Plaster - it's not just for hands.
Gypsum plaster, also known as plaster of Paris, has long been used for crafts. It was named plaster of Paris because of the large gypsum deposit located at Montmart in Paris. For years, children have been bringing home their hand prints frozen for eternity in plaster. There are, however, quite a few other things to make and do with this craft medium.
Sidewalk Chalk
Combine gypsum plaster with water until it is mixed but still stiff. Add some tempra paint until the desired color is reached. Then pour into an egg carton. Each egg holder can be a different color -- it just depends on the amount mixed. Colors can also be swirled together to create chalk that draws more than one color at a time. It takes 20 to 30 minutes for the chalk to harden, and it is best to let it dry for a day before use.
Flower Pot Pen Holder
This craft is popular in spring for Valentines, Easter and Mother's Day. In this project, the mixed plaster is poured into a small terra cotta pot. While the plaster is still wet, place one or more pen tops into the plaster. The plaster is then painted green or brown when it is hard. The pens are wrapped with green florist tape, which also holds on a silk flower. The pen can then be placed in the cap, which makes it look like a little pot of flowers.
Magnets
Use castings made of gypsum plaster to create unique magnets to keep or give as gifts. Mix the plaster with water until it is thick but still runny. Pour into candy molds and let dry. They can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour to dry completely. Pop the castings from the mold and smooth edges with a craft knife or fingers. Paint as desired. Spray on a clear coat of paint to protect the painted surface. Hot glue a magnet to the back of the casting to finish.
Air Fresheners
Mix plaster and water until thick but still runny enough to pour smoothly. Pour the plaster into candy molds and let dry. Drying time can take up to an hour. Pop the plaster pieces from the mold and smooth rough edges with a craft knife or fingers. Paint the pieces as desired, making sure to leave an area unpainted. This unpainted area is where the essential oil will be absorbed. Use an eyedropper to place a few drops on the unpainted area of the fresheners. Glue a ribbon loop to the pieces so that they can be hung where desired.
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