Candle making can be a very rewarding hobby that you can do by yourself or share with family and friends. Candles are great to give as gifts and you can personalize them with special scents or colors. With a few simple ingredients you can get started right away. Items needed include a container, a wick, some fragrance and a double broiler for melting your wax. There are a lot of different options when it comes to candle making.
You may decide to make container candles, which are different from votive candles in that the container is the actual mold for the candle. Other types of candles are dipped candles, pillar candles or rolled candles. All of these are fairly simple to make and offer plenty of ways to get creative. Candles can be made to reflect the different interior designs of the home or scented with apple and cinnamon for a holiday gift. There are many different things you can use as a candle container, such as a cocktail or wine glass. Let your imagination take over and look for things you already have in your home.
Candle making is inexpensive, relieves stress and is a great hobby. Aromatherapy is also good for the mind and soul. It is said to have positive effects on one spiritually and it is often used in meditation and prayer. Research your fragrances and determine what ones you want to use. Candle making is messy, so make sure you have plenty of newspaper or wax paper on hand for the task.
Bargello refers to a type of needlepoint embroidery, it uses flat upright stitches in a zigzag pattern to create geometric motifs. The motifs are largely created through the use of color, either monochromatic shadings of the same hue. Analogous colors such as red, yellow and orange, or contrasting shades such as blue and orange are used. When using contrasting colors, the second color should be used as an accent or the impact of using such different shades is lessened.
Traditionally, this embroidery is done in wool over canvas, making it suitable for pillows and upholstery, but not clothing. When Bargello is stitched on linen, then it is sometimes called an Irish Stitch. When it has stitches of two different lengths, this is known as a Hungarian point. However, the most common name is Florentine work; in honor of one of the oldest pieces of Bargello known to exist.
Row designs are the simplest pattern. It is established in the first row, and then repeated using a different color or tint in subsequent rows. With motif designs, part of a row is mirrored to create the motif. It can be filled in repeating rows, or each area can be dealt with differently. The pattern is mainly formed by the use of color.
A four-way Bargello needlework design consists of a triangular section that is then mirrored both ways. Both row and motif designs can be worked in this manner.
With its many possible variations on patterns and motifs, Bargello is easy enough for those new to needlepoint to pick up, yet flexible enough to hold the interest of those experienced in needlepoint design.
There were a great many commemorative postage stamps issued in the years of 1930 and 1940. "COLLECTSTAMPS ANDPOSTCARDS" gives us a glimpse of some of them.
For instance, the Winged Globe stamp that was issued in February of 1930. It was priced at five cents and was used to send letters airmail. General van Steuben was honored on September 17, 1930 for his contribution during the Revolutionary War, by having a stamp with his profile on it.
In the 1940s a National Defense stamp that was reissued regularly to gain sympathy for the war. Stamps of the Statue of Liberty along with stamps picturing the Army and Navy written over weaponry.
There are thousands of creative candles used today. Whether they are container candles, votive, pillar, dipped or rolled candles, they all offer a comforting feeling when lit. The aroma from the scented oils, the various colors and the unlimited shapes and sizes make candles great presents for every occasion. Candle making is also a craft that is fun for everyone. In order to make your own candle you'll need a stove, a double boiler, wax, wicks, molds or a container and fragrance.
The first step is to melt the wax. If you don't have one you can make your own double boiler by putting a coffee can in big pot. Put some water in the pot and let it heat up. Avoid putting too much water because that will cause the coffee can to float around. Meanwhile, put the wax into the coffee can container to start it melting. During this time add your favorite fragrance to the wax.
If you're looking to go a step further add some color to the candle wax. One way to do this is by melting non-toxic crayons. Stir thoroughly to blend all the colors in the melted wax. Next, prepare the mold by using a disposable container. Cut a wider circle around the top than the bottom then spray the mold with a little bit of cooking oil. Both of these steps will help to remove the candle from the mold when the wax has set.
The last thing needed is the wick. Measure the height of the mold and add an extra three inches to your measurement before you cut the wick. Cut and insert the wick then wrap the extra wick around a stick. Let it cool for a few minutes then pull it out. Choose any decorations or final touches you want to add to the candle, light it up and enjoy.
Holiday crafts are especially enjoyable for Christmas. A Christmas family photo wreath is an easy craft to do. You can use a pre-decorated wreath if you would prefer or you can make your own. To make this wreath, take a 12 inch wreath and wrap your favorite ribbon around the wreath approximately six times leaving a space between the ribbon wrap. Once you have finished wrapping the ribbon, secure it at the top. Make a bow and add it to the top or bottom of the wreath. Add small photo frames with family pictures in them to the wreath with coordinating pipe cleaners or floral wire. Fill the remaining space with Christmas floral picks of your choice. They could be Christmas flowers or ornaments, packages or holly sprigs. These types of wreaths also make a great gift for other family members. Particularly those family members for whom gifts are hard to buy. About.com has a variety of other instructions for Christmas wreaths to make.
Personalization makes a gift even more special. Making your own Christmas bags is a good way to recycle plain brown or colored bags. There are a variety of ways to decorate these bags. One can use stencils or stamps and paint them. Scrap buttons, lace, felt materials and wrapping papers are just a few items that you can use to create your own beautiful bag. Just let your imagination go. Paint a snowman on the bag and use crazy eyes, scrap yarn and buttons to add pizzazz to your creation. The website eHow.com offers a video demonstrating many different ideas on decorating your gift bags.
