George Weil Blog & FAQs
Welcome to the George Weil Blog FAQs which includes information about the art and craft products sold on this website. There are project ideas, photographs of items created by our customers, product reviews, and step-by-step instructions. See also our USEFUL LINKS page which includes a listing of websites offering information about the products sold on our website, training resources and Guilds.
If there is anything you would like to see included here or if you would like to contribute an item, please email graphics@georgeweil.com
Making a Polymer Clay Cane Using an Extruder
Method You can use the Makin’s extruder to create consistently sized and shaped polymer clay ‘logs’ for making canes to decorate beads etc (see how to use the extruder from our page Using an Extruder with Polymer Clay). For this...
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Papermaking Additives and Fillers
This range of papermaking additives provides the serious handmade paper maker with professional materials for producing high quality and durable handmade paper. The additives can also be used by modellers for paper casting and papier mache. To add colour there...
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Creating Devore Fabric
You can create devore (from the French devorer – meaning to devour) by using a devorant paste on a mixed fibre fabric. The devorant destroys (burns out) viscose and plant (cellulose) fibres such as cotton, linen etc and leaves other...
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Natural Dyeing
There are many factors to consider when dyeing fibres with naturally occuring dyes from plants and other materials. Most dyes require the fibre to be first treated with a mordant solution. A mordant is a substance which binds the dye...
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Getting Started with Tapestry Weaving
Tapestry weaving is a relatively simple method of creating fabric for rugs, cushion covers and decorative wall hangings. The technique will appeal to the artist as the yarns can be used to ‘paint’ a picture across the supporting warp. A...
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Spring coloured Wool Tops for Making Felt
When I walked into the warehouse this morning with Sharon’s cup of tea, I couldn’t resist coming back with the camera to photograph this assortment of coloured wool tops. Merino Wool Sharon was in the process of collating together the...
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Rug Yarn for Weaving
You may not have come across this product on our website as we recommend a sample card or a visit to the showroom to help you with your choice. The colours are generally non-repeatable but we do hold reasonably large...
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Paper Yarn for Weaving or Knitting
Paper yarn is remarkably strong and can be used for weaving mats, screens, and window blinds. The finer, more flexible paper yarns can also be knitted. The image above left, shows two samples of paper yarn. The sample on the...
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Using Outliner or Gutta in Silk Painting
The purpose of outliner or gutta resist, is to create a boundary around part of an image or pattern so that the silk paint or dye will not run beyond that boundary. Example Work The Javana outliner used in this...
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Polymer Clay: Embellishment and Inclusions
Most polymer clay manufacturers offer effects clays such as pearlescent, glitter and translucent. There are also a number of materials which can be used to add effects to the clays including foils, mica powders such as Jacquard Pearl-Ex, resins and...
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The Tool Kit: getting started with Polymer Clay
The tools you will need for working with polymer clay are determined by what you want to make with it. If you’re on a budget, and just want to try the clays out, many of the tools can be found...
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Felt Beads made from Merino Wool Tops
Felt beads or balls can be used for making jewellery, as embellishments for clothes and accessories, or for making simple toy. The trick to making a regularly shaped ball or bead is how you start it. I used a bowl...
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Merino Wool and Silk Blended Top – FELTED
You may remember our item about Felt Wrapped Soap and the lovely Merino wool and silk blend we used. Impatient as always, I decided to unwrap the soap before it had all been used. After carefully cutting open the package...
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Soya Beans
If Jack had brought home Soya Beans, we’re sure his mother would never have thrown them out of the window. This magical bean is a valued source of protein and a healthier alternative to meat. It can lower cholesterol and...
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Felted Hats with Hatshapers
Feltmaking takes many forms. It can be used to create wall hangings, clothing, soft furnishings and toys. Feltmakers can make perfectly shaped and consistently sized hand-made felted hats from our robust plastic formers. The hats above were felted by Susan...
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Felt Wrapped Soap
Why wrap soap in felt? I hear you ask. Well, felting this beautiful wool and silk blended fibre around the soap makes it lather a little more than it ordinarily would and provides a lovely texture against the skin. The...
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Polymer Clay Hearts Valentine Card
The simple design for this handmade card can be used for Valentines Day or any other romantic occasion. Polymer clay is very lightweight when it is rolled out thinly and once baked it remains robust and durable. Step 1 Break...
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Naturally we’re delighted!
Our MD, Ian Bowers was delighted to receive this email today: ‘A very delayed note to say thank you for the natural dye kit you donated to the All Wales Event – Guilds in Wales – I was the recipient...
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More on Art Clay Silver 650 Clay
Work Smart and Plan Take care when working with Art Clay Silver to get the most out of it with little waste. Here are some tips: Do not expose the clay to air until you are ready to use it...
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Quick & Easy 3 colour Polymer Clay Beads
I was trying to recreate Sue Heaser’s perfectly worked spiral cane when I started to make these beads out of left over polymer clay. However, a lack of practice and patience resulted in a skew-whiff pink and white version which...
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