Do-it-yourself may appear to be a new trend, but according to those who do it themselves, the idea is nothing new.

DIY is everywhere, from home renovations to clothing and jewelry-making, right down to soap and cosmetics.Jeannie Carl and Selena Mazmanian, both of Jim Thorpe, became soap makers a number of years ago."I was at a Women and the Outdoors conference one summer eight years ago," said Carl. "I signed up for an archery workshop, but all that was available was soap making."Even though she considered it a bit "girlie" at the time, all these years later she is still melting and pouring her own suds at home."Its easy and fun for people to do. There is no way to really mess it up," Carl said.Carl's melt-and-pour process is fairly simple.She uses either goat's milk or glycerin-based block soap that can be picked up at any craft store. Then she takes her base and melts it in a slow cooker set to high for roughly an hour or so."Some people melt it in the microwave, but the Crock-Pot is much better," she said.Carl then takes her oils or fresh herbs, or even dried flowers, and adds the ingredients to the melted soap. After all the ingredients are added, she pours her concoction into molds that can also be found at a craft store.Then she waits for the soap to set, taking about an hour to fully harden, before popping it out of the mold."The most popular mix is oatmeal and brown sugar. People also really like mint."Carl will also add food dye for some color or olive oil for something a bit more moisturizing. Although according to Mazmanian, glycerin is a moisturizer in itself."Commercial bars remove the glycerin and leave just the bar. Handmades tend to be less harsh, leaving the skin softer. It's a more moisturizing bar," Mazmanian said.Mazmanian started as a melt-and-pourer herself. A sensitive skin sufferer, she took the soap-making a step further and learned how to do "cold-press" process, which is making soap from scratch."I love the melt and pour soaps, I still use that process for inserts into my cold-press bars," she said.But what she really loves is the creativity she can use with the cold-press bars."I love having complete control; I create the color and fragrance. I formulate it from the ground up. I know what is and isn't in the product."Mazmanian took her home crafting one step further to learn how to make cosmetics. Her forte is eye shadows and blush."If people had access to the ingredients, the cosmetics companies would go out of business."For a simple eyeshadow Mazmanian starts with a base of tapioca starch and zinc oxide. She then mixes a natural mineral, mica, for her colors.She takes her color and adds the starch base, then uses a mortar and pestle to grind it together thoroughly."That's it. Then you package it in your container."By making her makeup at home she avoids the commercial fillers that are irritants for people with sensitive skin.Mazmanian warns against the Pinterest DIY makeup trend."People will see these ideas on Pinterest and start melting crayons for colors. Or melt down a lip color to put onto their eyes. It's dangerous. Just because something is nontoxic doesn't mean it's safe."She learned the lesson after years of purchasing irritating skin care products. She has since started her own makeup line for people with similar skin care concerns, using raw honey, goat's milk and spun silk in her soaps and cosmetics.Both Mazmanian and Carl conduct soap making classes.Carl runs a class in the fall at the Carbon County Environmental Education Center, while Mazmanian conducts at-home parties."It's a good girls' night thing," she said.Her class lists can be found on her website

www.shop13thmoon.com.