Last weekend I picked up some beautiful, sweet smelling beeswax from our local beekeeper at the farmers market. I had many projects in thought for this beeswax but one in particular that I just couldn't wait to do. That was my first mistake, not waiting to think the project out...
I found this cookie mold (at least I think that's what it is) at the thrift store when we first moved here and thought it would make the perfect beeswax impression to hang in our window for the winter. I just could not wait to get my hands on some beeswax to make it. Well, once I got the beeswax I literally ran home and started melting it to pour into the mold. As you may have noticed the mold is ceramic which makes getting the beeswax out tricky, to say the least. So here's brilliant idea number 1: I thought to make the boiling hot beeswax not stick, I'd just put saran wrap over the mold. Yeah, like I said brilliant idea. So of course a soon as one drop of the hot beeswax touched the saran wrap, it melted it. Realizing I did not think that through at all, I took off the saran wrap, paused for a moment to consider waiting until I figured out how to make it not stick, then carelessly proceeded to put the beeswax into the mold. That was my second brilliant idea for the day.
Looks great, doesn't it? I thought so, too. But of course as expected once the beeswax hardened it was stuck like glue. I ended up sticking the mold in the oven and remelting the beeswax to pour it out of the mold. Now, I have a mold with beeswax residue that I can't get off. *sigh* What on earth was I thinking?! All I can do is plea temporary insanity and put my beeswax projects on hold until I regroup. Back to knitting!
C's Lyala Hoodie preparation
Since you are all so amazing with your ideas and help I thought I would throw another dilemma out there for you...
I want to find a desk similar to Amanda Soule's wonderful studio desk (the long thin desk with her sewing machine and computer on it). I honestly don't care what it looks like, just that it is long and thin like that so I can have all my projects on it at once. I was thinking even a folding table might work but I am afraid of that not being sturdy enough. I have tried looking at our local thrift stores and on craigslist but I honestly don't even know how to search for it. Is it a desk or a table?
What do you think?
Lastly, to make up for my 'what was I thinking' moment I did at least finish up a Christmas present. Can't say for who, though ;)
Happy creating!
28 comments:
I use a "console table" for my computer station...one of the high coffee tables meant to go behind a couch in an open concept room. It's just the depth of my printer and not very long, but it is great in a small space...exactly the depth of my printer.
Well...the molded beeswax was a wonderful idea! What about oiling the mold? The yarn is lovely too. :)
I think Ikea might have a desk like that.
Hello!
Thanks for sharing! I was wondering if you greased the mold with a little vegetable oil before pouring the wax in if that would enable it it "slide" right out? Just a thought. I love the yarn you'll use for the hoodie...what kind is it?
As for the table...I can only dream of a house big enough to have a room for it! sigh....I'd use a folding table to start with & keep looking at yardsales etc.
Good luck & happy fall!
Kimberley
Oh, sorry about the beeswax project! I can relate to ones like those. :)
But the snowman is just so cute. I am planning on making some of those too.
I think that the table looks like the long "L" of a modern office desk. And actually, looking at the legs, it might be two? I would look under table, since you're looking for something with no drawers. Good luck!
Peace,
Carrie
I love the little house though! We use a spray first to spray in our molds. We picked it up at the place we order our beekeeping equipment. I will have to find it and let you know what it is. Love the snowman though!
I think Pam or a similar pan release spray is what you would use for the mold. I've used silicone molds for beeswax before, and they are flexible so they release with a twist. You also may want to designate a special pan for melting wax only, because it will never really come clean. Give it another try ;o)
Sorry about the beeswax project, how frustrating. I'm making the same hoody for my little one, I hope she wears it, she's not a big fan of hats
Flea markets and antique shops would be good places to look as well. Sometimes it takes months of searching to find just the right one ;) Then once you find it, it's like a long-awaited friend ;)
What about putting the mold in the freezer for 10 minutes? It should release the beeswax impression.
I was thinking it looks IKEAish too. We used a wood door I got off freecycle and built legs to put it on out of some 2x4s. Not beautiful, but a great work space. Thanks for sharing the goof on the beeswax. It sounds like a great idea even if it didn't work. ;-)
The first picture of the wax is pretty!
I have a tip that might help you:
wax shrinks when you freeze it.
This is what I would suggest.
As for the table, I think Amanda's came from IKEA.
Heee! Sorry about the mishap, but I am giggling and am sending you kudos for posting about it! I've had my fair share of beeswax trials and many errors, but have never photographed them.
That table is lovely, I've checked my craigslist under "farm table" and "rustic" and have come up with items like that. Good luck, can't wait to see photos of your studio! xoxo, M
It would be a bit more of a permanent option than you might want, but I have a friend's husband that took a long, thick board and attached it to the wall with L-brackets. He bought wooden legs from Home Depot and screwed them into the board where needed to support the front of it, finished it all off nicely and made it into a great desk area for her to use to homeschool her kids. She has two seperate computer areas and bulletin boards on the wall above it - it looks really nice. You might consider something like that to use as a work area.
I recognize her red rolling chair, as I have a blue one. It's from Ikea. I suspect the table is, too. Her choice of wall color really "makes" the room.
i am planning on pouring some beeswax soon. i will be thinking of you. hopefully, i'll get some sleep the night before:) very cute snowman.
had me laughing over here lady. thanks for sharing.
i'm with simple mama...the freezer might do the trick. let us know :).
good luck on your table search. i am sure your perfect table is out there just waiting for you to find it.
c's hoodie yarn, yummy!
peace,
hillary
Thanks for sharing your crafting mishap! I had one the other day that resulted in a ruined ironing board...no one knows about it though! It is refreshing to hear of other's minor crafting mishaps!
i haven't read through all the replies, but amanda got that desk (it is actually 2 tables side by side) at IKEA. i recognize them but she also mentioned it in reply to a comment question i had somewhat recently.
i have a love/hate with IKEA. if you don't have one near you or you are like me about trying not to buy new, try finding it on craigslist. this particular table comes in pieces. you buy the top and legs separately.
good luck (and i did something similar with chocolate and a chocolate mold last christmas!)
nicola
http://whichanme.blogspot.com
Yeah, that's definitely an IKEA table. Those components are pretty cheap, too.
Where did you get the snowman pattern?
That itty bitty snowman is really cute! I'd love to know where you got the pattern from! Hope you are getting settled in Oregon. Thanks for sharing your adventures.
I love your little snowman, how sweet!
Rosaleen
xxx
Oh no Nicole! : (
When you are looking in IKEA for your desk, they also have silicon molds I bet that would work with beeswax! But oh what a sweet little house that is!
Many warm wishes! xo
Oh my goodness! What would I do without all of you wonderful souls?! Thank you everyone! We are planning a family trip to Ikea this weekend AND I found the candle mold release spray, re-did my impression and it came out!
The snowman pattern came from last Winter's issue of Living Crafts. The yarn I am using on C's hoodie is called Odyssey by Reynolds.
Thank you again!!
eek! what a bummer! but your little knit snowman is fantastic! i will have to dig up that issue and knit a a little snow fellow for our home :)
xo,
erika
Hi Nicole...
I have the perfect solution for your project table and yes it's from Ikea. I just re did my sewing room a few weeks ago and go most of my pieces there and I got exactly what you are looking for. you can see it here...
http://olabelhe.blogspot.com/2009/09/my-loft-is-done.html
I have my machines on it and there is still plenty of work room. Have fun at Ikea! So glad to hear that you are enjoying Oregon!
Try stroking foil into the mould with a brush to help you get it into all the little details.
Next time: Make a mold out of a piece of aluminum foil about 1/2 inch bigger (fold up edges to make a "pan") than your cute house mold. Pour the melted wax into the foil mold and wait until it is almost set. Then press the house mold into the barely warm yet pliable wax (rather like playdough consistency) and remove. Voila! Just cut around edges with a sharp knife or exacto. You should not need to oil the mold.
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