Only Craft – Craft Blog and Store

October 18, 2009

Marbled Paper

Filed under: Craft Ideas — Tags: , , , , , , , — @ 4:48 am

Marbling creates decorative paper by dipping it in liquid containing floating coloured paints.

What You Need

  • Large flat container
  • Small containers for mixing colours
  • Needles
  • Cocktail sticks
  • Paint brushes or drinking straws
  • Eye dropper
  • Newspaper or line for drying
  • Oil paints
  • Turpentine or white spirits

Floating oil paints in the water can create some lovely patterns on your paper. Mix the paints with the turpentine or white spirits until it runs easily off a brush, Use paper that fits just inside the tray. Any type of printing paper is fine and white or coloured to your liking.

Fill container with water and drip droplets of paint onto the surface and spread the colour out carefully using a brush. Patterns can be made by blowing gently using a straw. Another way to create patterns is to swirl with a needle or thin stick. Don’t over mix because the colours wil become muddy.

When you are ready to put the paper in the water slide it in carefully starting at a corner whilst holding it at opposite corners. Make sure the whole sheet comes in contact with the surface. Lowering your paper carefully will prevent bubbles that can spoil your design. If you notice bubbles you can carefully tap the paper down into the water just a little.

Once the paper is covered carefully lift it out of the tray, it can dry on the newspaper pattern side up or hang it on an indoor clothes line.

Have Fun :)

October 9, 2009

Making Candles

Filed under: Craft Ideas — Tags: , , , , , , — @ 5:13 am

Beeswax Candles

Beeswax comes in sheets and can be found in most craft stores. You can shape or cut the beeswax sheets into the shape you want. You will need to allow the sheet to soften before rolling it by placing it in the sun or near a heater.

You will also need some lengths of wick, which you will be able to get from the craft store as well. When the wax is ready to roll place the wick right along an edge and roll from there.

Fold the edge over the wick and press down firmly allow about 8mm of wax for the fold. Doing this makes it easier to roll. Different shapes can be made by how you choose to roll the wax. The sheets are usually rectangular so for round symmetrical candles roll straight from any edge and add more sheets until you get the size you want.

For a tapering candle cut the sheet across the diagonal and roll from the straight edge for a short candle or from the diagonal for a longer candle. Make sure as you roll your candles the bottom edge rolls straight so they will stand up when finished.

Balloon Candles

Candle wax for balloon candles is melted and hot so care must be taken to avoid burns especially when children are helping. Wear protective gloves, clothing and eyewear.

Materials

  • Block or parrafin wax
  • Old saucepan
  • Balloons
  • Dyes for candles
  • Wick
  • Bamboo satay skewers
  • Sink washers

Turn balloon inside out and fill with water until about the size of an orange. Tie securely. For melting the wax use a saucepan that is deep enough to dip the filled balloons into. Use a low heat to melt the wax to avoid boiling and burning. Remove melted wax from heat and add colours if desired.

Carefully holding the balloon by its knot dip it into slightly cooled wax. The wax will cling to the balloon, do this several times building up layers. After a few layers touch the bottom onto a flat surface to create a base for your candle. Dip your candle about 10 – 12 times. If the wax is not clinging well enough you may need to warm slightly as it has cooled too much.

Allow the balloon to set completely then cut the top off the balloon, pour out the water and carefully remove the balloon. Tie a length of wick to the washer and drop it into the candle casing.

Place the skewer across the top and drape the wick over it, centered then carefully pour in remaining wax, add scent if you wish and allow to set.

Enjoy :)

September 24, 2009

Make Your Own Cleaners

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , — @ 6:50 am

Going back to hand made is all about saving where we can, whether it’s money or the environment, we can make a positive difference.

All the ingredients in these recipes are safe, really work and smell good so why not give them a try.

All Purpose Cleaner:

Warm water mixed with pure soap or white vinegar is cheap and it’s an easy general purpose cleaner to make for use throughout your home.

In the Bathroom :

Toilet Cleaner-Make a paste from borax and lemon juice for cleaning non-septic toilet bowls.

Ceramic Cleaner : Clean tiles, sinks, toilet and baths with bicarbonate soda using a damp cloth.

Mirror Cleaner :

Apply eucalyptus oil with a wad of newspaper to prevent mirrors fogging.

In the Kitchen :

Surface Cleaner : Use bicarbonate of soda on a damp cloth to clean bench tops, sinks windows and your refrigerator or freezer surfaces.

In the Living Room :

Carpet Cleaner : Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda on carpet before vacuuming to deodorise. It’s also great for stain removal. Just vacuum or brush up when dry.

Window Cleaner : Add half a cup of vinegar to a litre of warm water for a useful window cleaner. Wash the window first with warm soapy water if especially dirty. Use a crumpled newspaper moistened with vinegar to get a beautiful sheen.

In the Laundry :

Bleach : Use one cup of lemon juice in a half bucket of a water and soak overnight.

Laundry Detergent : Grate one third of a cake of pure soap with one third of a cup of washing soda. Dissolve in hot water in a bucket and top up with water The mixture will set to a soft gel. Use 2-3 cups per wash.

August 28, 2009

Paint

Filed under: Paint and Painting — Tags: , , , , , — @ 5:50 am

Oil -based paints These are tough and glossy that can be used neat or diluted with solvent. Once upon a time they were made with linseed but now oils come made with a synthetic resin called alkyd. They are slow drying and can emit fumes.

Water-based paints These are waterproof and quite durable they dry quickly, are easy to apply and wash up in water. They come in a wide range of colours.

Varnish A transparent, protective coating which comes in gloss, semi-gloss and matt finishes. Clear varnishes can have colour added or coloured varnishes can be bought ready mixed.

Primer & Undercoat Surfaces sometimes need a prepatory coating of primer and undercoat before being painted. Primers seal a porous surface, and should be used if you are painting plaster or wood. Undercoat is painted over primer and should be applied if changing the colour of a previous coating. It contains more pigment than a top coat and dries to a semi-matt finish that gives depth of colour to a final coat.

Have Fun :)

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