Scrap N’ Crafts

Candles in Colonial America were a necessity. Obviously they didn’t have electricity and oil for lamps was costly. Candles were the light of the night. The common people made their candles out of tallow, which is animal fat and it burned rancid like the Roman candles made of the same substance. The well to do used beeswax candles; the average family couldn’t afford such extravagance.

The common colonist was out in the field quite a bit and even the women worked outside some. They made the discovery of using bayberries that they boiled to get the wax. These candles didn’t produce a lot of smoke and they smelled very good. It took so much time to make candles out of bayberry wax that it didn’t become popular. Plus, eight pounds of berries made one pound of wax. To recoup the finest form of the wax took many days. Time was of a premium; there was a lot of necessary hard work to do.

The main candle they used for their home was a tapered candle. Repetitive dunking of the cotton strands into the wax made these candles. The wax built up around the wicks of cotton strips. When burning the wicks had to be maintained as they didn’t have braided wicks. When the 1700’s rolled around the whaling industry flourished in the colonies. This gave the colonial candle makers the choice of whale oil and they made spermaceti wax. Wax made from whale oil didn’t smell much better than that of tallow though it did hold up better in the summer’s heat.

To make candles by the colonial method get a non-waxed tapered wick and weight the end with a washer. Melt the wax in a melting pot, a tall coffee can will do. The container should be tall and narrow. A tall can allows melting less wax. When the wax is thoroughly melted shut off the heat. Place the can or pot on a surface that resists heat. Start dipping the wick into the wax. The first time hold the wick in the wax while the wax quits bubbling. The rest of the dipping needs to be just dip in and take the wick out. Hanging the wicks between dipping is a good idea if you make more than one at a time. Leave the wick out briefly between each dip.

The dipping continues until you get the diameter you want for the candle. This can be time consuming. Patience is a part of this process. You’ll hang the candles to let them harden. Clip the candles onto a coat hanger and cut the end so the bottom is flat. Once you go through this process with a few candles the big job candle making was in colonial times will be quite clear. Think of how many candles a household used in a year. Imagine reading by candlelight, sewing, cleaning a gun. Any task they did at night was by the light of a candle. What difference electricity makes.

Tara Smith is a crafter and candle maker. The head writer and co-owner of a Scented Soy Chunk candles, company Candle Scentsations. Join her as she writes about her passion and shares ideas and tips at her website that carries Highly Scented Candles.

Although babies are the cutest and most precious beings in the universe, why is there such a huge discrepancy between a really cute BABY and a truly mediocre baby PICTURE?

If you want to take baby photos that capture THE TRUE ESSENCE OF YOUR BABY, remember these critical points…

Your Baby’s First 3 Months

Think of this period in your baby’s photographic life as the MOLDING STAGE. Like Gumby, you can pretty much place the baby in any position you want. And if someone else is posing the baby while you are already in position to shoot, so much the better.

This is the time to capture those adorable little baby bits. You can read about additional tips for photographing babies and view sample baby pics here.

At this age, the “baby bits” (feet, hands, eyes, noses, etc.) ALONE can make a wonderful photograph. Either use your camera’s macro setting and/or carefully crop a non-macro picture.

Black and White images can also create quite an impression. Check your camera for any black and white selection. Or, most of the photo-editing software has ways to make the transition from color to black and white fairly simple.

When you add a parent’s hand(s) or face to the picture, an entirely different effect is created.

Play With Perspective

One approach is to get at eye-level with a sleeping baby, but position yourself at their feet. Believe it or not, you could easily take 50 photographs of a sleeping baby, and never take 2 that are identical.

An outstanding photographic exercise would be to snap off 50 images, each one from a different angle and perspective; using different focus points and aperture settings (for depth of field). Don’t worry; you won’t run out of ideas!

Once you begin to think about taking baby photos differently, all sorts of new posing ideas will emerge. One example is to use the camera’s macro setting when taking baby photos.

With the use of a tripod, focus solely on the baby’s eye, thus pushing the nose and everything else OUT OF FOCUS. Although more challenging with babies, it is possible (and very dramatic) to catch the reflection of an object in the baby’s eye. For that type of image, an extreme crop would be optimal.

Want to see more ideas for taking better baby photos? We’ll show you how to create stunning baby photos for every stage of your baby’s first 18 months.

Portrait photographers have very special skills for they capture the essence of their Become A Model subjects if they are good. Portrait photographers take pictures of tiny babies and their grandmothers that the family will keep for many years. Portrait photography requires special skills. Surely those that specialize in portrait photography must have a keen knowledge of cameras and films. They must have knowledge of lighting, and they must be able to apply this knowledge. Those that practice portrait photography must select the appropriate papers for printing their work. Portrait photographers must select a tone for their images.

On the walls of many museums and in the pages of history books, there are many examples of portrait photography. The images of kings and queens from many years ago are available because of the skills of portrait photographers. These kings and queens look majestic in most of these portraits because this stance was important to their station in life. Great historical figures from Napoleon to Winston Churchill gaze down from the walls of museums because of the skill of portrait photographers. Their images document the important deeds of these figures. Skilled portrait photographers have preserved the images of Roosevelt as he led the nation during World War II.

Portrait Photography Documents Important Family Memories

Skilled portrait photographers follow a bride around on her wedding day to make sure that they capture each moment of this important event. During the course of the day, the photographers use their skills to capture candid photos of the bride, the groom and their families. Some time during the day, they will probably take time to capture a special portrait of the bride and groom that will be preserved for many years so their grandchildren can one day learn about this special day many years before their births.

Portrait photography of Model Talent is important to capture the images of people at different times of their lives. A portrait of a first grader will probably be very cheerful and hopeful. The portrait of the same girl on her wedding day will show her maturity on an important day. The portrait of a grandmother will be handed down from generation to generation so the family members will know something about their ancestors. The skilled portrait photographer will capture more than just the appearance of this woman. Hopefully, this portrait will provide some insight into the hopes, dreams and thoughts of this woman and Female Model for her descendants.

Casting is known and loved for the high temperatures, glowing molten metal, and the possibility to make nearly anything. Metal and their alloys are not the only things that can be used in casting. Casting in plastic, most notably resin casting, is becoming popular with artists and jewelers looking for something odd and unique.

Resin Casting does not involve the use of furnaces, crucibles, or casting sand. In fact all one really needs for resin casting is a mold, some resin (of course), and time.

There are actually two forms of resin casting. The first kind is the one that more closely resembles metal casting, uses a mold and even gates and runners if it’s complex enough. The second type of resin casting is simply incasing an object in the resin. An example of this is using an ice cube tray and placing an object like a small pendant in one of the tray’s cavities and then filling it with the resin solution. After the resin dries you can pop it out of the tray. The pendant is now encased in hard plastic. This form is usually employed by jewelers and crafty moms but tends to be fun for everyone no matter age or experience. At the very least it’s a great way to get rid of some of the clutter around your house and disguise it as art. You can cast leaves, coins, and other objects in the resin to make anything from charms to magnets.

Resin casting using molds is generally used by those who work with models and miniatures. Resin casting is a great way to make several pieces at once so you can avoid shelling out money you may not have and waiting several weeks for delivery of your items. Who has that kind of time anymore?

Like metal casting, resin casting will require you to build a mold. If you are fortunate enough then you can easily find pre-made molds, especially if you are working with miniatures. If you don’t feel like buying these pre-made molds or just like doing things the hard way, then you will have to make the mold yourself. Don’t worry, it’s still fun.

You will need to find a molding box that will hold the rubber that will be used to make the actual mold until it dries. Many who work with smaller objects find that working with toy building blocks to create this molding block work extremely well and will provide added convenience. A wooden box will work as well, of course. The box, or flask, will not have a top or bottom, just the four walls. Place molding clay at the bottom of the flask and insert your original. Make sure to add a way for the resin plastic to enter the mold. This cup or funnel should be placed at the top of the mold. You are going to prepare the silicone rubber and catalyst which will be used to create the mold. Follow the instructions on the labels since each type will vary. A process called degassing can be used which will remove all the air bubbles from the rubber. This is a fun process involving a vacuum pump.

Slowly pour the rubber into the flask, covering the original. This can take up to a day to dry, so be patient. Remove the molding clay and repeat the process using the bottom part of the flask, or drag. You should have two parts now, with the original in the middle. When dry, remove the mold from the box and very carefully split the mold to remove the original.

Place the mold back together and prepare the resin solution, follow the instructions to the letter. Pour the resin into the top of the mold, where you placed the cup. The set time for the resin should be stated on the bottle, but for most it will take up to 30 minutes. When ready crack the mold open and remove the cast.

Resin casting can be a great family craft project but just make sure to follow all of the safety guidelines. This type of casting can still be dangerous even though you are not dealing with molten metals. Often times, the solutions and chemicals used in resin casting are poisonous if consumed. Not to mention that resin casting can be a bit smelly so working outside or in a well ventilated room is advisable.

Metal Casting Zone is the new website that is all about Metal Casting and building a Metal Casting Community of members. Right now there is a free offer for new members when you sign up you will recieve a free ebook on Metal Casting Basics. Visit Metal Casting Zone today to get your free ebook on Metal Casting.

Purchasing a pottery kiln is no inexpensive undertaking. It is the largest investment a potter has to make. But which type of kiln should you buy? Good question. In this article, I will take a closer look at different types of kilns available and a history of how pottery kilns were used in the making of handmade pottery and other ceramic pieces.

Primitive kilns were no more than the simple hearths used for cooking, warmth, light, and protection. In fact, pit kilns being very easy are still incorporated in hand made pottery and ceramics. Clay has been used since prehistory for decoration and function but it is unknown how the actual firing process was discovered. It is thought that the first fired pots originated nearly 10,000 years ago, when agriculture began. These early farmers needed storage containers and fired clay served these needs well. The earliest kilns were pits dug into the ground and the pottery loosely stacked on top of each other. Flammable materials were placed around the pottery and the fire was allowed to burn down. After cooling, the pots were cleaned of the ash and residue and were then used.

Another early form of pottery kiln, the beehive kiln, was the first kiln constructed that looks like what we consider a kiln. The pots are stacked in an arched chamber retaining greater heat than the pit kiln and making the pottery more durable. An alternate type of the beehive concept was built in China around 500 A.D., yes way back then, and called the stepped kiln. This kiln used the simple form of the beehive, but had multiple chambers in a terraced pattern so that the kiln capacity could be increased. This worked well in villages where pottery making was a primary activity, and where a large volume of pottery was needed.

A well known kiln concept that is used today is the natural gas kiln. Rather than using the flammable materials of the pit and step kilns, natural gas is used for the fuel. There are both updraft and downdraft natural gas kilns available. The advantages of natural gas as a fuel are that it produces very low levels of pollution, and that the fuel is relatively inexpensive. In some areas propane is more commonly used as a fuel; however care must be taken as propane is heavier than air and if the flame should get extinguished, the gas can settle and produce a potential for explosion. Natural gas will disperse on its own since it is lighter than air.

The only new kiln technology is the electric kiln. Unlike other methods which utilize a fuel for operation, electric kilns run by coiled wires that bring about heat. A toaster operates on the same principle. A lot of the modern electric pottery kilns are equipped with electronic shut off devices, called kiln sitters, to monitor the firing process. Still, any kiln must never be left unattended.

So there you have it, a brief history of the kiln and the different concepts behind it and its construction. Now go make pottery.

Soy candles provides detailed information on soy wax candles, pottery, handmade soaps and more and is affiliated with handmade soap dishes.

It is interesting to note that people from all walks of life are choosing to opt for professions which are close to their heart. If we talk of sterling silver jewelry, we would imagine an elegant piece of necklace or a stylish bracelet which is sold through a normal shop and is available for purchase at a fixed price. This is a normal scenario wherein you happen to be a prospective buyer and the sterling silver jewelry is your prospective purchase. Let’s try and do a role reversal. Let us see what happens then.

Visit various shops and known jewelry stores

If you wish to create your own style, you need to first understand the needs of an existing market. This can be done by paying a visit to numerous jewelry stores. The visits need to be regular so that you are in constant touch with the various designs and styles. Once you have gained familiarity, it is time for you to take the plunge and discover the artist within you. Sterling silver jewelry has a lot of potential if it is tapped by the right person. You just need to have a design in place.

Use the facilities of the World Wide Web

Internet has changed the age old concept of long distance travel. Now you can visit even the most distant places and see the most authentic locales at the slight tap of a button. The best part is that you never move out of your living room. If you have a passion for designing your own style of sterling silver jewelry, you need to first understand and visualize the available designs in the market. Once you have a hang of these designs, you need to simply give them a shape and create your own style. You never know, your creation might become the next big thing in the world of stylish sterling silver jewelry.

Visit sales and unknown shops

At times, it helps to visit those shops which have not been frequented by normal shoppers. You can recognize these shops from far as they appear small and shabby and are located well away from the main marketplace. Here you would be surprised to find a wide variety of sterling silver jewelry and some designs which have been long forgotten. You can also try your hands at the local garage sales, yard sales, church auctions and various other stores. An authentic dealer of antique jewelry is also a reliable source to get you the designs which can never be found elsewhere.

Collect bits and piece and put them together

Sterling silver jewelry is not a single entity and is diversified into various sections. So, while visiting a particular showroom or an antique jewelry shop, you discover a unique necklace or a stylish bracelet- feel free to pick it up. To this, use your own creativity and make an ornament which is a blend of the two. This would be a case of positive mix and match and would work wonders for you.

This article about the creation of your own Sterling Silver Jewelry was provided by http://www.queenbjewelry.com - visit us today for all your Jewelry Sterling Silver needs.