Craft

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Derwent Card Making Tips>

Adhesives

Don't come unstuck! A small test will avoid a big mess.......

Always test on an unseen portion of the material that you are about to use. This will prevent unwanted reactions with the materials and avoid spoiling the complete project.

Solvent Glues... Always store solvent based products in a cool place - even put in a refrigerator for a few minutes prior to use. During hot weather the contents of a full bottle will expand and could overflow.


How to make candles

If you want to make models not candles, you can follow these instructions - but leave out the bits about the candlewick!

  1. Check the mould is clean and dry.
  2. With a needle make a small hole in the top of the mould, then thread a piece of wick through it. Leave about ¾" of wick showing, then run the rest through the centre of the mould with an inch or so to spare.
  3. Supporting the wick. Place a piece of wire across the open end of the mould, tie the wick to it, make sure the wick doesn't get pulled back through the hole. Get the wick as straight as possible, right in the centre of the mould - but not too tight or the mould will distort.
  4. Heat the wax to 79 degrees C (175 degrees F)  or until it is all melted and a flowing liquid. Let it cool a little before pouring it into the mould.
  5. Getting rid of the air. Tap the side of the mould gently.
  6. Top up. Fill the mould. As the wax cools it will contract - have a little melted wax ready to top up. You may also notice a skin forming on the top after about 10 minutes. Make several holes in this and top up.
  7. Leave to cool and harden for several hours in a support already prepared.
  8. Removing the mould. When the casting is hard, soap the outside of the mould. Most important with wax! Peel the mould back slightly from the base. Then pull (gently) from the casting.
  9. Finish the cast off by trimming it.

Decorating candles

Candles can be finished plain or embellished with glitter, shells, buttons, stones, rhinestones and more. Make sure anything you add is non-combustable. Fragrant oils can even be added to the molten candle wax to produce a candle which produces a scent when burning.


Dyeing

Dyeing Precautions

  •    Always wear protective clothing as splashed dye will permanently stain all fabrics. Aprons, gloves and masks are listed in this section.
  •    Have all your dyeing supplies pre-prepared and in a handy position before starting.
       Measuring quantities - a teaspoon is not an accurate measurement for dyes - for best results, a set of scales is recommended.


    • Fabric Stencilling with Paintstiks

    Stencilling onto fabric has become even easier than before using Paintstik colours. Simply apply the colours to the edge of the stencil and "pull" the colour from the stencil to the design area with a stencil brush.
    1. Instructions - Prewash fabric to be stencilled in soda ash solution to remove "sizing" and allow to dry before proceeding.
    2. Cut clear acetate or other stencil material to the required design. Clear acetate can be placed over original artwork and the design traced with an OHP or spirit based marker prior to cutting.
    3. To avoid movement of the stencil on the fabric during the stencilling operation, tape the stencil to the fabric with masking tape.
    4. Use the Paintstik to draw around the edge of the cutout design of your stencil - not onto the surface of the fabric to be stencilled.
    5. Holding the stencil brush at 90% vertical to the stencil, gently "pull" the colour (using a circular motion) from the edge of the stencil onto the fabric. The greater the pressure used, the more intense the colour will become.
    6. Wipe unused Paintstik colour from the stencil before it dries and clean up brushes with mineral turpentine.
    7. Allow at least 48 hours to dry, then heat-set the colour to the fabric by ironing the reverse side of the fabric. Handwash with a mild soap to remove excess colour.

    How to Melt Wax

    Two things to remember: wax is supplied in a solid form and you have to melt it.
    1. DO NOT MELT OVER DIRECT HEAT - Use a bowl immersed in gently boiling water. Don't let the pan boil dry.
    2. Hot wax behaves in the same way as boiling fat. If the wax should catch fire, smother the fire with a saucepan lid, baking soda, dry sand or a damp cloth. Don't use water.

    Throwing on the Potters Wheel

    Clay should always be throughly wedged to remove air bubbles and have a uniform consistency.

    1. Centre clay on wheel and bat exerting finger pressure - forcing clay into centre while wheel head turns. Your head should be directly over clay.
    2. Press thumbs straight down to create opening in clay.
    3. Draw clay up between fingers to enlarge opening. Use other hand as backing and right thumb on rim.
    4. Keep raising wall with fingers, using minimum amount of water.
    5. Forming or narrowing top by even hand and finger pressure. If bowl gets out of shape hold both hands on outside with thumbs on rim.
    6. Always start at bottom of bowl working up to flare or close opening. Increase pressure as hands reach top.
    7. Bowl can be trimmed with turning tool or fettling knife.
    8. Interior of bowl can be smoothed and finished with kidney rubber.
    9. Raised or incised decorations are done with boxwood or steel tools.
    10. Objects should be left to dry thoroughly before bisque or first firing.