Overcoming aversion to...

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concretes. I find I rarely if ever choose to use materials that are

difficult to work with. While base notes are generally my favorites,

the base-note part of making a perfume concoction is usually my least

favorite part. I'm dying to make something with immortelle absolute--

but I avoid it like the plague. What do others do when working with

concretes and other extremely viscous substances? Do you dilute the

material first? If so, how much and how? Even styrax (a most

loathsome but useful material) is a problem. My bottle of it is an

ounce; softening it in a hot-water bath is not the easiest thing to

do. Suggestions appreciated.

[Guest guest]

--- I I'm dying to make something with immortelle absolute--

> but I avoid it like the plague. What do others do when working with

> concretes and other extremely viscous substances? Do you dilute the

> material first? If so, how much and how? Even styrax (a most

> loathsome but useful material) is a problem. My bottle of it is an

> ounce; softening it in a hot-water bath is not the easiest thing to

> do.

Dear Adam,

I just tinctured some Immortelle Absolute. At first I didn't heat my

sample well enough, and it wouldn't blend. I was just mixing a small

amount for my own use so I was making a 5% dilition. My second try I

got smart and just warmed the alcohol in a small vial, as well as the

absolute, in a bowl of hot hot water (not boiling- tap.) I was then

able to quickly scoop out my absolute, place it in the warmed alcohol

and mix it up with success. I am letting it sit now to blend. I am

also trying to blend the immortelle with oil - I dont know if I will be

successful, but based on the archives I think a slow infusion over many

months is my best bet. I would try scooping your concretes into little

1/4 oz glass jars or sample containers for heating. The lavender

concrete I just got requires no heating at all and is very soluble.

When I get a sizeable amount of Immotelle I plan to tincture it at 50%

for ease of blending use.

Take Care Fellow Portlander,

Jess Ring

>

[Guest guest]

Adam Gottschalk <adam@...> wrote: concretes. I find I rarely

if ever choose to use materials that are

difficult to work with. While base notes are generally my favorites,

the base-note part of making a perfume concoction is usually my least

favorite part. I'm dying to make something with immortelle absolute--

but I avoid it like the plague. What do others do when working with

concretes and other extremely viscous substances? Do you dilute the

material first?

>>>Yes I do sometimes depending on what I am composing.... in a small amount

of carrier just to get things more fluid....

If so, how much and how? Even styrax (a most

loathsome but useful material) is a problem. My bottle of it is an

ounce; softening it in a hot-water bath is not the easiest thing to

do. Suggestions appreciated.

> if you have a scoop or some sculpting tools that can help you remove the

resin from its bottle .... gentle heat like a little bain-marie helps to soften

and integrate... your difficult resins etc then let it rest.... remember

slow...... then take stock .... you can then either try a couple of things

filter out carfully and build from there or carry on building an filter in the

end.. Remember to weigh so that if you are really happy with what you have

done.... made notes etc you can replicate..

HTH Janita

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