I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and have cleared the table and are creating again.
My final woyww for 2011 and what a mess that turned out. Quite fitting to end the year with bits of wax all over the place in various degrees celsius of melting. The above pic is slightly modified as I had to clean up before I could take a pic. Why? ....because wax was everywhere, camera, desk, scissors, mat and all over the ATC with certain bits unfurling rather than sticking to the wax.
Lessons learnt: (Positive reframe in brackets)
1. Be prepared and have a skewer ready on the desk. (Skewer the curling bits when you hit the wax with a heat gun and you feel less frustrated.)
2. Read all the instructions before you start. (this should be lesson 1. now you can see why I got in a pickle)
3. Heat gun may not be the best implement to heat wax. (Does tend to blow wax and other bits all over the place hence the mess)
4. Bristle brushes will burn when close to the heat gun. (Little bits of burnt bristle give an interesting effect.)
5. Going back to heat/smooth out a lump of wax can melt everything and you start all over again. Yep, that was in the instructions!! (Leave well enough alone.)
But .... I have to admit I am pleased with the finished ATC's. Just not 100% convinced I will do this again very soon.
Hi Sandra,
ReplyDeleteI tried the whole bees wax thing for a paperarts swap earlier this year. I was happy with the finished product, but I wasn't too keen on the messiness of the technique...
I used my heat gun and an artist's trowel to smear on the bees wax...I would heat the slivers of wax (which I sliced off a block) and would also heat the trowel, and between the two spread it all about.
I like what you have done. Wishing you a very Happy New Year. Cheers, A.
LOL! Love that you are willing to try something new! Hope that your crafting fortunes improve for the new year! -Amanda #9
ReplyDeleteYou should be pleased - those are fabulous. Loved your numbered items and they did make me smile (an achievement at this time of the morning I can tell you). May I take this opportunity of wishing you and yours a Good 2012. Hugs, Neet #4 xx
ReplyDeleteLove the finished result even if it was a little messy :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm just doing a quick blog hop round as many of my friends as I can before the family calls. I've offered to have the twins today so may not have a lot of spare time later. Think they need all the help they can get at the mo....both Mum and Dad are poorly now :-(
Hugs to all,
A x
I havent used beeswax for ages, I must bring it out again, you have inspired me.
ReplyDeleteBridget #14
I love the finished result, I have never used beeswax, Thanks for the tip not to use the heat gun to melt it x x x Happy 2012, Hugs May x x x x
ReplyDeleteha ha Sandra have done few methods like that in my life too where did like the final result but the path to it was waaay to much to bear again! thanks so much for popping over. Happy WOYWW! Love, Shaz in Oz. x #24
ReplyDeleteNot tried bee's wax before but love your ATCs so may have to give it a go. Bet the burnt bristles smelled awful as well but thanks for learning the lessons so that I don't have to.
ReplyDeleteHappy 2012
Ann B
#20
Instruction No 2 made me laugh until there was snot!! Just cos it rings so true. How many times have I launched into something in the same way only for it to end in disaster? Lol... We must be kindred impetuous spirits, snort!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your friendship and support this year, may 2012 be amazing for you,
Hugs, LLJ #35 xx
PS Fab idea about using the pic for the 2012 xmas card!
Wonderful result - and your advice made me roar with laughter here :) I think I'll stick to ordinary candles perhaps but well done you for percy-veering :) Di xx
ReplyDeleteThat looks like so much fun! Happy WOYWW! Tango, #37
ReplyDeleteLaughed at your instructions- brilliant fun. I saw someone( can't remember where) say to melt stuff in the little foil trays you can get for freezing meals in? Bit like a do-it -yourself melt pot, using a heat gun. Hope you had a very enjoyable Christmas, and that you have a wonderful New Year, Shaz
ReplyDeleteYour finished ATC's are gorgeous. One never knows, until you try..but thanks for the tidbits!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy WOYWW and may you and yours enjoy a wonderful healthy NEW YEAR. A toast for Merriment in 2012
Lovely ATCs! I´ve never done anything with beeswax, but if I someday will, I will remember your (hilarious) lessons :)
ReplyDeleteHugs
Tuire #36
LOL Sandra, you made me laugh about the instructions being number 2, that's me too...only read them when all else fails!! Perhaps melt the wax in a little metal cup cake or pie holder and heat from beneath? I have a much less directional heat gun, so the blast isn't so bad! Great results though, really nice.
ReplyDeleteLovely desk! A technique I have never tried!
ReplyDeleteLooks like your having fun!I use a small wok i bought at a pound shop has really fab base works so well ,as didnt want to shell out for melting pot.The heat gun works well if you are doing wax ontop of piccy when in bottle cap or else it's ok for me .Try see the pound dhops only smaller than wee milk pan .
ReplyDeleteHave fun!Have Happy Healthy,Creative New Year
Hugs Judex 57
Lovely cards - i haven't done any bees wax for ages but i don't think i will start just now
ReplyDeletelove your positive comments lol especially the bits of bristle brush lol
ReplyDeletehave a wonderful new year.
Hey, how can we learn if we don't experiment and make mistakes?
ReplyDeleteYour ATCs came out very nice and you learned a thing or two about playing with beeswax, so it's all good. Right? ;-)
Happy WOYWW and Happy New Year!
Sandy #73
NEVER read instructions
ReplyDeleteGood Golly Miss Molly
We'd never learn new stuff.....like how useful it is to have a waterproofed wax coated camera ! LOL,
happy new year,
dx
Hi Sandra, happy to learn by your mistake(s) ... I have a bar of wax in my stash somewhere, not got round to experimenting with it and now can see I need one of those little melting pans before I even think about it :)) The result is very nice though so more tempted than ever. I wish you health, happiness and plenty of time for crafting in 2012. Elizabeth x #65
ReplyDeletesounds like you had a blast (sorry) with the heat gun and the whole melting wax thing. but it all worked out great in the end
ReplyDeletehappy new year
janet#22
Were you not aware of the main rule that you only read the instructions after all else has failed? That is probably why things do go wrong for many of us, but we do learn a lot that way. have a wonderful New Year, and stay healthy, happy and have fun. Maggie #49
ReplyDeleteYou have to do more waxing stuff now, you've made every mistake possible this time around so you know it can only be perfect from here on out! Have a wonderful New Year.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Brenda 58
I've wondered about working with wax. It definitely leaves a great affect on things. Happy 2012 to you and yours!
ReplyDeleteWOYWW #72
Oooh thanks for the top tip on bees wax - I bought some for my birthday (I know how to treat myself!) in June and still havent played with it so I have stored your tips in a safe place to help me when I do! Thanks for all your lovely comments over the year and I hope you have a lovely New Year.
ReplyDeleteYou a photo of desk to post and that is much more than I would have had I been playing with the wax. I might have an interesting photo of the firemen coming though!
ReplyDeleteWell, I think you’ve suitably scared me off every trying that technique, Lol!
ReplyDeleteLove you’re Atc’s though and the colours that you’ve used. Looks like it was all worth the hassle in the end.
Happy New Year to you and ……..
Happy Crafting!
Sue (#68)
x
Nice looking ATC! I learned about them this year and have been having a blast with them! Thanks for leaving a comment on my blog this week. I really enjoy hearing what you have to say! Have a Happy New year! Vickie #10
ReplyDeleteI was just picturing the scene with the wax lol, mmmmmm maybe invest in a Melt Pot, they are wonderful and take away the burning bristle effect LOL!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy 2012
Lisa xxxx
Just back home so quick catch up to thank you for all your lovely comments and fun and inspiration on your blog! Here's to a great New Year 2012!! Health, Happiness, Peace & Joy,
ReplyDeleteLove Jo x
oh you must have patience for this technique!!!
ReplyDeleteOh LOL! Thanks for the tips. Am now wondering if one can use an encaustic iron with beeswax...
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by - Happy New Year!