girl. Inspired.

travel, food, design

  • TRAVEL
  • FOOD
    • Breakfast
    • Breads
    • Main Course
    • Desserts
    • Drinks
    • Soups|Salads|Side Dishes
    • Sauces|Dips|Salad Dressings
    • Cake Decorating
      • Inspiration and Ideas
      • Tips and Tutorials
  • Design
    • Craft/DIY
    • Sewing
      • Patterns and Tutorials
      • Pattern and Product Reviews
      • Sewing Ideas and Inspiration
    • Parties
  • Blog
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
  • Subscribe

Face Mask Pattern Options and Supplies

April 9, 2020 by girlinspired 3 Comments

I’m hoping to get all the resources for face mask pattern options and supplies into one central spot. I will be keeping this page updated with fresh supply links, any new patterns that catch my attention, and the latest buzz regarding face mask sewing from our sewing community. How many people are sewing face masks for themselves, their family members, friends, and local organizations?

variety of fabric face masks, bias tape, elastic, P2.5 filters, cutting mat, and rotary blade used as fabric mask supplies

The sewing community’s response to our country’s very unfortunate lack of PPE warms my heart. I’m so proud to be a member of the sewing community, now more than ever. If you’re looking for the pros and cons of different types of home sewn face masks, need to know where to find available supplies like elastic and mask filters, or have questions about caring for your face masks, this page should be a good source of information.

variety of fabric face masks, bias tape, elastic, P2.5 filters, cutting mat, and rotary blade used as fabric mask supplies with text overlay

Face Mask Sewing Patterns and Tutorials

A list of options for sewn, serged, and no-sew face mask options. Choose which is best for you by shape, material, and filter pocket options.

How to Make a Homemade Face Mask without Elastic and with Filter Pocket

This mask has a filter pocket, stretchy ties, and a nose shaping wire.

Fast and Easy Serger Face Mask

This mask is made primarily on the serger and takes only 5 minutes to sew up!

No Sew Cloth Face Mask from a T-shirt

No sewing needed for this option and it includes a pocket to add a filter.

Ear-Saving Button Band for Surgical Face Masks

An extremely quick sew to make button bands to provide relief to the ears from long hours of wearing face masks.

More Options

A list of options for sewn, serged, and no-sew face mask options. Choose which is best for you by shape, material, and filter pocket options.

Kid mask template - see kate sew

Photo Credit: seekatesew.com

If your kiddo gets sick or hurt and has to leave the house, make a few of these kiddo size face masks to have on hand.

How to make a face mask using Cricut

Photo Credit: inspiration.cricut.com

What! Cut out your masks using your Cricut with their free svg file

DIY No Sew Face Mask Tutorials

Photo Credit: andreasnotebook.com

This post has a number of other no sew options including a video by the Surgeon General.https://www.sewmuchado.com/fabric-face-mask-pattern/

3 ways to make a DIY surgical face mask for virus shortage

Photo Credit: seekatesew.com

Use bias tape or elastic to make these masks. Free pattern and video instructions are available.

Face Mask Pattern - Free Sewing Pattern • Craft Passion

Photo Credit: www.craftpassion.com

This post has a detailed video tutorial to make this mask shape that goes up over the nose and curved down around under the eyes if you prefer a different shape.

How to Sew a Fabric Face Mask Free Pattern

Photo Credit: www.raegunramblings.com

This mask has an adjustable fit and is made with comfy knit.

Face Mask Pattern – 5 Different Ways

Photo Credit: www.sewmuchado.com

This seamstress sewed five different mask patterns and compared them, giving pluses and minuses for each.

 

Mask Making Materials – In Stock Supply List

I know it can be overwhelming and frustrating to try to source supplies to make fabric masks when you can’t leave home and supplies are sold out in many places. The supply list (aff links may be included ) below will be updated frequently to reflect current available inventory for mask-making materials.

  • 1/4-inch Elastic is available here – I saw one video suggesting you could just cut any wider elastic – don’t count on this, most elastics will fray and unravel if you cut them up their length.
  • Beaded elastic cording – that is the thin elastic cord – I like it with my mask that I wear hooked over my ears. The online supply is available, but it looks like delivery dates are pretty far out right now. 
  • Carbon filters are available here – do not wash the filters when you wash your reusable masks. Ideally, they should be discarded and replaced after each use.
  • HEPA filters can be found here – HEPA filters or vacuum bags can be cut to size and used as a filter.
  • 100% cotton jersey knit – Use strips of this type of knit instead of elastic. The edges won’t fray, you can cut it easily, and it will hold up to hospital sanitation processes if you’re sewing for medical workers.
  • If you want to use bias tape for your mask straps, you can make your own bias or binding tape – use these bias tape makers to speed things up.
  • After trying a bunch of different wire inserts to help shape the masks around the nose bridge, I think twist ties were my favorite. I ran out, but just put in a bulk order for more! You can get twist ties by next week here.

Sewing Machines and Sergers

Spending so much time at home may provide the perfect opportunity to get started sewing. I’ve noticed that most of the easy to purchase beginner machines have been scooped up, but I happened to find two of the machines that I currently use in my sewing room and they are available!

  • The Juki Serger is a great little machine horse. If you’re ready to get started with the convenience of serging, this is a nice machine to work with.
  • This Singer Quantum Stylist sewing machine is a step up from a beginner machine; mine has been chugging along for years and years. It has some of my very favorite options like the auto-cut button and built-in fancy stitches. If you’re ready to do a little more sewing than once in a blue moon, this is a great machine.

FAQs about Fabric Face Masks

Can I wear my face mask over an N95 mask?

Many healthcare workers are using homemade fabric masks along with their N95 masks to extend the longevity of their protective coverings. Masks with ample accordion folds can be comfortable worn over N95 masks. This pleated type of mask will work.

Which direction do the pleats go on my fabric mask?

Wear the pleated face masks with the pleats folding downward. First, place the mask over your mouth and nose. Gently press from the center of the nose bridge and smooth the metal nose wire down over the bridge of your nose, smoothing from the center down and out so that the mask tucks comfortable over your nose and cheeks.

How do I take off my face mask?

Remove the mask by releasing the straps and carefully pulling the mask away from your nose and mouth without touching the outer material of the mask. Be especially careful not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth while removing your face mask. If you are using a non-washable filter inside the mask, you would ideally discard the filter after each use. Place the mask directly into a Ziplock bag or a fabric sack to be put into the washing machine. Wash your hands thoroughly after touching the face mask.

How do I wash my face mask?

Fabric masks should be laundered on a normal wash setting and dried in the dryer on med-high heat. Use regular laundry detergent. To keep the mask and ties from becoming too tangled while laundering, consider washing your masks in a pillowcase or a mesh laundry bag like this one.

What kind of fabric do I use to make a fabric mask?

If you have options, the BEST material to use would be a high thread count 100% cotton fabric. In the sewing community, this would be quilters cotton and flannel. A layer of cotton stacked with a layer of flannel is a great combo. Typically a cheaper cotton will be thinner and the weave between the fibers will be further apart. You can feel the cheaper quality and it will allow more light to pass through if you hold it up to a window. More light = more particles getting through.

Does knit or t-shirt fabric really work to protect you?

The recommendation for the general public to wear face coverings is intended to reduce the transmission rate of individuals carrying the disease unknowingly. It’s meant to serve as a reminder to maintain social distancing protocol. Materials with a tighter weave or that are less porous have been shown to be more effective in actually stopping particles from traveling through the material. I’ve read studies that suggest t-shirt masks are a good material choice because they are comfortable and easy to breathe through. I’ve read other studies suggesting that knit fabrics are useless. I am operating under the belief that something is better than nothing. I would suggest using a knit face mask only when you are able to add a tightly woven (quilting cotton, flannel) or non-woven (carbon filter, HEPA filter) material inside the mask. This no sew t-shirt mask has a pocket where a filter can be used.

Can I use leggings as a face mask?

Usually, no. Unless the leggings are made from 100% cotton, they are not the best choice for a face mask covering. Leggings are typically a polyester blend fabric, reducing the breathability. Choose 100% cotton for your most breathable, but also protective fabric.

What do I use for face masks if I don’t have elastic?

I get it. You’re trying to make face masks and all of a sudden elastic is nowhere to be found. Don’t panic. The absolute easiest substitute for elastic is using a knit fabric to make ties. Knit is the dream fabric in this scenario because it won’t fray or break down during laundering, so you can easily just cut strips of knit (you can even cut up an old t-shirt) and now additional sewing is necessary to make a wonderful elastic substitute. What’s more is that the knit will not break down like elastic will under heavy duty sanitation processes (like they use in the hospitals) AND I think it’s way more comfy. You can also use bias tape or binding tape to make straps. This is not my favorite way because it takes a lot more time to sew and ties with no stretch don’t seem to be as comfortable or as well-fitting as stretchy straps. Just use the knit!! Both my filter pocket tutorial and my 5-minute serger mask will show you how to use knit straps in lieu of elastic.

Where can I donate my finished face masks?

I’m not currently organizing or collecting face masks to be donated. Every single organization that I’ve heard about seems to be requesting a different type of mask. If you are going to sew masks to be donated, please contact the appropriate resources in your community so that you know what their requirements are before you begin sewing. Some places are providing the exact pattern they want you to make while others are providing the materials with which to make the masks. Sew masks for yourself or for friends who do not sew.

Do you have other questions? Let me know and I will try to find the answers for you.  Please do defer to the CDC website for all official information regarding homemade face coverings. Stay safe and well. 

Filed Under: Patterns and Tutorials, Sewing Tagged With: DIY, flooring tips, sewing, sewing tutorials, tips

Summer Home Decor with a Beachy Vintage Vibe

July 9, 2019 by girlinspired 1 Comment

summer home decor

It has been four years FOUR YEARS since we moved in to this fixer upper and I am finally loving the way things are looking around here.  We have put some elbow grease into quite a few major projects – and there ARE a number of projects still remaining – but it’s time to start sharing! I have my beachy summer vibe going and I hope some of these photos inspire new summer home decor ideas for you, too!

summer home decor

summer home decor

One of my favorite spaces – the dining room – has a unique blend of rustic/vintage and modern sparkle.  It’s the wallpaper that sets the backdrop to this striking space. Choosing a quirky wallpaper in a formal space was risky for me, but I could not love it more.  This particular wallpaper isn’t available right now, but here are a variety of fun and dramatic wallpapers that would give a similar vibe in your space.

summer home decor

summer home decor

summer home decor

summer home decor

What’s new in the living room?  Well – it serves as a “travel portfolio” of sorts – I like to incorporate new artwork or souvenir type things that we collect on our trips.  I’m currently super stoked to finally get my hands on my grandmother’s sunburst clock that I’ve been begging my mom for for years.  So nostalgic and it fits in perfectly even if it is more ‘mid-century modern’ style.

summer home decor

beachy vintage decor

beachy vintage decor

beachy vintage decor

beachy vintage decor

beachy vintage decor

beachy vintage decor

A newly-acquired swoon-y vintage chandelier…

beachy vintage decor

Our more “casual” living space opens up between the family room, kitchen, and kitchen eating nook. I’ve started setting the kitchen table.  Since we eat up at the counter, the table seems to just be a random junk collector.  Anyone else have this problem? I need it looking pretty!

beachy vintage decor

Most of the house is black and white, but a little French blue has been drawing me in, so I’ve built that into the kitchen a bit for the summer months.  It’s so vibrant, warm, and cheery for summer.

beachy vintage decor

A vintage tiered basket holds some bee paraphernalia – dish towels, some French ribbon, and honeybee juice glasses.

beachy vintage decor

I did a complete DIY makeover on the very 70s kitchen last summer, so here’s a bit of a peek, but the whole makeover really deserves a post or two (or three) dedicated in full

beachy vintage decor

beachy vintage decor

beachy vintage decor

summer home decor

summer home decor

These cubbies – remember these cubbies?  They used to serve as a magical holder for so many craft and sewing supplies in my sewing room.  Now that I don’t have a sewing space, the cubbies live out in our family room and I love them EVEN more.

summer home decor

I know – white couch with three kids, a dog, three cats, and general crazy going on here every day?  Yep, white slipcovers love BLEACH! Plus, I have a back up cover that is pristine for when we have big gatherings and I really need the couch to look her absolute best.

summer home decor

summer home decor

summer home decor

summer home decor

summer home decor

summer home decor

Finally!  I’m making this awkward space fireplace work!  Once I got my hands on this perfect chippy shelf, everything else fell into place.  I just added some book stacks and a couple succulent collections.  Presto, done!summer home decor

summer home decor

summer home decor

The old mirror was a great find at the Sacramento Antique Fair a couple years back.  I have a really hard time passing up mirrors.  This one was too small for the fireplace previously, but now that it sits above the shelf, it’s the perfect size.summer home decor

summer home decor

summer home decor

LOVING my entryway these days. The kids really like easy access to all the letters for writing up messages on the letter board.  It’s such a fun addition to the home.

summer home decor

The front porch is still in progress. She’s getting there…a good eclectic mix of new items scratched up to look old along with a few vintage and rusty things thrown in.

summer home decor

The backyard is coming along too.  Soon, we can compare “before” and “after” pictures.  That will be a load of fun – for now, I’m getting my wicker collection going… summer home decor

summer home decor

Filed Under: Crafting, DESIGN, Holiday Inspiration, Home Decorating, Home Improvement, outdoor Tagged With: beach decor, cottage style, DIY, home dec, home decorating, home design, home makeover, vintage decor

Rustic Pinecone Wreath

November 4, 2015 by girlinspired 3 Comments

Rustic Pinecone Wreath - perfect DIY for winter decorEarth tones and rustic decor are making their way into my home while the Halloween decor gets ushered out.  I’m not quite ready to put up the Christmas sparkle as I try to really embrace this season of thanksgiving.  Gathering natural objects from the outdoors and bringing them together in a creative manner keeps me energized and connected to my home and surroundings.  This Rustic Pinecone Wreath is an easy craft that can be done with any variety of materials.  It looks great inside or outside your home!  Let’s make one!

Rustic Pinecone Wreath - perfect DIY for winter decor

Supplies:

Pine Cones – two sizes, about 20 of each size (I used three bags of scented pinecones from Jo-Ann and the size variety worked out perfectly)
Wire Wreath Frame
Craft Wire
Wire Cutters
Nuts, Acorns, Berries, etc. (Optional)
Burlap Ribbon
Hot Glue Gun and Gluesticks

Rustic Pinecone Wreath - perfect DIY for winter decorStep 1:  Begin by gathering your supplies.  Sort pine cones by size and lay the larger size onto the wreath frame in a circle.  Be sure the color variation and sizes are visually pleasing.

Rustic Pinecone Wreath - perfect DIY for winter decor

Step 2:  For each pine cone, cut about a 12″ length of craft wire.  Wrap it all the way around the base of the pine cone, wedging it into the scales so it becomes nearly invisible and wraps tightly around the center of the cone.  Wrap the wire over itself to secure and bring each end back around the opposite side of the cone, stopping about mid-way back to start.  Position wires on opposite sides from each other.

Rustic Pinecone Wreath - perfect DIY for winter decor

Step 3:  Set pine cone onto the top of the wreath frame and wrap the wire around the base.  Twist several times to secure tightly and trim the excess wires with wire cutters.

Rustic Pinecone Wreath - perfect DIY for winter decor

Step 4:  Continue attaching pine cones to the wreath frame until you complete the circle.  Wedge pine cones gently in toward each other to reduce extra space.

Rustic Pinecone Wreath - perfect DIY for winter decor

Step 5:  Place a circle of smaller pine cones to the inside of the wreath as shown.  Wedge them as tightly together as possible.  Rather than securing these pine cones with wire, I simply flipped the entire wreath over and dabbed hot glue where each smaller pine cone touched the ones next to it.

Rustic Pinecone Wreath - perfect DIY for winter decor

Step 6:  Gather other natural items such as acorns, nuts, seeds, differently shaped pine cones, and burlap ribbon.  Use hot glue to secure acorns to their caps.  Use hot glue to attach items to the wreath, filling in any gaps.  If desired, wrap wide ribbon around the entire wreath and secure ends in the back with hot glue.

Rustic Pinecone Wreath - perfect DIY for winter decor

Rustic Pinecone Wreath - perfect DIY for winter decor

Use a small loop of craft wire around the top of the wire wreath frame to hang your wreath.

Rustic Pinecone Wreath - perfect DIY for winter decor

Rustic Pinecone Wreath - perfect DIY for winter decor

Enjoy your new wreath!   I sure miss country living!  Luckily, this is my parents’ barn so I can visit it anytime – doesn’t it make the perfect photo backdrop???

More Wreaths to Make

Evergreen Wreath DIY

Dia de Los Muertos Wreath

Sparkly and White Winter Wreath

20 Christmas Wreaths to Make

 

Filed Under: Crafting, Fall, Holiday Inspiration, Home Decorating Tagged With: DIY, Fall decor, rustic decor, wreath

DIY Mercury Glass Lanterns

April 14, 2015 by girlinspired 1 Comment

DIY Mercury Glass Lanterns - make your own mercury glass!

Do you love mercury glass as much as I do?  I have paid quite the pretty penny over the years for a few small pieces to set around my home, but I hate to pay for something if I can make it myself.  I don’t know why I didn’t try DIY mercury glass sooner – I saw lots of people showing how easy it is years ago, but I only tackled it just recently.  I saw these pretty clear beaded glass lanterns in Jo-Ann and they inspired me to finally jump on the bandwagon.

DIY Mercury Glass Lanterns - make your own mercury glass!I experimented with several different techniques that I had come across, but what I discovered is that getting a gorgeous mercury glass effect couldn’t be easier and is practically fool-proof.  I’m ready to transform ALL the clear glass I can find!  All you need is a few supplies and you can tackle this project, too!

DIY Mercury Glass Lanterns - make your own mercury glass!

Supplies:

  • water bottle with light mist spray function
  • Looking Glass spray paint by Krylon
  • clean clear glass lantern, vase, tray, votive, etc.

DIY Mercury Glass Lanterns - make your own mercury glass!

  1. Gather your supplies and find a well-ventilated, protected work area.  Be sure the glass is clean and free of tags, labels, or dirt.  Remove handles or other components that you won’t be painting.  Cover the outside of the container if you’re concerned the paint will spread to unwanted areas (I didn’t cover these and they were fine!) We’re going to be working on the inside of the glass container (or bottom side if you choose to paint a tray or platter).DIY Mercury Glass Lanterns - make your own mercury glass!
  2. Shake the can of Looking Glass spray paint for several minutes to get it well mixed.  We will first add a light layer of spray paint to the inside of the lantern and will immediately follow with a quick mist/spray of water.  Spray the paint in short bursts and try to spray lightly enough that the paint doesn’t pool and run.
  3. As soon as you’ve sprayed the paint into the lantern, shoot it with a quick mist of water.  When the water droplets hit the damp spray paint, they will form the spots and bubbled effect that makes mercury glass look so aged and cool.  Allow the paint and water to dry completely – 30 minutes or so.
  4. Repeat layers of spray paint and water droplets until you have the look you desire.  I added 2-3 layers for each lantern.
  5. Don’t be alarmed if your paint does pool or run – try to tilt the container to spread the run-off so that it adds to the overall texture of the paint rather than drying as a streak running straight down the lantern.  You can also tip the glass upside down on some paper towels to remove excess water/paint.  DIY Mercury Glass Lanterns - make your own mercury glass!
  6. I experimented with using a vinegar/water solution and did not find much, if any, difference from using plain water.  I also experimented with sponging some areas with metallic gold/bronze paint, but ultimately couldn’t see any difference in the finished lantern.  Because we’re layering the paint and water while the paint is still wet, it doesn’t matter if you spray the water first or the paint, but I seemed to have less running and streaking when I started with the paint as outlined in these instructions.DIY Mercury Glass Lanterns - make your own mercury glass!

So there you have it!  DIY Mercury Glass Lanterns for the win!  Don’t they look so good?  I’m really happy with how they turned out.  Why did I wait so long?

DIY Mercury Glass Lanterns - make your own mercury glass!

These lanterns are gorgeous in the home or as part of your outdoor decor (keep them protected from wet weather).  They also look beautiful glowing with candles in the evening!  As soon as the weather evens out, they’re going to live on my deck tables!!  I think this would be such a great project for a Mother’s Day gift, too!  Happy crafting!!

 

 

**This tutorial was initially published at The Creative Spark.

Filed Under: Crafting, Home Decorating, outdoor Tagged With: DIY, hanging lanterns, mercury glass, outdoor decor, paint projects

Make a Photo Backdrop Anywhere!

March 20, 2013 by girlinspired 29 Comments

I am loving the warmer weather and beautiful light for taking pictures this spring.  It’s always a challenge to photograph one of my children, trying to coordinate their mood with available time, perfect lighting, cooperating weather, and a great location.  Spring weather definitely works better than winter weather!  However, it’s not always possible (rarely, actually) to get the pictures I need at exactly 1.5 hours before sunset outside with the right backdrop.  My main living area has direct light coming in from the west all afternoon and evening.  It’s my favorite place to be and it provides great lighting for a longer period of time than if I’m trying to take pictures outside.  BUT, I don’t have any empty walls where the kids can stand and pose.  I have been contemplating various solutions and have a few ideas for DIY backdrops.  Today I thought I’d show how I made a backdrop for several of my recent photo shoots.  It is so simple!
 I picked up a cheap clothing rack from Home Depot – just $17 – to use for hanging the baby layette at my cousin’s shower last fall.  I was able to come up with a more decor friendly solution for the shower, but I held on to this rack for experimenting.  I spent some time looking at vinyl backdrops online, but they are pretty pricey and they all looked so nice, I couldn’t decide on just one that I’d use forever.  I like the idea of being able to switch out the backdrop and have some variety.  Then I looked at my stash of fabric.
With a couple yards of fabric and two clamps out of the garage, I just clamped up the fabric that I want in the background and I have an instant backdrop behind the girls.  So simple!  And then you can change out your background however you want.  Use a sheet, use a curtain panel, use a fun quilting cotton design.  Since the clothes rack can be expanded about 5 feet wide and 6 feet high, it really gives you quite a bit of space to work with.  You can also drape your fabric out on the floor in front of the clothes rack if you wanted your subject to stand on the fabric, too.  And you can snap your pictures no matter what the space looks like around/behind the backdrop.  Here are a couple recent pictures I took with my instant fabric photo backdrop:
Then, there are days like Monday when the weather and the kiddo did cooperate and the perfect backdrop was waiting just outside.  Head over to Alida Makes today to hear all about Grace’s photo shoot and her new skirt I made for the Calling All Kids series.  Go here!
I’m also over at Project Run and Play today answering a few questions for the designer introduction interviews.  Fun!!  Come say hi!

Filed Under: Crafting, Photography, Popular Posts Tagged With: DIY, photo backdrop, photo props, photo tips

Lip Gloss DIY and Printable Labels

February 11, 2013 by girlinspired 25 Comments


I came across a multitude of DIY lip gloss recipes on Pinterest and dedicated an afternoon to make some of my own.  I was intrigued by the idea that I could make lip gloss with just petroleum jelly and a single additive, things I had on hand.  But, after experimenting for a bit, I found myself curious about other additives and ingredients, and ultimately, I ran out to purchase just a couple ingredients to make some awesome all-natural lip balm.  Today, I’m sharing some of the lip gloss variations that I tried!

In the suppy list above, you’ll see a variety of supplies and ingredients you can use to make a VARIETY of recipes.      So, let’s talk about some of the recipes.
 
Using Petroleum Jelly (or Vaseline) as lip gloss base:  I loved how quick and easy it was to use Vaseline right out of my cabinet.  And the finished lip gloss is shiny and looks beautiful in the little pots.  I actually do not love how Vaseline feels on my lips, though, so this was a drawback.  The texture doesn’t change when making lip gloss – you basically end up with Vaseline that looks pretty in the containers.  Instructions:  Heat a dollop of Vaseline in a heatproof bowl (I used a tea cup) in the microwave in 30 second increments.  Stir after each 30-second interval until the Vaseline is completely liquified.  Stir in additives (see below), pour into lip balm pots and allow to cool.
Additives:
  • Kool-Aid method – stir in packaged Kool-Aid powder – I had NO success with this method.  The Kool-Aid would not dissolve no matter how I tried it and I didn’t think it smelled very good either.
  • Powdered Makeup method – stir in a little powdered makeup, I made a lot of these!  They looked beautiful and the color blended easily.  I used a couple shades of blush and bronzer of my bare Minerals makeup.  It didn’t take very much.
  • Glitter – cosmetic grade – yes!!  very pretty in those pots, so fine that you can’t feel it on your lips.
  • Coconut Oil – I found that you can add a very small amount of coconut oil (let’s say no more than 1/4 tsp. per 2 Tbs. Vaseline) to the petroleum jelly base without changing the consistency too much.  More than a few drops though, and the coconut oil separates from the petroleum jelly and changes the texture to more of a liquid.  Adds a nice scent!
  • Cocoa powder – this adds color, scent, and not really enough flavor to notice.  I added a little coconut oil to this batch, too, and it came out pretty fun!
  • Peppermint extract – similar to the coconut oil, you can add just a touch of extract to scent your lip gloss – one of my favorites is a peppermint extract, coconut oil, petroleum jelly, glitter combo!
 
In the above picture, you can see a good variety of the finished lip gloss/lip balms.  I wanted to point out the two glosses at the bottom right of the picture.  These glosses were the result of mixing powdered makeup and glitter with room temperature petroleum jelly – I “piped” the gloss into the jars with a plastic bag.  You can definitely see the difference in the finished presentation between these and the glosses that were melted, mixed, and poured (“pink lemonade,” “peppermint sparkle,” “shimmer and shine,” “foxy kisses”).
Next, let’s talk about making lip balm without using petroleum jelly as a base.
Beeswax lip balm!!  There are endless recipes for all-natural lip balms and lip glosses out there.  So, I just barely grazed the surface here.  I had to purchase two ingredients to make this beeswax lip balm:  beeswax and sweet almond oil.  Both ingredients were really inexpensive and just a little goes a long way.  Many of the other natural recipes out there call for ingredients that are harder to find and/or are pretty expensive (e.g., shea butter, cocoa butter).  What I love about the beeswax lip balm:  it feels amazing on my lips!  it stays soft and nourishing for hours, even with eating and drinking.  it cools quickly and nice and thick – great for little pots and it also worked great in chapstick tubes (not shown).  it’s actually good for your skin!!  This balm doesn’t produce a nice gloss like the petroleum-based glosses, as you can see in the pictures.  The color is substantially muted.
Recipe
I started with this recipe from Brambleberry.  And modified as follows:
1 part olive oil
2 parts beeswax
2 parts coconut oil
2 parts sweet almond oil
In a double boiler (I use a ceramic bowl over a simmering pot of water), stir beeswax and coconut oil until completely melted (for each batch, I used 1 part = 1 teaspoon).  Remove from heat.  Immediately whisk in olive oil and then sweet almond oil.  Whisk in additives and quickly pour into pots or tubes – mixture cools quickly, but can be reheated over the simmering water if needed.
 
I made just a couple batches of the beeswax balm – some of the additives I used included:  peppermint extract, powdered makeup for color, honey (just a drop), and beet juice.  The extract smelled great, the powdered makeup worked fine, the honey smelled bad and I couldn’t actually taste it.  The beet juice was an attempt for a completely all-natural balm – I pressed chunks of beet and added the juice into the olive oil before mixing with the balm mixture.  You can see the slight color variation this produced in the “can’t be beet lip balm.”
 
Okay!!  So are you ready to make a couple batches of your own?  I have a set of lip gloss/lip balm labels that you can print out on sticker paper if you don’t want to make your own labels- I used some nice, cheesy names that ought to cover just about anything you decide to make!  hee hee!
Other information and supplies:  
cosmetic sample jars/lip balm pots – 3 grams – I got mine on etsy at Beauty Makeup Supply
Lots of natural lip balm/gloss recipes:  Brambleberry 
Easiest DIY lip gloss (adding powdered makeup to petroleum jelly)
Kool-aid lip gloss

More Fun Handmade Gift Ideas

Surprise DIY Bath Bombs

Frozen Party Favor Necklaces

DIY Personalized Gift Bags

Succulent Teacup

Cute, Little Hair Bows

DIY Snow Globe Ornaments

Princess Crowns Tutorial

 

Filed Under: Crafting Tagged With: all natural, craft DIY, DIY, easy gift ideas, lip balm, lip gloss

  • 1
  • 2
  • Next Page »
About Stef
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Sharing Policy

It is my hope that you will find inspiration on the Girl. Inspired. blog. All photos are copyright protected by Girl. Inspired. If you wish to share something that you have seen here, I am absolutely thrilled! Please use only one picture with a direct link back to the project you are referencing. Thank you so much for your understanding!

Privacy Policy

What are You Looking For?

Copyright © 2022 · Foodie Child Theme by Shay Bocks · Built on the Genesis Framework · Powered by WordPress