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Free Macrame Feather Pattern with Video

November 18, 2020 by Comfy Zen 5 Comments

Easy Macrame Feather Tutorial

Things have been pretty busy for me lately, between many hours of writing, and illustrating book covers, I haven’t had much time to create anything crafty for a while. So I thought I would stretch my fingers for a bit and make something fun.

A few months ago, I moved to a (tiny) cottage in a village by the sea. Doing it up is a work in progress, but it’s starting to feel more like home. We have a small wall by the window that needed a little something, so I thought I’d make a macrame feather and show you how I did it.

How to Make a Macrame Feather

So here is a little tutorial on how to make feathers (or leaves) out of macrame cord. You can follow the written instructions below or make one along with me in the video.

It’s my first try at making a video, you can hear the seagulls and the occasional car passing through, but the video was fun to make, and so I hope to make some better ones in the future.

Notes:

So heads up, macrame feathers do tend to flop a little. You kinda need to handle them as little as possible once you’re happy with your shape. You can use stiffening spray on the back. I didn’t use any on mine. But now it’s on the wall, I leave it where it is. If it needs dusting, I will just comb it back into shape.

My scissors are a little blunt, they have seen one craft too many, so I need some new ones. Make sure you get yourself some sharp scissors.

And lastly, I used single-cord macrame rope which is ideal for fringing, the color I used was called raw denim.

Materials You Need to Make Your Macrame Feather

Here is a list of the materials you will need:

  • 3m single cord, macrame cord (I used Bobbiny 3mm Cord from Etsy).
  • A pair of scissors.
  • A tape measure.
  • A comb.
  • Approx 7″ length of twig, dowl, or piece of driftwood.
  • A 4″ x 8″ piece of card.

If you’ve watched the video, I hope I have inspired you to make some feathers of your own and I hope you found the video helpful.

If you are new to macrame and would like to try making something else, take a look at some of the macrame kits available on Etsy that we have featured here at Comfy Zen.

Below are the written instructions for the project.

Instructions

Easy Macrame Feather Tutorial
Materials

Gather your materials.

Easy Macrame Feather Tutorial
Step 1

Measure and cut 22, 10″ lengths of cord. And 1, 25″ inch length.

Easy Macrame Feather Tutorial
Step 2

Fold the longer length in half and make a larks head knot. This will form the stem of the feather.

Easy Macrame Feather Tutorial
Step 3

Take 2 shorter lengths of cord folded in half. Place one loop from the left under the stem and one from the right over the top top of the stem – in the opposite direction. Pass the loose ends through each loop on the opposite side.

Easy Macrame Feather Tutorial
Step 4

Reverse and repeat the process by placing a looped cord under the stem the from right, and over from the left, to make the knot. Repeat with loops from alternate sides until you have used up all 22 lengths of cord. You should have 11 knots.

Easy Macrame Feather Tutorial
Step 5

Comb the cords to separate the strands.

Easy Macrame Feather Tutorial
Step 6

Your feather should now look like this.

Easy Macrame Feather Tutorial
Step 7

Make a template out of the card. You will only need to make half a feather or leaf shape – you can just reverse it when you trim the other half of your feather.

Easy Macrame Feather Tutorial
Step 8

Placing the template underneath your feather, comb the feather’s fringe to neaten. Trim around the edges.

Easy Macrame Feather Tutorial
Step 9

The trick to getting a nice even edge is to take your time. Comb it a few times and keep checking to see how it’s taking shape.

Easy Macrame Feather Tutorial
Step 10

Finally, shape it with your fingers…

Easy Macrame Feather Tutorial
Hanging your feather

And it’s ready to hang.

Easy Macrame Feather Tutorial
Feather Wall hanging

If you make a feather, please send me some photos and I will post them here :).

Filed Under: Crafts, Featured

Best Heat Guns for Crafty People

November 16, 2020 by Comfy Zen Leave a Comment

Here’s our guide to choosing a heat gun to use for your crafts. Our top recommendations are based on the most suitable options, to help you get the results you want for whatever type of craft you are into.

If you are new to embossing, you’re going to find a heat gun is an essential tool to heat the embossing powder to the temperature required to melt it.

The same goes for curing a screen print, and there are other crafts that require higher temperatures to work too, including melting beeswax/soy wax, for candle making, applying HTVs, removing bubbles from epoxy resin, shrink wrapping, and removing decals, etc.

A hairdryer just won’t do, it will blow a much higher volume of air at a much lower temperature not what you want. Especially when you are working with embossing powder – there’s more chance of the powder blowing all over the place than of it actually working.

So safety first! This is obviously a crucial factor when choosing a heat gun, so we just want to point out that all of the heat guns we’ve reviewed here, conform to the highest safety standards.

embossed notebook

If you aren’t going to be using a heat gun very often, need one for travel, or need to keep your craft supplies from taking over by taking up much space, the ENGINDOT Mini Heat Gun has the smallest footprint. It’s also our cheapest option.

The advantage of our other choices is that they have dual or multiple heat settings, to give you more control over the temperature you use.

Our top pick is the Wagner HT400. We have featured Wagner’s products here on Comfy Zen before (they also make exceptionally good paint sprayers for furniture).

We were particularly impressed with Wagner’s new heat gun design, not least because you are much less likely to catch your hand and burn it on the hot nozzle. The upright stand means it’s not lying horizontally on your craft desk where you could accidentally knock it with your hand.

If you need a heat gun that is also suitable for a wider range of crafts, can handle larger projects, or that you can emboss with but also use around the home for DIY projects, Wagner’s Spraytech 550 Hot Air Tool is the heat gun that we recommend.

Our Top Pick: Wagner Spraytech Hot Air Tool

Wagner HT400 Spraytech Hot Air Tool
Wagner HT400 Spraytech Hot Air Tool

Perfect for crafts that require heat to work, Wagner’s new lightweight, ergonomically designed, 3-user positions, heat gun gives you the flexibility to use it in the way that feels most comfortable for whatever you are working on.

Additionally, it has 2 temperature settings to give you control over the heat output.

We love this one, it’s such a simple design and the upright design of the stand means the nozzle is not lying around on your desk surface – so you won’t accidentally touch it and burn your hand while you are working.

Conforms to UL STD 499
Certified to CSA STD C22.2 No. 60335-1 and 60335-2-45

Check Price on Amazon

What We Like:

  • Suitable for all kinds of crafts – The upright stand design keeps the nozzle away from the surface of your tabletop. This means there’s no risk of accidentally burning your hand on the nozzle while you are working.
  • Dual temperature settings – 450°F (230°C) 680°F (360°C).
  • Three Usage Positions – palm, pencil, and hands-free.
  • Long Cord Length – 6-Foot

Weight: 0.7 lbs.

You can see it in action in the video below.

Runner-Up: Chandler Tool Embossing Heat Gun

Chandler Tool Embossing Heat Gun
Chandler Tool Embossing Heat Gun

This is the perfect tool for embossing by the US company Chandler. We think would also make a great gift for like-minded craft lovers – there’s even a matching glue gun to go with it!

Lightweight and cool to the touch, it features an insulated body, dual heat settings so you can control the amount of heat it puts out, and it also comes with a nozzle safety shield.

As with all the heat guns we have featured here it conforms to all safety standards and this one comes with UL certification.

Check Price on Amazon

What We Like:

  • Safe and Reliable – this one is perfect for embossing. We think it would make an ideal gift too, you can even get a matching glue gun.
  • Dual Temperature Settings: 392°F (200°C) 572°F (300°C).
  • Nozzle Safety Shield – You can’t accidentally touch the hot metal.
  • Cord Length – 6-Foot is a good length if you aren’t near an outlet.

Weight: 0.8 lbs.

Also Great: ENGINDOT Mini Heat Gun

This is the cheapest option we have featured and it’s also the most compact one too.

It doesn’t have dual heat settings like our other picks, but don’t let its smaller size lull you into thinking it’s not going to put out enough heat. This heat gun reaches a temperature of up to 662°F (350°C).

But as always safety comes first, so it does have thermal protection. This means that if, in the unlikely event that, it overheats, it has short circuit protection so it will just power off automatically.

A spoon reflector tool is also included which is very effective in concentrating and confining the heat output to just the spoon area.

Check Price on Amazon

What We Like:

  • A Great Budget Option – For its compact size, it’s powerful and efficient.
  • Compact Design – It’s one of the smallest models out there.  
  • A Long Cord Length – At 6.56 Feet this is longer than its competitors.

Buying Factors to Consider:

This one only has one temperature setting: 662°F (350°C).


Weight: 0.6 lbs.

Another Worthy Mention: Wagner Spraytech 503087 Furno 550 Heat Gun

Wagner Spraytech 503087 Furno 550 Heat Gun

This one is suitable for just about any craft that requires heat.

No fewer than 12 temperature settings (150°F to 1200°F) and two airflow speeds means you can, of course, emboss with it, but you can also do so much more – including acrylic paint pouring, wood-burning with a metal stencil, wax crayon art, shrink wrapping, and candle making, etc.

And if you are DIY-minded, you can also use it for projects around the home (such as for paint stripping or repair, etc).

The Wagner features an easy-to-read LED screen with push-button controls so you can clearly see what temperature you have set.

The heat gun includes a concentrator nozzle, a flare nozzle, a glass protector, and a curved deflector. This one even comes with a carry case to keep everything together.

For well under $40 this one is worth every penny.

Check Price on Amazon

What We Like:

  • Suitable for a Wider Range of Projects – This one is especially versatile. It’s suitable for stencil wood burning, acrylic paint pouring, wax crayon melting, paint removal, sublimation and candle making, and more.
  • 12 Temperature Settings – Ranging from 150°F to 1200°F th
  • It Comes With Accessories – Five Nozzles Accessories mean you can customize it according to the project you want to use it for

Cord Length: 5.25 Feet.
Weight: 1.984 lbs.

Other Worthy Mentions

ZHUOEN Mini Hot Air Gun

Its super low price makes this one a very popular choice.

  • Temperature: 200°C/390°F
  • Material: ABS Plastic, Stainless steel
  • Nozzle Safety Shield
Check Price

Homidic 6.56FT Long Heat Gun, Mini Handheld Hot Air Gun

Another nice little budget option.

  • Temperature: 200°C/390°F
  • Material: ABS Plastic, Stainless steel
  • Nozzle Safety Shield
Check Price

We hope this review has been helpful.

If there’s anything good that you think we’ve missed, or if you have any questions about anything, just let us know in the comments below.

Filed Under: Crafts

The Best Screen Printing Kit – A Buyers Guide

November 9, 2020 by Comfy Zen Leave a Comment

Would you like to print promotional material for a band/gig or a new business or sell, t-shirts, posters, and more? Maybe you are looking for a new hobby to unleash all that pent-up creativity.

A screen printing kit is the easiest way to learn this craft. And we’ve recommended kits for several other crafts over the few past months.

Why? …Simply because they are the quickest way to really get to grips with what you are supposed to be doing. You’ll learn way quicker with a good starter kit – not least because they take out all the guesswork, and hours spent trying to work out exactly what materials you are supposed to buy to get yourself set up.

Everything will arrive all together in one box – including easy to follow uncomplicated instructions. So you can open up your kit and start screen printing right away. Kits also make great gifts for like-minded creative friends!

This is a full guide to the best screen printing kit, with our top recommendations to get you started.

Up for that? Let’s dive in.

A Promotional Code to Use at Blick.com
Editor’s AwardProductScroll
Best Photo Emulsion Kit for Fabric Printing
Speedball Advanced All-In-One Screen Printing Kit

View on Amazon or Blick.com*
Review
Best for Artists, Printmakers and Fabric Printing
Daler-Rowney System 3 Screen Printing Set

View on Amazon or Blick.com
Review
Best for Printing T-Shirts and Small Business Set-Up
DIY Print Shop Screen Printing Kit

View on Amazon or Blick.com
Review
Best Introductory Kit | Best Budget Kit
Speedball Introductory Screen Printing Kit

View on Amazon or Blick.com
Review

Click to jump straight to each topic.

  • What to Look for in a Screen Printing Kit
  • The Best Screen Printing Kits Reviewed
    • Best Photo Emulsion Kit for Fabric Printing
    • Best for Artists, Printmakers and Fabric Printing
    • Best for Printing Posters, Flyers, and T-Shirts for Gigs
    • Best Introductory Kit | Best Budget Kit
  • Other Worthy Mentions
  • Frequently Asked Questions
Speedball Advanced All-In-One Screen Printing Kit From Amazon and Blick.com

Different Types of Kits

Below is a brief explanation of the different types of screen printing that you can try and I’ve also provided a glossary of terms which includes the tools and the types of media that a screen printing kit will typically contain. The contents of each kit will vary according to the type of kit you choose.

My only criticism is that they don’t come with a sheet of glass or acrylic to keep transparencies in place. And for most kits, (with the exception of the DIY kit) you will also need masking tape to keep the ink from running inside the edge of the screen and the frame.

You will also need a good heat source – like an iron, a heat press machine if you have one, or a heat gun. This is an important step you’ll need to take in order to cure your print, once it’s dry.

Here’s is a simplified rundown of the different methods of screen printing you can use – just so you get the idea of what’s involved.

  • Stencil Method | The most basic method, but still very effective. The stencil paper creates a masked-out area which effectively prepares your screen for printing.
  • Drawing Fluid and Screen Filler | Draw or paint freehand (or trace directly) on the screen, then use screen filler to create a mask. Once the drawing fluid is washed off, the screen is ready for printing.
  • Photo Emulsion | This method requires the screen to be pre-prepared with a light-sensitive emulsion. The design is then UV exposed onto the screen. Once the design is washed off, the screen is ready for printing.

What do the Kits Come with?

A Wooden Screen Frame and Base | Sizes vary between the kits. The Speedball kits are smaller, so check what size comes with each kit to make sure it’s suitable.

Sensitizer | This is a type of activator used in the photo emulsion method. Sensitizer is a dry paste to which you will need to add water and mix well. Just so you know, the bottle may feel empty before you add water, but be assured, it does contain the sensitizer.

You will usually need to mix and use activator in a darkened area unless otherwise stated. (Speedball’s Diazo Photo Emulsion does not require a light safe environment.)

Photo Emulsion | When correctly mixed with a prepared sensitizer, above, photo emulsion will turn from bright blue to green. It can then be applied to the screen. Pro tip – Refrigerating sensitized emulsion will give it a shelf life of 4 months, just make sure it doesn’t freeze.

A Squeegee | Suitable for fabric or paper/card screen printing. Fabric squeegees have a rounded edge and a graphic squeegee will have a square edge.

A Scoop Coater | The DIY kit includes a scoop coater. A scoop coater has a reservoir to hold emulsion. This enables you to apply a nice even coat to the screen more easily.

Screen Printing Inks | Some kits have more of a selection of colors than others. These may be water-soluble inks, fabric inks, or acrylic paints (with a medium that makes them suitable to use). Some kits contain white plastisol (a plastic paint) for a high opacity when printing white on to dark fabrics.

Photo Emulsion Stripper/Remover | Not all kits contain this, but it is used to remove the emulsion and restore your screen back to its original condition for future use.

Exposure lamp and Photoflood Bulb | Your kit may or may not come with a light source depending on whether the print method uses the photo emulsion method or not. If included, kits may contain a UV Bulb and a light safe bulb for a darkroom environment.

Accessories | Kits may also include craft sticks, card and drawing fluid, screen degreaser, and transparencies, etc.

Full Instructions | All kits come with good instructions and there are tonnes of youtube tutorials to follow.

There are lots of helpful youtube tutorials out there. And I’ve included a youtube demonstration video for each kit where possible.

If you’d like to watch a quick video to see what the process involves, I recommend this one from Blick Art Materials as a quick introduction to screen printing on a t-shirt. In this case, using a Speedball kit.

So, putting all of this together, let’s look at our recommendations for the best screen printing kits out there right now.

The Best Screen Printing Kits Reviewed

Best Photo Emulsion Kit for Fabric Printing: Speedball Advanced All-In-One Screen Printing Kit

Speedball Advanced All-In-One Screen Printing Kit

An affordable but comprehensive kit from the US art materials company Speedball.

We’ve featured Speedball before (they also make fantastic pottery wheels). And their screenprinting kits are another winner.

Check Price on Amazon

*Price is currently lower on Blick.com.

Ideal for t-shirt printing, this kit has everything you need to screen print on fabric. The kit includes an exposure lamp with a 200-watt photoflood bulb and a clamp.

Note, it doesn’t come with a yellow light-safe bulb, and that’s precisely why we love this kit – Speedball’s Diazo Photo Emulsion is formulated so it doesn’t need to be used in a light-safe environment.

That means you can work under normal lighting conditions and this saves you from having to blackout your windows or resort to just working after dark.

It comes with four, 4oz. jars of water-based fabric ink in black, red, white, and blue, and you get a 10 by 14-inch frame. Not the largest printing area out there, but perfectly fine for most people’s needs. If you take a look at the guy’s t-shirt on the box, you will get an idea of the print area we are talking about.

Speedball Advanced All-In-One Screen Printing Kit
Speedball Advanced All-In-One Screen Printing Kit

What We Like:

  • Ideal kit for t-shirts -You can print line drawings, lettering, and photographic half-tone positives on fabric using the photo emulsion process.
  • A good size screen – 10 x 14 inches gives you plenty of room for a wide range of projects.
  • Inks – You get 4 Water-based inks.

The kit also includes:

  • Black, red, white, and blue water-based inks.
  • Sensitizer.
  • Emulsion remover.
  • 2x Transparencies, craft stick, and black card.
  • Lamp, photoflood bulb, and clamp.

Check the latest price on Amazon. Price is currently lower on Blick.com.

Best for Artists Printmakers and Fabric Printing: Daler-Rowney System 3 Screen Printing Set

This is a great kit for printing posters, ads, artwork, greeting cards, or fabrics.

What makes it a bit different is that it uses regular water-based acrylic paints to which a medium is added to transform the paint and make it suitable for textile printing or screen printing paper or card.

Check Price on Amazon

Check Price on Blick.com.

If you are arty and like the idea of creating freehand designs, or aspire to become a printmaker, this is the kit for you.

The kit is specifically set up to enable you to hand draw (or hand trace) your designs directly onto the large 16.14″ by 21.65″ screen – using the screen drawing fluid, provided.

The screen is then prepared for printing with a removable screen block which also comes in the kit.

Daler-Rowney System 3 Screen Printing Set

You can see how this kit works in the short demonstration video, below.

What We Like:

  • Print hand-drawn, hand-traced artwork for posters, ads, artwork, greeting cards, and fabrics using screen drawing fluid.
  • Large Screen – 16 x 21 inches.
  • Includes a good range of inks: The kit comes with 5 water-based acrylic paints and screen drawing fluid.

The kit also includes:

  • 5 Full-sized acrylic paints.
  • Textile printing medium.
  • Screen printing medium.
  • Removable screen block.

Check the latest price on Amazon. View and check the price on Blick.com.

Best for Printing T-Shirts and Small Business Set-Up: DIY Print Shop Screen Printing Kit

Similar to the Speedball kit we’ve looked at above, this kit also uses the photo emulsion method.

But this is a much larger kit, making it ideal if you want to print t-shirts to sell.

Check Price on Amazon

View and check the price on Blick.com

Now first let me say, you are going to need to do a bit of DIY to put this one together, (no pun on the name intended).

The instructions say the 14 x 14-inch platen should be fixed to a table, (so if you don’t have a designated craft table, you might want to consider fixing it to a wooden board instead).

And just in case you didn’t know, the purpose of the platen is to allow you to mount and hold your shirt in place (tacking adhesive is provided) so that you get a perfect print every time and the ink can’t run through to the back.

With this kit, you’ll get a generous 16 × 20 inches screen, allowing for larger prints, a professional 70 Durometer squeegee, and, something the Speedball kit doesn’t come with – a scoop coater.

Just so you know, a scoop coater is a black-colored tool you can see in the image below, it helps you easily apply a nice even coat of emulsion to the screen via its built-in reservoir design.

Unlike the Speedball kit, this kit comes with a sensitizer that is light sensitive – so it needs to be prepared and applied in a darkened room away from light.

For that reason, the kit includes a light-safe bulb and a UV Bulb.

The kit also includes:

  • 14 x 14-inch platen.
  • 16 × 20-inch screen.
  • Screen degreaser and emulsion stripper.
  • Black water-based ink.
  • White Plastisol ink.
  • Emulsion.
  • Cleanup cards, sponge, tape, gloves, pack of 10 parchment paper (so you can cure the shirts with an iron), 2 sheets of Rite Film WP film, and an instruction manual.
DIY Print Shop Screen Printing Kits
DIY Print Shop Screen Printing Kit

And again, you can see how this kit works in this full demonstration video, below -it is quite long so you may want to bookmark it for later.

What We Like:

  • A professional kit for t-shirt printing – ideal for a small business setup. (Poster kit also available.)
  • Large Screen: 16 × 20 inches.
  • Includes a starter press with 14 x14 inch platen.
  • Inks: White Plastisol ink (for dark fabrics). Black water-based ink.

Best Introductory Kit | Best Budget Kit: Speedball Introductory Screen Printing Kit

This kit is a complete bargain for what you get – so what’s not to love?

It’s a great kit to just have a go and see how you get on with screen printing.

Check Price on Amazon

View and check the price on Blick.com

It’s basically a two-in-one kit:

You’ll be using paper stencils (x50) to make prints. I recommend getting a good die-cutting machine if you want to take this method to the net level.

You can also draw freehand (or trace) using drawing fluid and screen filler to create and print your designs.

What We Like:

  • A fabulous starter kit for a bargain price using paper stencils and the drawing fluid/screen filler methods of screen printing.
  • Good Size Screen: 10 x 14 inches not too big or too small.
  • Inks: You get Red, and black fabric ink, plus acrylic black drawing fluid

The kit also includes:

  • Screen degreaser and emulsion stripper.
  • Red and Black ink.
  • Acrylic black drawing fluid.
  • Screen filler.
  • Screen Cleaner, marker paper pad, knife*, paintbrush, mixing sticks, and instructions.

* The kit would make a lovely craft gift – but be aware, it contains a knife.

Speedball Introductory Screen Printing Kit

Check the latest price on Amazon. View on Blick.com.

Other Worthy Mentions

Blick’s Complete Photo/Fabric Screen Printing Kit

The biggest kit we’ve looked at. It comes with Diazo inks which aren’t light-sensitive so you don’t need a darkroom. And a 12 x 18-inch screen.

Key Features:

  • Red, Blue, White, Black, and Yellow Diazo inks.
  • Screenprint with both fabric and paper.
  • Comes with enough emulsion to coat at least 10 screens.
Check Price on Blick.com


Jacquard Professional Screen Printing Kit

This kit has a wrap-resistant aluminum frame and the kit is suitable for multi-surface printing.

Key Features:

  • 10 x 14-inch screen.
  • Self-curing and opaque colors for printing on dark fabric.
  • Photo emulsion and Diazo sensitizer
Check Price on Amazon

We hope this list of the best screen printing kits has been helpful.

If there’s anything good that you think we’ve missed, or if you have any questions about anything, then let us know down in the comments below.

Filed Under: Crafts

The Six Best Copper Sinks for 2022

November 5, 2020 by Comfy Zen Leave a Comment

The easiest way to transform a standard farmhouse-style kitchen into a dream kitchen is with a beautiful copper sink.

So it’s time to elevate your kitchen game and upgrade to the best copper sinks on the market. Forget about those dull and boring stainless steel sinks most of us grew up with, it’s all about luxurious and elegant copper.

But don’t just take my word for it, let’s do some research and see what the experts have to say. After scouring the internet and consulting with the most discerning home chefs, it’s clear that copper sinks are the clear winners when it comes to style, function, and durability.

And let’s not forget about the warm, rich color that adds a touch of sophistication and class to any space. Plus, copper is naturally antimicrobial, making it a hygienic choice for your kitchen sink.

And the beauty of choosing a copper sink is that even if you can’t afford to invest in a super-high quality one, there are plenty of more affordable, lighter gauge ones, see below. Either way, you’ll greatly elevate the overall look, and design of your kitchen, however grand or small!

Copper Gauge Chart Showing Relative Scale of Thickness for Copper Sinks
Copper Gauge Chart Showing Relative Scale of Thickness When Choosing a Sink (more info at the end).

The only drawback I’ve found about choosing one is that they are considerably heavier than a standard sink. So if you go for a larger size, or if you choose one with a thicker gauge, remember installation is more likely going to be a two-person job.

That being said, without question, a copper sink is well worth the effort. It will always look more beautiful than those cheap and cheerful stainless steel ones.

And don’t worry, a copper sink is easier to clean and care for than you might think. Did you also know that copper naturally has antimicrobial properties?

Our Winner

HEAVY-GAUGE Copper Farmhouse 30″ Sink by Fossil Blu

Upgrade to a heavier and thicker copper sink with this 12 gauge beauty from Fossil Blu.

Weighing in at 50 pounds of 99% pure copper, this 12 gauge copper sink is thicker and heavier than just about any you’ll on the market today.

So if you are looking for a high-quality farmhouse-style sink, this heavy-gauge copper sink by Fossil Blu is absolutely the one you should go for. This one is built to last.

Check Latest Price

Fossil Blu is a US, family-run company that has been designing and sourcing high-quality fireclay and copper sinks since the year 2000. Each sink is individually hand-hammered by skilled artisans to avoid uniformity and retain a more natural patina.

As you’d expect, the company intentionally avoids sourcing its sinks from any county that mass produces cheap products.

Image source fossilblu.com
Image source fossilblu.com

This sink comes with a copper-plated 304 stainless steel disposal flange and stopper (which makes it disposal-ready). It also comes with a standard copper-plated 304 stainless steel drain.

In addition, you’ll get the basin rack that you can see in the photo, above which is capable of holding a whopping 200 lbs of dishes.

Final thoughts?

If you have the budget for this one it’s a fabulous choice. It’s solidly built and much thicker than the standard 16 gauge that you’d normally expect to find. It’s built to last and it won’t scratch or dent easily.

That being said, just as with anything you want to keep looking good, you’ll want to take a little extra care with it.

If you are looking for something a little more affordable, take a look at our next pick.

Runner Up

Lange Copper Farmhouse 30″ by Sinkology

This stunning farmhouse copper sink is part of a range by Sinkology.

The whole range is more affordable than the Fossil Blu sink above – costing as much as a few hundred dollars less.

-And they look just as beautiful!

Check latest Price

The Sinkology range has between 16 and 17-gauge of pure copper. The thickness depends on the size of the sink you go for. Larger sizes have a thicker gauge. Sinkology sinks are lighter and a little thinner than fossil Blu sinks but this makes them more affordable and the good news is they look just as pretty.

They are also still durable enough to withstand everyday knocks and scratches.

Sinkology sinks are hand-hammered by a team of skilled artisans for a bespoke appearance. They come in a wide range of sizes and styles, and accessories such as a disposal flange, strainer, or basin rack are easily available – if not included.

A selection of farmhouse sinks from the Sinkology Range on Amazon
A selection of farmhouse sinks from the Sinkology Range on Amazon

Sinkology offers an excellent range of well-made and affordable farmhouse sinks.

Also Great

1-Hole Drop-In 33" by Sinkology

1-Hole Drop-In 33″ by Sinkology

Upgrade your kitchen with ease using Sinkology’s luxurious and affordable drop-in sinks

Drop-in sinks are an ideal option if you are renovating or upgrading an existing kitchen – simply because they are easier to install yourself.

Sinkology’s range of drop-in sinks offers a touch of luxury at an affordable price.

Check Latest Price

As you know, Sinkology copper sinks are handcrafted/hand-hammered by a team of skilled artisans for a more natural-looking patina.

This one is made from 17-gauge pure solid copper. The sink comes pre-drilled with either one or three holes and it has a reinforced faucet deck. This adds strength and makes faucet installation stress (and accidental damage) free.

Best Budget Option

Pure Copper Hand Hammered Milan Single Bowl Kitchen Sink, 21" by Monarch Abode

Pure Copper Hand Hammered Milan Single Bowl Kitchen Sink, 21″ by Monarch Abode

Transform your kitchen with this budget-friendly handcrafted copper sink, made by skilled artisans.

Available in 17 or 21 inches, this drop this 18 gauge copper sink can be used as a drop-in or an undermount sink.

And the best thing is, its low price doesn’t mean it’s any less well made than our other choices.

It’s just smaller and the copper isn’t as thick. It’s still handcrafted, hand-hammered by skilled artisans.

Check latest Price

Another Worthy Mention

Vine Design Farmhouse Single Basin Copper Kitchen Sink by Signature Hardware

Vine Design Farmhouse Single Basin Copper Kitchen Sink by Signature Hardware

We just want to mention there are stunningly decorative apron front designs out there. And this one is a work of art.

  • Attractive filigree design.
  • 16 gauge copper.
  • A lifetime warranty and expert customer support are offered.
  • 30.125 x 20 x 10 inches
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Also Worth Consideration

Rounded Apron Front Farmhouse Kitchen Double Bowl Mexican Copper Sink by Color y Tradicion

Rounded Apron Front Farmhouse Kitchen Double Bowl Mexican Copper Sink by Color y Tradicion

What not to love about this one? It’s full of rustic charm!

  • 17 Gauge pure copper.
  • Handmade in Mexico.
  • 33 X 22 X 9 inches.
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Drop-in Vs an Undermount Copper Sink

The difference between the two is that with a drop-in sink you will see the lip of the sink. It will sit proud of your kitchen countertop.

Drop-in sinks are generally easier to install. Mainly because there is more leeway when cutting the countertop hole for the sink to sit in. This makes them a great option if you just want to update an existing kitchen. 

The advantage of a drop-in sink is that the edge of the sink will cover any small irregularities that may occur when cutting a hole in the countertop. You can see the effect you get with a drop-in sink in our image at the top of this page.

An undermount copper sink sometimes referred to as a self-rimmed sink, on the other hand, sits under your kitchen countertop.

The surface of your countertop will lay over the lip of the sink. As you can see in the image bottom of the page, the countertop needs to be cut very precisely. So for this reason it’s better to have this type of sink professionally fitted.

What Gauge Sink Should I Buy?

Copper Gauge Chart Showing Relative Scale of Thickness for Copper Sinks

A gauge is a measure of the thickness of a sheet of metal. The lower the number, the thicker the metal. For example, a very high-quality sink may have a gauge of 12. As you can see in the chart above, that translates to a thickness of 0.108 inches.

A gauge of 16 or 18, on the other hand, would mean the copper has a thickness of 0.065″ and 0.049″ respectively. So you get the idea of what the gauge number actually means in real terms.

Signature Hardware Fiona 36" Farmhouse Single Basin Copper Kitchen Sink
Signature Hardware Fiona 36″ Farmhouse Single Basin Copper Kitchen Sink from Amazon

Filed Under: Home Furnishings

Best Pottery Wheel | A Clear and Simple Guide

October 29, 2020 by Comfy Zen Leave a Comment

If you are wondering which pottery wheel to choose, this straight to the point guide will take you through some options to help you choose the most suitable, and therefore, the best pottery wheel for you.

The table below contains a summary of our top choices. But we also provide full reviews and information about what to look for as well. You can jump to each section from the table of contents below the table.

Choosing Your First Pottery Wheel

If you are just starting out, or just want to have fun and try your hand at throwing some pots, you probably don’t want to spend too much, and the good news is, the most expensive wheels, (which have centering capacities of 150 lbs and up) are frankly way more than you would need anyway.

So if you just want to have fun and not spend too much, for well under $200, our budget option is a pretty solid choice.

Alternatively, even if you have never thrown anything before, you may prefer to go for a step up from a basic pottery wheel. The Speedball Artista is an excellent choice for starting a new hobby.

It’s suitable for all skill levels. It’s practical and priced at under $500 it’s a lot more affordable than the full-sized ones. It also comes with a two-year warranty.

Tabletop Pottery Wheels

Tabletop pottery wheels are usually compact, and easily portable – the Speedball Artista and the Aspire Pottery Wheel by Shimpo are good examples. You can take them outside when the weather’s nice, and they’re convenient to carry with you to a pottery class.

Even as an experienced potter, you may just prefer to specialize in smaller pieces, so a compact tabletop pottery wheel may be all you ever need.

Some people do, however, struggle to find a suitable surface to place a tabletop pottery wheel on. You will need to find somewhere to position it at a comfortable height to work. But you may be able to find, or even make, a table that’s suitable for your tabletop pottery wheel.

Hand Operated vs Foot Operated Pottery Wheels

Tabletop pottery wheels may be hand-operated or foot-operated (via a foot pedal). On balance, hand-operated pottery wheels are generally easier to work with for a beginner. The simple reason is that it can be a little difficult to get the co-ordination right between changing the speed with your feet while working the clay with your hands. (The same is also true when learning to spin on a spinning wheel.)

Full-Size Pottery Wheels

If you’ve tried throwing on a wheel before, maybe you’ve taken some classes and, you know you’re not a quitter, I recommend you invest in a Brent EI.

Brent models may be more of a considered purchase but they outperform the cheaper ones by a mile.

They are ideal for a home studio set up and are built to last – well, basically forever.

BrandDetailsView

Speedball Artista Potter’s Wheel
The Perfect All-Rounder

Speed: 0–220 rpm
Wheel Head: 11″ 
Bats: 2 included.
Centering Capacity: 25 lbs
Warranty: 2-years

Read Full Review
Blick.com

Shimpo Aspire Pottery Wheel
Small and Portable

Speed: 0–230 rpm (hand-operated version)
Speed: 0–250 rpm (foot-operated version)
Wheel Head: 7″
Bats: 2 (9- 3/4″)
Centering Capacity: 20 lbs
Warranty: 5-year limited manufacturer’s warranty

Read Full Review
Blick.com


YaeTek Electric Pottery Wheel Machine
Ideal Starting Kit for New Hobbyists

Speed: 0-300 rpm
Wheel Head: 9.84”
Bats: 0
Centering Capacity: (Approx) 20 lbs

Read Full Review
Amazon

Brent Mode IE, B and C Power Wheels
The Enthusiast’s Dream Setup

Model IE
Speed: 0–240 rpm
Centering Capacity: 75 lbs.
Bats: Plast-Bat 12″
Warranty: 5-years

Models B and C
Speed: 0–240 rpm
Centering Capacity: (B)150lbs | (C)225 lbs.
Bats: Plast-Bat (B)12″ | (C)14″
Warranty: 10-years
Blick.com
Amazon

Read Full Review


Model IE
Blick.com

Click below to jump to each topic in this guide.

  • Full Product Reviews
    • Our Top Pick | The Perfect All-Rounder
    • Best Portable Pottery Wheel
    • Ideal Starting Kit for New Hobbyists
    • The Enthusiast’s Dream Setup
Working with stoneware clay on a Brent wheel. Photo by Taylor Heery.

Our Top Pick | The Perfect All-Rounder: Speedball Artista Potter’s Wheel

The Perfect All-Rounder

If like me, you are the crafty, creative type – even if you have never thrown anything before, I recommend you skip those cheap Chinese import, pottery wheels that you see all over Amazon.

Check Price on Blick.com

Speedball is a long-established US fine art materials company (1899) and their Artista pottery wheel is a quality choice. It’s suitable for all skill levels, it’s practical, portable, and more affordable than a full-size pottery wheel – and it comes with a two-year warranty.

You get two free bats with this model. Bats are extremely useful tools for removing finished pieces and leaving them to dry undisturbed. You’ll find that cheap imports don’t allow for the addition of a bat unless that is, you are prepared to drill your own holes to hold one.

Without a bat, you’d have to leave your pot on the wheel head to dry, limiting the use of your wheel, or risk damaging your piece if you try to remove it too soon.

What stands out for us about the Artista, is the amount of throwing space this pottery wheel allows you to work with.

The wheel head is 11″ but you can remove the splash pan (for safety), and the head will take a bat of 14″.

That means you are not limited to small designs. You’re limited only by the 20 lbs centering capacity which is pretty much all most people will need.

Another nice feature is that unlike the cheaper imports out there, the Artista also has a well-designed, easily removable two-part splash pan for a faster clean-up.

This pottery wheel is hand-operated – ideal if you prefer not to work with your feet, and perfect for beginners who may find their hand and foot coordination too much of an additional challenge while trying to learn to throw.

You can easily add a foot pedal later if you want. And if you are left-handed there is a left-handed version available too.

Best Portable Pottery Wheel: Shimpo Aspire Pottery Wheel

Shimpo Aspire Pottery Wheel

If you’d like something small and portable then this one is ideal.

You can it take to a pottery class or set yourself up anywhere, like your own backyard on a nice day, for example, the Aspire by Shimpo is the one to go for.

Check Price on Blick.com

It comes complete with two 9-3/4″ (alloy) bats and a removable splash pan for easy clean-up.

Again the one we have featured is hand-operated. There is also a foot-operated model but to be honest, a hand-operated pottery wheel is a better choice for a beginner.

It means you won’t have to master any hand and foot coordination awkwardness while you are learning to throw.

And just as in our top pick, with this choice you can easily add a foot pedal later if you like.

The Ideal Starting Kit for New Hobbyists: YaeTek Electric Pottery Wheel Machine

This choice is ideal if you’d like to just have a go at throwing on a pottery wheel, but don’t want to spend too much on a hobby.

Maybe you just want to have fun rather than get too serious about it.

The YaeTek is a solid choice, and for well under the $200 mark, (at the time of writing it’s under $150) it’s well worth the money.

Check Price on Amazon

You may be wondering why it costs less than our other options, so I take you through a rundown on what it doesn’t do first.

The slash pan is fixed, so although it is pretty easy to clean up, it’s not as easy as the Artista or the Aspire.

It also doesn’t come with any free bats, and, like most pottery wheels in this price range, there are no holes or pins on the wheel head to attach one.

You can, however, drill your own holes and buy a couple of bats separately. Just so you know, a bat will allow you to remove your piece while it’s drying, without risking any damage when taking it off the wheel head.

The YaeTek is foot operated. It’s also worth noting here, that hand-foot coordination can take a little while to master. That being said, the pedal is very responsive, and sooner or later you would most likely want to learn to throw with a foot pedal anyway.

One feature we really like about the YaeTek is its ability to go in both a forward and backward direction. This is great if you are left-handed but you will also find it handy for some throwing and decorating techniques.

All in all, for the price, it’s a good pottery wheel and what’s more, you don’t need to add legs or find a suitable table to position it on.

The Enthusiast’s Dream Setup: Brent Models IE, B, and C Power Wheels

Brent Model C

Regarded as the Harley Davidson of the pottery wheel. Brent pottery wheels are renowned for their power, strength, and durability.

The company has been manufacturing pottery wheels in the US for more than 40 years.

Check Price on Blick.com

Powder-coated steel legs to prevent corrosion in a moist atmosphere, along with a cast-aluminum foot pedal, a cast-aluminum wheel head, steel pins, and all-steel construction mean this baby is built to last!

Brent models feature both forward and reverse directions as well as the addition of a neutral setting – whereby the wheel can turn freely for banding and decorating. And this is a feature you just don’t get on cheaper pottery wheels.

What really sets this pottery wheel apart from the cheaper models out there, is its ability to maintain maximum torque – even with pressure and a heavy clay load.

This is because the controller automatically adjusts the wheel’s torque according to the amount of pressure that you apply to the clay. So there is no loss of torque – even when throwing a large amount of clay – and you don’t have to press the foot pedal down to compensate.

The two-piece splash pan is easily removable for a faster clean-up time.

Brent Pottery Wheels: The Difference Between Models IE, B, and C

The difference between model B and C comes down to the clay load it can handle, or to put it another way, the power behind the motor. Model B has a 1/2 HP motor and can continuously handle 150 lbs of clay, whereas model C has a 3/4 HP motor and a centering capacity of 250lbs.

For students of all levels, we recommend the IE with a reversing switch. This model has sturdy telescoping and lockable, legs which take the wheel from 13″ high when used as a tabletop wheel to 20–25″ when used on the floor.

The 1/4 HP permanent magnet DC motor and self-tensioning four-groove poly v drive belt drive will give you a smooth speed up and slow down, and a steady centering capacity of 75lbs of clay.

Brent Model IE
Brent Model IE

If you’d like to see it in action, take a look at the short video below.

As you can see from the video above, the Brent pottery wheel is a huge step up from the cheap imported pottery wheels out there.

But considering the sheer quality of their build, they are a worthwhile investment for anyone wanting to set up their own pottery studio at home.

Filed Under: Crafts

How to Use a Heat Press – Clear and Simple Instructions

September 13, 2020 by Comfy Zen Leave a Comment

To give you the best idea of how to use your heat press machine, I’ve written this easy how to use a heat press machine guide. I’ll take you through a typical process for printing a cotton t-shirt.

You can scroll straight down to any of the sections in this how-to by using the list of contents below.

Just so you know, I have put links to Amazon for any supplies you might need throughout. And if you haven’t already, check out our guide to buying a good heat press machine.

Table of Contents

  • How Do Heat Press Machines Work?
  • What Types of Transfer Can Use With a Heat Press Machine?
    • Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV)
    • Sublimation Paper
    • Heat Transfer Paper
  • How to Use a Heat Press Machine – Instructions

How Do Heat Press Machines Work?

HIgh-Quality US made Heat Press
STAHLS HOTRONIX Auto-Open Clam from Amazon

Heat press machines basically apply heat and pressure to an image to permanently transfer it onto whatever item you are printing.

The reason it’s so popular is simply that it’s such an easy process. It’s something that can easily be done at home without stress or mess. And you’ll get a beautifully heat printed item, that’s professional enough to sell if you want to.

Though there are differences in the types of heat press machines, they all work in basically the same way. But essentially they are using the same principles you would use to iron a heat press a transfer onto fabric with a regular iron.

But really don’t try that! You’ll waste a good transfer and ruin your t-shirt.

Why’s that?

Because an iron creates hot and then cooler spots as you move it back and forth over your fabric. You’ll also be stretching the fabric a little here and there in the process as it’s just not possible to press it flat all in one go. That means your transfer won’t stick to the fabric properly. It’ll end up peeling and looking a bit smudged.

So you can see that’s less than ideal.

A heat press machine, on the other hand, applies completely even pressure at the precise temperature you set it to so that your transfer will stick and become an integral part of your fabric.

What Types of Transfer Can Use With a Heat Press Machine?

I’ll now run through the different types of transfers that you can use. Any of the links will take you to where you can get them on Amazon.

Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV)

This is basically just a fine layer of vinyl, backed onto a carrier sheet. It’ll look something like the image to the left once the design has been cut out and the excess weeded out.

These sheets come in sets or rolls of single colors or bundles of multi-colors. You can even get a bit fancy with flock, glitter, metallic and more.

HTV is great for lettering branding and simple block color designs. You wouldn’t try to recreate a painting with it but there’s beauty in simplicity and there are no limits on your imagination.

Primology Heat Transfer Vinyl from Amazon

If this is the look you are going for, you should definitely invest in a good die cutting machine.

If you don’t know what one is, it’s a special type of printer. It cuts out designs that you create for you, using the free software included, either on your computer or through an app on your phone. You can easily upload and use your own images and fonts too.

HTV works best on cotton, polyester or cotton/polyester blends. But you can also apply it to mugs, hats, footballs, and wood.

It’ll work well on both light and darker colored fabrics.

As you can see in the image to the left, you should get instructions with each type of transfer you choose. So don’t be scared to go for that glittery one if you want to.

Sublimation Paper 

For this method, you’re going to need an inkjet printer that can take sublimation ink. If you already have one that’s great, you’ll save yourself some money because you can easily convert it to take these inks.

Sublimation paper is designed to absorb the sublimation ink and then release and transfer it when you apply heat with your heat press.

Sublimation transfers work only on 100% polyester fabrics or very high polyester content blends. But if you want to go for the vintage look, you can use a 60% poly blend.

If you’re feeling experimental, it is possible to apply a polyester coating to pre-treat any cotton or other less than ideal material.

You can also print mugs, plates and other ceramics. Aluminum also works well.

But remember there’s no white ink. That means the natural color of your fabric will show through in those areas. So this method is only suitable for white or very light-colored fabrics.

Here are a few tips:

  • Use heat resistant tape to hold your paper in place so you don’t get any ghosting effects.
  • Remember to reverse your image when you print it out.
  • You should place your image face down.
  • Sublimination requires a higher temperature to print than vinyl or heat transfer paper – around 400°F.
  • You will need a Teflon Sheet to put between whatever you are pressing and the platen.
  • And do make sure you place copy paper inside your shirt before pressing to prevent any ink from bleeding through and spoiling your shirt.

What I love about this method is that you can create beautiful full-color highly detailed designs with this method using programs like Adobe illustrator.

I’m an illustrator myself so I love the versatility of this method. You can see the kind of detail you can go into in my illustration to the right which was created in Adobe Illustrator.

My work

If you follow your instructions, you’ll get a vibrant and highly professional result, not least because when sublimation inks are printed, the image doesn’t just sit on top, it becomes integral to the fabric itself.

If you wash your sublimation printed garment inside out on a very cool wash using a mild detergent and no fabric conditioner. Your fabric will last indefinitely.

Heat Transfer Paper

This is a little different from using sublimation paper. You can use either an inkjet or laser printer.

With an inkjet printer:

  • You can print a transfer that’s suitable for cotton, polyester, and blends.
  • You can get transfer paper for dark fabrics as well as light fabrics.
  • If you print using dark transfer paper you’ll need to trim close to the edges or your image will be on a white square.
  • If you print using light transfer paper there is a clear film that will transfer as well so you should again trim close to the edges for a better finish.
  • You must use pigment-based rather than dye-based inks. Dye-based inks will wash out after a couple of washes.
  • Your print will feel slightly rougher than the other methods.

Laser printers do have an advantage in that:

  • You can print light fabrics and dark fabrics and can also get hard surface paper, which is designed especially for printing on hard surfaces so you don’t need to pre-treat them first.
  • You can buy either non-self weeding or a self weeding paper. Self weeding paper will eliminate the background for you so that you don’t need to trim around the edges of your design.
  • Your print will feel smooth.

Heat transfer paper printed shirts using either inkjet or laser printers will only give you 25 to 30 washes before the image fades and starts to crack. And that’s even if you do wash it inside out on a very cool wash using a mild detergent and no fabric conditioner.

How to Use a Heat Press Machine – Instructions

Here’s your guide to printing a t-shirt using a heat press. In this case, we’ll be using a pre-cut vinyl design on a cotton t-shirt. If you are using sublimation or heat transfer paper the temperature and times will be a little different so this method is just for vinyl.

And just so you know it doesn’t matter whether you have a swing-away or clam style heat-press, the basic principle of how they all work is much the same.

Ok, let’s begin:

  • With your heat press machine closed, turn the pressure adjustment knob to set the pressure to firm. There’s really no exact formula for this, it basically comes down to how much pressure you’d use if you were ironing it by hand.
  • Lift the lid and switch the heat press machine on.
  • Set the temperature on the digital timer to 320°F/160°C or follow the temperature instructions that come with your transfer paper.
  • Set the time – in this case, to 16 seconds.
  • Lay out your t-shirt over the thick pad on the bottom plate (platen) evenly and make sure it’s completely straight. Try to keep the shirt collar off the edge of the pad so that you don’t have an uneven surface to press. And do keep your hands away from the top plate (platen), it’ll get hot.
  • Wait for the machine to heat up to temperature. This usually takes around 6 minutes.
  • Close the lid to but don’t clamp it shut, for around 6 seconds to pre-press your shirt. This will iron out any creases and remove the moisture so that your transfer will stick to it more easily.
  • Now place your transfer onto your t-shirt lining it up evenly. You can use a T-square to help you.
  • Place a Teflon sheet over your shirt and clamp the lid shut and press for around 4 seconds this is enough to make the vinyl transfer stick to your shirt.
  • Peel the clear plastic sheet away from the back of the transfer, which should now be stuck to your shirt, and place the Teflon sheet back over the t-shirt.
  • Clamp the lid shut and press for the remaining 12 seconds.

Lift the lid and that’s it, grab yourself a coffee put your feet up, and admire your work of art while you let it cool!

Filed Under: Crafts

Best Heat Press Machine for 2022

September 13, 2020 by Comfy Zen Leave a Comment

Being able to design and print your own line of clothing and homeware is an absolute dream – and it’s way less complicated than you’d think. This is a guide, to help you find the best heat press machine out there.

You might have seen a lot of terms like clam, swing-away, platen, die-cut, sublimation, HTV, and screen-printed transfers without any explanation of what they are or what they do. It can all get a bit too much to get your brain around.

This guide will help you sail through what you need to know in order to get yourself up and running. So before you know it you’ll be ready for the fun bit – whether that’s the excitement of starting your very own clothing and homeware line or just the pure joy of seeing your own custom-made designs come to life for yourself, family, and friends.

If you want to just skip all the extra information and you just want to know which heat press machines are currently the best to go for, then they’re all right here in the table below for you.

Editor’s AwardProductScroll
Best Heat Press Machine for Under $200TUSY Heat Press Machine
From Amazon
Read More
Best Mid Range Heat Press MachineSiser Digital Clam Heat Press
From Amazon
Read More
Best High-End Heat Press MachineSTAHLS HOTRONIX Auto-Open Clam
From Amazon
Read More
Best 5 in 1 Heat Press MachineTUSY Heat Press Machine 15×15 inch Swing Away 5 in 1
From Amazon
Read More

Click to jump straight to each topic.

  • What to Look for in a Press Machine
  • The Heat Press Machines Reviewed
    • Best Heat Press Machine for Under $200
    • Best Mid Range Heat Press Machine
    • Best High End Heat Press Machine
    • Best 5 in 1 Heat Press Machine

What to Look for in a Press Machine

The main two styles of heat press machines you will notice are the clam style and the swing away style.

  • The clam style has a top lid that closes over the top of the bottom plate with a handle.
  • The swing-away style lifts horizontally and swings to the side and out of your way.

One isn’t better than another it’s purely a matter of personal preference but the clam style takes a few seconds less time to operate and saves more countertop space too – but well talk more about that in our reviews below.

We’ll now take a look at the reason they vary in price so much and what you get for your money.

The Best Heat Press Machines Reviewed

Best Heat Press Machine for Under $200: TUSY Heat Press Machine

For us, one thing that stands out about this one is that it has a handle on the bottom which you can see in the image to the left.

Now, this might seem like no big deal but actually considering all these press machines are heavy, weighing around 50lbs they can all be a little difficult to open and close for some people – and that’s nothing to do with them being Chinese imports, it’s just the nature of how they all are.

Check Price

Having this bottom handle really helps because it gives you something to grab onto with your other hand while you’re opening or closing the lid – much like if you open a book, opening it with two hands is easier than one.

Fancierstudio Heat Press

It’s also got something in common with the more expensive models including our high-end pick – and that’s a double-bar top handle. Other machines at this price point usually only have a single arm handle, just like the one you can see in the image to the right, but this sturdy wide handle is more rigid, making it more durable and easier to grip.

This will give you more stability when you’re actually using it and reduce the possibility of a wobble at that crucial moment when you’re clamping the lid shut because that’s the last thing you want when you’re trying to do precise work.

And that platen gets hot so having two handles helps keep your hands well away from the hot surface – after all, you really don’t want to burn your fingers by sticking them anywhere near while trying to prize the thing open.

So considering there isn’t much difference between the models this one is just easier to use and it doesn’t cost any more.

If you’d like to be able to print larger areas such as large adult tees rather than just smaller ones, you should go for a 15″x 15″ size which is the version we’ve chosen here. At this price point, they don’t come any larger than this but it would be unusual to need one any bigger, and don’t worry, it’s not too big, you’ll also be able to fit toddler tees on it too.

However, if you know you’ll only need to print smaller areas this won’t matter too much to you and you might prefer to go for a heat press machine with a smaller heat platen like the one above right and save a few bucks.

In case you are wondering what you’ll be able to print with this machine, you’ll be able to print more than just t-shirts here are a few examples of things you’ll be able to print:

  • Sweatshirts, and other garments,
  • Tote bags,
  • Mouse mats,
  • Banners,
  • Throw pillows and much more.

The downside to this machine, though, is that it can’t print mugs or caps and that’s because you would need mug and cap press attachments for that. If that’s something you’d want to do, scroll down for our 5-in-1 review.

If you’d like to know what printing materials you can use with this machine, here’s a quick list, but if you don’t know what any of these terms mean yet don’t worry we explain all of that in our guide to using a heat press:

  • Pre-cut heat transfer vinyl (HTV),
  • Sublimation paper
  • Heat transfer paper
  • Embroidered patches
  • Screen printed transfers, otherwise known as plastisol transfers.

The machine will even handle rhinestones well. You simply use light pressure and a piece of cardboard to prevent the glue from sticking anywhere other than to the back of the stones and the fabric you’re sticking them to.

This heat press is a clam style heat press which is one of the two main styles you’ll see out there, the other one being the swing-away style.

Now the difference between them is that with the clam style, the lid which is not actually attached to the bottom platen, lifts up, much like a clamshell, while the swing-away style lifts horizontally, and then you swing it to the left away from your workspace.

At this price point, the swing-away style is more often sold as a bundle with other attachments such as in the 5 in-1 in our review below.

There are advantages to each, but if your focus is just to pint t-shirts, etc. and you’re not going to need all the attachments to print mugs hats, and plates, you’ll find the clam style much better as it’s such a great little space saver taking up much less room on your work table than the swing-away.

Another advantage is that it’ll also take less time to operate since you don’t have to swing the heat platen away from your work each time you make a transfer, and then back again for your next one. Admittedly you’ll only save yourself a few seconds but these seconds start to add up when you have quite a few tees, to work your way through.

Now for the last bit, let me just run through some of the extra things that I’ll need to say about the other features this machine has. I won’t go into too much detail as this is pretty much standard for all of them.

First of all, it has an LCD control panel on which you can set the time and temperature that you need. The temperature ranges between 0 and 500 degrees and the time range are 0 to 999 seconds. The required pressure is set by turning the pressure adjustment knob.

Here is a short marketing video about it so you can see it in action.

What We Like:

  • The Handles Provide Stability and Support | Unlike its competitors, the TUSY Heat Press Machine has a handle on the bottom which gives you added stability and support when lifting the lid. There is also a double-bar top handle which provides stability and support when closing the lid.
  • Low Price | It’s very affordable in comparison with higher-end machines making it ideal for beginners, hobbyists, or new small business ventures.
  • Easy to Operate | This machine works in just the same way as the much higher-end models without the high price tag. You still get an LCD panel with a timer that lets you set the time and temperature that you need, and the pressure is set by turning the pressure adjustment knob. The clock time is spot on for this machine and it only takes around 6 minutes to heat up to full temperature, that’s pretty quick. That’s basically it, and just so you know, your sublimation, or heat transfer paper, etc should come with instructions on the settings you will need.

Best Mid Range Heat Press Machine: Siser Digital Clam Heat Press

Siser is a highly respected Italian company that has a base in North America.

If the name may sound familiar to you, that’s because they are manufacturers of high-quality, cuttable heat transfer vinyl, and other printable heat transfer vinyl media.

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The Siser Digital Clam Press is a step up from the TUSY Heat Press Machine we’ve just looked at, in terms of precision and quality and although it does cost more than our cheaper option, it’s a high-quality machine, it costs much less than Stahls Hotronix, and it will give you years of use.

It’s super easy to operate with its digital time and temperature readout that will let you know by bleeping when your transfer is done.

For even edge-to-edge pressure, it has an over-the-center pressure adjustment. The upper flotational platen isn’t rigid, but don’t worry it’s designed that way to for accurate placement and it will provide a flat, even press every time.

The upper heating element has a non-stick coating to prevent your transfers from getting stuck and cast tubular heating elements are placed every 2 inches apart to eliminate any cold spots. So your transfer will look perfect every time.

Key Features:

  • It has cast-in tubular heating elements spaced every 2 inches to eliminate cold spots.
  • It features a high-quality platinum RTD (Resistance Temperature Detectors) heat sensor.
  • The upper heat platen has a non-stick coating.
  • The upper flotational heat platen is designed for the ultimate even press.

Best High-End Heat Press Machine: STAHLS HOTRONIX Auto-Open Clam

The real difference between this one and all the cheap Chinese imports out there is that this machine has a much higher standard of quality control in the factory it’s made in because it’s made in the US.

It’s basically a huge step up, as you’d expect when comparing US-made stuff with Chinese manufacturers who provide the same cheaply made parts to multiple brands.

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The only issue with that though, is there’s a big step up in price too. That’s why this one is more of a high-end pick. This one is better, but it sure reflects that in its price tag.

Now I’m not saying that the cheaper Chinese import machines are not well made, most are pretty durable and will get the job done for you, no problem. But if something were to go wrong, there’s only Amazon’s returns policy that you’ve got to depend on. With this one, however, you’ve got the backup of a lifetime warranty on the machine’s heating block, a 1-year warranty for parts and labor, and excellent technical support.

This heat press is also a clam-style machine, it works in the same way as the TUSY machine we have looked at. At the risk of repeating myself, this style is much better for saving you counter space, and it takes (admittedly just a few) seconds less time to operate since you don’t have to swing the heat platen away from your work each time you make a transfer, and then back again for your next one.

When it comes to the printing side of it, the thing that’s going to matter most to you after you’ve spent all that time carefully preparing your artwork is that it transfers evenly all over. I mean the last thing you want is it peeling up at the corners or looking faded out in places and ruining your t-shirt or whatever fabric you’re printing on in the process too.

This can happen in other machines if the platens don’t meet evenly so they end up pinching in places, giving you uneven pressure, or if the heat platen develops cooler spots so that there are areas where there isn’t enough heat for the transfer to take properly.

With this machine, they’ve thought of a couple of clever ways to get around this and prevent it from happening. Firstly, they’ve given their heat press a patented over-the-center pressure adjustment, and that together with a floatation top platen that adjusts itself as the lid closes, will give you, edge-to-edge heat and pressure no matter how thick the surface you are printing.

Secondly, they’ve eliminated the chance that any cold spots will develop and ruin your transfer, by adding cast-in tubular heating spaced at 2″ apart. This increases the thermal conductivity of the heat platen. And that means every part of it stays just at the temperature you need.

And what particularly impressed us is the accurate digital pressure readout on the console. This takes all the guesswork out of medium or light pressure etc.

So if you’re a beginner and have the budget, this machine will give you the absolute best results every time.

The defining factor about this machine for me though, is how effortless it is to open and close.

You see with other machines the action of repeatedly opening and closing the top platen after multiple prints can get pretty tiring on your shoulder and arm. After a while, they’re really going to start to ache.

This machine’s going to take all the hard work (and weight) out of heat printing for you. It has a smooth auto-opening action – and means it will do just that! It’ll open all by itself when the time’s up (and give you a satisfying pop in the process).

With a printing area of 16″ by 20″ it’s big enough to heat print much larger areas than most. Giving you a wide range of design size possibilities.

The bottom plate is straightforward to remove and replace with a different size when you need to – no tools are required, and it takes just seconds. This is something you’ll find extremely useful as your orders start to increase.

Lastly, I need to mention a little feature that’ll make a big difference in how much room you’ll have to work with when you’re preparing your transfer. Where other machines only open to around 45° to 50°, the top platen on this machine opens to 65°. Now that’s significantly wider than other machines and those extra degrees are important.

You see, the most time-consuming bit of the actual printing process is, more often than not, simply the time it takes you to lay your fabric out and accurately place your transfer into position. Rather than actually waiting for the timer to count down. So the last thing you need is to have to negotiate around a hot platen that’s a little too close to your hands for comfort. Those extra degrees will give you just that. A bit more space to work with which will help speed up your workflow – as well as make sure you don’t end up with any unwanted burns anywhere.

Now for the feature that I need to mention which pretty much comes as standard for all these machines – the digital time and temperature readout that lets you set the time and temperature that you need – and just so you know, it’s spot on with this machine. The pressure is set by turning the over-the-center pressure adjustment knob.

If you’re wondering what this machine will print, it’s pretty much standard to all of them. If you missed the list, scroll up to see it here. The only exception with this one (and our top pick) is that it doesn’t print caps, plates, or mugs, etc., Although there is a completely separate cap heat press machine designed by Hotronix specifically just for that purpose.

Weight: 96lbs

What We Like:

  • Made in the US | Unlike the cheaper Chinese imports, with this machine, you are getting a quality heated press machine made in the US. You also get the backup of a lifetime warranty on the machine’s heating element and a 1-year warranty for parts and labor. You also get great technical support.
  • Smooth Auto Opening | It has an easy open-close action, helped by a gas spring that gives the machine a smooth shock auto opening, so you’ll never have to struggle to open or close it for that matter.
  • Patented Over-the-Center Pressure Adjustment | Together with the floating action of the top platen that adjusts itself as the lid closes, this machine will ensure that you get even, edge-to-edge heat and pressure.
  • Built to Last | The Hotronix Maxx has a scratch-resistant, baked-on powder coat finish. It also has a non-stick coated heat platen and it complies with the strictest US safety standards.
  • Cast-in Tubular Heating | Set at 2″ apart, this will ensure you never get any cool spots.

Check the latest price on Amazon.

Best 5 in 1 Heat Press Machine: TUSY Heat Press Machine 15×15 inch Swing Away 5 in 1

TUSY Heat Press Machine 15×15 inch Swing Away 5 in 1

If you like the idea of having the option of printing more than just the regular 2d stuff, and you’d like to print on caps, cups, and plates then this isn’t possible with our top pick because it doesn’t have any of the attachments that you’d need to do that.

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These 5-in-1 heat press machines come with four different attachments. These attachments actually adapt the basic t-shirt press part of the machine into a completely different cap, cup, or plate heat press machine – depending on which one you want to use.

You can see in the image above, that the main top and bottom platens have been switched out for the hat press attachment.

Now, here’s the thing: it’d cost just the same as this five-in-one machine if you were to get the first pick in this guide and a separate mug machine for example. That, of course, would mean missing out on the other attachments as well. This makes this five-in-one machine far more cost-efficient if you’re a crafter that’s going to actually use them.

You can also say that it’s nice having an all-in-one machine rather than two machines. It’s a little more space-saving at the very least.

The difference between, the TUSY 5 in 1 heat press and others out there is that this one comes in a 15″ by 15″ platen size. Now what this means is you’re not just restricted to having to make do with the one size that all the other 5 in 1’s offer.

You see most of these 5-in-1 heat press machines only come with a 12″ by 15″ platen for the regular t-shirt printing side of things and not this larger size. This size is usually only an option with stand-alone machines. So basically, with most of the 5 in 1 machines out there, what you’re actually doing is sacrificing a few inches that you might need to get those extra attachments.

The one defining thing that you’ll notice about this and all the other 5 in 1 machines out there, is that it’s a swing-away style – rather than the clam style that was our top pick.

The reason for this is a purely practical one, and that’s because the design of the swing-away machine is what actually makes it possible to partially dismantle and reassemble the machine with whichever extra attachment you want to use.

But don’t worry, there’s no compromise on quality here, one style isn’t better than another. It’s just that with a stand-alone machine where you’re using just the basic platen over and over again, it’s a little quicker to use a clam. And since you’re not swinging the platen out and away from the machine and you don’t have any attachments, you’re going to save yourself some counter space too.

With this one, you are going to need a bit of worktop space to use it. And, of course, you’ll need room for the additional attachments too. But if your workspace is a bit limited, remember you will only be using one attachment at a time. So it’s going to be much more economical with your space than having lots of different machines.

The only downside to adapting the machine rather than having several separate ones is that with the exception of the cup press, which pretty much just pugs in as-is, you’ll need a cross-head screwdriver, to adapt the machine and fix the other attachments to it.

But don’t worry if you don’t know what a cross-head screwdriver even looks like, they’re the ones that look like an ” x” on the end – you know, the really common standard type you see around. Anyway, it’s really very easy and straightforward to assemble the different attachments.

Also, it’s worth me mentioning again, that these machines that come with the extra attachments are all pretty similar, and that’s because, like our top pick, they are imports from China. Don’t let that put you off, because that doesn’t mean they’re not durable. If you’re a hobbyist or are even starting a small business, they work pretty darn well, and they’re affordable simply because you do get a lot for your money.

One thing that impresses me about TUSY’s new 15″ 5 in-1 heat press machine is that they’ve given it a thicker double-layer mat. The single black dense foam one that comes with their other models is a little too thin in my opinion so it could curl or may not stay put as easily while you are placing your fabric over it. That said, it’s no big deal to replace it s, they don’t cost much and if it does start to degrade over time you can easily get a replacement mat here if you need it.

But it’s just good to know that with the new version, TUSY has thought about it and given the mat a bit of an upgrade.

What We Like:

  • Good Build Quality | The TUSY has a lot more metal parts than plastic ones. That’s something that is not common to all of them. That vertical bar that supports the top platen is quite often just plastic covering an inner metal tube. Which means it can be prone to splitting. The TUSY has a much stronger all-metal bar making it way more durable.
  • Low Price | It’s very affordable in comparison with higher-end machines making it ideal for beginners, hobbyists, or new small business ventures.
  • Easy to Operate | This machine will give you the same results as a high-end one without the high price tag. The attachments are all straightforward and easy to attach and, of course, you still get an LCD panel with a timer that lets you set the time and temperature that you need, and the pressure is set by turning the pressure adjustment knob. It only takes around 6 minutes to heat up to full temperature, that’s pretty quick.


We hope this review of the best heat press machines has been helpful.

If there’s anything that you think we’ve missed, or if you have any questions about anything, then let us know down in the comments below.

Filed Under: Crafts

Beeswax vs Soy Candles (Which is Better?)

September 7, 2020 by Comfy Zen Leave a Comment

Firstly it must be said that there are a number of important similarities between beeswax and soy candles. For a start, neither contain paraffin wax. That is, if, they are made from pure soy or beeswax and not some dubious soy or beeswax blends.

So both are good and either is better than a regular paraffin candle.

Which of the two is a better choice, however, isn’t as straightforward. Here’s why…

What’s Wrong with Paraffin Wax?

The problem with paraffin wax candles is that when burned, they can release VOCs or Volatile Organic Compounds. These are actually the same VOC emissions that you get from diesel fumes, namely benzene, and toluene.

Needless to say, VOCs are toxic. They are carcinogenic by nature but they can also cause damage to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system as well as causing short-term adverse effects such as eye nose, and throat irritation, headaches, nausea, fatigue, and dizziness.

Occasionally burning a paraffin candle in a room with good ventilation probably isn’t going to give you a significant health risk.

But if you have allergies, paraffin candles are definitely not going to help.

And, you don’t want to add anything that could be potentially harmful to you and your family’s health, especially if you can buy a safer and more natural alternative that will give you a cleaner burn as well as a more natural and pleasant aroma.

Both beeswax and soy candles are completely safe, natural alternatives to paraffin.

Soy Wax Candles

Soy candles last much longer than regular candles, but not generally as long as beeswax candles. That’s because beeswax is denser.

They have a softer consistency and a lower melting point so they aren’t suitable for pillar candle making. That means you will always find pure soy candles in vessels such as jars or tins – simply because they need support.

They blend well with scents and you can make them at home in your own kitchen.

Another big plus point about soy wax is, that it’s water-soluble so it’s super easy to clean up.

It’s also vegetarian and vegan-friendly.

Are Soy Candles Eco-Friendly?

Soy is a sustainable and renewable resource which, in theory, makes it carbon neutral.

However, the environmental impact of producing soy is pretty much dependant on how and where the soy is grown.

Not all soy is certified as sustainably grown, but here in the US, almost all soy production is regulated by the Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol.

The SSAP provides strict guidelines and conservation practices for farmers growing soy.

If you’re concerned about the environment, knowing where the soy in your candles comes from is important.

There is no deforestation or degradation in the production of responsibly farmed soy and organic soy contains no herbicides. Soy wax is also 100% biodegradable.

Beeswax Candles

100% Pure Beeswax Candle by beEsom

Beeswax Candles are about as natural as you can get. The first records of their use date back to Ancient Egypt in 3000bc. You don’t need any chemicals, modern technology, or factory processing to make a beeswax candle you could make one at home from scratch.

The wax is self-supporting so they make great alternatives to regular pillar or taper candles. They are much healthier than paraffin candles and they last longer than soy or regular paraffin candles too.

Beeswax candles also have unique properties of their own. Unscented, the natural wax has a fresh, subtle, and aromatic sweet honey smell.

There’s no need to add any fragrance to them, though unscented, the aroma is most often very faint and you may not detect the natural honey scent when they are burned.

Some, however, do have a little more honey-scent than others. This is usually the result of only lightly filtering the wax after harvesting so a little of the honey residue remains.

Beeswax candles are also the least likely of any candle to cause allergies.

Do Beeswax Candles Really Clean the Air?

You are probably wondering about this. The answer, unfortunately, is no. You may have heard that they emit negative ions or, more specifically, more negative ions than other candles. Negative ions attract dust and particles which clump together and fall to the ground due to their accumulated weight so they are not hanging around for you to breathe in.

However, although they do emit negative ions, as all candles do, there isn’t any real scientific evidence to support this theory, and there are no particular health benefits to burning beeswax or any other candles for that matter.

Are Beeswax Candles Ethical?

Bees are vital to our environment. Beekeeping is a way of looking after and protecting bees from extinction and beeswax is a sustainable and renewable resource but you should always choose beeswax candles that have been responsibly and ethically sourced.

We hope this article has been helpful.

If there’s anything that you think we’ve missed, or if you have any questions about anything, then let us know down in the comments below.

Filed Under: Home Décor

Best Beeswax Candles

September 7, 2020 by Comfy Zen Leave a Comment

Beeswax candles are clean-burning, they have zero nasty chemicals in them, they naturally last much longer than regular candles, and they are the least likely of any candles to cause allergies.

There are so many to choose from, so we’ve done the research for you. From an initial 20 plus brands, we’ve narrowed our recommendations down to the 6 best beeswax candles on the market today. So let’s just dive straight in.

Style of CandleProduct
Best Fancy Candle
3 Golden Lotus Beeswax Candles by SLV Beeswax

From Amazon
Best Pillar Beeswax Candle
Beeswax 100% Pure Raw Beeswax Pillar by Bluecorn

From Amazon
Alternative Pillar Candle
100% Pure Beeswax Honeycomb Pillar by wellnessbyari

From Etsy
Best Votive Beeswax Candle
Beeswax Aromatherapy Heavy Glass Votive by Bluecorn

From Amazon
Best Scented Beeswax Candle
100% Pure Beeswax Candle by beEsom

From Etsy
Alternative Scented Candle
Honeycomb Veriglass Scented Beeswax Blend Candle by Root Candles

From Amazon

Table of Contents:

  • The Best Beeswax Candless Reviewed
    • Best Fancy Candle
    • Best Pillar Beeswax Candle
    • Alternative Pillar Candle
    • Best Votive Beeswax Candle
    • Best Scented Beeswax Candle
    • Alternative Scented Candle
  • Other Worthy Mentions
  • Frequently Asked Questions

The Best Beeswax Candless Reviewed

100% Pure Beeswax Candle by beEsom

Best Fancy Candle: 3 Golden Lotus Beeswax Candles by SLV Beeswax

This one is the perfect accompaniment for meditation, yoga, etc., The adorable little handcrafted lotus flower-shaped beeswax candle is made with sweet clover honey bees and comes in a set of 3.

Made in the San Luis Valley of Colorado with certified organic woven hemp wicks (for increased burn time) each one will last more than 10 hrs.

All are beautifully packaged in lace paper boxes so they also make perfect gifts, if that is, you can bear to part with any of them.

Check Price on Amazon

Best Pillar Beeswax Candle: Beeswax 100% Pure Raw Beeswax Pillar by Bluecorn

You can so easily add a touch of style and elegance to your living room with just a simple pillar candle or two.

This 100% pure beeswax candle by Bluecorn, is an ideal choice and it comes in a choice of 8 different sizes!

Bluecorn is perhaps the best-known brand of beeswax candles.

But did you know that Jon Kornbluh, the founder of the company, started making his own beeswax candles in 1991 in a one-room cabin in Telluride, Colorado simply because he was living without electricity?

Although factory-made candles are supposed to adhere to strict guidelines and regulations, it’s nice to find hand-made candles made by artisans who are successful because they are skilled and passionate about what they do.

Think of freshly brewed coffee made by a barista as opposed to instant.

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Alternative Pillar Candle: 100% Pure Beeswax Honeycomb Pillar by wellnessbyari

If you love the traditional honeycomb pattern, this is the candle to go for.

The beeswax from each of these candles is sourced from beekeepers who live locally to Dasha, the owner of wellnessbyari.

The candles have a delicate and natural scent throw of honey straight from the hive.

It goes without saying, these candles are handmade by Dasha who uses an organic hemp wick – for a longer cleaner burn time. Measuring 5″ by 2″ – they should last around 40 hrs or more.

Check Price on Etsy

Best Votive Beeswax Candle: Beeswax Aromatherapy Heavy Glass Votive by Bluecorn

Best Votive Beeswax Candle

These sweet little scented votives will add an accent of color (or two) to your meditation, prayer, or living space.

You can choose to buy them each separately, or save yourself a few dollars, and buy a pack of 6 of your favorite color or scent.

Hand-poured in 50% recycled glass, these votives have a beautiful scent throw.

And no wonder, because they are just made with 100% pure beeswax and pure essential oils.

Each glass is 2.5″ tall and wide and can be refilled with Bluecorn’s votives.

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Best Scented Beeswax Candle: 100% Pure Beeswax Candle by beEsom

These double wick scented beeswax candles are available in 19 different fragrances, (including unscented) all of which are amazing. The 10oz glass-topped apothecary jar keeps the scent in – so the candle stays fresh and dust-free.

Barbara Burton, the owner of beEsom, sources the beeswax from a bee farm 2hrs from her home in Georgia.

Each candle is, of course, made from 100% organic beeswax and hand-poured by Barabara in her studio.

Check Price on Etsy

Alternative Scented Candle: Honeycomb Veriglass Scented Beeswax Blend Candle by Root Candles

Lemon Scone

When you see the word “blend” in a candle that purports to be made from beeswax or soy, for example, it usually means paraffin wax has been thrown in the mix.

Root candles contain only pure beeswax and natural vegetable waxes in their candles. They even manufacture their own all-natural cotton wicks, so you will get a healthier cleaner burn with this candle than you’d get with any paraffin “blend” candle.

Root have been around since 1869 when founder and expert beekeeper Amos Ives Root first opened his business in Medina, Ohio. Root candles are still made in the US, on the same plot of land Amos Ives Root bought over 100 years ago, so there is quite a bit of history attached to the name.

The 10.5oz tumbler-style glass comes with a lid to keep the fragrance fresh.

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Other Worthy Mentions

Bluecorn Beeswax 100% Pure Beeswax Pillar

  • Made from 100% pure beeswax.
  • Handcrafted in Ridgway, Colorado, USA
  • 3″ by 4″, in eggplant for a splash of color.
Check Price on Amazon

Beeswax Candles – 100% Pure Beeswax Tealight Refills

Rich, golden 100% beeswax tealight refills made only with the wax caps from Pacific Northwest bees.

The 24-pack will give you an approximate burn time of 4-5 hours each.

Check Price on Etsy

Beeswax Candles- Set of three floating sunflowers with bees

Honestly, who could resist these sweet floating sunflower candles – each topped with a little bee.

Harvested and handmade by Jayne and Isaac Barnes, owners of honeyrunfarm from 100% pure beeswax.

Check Price on Etsy

100% Pure Beeswax jar candle-set of 4 scented organic beeswax jar candles

Another great choice by beEsom. Handmade and poured in Georgia using 100% pure organic beeswax.

Comes in a set of 4:

  • Pecan pie, lemon pound cake, apple maple bourbon, and harvest berry.
  • Or natural honey.
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Filed Under: Home Décor

Best Macrame Kits (for Easy Chic Projects You’ll Love)

September 3, 2020 by Comfy Zen 2 Comments

If you haven’t tried macrame before, and you like the idea of creating something a little boho chic and contemporary with fiber, you absolutely should try macrame, you will love it! There isn’t a huge expensive outlay or a ton of equipment to buy, just to get going. And you can make something you’ll actually be proud of – your very first try.

There’s a lot of choices out there so we looked at more than 30 macrame kits and narrowed our search down to find the best macrame kits in our four main categories.

Type of Macrame KitTop Pick
Best Macrame Plant Hanger Kits
Macrame Plant Hanger Kit by ReformFibers
Best Wall Hanging Kits
Beginner macrame KIT by CordPlusQuartz
Best Home Decor Macrame Kits
Macrame Hanging Shelf Kit by KnottyCotton
Best Mini Macrame Kits
Macrame Keychain Kit by KnottyRopeCollection

Table of Contents

Macrame Plant Hanger Kit by ReformFibers from Etsy
  • The Best Macrame Kits Reviewed
    • Macrame Plant Hanger Kits
    • Wall Hanging Kits
    • Home Decor Macrame Kits
    • Mini Macrame Kits
  • Other Worthy Mentions
  • Frequently Asked Questions

Macrame Plant Hanger Kit by ReformFibers

This kit makes an absolutely stunning (approx 58″) plant hanger. There’s nothing 70s about this one. It’s completely contemporary-modern and high-end chic.

To be honest, you can cheat with this one if you really want to (we promise won’t tell anyone). There’s an option to buy the macrame plant hanger ready-made by the skillful hands of shop owner Elsie Goodwin.

The macrame kit comes with over 100 feet of 100% cotton rope – pre-cut to the correct lengths that you will need to make your project.

The kit also includes a metal ring, an easy-to-follow pattern, and a handy Beginners Knot Guide – with photos, and FAQs.

Check Price on Etsy

Macrame Plant Hanger Kit by ReformFibers

We couldn’t resist showing you another of Elsie’s macrame kits.

She’s a very talented fiber artist who holds her own macrame workshops.

Again, you can buy the kit with pre-measured and cut lengths of 100% cotton cord and the same accessories as above, or cheat and get one exquisitely handmade by the fiber artist herself, like the ones you see in the photo left – and then choose another kit to tackle yourself.

Check Price on Etsy

DIY Macrame Kit by Macramebyheydesign

If you want a splash of color this kit is a fabulous choice. It comes in a choice of 5 different shades. The kit includes pre-measured macrame rope, a wooden ring, and a link for an easy-to-follow instruction video.

Check Price on Etsy

Macrame Plant Hanger Kit by KnottyCottons

This kit is super affordable and a great choice for a beginner.

The kit includes:

  • 1, S-hook handmade specifically for this kit.
  • A wooden ring, also handmade for the kit.
  • Two lengths of pre-measured rope, so you can get knotting as soon as your kit arrives.
Check Price on Etsy

DIY Macrame Plant Hanger Kit by TysKnots

Another great way to learn the basic macrame knots. This plant hanger kit will hold a 4-8″ inch pot and hangs around 3.5ft long when completed.

This kit comes with:

  • 100% 3-strand twisted, cotton rope, pre-measured, and cut.
  • 1, brass ring.
  • One plant hanger pattern
    and a macrame tutorial booklet.
Check Price on Etsy

Wall Hanging Kits: Beginner macrame KIT by CordPlusQuartz

What particularly we love about this 12″ kit – apart from how cute the design is, is that there are 15 gorgeous colors to choose from, so you can make a macrame wall hanging that will complement or contrast your decor.

The kit includes:

  • A 19-page pattern book with step-by-step instructions and pictures.
  • Beginner knot guide with step-by-step picture instructions to the 8 basic macrame knots.
  • 1, 12″ wooden dowel and pre-cut 100%. cotton cord in the color of your choice.
Check Price on Etsy

Small Beginner Wall Hanging Macrame Kit by DisorderlyStitches

This sweet little beginner macrame kit even comes with an extra little gift such as a puzzle sheet, tea, or candy, etc. to put a smile in your heart.

The kit comes with:

  • 60m of 4-strand, 3mm macrame rope.
  • A 12″ dowel and string for hanging.
  • A 10-page full-color pattern booklet.
  • A helpful 12-minute instructional video with text instructions.

And support! If you get stuck you can message the seller.

Check Price on Etsy

Let’s Stay Home and Macrame by DesignbyMads

This cute little wall hanging is ideal if you are new to macrame. It comes with a wooden dowel, cotton rope, a small cotton rope to hang your wall hanging, when complete, and a knot guide. You will also get an emailed video tutorial.

Check Price on Etsy

Home Decor Macrame Kits

Macrame Hanging Shelf Kit by Knotty Cotton

This Scandinavian boho-chic macrame shelf will create a stunning focal point in any room.

The kit comes complete with everything you need for your macrame project, including a handmade S hook, wood craft ring, and cotton rope.

Plus you get a (15.5 – 16-inch) piece of pine with an adorable design – as you can to the left. The wooden shelf is pre-drilled with holes for hanging.

The finished piece will be around 2.5 – 3 ft long but if you need a customized length, you can just message the seller.

Check Price on Etsy

Best Mini Macrame Kits: Macrame Keychain Kit by KnottyRopeCollection

Macrame Keychain Kit by KnottyRopeCollection

This macrame kit includes everything you need, including a video tutorial, to make this adorable macrame keychain.

This sweet little kit contains:

  • Macrame rope – in a wide choice of colors.
  • A wooden bead and antique brass lobster clasp.
  • Plus a link to a private YouTube video tutorial that will be emailed to you on purchase.
Check Price on Etsy

DIY Macrame Kit, Keychain Kit by HiddenBohemian

This little keychain, like our last, would make a sweet gift for someone – so you might want to buy two. With a choice of clasps and 5 color options to choose from, this is another big hit for us.

This macrame keychain kit contains:

  • 3 strands of 4-5mm cotton string.
  • 1 lobster clasp out of a choice of 3.
  • Instructions include one extra bonus design.
Check Price on Etsy

DIY Macrame Rainbow Kit by HiddenBohemian

Make your own sweet little macrame rainbows with this adorable kit. Another cute design from HiddenBohemian. It comes in a choice of different color pallets with names like summer, storm clouds, and mid-century (you know I love everything mid-century)

Check Price on Etsy

DIY Mini Macrame Plant Hanger Kit

We are back to plant hangers with this macrame kit, but this one is a mini kit version.

It comes with all the pre-cut rope you need, a wooden ring, a digital plant hanger pattern, and a digital knot guide.

Check Price on Etsy

Other Worthy Mentions

Home & Crafts Macrame Kit

This fabulous kit comes with 4 designs to choose from – and enough cord to make any 2 items from the included booklet.

Check Price on Amazon

Filed Under: Crafts

5 (Beautiful) Best Looms for Beginners

August 29, 2020 by Comfy Zen Leave a Comment

Lap Heddle Loom by Craft Boutique NYC on Etsy

Weaving is a fun and rewarding hobby that allows you to create beautiful textiles using a variety of techniques and materials. If you’re new to weaving, it can be overwhelming trying to figure out which tools and equipment you need to get started. One of the most important pieces of equipment for a weaver is the loom. In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the best weaving looms for beginners.

None of the looms we tried were costly so they would make beautiful gifts- in fact, they are perfect for anyone who would just like to try their hand at weaving.

But above all, they are well made. They are not going to fall apart – because that’s the last thing you want when you’re halfway through a project you’ve lovingly put so much work into.

There’s a lot of choices out there, so we looked at more than 20 looms that were suitable for a beginner and narrowed our research down to our top 5 picks. Our recommendations have the perfect combination of design quality, durability, as well as aesthetic charm.

So, whichever one you choose, you will treasure, and find an absolute pleasure to use.

Our Top Choice
Lap Heddle Loom by Craft Boutique NYC
Also Great
Frame Loom Weaving Kit Blush by Oake&Ashe
Best Pocket Loom
Pocket Weaving Loom Kit by Amubleu
Best Tapestry Loom
Tapestry Loom by Stephen Willette
Also Consider
Circular Weaving 2-Loom Set by CraftSanity
Circular Weaving 3-Loom Set by CraftSanity

Our Top Choice

Lap Heddle Loom by Craft Boutique NYC

This beautiful handmade tapestry loom is ideal for a beginner.

But it’s also not going to hold you back as you develop your weaving skills to become an experienced fiber artist.

Check Price on Etsy

Unlike some looms, that come with just a yarn needle, this one has a heddle bar – though it’s much simpler in design than the heddles you’ll find on traditional rigid heddle looms.

But don’t worry if you don’t even know what one is yet, I’ll explain. It’s that separate bar with notches that you can see at the bottom of the picture below.

You simply thread your warp threads through the notches.

Twist the bar one way, and one set of warp threads lifts to form a shed (the area where the shuttle stick passes back and forth). Twist it the opposite way and the shed closes and alternative warp threads lift to form a second shed.

It’s such a simple idea, it just makes weaving in and out of the warp threads so much easier.

With this lap loom, you also get two shuttle sticks, an adorable wooden loom comb (to comb your weft yarns into place) and the kit even includes a bar for hanging your first piece.

Made from 100% authentic beech wood, which is known for its aesthetic colors and durability, this weaving loom has a high-end contemporary look and feel.


Although no yarn is included with this option, there is an add-on option to purchase a 50g ball of white cotton warping thread. You can see it on the loom in the photo above.

The frame loom we’ve featured here is the 14″ by 16″ lap loom. But there are two additional sizes to choose from. See below.

  • Lap Loom 14 inches x 16 inches
  • Large Weaving Loom – 19.6 inches x 19.6 inches
  • XXL Loom – 35 inches x 34 inches

You can visit the Craft Boutique NYC store here.

Also Great

Frame Loom Weaving Kit Blush by Oake&Ashe

This adorable kit includes everything you need to get started.

It even comes with a nice fabric tote bag to keep everything together in one place – making it an ideal choice to take with you when you want to weave on the go.

Check Price on Etsy

The kit is perfectly designed for a beginner. But you can use it to make some beautiful pieces.

A good kit is always a great choice for a beginner. It means you don’t have to spend time researching and ordering everything you need in order to get started, and you’ll already know exactly which supplies to buy when you’ve used everything up in your kit. (We’ve written our soap-making kit guide and our guide to candle-making kits for that reason).

The Oake&Ashe loom is very easy to assemble and super easy to warp and set up making it one of the best looms for beginners.

The frame comes with a set of beams that have strong plastic hooked teeth to prevent the yarn from slipping off and to accurately space your warp threads.

The loom we have featured here is the 10″ by 10″ lap loom and because there’s no external frame around it, this space-saving design means you can create weavings right up to those dimensions.

And if you want a larger loom? That’s no problem, there are several other sizes to choose from. I’ll link them for you below.

With this kit, you don’t get a heddle bar like the Craft Boutique NYC’s one we have just looked at, but you do get a pickup stick.

To use a pickup stick, you thread it in and out of your warp threads. Then with the pickup stick laying flat, you weave your yarn in and out of the warp threads, as you would normally, using the stick shuttle or weaving needle provided.

In the opposite direction, you simply turn the pickup stick vertically to automatically lift some of the warp threads. This will create a shed for your stick shuttle or weaving needle to pass straight through. (Pickup sticks are also commonly used to make more complicated weave patterns in weaving.)

The Blush, Beige, Ash, & Taupe option

The frame of this kit is beautifully made from sustainably sourced hard maple wood and the kit also includes:

  • Beginners’ instructions
  • Small scissors
  • 800 yds cone of warp yarn
  • 4 balls of 100% wool yarn – in Blush, Beige, Ash, and Taupe, but there is also a grey option if you prefer.
  • 1ozs of wool roving
  • A maple wood weaving comb and a 10″ hanging rod.

Best Pocket Loom

Pocket Weaving Loom Kit by Amuble

We couldn’t resist adding this little pocket loom to our list of the best looms for beginners. It will give you a weaving of just 6″ by 4″.

It’s ideal for making small, quick projects that you can turn into, cute bookmarks, jewelry, mini wall art, pouches for glasses, or makeup, etc. or you could make patchwork pieces to sew together.

Check Price on Etsy

The great thing is, that you can practice mixing colors and yarns and create mini (sample) patterns before you apply them to a large-scale project.

So even when you are hooked on weaving (and you will be,) and have years of experience as a fiber artist, you will still want to use this little kit to make samples for your bigger weaving projects.

The fact that it also comes with a mini muslin storage bag also makes this an ideal travel loom to take with you to the beach etc.

The loom itself is made from wood and measures 4″ x 6.75″ giving you a finished cloth of 4 inches by 6 inches.

The kit also comes with:

  • 1 weaving needle made from a thorn from a honey locust tree. ( I just love the names of trees.)
  • 2 mini skeins of hand-dyed DK weight yarn. In a choice of colors from pinks, oranges, and golds to greens, blues, greys, and black. That’s about 20 grams in total and enough yarn for your first project.
  • 1 muslin bag to keep your supplies together when you travel
  • And instructions to help get you started.

Check the price of the Pocket Weaving Loom at amubleu’s store on Etsy.

Tapestry Loom: Tapestry Loom by StephenWillette

This tapestry loom by Stephen Willette will inspire you to make some beautifully rustic or traditional pieces, the loom itself is practically a work of art.

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Made from solid cherry, this tapestry weaving loom has an original design that takes its inspiration from the best features of the Tapestry Loom, Navajo Loom, and Sprang Loom.

Where the design of this one really stands out, is that you choose your own natural sticks for the top and bottom of the loom.

They then become part of the weaving process. The loom will allow for a piece to be woven up to 21.5″ in length and 13″ wide. But if you have longer sticks, you can make weavings much wider than this as it’s possible to weave outside the loom.

When the tapestry is finished, you simply remove the pegs and you are ready to hang your weaving.

Natural sticks are available, at Stephen Willette’s store both with holes drilled (approximately 1/2″ apart) and without holes.

The loom folds to a compact size of 28″ tall x 16″ wide x 4″ deep and the handle makes it great for travel or taking with you to a weaving class.

No shuttle, shed stick, or tapestry needle comes with it but they are all available from the store.

Vsit the Stephen Willette store.

Also Consider

Circular Weaving 2 or 3-Loom Set by CraftSanity

If you’d like to try something a little different, how about this adorable set of 2 or 3 circular looms?

You can make wall art, placemats, coasters, hat or bag components, or make decorative embellishments to sew onto home furnishings or garments, etc.

Check Price on Etsy

They are just as easy for a beginner as a regular frame or tapestry loom. But the fiber art you’ll create will have anyone believe you are an experienced fiber artist.

The set includes:

  • One, 3 1/4″ diameter scalloped loom
  • One 7″ diameter scalloped loom
  • One 11″ diameter scalloped loom (this item is in the set of 3 only).
  • Full-color instructions for basic weaving in the round and a warping diagram for you to follow – making it a great choice when choosing the best looms for beginners.
  • One metal yarn needle.

A nice touch that will only find from a friendly small independent business is that for $5 (or less for the 2 sets) you can even, choose to have your looms warped for you – so when they arrive they are ready to go.

Other Worthy Mentions

The Turtle Travel Loom

This one is so simple to put together. It comprises just 3 parts that slide together.

  • Comes with two 8″ shuttle sticks and a shed stick.
  • Perfect for kids, students, and weaving or fiber art classes.
  • Provides a good-sized weaving area of 12″ by 12″.
Check Price

Weaving Starter Kit for Beginners

This is an Ashford weaving loom. Ashford makes very high-quality spinning wheels but also one of the best looms for beginners.

The kit also includes:

  • 1 Ashford weaving needle.
  • Ashford Tekapo 12ply yarn.
  • Ashford wool roving and a dowel for hanging.
  • Creates a finished size of 9.5″ x 14.25″ excluding the 8″ fringe.
Check Price

Deluxe Standing Weaving Frame Loom

This is OakeandAshe’s 20″ deluxe weaving frame.

  • It’s made with hard maple beams and has the same hard plastic teeth we’ve already mentioned above.
  • Incorporates two pivoting kick-stand feet in the design.
  • Includes a stick shuttle, pickup stick, and weaving needle. 
Check Price

3-inch Square Small Loom

These sweet little 3″ looms are laser cut from 1/4″ thick Maple wood with an MDF core.

  • Comes as a set of 3 or 6, 3″ square mini looms.
  • A great budget option and they would make lovely crafty gifts for creative kids.
Check Price

In conclusion, there are many great weaving looms on the market for beginners. Whatever you choose, be sure to consider factors like size, materials, and accessories when making your decision.

Filed Under: Crafts

How to Finish a Beaded Bracelet (On or off Loom)

August 14, 2020 by Comfy Zen 1 Comment

So you’ve just completed a really nice piece of beadwork, either on or off a bead loom, and you’re now faced with the problem of how to turn it into a finished bracelet you can proudly wear.

You’ll find there are a ton of helpful tutorials on how to set up and use a bead loom but when it comes to finishing your beadwork and adding a clasp, there’s really not much out there to help you.

This easy to follow guide is here to take you through the finishing process, and show you how to add a fastening, whether your beadwork is created on or off-loom.

Table of Contents

  • Adding a Crimp Clasp or Ribbon End to a Bead Loom Bracelet (The glue and cut method).
  • Adding a Slide, Toggle, Button or Bead Clasps to an On or Off Loom Bracelet
    • Sewing in Your Weft and Warp Threads
    • How to Add a Toggle Clasp, Bead Clasp, or Magnetic Clasp

Notes:

The bead fastening will measure approximately 1 1/4″ in length. The toggle clasp will measure approx 1 1/2″. For a ribbon clasp, you should measure your clasp and adjust your bracelet length accordingly.

Bead Loom Bracelets

If you have the Ricks bead loom, we featured in our bead loom guide, you find you’ll only have two warp threads to deal with at the end of your project.

With most looms, however, you will have several warp threads at each end of your beadwork – as well as the weft thread (that’s the one your seed beads were threaded on to).

In this section, we’ll look at how to add a ribbon crimp to finish your beadwork.

Adding a Crimp Clasp or Ribbon End to a Bead Loom Bracelet

Sterling Silver Ribbon Crimps from Amazon

OK, I have to be honest, this method is not one of my favorites. To be frank, it’s a bit messy and fiddly – mostly because it involves glue.

But also, because it’s really easy to accidentally dent the clasp when you close it – and you don’t really get a second shot if you don’t place it exactly straight and where it needs to be.

If you go for this method I strongly recommend you choose a good quality crimp or at least one you like enough to really want to wear as part of your bracelet or necklace.

The cheap findings don’t do it for me. They tend to let your work down a bit and a beautiful piece of beadwork can so easily be spoiled by the wrong clasp.

That said, if you find a pretty clasp and you’re feeling confident you can do a good job, the process (in theory) is pretty straight forward.

For this method, start with your beadwork still on the loom.

Your thread will be exiting the last bead from the left.

Weave with your weft thread which should be still threaded on your beading needle.
Continue to weave to about 1 cm in depth. Backstitch to secure. Add a thin layer of beading glue and trim warp threads when set.
Close your ribbon clasp over the entire area. The transparency in the image above shows how your ends would look inside the clasp.

Here’s what to do:

  • Starting on the next row following your final row of beads, weave your thread in and out of your warp threads as if you were weaving a tapestry.
  • Continue until you have approximately 1 cm of woven tapestry. Backstitch several times for extra security and then tie-off and cut your thread.
  • Now add a thin layer of beading adhesive over the woven area, leaving it overnight to set.
  • You can then trim the warp threads close to the woven/glued area and you are ready to add your crimp clasp to cover the entire area.

If you have Julia’s Beadalon Jewel Loom be careful when you cut the beadwork from the loom because the loom is under tension.

A nice touch is to add a small strip of ribbon or recycled sari over your woven area before gently and evenly closing the crimp over the end.

Toggle Clasps, Bead Clasps, and Magnetic Clasps for On or Off Loom Bracelets

For each of the following methods, you will need to sew in your threads first.

This will give you a neat stip of woven beadwork ready to add virtually any clasp of your choice.

In this section, we’ll take you through how to sew in all your threads, and then we’ll look at some options for adding different types of clasps – including my personal favorite, the beaded clasp you can see in the photo above.

How to Sew In Your Threads

Cut or remove your beadwork from your loom leaving enough on your warp threads to sew in.

And remember if you have Julia’s Beadalon Jewel Loom, take care when you cutting the beadwork from the loom – the loom is under tension and it can release with quite a snap.

Sewing in Your Weft Thread

Your thread will be exiting from the left side.

Sew your weft thread back through your beadwork.
Change directions but always sew in right angles so your thread doesn’t show. Tie a half hitch knot here and there. Sew through a couple more beads and cut your thread close to the last bead you exit.

Here’s what to do:

  • Sew back up through a couple of beads in the row above.
  • Now, sew up to the previous row changing direction and tie a half hitch knot before continuing along the row and up to the row before that.
  • Continue doing this for a few rows before tying off your thread. Go through a few more beads before cutting or burning off your thread with a thread burner close to the last bead you exit.

There is no specific path you need to take. Just remember to follow the natural path of your beadwork so your thread virtually disappears.

Sew In Your Warp Threads

Here’s what to do:

  • Thread your beading needle onto the first warp thread.
  • Sew into the next bead up, on the previous row, and continue to sew through your beadwork following the natural path of your beads. Tie a couple of half hitch knots here and there. Continue through the next few beads and then cut the thread close to the last bead you exited from.
  • Repeat the process until all your warp thread are sewn in.

Tried to avoid going over the same path more than a couple of times or the thread will build up and you will no longer be able to get your needle through.

You may need to use a finer needle (from a size 10 to a size 12).

You are now ready to add a clasp.

How to Add a Toggle Clasp, Bead Clasp, or Magnetic Clasp

The bead fastening will measure approximately 1 1/4″. The toggle clasp will measure approx 1 1/2″.

Adding a bead, toggle, or magnetic clasp is easy, and once you get the idea, the process is very similar for whichever fastening you choose.

For off-loom beadwork, you can use any beading thread you have still left on your needle (providing you have about 12″ left). Just make sure you thread exits where you want to add your fastening.

Alternatively, you can start a new thread. For bead loom bracelets, you will need to add a new thread.

Add a new thread several rows up and work your way down to the bottom row. You can then add your beads to make the fastening.
The illustration above shows the path you should follow to reinforce your bead fastening.
Reinforce your loop as you did for the clasp.

Here’s what to do:

  • Add a new thread to your beadwork several rows up and work your way down to the bottom row.
  • Exiting the bead where you want your fastening to begin, Pick up 7x 11/0 Miyuki seed beads and 1x Swarovski crystal round bead. Size 8 is probably better though I used a size 6 for mine.
  • Pick up 3x 15/0 Miyuki seed beads to make a picot.
  • Sew back through the Swarovski crystal round bead and then pick up 7 more 11/0 Miyuki seed beads.
  • Reinforce the fastening by going round the path again.
  • Now reinforce the connection between the bracelet and fastening as shown in the center illustration above.

To make the loop enclosure for the opposite end, the process is very similar.

However, you will need to test how many beads you need in order to (only just) allow the Swarovski crystal bead to pass through the loop.

Add 5x 11/0 seed beads. Then add either a 3mm fire polish or a 3 or 4 mm Swarovski bicone crystal before creating a loop of around 16 or 17 11/0 beads (depending on your brand of beads and tension).

The silver toggle clasp was added in a similar way or you could choose a magnet fastening for this method too.

I’ve also added a bead and loop closure to my beaded lacy necklace tutorial which you may find helpful.

So there you have it. It’s easier than you think. And if you made it this far, one thing I really do recommend for beadwork is to get yourself a good craft light so you can properly see what you are doing – especially one with a magnifying glass. That way you’ll cut down on mistakes or be able to spot any more easily and backtrack before you’ve gone too far.

Check out our reading room for beading inspiration.

Filed Under: Crafts

Best Wood Burning Kit (2022)

August 2, 2020 by Comfy Zen Leave a Comment

If you want a cheap kit so you can dabble in the art of wood-burning, you’ll find a ton of them out there. All pretty much the same – with just slight variations in the number and type of accessories, you get with them. They’re cheap because the wood burner is basically a repurposed soldering iron. And soldering irons don’t cost much to make.

It’s not necessarily a bad idea to get one if you’re a complete beginner. They will let you try out a bunch of different techniques. But sooner or later you’re going to want something that will let you really get into the craft and explore your potential.

So whether you want to just have a go or really master the craft, I’ve done all the hard work and research for you to find the best wood-burning kit out there depending on your criteria.

Updated January 2022

Here are reviews of my recommendations:

What We ThinkBrandProduct
Seriously GoodTRUArt Stage 2 Single Pen Professional Woodburning Detailer
A Good Choice for ArtistsProfessional Wood Burning Kit, TEKCHIC Pro1
A Budget Friendly Kit for BeginnersPETUOL 110 Pieces Wood Burning Kit
Smoke Extractor for Your KitKOTTO Woodburning Smoke Extractor

Table of Contents.

  • Our Top Picks
  • Smoke Extractors | Why You Need One
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Other Wood Burning Kits We’ve Reviewed
The TRUArt Stage 2 from Amazon

Seriously Good: TRUArt Stage 2 Single Pen Professional Woodburning Detailer

The TRUArt Stage 2 is for creative people who don’t want to be limited by their tools

This one will never hold you back.

Frankly, it’s the best “price point” wood burner for what you get – without having to commit to an expensive kit that does more than you need.

Check Price

It doesn’t have lots of different types of tips like the cheap kits.

But that’s not actually a downside because you’ll be able to use the set of 40 wire tips it comes with for a wide variety of applications. Much like the pencils and brushes you use for drawing and painting.

It also comes with 5 assorted files, pen holder, pliers and tweezers and a brush.

This kit doesn’t have any stamp tips, because you won’t be using stamps as an artist. You’ll be drawing things yourself, you see. That’s the difference in the focus of this kit.

Our top choice is the single pen version. But we have to say, it would be worth going for the two-pen version if you can. That way you’ll be able to have the two tips you’re using most often for your project at hand.

You can basically swap between them – without having any wait time for one tip to cool down before being swapped and then swapped back when you need it. This will save you a lot of hassle in the long run.

You get a good selection of quality wire tips in this kit. Wire tips are much better than stamp tools – or the various solid-shaped tips you get with the cheaper kits.

They’re designed for you to draw with and add your own detail – unlike those that have chiseled ends in various shapes that make a standard – pre-shaped mark for you.

You’ll be able to work with these tips in a way that’s not unlike the way you would use your pencils and brushes in traditional artwork.

And you can make minute heat adjustments with the digital control to easily achieve depth and shading to your work.

What We Like:

  • Cooler to the Touch, Ergonomically-Shaped Pyrography Pen | The pen has a heat-resistant rubberized wrap. That means will remain cool enough for you to hold the pen much closer to the heated tip, than other brands on the market. Even for long periods. The pen is also more oval-shaped than some of the chunkier round-shaped pens out there. That means it will fit more naturally in your hand, allowing for greater control and a steadier hand.
  • Good Heat control and a Fast Heat-Up Time | The Kit comes with a very accurate 60W voltage dial. This means you can control the temperature and therefore the amount of burn to get the perfect mark. The tips heat up super fast which will also help speed up your workflow. They do obviously take longer to cool than heat up. However, they still cool faster than the thicker solid tips of the cheaper kits. And if you go for the 2 pen set, you won’t have to interrupt your workflow while you wait for the tips to cool.
  • Professional Wood Burning Kit | TRUArt are a company that just specializes in wood-burning kits, spare parts, and accessories. You know with them you are getting a professional artist quality product. If you require any extras, such as additional tips, spare parts, or even an extra pen, you will find that they’re all easily available to buy.
  • Carry Case| Most other kits don’t come with a carry case. This might seem like a no big deal detail but you’ll want to look after your equipment. Therefore, having the correct size case that you can put everything away into when you’ve finished using your kit is both helpful and sensible.

A Good Choice for Artists: Professional Wood Burning Kit, TEKCHIC Pro1

We found the TEKCHIC Pro1 to be a good compromise between the TRUArt Stage 2 and the ton of cheaper kits out there.

For a start, the TEKCHIC Pro1 is, at the time of writing, over $80 less than the TRUArt Stage 2.

Check Price

It also comes with two pyrography pens which make swapping between nibs so much easier and faster than waiting for one pen to heat up and cool down.

Because different types of wood burn more or less easily the ability to accurately adjust the temperature of the pen could make all the difference to mark the pen makes. Unlike the PETUOL 110 Pieces Wood Burning Kit and indeed all the cheaper kits out there the TEKCHIC Pro1 has a 30W voltage dial. In comparison with the TRUArt 2 it’s about half the wattage but the pen still reaches 700 degrees at its highest which is more than hot enough. The actually glows molten red hot!

Cheaper kits do tend to have temperature control but it’s a standard, tiny (and fiddly) dial on the side of the pen itself.

What We Like:

  • Good Accessories | 20 Different wire tips, with ball tips that make drawing accurately a breeze. The kit also comes with 2 tool stands, sponges, a screwdriver, 2 kinds of wood to get you started plus a carry case.
  • Dual Wood Burner | By its nature, wood-burning takes longer than drawing by hand with a pencil. Having two pens increases your workflow which would otherwise be slowed further by the time it takes for a single pen to heat up and cool down.

Buying Factors to Consider:

The kit doesn’t come with the array of extras that the PETUOL 110 Pieces Wood Burning Kit or others like it. So beginners or people who don’t want to draw freehand might prefer to skip this one and go for the cheaper option below. But for anyone who enjoys drawing this is a good mid-price range option.

Budget-Friendly Kit for Beginners: PETUOL 110 Pieces Wood Burning Kit

One of these kits will let you try out lots of different wood-burning techniques to get a feel for what you can achieve.

Beginner kits come with lots of different tips and stamps so are great for this. They are all pretty similar to each other, whichever one you go for, and they’re also unbelievably cheap.

Check Price

As we’ve mentioned, these pyrography pens are pretty much-repurposed soldering irons and can even be used as such.

That’s not to say they’re not good for wood burning. They may be very basic – you plug ’em in, they get extremely hot pretty quickly, hot enough to make decorative marks on wood and with all the different tips you can attach to them, you can get some great results.

You may be more creative than artistic. In this case, you’ll find having lots of stamps and stencils useful.

Just bear in mind that unless the stencils are metal, and with the cheaper kits they mostly aren’t, you should just use them to trace your design onto the wood. The reason is you’ll melt the plastic if you use the pen directly on them.

If you lean more towards the artistic side or you like the artist’s sketch look and want to have a go at drawing, you should look for a kit that has a good selection of pencil-shaped tips.

The 110 Piece Wood Burning Kit shown above left has quite a few of those but it also has several stamp tools too.

In our opinion it’s a good all-round kit with a bit of everything in it.

One thing we really like about this kit is that it does have temperature control. This is something you’ll find useful in order to achieve the right amount of burn for the type of wood you are using and the type of mark you are trying to make. A word of caution though, like all the kits in this low price range, the controls are a bit fiddly and not as accurate or sensitive as the digitally controlled ones you get with the more professional pens.

These pens also tend to get hot so they aren’t ideal for using over prolonged periods. Another big plus point about this kit is that it comes with heatproof gloves. If you choose a similar kit that comes with different accessories, you might find a heatproof glove a good idea.

Not a criticism of this kit in particular but I do need to point out that these cheaper pyrography pens are less efficient. They tend to take longer to heat up and longer to cool down than our top choice.

This will, unfortunately, slow your workflow down considerably and you’ll need to be patient while you’re waiting for the tip to cool down enough to swap it.

What We Like:

  • Lots of Tips and Accessories | This makes them ideal for experimenting with. You’ll be able to find your own style and learn what works for you so you can achieve something to be proud of. Not only that but if you find a good tutorial or have a project in mind you want to create, chances are, you’ll already have everything you need in one of these kits to go ahead and make it.
  • They’re Super Cheap | Most of these kits are around the $20 mark which makes them worth going for, even if you’re not sure whether you’ll like your new hobby or not. In any case, even if you don’t commit to wood-burning and go on to create amazing and stunning masterpieces, you’ll certainly get your $20 worth of fun out of one.

Buying Factors to Consider:

  • Pyrography Pen Can Get Hot | These pens as we’ve discussed are primarily soldering pens. They’re pretty cheap and not that well insulated. This means they can get uncomfortably hot if you’re using them for a long period of time. If you want to complete large projects or you think you’ll be using the pen quite a lot you should consider going for a professional kit like our best choice

Smoke Extractors | Why You Need One

KOTTO Strong Suction Hose Fume Smoke Absorber

Though we generally only review the best stuff out there and make recommendations, in this case, we are saying – If you buy a wood-burning kit, you MUST buy one of these!

Check Price

However, pleasant the smell of wood smoke is, it’s not good for you.

And once you get totally absorbed in a project, you’ll forget that the air around you is getting smokier and more unhealthy by the minute.

It’s only sensible to get yourself a fume exhaust rather than to risk any short or long term health problems from something that should be relaxing and enjoyable enough to be actually good for you.

This one by KOTTO isn’t expensive it will sit happily next to you on your craft table and it’s designed specifically for all types of wood-burning projects.

Alternative Wood Burning Kits:

These are the products that didn’t quite make our top picks. But they’re still pretty good so you might like to take a look:

TEKCHIC 60W Professional Wood Burning Kit

This one’s cheaper than our top pick and it’s a good wood burning kit suitable for detailed work on any medium like wood, leather, gourds, and paper.

It just doesn’t come with as many tips and there are no files. We just found the handle was a little chunkier to hold.

Key Features:

  • Good price for a professional kit
  • Comes with 20 tips ball tips are also included
  • Includes a carry case
Check Price

Colwood Super Pro II Woodburning KIt

This one has a tip system with two replaceable tip handles. Only one handle heats up at a time and you toggle between two switches.

Key Features:

  • Comes with the Pyrography Workbook by Sue Walters
  • Includes 3 tips – a skew, rounded skew, and writing tip
  • Alo has a tip puller and 2 abrasive tip polishers 
Check Price

Filed Under: Crafts

The Best Craft Light for 2022

August 1, 2020 by Comfy Zen Leave a Comment

I’ve been on the hunt for the ultimate craft light for what feels like an eternity. I’ve tried all the different options, from anglepoises to flimsy clip-on lamps to bulky floor lamps that take up half my studio. I’ve even dabbled in those trendy “daylight” bulbs that promise to give you the same lighting as the outdoors, but all they did was give me a headache. Having had enough of subpar craft lighting, I was ready to find the one that truly reignited my passion for crafting. That’s why I decided to embark on a mission to find the best craft light out there.

In this quick, straight-to-the-point guide I will tell you exactly what to look for when choosing a craft light for whatever it is you love to create.

Ultimately I chose the Neatfi XL Bifocals magnifying light – a purchase I’m especially pleased with. It has made the world of difference for me. I’d even go so far as to say it’s taken my craft skills to the next level. Now I can really see what I’m doing up close in detail (thanks to the magnifier), even if it’s the only light source in the room. The photo below was taken at night in a totally dark room of my Neatfi Bifocals magnifying light.

close up of craft light-Comfy Zen
The Neatfi XL Bifocals Craft Light from Amazon

Choose a good craft light and it won’t matter how poor your surrounding lighting conditions are. Evening or late-night crafting projects are as easy (and eye-strain-free) as working in daylight.

Neatfi XL Bifocals 

Neatfi Bifocals magnifying light

Neatfi XL Craft Light

Dimunt LED Floor Lamp

Extra Contents:

  • Handy Diopter Magnification Converter
  • Other Worthy Mentions

My Top Pick


Neatfi XL Bifocals 

I can’t find any fault with this one. Love it!

The extra large 7″ wide lens is a game changer, providing an even spread of bright light over a large area and allowing me to focus exactly where I need it.

Check Price on Amazon

And the bifocal feature is a total bonus, with the 5 Diopter lens for distant vision and the 20 Diopter lens for close-up work.

But what really sold me was the 1,600 lumens of bright, glare-free light. It’s perfect for reading small prints or working on delicate projects, and the color temperature of 5600K-6000K is just right. Plus, it’ll last up to 100,000 hours and doesn’t get hot, which is a major plus.

And the dimmable feature is a godsend. I can adjust the brightness level by 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100% depending on my task, which is a must-have for anyone looking for the perfect lighting for various projects. Plus, it comes with a 3-year warranty, so you know you are covered. All in all, I’d say this is the best craft light I’ve come across.

Pros:

  • Extra large 7″ wide lens provides even spread of bright light over a large area
  • Bifocal feature with 5 Diopter lens for distant vision and 20 Diopter lens for close-up work
  • 1,600 lumens of bright, glare-free light ideal for reading small prints or working on delicate projects
  • Color temperature of 5600K-6000K is just right
  • Dimmable feature allows for adjustable brightness levels
  • Lasts up to 100,000 hours and doesn’t get hot
  • Comes with a 3-year warranty

Cons:

  • More expensive than the next option, but you get what you pay for and it’s a better light.
  • Maybe more than you actually need.

Alternative Top Pick

Neatfi Bifocals Craft Light

Neatfi Bifocals Craft Light

A slightly cheaper option but still a hit!

If you want the flexibility to work late into the evening, you’re going to need lumens. Lots of them. Anything over 1,000, is the gold standard and this one has 1,200 lumens.

Check Price on Amazon

If you find a cheaper craft light that looks just as good, chances are the lumens, or brightness, just won’t be enough.

You’ll notice that this one has a clamp rather than a standard base. Clamps are ideal if you have a desk that you can clamp it to – but don’t worry if you don’t, you can easily get a compatible mounting bracket that will allow you to fix it flush to your desktop or even to a wall.

As you can see in the photo below, this light is designed for maximum flexibility. The clamp, or other means of fixing it, means you can pull it into the exact position you need and it will stay put. There’s no chance of it toppling over onto your work.

Neatfi Bifocals Craft Light product image

The 5-inch, 5-diopter magnifier, will make everything 225% larger for you. It’s ideal for detailed work, but if you need to zoom in further – miniature/model painters, knitters, crocheters, and beaders will love the built-in 20 diopter spot lens which will zoom in by 6x, which means the smallest of details will look 600% bigger.

The lamp’s also dimmable by pressing the power button you can adjust the brightness level to 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100%.

Though for most crafters this 5″ lens version is just perfect, I can crochet and knit – or rather see where to pick up my all too frequently dropped stitches, work on detailed hand-drawn illustrations, and work on my beadwork with ease, but if you really want to go bigger and even brighter, Neatfi XL Bifocals is the way to go.

Pros:

  • High lumen count of 1,200
  • Clamp or mounting bracket options for flexibility in placement
  • 5-inch, 5-diopter magnifier and built-in 20 diopter spot lens for detailed work
  • Dimmable with four brightness levels
  • 7-inch lens version available with even higher lumen count of 1,600

Cons:

  • May not be suitable depending on the type of craft you want to do

 A full three-year (3) warranty is included.

Runner Up

Neatfi XL Caft Light

Neatfi XL Craft Light

The extra-wide 20” shade on the Neatfi XL means it will easily light up the largest workbench or craft table.

A whooping 2,200 lumens of 5600K-6000K daylight light, is the perfect solution to the poorest of lighting conditions and with a choice of several color options to match your craft room decor, we think it looks good too.

Check Price on Amazon

And don’t worry if you think it’s too bright, the light is dimmable from 100% to 75%, 50%, and 25%, so you can turn it down when you don’t need the full brightness. A handy tip is that you can switch it off with a double click of the button, instead of cycling down through the brightnesses

As with the Neatfi Bifocals Craft Light, the clamp can be replaced with a mounting bracket alternatively it can be converted to a floor light.

Pros:

  • Extra-wide 20” shade provides good coverage for large workbenches or craft tables
  • High lumen output of 2,200 lumens in 5600K-6000K daylight light is ideal for poor lighting conditions
  • Dimmable from 100% to 75%, 50%, and 25% for adjustable brightness
  • Can be turned off with a double click of the button
  • Clamp can be replaced with a mounting bracket or converted to a floor light
  • Designed to last for 20 years without a bulb change, and uses 80% less energy than a standard bulb
  • Comes with a 3-year warranty

Cons:

  • Doesn’t have a magnifier.
  • Maybe larger than you need.

 A full three-year (3) warranty is included.

Best Budget Option

Dimunt LED Floor Lamp

A great option if you’d like to work on your craft project while relaxing in an armchair.

This gooseneck floor lamp has a weighted base and it’s easy to adjust. It even comes with a handy remote.

And with 1,000 lumens of light and a low price point, this one is a great budget option.

Check Price on Amazon

A control panel on the stem allows you to adjust the light from 100% right down to 10%, and you even have the option to change the lighting effect from a warm white to a cool white.

The gooseneck head is fully flexible allowing you to position the light precisely and there’s even a handy 60-minute timer to automatically switch the lamp off after one hour.

Pros:

  • Only uses 15 watts LED, which is the equivalent of burning 100 watts of halogen.
  • High Lumen Output with 1,000 lumens of light means it’s perfect for working in low light. The energy-saving light is designed to give you 50, 000+ hours of use, and save you up to 75% on your electricity bill -compared to the cost of using a standard light.
  • Multiple Lighting Options

Cons:

  • The lamp doesn’t have the lumen brightness that others have.

Diopter Magnification Converter

DiopterMagnification
21.5X
31.5X
41.75X
52X
72.25X
82.75X
93.25X
206X

Other Ones We’ve Reviewed:

These are the products that didn’t quite make our top picks, but they’re still pretty good so you might like to take a look:

Six Inch Magnifier

AzFocal LED Magnifier Lamp

AzFocal LED Magnifier Lamp

This one has a slightly larger magnifying lens than our top pick. It doesn’t have a lens cover, however, but you can remove the lens if you wish.

Key Features:

  • 6 Inch, 3 diopters magnifying lens
  • 12 Watt -1200 lumens
  •  3 color temperature ranges cold white, warm white, and sunlight
Check Price

Budget Alternative

Addie LED Magnifying Lamp with Clamp

Addie LED Magnifying Lamp with Clamp

This one is cheaper than our top choice, but it has a smaller magnifying lens and no spot magnifier.

Key Features:

  • 1200 lumens and dimmable
  • A 4-inch lens with 225% magnification
  • 6000k white light
Check Price

 6.5″ x 4″ Magnifier Floor light

Brightech LightView Pro

Brightech LightView Pro

This is a nice option for hand sewing, weaving on a lap loom, knitting, and more.

It’s not as bright as our top choice but if you are in a family living room it will just light what you are working on without disturbing others.

Key Features:

  • 9W, 540 lumens
  • The gooseneck is fully adjustable
  • 2.25X magnification
Check Price

Biggest and Brightest Option

Neatfi XL Bifocals

This is the sleek black version. For serious crafters, this is the bigger and bright version that is our top pick.

Key Features:

  • 16 watt, 1,600 lumens but it is also dimmable so you can reduce the brightness when not needed
  • Full 7-inch Magnifier with a 5-diopter lens
  • 5600K-6000K color temperature
Check Price

Filed Under: Crafts

Lavender Massage Oil Recipe

June 13, 2020 by Comfy Zen Leave a Comment

There have been several promising but so far, small scientific studies indicating the effectiveness of using lavender to alleviate anxiety and improve sleep quality.

Whether you find yourself wound up in a tight knot at 3 a.m. wondering if you will ever be able to fall asleep normally again or you would just like to relax, unwind and enjoy the wonderfully soothing benefits that pure essential lavender oil has to offer, this natural lavender massage oil recipe is perfect to help you relax and melt away the stresses of the day.

It’s quick and very easy to make and best of all, it’s 100% natural with no nasty chemicals added!

Lavender essential oil, as with all essential oils, should never be applied to the skin undiluted. This 1% dilation recipe will give you the wonderfully relaxing sweet aroma of lavender, without being too overpowering.

You Will Need:

6 Drops of Pure Lavender Essential Oil – Steam Distilled see below for a guide to choosing your essential oils

  • 1oz/30ml of Organic Sweet Almond Oil or Organic Jojoba Oil 
  • 1oz/30ml Aromatherapy Cobalt Blue Glass Bottle for storing your Natural Lavender Massage Oil

Method

Now with a steady hand, add 6 drops of pure lavender essential oil to your carrier oil – and that is it! You now have a wonderfully sweet lavender massage oil ready to use. Store your oil in a cool place away from direct sunlight, or better still, keep it in the refrigerator.

Carefully fill one cobalt blue glass bottle with the carrier oil of your choice. I recommend Jojoba or Sweet Almond oil but there are others that would work equally well.

Jojoba it lighter than Sweet Almond and is rich in Vitamin E. Sweet Almond which is my favorite doesn’t smell of almonds, in case you were wondering but it is rich and deeply nourishing.

Make sure you don’t overfill the bottle. The best way to do this is to hold the glass bottle up in good light, you should then be able to just see through it enough to avoid overfilling.

Please note: you should always store your carrier oil in the refrigerator.

How do you know this is a 1% dilution?

This is easy to calculate. It would take 600 drops of essential oil to fill a 1oz or 30ml bottle and 1% of 600 drops is 6. To make a 2% dilution, add a total of 12 drops of pure lavender essential oil to your carrier oil. This will give you a much stronger scent which is suitable for smaller areas, such as your feet or wrists. Personally, I find this dilution is a little too strong for me.

How to Choose Your Lavender Essential Oil

Be cautious when buying essential oils, there are a lot of fakes and/or questionable selling techniques out there! 

Be cautious when buying essential oils, there are a lot of fakes and/or questionable selling techniques out there! 

Tisserand is a well known and trusted company. Robert Tisserand is well known, author, international speaker, and consultant on aromatherapy. Tisserand has a website that has clear and transparent information about their products and all of their essential oils are 100% pure organic, wildcrafted or ethically harvested.

Tisserand is the brand I have used many times over the years and the one I am using at the moment.

Tisserand is available in the US here, or for the US organic version, click here.

And if you are in the UK, it’s available here.

Firstly, always read the label. Choose your essential oil by its botanical name.

Don’t buy anything that doesn’t say 100% pure essential oil on the label. There are many cheap synthetic copies out there that are made mostly from petrochemicals.

The companies that make these synthetic copies, artificially reproduce the smell of the oil. 

Obviously, you don’t want these chemicals on your skin and you don’t want to breathe them in either. 

But also make sure the label doesn’t say anything like “blend” as it will already have been diluted and mixed with something else. 

In the case of Lavender Essential Oil, look for “Steam Distilled.” If you were buying citrus essential oils you would look for “Cold Pressed.”

Therapeutic Grade: There is no regulation what-so-ever that decides what is therapeutic and what isn’t.

So basically the word is meaningless. To be magnanimous you could say that the company is trying to convey their product is produced in a way to preserve its therapeutic benefits, but the words mean nothing on their own.

USDA Certification: The USDA do not regulate essential oils, if they did, it would be for food standards and these essential oils are NOT to be taken internally.

USDA Certification can, however, be applied to the growing conditions of the plant or flowers used to make the essential oil.

It should be noted that harvesting that takes place in countries other than the US would be unlikely to be awarded USDA Certification regardless of whether they are organically and ethically produced or not.

And finally, you would think that as long as you can spot a synthetic oil, the world of essential oils would be fairly free of controversy, but you would be wrong.

I will just say that personally, I would never recommend buying any product from an essential oil company that uses Multi-level Marketing (MLM) techniques.

While I have no reason to think that there is anything wrong with the essential oils these companies produce, please do not ever allow yourself to be pressured into paying to become a distributor, unless you want to turn all your friends and family into prospective customers and then have to try to convince them to become distributors too.

If you are interested in learning more about aromatherapy, Susan Burgess has a great little ebook with some easy to follow recipes to get you started.

View here.

Filed Under: Crafts

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