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13. LET'S MAKE OUR OWN

What do you need in your workshop ? - What can you make in your workshop ?

The Workshop

From the unhandiest to the most skilled of us, we all like to try our hand at "making something." Every home probably has a tool box, why not enlarge it? Get a few more accessories which would turn it into a work shop.

Some of the miscellaneous items to have around would be tempera and lacquer paints, clear lacquer, brushes, hammer, nails, sand paper, a small saw, scraps of board, a hand drill, string, cord, and anything else you can dig up in the attic or basement.

The following projects will give you many hours of enjoyment. They're easy.  Just take your time and follow instructions.

The author hopes that this variety of ideas will open the door for you to further experiments in your work shop.

A Mat of Branches Figure 78

This is a method of creating two different styles of rustic mats to be used as bases for your ceramic containers. They may also be em­ployed as container and base combinations for fruit or vegetable ar­rangements.

A - Mark off about one foot of a straight branch. You will need from fifteen to twenty five branches, depending upon their width. Do not use wood which is damp or has started to decompose.

B - Cut where marked.

C - Whittle off rough edges as smoothly as possible.

D - Sandpaper for an even finish.

E - Leather stripping is very effective as a binder. If this is not availa­ble raffia will serve as an equally strong and colorful binding. Weave as illustrated in B 1, and B 2, being careful to keep an even distance between branches.

F - Example of completed mat. End it off by backweaving through two or three branches and knotting between the last two on the under side.

A.                                B.

Figure 78.  A Mat of Branches

G - Another method of securing the branches to each other is to spread the binder across as shown and tie in between each branch with a thinner strip of the same material, perhaps of a contrasting color.

H - Completed mat.

Make Your Own Flower Holder Figure 79

A - Cut a block of the size needed for the intended container. Mark off area to be cut out.

B - Saw on marking.

C - Block as it should look after the area has been cut out.

D - Hammer four nails across as illustrated, leaving the heads pro­truding slightly.

E - Wind a piece of number nineteen or eighteen gauge wire around the head of each nail and stretch across open area. After the four wires are thus secured, hammer the nails in as far as they will go.

F - Turn over the holder and repeat process E.

G - Holder in container. Modeling clay may be used to secure the holder to the container.

Cardboard Stem Holder Figure 80

This holder is for a grouping of thin stemmed plant materials.

A - Sheet of heavy cardboard (shirt cardboard) of the required size.

Figure 78.   A Mat of Branches

Figure 79.   Make Your Own Flower Holder

B - Roll cardboard with the grain and secure with staples. Pierce type paper clip6 or glue will also serve as a securing medium. If using glue, tie a string around both ends to insure sticking. The board must not be rolled against the grain. If it is it will crack. Pressing the cardboard gently over the straight edge of a table will assist easy rolling.

C - Cover inside and out with two generous coatings of clear laquer, allowing the first coating to dry before applying the second. The inside is easily covered by placing the cylinder in a bowl and pour­ing the lacquer into it with gentle rotations.

D - The stem holder is placed on the frog, wherever desired. Make several of these handy items at a time. They're always useful in flower arrangement.

Oriental Lamp Figure 81

A - Cross section of bamboo pole on natural wood platform, showing wiring of the lamp.

B - Close view of socket insertion.

C - Boat made of hollowed out end of bamboo stump.

D - Line drawing of lamp with added lampshade, boat, base, rope and netting.

E - Completed Oriental setting with fish net and arrangement of pink anthurium. Note that the blossoms do not all face in one direction, thus avoiding a stilted and shallow look.

Figure 80.   Cardboard Stem Holder

Salad Bowl Dish Garden Figure 82

A - Paint inside of wooden salad bowl with linseed oil. Decorate bowl with tempera paints and cover with clear lacquer. Allow to dry hours.   Drain drilled at bottom of container.

B - Bowl ready for planting.

C - Salad bowl dish garden.

Bamboo containers Figure 83

A variety of these bamboo vases will be a welcome addition to your container collection.

A - Cut bamboo above and below knee sections.

B - Trace area which is to be cut out.

C - Bamboo container with double opening.

D - Tall vertical container with a simple arrangement.

E - Double opening with a base of natural wood. An ideal container with which to practice Japanese arrangements. You may make as many openings as you like.

F - Horizontal container with double opening and a more complex ar­rangement. This can easily be shaped into a bamboo boat for hang­ing arrangements.

Gourd Containers Figure 84

A - Pear shaped container carved out of large gourd. The upper area may also be cut off to create an open container.

B - Crescent shaped gourd container for hanging or wall plaque ar­rangements.   Ideal for viny plants.

Hanging Basket Figure 85

A - Bore uneven amount of holes around square cutting of plywood. (Round, oval or rectangular base will determine the shape of the basket.)

Figure 81

Oriental Lamp

B.

Figure 82.   Salad Bowl Dish Garden

B - Place number four basket reeds into holes as illustrated.

C - Weave raffia or thinner basket reed in and out in a simple weav­ing stitch.

D - Half section of finished basket showing inside water container and flower holder.

E - Completed arrangement suspended by pot hook made of crossed bamboo poles. Japanese scroll at the upper right creates an Oriental atmosphere.

Natural Wood Container Figure 86

Here is an excellent home for your dried plant materials. The woodlands are filled with branches of all shapes and sizes for you to turn into natural wood containers.

A - Mark off area intended for vase. B - Saw off branches where marked. C - Ready for hollowing.

D - Hollow out areas to hold plant material with a hammer and chisel.

E - A crisp arrangement of sea grape leaves, seed pods from the royal poincianna, and Japanese lanterns.

If you wish to use fresh flowers place a water container in the hol­lowed openings.

Make a Flower Basket Figure 87

A - Form the base of basket by interweaving flat canes as illustrated.

B - Dampen canes before bending. This will keep them flexible. Do not allow the canes to dry while weaving; they will become brittle and crack. It is best to keep your supply of cane in a pail of water while working.

C - Start weaving sides in and out from the bottom up.

A.

Figure 84.   Gourd Containers

D - Curve ends after the basket is completed, and insert them into the stitch below the edge.

E - Weave thin, flat cane over a thick rope to form the handle. Leave the canes ends on the handle about six inches long.  Weave these ends into each side of the basket to secure the handle.

F - Finished basket ready for flower arrangement.

G -Place water container in basket  and arrange  your  flowers   and foliage.

Bamboo Disguise Figure 88

Here is a way to add interest to that too plain rectangular container.

A – Container

B - Cut sections of bamboo as illustrated; making them slightly higher than the edge of the container.

C - Drill two holes through each section of bamboo.

D - Knot wire and draw through holes to secure sections to each other.

E - Partially completed bamboo disguise.

F - Ready for the arrangement.

G - Hibiscus and  pittosporum   complete a tropical setting in a now beautifully textured container.

H - Line and form diagram of arrangement.

Italian Flower Tree Figure 89

A - Waxpaper tied sphagnum moss ball at the top of a bamboo pole which is inserted into a sand filled container.

B - Foliage foundation of huckleberry.

C - Chrysanthemums complete the Italian flower tree.

You may choose any large blossoms for this purpose.   Decorate with these trees at out door weddings, garden parties, etc.

Figure 85.   Hanging Basket

Figure 86.   Natural Wood Container

A Column of Philadendron Figure 90

A - Wooden Butter Pail.

B - Stick covered with sphagnum moss and tied with string.

C - Place stick in pail of soil.

D - Plant the Philadendron and train it to grow over the stick as is shown in the illustration.

Orchids in water filled  glass   vials may be added for color on special occasions.   Paint the container any color desired.

Roses in the Wind Figure 91

Dramatic accent for a mystic atmosphere.

A - Secure the selected manzanita branches with wire or heavy cord.

B - Form a cardboard collar.

C - Place collar in container.

D - Pour plaster into collar.

E - Set branches in plaster.   Allow to dry thoroughly without moving them.

F - An example of a twenty four hour arrangement.

Add roses and foliage by wiring them to the branches.   Sprinkle with water to keep them dewy.   Other hardy flowers can be used.

Happy Corsage Bow Figure 92

Follow these seven easy steps to a crisp corsage bow. Do exactly what each illustration does and you can't go wrong. About a yard and a quarter of ribbon will do. Experiment with the loops before secur­ing them.   It takes practice to achieve uniformity.

Sunray Bow Figure 93

Now try this simple project.

Spice Shelf Figure 94

We all have access to many interesting types of jelly, jam and pickle jars. Here is a way to put them to good use and have fun at the same time.   Create this handy little nook for spices.

1          - Ordinary glass jar with cover.   It is important that all your jars be of one size and shape.

2          - Designs traced from magazines or other sources on slips of paper.

Look for floral patterns.

3          - Place the design on the slip of paper inside the jar, and trace it with a soft pencil.   Repeat part of the design on the cover.

Flower Basket

Figure 88.   Hibiscus and Bamboo

Figure 90.   A Column of Philodendron

Figure 91.   Roses in the Wind

Figure 94.

4          - Color in the design with lacquer paint. Choose colors to blend and contrast with those in your kitchen. If lacquer paints are not availa­ble, use tempera and (when dry) cover with two coats of clear lac­quer; waiting for the first coat to dry before applying the second.

5          - Shelf simply constructed of plywood and left its natural color or painted as desired.

Here is a bright, welcome addition to any kitchen wall.

Figure 94.   Spice Shelf

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