CORNER FOR BUSY BEES

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 229, 27 September 1930, Page 3 (Supplement)

CORNER FOR BUSY BEES

IDEAS FOR XMAS GIFTS. FASCINATING BARBOLA WORK. (Conducted by TINKERBEL.L.) Dear Girls, — I was just thinking the other day that there are only three months before Christmas will be upon us again, and with this festive season one always associates gifts. The other day I came across a pretty idea for a present. Of course you know that homemade gifts are much more appreciated than are shop bought ones> so .this week I will tell you how to do barbola work. All of you girls must have learnedj when in the primers at school, how 10 make plasticene models. Well to-day many modern women model fruit and flowers from plastic clay and decorate beautiful ornaments in their homes. In the illustration are two attractive samples of barbola work. The plain black mirror or picture frame has been transformed by the addition o» a simple little spray of roses delicately tinted in natural colours. The P° w " der bowl in the centre is of pale blue enamelled wood decorated with a beautiful design of roses tinted in deep rich red, blush pink and pale lemon with natural green leaves. Any article which will take glue can be decorated with this plastic clay, which is then tinted in the required colours and coated with a quick-drying varnish, which gives a soft, brilliant effect to the work. The materials required for barbola work are not expensive and consist of a tin of the paste (or clay), metal glue, jesso powder, tubes of water colours, modelling tools and one or two brushes. . Having decided upon your design, it is as well to roughly sketch it out on paper. Now take a small piece of paste out of the tin and replace the lid to prevent the paste from hardening. Make the paste into a small ball and hold it between the tKumb and first finger of the left hand. With the thumb and first finger of the right hand gradually press out the piece large enough for the petal. Then break this away from . the ball of paste, which is now laid aside, and continue to model the petal. Thisis done by holding the partly modelled petal between the thumb and first Ler of both hands and gradually forming it It is a wise plan to practise first with petals of fairly large flowers, such as the poppy or anemone When correctly modelled, coat the tack of the petal with liquid glue and fix it on your bowl, and, .using a flat modelling tool, curl it over or Pre" down flat. Keep the hands dusted lightly with jesso powder whilst modelling, as this will prevent th marks of the skin showing on the ?a Having completed the design, it must be left overnight to thoroughly dry before the tinting is begun. Squeeze a little of the barbola colours on to a plate. Mix the colours with a little water and, using a small sott brush, cover the entire surface of each flower in the shade decided upon. A thin coat of varnish completes the work and ensures ofthe colours and prevents dust from stick ing to the design. , In addition to the larger articles the amateur will find the raakingoftmy brooches and pendants most fascinat ing. Of course more skill is required in the making of the smaller flower , but practice makes perfect, and should not be long before you accomplish really good work.