Page:Embroidery and Fancy Work.djvu/100

96 with pointed tinting brushes. Each color requires a separate brush, as powder color will not mix like fluid ones. The brush must be held upright at right angles to the wax, and the color applied in the direction of the graining. The color must be applied at once.

The flower end of the apple and many other fruits can be imitated by pushing a clove into the eye of the fruit. Highly glossy fruit may be varnished with mastic. The down upon peaches, etc., may be imitated best with the flock used by paper-stainers. The fruit having been varnished or wet with spirits of turpentine, should be rolled in the flock or bran, the latter blown on it. The bloom upon plums and grapes is imitated by dusting them with common powder blue.

When wax-flower making has to be done choose a warm situation for your work. If the hands are too hot and the wax is thereby rendered too flaccid, wash in tepid water. The hands are oftener too cold; in which case washing in hot water and a seat near the fire are recommended. Never be in a hurry, or you will spoil your flower. Be careful in cutting the petals, etc., correctly. After having dissected and imitated a flower preserve patterns and sketches of its different parts, so that when the season for the plant has passed other copies of it may be made. Always hold the flower in the left hand, and apply fresh pieces with the right. Coarse silk dipped in wax may be used for fine stamens. The tips dipped in flour and then coated with wax will imitate anthers very well.