Archive for July, 2009
A Doggone Great Gift
July 24, 2009
My family has always been a tight-knit bunch. We promptly seize any opportunity to get together and celebrate over a large, home-cooked meal. Most recently, my youngest niece turned 6, and we all drove over to my brother’s house bearing gifts. I could tell that many of the presents were simply generic or default choices: a few dolls, some summer clothes and the like. I had some inside information that made my gift stand out.
Knowing that my niece is a devoted fan of the old TV show Wishbone, which still runs in syndication, I scanned the market for Jack Russell terrier memorabilia. I finally settled on a dog sculpture that looked just like the real thing. If I didn’t know any better, I would expect the figurine to come alive and start talking about great literary works. Needless to say, the present was a huge hit, and the sculpture occupies a space on my niece’s dresser.
Poly-Resin Dog Figurines
July 18, 2009
As a workable material for the creation of quite a few items, polyresin is both an affordable and durable solution to many household needs. Here is some background on polyresin, as well as some examples of how the material is used in the production of many different goods.
Polyresin one of the forms of resin materials that are especially flexible when heated. This quality of polyresin makes it the ideal material to use in any instance where molds are used to great goods. Because polyresin dries to a durable material that is virtually unbreakable, there are a number of manufacturers that choose to use this blend of polyester resin material to produce household goods, art objects and serving dishes.
One particularly popular form of polyresin is known as alabastrite. This is a blend of polyresin that includes ground stone material in the mix. Alabastrite is an excellent quality choice for sculpting materials, as well as being much less expensive than most of the traditional blocks of natural stones. In fact, alabastrite is often used in the creation of dog figurines, either by using molds or carving the figures from a block of polyresin by hand. This form of polyresin is also great to use when it comes to creating ceramics, such as holiday ornaments and decorative candleholders.
Polyresin products usually have a sheen that is similar to fiberglass and has the same tolerance for the addition of color into the material. This allows polyresin to be used in creating all sorts of products to fit into any décor. Along with a mixture of color schemes, polyresin also takes painting very well. This means that items can be receive a metallic finish, or metal flakes can actually be incorporated into the mix prior to molding the item.
Around the house, polyresin picture frames as well as clear or tinted protective toppers for tables offer both durability and a shot of color in the room. Vases, candle holders, and candy dishes can all be made from polyresin these days. Just about any decorating accent or container that once had to be constructed from tempered glass can now be produced with polyresin.
While some materials do not lend themselves well to detail work, polyresin allows the artist to include as much decorate work as necessary to produce an attractive item. From scrollwork on candle sticks to minute details on the faces of figurines, polyresin is an excellent medium that will hold the shape and produce crystal clear results. As such, many people that have long worked with stone materials and even hard wood in their arts and crafts endeavors have switched to polyresin when capturing a vision in detail is necessary.
In addition to the number of polyresin products on the market, many hobby stores also supply blocks of polyresin that can be used in carving and other craft projects. As a durable and affordable alternative medium for creating cherished pieces for the home, polyresin is a great option
Stone Resin Dog Figurines
July 11, 2009
Resin is a natural or synthetic compound which begins in a highly viscous state and hardens with treatment. Typically, resin is soluble in alcohol, but not in water. There are a number of different classes of resin, depending on exact chemical composition and potential uses. There are numerous applications for resins, ranging from art to polymer production, and many consumers interact with products which contain resin on a daily basis such as Dog Figurines.
Natural resin comes from plants. A classic example is pine sap, which has the characteristic sharp odor of terpene compounds. As anyone who has interacted with pine sap knows, the substance is very viscous, but it hardens over time. A number of other plants produce resins, and plant resins have been used by humans for thousands of years. Some plants exude a similar substance called gum or gum resin which does interact with water. Gum tends to be softer and more malleable than resin.
Plant resin can be clear to dark brown in color, and it varies in opacity and hardness. Some plant resin is also extremely volatile, since it contains unstable compounds. Misidentification of resinous trees can sometimes lead to unfortunate accidents, since some resins contain heptanes, flammable and potentially explosive hydrocarbons. The popular decorative material amber is fossilized plant resin. The rich golden color of amber is a common shade for plant resins, but amber can also be found in more rare colors, like blue.
Humans have been using natural resins for thousands of years. Pine pitch has been used to seal boats, mummies, food containers, and an assortment of other things. It has also been used as a component in varnish, lacquer, inks, perfumes, jewelry, and many other objects. With human technological advances came the realization that resins could be formulated into polymers, and the discovery of synthetic resins followed shortly after.
For the most part, polymers made with “resins” are actually made with synthetic resin, which is cheaper and easier to refine. Synthetic resin is much more stable, predictable, and uniform than natural resin as well, since it is made under controlled conditions without the possibility of the introduction of impurities. These resins are made by combining chemicals in a laboratory to stimulate a reaction which results in the formulation of a resinous compound. Once formed, the resin can be used in the production of plastics, paints, and many of the same substances that natural resin is used in.
Early Planning for the Holidays
July 7, 2009
Even though summer is just now upon us, it’s never too early to think about the holidays. After all, if you start planning now, you can relieve a lot of the stress that occurs in the weeks prior to the big day. That’s why it’s a good idea to come up with a lot of the ideas and planning now, so that there’s not so much to do once we roll into December and the rush really begins. One thing to consider is instating a yearly tradition that can be enjoyed for years to come.
This includes buying dog collectibles for your Christmas mantle. You can purchase one every year, so your collection will slowly but steadily grow. It will be something that everyone will soon learn to equate with the holidays at your home. Plus, because everyone knows this is your collection of choice, you are sure to start receiving these figurines from others as well.
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