Article: Follow the instructions for the easy method, but use distilled water and do not use a string or pencil. Just leave the salt water in the container. Over the next few days, a layer of small crystals will grow over the base of the container. Use a flat, shallow, wide container instead of a jar. This makes it easy to get a single crystal that hasn't merged with any others. Epsom salts do not work well for this method. Try alum or table salt instead, or see variations below for more ideas. Once the crystals are ready, pour out the liquid and look at the crystals. Pick them up and examine them with a pair of tweezers. Select a "seed crystal" that will form the core of your new, larger one. Look for crystals that fit this description (from most to least important): Choose a lone crystal, not in contact with any others. Choose a crystal with flat, even surfaces and straight edges. Choose a large crystal (at least the size of a pea). Ideally, find several crystals and set each one up in a separate jar as described below. Crystals often dissolve or fail to grow, so having backups is a good idea. Super glue this to one side of the crystal, or tie it around the crystal. Do not use string or rough wire. You need a smooth surface so the crystals can't grow on the string instead of the crystal. Select distilled water and the same type of salt. This time, warm the water only slightly above room temperature. The goal is to make a perfectly saturated solution. An under-saturated solution may dissolve your crystal, while an over-saturated solution will cover the crystal in salt grains and cause a lumpy mass to grow. There are several faster ways to solve this problem, but they are more difficult and may require some knowledge of chemistry. Clean a jar, then rinse thoroughly with distilled water. Pour the new solution into this jar, then hang the crystal into the center. Store it as follows: Place the jar in a cool, dark location, such as in a low cupboard. Keep it on a Styrofoam pad or other material that absorbs vibration. Keep a coffee filter, paper, or thin cloth over the jar to block dust. Do not use an airtight seal. The crystal will grow more slowly this time, since a little water will need to evaporate before the salt grains are forced to attach to the crystal. If everything works out, the crystal will keep the same shape as it grows. You can take it out whenever you like, but it will most likely keep growing for several weeks. About every two weeks, pour the solution through a coffee filter to remove impurities. This is a difficult process. Even experienced crystal growers sometimes have a crystal dissolve or become lumpy. If you have a perfect seed crystal, you might want to test a worse seed crystal first to make sure the solution works out. Once your crystal is large enough, remove it from the solution and dry it. Brush a coat or clear nail polish onto all sides to prevent it wearing apart over time.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Grow a cupful of salt crystals. Choose a seed crystal. Attach fishing line or smooth wire. Create a new solution. Add the crystal and solution to a clean container. Check on the crystal regularly. Protect the finished crystal with nail polish.
Article: The rectangle must be the same size as the opening of the frame. If the frame is new, take out the paper insert that comes with it and trace the outline onto your board. You can also trace the inside glass window. Draw the outline on the board using a pencil. If you have an old frame with no glass, use a ruler to measure the back opening of the frame. Draw a rectangle with the same dimensions on your board. Do not use the dimensions from the front opening of your frame. Plywood also works if you don't have medium-density fiberboard. Use an electric jigsaw or manual hand saw to cut along the outline you traced. If you are unable to do the work yourself, bring the dimensions to the hardware store and ask a worker in the lumber section to trim the board down for you. After cutting the board, use rough sandpaper to remove any splintering edges around the perimeter. You may also need to use the sandpaper to shave away some of the board if it will not fit into the frame perfectly. Use a large sponge brush or standard flat painter's brush to brush on a coat of primer. Let the primer dry completely before applying the chalkboard paint. The primer will make it easier for the paint to stick to the surface of the board. Use a painter's brush or roller to apply two even coats of black chalkboard paint to the primed board. Even coats will reduce the amount of ridges that develop on the surface after the paint dries. Allow the paint to dry completely between coats. Chalkboard paint is formulated to develop the surface texture of a chalkboard upon drying. It can then be written on with chalk. Applying two coats will make the effect stronger. Insert it with the chalkboard side facing the front. It should slide right in, similar to if you were replacing the glass in the frame. If the backing will fit inside the frame with the board, slide it behind the board to secure everything in place. If you cannot use the backing, use masking tape or packing tape to fix the back of the board to the back of the frame. Alternatively, you could use heavy staples to attach thick twine or thin rope to the top two corners of the frame and hang the chalkboard on a hook using this string.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Trace a rectangle onto medium-density fiberboard. Cut the board along your traced lines. Smooth out the edges with sandpaper. Apply one coat of white latex primer to one side of the board. Paint the board with two coats of chalkboard paint. Fit the chalkboard into the back of the frame. Secure the chalkboard in place. Hang the chalkboard by the hook attached to the frame's backing.