Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-09-08
Aancaster fntelIige,lrer.
EVENING. SEPT. 8. 1890.
Rustic Cross In Wax.

C. s. j., correspondent of the German
town Telegraph, writing from Monroe
county, Mo-, gives the following detailed
instructions for making beautiful wax
work at small expense
The beautiful waxen ornaments exhibit
ed under glass-shades and sold in the stores
and bazaars for fabulous prices, may easily
be made by any lady willing to use care
and neatness in the work.
The materials required are light wood
en- cross, which are sold in all sizes for mod
crate sums, or may e.made at home one
pound of white cake wax, one spool
of white covered wire, a bunch of delicate
white stamens, two sizes Of convOlvulus
leafmOulds, and a wooden mould for shap-
ing the flowers; also three sizes of Eng
lish ivy leaf-mOulds, little Canada bal
sam, and one tube Of Chinese white oil
paint, and quantity of raisin stems, tree
buds, o. spruce pine twigs, with paper Of
No. tacks and several sheets OF ''pond
lily wax" Cover the cross with the
twigs arranged tastcfully over the surface
tacking each one firmly down. Have a
small, clean pipkin. in which melt the
wax. stirring in a little balsam of fir and
paint color with a wooden stick until
well incorporated. Hold the cross over a
broad dish, and with spoon pour the wax
over the entire surface, repeating this as it
cools, until perfectly white surface is OBJ
tained. Scrape up and use all drippings,
and when entirely coated set the cross
aside in some safe place and proceed to
form the leaves and flowers.
For the cOnvOlvulus, cut a half-dOzcn
pieces OF wax from 4 circular paper pat
terms one inch in diameter, removing one
A,,sn
kccn-cdgcd scissors then dipping the
wooden mould in water and slightly warm
ing a piece of the slIect-waX, place it upon
the surface and unite the cut edges, roll
ing them together with the porcelain head
of steel moulding pin also press tic
outer edge and carefully shape the flower,
the tube OF which is made ola strip of wax
shaped round circular stem that dimin-
ishcs to a point at one end, pressing the
edges together and then fastening the
upper wide end round the corolla, and
flattening the same carefully. Next
take piece of wire three inches in
length and cover with a narrow strip
of wax, folded lengthwisc and
twirled between the finger and thumb !;
fastcn pistil and five stamcns round the
end, and slipping it through the tube draw
the stem down and press the end
Of the flower neatly round it; then
fiuish with calyx formed of five narrow
scpals placed round the stem and surround
in. the base of the fowcr-tubc. Form
several such flowers, also some ha!f-blOwn
and a few of the beautiful spirally-wOund
buds. Arrange number of the flowers,
buds and heart-shaped leaves upon long
strands of covered wire, dipping the leaf
mOulds in water and covering the under
side with wax, then placing on the stem
down the centre and the upper covering OF
wax again, cutting the edges off neatly by
pressing round the edge of the mould. The
ivy leaves arc made in the same manner
also, from clusters of ivy berries and tell
drills for the cOnvolvulus sprays.
Place the cross upon . waX-covcrcd base
of three steps, or fasten against dark
velvetcovcred recess, using tacks driven
in through the back. Form full clusters
Of flowers ard leaves round the base. then
taking long length of wire covered with
ivy leaves, arrange it to twinc around the
body of the cross, all clustering upon ono
arm, falling in graceful sprays below
also, fastcn the convolvulus vine to clam
hcr up and veil the body and opposite arm,
arranging cluster of ivy leaves and con
vOlvulus sprays upon the head piece. WhcI
finished satisfactorily, hold in warm
position until the surface is slightly
warmed, when sprinkle with fine diamond
dust Or ''frOsting."
IL desired, various flowers may be
grouped round the base of the cross, and
We have made one of the most admired
with colorcd flowers, the cross covered
with colored granitc-sand, and a vine OF
pink wild roses running up the body and
arms, and purple violets and white snow,
drops clustered about the base. Or, in imi
tation of white marble, miniature calla
lilies grouped ut the base, with an ivy
vino drapinS body and arms is very pretty
Many changes may bc made, however, to
suit the taste Of the artist, the suggestions
offered merely serving to give some idea OF
the course to bc pursued, in order to form
these popular and beautiful ornaments.