EGGSHELL MOSAIC

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22756, 16 June 1937, Page 7

EGGSHELL MOSAIC

A SIMPLE CRAFT LOVELY EFFECTS ACHIEVED BY CHIUSTINK CAMERON There is no other craft quite so easy ns egg-shell mosaic, yet we need not despise it because it is simple, for with this work very beautiful and lasting results may bo obtained. Obtain your egg-shells from either boiled or fresh eggs and draw the skin away from the inner surfaeo of the shell, l'liey will keep in this state indefinitely. If you are doing a. big piece of work, however, and aro storing them, it would be as well to wash them in warm water, dry thoroughly and collect them in u tin. It is surprising liow far the shell of one egg will go. Gather all tints of shell; tho soft green shado of some duck eggs is lovely. Some of the darker colours are best left iu their natural stato and not tinted with ink. So many surfaces may be covered—wood pottery, tin and papier mache. Articles in this craft, frames, book ends, vases, etc., all look so pretty that it is difficult to choose just which to demonstrate. But everyone can do with an extra tray, so we will work at that. I am not colouring tho background in this instance and am only using the white shell, but you may tint to match your china if you prefer to do so. This particular tray is glass-covered, measures 1-lin. x 9in. and has a firm ply base. We need a tin of gessico and the egg-shells. Plunge the tin of gessico into hot water and renew the hot water as it cools. Spread a little of the melted paste on to the tray base and place pieces of shell 011 this. Crack these and push into place, making each little bit fit in as closely as possible. Use the outside of tlie shell uppermost —the bits need not be equal in size for a little irregularity is all to the good. When you nave covered the patch of gessico, add more to the wood, but do not put 011 too much at a time. This part of the work may be slow, but it makes all the difference to the result if you do it carefully and have the bits well placed. When the tray base is covered, put it aside to dry for 24 hours. Next use fine sandpaper and rub gently over the surface until it is level. All colouring is done j with waterproof inks as theso show the I texture of tho shell and you will have j a much better appearance in the work j than if paint is used for tho colour-! ing. For design, trace with carbon paper and paint over the background, leaving tlie pattern in the natural shell and then fill in the uncoloured parts in colours. As our tray has no tint 011 the background, after tracing the pattern we at once set to work to place colour 011 the little Chinese house, scroll, bird and tree. This is all in tones of blue, using Prussian blue ink mixed with white, for mid blue, more white for the lighter colour, and the ink unmixed for the roof and windows. Three tones are sufficient for this particular piece of work. Tho frame is lacquered to i match the deepest shade in the de- j sign and the handles aro white. When ordering the tray get the! woodworker to make a groove on the i frame to hold tho glass. If the glass j

rests flatly on the base there will be no fear of its cracking. If you do not want to use the glass, the work can be preserved with a coating of clear fascmac, which resists damp and prevents the colours from fading. Do try covering a vase with the shell. If it is a good shape you can visualise a lovelv thing with tinted yellow background and a sprawling design of leaves, stein and brilliant flowers over the whole surface. Or perhaps you will do it wooden powder bowl, first tinted with veridian ink with a covering of cobalt ink, working a little fine gold in a drift at the rims. You may then have it like turquoise-matrix. Finish all work with the clear Faseinac unless it is protectod by glass and you want a smart effect.

THE MAKE-UP TRAY The. complete make-up unit has arrived—tray, light and mirror all in one, states a London writer. The tray, about 12in. by 9in., is of chromium fitted with a loose glass plate which accommodates creams, lotions and other items. The loose plate is pictured in neutral shades and will tone with any room and is readily removed for wiping.

A tubo of strip lighting which illumines both features and mirror perfectly, throwing light upwards and outwards, joins the tray to a small mirror. The mirror, though small, is of the magnifying type,- and can be adjusted to any angle. The fitment is plugged in to any point and controlled by a two-way switch in the simple manner of a bedside lamp. It is small, compact and readily moved from one position or room to another. FIVE USES FOR ALUM Alum can be used for mending broken china, glass and so 011. INlelt a little in an old iron spoon and apply to the broken parts. When it has hardened it will hold tho parts together better than glue.

A small piece of alum added to tlio rinegar when pickling will make the pickles crisp. Should you cut your finger, rub a little alum over the affected part. This stops the bleeding immediately. A solution of alum and water will not only clean a ceiling, but will also prevent the whitewash from peeling. Half a teaspoonful of powdered alum dissolved in a tumblerful of tepid water makes an effective gargle for a sore throat.