How to Make White Chalk
At-home craft projects of all types are an ideal way to channel creative energy. This is even more true when the craft project chosen can lead to further artistic expression. One such project is making chalk with items you may already have available in your kitchen. Unlike commercially produced mineral chalk, making chalk at home doesn't require a lengthy manufacturing process. You will find it easy to make a dozen or more pieces of homemade chalk within an hour with this simple method.
Things You'll Need
- Half a dozen eggs
- Colander
- Hand towel
- Rolling pin or aluminum can
- Medium bowl
- Small bowl
- Spoon
- Ziploc bag
- Measuring spoons
- Water
- Medium sauce pan
- White flour
- Paper napkins
Instructions
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1
Fill the sauce pan with water and heat on the stove until the water begins to boil.
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2
Place the eggs in the water and allow them to boil until they are very well done. This should take about five to seven minutes.
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3
Put a colander in the kitchen sink over the drain. Remove the eggs by pouring the pan of hot water and the eggs into the colander.
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4
Cool the eggs by allowing lukewarm water from the tap to rinse over them. You should be able to handle them easily within 60 seconds. Towel dry each egg and remove from the colander.
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5
Remove the eggshells carefully, making sure that the cellophane-thin inner membrane is pulled away from the outer shell. Place the shells in a Ziploc bag and press out any excess air from the bag. Crush the eggshells finely into a powder with a rolling pin and pour the crushed eggshells into the medium bowl.
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6
Place 3 teaspoons of eggshell powder into the small bowl. Add 1 teaspoon hot tap water and one teaspoon white flour. Mix the resulting paste with a spoon for at least 30 seconds.
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7
Form the paste into a cylinder with blunt ends. Open a paper napkin and snugly roll the cylinder, making certain that the ends of the napkin are tucked beneath the wrapped piece of chalk.
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8
Repeat steps six and seven for each piece of chalk desired until you have used up all of the available eggshell powder. Allow the wrapped chalk sticks to dry and harden undisturbed for several days before using.
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Tips & Warnings
You can help to hasten the curing process for the chalk sticks by placing them in an area that has good ventilation and low moisture. For colored chalk add one or two drops at a time of food coloring and mix into the paste until you reach the desired hue.
This chalk may not work well on chalkboards but is better suited for outdoor use on pavement, concrete, brick and cobblestone.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit drawing girl with orange chalk image by Sergey Kolesnikov from Fotolia.com
