tora 
l iSaliiLiiel; nail .Pictorial; 
a Hie 
iooijiaaioa. 
m 
WAX FLOWERS AND FRUIT. 
No object of adornment in parlor, library, or setting- 
room, is more beautiful than collections of natural 
flowers. Next to these come, I think, those in wax, 
which so nearly approach the beauty of form and color 
of those in nature as frequently to be mistaken for 
them. There are certain objections attending the 
making of fruit or flowers in wax, that is the expense 
of the materials and implements, and the patience and 
care required in execution. The implements required 
for flower and fruit making are gilt flower cutters, 
flower, fruit, and leaf moulds, bristle (poonahj, and 
sable veining brushes, and camel’s hair pencils (all 
assorted sizes), small, medium, and large sized mould¬ 
ing tools and steel pins, with glass heads, two or more 
sizes, small scissors, spatula or mixing knife, saucers, 
and palette. The materials are white and green wire 
(silk or cotton covered), of various sizes; wax, white 
and green (assorted shades), single; white double, and 
for Pond Lilies, the extra large; and for autumn 
leaves, variegated autumn leaf (assorted shades). The 
best wax is the Madam Sclieiffele's Sheet Wax, which 
will not dry out and crnmnle as that made in the usual 
way. Fine dry powder colors, which come in “Homo” 
vials, and are prepared expressly for coloring wax, 
diamond powder, arrow root, sprig moss (in envel¬ 
opes), for moss rose buds; green and brown moss in 
bundles—stamens (assorted), and spiral or plain stems. 
These, materials and implements maybe obtained at 
any artists’ emporium. 
Having materials and implements ready, if the day is 
cool and the wax stiff, sit near a fire, or have a small 
spirit lamp with which to keep the wax pliable. The 
most simple article with which to begin is the marble 
cross. This is formed and ornamented with pure white 
flowers and leaves. Thus, have a plain wooden cross, of 
desired size, with three steps : paint with pure glossy- 
white paint; when dry give a coat of clear demar 
varnish, and while a little sticky, dust with the dia¬ 
mond powder. Take double white wax and the Ivy 
leaf moulds, dip in cool water, press the wax on the 
outside gently, but firmly, cutting the edges off with 
the edge of the mould ; then lay a narrow strip of wax 
down the midrib, place the white wire stem on it; lay 
another narrow strip n this, then the lining of the 
leaf, which cut in the same manner as the outside; 
press every portion between the thumb and fingers, 
and loosening carefully, remove from the mould ; pro¬ 
ceed thus with the different sizes of Ivy leaves, cover¬ 
ing the stem with a very narrow strip of thin wax, 
laying the stem in the centre, and twisting from the 
leaf downward between the fingers. When a sufficient 
number have been made, take long pieces of thicker 
wire, covering in like manner, arrange the leaves in a 
long vine and sprays, and keep in a close box or drawer 
until the remaining flowers are all finished, adding 
each one as it is accomplished. 
Fuchsias, Convolvulus, or any other vine is pretty 
and appropriate for climbing up the body of the cross 
and drooping over the arms. Fuchsias are made thus, 
having a natural one to copy from, if possible; take a 
piece of finest wire, dip in melted wax, (unless the wire 
is very white, silk covered wire is preferable for these 
white flowers and leaves, as it requires no covering of 
wax,) make a little hall of wax and place upon the 
end of it; cut coarse thread into proper lengths for 
stamens, waxing it. until stiff (make the filaments upon 
their ends), and press them firmly against the hall. 
The pistil must he of finest wire, bent into a graceful 
curve, the anther moulded as in nature, placed in the 
centre of the ball; then proceed to place the petals 
around it, first moulding them with the glass-headed 
pin (No. 2), until the edges are thin and the slight 
indentations made down the middle of each one. They 
must be placed to fold one in another by laying the 
left edge of the second oue to the middle of the first, 
and so on until the entire four are folded in ; the calyx 
is made from thick wax, doubled and pressed together 
before cutting. Mould them with pin No. 1, to he 
slightly hollow in the centre ; place around the petals 
and mould smooth at the base. Make half open buds 
in similar manner; closed ones of a solid piece of wax 
(made from the trimmings), moulded into shape with 
the fingers; take the point ot moulding pin and press 
or cut iudentations showing the unopened caiyx. The 
tiny buds at the eud do not require any markings. 
Lily of the Valley is lovely clustered at the base, 
though a full-blown llose, Passion Flower, or a col¬ 
lection of any flowers with their respective buds, leaves, 
and tendrils, are beautiful in pure white wax, looking- 
like chiselled marble. Lily of the Valley is cut with 
the regular cutter, and then moulded into bells upon 
the rounded ends of one of the wooden moulding tools, 
a few threads of spool cotton form the delicate stamens, 
which are placed on a little ball of wax, on a thread¬ 
like wire. Make two sizes of bells, and then some 
small buds for the end of the stem, all drooping in 
their naturally modest fashion. Form leaves for these 
and the Fuchsias in their respective moulds; cluster 
them around the steps and base of the cross, and place 
the Ivy vine around the body, with drooping sprays 
depending from the arms and top. Oue of the most 
beautiful crosses I ever saw consisted of a collection of 
various leaves: Grape, Maple, Abutilon, Ivy, Gera¬ 
nium, etc., around the base, with a vine of Ivy and 
Convolvulus running up and over the entire cross. 
Another was a white cross (as described), with autumn 
leaves of most gorgeous colors : the crimson Dogwood, 
scarlet Virginia Creeper, yellow Elm and Maple, 
brown Oak, russet-colored Alders, purple-crimson 
Sumach, with the varied shades of yellow and green 
Peach, and the mottled green, brown, purple, crimson, 
yellow, and orange shades of other leaves found so 
beautifully blended in the autumn leaf wax. These 
white crosses are always a source of enthusiastic 
admiration, and they are (comparatively), so easily 
made, that every lady should try to possess one. I 
trust I have made this explanation plain, and if any 
desire it, I will take great pleasure in giving instruc¬ 
tions for forming any other flowers, or for forming the 
Easter Cross Basket of Flowers, etc., in colored wax. 
Mrs. C. S. J. 
; surface. A skillful brother (if you have one like 1 
have), can construct the inquired wood-work in a very 
short time. The whole is to he covered with brown 
rep worsted ; put the cloth—which should previously 
be sewed together—over tlie top, and draw it in half¬ 
way between the top and bottom of the stand, and tie 
.it with scarlet cords and tassels; allow the cloth to 
fall gently from where it is tied to the feet, which 
should be covered with the same material. Make 
pockets of the brown, heading them with a ruching of 
scarlet silk or worsted; sew them around the top of 
the stand and suspend a scarlet tassel from each pocket; 
they are useful for holding many little things, such as 
thimbles, thread, scissors, and scraps of various kinds. 
Place on the top of the stand a faucy cushion of some 
pretty design and it is complete, and will serve as an 
ornament, as well as being very useful. 
Vickie Blue. 
HOW TO MASE A USEFUL WORKSTAND. 
This convenient article should be in every sitting- 
room, and perhaps some of the readers of the Floral 
Cabinet will be benefited if I tell them how they can 
make one themselves. The design is simple and 
pretty, and can he made with but little expense and 
trouble. The wood-work must he made from light 
timber, and formed rather delicate; the stalk or body 
not exceeding three inches in diameter at the base, 
less will he quite sufficient, but give it a gradual slope 
toward the top, as this will better preserve the equili¬ 
brium. The stand will require three feet, about eight 
inches in length and two in thickness. Have them 
shaped something like the feet of a piano-stool, but 
not carved; put on with screws, or they can he mor¬ 
tised. The top of the stand should he twenty inches 
in diameter, very thin, and perfectly smooth on the 
To Polish Shells for Ornaments. —Many shells 
naturally possess so fine a polish that no preparation 
is considered necessary for placing them in the cabinet. 
In general, however, it happens that when shells 
become dry they lose much of their natural lustre. 
This may be very easily restored by washing them 
with a little water in which a small portion of gum 
arabic has been dissolved, or with the white of an egg. 
This is the simplest of those processes which are em¬ 
ployed, and is used not only by the mere collector, but 
by the scientific arranger. There are many shells of a 
very plain appearance on the outside, by reason of a 
dull epidermis or skin with which they are covered. 
This is removed by steeping the shell in warm water, 
and then rubbing it off with a brush. When the epi¬ 
dermis is thick, it will he found necessary to mingle 
with the water a small portion of nitric acid, which, by 
dissolving part of the shell, destroys the adhesion. 
This last agent must be employed with great caution, 
since it destroys the lustre on every part exposed to its 
influence. The new surface must he polished with 
leather, assisted with tripoli; hut in many cases where 
even these are ineffectual, the file and the pumice- 
stone may be employed to rub off the coarse external 
layers, that the concealed beauties may be disclosed 
When this is done, the labor and care, though great, 
have a proportionate reward. 
To Make Alum Baskets. —Prepare a foundation 
of wire and cover it with strips of old linen, and then 
dip the work into hot alum water till a thick coating 
of that substance is formed. The wires may be 
twisted into any shape that may please the fancy, and 
a good effect may he obtained by leaving little tags of 
the linen strips hanging in various directions. When 
encrusted with the alum they will have the appearance 
of icicles. The first dipping of the basket should he 
somewhat prolonged, but after that it may occasionally " 
he immersed and dried until enough of the alum ad¬ 
heres to he satisfactory. In this way not only very 
pretty baskets can be obtained, but vases, card-bask¬ 
ets, cornucopias and other attractive ornaments may 
be prepared. 
Horn Baskets are among the handsomest made. A 
nice white born should be selected and scraped with 
glass, until a quantity of tine shavings have been ob¬ 
tained. Then make the foundation of the basket in 
pasteboard, and sew the shavings thereon in small 
clumps. The first or outer shavings are generally 
somewhat dark, but the remainder presents a beauti¬ 
ful white appearance. Baskets of this kind may be 
made either to sit flat or with standards; and when 
once covered both inside and out with the fleecy shav¬ 
ings, it is quite an elegant ornament. 
