Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
Caulking and sealants for ceramic tile come in several different colors just like grout does. Find out about caulking and sealants for ceramic tile with help from a Foreman for Lighty Contractors in this free video clip.
Polymers are something you'll use over and over again as you get more and more experience with sculpting. Sculpture with polymers with help from an experienced artist in this free video clip.
When pottery is fired in a kiln, a few very interesting chemical changes take place. Learn about what chemical changes take place when pottery is fired in a kiln with help from a ceramic artist and instructor in this free video clip.
Getting that glazed pottery look with acrylic paint requires a very specific technique and a steady hand. Get a glazed pottery look with acrylic paint with help from a ceramic artist and instructor in this free video clip.
Brushing a glaze on pottery isn't nearly as difficult as you'd think, so long as you have a few tools like a banding wheel. Learn about brushing a glaze on pottery with help from a ceramic artist and instructor in this free video clip.
Replicating Mayan pottery is actually a very straightforward process, so long as you've got access to the right tools. Replicate Mayan pottery with help from a ceramic artist and instructor in this free video clip.
Black glaze pottery was originally produced in the classical and Hellenistic periods of ancient Greece. Learn about the definition of black glaze pottery with help from a ceramic artist and instructor in this free video clip.
Thinking about adding ceramic coated headers? Get the info you need to make a smart decision.
Making icing that hardens requires you to use a few different tools, like brown sugar and heavy cream. Make icing that hardens with help from an executive pastry chef in this free video clip.
Banana extract or flavoring are great tools to use when making delicious, creamy icing. Make icing using banana extract or flavoring with help from an executive pastry chef in this free video clip.
Pink icing can make a delicious topping for a wide variety of different treats. Make pink icing with help from an executive pastry chef in this free video clip.
Pouring ceramic molds involves a process called casting. In the casting process, you must use a plaster mold instead of a metal, plastic or other nonporous material that doesn't absorb water. Since plaster absorbs any water created or already existing in ceramic, it proves to be an ideal mold. Learning to cast ceramics makes it possible to create your own bowls, cups, artwork and vases. With enough practice, your ability to create attractive and useful ceramic items will improve.
You can make iced vodka in a very specific way so long as you know the appropriate recipe. Make iced vodka with help from a lead mixologist in this free video clip.
You can make an iced dulce de leche latte right in the comfort of your own kitchen - no trip to the coffee shop is necessary. Make a iced dulce de leche latte with help from a coffee shop owner and coffee consultant in this free video clip.
Making an ice-blended espresso mocha is something you can do right from the comfort of your own kitchen. Learn how to make an ice-blended espresso mocha with help from a longtime coffee industry professional in this free video clip.
Stone sculpting can be an enjoyable hobby to help you escape the stresses of everyday life, and can provide a creative outlet for expressing your artistic vision. A sturdy table provides a space for your sculptures and tools, and eases back strain by preventing you from having to sculpt on the floor. You can build your own custom sculpting table to fit your space requirements. Constructing a sculpting table requires little more than basic carpentry materials and tools.
A wood table with a ceramic tile top can be a decorative addition to any household space, from a living room to a patio. You can make one ornate and artistic or basic and utilitarian. Wood goes well with any decor or outdoor design. Tile -- ceramic or mosaic -- is sturdy, durable and resistant to stains, spills and wear. How you combine these elements in a table depends on your woodworking tools and skill, how and where you intend to use it and personal design preference. Indoor and outdoor tables will use different materials and techniques.
Installing new plumbing in a room may seem like a daunting task. But the key to a professional-grade job is access to the right tools. To make a hole in vertical ceramic tile for a faucet you need a hole saw. These circular bits cut straight through tile with minimal damage and mess. Work carefully and take the proper precautions and you'll be left with a smooth hole that's prepared to take plumbing.
The human imagination has never been so free to express itself than when it holds polymer clay in its creative grip, as this is a medium that virtually knows no bounds. Since we are a culture that enjoys food, it comes as no surprise that we often commemorate our love of gourmet delights by recreating them in miniature scale. For those with an incurable sweet tooth, don't resist the urge to design your favorite desserts into jewelry or decorative trinkets, because these sugary delights won't add inches to your waistline.
Geometric ceramics add a modern touch to any decor, but they can appear plain unless you decorate the forms with ceramics glaze. Although you can apply glaze over the entire surface of geometrically shaped ceramics, make the clay form more dynamic and interesting by decorating the ceramics in a more mathematical manner. Use simple craft supplies as tools to add geometric shapes onto the surface of the geometric ceramics form, highlighting its shape.
Ceramic insulation materials are used across the manufacturing industry. These materials are clay objects that have been fit into molds and fired in kilns to harden them. When designed properly, these ceramic materials have excellent insulation and heat-resistant properties. Machining is done typically in a factory, but some ceramic parts are designed to be machined after purchase as well.
Recreate the qualities you love about glass with polymer clay, which is a vinyl-based modeling clay that cures, or hardens, in a conventional oven. Though you are not fabricating true glass, which is made from silica, polymer clay can be used to form crafts that have characteristics of glass, such as its translucent nature. The clay also can be used to decorate glass objects.
Using enamel can will result in your ceramics being tougher and less likely to break. If you have access to a ceramics oven or work at a crafts studio, use a large oven for larger pottery items. If you work at home, use your regular oven for smaller items and allow larger items to air dry.
Hard surfaces such as ceramic need to be polished in order for them to become smooth. A smooth surface is more comfortable to handle and walk on, which is why textiles such as ceramic require polishing. The polishing process includes various grades of abrasive scrubbing materials, similar to sandpaper, so that the hard areas take on the desired smooth and/or glossy effect. Different polishing grades are suitable for different ceramic surfaces.
Whether excessive water loosens ceramic tile depends on the type of tile and whether or not the tiles are properly sealed. The tiles with the lowest absorption rates won't come loose due to accumulated water, but those with higher rates may do so. Tiles are rated for water absorption, so choose a low absorption tile for any areas that receive excess water. This includes any outdoor use, as well as bathrooms and pool areas.
Models demonstrate the physical properties and design of an object so you can see how something looks and functions. A student exploring the heart, for example, familiarizes himself with the heart structure, the individual components that function in the heart and how the components work together efficiently. Styrofoam offers an inexpensive material for model construction, and it cuts easily with various craft tools. Use colored markers or model paints to add details to your model.
Building a ceramic tile niche gives you a bit of shelf space in the midst of a ceramic wall where needed. This type of niche is usually included in a shower area as a place to store bath or shower accessories you’d like within easy reach. In installing your niche, there’s no need to cut through any wall studs, so your walls will be just as strong as before the installation.
Adding flowers made out of icing is an effective way to dress up any type of cake -- from sheet cakes, to round ones, to cupcakes. If violets are your flower of choice for a cake, study the color and the shape of the petals in order to accurately simulate violets as an icing decoration. Their rich purple hue and flat, rounded petals can be recreated with the proper instruments and the right shade of food coloring.
Polymer clay is a low-maintenance medium that requires little preparation and offers an infinite number of creative possibilities. Some of the more popular designs for working with polymer clay are animal prints, as they are always in fashion and look great on everything from beads to barrettes to brooches. Every pattern is possible -- leopard, tiger, zebra, giraffe, you name it. All it takes is the right clay color combinations and arrangement that achieves the desired print.
When it comes to making miniature foods for such items as dollhouses or jewelry pendants, polymer clay is an ideal material to do so, as it comes in a variety of vibrant, flexible and easy-to-blend-together colors. However, polymer clay does require a lot of time and practice in order to perfect the techniques that are necessary to create truly realistic miniature foods. It is best to begin your polymer clay adventures by making a less-complicated item, such as a simple peach.
Matching the tile joints from one room to another can be difficult. Additionally, trying to match the tile joints can sometimes make the tile installation in one of the rooms look like it was poorly done. Instead of trying to perfectly join the ceramic tiles from room to room, you can join the ceramic tiles with a threshold. The most common types of thresholds for tiles are marble and tile. The installation of a marble or tile threshold is simple to complete, and the process is much like installing tile.
Ceramic tiles add a decorative element to stairs and make them stand out. Depending on personal preference, you can install the tiles on the treads and risers, or only on the treads so they stand out against the painted risers. Available in a variety of styles, ceramic tiles are easy to clean, durable and withstand moderate wear and tear. Similar to tiling any other surface, the installation process involves applying an even layer of grout on the tread before laying the tiles.
Ceramic tile is a lower-cost option for a countertop than a slab of marble or granite, and it can be installed on top of your current Formica surface. The installation of ceramic tile takes longer than putting down a slab, but the price difference might make it worth the effort. The wide range of color and patterns available with ceramic tiles means you can find the perfect match for the room.
Polymer clay is an excellent medium for creative projects from jewelry to figurines to home decor items. It is generally easy to work with, durable once cured and available in a wide array of colors and textures. Gather a few simple tools, such as a a fine cutting blade or small utility knife, a used pasta roller and a rolling pin, and you will be on your way to creating colorful clay projects.
Boilers emit exhaust into the air as they heat your home. This exhaust escapes the house through the flue. During very cold weather, however, the exhaust may turn to water and then to ice. If the flue ices over, no more exhaust can escape, which is dangerous for your health and the environment. There are several steps you can take to minimize the possibility of your flue freezing over.
Not all sculpture is chipped out of raw stone or wood. Often, sculptures are built up around a frame with various materials, such as clay. A mesh sculpture frame allows an artist the ability to shape a sculpture before adding the clay, paper mache or other material, providing a sturdy base to work on. The mesh, in turn, must be attached to an armature, which in turn is attached to a solid base to provide stability. Once the wire mesh is attached to the armature, it can be shaped as needed to provide the "skeleton" of the final sculpture.
Glazing and painting pottery can be a fun hobby, but certain precautions must be taken when creating pottery that will be used for eating and drinking. Many types of ceramic glazes and paints are dangerous to use on dishes and cups because harmful chemicals in these solutions can potentially leech into food or beverages, which would then be ingested by people using your dishes. This could lead to poisoning and may be fatal. As a precaution, pottery resource Ceramic Arts suggests avoiding crackle, matte or homemade glazes on your pottery that will be contact with food or drink.
Water transducers are used in fishing to aid the user in viewing the fish or other structures that they may not see beneath the surface of the water. The transducer relies on a sensor that floats to the bottom of the body of water. These transducers don't work in ice water, as they are too light. However, you can create a makeshift ice transducer using your existing water transducer and a bottle of water.
Homemade ceramics occasionally have blistered glazes when you are finished with the piece. This happens during the processing of the clay or glaze. You can fix this by preparing the piece properly the first time. Do not take shortcuts when preparing the clay or heating the ceramics or you will end up with damaged pieces. Blistered ceramic glazes cannot be fixed once they are heated in the kiln without harming the piece.
Rustic ceramic tiles give your home an antiqued, old-world look through warm tones and a natural appearance. If you are trying to create a simply stylish space, this often tarnished-looking tile can make almost any room look elegant. Whether you are designing a Tuscan-inspired bathroom or a calming country kitchen, expert installation and strategic placement are ways to achieve a classic room design scheme using rustic tiles.
A ceramic, or ceramic glass, range offers a sleek, smooth appearance that can add a touch of modern elegance to your kitchen. Its practical benefits are just as powerful. Ceramic cook tops provide steady, even heat and are easy to clean. Regardless of brand or design specifics, ceramic cook tops function in the same way.
A common method of covering the gap between two types of flooring materials is employing a piece of finishing hardware called a transition molding strip, commonly referred to as a T-molding strip or a T-strip. It's shaped like a fat, short T, and it covers the edges of two adjoining flooring materials, such as ceramic tile, carpet, vinyl or hardwood. Where a hardwood dining room meets a tile kitchen, for instance, the T-strip's half-inch- to inch-high vertical section would separate the tile from the hardwood, while the horizontal part would create lip and a transition if one material is substantially…
Ceramic tiles are heat-resistant, but not necessarily heat proof. With an almost limitless selection of color and designs, as well as the ability to withstand heat, ceramic tiles are a common choice for kitchen counter tops. However, you must take precautions if cooking around ceramic tile counter tops, because very hot items cam cause damage.
Ceramic tile flooring, found in residences and commercial and industrial buildings, offers a large variety of color and design. While ceramic tile is available in glazed and unglazed finishes, only the latter is generally used for flooring because glazed tile may be too slippery. National standards for co-efficiency in ceramic tile do not exist, according to the Tile Council of North America, but many localities impose their own standards.
Ceramic mugs are popular for drinking coffee, hot chocolate, tea and other hot beverages. Ceramic mugs have a high tolerance for heat, so they don't break or melt. And they keep beverages warmer longer than other materials, such as plastic, paper or glass.
If you are unsatisfied with your current fireplace surround, fixing the situation may seem like a daunting task. Fortunately, you can create an entirely new fireplace surround using stone veneer without having to take down or take apart the current ceramic surround. The process is much more cost-effective and less time-consuming than other methods. Before proceeding, be sure to clear out any nearby furniture and lay out tarps to avoid damaging the surrounding floor.
Polymer clay is a versatile craft supply that is available in many colors, making it an ideal choice for making jewelry. Am amulet is an object that is worn on the body to ward off evil and witchcraft. Creating a vessel, or container, out of polymer clay creates a safe place to hold an amulet. You can attach the vessel to a string and wear it around your neck. This allows you to carry your amulet with you at all times.
If you start to notice cracks and crumbling grout in your ceramic floors, poor installation and an unstable substrate are usually the culprits. It's also important to use proper cleaning products and supplies when maintaining ceramic tile surfaces. However, installing a strong and stable substrate or subflooring prevents ceramic breakdown. Taking certain preventive measures can also ensure that your space is properly prepped and in prime condition before the installation of ceramic tiles.
The Pottery Barn Holman shelf system has a floating design with no visible brackets or screws. The shelf is available in 2-, 3- and 4-foot lengths and homeowners can install them in a staggered fashion together for more intricate room designs. Installing the shelf involves mounting the provided bracket on the wall and then slipping the holes on the rear of the shelf over the bracket to lock the shelf on for support.
A pendant made from a bottle cap and polymer clay utilizes materials that are easy to work with, making it an ideal project for all ages. A homemade pendant allows you to customize a piece of jewelry in a economical way. Polymer clay and the tools to work with it are available at craft supply stores. A bottle cap from a glass bottle of soda or beer works well for a pendant, because it's a good size and weight to be comfortably worn around your neck.
