MAKING USEFUL MASCOTS
Anyone of a handy disposition can make mascots that will bring luck to him or herself, as well as to countless friends. In addition, they may be made for selling at bazaars or even for profit in shops.
HORSESHOES.—As a rule, it is best in this case to obtain a supply of old and worn horseshoes—any local farrier will be glad to sell them for a penny or two apiece—and to make them presentable. First, knock off the rust, and then wash them if necessary. It is not a bad plan to beg some old nails from the farrier, to slip one or two in the holes, here and there of each shoe, and to twist them round with pliers so that they cannot fall out. Then give the shoes a coat of paint—either aluminum or stove-black. When dry, thread a strip of ribbon of your lucky color through a hole on either side of the shoe, so that the shoe can be easily hung up. But, please do be careful to arrange the ribbon so that the shoe can only be hung tips upwards.
Failing a supply of worn shoes, the best idea is to cut horseshoes from a sheet of thick cardboard. There is an illustration on p. [6] which will give you an idea of the correct shape to aim at. When the shoes are cut, paint them with black or silver ink, and tie with ribbon, as already suggested.
SWASTIKAS.—Large swastikas are best cut out of thick cardboard, as suggested in the previous paragraph for horseshoes, but small ones, suitable for wearing, are not difficult to cut out of sheet metal, if a triangular file is at hand for cleaning up the corners and edges. When worn, Swastikas are usually hung diamond-wise. Therefore, it is necessary to drill a small hole in one of the corners of the shape. A coat of gold paint or transparent lacquer will add to the appearance of the finish.
SCARABS.—When scarabs are to be made, the shape with the closed wings will be found much the simpler to construct. They can be made out of large oval buttons. If the buttons are flat, it is advisable to give them a domed surface by applying a suitable layer of plastic wood. This is a putty-like substance which dries rapidly and which can be moulded to the required shape with the fingers. When the plastic wood is dry and hard, smooth the surface with fine glass-paper and ornament it with oil paints. A dull light blue serves best for the groundwork, and the pattern can be added with a small brush, using grey or black paint. In this way, some very realistic scarabs can be made easily.
CADUCEUS OR STAFF OF MERCURY.—This lucky device is very difficult to make in the form of a model. However, the same purpose can be served by a picture. Draw the outline in pencil (see p. [9]), give it a wash of silver color and line in the pattern with India ink. A picture, made in this way, about twelve inches high, on a white card, would look very attractive when framed.
ARROWHEADS.—Those of us who have an eye for geology will have no difficulty in picking up flints, shaped like arrowheads (see p. [8]), along the sides of country roads. Failing these, we can get some slips of granite, and, with hammer and chisel, shape them as shown on the page mentioned. The next thing is to obtain some gilt wire, and to make slings to support the arrowheads. These can then be hung up or worn, according to their size.
TETS.—These mallet-shaped mascots can be made readily by cutting small strips of wood to serve as handles, and then moulding the heads in plastic wood. When the latter has dried hard, all the surfaces are coated with some bright colored paint, and, after that, additional bands of color are added to serve as ornamentation (see p. [8]).