Transform the wire into coral by melting some white wax and mixing with it powdered vermilion. While the wax is in a liquid state hang the basket on the end of a poker or stick and, holding it over the hot wax, carefully cover the frame with the red mixture by pouring the wax over the basket with a long-handled spoon. The wax cools rapidly and forms a coating closely resembling coral; the little lumps and projections that form give the basket the appearance of real coral, which is branching and uneven.
Fig. [425].—Coral May-basket.
As soon as the wax has hardened ([Fig. 425]) insert in the basket a pasteboard bottom cut to fit; and when filling this basket with flowers place the foliage around the sides first. The fresh green contrasting with the red coral gives a pretty effect, and the leaves filling the spaces between the wires prevent the flowers from falling through.
| Fig. [426].—Old oaken bucket May-basket. | Fig. [427].—Colored paper May-basket. |
Fig. [428].—The pole is planted in a tub.
The "Old Oaken, Moss-covered Bucket"
is very appropriate for woodland blossoms. Make the bucket of a strip of cardboard ten by four inches; sew the two ends together and cut a circular piece for the bottom; fit it in and fasten with long stitches. Cut the handle of cardboard one-quarter of an inch wide and sew it in place. Cover the bucket with strips of olive-green tissue-paper an inch and a half wide which have previously been crimped by being folded backward and forward. Cut the strips in very fine fringe, unfold and gum them on the bucket in closely overlapping rows, as the cardboard must be entirely concealed to have the appearance of being covered with natural moss ([Fig. 426]).
A May-basket