Maker's Questions and Knowledge
Can you sand off rust?
Hello, I think my head is slightly hurting, so sorry if this is a silly question.
I have an old light fitting that I would like to hang in my house. But the problem is, is that it is really quite r...
Q
Rust
Cleaning Rust
Lamp
Light Fitting
Painting
How to stop metal going rusty in the garden?
Sorry for the terrible pictures, I'm not much of a photographer. I just wanted to share a tip to stop metal going rusty in the garden. And I have say that this trick has been really quite successful. ...
K
Metalwork
Vaseline
Metal
Outside
Swing Chair
Can I use a domestic oven for powder coating?
Really sorry if this is a stupid question, but does anyone know if you can use a domestic oven to cure (or whatever it's called), maybe bake, something you have powder coated?
I know you need the s...
Q
Paint
Powder Coating
Powder Coating Oven
Restoration
How do I test if paint is lead based?
Hello, does anyone know how to test if paint is lead based or safe? I have this vintage egg weighing machine and I would really like to clean it up and use it. I thought it would be fun to let the kid...
Q
Paint
Lead Based Paint
Egg Weigher
Kitchen
What can I make with these fabric books?
My best friend is an interior designer and she has given me a load of fabric books that are out of date. I love crafting and sewing, and I would really like to use them as the fabrics are all so beaut...
Q
Sewing
Sewing
Fabric
Where is the best place to buy paper sewing patterns?
I have started looking at sewing patterns as a way of teaching myself to sew beautiful things and would like to know where are the best places to buy sewing patterns from? Something fairly simple to s...
Q
Sewing
Sewing
Sewing Patterns
Antique pedal car for children, repaint or keep patina?
Hello, I have recently found this old tin metal pedal car toy at the back of my garage. I actually collected it about three years ago, just because I thought it was interesting and was going to repain...
Q
Restoration
Pedal Car
Patina
Restoration
Painting
Which UK beaches have sea glass that I can collect for jewellery making?
Does anyone know of any good UK beaches for collecting sea glass? I have been making handmade jewellery for a white, mostly beading and a little wire work. I would really love to incorporate sea glass...
Q
Jewellery
Jewellery
Jewellery Making
Where can I get good sewing pins?
I am looking for somewhere to buy really good sewing pins. I have bought loads in the past and they have all been really flimsy and bend really easily because they are so small and thin. Admittedly I ...
Q
Sewing
Sewing
What is a good laser cutter for home use?
I would really love to buy a laser cutter that can cut plywood and other materials for making models, decorative pieces and things for pets. I have no idea where to start looking for a good one. I hav...
Q
Woodwork
Woodwork
Laser Cutter
Laser Cutting
What is the best way to make a hen house?
I would really like to make a hen house for my grandparents pet chickens and I was wondering if anyone has any experience making hen houses our of wood. I would like to make something which gives them...
Q
Woodwork
Woodwork
Pet House
What is the best wood for making small animal houses and toys?
I like making things for small animals and would like to start a little business making wooden houses, hides and toys. I have been making little houses out of cardboard for my hamsters and mice and it...
Q
Woodwork
Woodwork
Pets
Hamsters
Pet Toys
Pet Houses
What is this mystery tool for? Is it food related or something else?
Please can someone tell me what this mystery tool is for? My husband found it in a shop and bought it for me as he knows I like collecting interesting things.
I really love to cook and bake and he ...
Q
Mystery Tool
Mystery Tool
What is the best paint for painting wooden furniture?
I have recently started painting wooden furniture as a hobby and I'm really enjoying it. I really like upcycling vintage or maybe we'll call it retro furniture, and making it look modern and interesti...
Q
Painting
Painting
Woodwork
Furniture
Varnish
Furniture Paint
Is this mirror ugly or interesting?
Ok, please I am looking for some honest feedback. Don't worry about hurting my feelings. It's not like this mirror was handed down to me on my daddies death bed. It's just a mirror I found at a car bo...
Q
Mirror
Mirror
Pub Mirror
Is it better to paint or varnish this old vintage hall stand?
I have this really interesting piece of furniture, I think it is a hall stand. It's been in my shed for many years and I really have not had the correct place to put it. To be honest I am not even sur...
Q
Furniture
Hall Stand
Furniture
Oddity
Paint
Where can I buy beautiful and interesting beads for making jewellery?
I make a lot of beaded jewellery including; necklaces, bracelets, earrings, the usual and would like to know if anyone knows where I can get some really decorative and interesting beads from, please? ...
Q
Jewellery
jewellery
Jewellery Making
Beading
Beads
How to use a plaster mold for casting clay?
Hi, I have been given a plaster mold, that I was told you can cast clay into somehow, although I have no idea if that is what this mold is for, or if that is even possible to do that?
Or if this a ...
Q
Molds
clay molds
bird
garden ornaments
Beautiful Mosaic Garden Table With Welded Leaf Legs
Hello, I really wanted to show off this absolutely beautiful garden table my friend made. I was so impressed when I first saw it, it's stunning. She has always been really good at drawing and has done...
K
Furniture
garden table
mosaic
garden furniture
flowers
Help, is anyone else addicted to collecting beads?
It was my husband who started all of this. He said I should get a hobby, something I can really get into. Something creative, that will keep my mind active and keep my fingers busy. So he actually too...
Q
Beads
Collecting
Beads
Buttons
Mystery machine what does it do?
We recently went to a farm shop in Spain and they had this amazing machine outside. It's an absolutely beautiful piece of machinery. Obviously it's very well made to last a while. It's clearly an anti...
Q
Mystery Tool
mystery
machine
agricultural
How to make concrete shapes from molds?
A friend of mine has just bought some land and the back part of it is covered in old concrete molds. There are bird baths and ornaments, concrete edging molds and fake stones etc etc etc. Loads of con...
Q
Concrete
Concrete Mold
Garden Ornament
Ideas on how to copy a designer chair with orange leather and gold legs?
Hi, I have recently done some work for a client of mine around his house and he was telling me he was selling these amazing chairs. We're pretty friendly, so he let me have a good look at them.
I d...
Q
Furniture
Bucket Chair
Designer Chair
Antique silver soda syphon restoration? Or leave alone?
Hello, thank you for reading. I have been given these absolutely beautiful old glass drinks containers from a cocktail bar my great-uncle used to run back in the 70s. I don't know he came to come by t...
Q
Glassware
Soda Siphon
Antiques
Glass
Silver