GirlSpeak Highly Recommends Soap Making for an old fashioned twist on modern soap making. This site has a vintage feel with a simple ivory background and old black and white picture of a woman making soap from scratch. It provides different instructions for soap making, including explanations about lye and rebatching. I recommend the soap movies to get a clearer understanding of the process. If soap making isn't your favored hobby, then try making salt bath; Soap Making provides valuable instructions to make bath salts. In addition, there are other articles and helpful links to other soap companies, more instructions, different materials and supplies for oils.

Teach Soap:
http://www.teachsoap.com/

"From beginners to seasoned soap makers, Teach Soap has something for everyone!"

GirlSpeak Highly Recommends Teach Soap for an extensive learning experience on the process of soap making. This site may seem a tad confusing at first because of several links near the left but don't be fooled, it's very useful; the detail on 3D rock soap, embedded soap, layered soap, pressed flower soap all have great step- by- step picture instructions. There are easy soap making tips as well as a special section on soap making for kids. Surprisingly, I came across a whole page dedicated to lotion formulas. Have fun exploring the site along with your newfound hobby!

How To Crochet

Annie's Attic:
http://www.anniesattic.com/crochet/content.html?type_id=S

"There is something magical when a single strand of yarn and a single hook unite to form a complete piece of fabric."

GirlSpeak Highly Recommends Annie's Attic for cool crocheting delights. Annie's Attic is filled with different crocheting patterns and fun techniques that you can share with all of your crochet buddies. You can find poll questions on crocheting and ideas for daily crocheting patterns. There are a many patterns, books, fabrics and needles you can purchase and designer techniques. The monthly newsletters are a means to stay connected to Annie's Attic and your newly mastered craft. You are sure to get a firm hold of a method after exploring Annie's Attic. Of course, you may need to practice patience because crocheting takes time.

Free Crochet Lessons and Instruction:
http://www.craftown.com/crolesson.htm

"FREE & Easy!"

GirlSpeak Recommends Free Crochet Lessons and Instruction as a wonderful illustrated instructor for learning how to crochet. There are graphics and detailed instructions with pictures that go step by step. You can follow closely to guarantee the full experience. No need to hurry when creating a beautiful scarf for the winter. You can even print out the directions and take your time practicing!

How To Knit

Learn to Knit:
http://learntoknit.lionbrand.com/

"Lion Brand is renowned for its pattern support, the source of inspiration that sparks the sale of yarn."

GirlSpeak Highly Recommends Learn to Knit for your basic instructions on knitting. Do you learn better in French or Spanish instead of English? Learn to Kit offers instructions in all three languages. There is a table of contents that provides different starting points from basic to advanced in case you forgot a step. Along with instructions, the website offers patterns and preferences to your liking. There are different goodies throughout the website: a free catalog, blogs on the newest patterns, "yarn-tastrophes" when your yarn gets tangle or the pattern is ruined, newsletters on bags, designers, knitting stores and gift ideas. You may need to create an account for total access.

How To Make Jewelry

Beadage:
http://www.beadage.net/

"My goal is to make Beadage into a comprehensive resource for those who wish to learn more about how to make beaded jewelry."

GirlSpeak Recommends Beadage for creating your own fashionable jewelry that everyone will die for. You can make earrings, hemp jewelry, wire jewelry, power bracelets, floating necklaces, and so much more. Beadage is up to date with their fashion! The site is packed with beading lessons, projects encourage you to teach the craft to other women teaching other women, beading glossary or guides, and an online shop to purchase beads and tools and books. The site is easily understandable and the navigation is quick because of the simple wording and links. Create your own fashion trend!

How To Make A No Sew Fleece Blanket

Exploring Womanhood
http://www.exploringwomanhood.com/homelife/ideas/pom-jan03.htm

"Come with us, as we explore our fabulous womanhood."

GirlSpeak Highly Recommends Exploring Womanhood for creating the most comfortable fleece blankets. Exploring Womanhood makes no sew fleece blankets affordable, enjoyable and artsy. The instructions are precise and readable. All you have to do is find two fabrics, measure, cut and tie. The site provides a brag page where readers can post with pictures of their blankets. So feel free to buy funky fabrics and get to cutting! But there is so much more to Exploring Womanhood than just fleece blankets; there's beauty articles for year round, health and well- being links for addictions and medicine, and links to help you nurture your spirit and body.

How To Make a Scrapbook

Scrapbook.Com:
http://www.scrapbook.com/

"Scrapbook is a friendly community of scrapbookers."

GirlSpeak Recommends Scrapbook.Com for an introduction into the world of scrapbooking. You need to sign up in order to get full access to this cyber space but it's worth it. There is a superstore for scrapbooking supplies such as albums, eyelets, fonts, chalks, stickers, etc. Plus there is a library for a countless resource of guides. In addition, you can establish a website and blog about your experiences with scrapbooking.This is an awesome sight, although you have to pay about $20 for a lesson from their online university. Enjoy your time spent browsing at Scrapbook.Com.