Calllllling all junkers! LOL

ok_nurse · #16 07-20-2008, 08:53 PM

Wow Deb-that really reminds me of boating in Michigan when I was young. I used to have a ceramic seagull pair and baby that would look great on that post. I used to collect the gulls, until my kids kept touching them and eventually broke them all-accidentally of course (and the tears always came-how do you get mad?) Seagulls always make me homesick. Really love those posts. If I was going to be staying in the states-I think I'd steal your idea. It sure brought up memories looking at the picture. Good job.

**jdkline** · #17 07-20-2008, 09:10 PM

Thanks Donna and now I"m gonna steal your idea, when I make mine, I"m gonna put sea gulls on them. I never thought of that before, dont know why.

When I make them I'll put up a pic.
Deb

ok_nurse · #18 07-20-2008, 10:39 PM

You're gonna make me cry! (It will be a warm cry though!) I love boating in Michigan. The canals off the Huron and St Clair rivers where everyone pays more attention to the canal side of their home than the road side-its just awesome. People always wave and the homes are so attractive and lush with living decor. I'm thinking of hauling our 17 foot boat with us when we visit in August but the Ozark mountains are a little steep for the 4 cylinder Jeep to tug it over. Don't want transmission problems in the Jeep. Sure do miss the "real" lakes though-we only have puddles down here!

angmf2233 · #19 07-20-2008, 10:43 PM

Not only is this the best garden site, we have the food network, now the craft section, what more can we ask for? Are we just the best bunch you wanna talk to? I say yes. You all rock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Keep on postin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

angmf2233 · #20 07-21-2008, 12:17 AM

Us gardeners are outsiders right, so even at night when I can't garden I enjoy hanging out on my outdoor porch, and I have to have lights ,candles,torches. My honey even put a nice shelf on our post to put are small flat tv to watch. Anyway years ago my mother had a nice hanging macrame, with a sand candle in it? I have melted down my old candles and made plain small ones, but never a sand candle? Any help please.

angmf2233 · #21 07-21-2008, 08:02 AM

Like I say sometimes things work, then again sometimes we have to revise our plan. I had placed my glass fixture on top of an old windchime , the metal ringer and thought I had it secured, hate to say this but even used the secret "DUCT TAPE" a little. Came home from work last night darn glass piece wasn't that secure I guess, we had a slight storm and my little spidy plant was on the ground the glass piece was not secure enough.Will try to rerig something. Thats OK my poppop taught me how to rig stuff the old way, use whatever ya got, may not be legal but will work!

**zuzu's petals** · #22 07-21-2008, 10:22 AM

Originally Posted by angmf2233

:

Us gardeners are outsiders right, so even at night when I can't garden I enjoy hanging out on my outdoor porch, and I have to have lights ,candles,torches. My honey even put a nice shelf on our post to put are small flat tv to watch. Anyway years ago my mother had a nice hanging macrame, with a sand candle in it? I have melted down my old candles and made plain small ones, but never a sand candle? Any help please.

I made lots of sand candles, back in my mis-spent youth.

Made the macrame hangers and all, just like the one your mom had, I guess.

Very simple project - especially since I figure you already know how to set wicks,
as you've been making plain candles.

Just put some clean sand into a container with drain holes
(I used to use a bucket with some small holes punched in the bottom).
Spray in enough water to dampen the sand, the drain holes will let the water run off.
The dryer you leave the sand, the more of it will stick to the wax, forming the outer "shell",
but the dampness is necessary to help the sand hold the shape that you create

... it is a trial and error thing at first.

Pack the damp sand firmly and create a hollow space in the middle,
to contain the melted wax.
For a very simple candle, you can just press the bottom of a bowl into the sand.

Anchor the wick(s) in place -
when I made bowl-shaped candles, I generally used 3 wicks placed in a triangle.

Then just melt and pour the wax into your sand "mold" -
** pour it in very slowly and gently so that you don't disturb the shape of the hollow you created.
Don't remove the candle from the mold until it has had time to harden completely.

Hope that helps.

Sorry the storm brought down your decorations.

angmf2233 · #23 07-21-2008, 01:10 PM

Now I guess I will have another project to try. What did you use for scents, the craft store bought stuff or what? I like my stuff to smell good? Any ideas on this? Thanks so much.

**gardeningmom** · #24 07-21-2008, 03:06 PM

Originally Posted by zuzu's petals

:

I made lots of sand candles, back in my mis-spent youth.

Made the macrame hangers and all, just like the one your mom had, I guess.

Very simple project - especially since I figure you already know how to set wicks,
as you've been making plain candles.

Just put some clean sand into a container with drain holes
(I used to use a bucket with some small holes punched in the bottom).
Spray in enough water to dampen the sand, the drain holes will let the water run off.
The dryer you leave the sand, the more of it will stick to the wax, forming the outer "shell",
but the dampness is necessary to help the sand hold the shape that you create

... it is a trial and error thing at first.

Pack the damp sand firmly and create a hollow space in the middle,
to contain the melted wax.
For a very simple candle, you can just press the bottom of a bowl into the sand.

Anchor the wick(s) in place -
when I made bowl-shaped candles, I generally used 3 wicks placed in a triangle.

Then just melt and pour the wax into your sand "mold" -
** pour it in very slowly and gently so that you don't disturb the shape of the hollow you created.
Don't remove the candle from the mold until it has had time to harden completely.

Hope that helps.

Sorry the storm brought down your decorations.

If this doesn't bring back the memories! I had completely forgotten sand candles and macrame hangers - they were many summer projects.

**zuzu's petals** · #25 07-21-2008, 05:48 PM

Originally Posted by angmf2233

:

What did you use for scents, the craft store bought stuff or what? I like my stuff to smell good? Any ideas on this? Thanks so much.

You're so very welcome, I think you'll find this a really fun project,
and they make great gifts, too

I never did add any additional scent to the candles I made back then
this was in the 70's, I was a struggling hippie-chick back then

so I couildn't afford any "fancy" supplies,
I just melted down the cheapest discount candles that I could find to make them over into funky sand candles.

I think it would be safest to use the products specifically designed for adding scent to candles,
I remember reading once about candles that sputtered and spit hot wax
because someone had added a bit of perfume to try to scent them.

Originally Posted by gardeningmom

:

If this doesn't bring back the memories! I had completely forgotten sand candles and macrame hangers - they were many summer projects.

Fun times, eh G'mom?

angmf2233 · #26 07-21-2008, 05:55 PM

Guess you had lava lamps, and a VW also? HaHa I also was a hippie in late seventies. Peace signs?

angmf2233 · #27 07-21-2008, 08:32 PM

Hi hey for your outdoor balls you silicone tiles or mirror, then use what type of grout? does it matter? Then I see where you say about sealant what is that? I have the ball, silicone,some grout, tile nippers, need to break an old mirror or get one at thrift shop and I am ready. What are those stands you have?

**jdkline** · #28 07-21-2008, 08:43 PM

The kind of grout I have is called Keracolor. It comes in different colors. Mix a little at a time because if you mix up too much it will dry before you can use it all up. It just mixes with water. The package will tell you how much water to add. But just small amounts. The same place that you got the grout from you should be able to get some kind of sealer for the grout. You can get a small applicator to put it only on the grout. The stands I got for 50 and 75 cents at good will and salvation army. Any junk shop should have some. If you have any more questions just ask. I will try to answer them.
Good luck!!
Deb
PS Show us pics!!!!!!

**jdkline** · #29 07-21-2008, 08:50 PM

You will also need a sponge to wipe the grout off with. You put the grout on then let it dry about `10 minutes. Take a damp sponge and wipe the grout off of the tiles or mirrored pieces. I just took it and wiped the whole ball off. Dunk it in water to clean the sponge a bit, then wipe the ball again. Keep doing this until all of the extra grout is off of the tiles or mirror. You can leave a little film on and wipe that off with a rag or paper towel. And a little extra advice, dont pour any water that contains grout down your drain. You dont want that stuff going down your drain and drying in there and clogging your sink.
Deb