Over time, dreamcatchers get dusty and absorb nasty odors. If you’ve made a dreamcatcher with your feathers, you will need to clean it periodically. You could clean the feathers with some dishwashing soap or dry clean with salt or baking soda.

Cleaning Dreamcatcher Feathers With Water

Fill up a large container with water and mix in some dish soap. Wash a small area of the dream catcher in the water, and notice if dye starts to come off it.

If no dye comes off and the dreamcatcher does not appear damaged, dip it into the water and rub all its parts with your fingers. 

Rinse the dreamcatcher off and dry it with a dry towel or some tissue.

Cleaning Dreamcatcher Feathers Without Water

Put the dreamcatcher in a container or a bag. Pour in a cup of baking soda or salt, then shake the bag so the powder coats the entirety.

Let the dreamcatcher sit in the bag overnight. Remove it from the bag in the morning, and shake excess salt/baking soda off of it outdoors.

Alternatively, if you have a vacuum cleaner, wrap the hose with some cloth and use it to pull away all of the powder from the dream catcher. The powder will get stuck on the cloth, and you can throw it away with ease.

If the dream catcher still looks dirty or smells bad, repeat the process until it’s cleaner.

And that’s all there is to it! Follow the steps above to restore your dreamcatcher to it’s former glory.

Originally posted 2022-11-22 12:41:12.

The post How To Clean Feathers On A Dreamcatcher first appeared on Becoming Homegrown.

Fishing lines are some of the most useful threads out there! Of course, they are perfectly strong, thin, and flexible, making them ideal for angling, but they are also commonly used in crafts.

Be it for making necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and more, you can get some serious use out of a good piece of fishing line! But, do you know how to tie a knot in a fishing line for crafts?

If you’re new to making a monofilament knot, it’s as simple as grabbing a pair of pliers and keeping things extra-tight. Below, I’ll take you through how you can knot up a fishing line for a whole host of different craft ideas.

Tying a strong, long-lasting, fool-proof knot in a fishing line isn’t as difficult as you might think! 

Here’s my go-to guide to follow if you’re interested in using tough, strong lines for hanging decorations and more besides.

How to tie a slipknot in a fishing line – step by step

The best kind of knot to use in a fishing line is the slipknot. It is a strong knot commonly used by fishermen to hold all kinds of fish on the line – even the heaviest of beasts! The best part about this knot is that it is also very easy to perform. It doesn’t require any particular skill or fancy tools – just a simple pair of pliers and your own hands will do just the trick! 

Step one – get the right pliers

A good set of needle nose pliers is the first thing you will need to tie your knot. Make sure that they are strong and robust enough to handle fishing lines. Given that monofilament is so thin, it can easily slip through certain pliers. Shop around for a reliable pair – it’s worth it!

Step two – get bending

Now, start by bending the fishing line right where you want the knot to be. Then, fold the line until it forms a loop between your thumb and finger. Hold the loop tightly to push the line at the loop’s apex. This will ensure that the knot will form in that specific part of the line. It will also make it harder for the knot to untangle or slide! 

Step three – tying up

Now, you can tie the knot in the line. Slide the knot while it is still loose up to the bent point on the line. Once it has reached the perfect position, pull the line as tightly as possible until the knot is fully wrapped around. 

Step four – pull tight!

Take the pliers and pull the line even more to make the knot as tight as possible. Take the line by its ends – if you have two pairs of pliers to hand, use one set at each end to tug the line as hard as possible. You can also simply grip the line with the pliers at one end and use your finger at the other.

Once you’ve done one side, switch the pliers to the other side, and grab the other with your fingers, then repeat the process until it’s completely tight. You will know it is tight enough once you let go and the knot does not begin to loosen itself. 

You can repeat the process on different parts of the line should you wish for there to be multiple knots along the line. 

Step five – finishing up

Once you have finished, simply cut the ends of the fishing line with some scissors to remove any dented or damaged bits that the pliers may have caused. Voila – your fishing line should be nicely knotted and ready to go!

Why use fishing line for crafts?

Fishing line is very popular with many crafters simply because it’s amazingly strong and resolute when pulled taut. That makes it ideal for hanging certain crafts from and creating lovely banners for any occasion. Tying up a tough line is going to need more than a nimble pair of fingers, of course, so be sure to grab those pliers and start pulling.

I’ve often used fishing line to help hang seasonal decorations around my home, such as for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. If you’re crafting with the kids this holiday season, I’d strongly recommend you take care of the fishing line knotting yourself, mainly because there’s some pretty sharp equipment required!

Conclusion

Tying a slipknot in a fishing line is easier than it looks. All you need is a simple pair of pliers that’s tough enough for the task. I highly recommend fishing line if you’re looking for something considerably less flimsy than your average string or rope!

Give my techniques above a try and see what you can make with fishing line your way!

Originally posted 2022-11-01 16:11:47.

The post How to Tie a Knot in a Fishing Line For Crafts first appeared on Becoming Homegrown.

Bamboo is incredibly strong, versatile, quick to grow, and, let’s face it, it’s pretty, too! As the years go by, more of us are recognizing bamboo for its true potential and even finding ways to introduce it into our homes. From the general decor to the actual construction of our homes, bamboo can be used in so many ways! For example, do you know how to cut bamboo for crafts?

You don’t have to wait to find pre-made objects or grow bamboo of your own to introduce it into your home. I’ve been making many DIY bamboo items over the years – I’ve made hats, baskets, and even jewelry with my kids.

Crafting with bamboo is a cinch once you know how to cut the material properly. I’ll let you in on a few of my tips and tricks below – as well as guide you through some crafty bamboo projects you might want to try yourself!

Cutting your Bamboo – The Basics

Cutting bamboo for arts and crafts is likely to need sharp secateurs, clippers, or even a small hacksaw. Therefore, this is a side of arts and crafts that’s best left to the adults – kids can get involved a little further on in the process!

It’s also worth grabbing some mineral oil, too, if you can. This is to help make cutting a little easier on your wrists – I’ll go into more detail below!

Sourcing Your Bamboo

Before you start getting deep into your project, always opt for green bamboo where possible. This type of bamboo is generally easier to cut and more flexible to work with than most. However, many bamboo types work well for DIY crafts.

You should also carefully consider what you need the bamboo for to choose the perfect diameter for your project. It is important to remember that bamboo does not grow in completely uniform diameters – therefore, one stalk may not be enough for your project – don’t underestimate the supply you’ll need!

If you are sourcing bamboo from your garden, and it is cold outside, start heating the bamboo stem before cutting it. This will prevent it from splitting as you cut. 

Depending on the craft you are pursuing, it might be best to use thinner stalks of bamboo. These will be easier to maneuver and strong enough to hold your project together.

If your bamboo stalks are less than one inch in diameter, then you will need a strong, sharp pruner to cut the stalk. 

However, if the diameter is over an inch wide, you will need to use a good handsaw to complete the task. Ensure that the handsaw is sharp enough before cutting, as it will make your job a lot easier, quicker, and cleaner! 

Ideally, you will need a handsaw with straight teeth. Curved teeth will rip the fibers within the plant, so avoid using them at all costs! 

Cutting Bamboo by Hand – Some Helpful Hints

Bring together a few tools to ensure you’re ready and safe to start cutting. That includes the secateurs and a hacksaw as mentioned above, as well as mineral oil, masking tape, and safety goggles and gloves. You’ll normally need the safety equipment if you want to use a table saw, but it’s better to be safe than sorry!

Ensure that the bamboo is warm enough and that you’re working ideally in a dry and ambient to warm room. The tools should also be warm enough not to split the wood. Room temperature is perfectly fine for cutting; you just don’t want them to be cold! 

If you plan to cut the bamboo stalk in half, you will need different tools and safety measures to do the job. 

Before you start cutting the bamboo, locate the nodes on the stems. The nodes are the horizontal lines along the bamboo stem that sometimes create ridges. The nodes on the stem may seem like a pain to deal with, but they are essential to the plant! 

The nodes strengthen the plant, which is why the taller the bamboo, the more nodes it has. 

As you will see on the nodes, there is usually an upper and lower ring. The uppermost is known as the stem ring, and the lower one is the sheath ring. 

When you have decided how big you need the stem to be, pick the spot between the two nodes that you wish to cut. 

Before cutting, rub some mineral oil onto the area you plan on slicing into. This will make the area far easier to cut through. Just remember to dry your hands properly before cutting to avoid your hands slipping on the saw! 

Ideally, you will need to lubricate a relatively long area, as you will need to cut the bamboo at an angle of 45 degrees. 

To cut precisely and with a lower risk of the wood splintering, place some masking tape where you are about to make an incision.

Cutting Your Bamboo with a Table Saw

Assuming you want to cut your bamboo in half to begin with, start by laying the bamboo on the floor or a thick, strong work table. Find the center of the bamboo pole, then place a piece of masking tape around the middle to avoid splintering.

Then, put on safety goggles and gloves before putting a fine-toothed blade into a table saw. 

Turn on the saw and carefully secure the bamboo in your hands, with the tape mark in the center. Ensure that your hands are clear apart on either side – and do not get too close to the blade for obvious reasons!

Push the pole into the blade until you reach the masking tape. Then, you can slowly turn the bamboo so that the tip of the blade creates about a quarter-inch deep mark all around the tape. 

Then, turn the pole again so that the blade is right at the center of the score line. Push the pole towards the blade further until it has cut the bamboo in half. 

Remove the bamboo, then turn off the saw immediately. Then, you can remove your safety goggles and gloves before removing the tape from the bamboo and starting your craft! 

How to Store Your Unused Bamboo 

If, after all of your DIY projects are complete, you still have some bamboo left – don’t worry. You can keep it safe on one side for any future artwork and pieces! 

As quickly as bamboo grows, there’s no point in letting any of it go to waste, and you will likely have some perfectly usable pieces left over. They can be kept in storage and used for repairs, future DIY projects, or even as handy plant canes or thin poles to keep around for when you need them.

A dry and relatively warm room is all you really need to keep your bamboo safe. The room does not need to be kept hot, but you should avoid leaving your bamboo in the garage or shed. The cold can cause it to split and crack, ruining the strength, texture, and look of the stalks. 

Instead, opt for a relatively warm (even mild room temperature will do), and lay it horizontally on a table, support, or on the ground (if it isn’t too cold). Keep the bamboo dry, and it will be ready to use whenever you need it! 

Bamboo famously grows well in humid conditions (even in the bathroom), but don’t be tempted to store it anywhere too damp, or you’ll risk it spoiling. Keep it dry and ambient, and you’ll likely be able to come back to it in the months to come. If you’re like me, you’ll have a specific spot or case where you store all your materials – why not buy yourself a special case to keep bamboo offcuts in?

Why Use Bamboo For Crafts? 

It may seem a little bizarre to use bamboo for crafts, but it is an incredibly versatile and strong material that’s great for creating all kinds of eye-catching pieces.

The brilliant thing about bamboo is that it is also easy to buy or grow your own, too. You can buy it pre-cut in some hardware stores and gardening centers – but having your own little bamboo supply is ideal, especially if you enjoy growing plants in the first place.

Of course, having it growing tall and strong in your own garden is ideal, but not all of us have the gardens or, indeed, the climates that bamboo needs to grow well in. 

Thankfully, it’s easy to source bamboo in pots, even small varieties that can grow indoors. Even the smallest bamboo plants are great to use in crafts – it’s amazingly sustainable, no matter the size of the plant.

Bamboo grows very quickly, unlike other plants that can take centuries to mature, providing strong enough wood for crafting. Even smaller bamboo stalks can be strong enough to use in crafts and all sorts of DIY projects. Provided you’re using your bamboo correctly and are ensuring your crafts are tight and robust, you’ll benefit from crafty pieces that look wonderful for years to come.

Bamboo can be cured, bent, and shaped to suit whatever project you have in mind, making it an ideal replacement for plastic and other less sustainable materials. Like plastic, bamboo is also very durable, even when left outside. It can work perfectly for building garden furniture and outside structures. The choice is yours – bamboo items look just as appealing indoors as they do out.

On top of all of this, bamboo is biodegradable. This means that whatever you have left over from your project, or if you want to completely undo and throw out your creations in years to come, you can simply compost the bamboo or add it to a flower bed, ready to decompose. Just make sure that it is not covered with any kind of varnish or paint that could damage the environment! 

What Can You Make with Bamboo?

There are plenty of easy things to make with bamboo – but bamboo ideas don’t have to be super simple unless you really want them to be.

It’s flexible for use in artwork in any way you wish – on canvas, decorating, or even in sculpture. However, you can also use it to make more functional items for your home and garden. 

For example, thanks to its flexibility, bamboo is often used to make baskets and hats! While it wouldn’t make nice, warm, comfy winter headwear, it could certainly make a strong sun hat for when you’re out in the garden during the warmer months!

Bamboo is also commonly used to make all kinds of floor mats and placemats, room dividers, headboards, trellises, pet houses, fences, benches, bridges, and even tools and ladders. Some of these crafts with bamboo may take time to perfect – meaning it’s good to start small and work your way up to more complex projects.

Conclusion

Bamboo DIY is a lot of fun, and that’s mainly thanks to how versatile and flexible the material can be! After all, it can grow to be incredibly tall, thick, and strong. But, properly cutting material for DIY bamboo projects is a must – otherwise, one bad move could go terribly wrong for you and the stem! 

By taking the right precautions and ensuring that you cut the bamboo properly, there is nothing to worry about. You don’t need any special tools or prior knowledge. Just a good saw, some goggles, and patience. As always, keep your kids away from sharp tools – this is an intricate process that might not be much fun for them in the first place!

If you want to split your bamboo in half and do not have a table saw, then simply contact your local hardware store and ask if a professional there would be willing to help you. 

Soon enough, you should have all the bamboo you need for your crafts and some left over for future projects! Take a look at social media for some ideas, too.

Originally posted 2022-10-30 12:09:49.

The post How To Cut Bamboo For Crafts first appeared on Becoming Homegrown.

Hydro dipping is a form of painting that has taken the art world by storm – and like me, people all over the world are trying their hands at the craft. It is a unique form of creating art and involves an intricate and satisfying process that’s a feast for the eyes and many other senses. But, do you know how to hydro dip with acrylic paint?

Hydro dipping is a spectacular film-based painting activity that’s making waves on social media. In fact, if you search for #HydroDipping on Instagram and TikTok, you’re likely to find plenty of inspiration. In fact, check out this YouTube video to start!

But, is hydro dipping right for you – and is it as expensive as it looks? After all, art supplies alone tend to cost a lot – but thankfully, that isn’t the case with hydro dip projects. In fact, hydro dipping is so popular in part thanks to its easy set-up and cheap supplies. You do not have to be a trained or expert artist to make some fantastic hydro-dipped artwork, either – great news for newbies like me!

With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at what hydro dipping is and how you can do it yourself – even with acrylic paint.

What is hydro dipping, anyway? 

Hydro dipping, also known as water transfer painting, is the process of placing a hydro dip film onto an object. The film is usually covered with printed graphics, or a pattern and colors, depending on the artist’s choice (that’s you!).

As the name suggests, the process revolves around water. Hydro film is placed on top of a tub of water, dissolving to then release the pattern from the film. 

From here, the object to be painted is submerged, and as water surrounds it, the print is transferred onto its surface. Voila – leave to dry, and you’re done!

Hydro dipping is a great way of getting complex patterns onto objects, specifically those that would be difficult to decorate in any other way. Hydro dipping can be used on all sorts of 3D objects, providing eye-catching results in a short space of time.

Hydro dipping with acrylic paint – is it worth it?

Yes! You don’t need to buy any particularly fancy paints to get started with hydro dipping. Any acrylic paint standard and color will do the job perfectly. 

However, some painters worry that acrylic paint isn’t great for hydro dipping purely due to the weight of the paint. And, to some extent, those are worthy concerns! 

In most cases, acrylic paint is usually pretty heavy and, therefore, will not float properly on top of a tub of water. Therefore, the process of hydro dipping can become a little tricky, and can potentially end with disastrous results. That’s why it is so important to know how to prepare the acrylic paint properly before applying it to your water.

How to hydro dip with acrylic paint 

First of all, let’s address this weight issue – you will need to ensure that your acrylic paint floats on the water. 

If acrylic paint is left as is and just dabbed into the water, it could mix and blend, as opposed to forming a unified layer on top. This layer is crucial in the hydro dipping process as it is what will wrap around your object. 

Should the paint just mix with the water, you will simply be dipping your object into very runny paint and will not get the imprint of a design or quality paint job in the end! So, for the acrylic paint to be light enough to float on the water, you will need to mix the paint thoroughly with silicone oil or glycerin before adding it to your tub.

These components will reduce the density of the paint so that it can float without mixing and diluting.

However, if your acrylic paint is already very liquid, it could be worth mixing the water with some borax or cornstarch to make the paint thicker. 

Choose your dipping method!

You can use one of two easy methods for hydro dipping with acrylic paint. One is ideal for various objects, while the other is best suited to soft fabrics and textiles.

Method One

For the best all-around dipping experience, start by choosing the colors and paint you wish to use, bearing in mind all the different shades and hues you may need to mix up your pattern. Then, mix the water for the tub with equal parts of borax / cornstarch. 

Choose your first color and drop it into the water. Then, you can start to add as many different colors as you want. To make fun and super-intricate patterns, use a clean stick or toothpick to swirl the paint as you desire. Remember to use something you can clean or rinse down – or that you don’t mind staining permanently!

Carefully place your object into the water to let it mix, then slowly remove and leave it standing to dry. It can take a few hours to dry properly, so leave it in an open, undisturbed area. 

Method Two

Alternatively, a second paint dipping method I’ve tried recently might just be the ticket. This option is commonly used for fabrics, papers, and all kinds of flat and thin objects! While many consider hydro dipping with acrylic paint to be purely for solid, 3D shapes, you can also create wonderful paper, card, and fabric using a twist on the standard technique.

For paper marbling (hydro dipping with acrylic paint), start by mixing borax / cornstarch and water in a one-to-three ratio in a tray. An old baking tray will do, but remember not to use it for cooking after you’ve given this a try!

Then, prepare the colors you plan on using, ensuring they have the same consistency (to ensure that they float the same on the water). 

Use a toothpick, paintbrush, or other tools to dip the paint into the water. You can pour it, but with paper marbling, it is often best to introduce different paints slowly and in smaller parts to make more interesting designs. Try it out for yourself!

Now, you can start to swirl the colors and different sections of paint together to create interesting and original designs. 

When ready, take your paper or fabric and gently lay it onto the tray. The paint should cover the surface of your sheet, encompassing it entirely. 

Once the paint has covered your sheet, take both corners on one side and gently lift it out. Ensure that any excess paint drips away – but caution, if you use paper, avoid shaking it to remove any excess paint and water – otherwise, it’s likely to tear.

Once finished, lay your painted sheet on a dry, non-stick surface, or hang it up from the corners and leave it to dry. It should not take too long to fully dry out, but a piece of fabric may take a full day – patience is key.

This water dip painting technique can help you reinvent some of your favorite fabrics and create fun and pretty paper – ideal for using in greetings cards, as wrapping paper, for scrapbooking, or even for framing as your own art. You choose!

What are the benefits of hydro dip painting? 

Hydro dipping is becoming increasingly popular, especially with online videos prompting more people to try this innovative and efficient painting technique. 

Some of the biggest benefits of hydro painting include the fact that the print will not shrink, there are no cutting edges, and the applied print is weatherproof. It’s also amazingly cost-effective compared to other pattern painting techniques.

Many also enjoy hydro dip painting simply because it is ‘something different’ – and the process of dipping objects into paint to create whole new looks is incredibly satisfying!

Hydro dipping is also extremely safe and requires no special gear! You can also achieve fantastic results inside and outside without worrying about getting the paint everywhere. 

As more and more people are trying hydro dipping, it is also important to note that this kind of painting can be achieved at home. You do not necessarily need top-notch and expensive equipment in order to get fantastic hydro dipping results. 

In fact, as opposed to printing the graphics for the objects, another efficient way of hydro dipping appears to be using general acrylic paint. It’s a wonderful activity for you and the kids to bond over, too – and you may already have the materials you need at home right now!

Conclusion 

Hydro dipping with acrylic paint may sound like a complicated process, but, as you can see, there really isn’t too much to it! In fact, the hardest part can be getting the consistency right. It might take you a few goes before you get it just right, which is why it is always good to start with the corners of your tubs or trays, and a piece of fabric or small object you do not mind spoiling in case of mistakes.

Once you have found the perfect consistency, you’ll be set to make some incredible, unique looks – why not give it a try? It’s one of many craft ideas that’s only building in popularity.

Originally posted 2022-10-06 11:39:04.

The post How To Hydro Dip With Acrylic Paint  first appeared on Becoming Homegrown.

Have you ever thought about taking some inspiration from Mother Nature for your craft projects? If you’ve ever seen an oyster shell or two wash up on the beach, you may have thought about cleaning them up and using them for fancy crafts.

The great news is that you can go right ahead and get started – but knowing how to clean the oyster shells is very important and the process is a little different from cleaning crab shells.

Given that oyster shells have come fresh out of the sea, it’s important to prepare them so that they’re free from nasty bacteria – and the oysters themselves! While this may seem a little gross at first, it’s a really nifty craft idea that I’ve come back to many, many times!

In this guide, I’ll take you through how to clean oyster shells effectively, so that they’re safe to use in all your crafty and creative endeavors.

How to clean oyster shells for crafts: Step by step guide

Step #1: Grab the right equipment

Cleaning oyster shells for reuse means more than just rinsing them under the faucet for a few minutes. The process is a little involved, but once you know the ropes, it’s easy to come back to time and again.

So, before you get started, make sure you have access to the following items for ease of cleaning:

• A bottle of pure bleach
• A thick towel
• Protective gloves
• An oyster knife, screwdriver, or equivalent
• Several buckets (two gallons each is ideal)
• A source of water
• Baby oil
• A scrubbing brush (preferably hard-bristled)
• A microfiber cloth
• A colander

Step #2: Removing the oysters

To use oyster shells for crafts, you’re going to need to remove the oysters inside first. To do this, you should firstly ensure you have a thick towel to hand, wrapping the oyster and placing it carefully on your kitchen counter.

Put on your protective gloves – the kind you’d normally wear to protect against sharp points or when using power tools. You’ll need these to keep safe when wielding the oyster knife.

Then, press down flat on top of the oyster, and then press into the hinge of the shell – hard – with your knife. You may need to give it a little movement or wiggle, before carefully prising open at one end (with your knife and your thumb).

Carefully cut through the inner flesh, avoiding damaging the shell.

It’s crucial that you take your time to carefully remove the oyster meat. There’s no hurry! Be too hasty, and you may end up damaging the shell, or even hurting yourself. Caution is advised.

You should then cut out the oyster, or meat, from the shell. Be warned – this may be a little slimier than it looks! You can either choose to eat the oyster, or dispose of it.

For the next step, it’s probably a good idea to take your oysters outside – as cleaning them can cause a real stink! What’s more, if you are ever using bleach to clean, it makes sense to open a few windows to ventilate.

Step #3: Cleaning the shells

To start cleaning your oyster shells, you’re ideally going to need to rinse clear any ground-in dirt or sand that’s marring the outside. Once you’ve removed the oyster meat, it’s also worth checking if there are any pearls lurking inside – if you’re lucky!

Be sure to fill one of your buckets with warm water and rinse each shell by hand, making sure to carefully remove any ground-in sand or dirt with your fingers.

You’re then going to need another fresh bucket of water, where you’re going to actually store your shells for safe keeping right now. Keeping them out in the open air may result in your shells losing a little bit of their sheen!

Therefore, carefully place all the shells you rinse off in a clean bucket of water (this is a must – you don’t want to end up making them dirty all over again).

Step #4: Bleaching the shells

As mentioned, using any quantity of bleach without ventilation is never a good idea, meaning this may be another part of the process you wish to do outside. Again, wearing protective gloves is a must, as you could risk burning yourself.

You’re going to need to dilute bleach in a further bucket, which is where your oyster shells will be heading to next. I’d recommend using equal parts bleach and water for the best dilute balance.

When transferring your shells into the bleach bucket, make sure to hold them under the water with a rod or stick (to avoid getting any solution on your hands). Once they have submerged, you should come back once or twice an hour to stir the solution.

It’ll normally take at least an hour for the bleaching process to start taking effect, and many people actually leave their shells bleaching overnight.

However, never leave your shells in the bleach bucket for more than appears necessary – you should start to see the shells clean up in the solution! Any more than 24 hours, and your shells are at risk of eroding or deteriorating further – and that really defeats the purpose!

After you’ve fully bleached the shells, it may be worth using your colander to carefully fish them out of the bucket. Carefully drain your bleach bucket away, and thoroughly rinse the shells (with care enough not cause damage).

Step #5: Scrubbing up

Yes – there’s a little more scrubbing to do just yet! Once your shells are rinsed clean from bleach, you’re going to need another bucket(!) of water that you can mix with dish soap.

Make sure that your shells are completely bleach-free before using any other products. Bleach mixed with many cleaning products can create toxic gas – a mistake you won’t forget in a hurry!

With this solution, you’re going to need to dip your scrubbing brush in for the final scrubdown. You might wish to use a toothbrush for extra precision, but providing you have stiff bristles, either option works well.

Scrub with care – too hard, and you risk damaging your shells permanently, and they simply won’t look great for crafts!

Once you’re happy with the results, be sure to rinse again and leave to dry on microfiber. Drying will take as long as it takes – but when completely free from moisture, be sure to carefully brush a little baby oil on your shells for an extra sheen.

What can I make with oyster shells?

Here’s where you can really let your imagination run wild! You could create necklaces, earrings, brooches, or other jewelry with stylish, oiled shells.

Or, why not use oyster shells to create unique borders for mirrors or household units? Some crafty people have even made candle holders out of oyster shells – a wonderful idea if you have a nautical theme running through your home.

Oyster shells are immensely popular in the crafting scene thanks to their timeless look. They give off an immediate memory of vacations at the beach – and if you long to be beside the sea, you’ll get a real kick out of crafting and decorating with oyster shells.

Where should I get oyster shells from?

As mentioned, you may be able to find oysters washed up on your local beach if you’re lucky – but there may actually be some laws you need to adhere to first. For example, you may need a fishing license depending on the state (some areas of California observe this).

Otherwise, you could save a few from dinner at a seafood restaurant, or even after enjoying store-bought delicacies at your local fishmonger. That said, you may even be able to grab a few shells for free if you ask nicely at your local seafood place (they’ll just throw them in the trash otherwise)!

Conclusion

As you can see, cleaning oyster shells doesn’t have to be arduous, but remember, it’s always vital to clean and sanitize anything you intend to use outside of the home in your arts and crafts.

You never know what bugs and bacteria may be lurking in the ridges of your latest shell haul!

Let’s run through the steps to cleaning oyster shells for crafts briefly one more time:

1. Make sure you have protective equipment, several buckets, a towel and bleach at least before you start cleaning. For the full list, take a look above!
2. Rinse your oyster shells, carefully removing any obvious dirt and debris bogging down the outsides. Place them in a bucket of water.
3. Prepare another bucket that’s equal parts bleach and water with care. Insert your shells to submerge for at least an hour, stirring once or twice every further hour you leave them.
4. Remove the shells via colander and rinse off any bleach traces, and prepare a further bucket of water and dish soap. Take a brush with tough bristles and submerge, carefully scrubbing any remaining detritus.
5. Leave your shells to dry in the open on a microfiber cloth or similar. Polish your shells with a little baby oil once dried.

There you have it – the best way to clean oyster shells is to be gentle! However, the more thorough you are, the less chance nasty bacteria and pathogens will make their way into your crafts.

Have fun, and take a look online at a few interesting craft ideas you can put to work right away!

Originally posted 2022-05-27 21:49:34.

The post How to Clean Oyster Shells For Crafts In 5 Easy Steps first appeared on Becoming Homegrown.

Eggs are amazingly versatile – did you know there are reportedly 100 different ways to cook them? Rather than focus on the cuisine side of things today, however, I’m going to be looking at what happens to the shells after breakfast’s served. Instead of throwing them away, why not learn how to clean egg shells for crafts?

Many of us remember painting egg shells as kids at Easter time – and it’s something I’ve passed onto my children, too! The healthiest eggs to paint, of course, are those that won’t go rotten – therefore, empty!

In this guide, I’ll take you through how to clean egg shells for crafts, and what you can do with them when they’re dry.

Cleaning egg shells for crafts: A Step by step guide

Cleaning egg shells, if you intend to reuse them, is essential – they can harbor all kinds of bacteria and hidden nasties, such as salmonella – which, if you’ve ever had the misfortune of succumbing to, is hardly a pleasant experience! Therefore, always make sure you clean your egg shells properly before crafting starts.

Before we look at how to wash egg shells you’re going to need a few items to hand. Make sure you have access to clean water and dish soap, a little vinegar, paper towels, and some cotton pads.

Now you’re stocked up on everything you need to get started, here’s everything you need to know about cleaning egg shells for crafts.

Step #1: Wash with water

To make sure that your egg shells are completely bacteria-free, the first step you should always take is to rinse with water. You’re going to need to do this fairly gently, so that you don’t accidentally crack parts of it you might require for your project.

You can use dish soap for this part of the cleaning and preparation process – it’s certainly something I rely on when cleaning up old shells!

Remember, it’s only ever a good idea to wash egg shells after you’ve used your eggs! Washing eggs beforehand may cause salmonella to transfer through to the inside – as their shells consist of many tiny little pores.

Step #2: Rub gently with vinegar

Everyday household vinegar is fantastic at getting nasty dirt and grime off of egg shells, however, some anecdotal evidence suggests leaving eggshells in vinegar for a few hours will start to erode them! Therefore, it’s a really good idea to be gentle when applying it to your shells for crafting.

Grab a cotton pad or two and lightly dab in vinegar. Then, gently dab and wipe away at your rinsed shells, carefully removing any blemishes that may spoil the look of your craft project.

Step #3: Leave the shell’s to dry

You’re then going to need to let your egg shells dry fully – so prepare some paper towels and leave the air to work its magic. This may take some time, so if you wash your egg shells in the morning, you will hopefully have some clean and ready to make crafts with by the late afternoon.

Step #4: Remove the shell’s membrane

Once your shells are completely dry, it’s time to actually get inside them. Removing the egg shell membrane should be relatively easy once you’ve cleaned and wiped the outside down. The membrane is inside the shell and should peel away – however, it pays to be very careful with this step, in case you accidentally break the shell itself.

Peeling the membrane away from the shell is a must, simply because you may still find there is an eggy stink if not fully removed! It’ll also help to keep your shells clean and safe for use during crafts.

Once your membrane is fully removed, your egg shell(s) will be ready for you to get creative with. Great work!

What if I accidentally break my egg shells?

If you break your egg shells during the cleaning process, don’t worry! There are some brilliant craft ideas you can try with broken shells, too. I’ll take you through some of these a little further down.

Otherwise, egg shells are fantastic for the environment. Did you know that they can help to enrich the soil for your plants? Place any broken egg shell you don’t want to recycle for crafts around your flower beds and in pots. Many people also use egg shells to help deter pests such as slugs – give it a try!

Great Egg Shell Craft Ideas

As mentioned, many of you out there will have some experience from childhood with painting eggs for Easter. However, there’s much more you can do with cleaned egg shell if you really want to flex your creative muscles.

You could create jewelry from cracked shells, or even create hollow festive ornaments to hang on your Christmas tree. You could even paint eggshells that are cracked open at the top, and use them as miniature plant pots for inside your home.

For some really creative Easter artwork, you could paint and break shells up and use them in a mosaic style – go wild!

A word of caution, especially if you’re making egg shells crafts with your kids – egg shell edges are sharp! Be delicate – this is also a good idea if you want to avoid breaking any of your shells, too.

A Quick Recap

Now you know how to get your egg shells looking great and cleaned up safe for crafts, you’re free to go ahead and explore. Let’s quickly recap on the steps you need to remember:

1. Gently wash your egg shells with water and dish soap.
2. Gently dab and wipe any remaining dirt away with cotton pads and vinegar.
3. Leave the egg shells to dry on paper towels.
4. Once dry, carefully peel out the membrane inside the egg shells.

That’s really all there is to it. It’s important to clean any egg shells you wish to use thoroughly, so there’s no risk of transferring salmonella to your kids – or anyone else!

Egg shells aren’t just for Easter, either – take a look at some creative and crafty ideas on Pinterest and YouTube and get making!

Originally posted 2022-05-26 09:29:47.

The post How To Clean Egg Shells For Crafts (4 Easy Steps) first appeared on Becoming Homegrown.

Building and decorating a fort is fantastic fun!. Cardboard box forts are the most straightforward and customizable types to make – but you can also get creative with other materials.

By getting the basics right, you can even add onto your cardboard fort with some extensions, and decorate it in your style, creating your own indoor palace!

This is a great way of getting crafty with 8-year-olds when they’re bored during school holidays and at weekends.

In this article, I’ll describe the steps on how to make a box fort so that you and your kids can enjoy the whole experience together!

Collect those cardboard boxes!

First up, you’ll need two cardboard boxes for your ‘main room’, and an additional four for a more complex cardboard fort.

It might seem like a chore, but asking your local supermarket or other big stores if they have any old cardboard boxes you can use is a pretty good idea. It’s worth double checking them to ensure that the boxes don’t contain any funny smells, however!

Visit large department stores, grocery stores, or home improvement stores. They will likely have giant cardboard boxes you can use. I can usually collect dozens at a time just by asking!

Start building your first cardboard box fort room with your largest box

Your largest box will be your cardboard fort’s first room. Stand it on its open side so that the box is at a vertical angle.

Afterward, unfold it to make a rectangular-shaped box. Tape the bottom flaps together to stay closed and hold up well.

Cut off excess box flaps

Use scissors or a box cutter to cut all the flaps off, carefully keeping them to one side. Try to keep the cuts as straight as possible since that’s where your roof is going.

Having extra bits of cardboard left over is very handy to keep up the construction of the cardboard fort, as it’s easy to make mistakes and want to start all over again. Just add bits back on if you make mistakes – easy!

Cut out your roof shapes from extra boxes

Find some more cardboard and cut the exact dimensions of your cardboard fort. The next step will be to cut two pieces of cardboard that are the same width as your fort – the longer they are, the pointier your roof can be. To have a straight roof, make sure both pieces of cardboard are the same size.

This will make an angled roof with a peak in the middle. If it covers the top of your cardboard fort, then you have yourself a shelter. There are plenty of simple ways to make a roof, but you could get more creative and come up with something unique.

You might be able to use the leftover cardboard sheets you cut off earlier and use them for the roof. You can tape two bigger pieces together and cut out another piece of cardboard precisely the same size, using your previous part as a guide for the second.

Tape your roof to the main room of your box fort

Get your tape ready to pull and cut a long strip. You’ll want to use this to connect the two roof pieces together along the middle. Tape one side of your roof to the top of your cardboard fort, making sure it stays in place with plenty of tape.

Repeat on the other side, so there’s some overlap in the middle, and use more tape than before. You could use colored tape to create a more exciting look!

This part can be a bit tricky on your own. Grab a friend or family member to help you put it together. It’s always more fun to share your cardboard fort-building experience with someone else.

Cut triangle box pieces to fill in the ends of your roof

Lay out a large piece of cardboard on the ground and flip your fort on its side so the roof side is aligned with it. Trace around the roof with a marker, then cut along the line for your gable (that’s the triangle bit for the open roof ends).

Cut another one of the exact size for the other side of your roof.

If you want your roof to be open, you can skip this step, but it will likely let in a breeze! You could cover the empty spaces with cellophane or paper for an exciting window effect.

Sometimes you’ll need to cut off extra little bits and pieces of the cardboard to make it fit exactly. It’s challenging to get it right the first time, so don’t worry about it too much.

If you cannot move the fort, you can hold the cardboard on top of it and trace it instead. This might be more difficult to do by yourself, so get someone else to help.

Cut out the entrance door for your box fort

By now you should have a nearly complete and completely freestanding, cardboard box fort! It’s time to make an entrance to the inside. There are four sides to the door opening, so choose which side will be facing front and mark off three of these sides with the box cutter.

Cover the hinge with flexible adhesive (like painter’s tape) and re-attaching to close the gap when you open and close doors.

The easiest way to open the door is to tape a piece of cardboard or string to both sides. It creates a handle, and your fingers won’t get pinched. It’s best if the door opens outwards to have more room on the inside of your fort.

Decorate your cardboard box fort and get creative

Now the most fun part begins – which is when you can start decorating your cardboard box fort any way you, or your kids, want.

Grab the paints, stickers, and even dried pasta or soft materials like cleaned feathers to create something magical and wonderous. Let your children’s imaginations run wild and create something inspired.

And now you have the skills on how to make a box fort that’s perfect fun for you and the kids! Get silly, and have fun!

Originally posted 2022-03-26 05:56:56.

The post How To Make A Box Fort (8 Easy Steps) first appeared on Becoming Homegrown.

Soldering irons are popularly used in all kinds of crafts! While these tools are primarily used for industrial applications, creative minds have found a few ways to blend it into the arts.

The science behind soldering is to combine two metals to make the joint solid and sturdy. Then, it’s up to you how you wish to use this metal combo in your own unique art projects!

There are lots of amazing ideas you can try when you learn how to use a soldering iron for crafts – you just need to know a few things before getting started.

Warning: Please take precautions before using a soldering iron by wearing heavy-duty gloves and even protective goggles! If you are new to using one, it’s best to get a helping hand from someone experienced to help. Better to be safe.

Step 1: Tinning Your Iron Before First Use

Tinning the tip of your soldering iron is essentially covering it with a thin solder layer. It is good to prevent the tip from oxidization by creating a protective layer between iron and air. Without this step, oxidization would prevent heat transmission over the tip – and render your soldering iron pretty useless!

Here’s the steps for tinning your soldering iron:

1. Dampen a soldering sponge and wipe the tip.
2. If you think the tip is very dirty, use a cleaning paste to wipe it clean. You can dip the tip into it for the purpose.
3. When the tip is clean, let it reach its operating temperature depending on the type of the soldering wire in use.
4. Now, apply a small solder bead to a copper portion of the tip.
5. Wipe away all of the extra solders using a damp sponge.
6. Note that a small amount should exist over the tip to give it a shiny appeal.
7. Then the tip should now tinned be and ready for your craft use. 

Step 2: Arrange Your Tools To Hold The Craft

Gather the tools that you need to hold the craft item safely while soldering. Keeping a steady setup while you are crafting is going to be important for safety and getting the finish you’re keen to achieve!

To help with holding your craft, get your hands on these tools:

• Bent nose pliers
• Clamps
• Third-hand device
• Thin wire cutters

You need to keep a moderate grip over the craft item while using these tools. A stronger grip might result in hampering the desired structure of your craft piece.

A third-hand device or helping hand is, generally, nothing but a base with a bar that comes with crocodile clips and maneuverable alligator clamps at both ends. The purpose of these clips is to hold the item at one place, at an angle where you can easily work with it.

If you are working upon high-precision craftwork, it may be worth working with a third-hand device that comes with a magnifying glass. There are different varieties and options – just choose one that suits you best!  

Step 3: Begin Crafting With Your Iron

Now that you know how to solder your material, it is time to get back to your art. If you have some stones that you want to engrave upon your soldering craft, such as for jewelry, then you can wrap them with wires and then connect them by soldering.

Over time, if you get really good with soldering crafting, you could turn your hobby into a small business and make all kinds of original items for people’s homes.

Keeping The Tip Clean Over Time

If your tip gets dirty over time with frequent soldering, you need to clean it and re-tin it before further use. If you see a brown or black coating over the tip, it is a sign of oxidization. Use a tip cleaner or damp sponge to wipe it off. Cleaning it and re-tinning is not that big a hassle. 

Therefore, I would suggest you always keep a damp sponge to continuously wipe the tip after every 4 to 5 joints – give it continuous wipes to keep it clean during the crafting process. 

When using a sponge for cleaning, make sure it is clean and damp with distilled water. You also need to avoid using any abrasive tools such as emery cloth, scotch-brite, sandpaper, or dry sponge for the cleaning process. Avoid dipping it into the flux, as it is corrosive and will result in causing holes and pits over the tip. 

I suggest you avoid over-wiping the tip, as it could result in serious damage over time.

Reviving A Damaged Soldering Iron 

If your solder is no longer sticking to the iron or is even melting, you might have to file down the tip with stone or fine sandpaper. Maintaining the tip is quite an important task! 

Remember that this should be the last option! If the tip can be cleaned and re-tinned for use, you should always go for that. But, if not, consider this your ultimate remedy. If you are using a quality soldering iron, however, it’s likely that this step is not for you.

In summary

Using a soldering iron took me some time to adjust – but thankfully, as my fiancé is a master of soldering craftworks, he taught me how to use it and is now helping me master it! Just follow these rookie steps, and every craft fanatic who wants to start with soldering crafts can really get into the most intricate parts!

A soldering iron is just one of many tools you can use to level up your crafting and get more hands-on. You could also check out another guide I’ve written about how to cut slate for crafts!

Originally posted 2022-03-12 03:51:14.

The post How To Use A Soldering Iron For Crafts (3 Steps) first appeared on Becoming Homegrown.

How many times have you made a cake that has not worked out, or where the decorations have been damaged or melted, or worse?

It’s time to discover how to fake bake crafts! Using your innate creativity and all sorts of everyday things, you can produce a beautiful cake that won’t easily be damaged and looks suitable for just about any use.

In this post, I will tell you how to make a fake bake cake in crafts! Here is a quick overview of the best way to do this:

The base of the cake is made from Styrofoam, cut into a circular shape. You will then cover this with playdough as fake fondant, which you can make yourself. Stackle makes wonderful frosting, and you can create cherries from playdough painted with nail polish for the final touch.

For the complete step-by-step guide on making a fake cake bake, read on.

Ingredients For Making Faked Baked Goods

To make a fake baked cake, you need Styrofoam for the base, playdough for the fondant, and spackle.

Your cake begins with a styrofoam block (3 inches high and 8 inches square) for the base. You’ll need a pencil and cardboard to cut out the template.

Then, the fake fondant is made from playdough, which you can make from the recipe later in the post. For the frosting, you’ll need to buy some spackle. You can also use water-based paint to give the cake some color.

Tools Needed For Fake Bake Goods

The ‘tools’ for the cake are pretty straightforward. You’ll need to use a pencil, scissors, and knife for the base.

The playdough is made in a bowl and must be kept in an airtight container. Mix the spackle in an ice cream tub and apply it with a plastic spoon and knife. To make crests of spackle, you’ll need an icing bag and a nozzle.

How To Make A Fake Cake Base

For the cake base, cut the polystyrene into a circle, which will produce a solid piece of Styrofoam that will be 8 inches in diameter and 3 inches high.

Draw a circle (8 inches diameter) on some card and cut it out. Use this as a template to cut out the base. On the Styrofoam, trace around the edge of the circle. Cut around the circle by moving the knife up and down while applying some pressure horizontally at the same time.

When the cake base has been cut out, wipe it with a damp cloth to remove any debris left from the cutting.

If you’re going to venture into making a multi-tier fake baked cake, then here’s a great tutorial on how to do it without using glue:

Making Fake Fondant For The Cake Base

To make the fondant for the cake base, you make playdough, which can be rolled out, laid over the cake base, and molded around it.

How To Make Playdough

You’ll need these ingredients:

• 1 ½ Cups all-purpose flour
• ½ Cups salt
• 1 ½ tsp Cream of Tartar
• ¾ Cups hot water

Once you have these:

Mix the flour, salt, and Cream of Tartar together. Add the hot water and mix all the ingredients to form a stiff dough.

Knead the dough in the bowl until all the ingredients are mixed. Knead the ball of dough thoroughly on a wooden board. Store the finished dough in an airtight container.

Covering The Cake Base With Fake Fondant

Use a rolling pin to roll the playdough on a wooden board. Begin from one side and roll to the other, then turn the dough by 90° and repeat until the dough is ¼ inch thick.

Lay the dough sheet over the styrofoam cake base and mold it around the cake. Use a knife to trim the edges.

Decorating Your Fake Bake Cake

To decorate the cake, you will use fake frosting and fake cherries. The frosting is made from spackle and the cherries from playdough and nail polish.

How To Make Fake Frosting With Spackle

Spackle is a powder base that forms a paste when mixed with water. It can be spread and piped into crests. Spackle will hold its shape and harden effectively.

To mix the spackle correctly, put 4 teaspoons of the powder into the ice cream tub. Add 3 teaspoons of water and mix into a paste. Add powder and water as necessary and keep mixing to arrive at a pretty thick paste, but which can be pushed through a nozzle.

Add a teaspoon of pink paint to the mixed spackle to give it some color.

Spoon some of the mixed spackle onto the top of the cake, then use the plastic knife to spread it on top of the fake fondant. Use the knife as though you are buttering a piece of bread, but with long strokes that go from one side of the cake to the other. You don’t need to smooth the ‘icing’ too much.

Spread the spackle along the sides of the cake. Work from the top and keep going in the same direction.

Mix up another batch of spackle. This time, add a ¼ teaspoon of blue paint to become a light blue color.

Take an icing nozzle and place it into the icing bag to sit in the open corner. Spoon the blue spackle into the bag, squeezing it gently so that the spackle flows smoothly out of the nozzle.

Dab the spackle onto the cake to create a crown of the fake frosting. Each dab should be ½ inch apart.

Decorating With Fake Cherries

Take around 10 pinches of playdough and roll them into balls. Set them aside to dry for 15 minutes. When the balls are dried, paint them with red nail polish.

Adding fake cherries to the cake will give it a fantastic final touch. To do so, you will need to press a cherry into each of the crests of frosting.

Each cherry should sit just in the spackle but not ruin the shape of the crest. Repeat with all the cherries and the crests.

You could also try drying cranberries to get an easy cherry-looking solution to add to your fake bake cake.

Great Fake Bake Ideas

Creating a complete cake is only one option for fake bakes. You can also make faux baked cupcakes or individual slices of different types of cake. The choice is yours!

Fake Baked Cupcakes

Making fake baked cupcakes follows the same principles as making the fake baked cake. Still, you will have lots of opportunities to play with different types of decoration.

Fake Baked Chocolate Cake

Making a fake baked chocolate cake means adding brown food coloring to the fake fondant to create a chocolatey look. You will also need to add brown paint to the spackle.

Fake Baked Red Velvet Cake Slice

Knowing how to make a fake cake slice is the perfect way to texture your cake. You can use foam for the base of the cake, which will give it the texture and look of a sponge cake.

Fake Baked Donuts

You could even try your hand with an extra challenge of ring donuts. It takes some careful crafting to get the shape just right, but it is a fun and interesting challenge you could even do with your kids.

So, there you have the instructions on making a fake baked cake in crafts! It will make an attractive centerpiece at a party, baby shower, or even a bachelorette party.

Why go to the bother of making a real cake for decoration that no one will get to eat when you can make the perfect fake cake prop?

Summary

If you enjoyed this guide then you’ll probably like to know how to preserve candy for crafts and make your uneaten candy usable once more and lasting longer in your craft projects. Why not give your crafts a sweet touch or two? They don’t have to be edible to make a real statement!

Originally posted 2021-12-22 04:26:25.

The post How To Make A Fake Bake Cake In Crafts (+4 Fun Ideas) first appeared on Becoming Homegrown.

Everyone loves candy, but have you ever thought of creating some amazing craftwork from those colorful little sweets? You’re looking at a tasty twist on your already imaginative creative ideas!

However, candy always need to be preserved properly so that your masterpiece does not spoil over time. 

Let’s have a look at how to preserve candy for crafts so that your artwork keeps intact, and so it’s protected from bugs and ants.

Method 1: Preserving the Candy with Coating Spray

Coating spray is one of the most best ways to preserve candies of all types for use with craftworks. Here are some steps you’ll need to follow if going the spray route:

Step 1: Dry out the Candies

Candies are sweet and sticky by nature! Therefore, if you intend to preserve your work properly, you’ll need to dry candy out completely before use.

Drying out candies will ensure you get a longer shelf-life on your creative additions, and that bugs and other minibeasts don’t make a beeline for your crafts!

Just follow these simple steps:

1. Spread out the candy in single-layer over any wax paper or metal baking sheet. 
2. Store them in a cool and dry place for around 3 to 7 days. Keep them long enough until the candy hardens up. 
3. The candy will start to go stale and lose stickiness, ready for further preservation.

Step 2: Apply a Coating over Candies

After the candies are dried properly, you will have to coat the candy with some preserving spray. You can get it from any general store or supermarket!

These spray coats will preserve the candies’ color and keep insects from eating away at the sugary treats. The steps are:

1. Lay down the candies over wax paper in a single layer. 
2. Apply the spray coat over the candies, as per your spray’s directions as instructed.
3. Dry off the spray as the manufacturer instructs.
4. Ensure that the protectant is completely dried. Flip over the candy and then repeat the coating process. 

Method 2: Preserving the Candy with Shellac

Shellac is famously great for preserving even organic foods! Candies, however, are included in the long list of food items you can preserve and use for your craftworks with Shellac.

Follow these steps:

Step 1: Things you will need

• A lint-free cloth.
• Shellac from any general store or supermarket, to use for preserving.
• A paintbrush to apply Shellac. 
• Arrange a few sheets of wax paper. 

Step 2: Dust the Candies

• You’ll need to dust the candies that you are willing to use over the craft, using your lint-free cloth.
• If there is any dust over the candies, they will also be preserved with Shellac over the crafts – so get it all off!

Step 3: Apply the Shellac Coat

• You need to apply only a thin layer of Shellac and coat the candies you intend to preserve – do this with a paintbrush.
• Lay the candies over a wax paper sheet and let them dry for around 12 hours.
• Keep in mind to rinse the paintbrush in between multiple coat applications. This is to ensure that the brush does not harden up. 

Step 4: Apply a Second Coating of Shellac

After 12 hours of drying time, bring out the Shellac container again, and apply a second coat.

Lay the candies over wax sheet paper, and then dry it again for around 12 hours.

After that, you will again have to rinse the brush again to prevent it from hardening. After drying, you can use the candies to create art that stands out. 

Method 3: Storing Lollipops the Right Way!

Hard candy such as lollipops needs thorough treatment before you can store it. Irrespective of whether you intend to eat your candy later or use it for artistic purposes, it’s worth being careful.

What to do:

• Make sure that hard candies such as lollipops stay away from humidity and heat. You need to store this type of candy in a cool and dry place. 
• Keep hard candy away from any other treats or candies that are kept nearby. Don’t allow it to absorb moisture. 
• Sprinkle fine ground sugar over the candies and then stash them in an air-tight glass jar. 
• You could also wrap each of the candies in cellophane! This ensures that they don’t clump together due to any dampness that enters the jar. 
• Close the jar, and store it in any cool and dry place. 

Can You Put Candy Corn in Resin?

For making your candy craft look super-appealing, you can use resin to preserve them!

You just need to arrange them in your desired pattern over a mold or apply directly to a canvas to create a random, abstract pattern. Make sure the candy corns are arranged in a single layer. 

Now, you can mix a batch of resin and then pour it onto the mold with candy corns in it. Let them settle and dry, and your candy corn coasters will be ready to show off!

This art form has drawn the attention of many professionals and rookies over time. Go small or large – the choice is yours!

You could also go beyond a basic canvas. For instance, you can use a mold for making a resin candy bowl out of your craft ideas! Get some tips from video tutorials to learn more.

In summary

These are just a few ways to preserve candies of different types for use in your craftworks. Remember not to miss any of the crucial steps – or, you might risk your work deteriorating altogether!

Originally posted 2021-12-21 09:49:10.

The post How To Preserve Candy for Crafts (3 Easy Methods) first appeared on Becoming Homegrown.