Archive for October, 2007
A Look at Planting Flower Bulbs
A Look at Planting Flower Bulbs
By Seth Miller
Flowers are a favorite of many backyard gardeners. Thanks to their ease of planting and relatively low cost, flower bulbs are a popular choice for flower gardens. Not only are flower bulbs beautiful, but planting them is a very simple undertaking.
Planting flower bulbs is so easy, in fact, that it s almost foolproof. The most important consideration is timing. Flower bulbs need to be planted when the ground is cool-not too hot and not too cold. It s best to plant them about six weeks before the ground freezes.
The next consideration is location. You ll want to choose a place where the soil drains well-bulbs do not grow well in areas with standing water. Bulbs also need a location that is well lit and sunny.
Make sure that the soil is loose. It does not require any fertilization or special treatment. However, you might want to add compost or peat moss if you re working in a new flowerbed.
The next consideration in planting flower bulbs is purely cosmetic. You ll want to consider the placement of the various flowers. Generally, bulbs should be densely planted-they do not look as nice planted alone or in thin lines. Taller flowers should be planted behind short ones. Consider the finished product as you are planning your flower beds. Think about which color combinations work best together, as well as which varieties of flowers best complement each other.
Once you have determined placement, you are ready to plant. Dig your holes about six to eight inches deep (follow package directions). Place the bulb in the ground with the pointed end facing up. Cover the hole and pack it firmly to release any air holes. Water the ground thoroughly.
As you can see, planting flower bulbs is a fun and easy project. With a little patience and creativity, you can have a beautiful and enjoyable flower bed.
A Look at Fall Flower Bulbs
A Look at Fall Flower BulbsBy Seth Miller
Most people would think of fall as a season when trees are changing colors and dying. For many, the ...
Flower Bulbs: Where to Buy Them From?
Flower Bulbs: Where to Buy Them From?By Robbie Darmona
Growing flowers is more difficult than many people consider it. Basically, that is becau...
Cheap Flower Bulbs
Cheap Flower BulbsBy Seth Miller
For many enthusiasts of horticulture, the cost of pursuing their interest in plants and flowers is a deterring...
Mulch Your Spring Bulbs In The Fall For A Beautiful Spring Display
Mulch Your Spring Bulbs In The Fall For A Beautiful Spring DisplayBy Michael J. McGroarty
Flower bulbs need a good, long, winters sleep. Like ...
Spring Flower Gardening
Spring Flower GardeningBy Linda Jenkinson
Spring is the time when nature and your garden awakes and comes alive after the long winter. That fir...
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Making Polymer Clay Beads - A Fun New Craft Idea the Whole Family Can Enjoy
Making Polymer Clay Beads - A Fun New Craft Idea the Whole Family Can Enjoy
By Jamie Jefferson
With an infinite range of design options available, it s no wonder homemade polymer clay beads are getting so much attention in the crafting world. Suitable for both adults and children (ages 8 and up), working with polymer clay beads can give you a whole new way of having fun with your kids, too.
What are polymer clay beads?
Polymer clay beads are beads fashioned out of polymer clay, which is sometimes known simply as “Fimo.” (Fimo is the brand name for a particular type of this clay, manufactured by Eberhard Faber.)
This polymer clay can be molded into a variety of different creations. Then you simply bake the clay in your home oven to create a hard, durable material that you can drill, slice, sand, and paint to achieve even more creative effects.
Because polymer clay is so easy to work with, it has become a popular way to make your own beads for jewelry making.
Making Polymer Clay Beads
The process of making the beads is simple. Just pinch off a bit of the clay, knead it in your hands and shape it into the form you like.
You can make polymer clay beads in a variety of different shapes, using a variety of techniques and tools. There s no real limit except your imagination, and you can work with the clay over and over again (until it has been baked.)
Molding the clay requires firm pressure, but it keeps its shape well once fixed. It is easiest to work with when it s slightly warm, so if you are having trouble getting it to cooperate, you may want to move to a warmer work area or warm up your hands a bit.
Rounded beads are simplest for the beginner but you can soon learn how to make beads that are square, star shaped, heart shaped or designed to look like tiny animals. Flower shaped beads are also very popular.
To make the beads in different colors, start by choosing from the numerous colors of polymer clay that are commercially available. You can achieve a marbled effect by working with multiple colors at once. Once your creations have been baked, you can paint them with acrylics or even fingernail polish to give them extra gloss and sparkle.
It s easy to make holes in Fimo beads, so you can thread them together into bracelets or necklaces or sew them onto clothes. You can drill holes in the hard beads, once they have been baked. Or you can make holes in the soft clay before you bake your beads.
A toothpick is perfect for piercing holes through Fimo clay once the beads have been shaped. Wiggle the toothpick around to make sure that the sides of the holes are smooth and bits won t fall down to clog them during baking.
You can also use a wooden skewer to make holes in your beads. Carefully push a skewer through the center of your finished bead, being careful not to change its shape. Fill the skewer with beads (being careful that they don t touch each other). Then support the skewer on a baking rack or other oven-proof container so the beads don t change shape during baking. Bake the beads directly on the skewer.
Baking Your Beads
You ll need to bake all your clay creations to make them hard and shiny and to ensure that they keep their shape. You can do this in an ordinary oven on a baking sheet, but follow the instructions on each packet of the product to make sure you get the temperature just right. (If the polymer clay is baked at too high of a temperature, it can emit dangerous gases.) Your beads will be hard and ready to string together into jewelry once the clay is baked and cooled.
Beads
BeadsBy Jason Gluckman
A bead can be used as an ornament on clothing, or to make several other items. It is a small, decorative object that is ...
Creative Crafting For Christmas
Creative Crafting For ChristmasBy Lorna Findlay
The Christmas season is one of the most beautiful times of year, no matter where you live. Why ...
Children Crafts Are Kids Play
Children Crafts Are Kids PlayBy Candice Sabrina
Rainy days and summer vacations always cause mothers and teachers a moment of dismay. How to en...
How Can I Create A Good Frame For My Stained Glass Panel?
How Can I Create A Good Frame For My Stained Glass Panel?By Mike McDonough
Well that is a very good question. You can create some very unique f...
Easter Craft Idea For Kids - How To Make A Chick In a Basket
Easter Craft Idea For Kids - How To Make A Chick In a BasketBy Brandi Clark
(Singing) Here comes Peter Cottontail, hopping down the bunny trail...
Once you have the basics down, experiment with different varieties and brands of polymer clay, each of which has a different level of malleability. You can also get polymer clay in a variety of effects, such as translucent, iridescent, and glow-in-the-dark, to create beads and jewelry that are truly one-of-a-kind.
The author has compiled the latest savings on Fimo and polymer clay here. You can also browse Discount Art Supplies and Discount Craft Supplies and Coupon Codes.
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