How to Make Pioneer Crafts
The pioneers could not shop at department stores for the supplies they needed, such as candles, soaps and rugs. Instead, they had to create handicrafts by making them from supplies that they had available. Make crafts as the pioneers did. It can be a fun and educational way to understand what life was like in a world where you had to make the things you needed in order to live properly.
Things You'll Need
- For candles:
- Beeswax, 4 lbs.
- Candle wick, 18 inches
- Empty coffee can
- Double boiler
- For soaps:
- Lye, 7 ounces
- Oil, 48 ounces
- Water, 16 ounces
- Glass measuring cup
- Glass candy thermometer
- Stockpot
- Wooden spoon
- Soap molds
- For braided rugs:
- Wool or cotton fabric, cut into long 1-inch strips
- Thread
- Needle
Instructions
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Make hand-dipped pioneer candles. Fill a coffee can with 4-5 pounds of pure beeswax. Place the can into a double boiler that has 3 inches of water in the bottom portion. Heat the wax until it melts. Holding a candle wick that is roughly 18 inches long, quickly dip each end into the hot wax for a couple seconds. Allow the wax to cool between each dipping. Continue to dip the candles until they reach a thickness that you like. Cool the candles by draping the middle of the wick over a branch or a piece of wood, making sure to keep the candles separated.
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2
Make pioneer soap. In a glass container combine two cups of water with 7 ounces of lye. Stick a thermometer into the lye bath. The lye will react chemically with the water to create heat. The thermometer will need to reach a temperature of 110 degrees Fahrenheit. While the lye is heating, pour 48 ounces of oil, such as coconut oil or olive oil, into a stockpot. Place another thermometer into the stockpot. Heat the oils over medium heat until the temperature reaches 110 degrees. Once the lye is the same temperature as the oils, combine the two mixtures by pouring the lye into the stockpot. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon until it thickens to look like pudding. Pour the mixture quickly into soap molds. Store the molds in a closet or dark garage for eight weeks so that the soaps will be hard enough to use.
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3
Make a pioneer braided rug. Tear or cut 2-inch strips of cloth, and sew the ends together. This will result in very long strips of cloth. Taking three pieces of cloth at a time, braid them together. Once the braid reaches a length of at least 6 feet, coil one end of it in on itself. Use a thread and needle, and stitch the coil together by sewing along the edges using a blanket stitch. Continue to coil the braid around on itself, sewing as you go. Once you reach the end of the braid, tuck the ends inside one of the braid loops, and sew it down. The pioneer rug is now complete.
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