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October 27, 2009

Mosaic

Filed under: Craft Ideas — Tags: adhesive, china, colour, design, glass, grout, hammer, mirror, mosaic, plates, polish, shells, table, tile — @ 4:21 pm

Have you ever looked at beautiful mosaic tables or mirrors and wished you could make one yourself, I know I have. Here are a few basic instructions you will be able to follow and apply to any design.

If it’s your first attempt at this it’s best to start with a flat surface so a small side table or mirror frame will be a good choice.

What You Will Need :-

Old plates or/and tiles are the easiest to start with but china, glass and shells are also good depending on your project.
Impact adhesive
Paint brush
Corrugated cardboard
Clear contact or tape
Pencil
Hammer
Tile cutter
2 pairs of pliers
Rubber gloves
Poster paint
Tile grout
Large sponge

Plan your design and draw it out on your project base. Seal the surface with a coat of adhesive using a brush and leave to dry according to instructions or for at least one hour.

Break up your material, if you are using plates cover with contact and cardboard then tap with the hammer to break into smallish pieces. Check your plate with each hammer tap.

Spread adhesive over your projects surface a section at a time extending a little past the design outline. Transfer mosaic pieces to the glued surface, leaving small gaps in between each piece to allow for grout. Continue in this way until your design is complete.

If you use tiles for part or all of the design you will need the tile cutter to score and cut to the desired size, roughly a 15mm square is a good size for most designs. For smaller pieces score with tile cutter then use the pliers to snap. Make sure there are no sharp pieces overhanging the edges. Leave your design overnight to dry thoroughly.

Grout your mosaic using rubber gloves to protect your hands, Mix the grout as directed. Buy a coloured grout of your choice or mix in poster paint to get the colour you want. Use the sponge to work the grout into all the gaps, make it level with the surface. Smooth out, removing excess grout with a clean damp sponge, smooth and even the edges. Allow to dry overnight, clean off any remaining film from the grout and polish your finished mosaic with a clean cloth.

Well Done

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October 26, 2009

More Picture Frame Styles

Filed under: Hand made gifts — Tags: brush, cardboard, Christmas, decorate, frame, hearts, mould, paint, picture, plaster of paris, playdough, shells, stars — @ 8:08 pm

This style uses plaster of Paris again but in a slightly different way to making plaster moulds and sticking them onto the frame but I’m sure you will enjoy this one just as much and be very happy with the results..

For this style you will need:-

Flat picture frame (min width 7.5cm)
Stiff cardboard and tape
Plaster of Paris
Playdough
Biscuit cutter shapes
Paint and brush

What to Do:-

Cut four strips of cardboard to form a box around the outside of your picture frame. The sides will need to come above the frame by a few centimetres. Do the same on the inside of your picture frame. Make sure the corners of the boxed area are secure with tape to prevent leakage of the plaster.

Use the biscuit shape of your choice and the playdough to make some shapes and place them, as you like, around the frame. Each shape should be of even thickness about 1cm, press them gently and evenly into place.

Mix 300ml of plaster with 150ml of water to a creamy consistency. Pour into the cardboard box surrounding your frame to a level just below your shapes. Leave overnight to set.

When the plaster has thoroughly dried you are ready to decorate. Remove the frame and shapes and paint your chosen colours. If you’re not sure about colour choice think about where the frame will be located, can you blend it with colours in that location? Or, what are the shapes you have used for example, hearts – red and gold, shells – yellow and pale blue or stars – silver and dark blue.

Maybe you can make a few frames, package them up unpainted and give as gifts with some paint and brushes, Christmas is just around the corner.

Have a good time and enjoy your creativity.

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October 25, 2009

Make your own Picture Frame

Filed under: Hand made gifts,Uncategorized — Tags: chrismas, frame, funky, gifts, hearts, Moulds, picture, shells, teddies — @ 5:00 pm

A decorative picture frame on a wall or side table can turn a simple photo into a work of art. They can make a wonderful personalised gift or add some unique character to an otherwise ordinary room.

You will need to find or make a frame with a flat surface, any size is ok but a square frame with the outside measuring double the length of the window is a good method to use.

If you decide to make a frame, balsa wood works well, just cut to size and glue, using impact adhesive, at square angles.

Decorating your Frame

Using moulds that will fit on your frame and some plaster of paris your frame is only limited by the moulds you choose to use. Chocolate moulds are a good source for this design. There are a wide variety of shapes available shells, dinosaurs, teddies, hearts and the list goes on. Once you have decided on and made your moulds you can paint them to suit your theme.

What to Do :-

Follow the directions for mixing the plaster to a creamy consistency.
Pour into moulds and leave to set for one hour.
Turn out the moulds and leave to dry completely.
Sand off any rough edges.
You can paint the frame and each mould individually if needed or glue to frame and paint altogether.
Position moulds onto your frame and stick into place. Leave overnight.

A gilt edged frame is nice with the shells and bright colours for a funky frame.

If you start now you will have made some quick and easy but uniquly attractive and personalised gifts for Christmas.

Enjoy and keep smiling.

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October 11, 2009

Candle Making

Filed under: Craft Ideas — Tags: candles, citronella, fragrance, pots, scent, shells, wax — @ 10:26 pm

Use shells or even small terracotta pots to make candles to repel insects or for fragrance on your balcony or patio area.

Materials

Block of parrafin wax
Candle wick
Old saucepan
Sink Washers
Shells of suitable size
Citronella or lavender
Skewers

Use a hammer to break up wax then melt in saucepan on low heat. Cut wicking to required lengths. Tie washers to the ends of the wick so they will sit on the bottom of the shells or pots while the wax sets.

Keep an eye on the wax and ensure it does not overheat or burn, keep the heat low. Use gloves to protect your hands when pouring into receptacles and do not overfill.

Remove melted wax from heat and add fragrant oil or citronella and stir. Pour the wax into the shells or pots carefully. Put the wicking in place and hold up with skewer placed across the top. Make sure the wick is central in its position.

Tips

Colours and Scents for Candles

Colouring for candles comes in a number of forms, chips, liquid, flakes, blocks and powder. If you can get the chips they come in a wide variety of colours that you can also mix together to make even more colours.

It is best to get oils that are specifically for candles otherwise you may find they will not mix well they should not contain water or alcohol. Other types of scents like flowers, herbs and spices have a different effect. They do not blend into the wax but can still produce a nice effect and pleasant fragrance.

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