Bonsai 101 - Bonsai Tool 10-Piece Set

Bonsai 101

While most people associate bonsai with Japan, it probably originated in China. The word "bonsai" is a combination of the Chinese word for pot, "bon," and "sai," which means to plant. During the 8th century A.D., Chinese culture greatly influenced Japan, and this is probably when the Japanese adopted the art. Bonsai are meant to evoke natural beauty on a small scale, and to mimic the characteristics of a mature tree in miniature.

Growing a Bonsai Tree - How to Get Started

Bonsai is a blend of horticulture and art. It can be enjoyed by anyone, whether as a hobby or more time-consuming lifestyle. Before you begin, you will need some equipment. Here are some basics to get started.

1. Bonsai pots of various sizes and styles

2. Flexible mesh screen

3. Copper wire

4. Pruning shears

5. Pruning scissors (for trimming small branches, leaves and shoots)

6. Soil mix of two parts potting soil and one part pea-sized gravel

7. Chopsticks or unsharpened pencil

Now you will need to obtain your bonsai tree, or the raw material to make one. Here are some ideas.

1. Buy a ready-made bonsai from a local nursery or the internet and maintain its design.

2. Collect a small tree from the wild. This is the traditional Japanese method of obtaining bonsai, but it can be tricky in our modern times. Make sure you are authorized by the property's owners. Look for a tree that has an interesting shape and can be easily collected. Trees growing on rocks, with their shallow root systems and twisted shapes, are ideal.

3. Garden center stock makes excellent beginner's specimens. Juniper, cotoneaster, azalea, Japanese holly, and boxwood make good choices.

4. Landscaping cast-offs are another way to obtain bonsai material that is often already mature. When property owners tear out old shrubs such as azalea, boxwood, juniper, and forsythia, try to rescue one to make into a bonsai tree.

Cut to Shape

Once you have obtained your bonsai stock, it's time to trim it to shape. Do not put it in the bonsai pot just yet; turn it and study its shape, looking for the tree-like qualities. Trim away branches from the base to form a bare trunk, and aim for a dense, finely branching crown. Use wire coiled around the trunk or branches to make the shape look like a tree that has grown for decades in the wind or hanging from a rock.

Pot It Up

Once you have the shape you want, gently wiggle the plant free from the pot and shake off as much dirt as you can from the root ball. Using your pruning shears, trim back the roots by about two-thirds. The root system should now be shallow enough to fit into your bonsai pot.

Prepare the pot by covering the pot's holes with small squares cut from the wire mesh. Pour a small amount of potting mix on the bottom of the pot, set your newly-trimmed bonsai on top, then fill in with potting mix. Use the chopstick or pencil to work the soil down among the roots. Water thoroughly.

Maintaining Your Bonsai

Your bonsai is always a work in progress. Keep it trimmed to maintain and refine its shape. Every other year, in the very early spring, remove your bonsai from its pot and re-trim the roots. Remember, bonsai are not houseplants. Keep your bonsai outside.

Bonsai Tool 10-Piece Set

I just love looking at Bonsai trees. They are beautiful, delicate and yet so strong looking. Bonsai is a Japanese art form where trees or even shrubs are put in shallow containers and trained and pruned to look like normal size trees. It takes a lot of patience, love, information and certain tools to help you grow a Bonsai tree.

This very popular Bonsai Tool 10-Piece Set is a great tool set. I like the fact that it is designed for beginners but also for people with more advanced knowledge. The tools have been hand inspected and are made of high quality carbon steel. They are very sturdy and if you keep them lightly oiled, they should last for years to come. Just to name a few of the tools: cutting scissors of various sizes, trimming scissors, wire cutter, rake with spatula and leaf cutter.

Overall, the toolkit comes at a very reasonable price and it should make taking care of your precious Bonsai trees a lot easier.

Beeswax Candles And What You Should Know About Them

Throughout history beeswax has been used for many purposes . The most popular probably has been in candle making so it can be considered one of the most notable uses of beeswax. Beeswax candles have been around for centuries, and they are still frequently used. Here are some facts about beeswax candles that you might not be aware of.

1. History of Beeswax Candles

Beeswax was not the first material used to make candles. That distinction goes to boiled animal fat, also known as tallow, which was used to make candles prior to the Middle Ages. These candles served their purpose, but they had some definite drawbacks. They gave off lots of smoke, their flame was inconsistent, and their odor was unpleasant.

In the Middle Ages, candle makers started experimenting with beeswax. They were pleased to find that beeswax candles created very little smoke, and their scent was light and pleasing. However, beeswax was hard to come by at the time due to the fact that there were no beekeepers in those days. So beeswax candles were used primarily by nobility.

The Catholic Church later began to use beeswax candles. It was eventually written into canon law that the candles burned in any cathedral must contain at least 60 percent beeswax. This law is still in effect today. Fortunately, beeswax is much easier to obtain now.

2. Benefits of Beeswax Candles

The benefits of beeswax candles over those made of tallow are pretty obvious. But even today, with all of the improvements that have been made in the candle making process and new materials being used, beeswax still has numerous advantages. These include:

• The smoke produced by beeswax candles is not harmful to the environment or our health. This cannot be said for most candles, which are made of paraffin.
• Burning beeswax candles can actually be beneficial for allergy sufferers. It can help alleviate asthma and sensitivities to cigarette smoke, carbon dioxide and other pollutants. This is because they emit negative ions when burned, which help to clean the air.
• The scent of beeswax candles has a natural calming effect. Those who suffer from insomnia often sleep better when they burn beeswax candles before going to bed at night.
• Beeswax candles are more expensive than paraffin candles, but they also last much longer. A beeswax candle will burn about five times as long as a paraffin candle of the same size, so it is much more cost-effective.

Beeswax candles have been in existence for centuries, and they are still favorites of many candle lovers. They might be a little bit pricier than most candles, but considering the many benefits they offer, their numerous fans agree that they're worth every penny paid.

Of, course not everyone is interested in candle making, so, maybe you want to look in a different direction for your artistic inclinations. To start you on another craft you may want to have a look at

Beginner Quilt Instructions. Quilting is completely different from candle making. You may prefer working on something that will become a family heirloom and for that quilting is just the thing.

Surebonder Ultra Glue Gun

If you are a “crafty” family, then a glue gun is an essential tool to have. Hand held glue guns are not very expensive and can be used for creating lots of fantastic craft projects. Glue guns are great for sticking wood, metal, ceramics, heavy card, paper, plastics and cloth.

There are three different types of Surebonder Ultra Glue Guns available, depending on your needs:

The Ultra Gun, Low Temperature (230°F) for projects that won’t need high gluing temperatures.

Ultra Gun, High Temperature (380°F).

Ultra Gun, Dual Temperature with high and low settings.

Each of the glue guns runs on 60W power and benefits from a glue stand.

Overall, the Surebonder Ultra Glue Guns are good value for money and will certainly help you with your craft activities. A word of caution: glue guns get very hot, so please work carefully to prevent injuries and burns, especially around children.

Teen Craft Leather Tooling

There are many different crafts suitable for kids, but they love making things they can actually use. So working with leather is a good idea so is Macrame Beaded Jewelry.

Teens are a curious lot. They want their independence and yet they’re often afraid to step out on their own. One way to continue connecting with your teen is through a shared craft. One craft teens may enjoy is leather tooling. You may find you enjoy it, too.

Leather tooling is the process of taking pieces of leather and cutting, pressing or burning it to create an image or design which can be added to clothing or other useful items. Think about ornate leather saddles, purses or belts. Those things were created by leather tooling.

It is important to have the correct type of leather when tooling it. It generally should be top-grain, vegetable-tanned and light-colored. Your teen will also need specific tools with which to work.

Those tools include:

• Awl and spare point
• Retractable craft or X-acto knife with spare blades
• Retractable knife with blade which breaks off
• Rotary punch
• Needles
• Bees wax
• Waxed linen thread
• Pliers
• Scissors

There are other tools you can purchase when doing leather tooling, but you may want to wait until you see if your teen wants to continue the craft before spending too much money. Other tools include edge slickers, bevellers, punches, thong cutters, t-square, compass and yardstick.

There is an easy way to determine if the leather you and your teen have accessible to you is suitable for tooling. You can wet a corner and make a couple of lines to see how well the leather reacts and holds the lines. It is also a good idea to put tape on the back of the leather while it is being worked on to avoid stretching it.

Find designs by looking through pattern books or a simple picture possibly taken from a coloring book. An easy design such as a simple flower or leaf will give your teen an opportunity to try different tooling skills. The design will have to be transferred to the leather using tracing or wax paper.

Dampen the leather after the image is transferred. Your teen will then begin creating depressions into the leather. When they are satisfied with their work, they can allow the leather to dry and then paint or dye it to complete it. The result will be a raised surface work of art they can be proud of.

Your teen should be able to find more information about the particular skills needed for leather tooling at a craft store. They will have the tools needed as well as books and other supplies to get your teen started on a new craft they can continue into adulthood. The internet is another source of information for learning leather tooling.

Sew U: The Built by Wendy Guide to Making Your Own Wardrobe (Spiral-Bound)

The spiral-bound book “Sew U: The Built by Wendy Guide to Making Your Own Wardrobe” was written by Wendy Mulin who is the owner and founder of Built by Wendy, a NYC-based women’s and men’s clothing label and accessories. She has also written various Sew U instruction books.

In her book Wendy shows the reader how to sew fashionable clothing. The guide includes 3 basic patterns: pants, button down shirt and skirt in the sizes 0 – 12 and XS – L. These three patterns have been taken directly from her studio and can be used in lots of different and exciting ways to create various looks. You will be given easy step-by-step instructions and lots of ideas on how to make your old clothes look ultra-modern and unique.

The book reviews basic sewing skills, and introduces the reader to fabric cutting, more advanced sewing techniques and light pattern making. The author also gives general advice on how to work with a tailor and how to get your fashion ideas across.

If you have your own unique fashion style, and want to create your own personal look, and save money while you’re at it, then this book is for you.

Sewing Machine Fun Book

I can remember as a little girl how much I enjoyed it when my mother taught me to sew. I spent hours behind the machine creating all kinds of items. In the long run, as a teenager, I found joy in making all my own clothes. So, maybe your little girl will also love to learn how to sew.

Teach your children the fun of sewing with the Sewing Machine Fun Book. It was written by Lynda Milligan & Nancy Smith, who own the Great American Quilt Factory. In their book they offer children from the age of 7+ a wonderful introduction to sewing.

There are 13 fun sewing projects contained within the book, with colorful step-by-step instructions. The kids will progressively gain more and more knowledge of sewing as they work their way through the book. Basic sewing machine skills from stitching, pivots, threading the machine, patterns for the different projects and how to take care of your machine as well as safety around the sewing machine will be covered.

Obviously, younger children will need some adult guidance and supervision.

The Sewing Machine Fun Book is a great way to teach children the basics of sewing, a useful skill that will stay with them for a lifetime. All you need is a sewing machine and your children will be on their way to discover how much fun sewing and making things can be. No more boring rainy days!

Another alternative to keep the kids busy, if they like handwork crafts is Kids Knitting Projects, where kids can learn to knit in a fun way. With this Sewing machine Fun Book and Kids Knitting Projects your little one will have hours of creative fun.

Review Of The Play-Doh Super Craft Caddy

I have spent many happy hours with my kids and my granddaughter playing with Play Doh. They loved kids spending hours and hours kneading and making Play Doh sculptures. Play Doh is the ideal craft for little ones as it is safe and easy as well as cheap!

The Play-Doh Super Craft Caddy is a fantastic piece of equipment. Not only does it come with multiple tools to knead, cut and roll such as cutters and scissors, it also has some fun “girly” jewelry bead molds for making necklaces and bracelets.

Your kids will also love the cake stand and frosting presser for the bakers amongst your children. Or maybe your kids are more interested in “sand art” or “stained glass” activities. There is something for everybody.

This is a great organizer caddy as well. It has designated places to hold the Play-Doh tools so they won’t get lost in the house. It also has spaces for the included eight cans of Play-Doh, which come in different colors. I like that the caddy also comes with a colorful 3x3ft mat to keep all the bits and pieces of Play-Doh on the mat and not spread around your kitchen floor.

In my opinion, this product comes with lots of great features. It keeps your Play-Doh tools and Play-Doh organized and ready to be used the next time around for more hours of fun and enjoyment.

I think this product is well suited for kids from 3 years onwards and you might find yourself kneading, beading and baking with them as well. It would make a great rainy day toy.

After you have used all the Play Doh, and you are looking for more ideas, having a look at Salt Dough Just 3 Ingredients More Than 100 Projects, as it tells you how to make your own Play Doh and it gives you some very good ideas for projects as the kids progresses.