Next I sorted the colours, and then, with the aid of a wooden hammer and a piece of felt, I cracked the china into tiny pieces. Be careful in doing this to put the coloured side of the china downwards, and lay on a piece of felt, with another piece on top. Hit gently, but firmly, and where the piece is cracked insert a nail or strong pin in the crack and hit with the hammer. The cracks will split and will leave a nice edge, which is very useful for sticking in the sealing-wax. Break the pieces as small as possible, but leaving the colour to show on one side. If you smash at the pieces they will powder and be of no use at all.
A Diagram for working the cross-stitch design on the Bag illustrated on [page 107].
This is worked on one side in green, and on the other side in purple.
Whatever odd beads you have, or old pieces of coloured paste and imitation stones—which are often to be had in old buckles—spangles and bugles, all are grist to the mill. I have also used broken pieces of pebbles and stones which I found among the gravel, and which were broken by the roller, and which, when chipped very fine, displayed really brilliant colouring. Pieces of flint with a sparkle of mica look beautiful.
Making the Beads.
Having completed this collection, I turned my attention to the bead-making, and I began in this manner:—
I started with a set of six large beads in blues for my chain. I chose the largest beads in my assorted box, irrespective of colour and shape. Taking one of these I slipped it over the end of a steel knitting-needle, using one large enough to hold the bead tightly. This needle I first greased with a rag on which a little lard had been rubbed. This prevents the sealing-wax adhering to anything but the bead.
Next I lit a taper, and, using blue wax, I covered the bead roughly with it, turning the knitting-needle in my hand, so that the hot liquid ran round it. This I plunged into cold water.
Before proceeding, I would like to say that great care must be taken not to smoke the wax when a taper or candle is used; if you will heat the wax in the centre of the flame, you will find that the colour does not become blackened.