How to make an Incense Stick Stand with Terracotta Pot | Matka Agarbatti Stand | Clay Sculpting

Hello Craftopedians! Welcome to DIY Craftopedia. 

I have been in love with this metallic effect on terracotta pottery that I had to make another one. This time, I chose to design this cute Elephant themed matka using Air Dry clay. The sculpting process is really simple. You can do it easily. The metallic painting part is definitely fun! So, let's get started.

Watch this Procedural Video - 

Make a Stunning Vase with Plaster of Paris and an Old Piece of Cloth

Truly, Plaster of Paris is a wonder material. Let's see what exactly it is -

Plaster is a building material used for the protective and/or decorative coating of walls and ceilings and for moulding and casting decorative elements. In English "plaster" usually means a material used for the interiors of buildings, while "render" commonly refers to external applications. Another imprecise term used for the material is stucco, which is also often used for plaster work that is worked in some way to produce relief decoration, rather than flat surfaces.

The most common types of plaster mainly contain either gypsum, lime, or cement, but all work in a similar way. The plaster is manufactured as a dry powder and is mixed with water to form a stiff but workable paste immediately before it is applied to the surface. The reaction with water liberates heat through crystallization and the hydrated plaster then hardens.

Plaster can be relatively easily worked with metal tools or even sandpaper, and can be moulded, either on site or to make pre-formed sections in advance, which are put in place with adhesive. Plaster is not a strong material; it is suitable for finishing, rather than load-bearing, and when thickly applied for decoration may require a hidden supporting framework, usually in metal.

Gypsum plaster, or plaster of Paris, is produced by heating gypsum to about 300 °F (150 °C).

CaSO₄·2H₂O + heat → CaSO₄·0.5H₂O + 1.5H₂O

Procedure - 

1. Mix Plaster Powder with water until you get a thick liquid consistency.
2. Take a square shaped cloth (Of any material, my favorite choice is jute rag as it gives fantastic texture)
3. Dip the cloth in plaster and completely soak it with the mixture.
4. Take a tumbler/bottle and cover it with a plastic sheet.
5. Invert it and put the cloth on it as shown - 

    

      6. Let it dry for 24 hrs 

      7. Remove the hardened vase and paint it with Acrylic/Enamel paints.

Make a Textured Bowl for your Table Top with Plaster of Paris

Making a Plaster of Paris Bowl

Hello Guys, Welcome to DIY Craftopedia!
This is the first time I'm working with Plaster of Paris. It was fun and most importantly, It was economical. The kind of products which we can make with POP is a lot costlier in the shop than the POP packet itself. I have made a Wood Textured Bowl with it.

Materials needed -
- POP (Gypsum Powder) - Two bowls of the same shape but different size - Any old container to mix POP - Crushed plastic sheet. - Water - Spoon to mix. - Newspaper and gloves.

Procedure -

• Mix POP powder and water appropriately until you get a thick consistency.
• Cover the inner surface of bigger bowl with plastic sheet;
• Pour the mixture into the big bowl.
• Press the smaller bowl into the POP mixture.
• Put some heavy stones in the smaller bowl to hold it in place.
• Leave it to dry overnight.
• Remove the smaller bowl and slowly remove the plastic sheet as well.
• Paint the bowl with acrylic/enamel paints.

Procedural Video - 

Crystal Gel Wax Candle | Easy No Heat Required Candle Making

Hello people, Welcome to DIY Craftopedia. Candle making was always one of my favorite Craft Works. Hence, trying out new methods is always exciting. This time, I'm making a Gel Wax Candle.

Melting wax is a difficult job. Especially if you don't have a double boiler.

This chore makes candle making unpopular craft. But, not anymore. This technique is very simple as you won't require any heat.

A small intro about Gel Wax -

Gel wax is a mixture of polymer and mineral oils. As, the name suggests - it is squishy and jelly. Usually, you get transparent material when you buy it. Colors used for it are sold separately. Here are the links for you to buy them from Amazon -

Asian Hobby Crafts Gel wax (500gm) - https://amzn.to/2t1vjzU

Asian Hobby Crafts Gel Wax colours - https://amzn.to/2HUsftN

Other Materials Required - - Glass Tumbler - Candle Wick - Gloves - A Bowl to mix Gel Wax.

Procedure - 

1. Cut a few pieces of gel wax and put them in a container.
2. Put on a pair of gloves and start crushing the gel wax pieces with your hands.
3. Crush them into almost same size.
4. Add few drops of your favorite colour to it and mix again.
5. Take a glass tumbler/container and some crushed gel wax in it. (Add until the height to which you can put the wick.
6. Hold the wick at the middle of the container and add the remaining gel wax in it.
7. Ensure that the wick stays at the middle and press down the gel wax.
8. Add a bit more of colour if required and adjust the wick height. 

Procedural Video - 

The above Amazon links are affiliate. I receive a small commission when you use them with no extra cost to you.

How to make an Ice Cream Sticks Candle Shade | Popsicle Stick Art

Hello People, Welcome to DIY Craftopedia.

We have done many candles in the last posts. Hence, we need a candle shade for them. Isn't it? Ice cream Sticks seems to be the perfect material. For this awesome looking candle stand, all you need are Popsicle Sticks (Ice Cream Sticks) and Glue (I would have preferred Hot Glue Gun, if it didn't produce so much of glue strands!)

Procedure - 

1. Join four Sticks to form a Square.
2. Make as many squares as possible with the Popsicle sticks supply you have.
3. Attach one square on the other having a sight twist in the placement as shown - 

     4. Continue attaching the half of your Frames with increasing angle.

     5. Stack the remaining half of your frames on top of each other without twisting (simply straight as shown)

   
       6. Attach both the spiral half and straight half where the straight half goes at the bottom and spiral comes up.

       7. Leave it to dry. Then light a candle inside.

Procedural Video - 

Pot Painting - Shilpkar Work - Tribal Woman Design

Pot Painting and Decoration | Tribal Woman Mural | Using White M-Seal

Hello Guys! Welcome to DIY Crafts For Home Decor. Shilpkar/White M-Seal is a marvelous product for Pot Decoration. This time, I am using it to make a Mural of Tribal Woman. I have given the pot a dark background because I wanted the mural to get enhanced. I have used acrylic gold for jewelry. You can use screwdrivers and needles for detailing. Materials Used - - Terracotta Pot - Acrylic Paints - Nail Paints (Nail Enamel) - Enamel Paints - Brushes - Shilpkar (White M-Seal)/(Any air drying clay) - Sculpting tools/ Needle - A tub full of warm water.

Learn the basics of Pot Decoration using Shilpkar (Preparing M-Seal) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDArc... Learn the Procedure of Water Painting on Pot using Nail Paints - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCirw... - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SF9Oz... My Other Pot Painting Videos - - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SF9Oz... My Candle Making Videos - - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMj-x... Don't Forget to Like and Share my Videos. If you are new to my channel, do Subscribe as I make videos on Craft Ideas, Painting Techniques and many more.

Marble Painting on Glass Bowls

Swirl Painting on Glassware

Transform boring looking ordinary glassware into stunning swirly painted artworks.

Making A Swan Pot using White M-Seal

Making a Swan Pot

Swirl Painting on Pot - Abstract Designs

Marble Painting on Pot

Materials

• A White painted pot.
• Nail polish/any Enamel paints. (your favorite colors)
• A Tub full of water.
• Tape (Optional)
• Metallic paint (your favorite color)
• Brushes.

Instructions

1. Pour the nail paints on the surface of water in the tub.
2. Blow over the surface to create stunning patterns.
3. Roll the pot on the surface to transfer the design onto the pot.
4. Let it dry
5. Finish the project with metallic paints.

Procedure (Video)

Old is Gold - Ceramic Jars (Jaadis) for Home Decoration

Old Ceramic Jars as Decoration for Interiors and Exteriors

It was Early Summer time, perfect time for mango pickles. My family bought a huge amount of raw mangoes and started preparing the world famous – “Aavakaaya”. The pickle was not supposed to be stored in metallic containers as they might react with metal over a period of time. Since ancient times, many of the south Indian families were using Ceramic Jars called (Jaadis) for storing pickles’.

These double colour beauties mostly in white and brown combination are pride of the kitchen few decades ago. They come in various sizes from huge jaadis for storing pickles for the entire year consumption for those large combined families to small ones to store ghee and curds for daily consumption. These marvellous jaadis come in different shapes but invariably in double colours of brown and white. The standard shape is a tall and cylindrical. They come in the shape of yellow pumpkin called gummadikaya jaadi. 

Well after filling the pickle I was left with one small jaadi. Its, 2 coloured glazing appearance delighted me. It seemed to get back the olden days in our modern home. I decided that it would bring a perfect mixture of olden and modern day’s cultural ambience. And so, I searched for more such containers and decorated my table like this –

 

 Bigger jars could be use as planters also. But my small, cute jar was perfect for 2 stems of healthy money plant in water. They bought elegance to my table. I’m still constantly searching for some more such jaadis or old containers for my house. Then what are you waiting for??? Grab such ceramics from you attics or buy some (they really Inexpensive) and adorn you home with these antiques. 

Your garden can just have such jars standing on a stone table. Or you can fix a fountain in it. They possibilities are endless !!!

Having a Pond in a Container - Balcony Decoration

Making Your Own Apartment Pond

 

 Do you love the idea of a pond, but don't have an actual yard to place one in? No fear — you can cultivate a mini watery paradise on your balcony or terrace with very little effort by creating a container water garden. By selecting a variety of plants and containers, you can create a customized water garden in any outdoor space that receives six hours of sunlight every day (a little bit less if you are using bog plants).

Small-container water gardens are actually a collection of submerged potted plants, which makes them easy to set up and to rearrange at will. You can use just about any container to start your water garden, but pots with dark interiors give an impression of greater depth, discourage algae growth, and make algae less obvious when it does grow. Best of all, most water plants are tough so the garden is low maintenance, and even those of us with a black thumb have a chance because they are generally hard to kill.

Once you have chosen your display container, use bricks or overturned containers submerged below the surface of the water to allow you to vary the height of your plants to create a lovely landscape. Your local nursery can help with selecting water plants- consider varying tall grasses with cascading plants for interest, and definitely select a couple of water flowers for colour. Top up the water in your container every couple of days depending on the rate of evaporation- if you are using city tap water, let it sit first for 48 hours to allow the chlorine to evaporate, or pick up special tablets at the nursery to remove the chlorine. You can plant Lotus or Water lily to enhance the look of your pond.  

Indoor Plant Benefits - Green Decoration

5 Benefits of Houseplants

When you embellish interior spaces with houseplants, you’re not just adding greenery. These living organisms interact with your body, mind and home in ways that enhance the quality of life. Having living plants around will make you come closer to Mother Nature.

 Breathing Easier

When you breathe, your body takes in oxygen and releases carbon dioxide. During photosynthesis, plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. This opposite pattern of gas use makes plants and people natural partners. Adding plants to interior spaces can increase oxygen levels.

At night, photosynthesis ceases, and plants typically respire like humans, absorbing oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide. A few plants – orchids, succulents and epiphytic bromeliads – do just the opposite, taking in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. Place these plants in bedrooms to refresh air during the night. Careful – do not place too many plants in Bedroom.

Releasing Water

As part of the photosynthetic and respiratory processes, plants release moisture vapour, which increases humidity of the air around them. Plants release roughly 97 percent of the water they take in. Place several plants together, and you can increase the humidity of a room, which helps keeps respiratory distresses at bay. Many studies proved that such humidity helps to cool down the room temperature and reduce cough.

Purifying Air

Plants remove toxins from air – up to 87 percent of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) every 24 hours, according to NASA research. VOCs include substances like formaldehyde (present in rugs, vinyl, and cigarette smoke and grocery bags), benzene and trichloroethylene (found in man-made fibres, inks, solvents and paint). Modern climate-controlled, air-tight buildings trap VOCs inside. The NASA research discovered that plants purify that trapped air by pulling contaminants into soil, where root zone microorganisms convert VOCs into food for the plant.

Improving Health

Adding plants to hospital rooms speeds recovery rates of surgical patients, according to researchers at Kansas State University. Compared to patients in rooms without plants, patients in rooms with plants request less pain medication, have lower heart rates and blood pressure, experience less fatigue and anxiety, and are released from the hospital sooner.

How Many Plants?

The recommendations vary based on your goals.

• To improve health and reduce fatigue and stress, place one large plant (8-inch diameter pot or larger) every 129 square feet. In office or classroom settings, position plants so each person has greenery in view.

• To purify air, use 15 to 18 plants in 6- to 8-inch diameter pots for a 1,800-square-foot house. That’s roughly one larger plant every 100 square feet. Achieve similar results with two smaller plants (4- to 5-inch pots).

Gardening - Balcony Decoration - Petunias

Petunia Seed Propagation: 

How To Start Petunias From Seeds

Petunias are so reliable and have such a wide variety of uses that it’s no wonder it’s one of the most popular garden flowers today. It’s simple to buy a couple of petunia seedlings to fill one planter, but for mass plantings and garden edging, growing petunias from seed is the way to go.

You’ll save money because of the sheer number of plants you need, plus you’ll have a much wider range of flowers to choose from.
Garden centers only carry a few varieties already sprouted and growing, but you can find petunia flower seeds for different sized plants, in almost every color of the rainbow.

Starting Petunia Seed Plants

The most important point to remember when learning how to start petunias from seeds is that these are summer, heat-loving plants. It does them no good to plant them early in the garden, as they’ll just sit and sulk or rot. In order to get these seedlings to planting size at the right time, you need to start them indoors at least 10 weeks before planting time. In the north, this is around the first week of March, and will be even earlier in more southern states.
Although petunias are tough and resilient in the garden, they can be very delicate in the first weeks of life. Start out with a dedicated seed-starting soil mix and new or sterilized planting trays. Of course, you can also start them in eggshells for easier transplanting later.

Sprinkle the tiny seeds on top of the mix and gently moisten them with a spray bottle. Cover the tray with plastic wrap to retain moisture and place it in a bright place out of direct sunlight that averages around 75 F. (24 C.).

Remove the plastic wrap once the seeds sprout and place the trays under lights in a cooler spot, around 65 F. (18 C.) during the day. Keep the lights about 6 inches above the tops of the plants. Use water-soluble fertilizer once every two weeks, and water the plants when the soil dries out.
Transplant the seedlings into individual pots once they develop two or three true leaves. Lift out individual plants with a wooden stick or butter knife, and transplant them into potting soil. Keep the soil moist but well-drained, and return them to under the lights until it’s time to plant them outside.

Pictures of  my growing petunia plants

Well, I got my first flower after 3 months of sowing the seed. The trick is - Petunias need -  Lots of sunlight and adequate amount of water and --------- lots of love !!!

After a month -

Pottery for Home Decor

Let’s Paint Pots for Home Decor and ......... some Creativity !!!

From India to Netherlands, from Egypt to Japan, Pottery and pot paintings had a deed relation with home decoration. Having richly crafted Crafts pottery would enhance the classic look of any house. The ancient ‘Pietra dura’ floral designs would give a traditional appearance while Abstract patterns provide a modern arena to your pots. Thus, for people looking for a hobby which is economical and which would improve the look of your interiors is – Pot Painting.

Painting pots and decorating your home with them, gives an artistic relaxation. It would be a perfect leisure activity for all age groups. The Icing on the cake is that, it is highly cost efficient. That is – You can purchase an earthen pot for 0.5 dollars, paints and brushes for 2 dollars and other materials for another 1 dollar. Maximum cost for a perfect designer pot would be – 4 dollars. The Fact is that, In most of the novelty shops, the price of such designer pot may range from 5 – 7 dollars. So, isn’t it a cost efficient Craft hobby for you? Yes it is.

Look at some of my creations –

Aren’t they Delightful?

And believe me when I say – that I made all those 3 pot for 3$ only! Yes, only for 3$ (almost Rs. 200/-). I’m sure that it may take 5-6 dollars to purchase those kinds of designer pots from shops. Then, what are we waiting for? Lets get Started –

Making Abstract Designs on a pot using enamel paints -  

Paints such as enamel, glass paints and oil paints are not soluble in water. That is, they will float on water. Using this character of enamel paints can produce awesome design on water surface which could be transferred to the pot. This post will teach you how to do that technique to get a fantastic abstract pot for home decor.

You need - 

• A pot (Painted with white acrylic/enamel paint)
• Enamel Paints (at least 2 colors)
• A Tub full of water. (The diameter of the tub should be slightly greater that the height of the pot.)
• A Stick (To make patterns on water)
• Gloves (optional)
• Newspapers (To avoid mess).

Procedure - 

Fill the tub with water. Pour 2-3 colors of enamel paint in the water. (you will notice that the enamel paint will float on top on the water surface).Take a Stick and stir the surface of water to get abstract patterns of Enamel colors. Then take the pot and hold it on the water surface. Then slowly rotate it on the water surface to transfer the design onto the pot. If some part on the pot is left without design, pour some more paint into the tub and repeat the process until the pot is covered. Then let it dry for 48 hours.

Click here to view the Video on this Pot Painting -