Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
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.
Buttercream icing makes a spectacular decoration for cakes of all sizes. It can be piped or molded into different shapes and colored in all shades. The icing feathers are upright, piped shapes that can form a pattern on their own or around a separate decoration on the cake. Different consistencies of buttercream icing may be a cake filler as well as a coating and decoration. The icing is best made at room temperatures below 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Polymer clay can be used to make jewelry, improve your household decor and mold many art projects. The synthetic clay can be baked, sanded and buffed into a glossy shine, yielding many glass-like characteristics. You need to select the right type of polymer clay and employ the proper techniques to get a glass-like shine. The glassy sheen of many polymer clay pieces will make them stand out.
Making your own ceramic tiles in bulk saves money and allows you to create custom colors and textures. To make and bake ceramic slip -- the liquid mixture poured into molds -- you will need a special mixing machine and a ceramic kiln. Inquire at a community art center or make-your-own-pottery studio to gain access to this expensive equipment. You can purchase molds, dry clay powder and glazes from art supply and ceramic stores.
Ceramic tile is useful throughout a home or other structure on floors, countertops and walls to create a surface that is attractive and relatively durable and easy to clean. Although multiple tile installation methods exist, the use of a mud pad, or mortar bed, allows for the creation of a level surface even if the underlying material is not level. This method also permits the establishment of a slope when needed, as in a shower pan.
Polymer clay is a versatile form of craft clay. It is highly pliable, comes in many colors and does not dry out when left in open air. However, it is possible to fire it at relatively low temperatures to harden it -- creating durable animal sculptures that you can use as room decorations or Christmas ornaments.
Scrapbook embellishments add character and visual interest to premade templates or plain pages. Polymer clay is a good medium for adding dimension to your own scrapbook. The designs stand up off the surface to accent parts of your scrapbook pages or covers. Handmade embellishments allow you to customize the design to match your scrapbook theme exactly. Polymer clay is malleable, allowing you to mold it by hand, cut out shapes or add texture by pressing objects into the clay and removing them.
Just like ceramic tile installations, stucco installations have very specific installation methods in order to ensure that the stucco will last for years to come, as well as be covered by any relevant manufacturer’s warranties. While tile is a solid base and can be used in some cases for other materials, as a general rule stucco cannot use tile as a base layer, which means you cannot install stucco on top of tile.
Ceramic heaters work with ceramic tubes or rods and radiant heat, making ceramic space heaters an improvement over electric space heaters that work on electric coils. Safety features and clean heat add to the intrigue, but economy in operation is the key. Ceramic heaters cost more than electric space heaters to purchase, but make up the difference over a lifetime of use because the ceramic holds the heat energy. Although basic operating costs for similar ceramic heaters are the same, features affect the efficiency.
Ceramic has been used for thousands of years for both function and artwork, with evidence of ceramic works dating back to 10,000 BC. Ceramic continues to be a common sight in households across the nation, seen through glasses, bowls, plates and other items. When looking to update vintage pieces of ceramic, one of the quickest ways is simply repainting.
Tiles made in the cuenca style feature colorful, all-over patterns and raised design outlines that create areas of deep color. The word "cuenca" means basin and describes the process for making the ceramic tiles. Cuenca tiles are highly decorative and are suitable for use indoors or out. Their patterning can serve as highlight details or as a striking design feature when they are used together over a large area.
Clay pot filters have proven to be effective filters when dealing with diseases like E Coli. As an inexpensive alternative to manmade filters, developing countries have been using homemade clay pots to purify their water. While clay pots aid in filtering for bacteria, there are some areas where salt water becomes an issue, as undrinkable. Use a clay pot to aid in the process of removing salt from water along with the sun and a few other readily available materials.
