Slip is often used in decoration. It may be left the natural color of the clay body from which it is made, or it may be colored with oxides. It is applied to wet or soft leather-hard greenware. Slip may also be used for casting clay in plaster molds. Casting slip almost always has added ingredients to keep it in a uniformly consistent suspension until dried. Slip as Glue for Scoring and Slipping Slip can be made from scraps from your clay body....

When’s the Right Time to Teach? Some children learn to knit around age five or six, but many kids don’t have the necessary hand-eye coordination (or attention span) until they’re a few years older. Knowing the child you’re working with plays a big part in the teaching process. If they’re engaged when they see you knitting and express interest in learning, it’s time, no matter their age (though they may still have trouble with their fine motor skills)....

When potters talk about ceramic firing ranges, they are usually referring to the three most common: low-fire, mid-range, and high-fire ranges. In regards to glazes, we need to add two other ranges: very low-fire and lower mid-range firing ranges. Low-fired ware can present some difficulties, including the clay body may remain overly porouslow-fire glaze colors can appear rather harsh and raw-lookingthe high percentage of flux or stronger-acting fluxes used can result in a softer, less durable glaze, andmany of the traditional glaze materials used in this range are quite toxic in their raw state....

Some guys have all the luck, and some make their luck by creating the opportunity to be lucky. Teenage collector Kenneth S. Wing of Long Beach, California, created one of his most significant opportunities in the early 1940s. He decided to start checking the dates of all of the pennies he came across in pocket change to see if he could build a complete collection of Lincoln Cents. Wing was ardent in his searching, even going to the extreme length of asking his parents to get rolls of pennies from the bank so he could search them....

In Crokinole, there are two or four players in partnerships. The goal is to be the first team to reach 100 points. The Crokinole Board The Swampfox board designed by Carl and Stan Hilinski is a great example of a Crokinole board. The hole in the middle is the “20 Hole.” Players earn 20 points for getting a disc into this hole. Several inches outside the 20 Hole are the posts or pegs....

Choosing Your Paint There are two main paint types to consider when starting a model project: acrylic and oil/enamel. When selecting paint for your next miniature, consider these points before you begin your project: Object handling: If the model will be touched often, it should be painted with enamel/oil paint. Acrylic paint will need special sealers to allow for repeated handling.Object airflow: Because acrylic paint expands and contracts, it works best on porous materials where air passes freely through the object....

The United States Mint website is a one-stop-shop to learn more about United States coins and purchase them. The site is divided into three basic categories: shopping, history/learning, and news. The shopping section covers all of the currently available mint products. Usually, you can only purchase coins and medals presently being produced at the mint. If there are some unsold products from a year or two ago, those still may be available for sale....

Obviously, the prototype doesn’t measure in inches, but the same principles apply. In typical railroad applications, most yards use No. 8 or larger switches. Mainline crossovers might be as large as a No. 22. Few people have this type of room on their layout, but their trains are also much more forgiving. Most switches are not a consistent curve radius. There are exceptions to this, however. Especially in O Gauge, switches which correspond to the popular curve sections (O-48, O-36, etc....

Sure, you have to stand in line to get in for the first shot at the deals, and haggling for a better price isn’t quite as easy as garage sale shopping. But estate sales offer the potential for finding lots of great stuff you can either use in your home or sell for a profit. Buying for your own use is easy, basically choosing what you like to compliment your décor....

The highly embellished furniture decorating rooms of this period often featured whimsical themes incorporating asymmetry, curves, and gold finishes—these are true Rococo pieces. This grand style is most often associated with the reign of Louis XV, moving into that of Louis XVI. It was supplanted by the more subdued Neoclassic style as its popularity waned. The Birth and Development of Rococo Revival Most pieces of Rococo furniture seen today, whether in antique stores or at auction, are actually Rococo Revival pieces dating to the mid-1800s....

Importance in Ceramics Leather hard and indeed the entire drying process is one of the most important steps of ceramics and if you don’t carry it out in the correct way then it can lead to your wares cracking. Clay has chemically bonded water in it which will cause it to slake down (disintegrate) when a dried clay object is put in water. Once heated (fired) to between 660 F and 1470 F (350 C and 800 C), the clay is converted to ceramic and will never dissolve again....

The answer most dealers will give you? Everywhere. So if you’re thinking you might want to start a part-time antique business or develop a sideline selling collectibles to supplement your retirement income, be prepared to work hard finding quality merchandise to buy at prices reasonable enough to turn a profit. These are some of the venues where you’ll compete with others to find the goods required to replenish your inventory and make some decent money:...

Numismatists use a variety of terms to describe coins to other collectors and dealers. It is essential to understand these terms as you begin your coin collecting journey. Failure to do so could result in purchasing a coin that is below your expectations. History of Coin Production In early times coins were made by taking to harden pieces of metal with incuse designs engraved on them to make the coin....

Options for Oscillating Spindle Sanders Some oscillating spindle sanders have a rather small table, whereas others have a larger table with the ability to angle the forward portion of the table up to 45-degrees, allowing for edge sanding of beveled boards. These larger table tops also may have a miter slot, allowing the operator to consistently sand the ends of mitered boards. Table-top models typically have a 1/3 to 1/2 horsepower motor, whereas floor-standing sanders may have as much as a 1 horsepower motor, which can power larger spindles (both in diameter and length)....

Cotton Yarn Cotton yarn is the top choice for making potholders for the following reasons: Cotton yarn won’t melt. This is the most important thing to consider when choosing yarn for making potholders. You will be putting hot pans on this item; you need it to be made from a material that will not melt.Cotton yarn is easy to clean. Your potholders obviously get dirty pretty quickly. You want to be able to use them, wash them and use them again....

Most include printable patterns to work with, but a few show you how to draft your own sewing pattern based on measurements or existing pieces of clothing. And as you visit these designers, be sure to look around at each site. You may just find a few more patterns that you want to sew next. Easy-Sew Maxi Dress Tutorial from​ Sewing Rabbit Note: Although this is a free pattern, you do need to join Caroline Hulse’s newsletter to access it....