Get
By Jessica Smith photos By Melissa donald
Whether you blog daily about crafts or avoid them as much as possible, there’s something about the holidays that makes women want to tap into that hand-made, time-spent, giving-of-yourself feel. Embrace that aspiration with these simple crafts to decorate and give.
Sparkle with
Silk
Lynn Busch of Preston Arts Center gave us the scoop on one of the easiest crafty gifts you can make this holiday season: a hand-dyed silk scarf. Elegant and artistic, you might want to keep this gift for yourself!
Materials:
Dyed Silk Scarf
Time: 15 minutes Difficulty: Easy Cost: $12-$20
• Plain silk scarf ($7.29 at Preston Arts Center) • Plastic bag • Acrylic dye paint or thin textile paint (Lynn used Dye-na-flow, $4.39) • Paper towels or old newspapers • Medium bowl of water (optional) • Silk salt or unrefined sea salt with large granules (optional)
Instructions:
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For a more blended look, wet your scarf thoroughly in the bowl of water. For a more marbled style, leave it dry.
Drop the scarf into the plastic bag and add just a splash of one color of paint. If you’re using multiple paint colors, start with the lightest color. Work the paint and scarf around inside the bag with your hands.
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Remove the scarf from the bag and reinsert to reposition it for better results. Add a splash of a new color of paint and work it through the scarf with your hands.
Once your scarf is to your liking, lay it out to dry. Optional for wet technique: Use wadded-up paper towels or newspaper to elevate the scarf slightly, then pour silk salt on parts of the scarf. Let sit until dry. The salt granules will pull the water and dye from around them and create a spotted, textured look. Once your scarf is dry, heat-set it by ironing it at the hottest temperature appropriate for the fabric. Now you can wash your scarf with no worries. Give it as a gift or jazz up a holiday outfit and prepare for compliments.
Today’s Woman