| Salt Dough Box |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-203 |
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Q: I remember making trinkets out of dough. Does this sound familiar? Can you help me remember the steps and things I'll need?
A: (Debbie Stapely, Ask DIY Crafts Expert) I certainly can help! Here is the basic recipe for salt dough: two cups of flour, one cup of salt and one cup of water. If you want an idea for a great way to use the recipe, follow these directions for a salt dough box: Materials:
Two cups of flour
One cup of salt
One cup of water
Paste food coloring
Food processor
Rolling pin
Spatula
Sturdy drinking straw
Metallic ribbon or raffia
Ceramic glue
- If you want to color your dough, add paste food coloring to the water before adding the water to the salt and flour.
- Place the salt and flour in the bowl of a food processor and pulse it for a few seconds. Add the water in a steady stream while the food processor continues to pulse, until the mixture is the consistency of pie dough (figure A).
- Make the dough into a ball and let it rest on a flat surface for 15 minutes or so. Cover it with a piece of plastic wrap so it doesn't get all dried out.
- Remove the plastic and dust the top of the dough with flour to keep it from sticking to the rolling pin.
- Roll out the dough like a pie crust (figure B) until it's about three-eighths of an inch thick.
- Cut some paper squares the same size as the sides of the box you wish to make, to use as templates when you cut the dough. Squares that are three and a half inches on each side are a good size if you don't have something else in mind.
- Using the paper templates as guides, cut five squares of dough with a sharp knife -- four for the sides, one for the bottom.
- Poke holes alongside two opposing edges of each side square using a sturdy plastic drinking straw (figure C). When they dry, you'll use them shoelace-style to tie the sides of your salt-dough box together.
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment, and then remove the squares of dough to the cookie sheet using a spatula.
- Bake the squares in a 250-degree oven for 5-1/2 hours.
- When they're done, lace the four sides together with gold raffia, knotting the ends (figure d).
- Glue the bottom of the box to the sides.
More Questions for Debbie:
Q: I want to keep the mirror over the fireplace, but it looks plain. Do you have any suggestions on how I can dress it up?
A: If you don't have a frame, consider framing the mirror. Another idea is to stencil around the mirror on the wall. You could use gold metallic paint and do some classic scroll designs that way. Or try a swag over the mirror, with dried or silk flowers.
Q: Is it better to use hot glue or decoupage medium to fasten cutouts to a lampshade?
A: I would have to say that decoupage medium would be better. You could probably see the glue when the light was on.
Q: What kind of paint would I use if I wanted to paint a design on some fabric? I don't want it to wash off.
A: Use fabric paint. Acrylic paint works well too, but fabric paint is a little softer. Web site resources for Salt Dough Box: Salt Dough from HGTV.Com Salt Dough from Mini Italy.Com Potpourri Pie from Crafters Community.Com Books: Salt Dough: 20 Practical Projects for the Home
by Penny Boylan
ISBN: 1859675379
Lorenz Books (1997)
27 West 20th St.
New York, NY 10011
Phone: 800-354-9657
Fax: 212-807-6813
Web site: www.lorenzbooks.com Creating with Salt Dough
by Anna Llimos
ISBN: 1567114350
Blackbirch Press, Inc.
P.O. Box 3573
Woodbridge, CT 06525
Phone: 203-387-7525
E-mail: staff@blackbirch.com
Web site: www.blackbirch.com
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