3043. To Japan Work-Boxes and Fancy Articles

3043.     To Japan Work-Boxes and Fancy Articles. There is a very pretty method of ornamenting boxes, cabinets, etc., so that the figures appear of the color of the wood, and the ground black or colored ; this, by many, is produced by first tracing out the pattern, and then pricking in those parts which shall appear as the ground, cither black or any color at fancy. This is a very tedious process, and even when finished with the greatest care, will not appear regular or well defined in the pattern. The following method will be found very expeditious, and at the same time very correct; it is but little known, and, as such, will to the practical japanner bo the more acceptable. It may also be applied to many other purposes than here alluded to. The following preparation is necessary, and may be termed the stopping out mixture; it is made by dissolving the best white bees' wax in spirits of turpentine till it is of the consistency of varnish. Keep this mixture in a bottle, and, when wanted for use, mix sufficient for your present purpose with white lead in powder, or flake white, to give it a body - but not too thick, only so that it will flow freely from the brush. Having traced the design, go over those parts which are to remain of the color of the wood, and let it dry; then mix ivory-black (or other color as may be required), in very fine powder, with parchment or isinglass size, and go evenly and smoothly over every part of the work. It will now appear wholly black, or of whatever color that was mixed with the size. Let the whole get thoroughly dry; then, with a stiff brush dipped in plain spirits of turpentine, rub the whole of the work well, and those parts that have been gone over with the stopping-out mixture, will come off, leaving the black or other color perfect. It will then appear as if the work had been pricked in, but much sharper, and will, if carefully done, have a beautiful effect. You have now nothing more to do than varnish the work, as usual, and polish it as directed in Nos. 2979, etc.. To finish the work in the manner of Indian japan, give it 8 or 10 coats of varnish, so that it will bear polishing.

3044. Sealing-Wax Varnish

3044. Sealing-Wax Varnish. For fancy work, this has of late years been much used, and, if well applied and the wax good, will be a very good imitation of India japan. The method of making the varnish or japan is very easy, being simply reducing the wax to a coarse powder, and pouring the best spirits of wine on it in a bottle, and letting it gradually dissolve without heat, shaking the bottle occasionally till it is all dissolved. A 2 ounce stick of the best wax will be enough for 1/4 pint of spirits. Much depends on the goodness of the sealing-wax, and the color of the varnish may be varied by using differently colored wax. The finest vermilion sealing-wax makes the best varnish, the other colors not flowing quite as well; white sealing-wax is very apt to clot when drying. As this varnish dries very quickly, it should not be made until it is wanted for use.