The Same Distance with the Same Exposure will Always Produce Uniform Prints
Mantel Picture Frames Made in Plaster
Procure a small oval or rectangular frame of a suitable size and use it as a pattern in making a mold. If it is not necessary to select an expensive frame, one that is straight without any floral designs is the best to use. Ordinary molding made into a frame will do as well, or a pattern, whittled out of wood in oval shape, will produce good results.
Make a flask out of any small box, and fill it with clay instead of molding sand. Make an impression of the frame in the clay, and the mold is ready for the plaster.
Procure four 8-oz. bottles, fill them with water, and tint the water in three of them red, green, and blue, with dyes. When purchasing the plaster of paris—2 lb. will do—also get some brass filings from a machine shop, and mix it with the plaster while in a dry state; then divide the lot into four parts of 1/2 lb. each, or equal parts.
Use the tinted water to mix the plaster and pour it into the mold. This will give the combinations red, green, blue, and white.
Picture frames made in this manner will stand enough polishing to keep the brass filings on the surface bright and shining, which gives a pretty effect.—Contributed by J. B. Murphy, Plainfield, N. J.
A Five-Pointed Star
There are many ways of making a five-pointed star, but the one illustrated is new and easy to apply. A long strip of paper, which should be transparent, is tied into a knot. When the ends A and B are drawn tightly, the paper strip takes the position shown in C. The end A is folded forward, or in front of the knot; then the whole is turned over and it will take the position shown in D. Hold the paper to a good light and a perfect five-pointed star will be seen.—Contributed by J. J. Kolar, Maywood, Ill.