NEW 4-Day Natural Product Making Boot Camp II

Our Original 4-Day Bath & Body Boot Camp has been such a success, on the request of our loyal repeat students, we put together a NEW 4-Day Intensive Series that covers many of the classes that are not in the Original one (plus several brand new classes). During this series, we'll cover 18 different products. You'll learn to make mineral makeup (eye shadow, blush/bronzers, foundation), aromatherapy home cleaning products (scouring powders, surface & window cleaners, shower sprays & more), herbal extracts (oil infusions, alcohol tinctures & glycerites), healing balms, gels and serums, all-natural baby products (diaper cream, cleansing lotion for wipes, and soothing spritzers), hydrosols (great as a toner, or for babies and pets), and finally all natural dog products (doggie shampoo, canine cologne, ear cleaner & flea powder for dog, pet beds & carpets).

Other than the materials fee which is to be paid with cash or check on the first day of class, you don't need to bring anything with you - we supply everything you need! You will go home with thorough handouts for each class, tested and exacting recipes, clear instructions for everything we make, and bunches of finished products. Boot camp students will also receive special extras including a class binder and a frame-worthy personalized certificate of completion for the series.

This intensive is ideal for out-of-town students or those who live near by who would rather take as many classes as they can in a short period of time. This workshop is limited to 14 students and must be purchased as a series. This special series usually fills up well in advance - so sign-up today.

Here are more details about which classes & products are covered in this boot camp:

Day 1 - 6/25/09 - Thursday Morning & Afternoon :
Mineral Makeup: Eye Shadow, Blush & Foundation with Lori Nova
   

Did you know that with very little equipment and materials, you can make your own foundation, blush and eye shadow at home? It's not only fun and makes a great gift, but the cost of the raw materials is about one-tenth of what you would pay at a name brand cosmetic company - for the same or better quality!

Come and learn about all the raw materials commonly used to make loose mineral makeup from scratch like zinc oxide, bismuth oxychloride, titanium dioxide, and serecite mica. You will gain insight into the world of specialty pigments -- iron oxides, ultramarines, colored micas -- which you will use to blend your own shades of makeup. We'll also discuss the different brushes and containers that are commonly used with mineral makeup, as well as where to purchase all your supplies. After a discussion of ingredients, some basic concepts, and a few demonstrations, you will get hands-on play time to come up with your own custom creations.

You will take home thorough handouts with complete instructions, a custom eye shadow, blush and foundation. By the end of the class, you will have a general understanding to get started with this interesting and fun new craft -- and you will be well on your way to making all your own makeup!

Day 2 - 6/26/09 - Friday Morning:
Aromatherapy (Eco-Friendly) Home Cleaning Products with Lori Nova
 

When was the last time you enjoyed cleaning your house? Imagine that after you were done, not only was your house sparkling but the scent of your eco-friendly cleaning products uplifted, energized and actually made you happy?! That's how I feel after cleaning with these products. Cleaning doesn't have to be such a chore when you use aromatherapy cleaning products that are enhanced by the wonderful aroma and naturally antibacterial/antiseptic properties of 100% pure essential oils made from plants.

This class will cover a whole bunch of natural cleaning recipes & tips, and you will make in class:

• Sunny Citrus Scouring Powder (for kitchen/bathroom sinks, tubs & tile)
• Floral Window/Surface Cleaner (great for mirrors, windows & counter tops)
• Minty Fresh Shower Spray & More (for combating mold, bacteria & freshening bathrooms)

You and your whole family will appreciate your switch to natural cleaning products (especially small children & pets). You'll be so amazed by how well your handmade products clean and how great they smell that you'll never use stinky synthetic commercial cleaning products again.

You will take home thorough handouts with complete instructions, tested recipes, a scouring powder, window/surface cleaner, shower spray and a resource list of where to purchase supplies.

Day 2 - 6/26/09 - Friday Afternoon:
Herbal Extracts: Infusions, Tinctures & Glycerites with Alice Duvernell

In this demo & hands-on class you will be learning the fundamentals of herbal extractions in oil, alcohol & glycerin. These processes are very accessible and will give you the knowledge to work from scratch with the plants to a finished product. Extracts are sold everywhere and are often highly priced: green tea extract (anti-oxidant, used in anti-wrinkle creams), calendula infused oil (soothing in massage bars or baby products), comfrey or lavender tinctures (excellent for problematic skin types). We will discuss a range of cosmetic herbs and uses and how these basic products will enhance your beauty lines and insure quality to your customers. Come and enjoy the wonders of plant crafting with Alice Duvernell at The Nova Studio!

You will take home helpful handouts, an 8 ounce oil extraction, an 8 ounce glycerin extraction and a 1 ounce herbal tincture. Students who make other bath & body products will be able to take their extracts home for use in their formulations. All products made in this class are 100% NATURAL (they are free from synthetic ingredients and preservatives).

Day 3 - 6/27/09 - Saturday Morning:
Healing Balms, Gels & Serums with Alice Duvernell

In this mostly demonstrative class, you will discover the various possibilities offered by 2 different cosmetic recipes: Balms and Gels. Balms are incredibly nourishing and regenerating to the skin and have the quality of requiring no chemical preservatives.We will create a custom scented body balm while discussing the best oils and ingredients to use and their eventual healing and beautifying properties if mixed with herbal tinctures, oil infusions or essential oils. (See Herbal Extract Class). Gel powders offer various possibilities in your range of cosmetic recipes. Created with no emulsifying wax, their soothing texture feels refreshing and light and are very easily absorbed by the skin. Gels are very well appreciated by men. We will talk about the different gelifying substances and their various applications in aftershave gels, body gels and facial serums.

You will take home thorough handouts, a 1 ounce Body Balm, a 2 ounce Body Gel and a 1 ounce Facial Serum.

Day 3 - 6/27/09 - Saturday Afternoon:
All-Natural Baby Products with Alice Duvernell

Alice is a new mommy since September 2007 when she gave birth to her beautiful little girl Onatah. Her interest in safe cosmetics (paraben and chemical free) for moms and babies inspired her to create this course offering the tools for people to create their own custom-made body care products for babies & children.

In this class, you'll learn all about the healing properties and safe use of essential oils, hydrosols, infused plants and carrier oils, and gentle aromatherapy for babies, children, or anyone with sensitive skin. Additionally, this class will cover the following three products:

• Zinc & Calendula Diaper Cream (with other wonderful ingredients)
• Cleansing "Lotion" (for bottom and body, replacing those chemical wipes)
• Calming & Soothing Baby Spritzer (for teething and stress)

You will take home all three products listed above as well as thorough handouts with recipes and instructions. All products made in this class are 100% NATURAL (they are free from synthetic ingredients, fragrances and preservatives).

Day 4 - 6/28/09 - Sunday Morning:
Handmade Hydrosols with Alice Duvernell
   

The word hydrosol comes from the Latin root “hydro” and “sol” which means “water solution.”  When a plant is distilled to obtain an essential oil, many chemical compounds of the plant first build up in the water. A hydrosol is the distillate water that remains under the thin layer of essential oil after the steaming process. Hydrosols contain many of the same beneficial components of essential oils, but in a much more subtle, gentle way. Once made, they are ready to use and are suited to a wide range of skin types, particularly sensitive ones. They are also safe for use in baby and pet products and deliver a wonderful range of therapeutic and cosmetic qualities.

In this unique class, you will learn how you can make your very own hydrosol at home (without special distillation equipment) from scratch using readily available cooking tools. You'll experience the marvelous aromas, as well as the soothing, moisturizing & cooling effects of hydrosols. We'll focus on 6 very beneficial hydrosols (Chamomile, Lavender, Peppermint, Rosemary, Geranium & Rose), their properties, and their many uses in skin care. All of the plants used in the class are available locally, and you will develop an awareness of what can be easily grown in your own garden or purchased at convenient neighborhood resources.

As she demonstrates how to make a 20 ounce batch of hydrosol, Alice will cover:

• Brief history and basic knowledge of hydrosols
• Necessary materials, supplies and equipment to make your own from scratch at home
• Six very beneficial hydrosols and their many uses in skin care
• Recipes for facial toners, aromatherapy mists, masks, creams, baby care & more
• In class creation (hands-on) of clay facial masks using hydrosols
• Bottling freshly made hydrosols: hygienic awareness, giving products a longer shelf life

You will take home thorough handouts and knowledge to make great hydrosols and hydrosol-based cosmetics from scratch as well as a 4-oz. spritzer bottle of freshly made hydrosol and a delightful clay mask (something hands-on for you to experience how hydrosols can be easily incorporated into your skin care routine). Due to the nature of making hydrosols from scratch (in batches), this class is mainly demonstration style with some hands-on elements. NOTE: THIS IS NOT A CLASS ON HOW TO MAKE ESSENTIAL OILS.

Day 4 - 6/28/09 - Sunday Afternoon:
All-Natural Aromatherapy Dog Products with Lori Nova
  

Over the past few years, high-end "retail boutique" dog stores have been popping up all in almost every neighborhood in the Bay Area and beyond and so it's becoming easier to find natural, green, eco-friendly pet products. It appears that pet owners will spend 2-3 times the amount of money on a product for their dog than they will for a comparable product for themselves.

Whether you are planning to sell pet products or just want to make them for your "best friend," this class will cover which essential oils are truly safe for dogs and a whole bunch of recipes (using essential oils) & tips for natural dog care. You will also make in class:

• Doggie Shampoo (made from a very mild biodegradable nonionic surfactant)
• Canine Cologne (also known as "grooming spray")
• Ear Cleaner (for removing dirt & bacteria from the ear canal)
• Flea Powder (used directly on the dog, on pet bedding or as a carpet shake)

You will take home thorough handouts with complete instructions, tested recipes, a 4 oz. bottle of doggie shampoo, a 2 ounce doggie cologne, a 2 ounce ear cleaner, and a 3 ounce flea powder and a resource list of where to purchase supplies.

COMING FROM OUT OF TOWN?

AIRPORT INFORMATION
Closest Airport: Oakland International (OAK)
22.7 miles away - 30 minutes - 50 minutes with traffic

2nd Closest Airport: San Francisco International (SFO)
29.8 miles away - 36 minutes - 80 minutes with traffic

OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS
If you are flying or driving from out of town, we highly recommend The Hotel Mac
just around the corner - the best and closest overnight accommodations in Point Richmond!

CANCELLATION POLICY:
Since this is different than our one-day classes, the CANCELLATION POLICY is as follows: If you need to cancel *for any reason* let us know as soon as possible. If we CAN fill your space (assuming the class is full), you will receive a refund of your payment minus a $100 non-refundable deposit. If we cannot fill your space, unfortunately there will be no refund OR future class credit given. If you cannot make the workshop, you have the option of sending someone else in your place.

ABOUT THE TEACHERS:
To give you a variety of teaching styles and knowledge, this series is co-taught by several talented teachers. The teacher names are listed above next to each class. Please visit our Teacher Page to get more information about each of the individual teachers.

SIGN-UP DETAILS:
Refer to the table above for price, date, time and registration options. Contact us at 510-234-5700 with any questions. Please read the Class Policies & Info Page before signing up.