Send a Spa !

I specifically bought some really cute jars to make gifts with.  I finally figured out what to do with them, and thought I'd share.  This sharing comes in the form of a tutorial ~ YAY!!

This is going to be a really inexpensive way to make someone's day!  You need some Epsom salts (I bought this bag for like 5 bucks), some essential or fragrance oils, a stir stick, some little jars (mine are about 2 ounces), and some re-inkers.

I chose my re-inkers based on the fragrances I had ; cherry, peach and vanilla.  I didn't want to leave the vanilla white, so I went with my favorite color...PURPLE!!

  Fill up all the jars with the salts.  Make sure to leave it a bit under the part where the neck starts.  If you fill it too full, it spills everywhere when the stirring starts.

Now, you need to add a few drops of fragrance.  Keep in mind this stuff is STRONG - 3 drops was the most that I added, but the stronger the scent (like flowery stuff), the less you need!

  Now starts the coloring process.  The darker the color, the less is needed.  I used real red and elegant eggplant for two of the colors.  For these, I only squeezed out a bit onto the tip of the re-inker and dabbed it onto the salt.  For the apricot appeal, I used one-and-a-half drops, to make sure that it would be dark enough.

DO NOT USE ALCOHOL / SOLVENT INKS!!  They will stain the tub of the person you are giving it to.  Only use waterbased re-inkers, as they will break down in the water.  They are only supposed to be pretty in the jar, not on the tub!

Now, it is time to start stirring.  I go around a few times in the beginning, and then start to push the color and fragrance to the bottom.  It will take a while to get the color all mixed in.  Make sure to check the bottom of the jar, to see that it has gone all the way down. 

After I think it s pretty good, I also shake it for a bit to get the last of it mixed in well.

 

Here is my finished bath salts.  Tomorrow, the holder *wink*.  Have fun and happy crafting!!

Comments

[charlene wiley]

Julie,
What a darling idea, so cute you have the most wonderfu ideas. This a great and beautiful gift for someone. thanks you

Charlene in Nebraska

[Karen (stampin3)]

what a great gift Julie - love it!! need to make some!!

[Kelly Bee]

I love them too! I would also like to know where you got the cute jars and if there are any staining issues. TFS!

[Lynn Mercurio]

What a fabulous project. I love that these are so easy to make and they are a gift that are so greatly appreciated. Where do you buy your essential oils?

Thanks for your continued inspiration.

[Deb M]

Julie,

Love this idea! Have you used some yourself? I wanted to make sure they really don't stain the tub even if it is supposedly a water-based reinkier.

Deb

[Michelle Degener]

I love your idea can you tell me where you got the jars from

[Jennifer]

How cute! This is just what I need since I just learned how to etch on glass! Now I can fill the jars I've decorated.

[Karlie]

What a great idea, Julie. Love everything you do! Thanks for sharing and for another great tutorial :)

[jules p]

These are so cute! Thanks for this "tutorial".

[lindsay]

these are great...i love to make bath salts homemade lip balm and glycerin soap and give them as gifts...i never thought of using my re-inkers though...

[Peggy Maier]

How pretty - very creative gift idea!

[Debbie Fisher]

I love this project and can't wait to see what you have planned for the finished product!

[Kathy Tolleson]

Wow- Thanks for sharing your idea :-)

[StampinCathy]

What a great idea for a gift. You are just to creative. Are you going to make tags for them or make a little gift box?

[Lorna]

Thanks so much for that idea. Sometimes you don't know what to get your friends or use as a hostess gift for a women only. Could you tell me what size the little jars are.
Thanks again.

[Pinky]

Julie, where do you purchase the fragrance oils? I love this idea and what a neat and inexpensive gift!

Pinky

[Alexis]

I made bath salts and bubble bath for both of my sons pre-school teachers and they all loved it!:)

[Jane Harrah]

Wow, cute idea and the price is right and they make wonderful little thanks or hello or whatever gifts!

[Julie Saylor]

Love it! Where did you get those adorable jars? They look like little jelly jars...too cute. Can't wait to see what you come up with as a holder/label etc.

[Holly]

I did these one Christmas with red and white layers and peppermint oil. They're great!

[Debbie]

Does it stain at all? Not even the body in the tub? Is it because it's such a small amount? Didn't want to try this until I know it won't stain the skin too.

[Sonia]

Ingenious idea and very pretty! But, I would probably keep it for my own use, as SU inks are not necessarily "skin safe" since you dunk your whole body into the bath water and not just exposing it to your fingers as you would when you're stamping.

[annemarie hocking]

What a great idea ! I'm going to have my Girl Scouts do this for their next activity. Thanks-

[marge]

Great little gift, Julie. I made something similar to this at Christmas, using 2 cups of epsom salt and 1 cup of sweet almond oil. a little food coloring and some essential oil....grapefruit was the fav. You can also use a mild olive oil instead of the sweet almond oil It was to use as an exfoliating scrub. It is wonderful stuff. Now I will "case" your idea and make more gifts to have on hand for those little "pushencies" that pop up. Love all that you do...keep it coming. Hugs from a very snowy Michigan.

[Heidi Gore]

I like the idea but wouldn't it have been easier to do the coloring and fragrance in a ziploc bag and then just pour it in? Maybe you already tried it that way and know it wouldn't work. Just a thought. I'm looking forward to seeing the holder you come up with.