How to Paint Wood Crafts?

Hand painted wood-crafts are beautiful, fun to create, and make great gifts. In addition, hand painted crafts are also inexpensive to make. All necessary items can be purchased at most Hengxin Cover craft supply stores or ordered online. The best part about painting wood-crafts is that anyone can easily create wonderful wood-crafts by following a few basic steps.
Instructions
How to Paint Wood Crafts
1
Prepare the wood for priming. If you are working with wood that has not already been sanded, you should sand it (by hand) before doing anything else. Use fine-grained sand paper to get the wood smooth so that the paint can be applied uniformly. Wipe the wood with a clean cloth to remove any remaining debris.If you want a rough-finish, you may skip this first step.
2
Apply primer to the wood, making sure to cover the entire surface, and allow the primer to dry. After the first coat is dry, add another coat of primer if necessary. Primers add extra protection to the wood and also allow paint to be applied more smoothly. Primers can be clear or colored. What kind of primer you should choose depends on what you are creating.
3
Paint the largest areas of the wood first (and all other areas that will be the same color) and allow paint to dry. If you are painting a wooden toy car, for instance, paint the body of the car first. After the paint has dried, you can determine if you’d like to apply another coat of paint. For small, indoor wood-crafts, one coat is usually sufficient.
4
Paint the smaller details using the smaller brushes and then set the painted wood in a safe area to allow paint to dry. If you are working with several colors in a small area, it is best to let a color dry before applying another color next to it.When the other painted area has been allowed to fully dry, it is easier to prevent time-consuming mistakes. If you accidentally get some paint (of another color) on the dry area, you can quickly dab the stray paint away with a dry cloth.If you are using a stencil for letters or designs, do these last after all other areas have fully dried.
5
Apply wood sealant (or varnish) and allow to dry. Sealants can be sprayed on or applied with a brush. Sealants protect paint from moisture and fading and come in glossy or matte finishes. If your finished piece will be exposed to sunlight, choose a UV resistant sealant.
Tips & Warnings
Choose good quality brushes that don’t shed bristles
Clean paint brushes soon after painting—don’t allow paint to dry on the brushes
Always allow paint brushes to dry with the bristles pointing straight
Sand wood in the direction of the wood grain or else you will not have a smooth finish
If your wood-craft has removable parts, paint these separately and attach later
Apply any primer or sealant in a well-ventilated area and away from flame
Avoid prolonged skin contact with primer or sealant

How to Make a Candy Wrapper Pouch?

Pouches made from candy wrappers are becoming increasingly popular due to their eco-friendly factors, as well as their creative, artistic look. Candy wrapper pouches require a lot of time, not only to make the pouch, but also to collect enough wrappers to start the project. However, the time and effort spent on making candy wrapper Dragon pouches will provide you an original, homemade pouch to hold coins, credit cards or business cards.
Instructions
Making Candy Wrapper Pouches

• Cut each candy wrapper so that it measures 2 inches by 4 ½ inches. You can use any size candy wrapper you'd like, however you will need more than 112 candy wrappers if you use a smaller size.
• Fold the candy wrapper in half lengthwise, making a crease. Unfold the candy wrapper, and fold the bottom half upward until it reaches the center crease line, and then fold the top half down until the top edge hits the crease line. Next, fold the candy wrapper in half again lengthwise using the original crease, so that the top and bottom folds are facing together. Finally, fold the small strip in half widthwise.
• Place one folded candy wrapper lengthwise on a flat surface so that the opening formed by the fold is facing upward, and the folded edge is balancing on the table. This should form a sideways "V," with the point of the "V" on the left, opening to the right. Hold another candy wrapper in an upside down "V" angle, with the open part of the fold facing to the left. Insert the ends of the upside down "V" into the slots of the candy wrapper on the table.
• Squeeze the ends of the bottom candy wrapper together, pick it up, and turn it 90 degrees to the right. Insert the ends of another candy wrapper into slots of the open side of the second candy wrapper. You will now have a zigzag shape.
• Continue the pattern, making a chain of 28 candy wrappers. Join the ends of the first and 28th wrapper to form a circle. Make four rows or circles of 28 candy wrappers.
• Thread a needle with strong thread and tie a knot through the needle eye. Place the first 2 rows of candy wrappers together by fitting the outward pointing "V" into an inward pointing "V." Sew the wrappers together by working your way up and down each side of the "V." Tie a knot after each "V," then move onto the next one. Do this until all 4 rows are joined together.
• Squeeze the bottom together and sew the bottom half of the rows together. This will be more difficult because the candy wrapper pouch will be tighter than it was during the other steps.

Tips & Warnings

1. Add a zipper to the top of the candy wrapper pouch if you want something more secure. Use the same thread to sew each side.
2. You can use a variety of other materials to make this purse. Experiment with magazine covers, potato chip bags, gum wrappers or plastic bottle wrappers.
3. The candy wrapper purse may not be very durable. Depending on the type of material you use, exposure to water may cause the ink to run or the paper to tear.
4. If using a material that was in direct contact with food, such as a potato chip bag, rinse it first to avoid problems with bugs or odor.

How to Assemble Gift Boxes?

Assembling your own gift box can bring an ordinary store bought gift to life. Indeed, if beautifully made, a gift box can be almost as important as the gifts they contain. You can assemble your own Rainbow printing gift boxes using ready made templates downloaded from various craft websites. Assembling these types of boxes is usually simple if you follow careful instructions. You can finish off the festive look of your box by tying a colorful bow on it, and once you've finished you will have greatly enhanced the value of the gift you have given.
Instructions

• Draw or download a pattern for your box. You can download a good pattern for your box from the craft website Craft Stylish. For a really attractive box, be sure to download a pattern that has the box as well as a lid. A good pattern will ensure that the lid is slightly wider than the base.
• Score the back of the template, along the lines of the pattern. Use the bone creaser to do this.
• Fold and crease the box and the lid according to your score marks using the ruler to guide you. Fold the sides of the box upward and fold the corner pleats inward. This will leave you with four pairs of triangular sides. Glue them together.
• Assemble the lid by folding all of the sides upward, all the flaps inward and then fold the tops of three of the sides down over the flaps, locking them in place.
• Fold the fourth side inward. This final side will cover all of the pieces inside the lid and hold them in place.

How to Keep Wigs From Slipping?

Whether you have a lot of hair, a little hair or no hair beneath a wig, it can be challenging to keep a wig from slipping while you are wearing it. A wig cap can help immeasurably to keep a Yunxiang lace wig in place and prevent it from shifting. Not only is a wig cap useful for securing a wig, but it also helps keep your wig clean because it serves as a barrier between your head and the wig.

Instructions
1
Pin your hair up tightly against your head with bobbie pins if you have long hair. You may not need to clip shorter hair up with pins; however, any hair that you can secure against your head will make it easier to put your wig on.
2
Place the wig cap over your pinned hair. Stretch the wig cap over your head, either from the back to the front or from the front to the back. Placing a wig cap over your head is similar to placing a swim cap on your head--both caps are quite tight and you must stretch them over your head. Tuck any existing hair up under the wig cap after you stretch the wig cap over your head.
3
Insert bobbie pins through the wig cap and into your hair underneath, if applicable. If you do not have hair beneath the wig cap, skip this step.
4
Place the wig onto your head over the wig cap. Lift the hair of the wig up to show the underside of the wig and insert bobbie pins over the mesh under the wig to secure the wig to the wig cap. Insert bobbie pins at the front, side and back of the wig to hold the wig securely to the wig cap.

Tips & Warnings
If you have no hair beneath your wig, another option is to use double-sided wig tape. Place the wig tape directly onto your scalp and remove the cover from the tape to expose the second sticky side. You still may opt to use a wig cap, even when you do not have hair. If you use a wig cap, place the wig cap on your head and press it down firmly to secure it onto the tape. Place the wig over the wig cap and pin the wig to the wig cap using bobbie pins. If you opt not to use a wig cap, place the wig directly over the sticky wig tape and press the wig down to adhere it to the wig tape.

How to Make an Embroidery Bullion Rose?

Embroidery is a needlework crafts or sewing project that travels well and does not require counting or concentration. There are several stitches that are not well known, but make beautiful needlework.
The bullion rose is a flower we made years ago, but it is not well known. You can learn to make this beautiful rose in one easy lesson.
Instructions
1
Cut about a fourteen-inch length of embroidery thread, and separate the threads in twos.
2
Thread the sharp embroidery needle with the two strands of chenille embroidery thread in a color of your choice. This color will be the center.
3
Begin at a place in the fabric that you want the center of the rose. Make a stitch and bring the needle up to the top side.
4
Make two bullion stitches at the center, side by side
Twist the thread around the needle six times and push the point down in the fabric about 1/4 inch away from where it came up and close to the center.
5
Center of the bullion rose made
Make another stitch like this with six twists around the needle parallel to the first one.
6
Bring the needle up on the outside of the first bullion stitch about half way.
7
Practice embroidering bullion roses
Twist the thread around the needle eight times for each bullion stitch in this row. There should be three stitches in this row, five stitches in the next row and seven or eight stitches in the last row.
8
Practice making bullion roses that have six twists on the "far" side and eight twists on the "front" side. This makes them look like they are viewed from the side.
9
Make a rose bud with just the first two bullion stitches, and a green stem and sepals. With these basic instructions, you can make a cluster of roses.
Tips & Warnings

1. We often write about needlework crafts. See similar articles in Resources below.
2. copyright 2009 Linda Richard
3. Feel free to link to this article or send it to a friend.

How to Tie a Scarf?

A beautiful silk scarf can add glamor and chic sophistication to a simple shift dress, a classic crewneck sweater or your favorite blouse. A chunky wool or cashmere scarf can add a touch of warmth on a cold day and also dress up your look. Whichever pashmina fashion scarf you choose, remember that there are many ways to tie a scarf. Play around and find the look that best suits your style.
Instructions
1
Fold a square scarf diagonally into a triangle. Then grasp the broad and middle point, folding repeatedly until the scarf forms a 2-inch band. Drape around your neck and tie a knot. Wear the knot in front to flatter an open-collar blouse, and to the side to add sass to a boatneck top.
2
Create the look of an ascot by spreading a square scarf upside down over a flat surface. Pull the fabric up from the center of the scarf, tie a small knot, then flip the ends so that the knot is underneath. Tie the opposite ends around the back of your neck, and let the scarf spill over from the base of your throat.
3
Make a shawl out of a very large square by first folding it into a triangle. Drape the scarf over one shoulder so that the point extends toward your elbow and the ends hang on either side of your torso. Tie the ends at the opposite hip, or belt the scarf at your waist.
4
Go for a quick and easy look. Turn a square scarf into a triangle, then wrap the scarf around the back of your neck so that the tip points down. Tie the ends into a knot and adjust to complement your neckline.
Tips & Warnings

1. Decorate a solid scarf with a pin or brooch. Match any metals or gems to those on your jewelry or belt.
2. Hand wash or dry-clean your scarves regularly depending on frequency of wear. The oils in your skin and other dirt can render vibrant colors flat and lifeless.
3. Iron your scarf on a low setting when you notice that the ends are starting to curl.

How to Fit Soft Ballet Shoes?

Soft ballet shoes, more commonly known as slippers, are the soft Panlong Dance shoes you wear during practice and for floor work. These shoes keep your foot aligned for proper muscle control and for learning steps before putting on pointe shoes.

Instructions
1
Choose a shoe 1 1/2 to 2 sizes smaller than your street shoe size.
2
Step into the shoes and point your toes or stand in first position. The shoes should feel a bit snug, but not tight.
3
Go down a size if the shoe has lots of excess in the toe or if your toes slide forward when you move.
4
Go up a size if the shoe feels uncomfortably tight or the back digs into your heel.
5
The shoe fits properly when you don't have to tighten the drawstring, your heel stays in place, the tips of your toes fit almost to the tip of the shoe, and you have room to wiggle your toes.
Tips & Warnings

1. As a general rule, a wide foot requires a wide shoe.
2. Split sole shoes fit the same as full-sole shoes.
3. Soft shoes tend to feel stiff and move on their own when new. Soften with a bit of shoe oil to make them more comfortable.
4. Use rosin on the entire sole of the shoe.

How to Restore Fashion Jewelry?

Exposure to air, makeup and heat may darken and dull Towin hair accessories jewelry. While restoring your fashion jewelry may be as simple as using as applying a polishing cloth to add shine, you can use simple household products for more complicated jewelry cleaning problems.

Instructions
1
Get the kinks out. Sprinkle knotted and tangled chains with cornstarch or talcum powder to untangle. If the knot is particularly tight, push a straight pin through the center of the tangle. Twist and turn gently to release the snarled chain.
2
Restore the shine of your pearls. Mix 1 tsp. of Woolite or mild liquid soap in a cup of water. Submerge your jewelry in the water for 10 to 20 seconds. Dab the pieces with a clean, white cloth. Lay flat to dry. Store pearls in a cotton bag away from other jewelry.
3
Wash gold jewelry in an ammonia solution. Mix 1 cup of warm water, 2 tsps. of mild liquid detergent and 1 drop of ammonia in a small bowl. Soak the gold for a maximum of 5 minutes. Brush the jewelry lightly with an old toothbrush. Rinse in lukewarm water to remove any ammonia residue. Add shine with rubbing alcohol.
4
Clean silver with 2 to 3 drops of liquid detergent and 1 cup of warm water. Wipe with a cloth to clean. Rinse in cold water and blot with a towel to dry. For stubborn tarnish stains, "Good Housekeeping" recommends a paste of one part water with 3 parts of baking soda. Wet the silver with a few drops of water first. Apply the baking soda mixture with a soft cloth. Rinse the silver completely and dry flat on a clean towel.
5
Use clear super glue to secure loose stones. Apply 1 to 3 small drops of glue to the base of the stone. Do not allow the glue to overflow or harden on top of the stone. If you do not have a steady hand, use a toothpick to add the glue to the piece of jewelry.

How to Select Sanitary Napkins

Women have two primary options for personal protection during a menstrual cycle, sanitary napkins and tampons. Follow these steps to make the appropriate choice.
Instructions
1.Decide whether to use a sanitary panty liner alone or with a tampon. Some women use sanitary napkins or pads as a backup for tampons or others use pads as the sole form of protection.
2.Consider different brands, sizes, styles and thicknesses. The napkin needs to cover the vulva, external female genital area, entirely to prevent leakage. Most pad designs accommodate a size 6 panty size. Consider a plus size, extra long or overnight protection for full coverage of larger panty sizes.
3.Select a style or shape based on your lifestyle. Sanitary napkins come with or without wings and are curved or contoured to prevent leakage on the sides.
4.Think about absorbency and select a pad that is very absorbent and keeps you dry and comfortable. If your pad embarrasses you by leaking then try a higher level of absorbency or a new brand.
5.Find the proper thickness depending on your level of physical activity. Some prefer thick protection while others use thin pads to serve their needs without the bulkiness.
6.Discover the best support system for preventing pad slippage. Adhesive strips on the bottom of the pad and wrap-around wings keep the napkin in place inside the panty. Notice how well a napkin's support lasts after exercise or exposing it to other consistent movement or moisture like sweat.

How to Change a Baby's Diaper

Not much has really changed since the days of diaper pins - whether you choose to go the route of cloth or sanitary napkin, you'll follow more or less the same procedure.
Instructions
1.Lay a fresh diaper on a changing table, or on a towel or mat on the floor.
2.Place your baby, tummy side up, on top of the clean diaper.
3.Unfasten the diaper tabs on the soiled diaper.
4.Hold your baby's feet together and very gently lift them up, raising the baby's bottom. Use the clean part of the diaper to wipe away any excess stools, then fold over the soiled section of the diaper and set the old diaper aside.
5.Wipe your baby's buttocks and genitals gently from front to back with baby wipes. Don't forget the lower back and the skin folds of the thighs. (A baby girl might get stools around her labia and vagina, so clean that area gently with baby wipes.)
6.Lower your baby's bottom onto the clean diaper.
7.Pat the area dry with a towel; cornstarch powder is optional.
8.Apply diaper-rash cream to the area if necessary.
9.Make sure to pull up the back of the clean baby diaper high enough to prevent leaks. Position the front of the diaper just under the baby's abdomen.
10.Bring the tabs around from the back of the diaper and fasten them to the front.
11.Turn diapering into a game of peek-a-boo to distract your baby.

How to Make House Cleaning Wipes

Now that many families are having to cut down on things that once did not seem to be such a big deal, buying everyday products such as house cleaning items is just too expensive and out of the budget for many homes. The best way to handle this situation is to learn how to make cleaning products at home. Not only are you doing our planet a favor by using natural products, you are doing your family a favor by cutting down your expenses. This particular mixture is enough for about ½ or more of one thick roll of paper towel depending on its thickness. Start with half the roll and make additional mixture if needed for the rest. This is a bit time consuming, but based on how much you will be saving over all compared to the cost of store brand cleaners and wet wipes, it is well worth it.
Instructions
1.Purchase a thick paper towel and tear each sheet apart and fold them in half and stack neatly in your bowl or pan.
2.Pour your ingredients in the spray bottle and mix thoroughly. Once the ingredients have been mixed, pour entire mixture on top of paper towels to soak through the stack. Depending on the thickness of your paper towels, you may want to add a little more water.
3.Press down slightly on the paper towels to ensure that each towel is moistened and to remove some of the excess water. Do not pour out additional liquid yet. If you have remaining paper towels that you would like to soak with the remaining liquid, you can do so now. Otherwise, dispose the leftover liquid.
4.Collect your wet folded towels and place them in your large zip lock bag. Be sure to completely seal the bag to make sure that the towels do not dry out. Label your bag and store it with your other cleaning products. Now you have cleaning wipes for your home.

How to Live Frugal by Making Your Own Homemade Cleaning Wipes

Grocery prices are high but the cost of cleaning wipes is even higher. You can reduce the food bill by growing your own fruits and vegetables at home, but you can also reduce the amount of money you spend on cleaning supplies by making your own homemade cleaning wipes. Whether you need a disinfectant wipe or window wipes, it is a simple process to put together an entire container of wipes for your home or car.

1

Set the plastic lid on a small piece of wood and cut an "X" in the center with a utility knife. The legs of the "X" should be about 1/2 inch long on each side. Use scissors to cut some of the plastic away so the "X" is an actual opening through which the homemade wipes can come out of the container.

2

Cut the roll of paper towels in half so there are two shorter rolls of paper towels. Place one roll in an upright position into the plastic container. For cloth wipes, lay the cloth pieces in a single line with the ends overlapping. Start at one end and roll the cloth pieces into a cylinder, like the paper towels, and place them upright in the plastic container.

3

Pour the cleaning solution of your choice over the paper towels. You can use store-bought cleaning solutions or make your own. For instance, to make disinfectant wet wipes for the skin, use a solution of 2 cups water, 2 tbsp. of baby shampoo and 1 cup of rubbing alcohol.

4

Close the lid of the container and allow the towels to sit overnight to absorb the cleaning solution. Test the towels to determine of there is enough cleaning solution in the towels. If the entire roll is not damp, add another cup of solution and allow the towels to stand until all the liquid is absorbed.

5

Open the lid and remove the center paper cone of the paper towels. Grab the center towel, or the one in the middle of the roll, and feed it slowly through the slit in the top of the lid. Close the lid and gently pull the towel through to use.

How Does an Adult Diaper Differ From a Baby Diaper?

Basic Adult Diapers

A typical adult diaper is manufactured in the same shape as a baby diaper. It's just made larger to fit an adult. The diapers are plain white without the cartoon figures that decorate baby diapers. The diapers come in sizes from small to extra large, according to adult weight. Baby diapers are sized from Newborn to Size 5, also by weight. There are different styles of adult diapers: unisex diapers, pull-up diapers and diapers designed for women.

Diapers for Women

Specialized adult diapers for women are rectangular in shape, resembling a very large sanitary napkin. These diapers have buttons at the top that attach the diaper to elastic strips over the hips, leaving women feeling less tied up in the over-coverage of a unisex diaper. This also cuts down on the rustling noise a diaper makes when moving.

Unisex and Pull On Diapers

A unisex adult diaper is white and has velcro strips on each side for attaching in front of the hip. These diapers most resemble a baby's diaper with little difference in form and function.