Tools and Technique 1

As in most hobbies and handicrafts, the equipment for the making of a Merry Christmas may match the taste and pocketbook of the decorator. There are few essen­tials. There can be, if you please, a considerable variety of tools and quantities of materials on your Christmas shelf.

The essentials include a pair of sharp pruning shears, florists' thread, wire, shellac, white paint and small amounts of other colors, silver or aluminum and gilt paints, brushes, turpentine and plaster of Paris. Sphag­num moss is also useful.

Florists' thread is far better than thin string, which breaks when tightly pulled. This thread is made in several weights, but the amateur will find No. 6, which is some­what like a strong, fast-colored green trout-fishing line, the most suitable.

Florists' wire, cut in 12- and 18-inch lengths, is useful in many ways. It is advisable to stock various thicknesses or weights of this wire. A good working supply would include some 18-inch lengths of No. 18, 12-inch lengths of No. 20 or No. 21 and of No. 25. The lower numbers represent the heavier wire. Some may find No. 18 hard to use at first, but a little experience will make it manage­able. For most purposes I prefer stiffer wire. For frames, trees and wreaths I select No. 10 or even No. 9.

Shellac may be used for other purposes than preserving fruit. The variety of paints may be wide as you please, but I recommend the smallest can of each since only a little of any one color is needed. Plaster of Paris can be obtained in packages at any hardware or drug store. These are basic supplies.

Complete equipment would also in­clude Scotch tape, cellophane, cellophane glass sips, tin cans of various sizes, half-inch galvanized wire, a package of confetti, glitter (silver decorettes), glue, toothpicks, waterproof and satin ribbon.

For most decorations it will also be well to have on hand cones in various sizes, commercially prepared mag­nolia leaves, artificial holly berries and the berries of bay-berry or other fruits which last well.
Aside from shears, the only tools to be used are a small pair of pliers and a drill for making holes through nuts or cones. But even these are not essential. Fingers were made before pliers, and a redhot hatpin will make neat holes through nuts or seed pods to prepare them for wiring.

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