Feb 23
We test out all of our new kits before we sell them on the fun2make website. The other day I tested the dynamo torch kit. First, let’s get one thing clear - I am useless at DIY, and anything remotely linked to engineering. I am one of the sad people who can’t even wire a plug unless it’s a new one with a cardboard picture on it explaining what to do.
So, it was with a little trepidation that I approached this boxed science kit. OK, so it says 9+, but there are some 9 year olds who are a lot better at this stuff than me (my step-son was, for one). I laid all the pieces out, checked I had everything (I did), and away I went. I think I got one step wrong and had to redo it, but apart from that, the instructions were pretty clear, and I was surprised at how well everything fitted together.
20 minutes after starting, I was cranking the handle, and my LED bulb was emitting a slightly flickering green colour. My daughter (who is nearly eight) thinks it is great and has promptly taken possession of it. I think it’s great too….I might even do some DIY on the weekend!
NB: My suggestion is that children of 9 or 10 should probably be supervised on this activity by an adult. The screws are quite small, and attaching the wires to the motor is a little fiddly, but small fingers will be able to do it if directed properly. It is a great activity for parents to do with their child (or for parents to do alone if no children are available!!)
Feb 20
This year, i decided to make a present for my mother and to really put some time and effort into it. I used a new product we are stocking, a boxed set called ‘create your own plate design‘.
I used a pointillism technique, which took me a good 2 hours to do, but I think the effect is pretty good (for someone who doesn’t consider themselves particularly artistic).
The pens can only be used on this product. We did try them on another ceramic plate, but they just wouldn’t give any depth of colour. If you want to buy your own plates and use porcelain paint pens on them, we would advise using the Marabu porcelain paint pens.
So, if you are running out of things to buy your mum on her special day, why not invest some time and effort in making something that she will cherish.
Dec 12
Last night, on Nigella Express, she made chocolate and pistachio fudge, and put a few chunks into gold star cellophane bags, as presents for friends.
I watched the programme and noticed that the bags she used bore a striking resemblance to the ones we sell here at fun2make.
As soon as the programme finished, the orders started coming in, and they’re still coming in. Luckily, a new load of them had just been delivered to us!
A quick challenge for you all - the first 5 people to send us their chocolate and pistachio fudge in a gold star cellophane bag, will get a free pack of 12 gold star cellophane bags and a mystery gift. Get baking!!!
Jul 20
One of our customers called today and while he was placing an order, told us a great tip to stop the porcelain paint pens becoming clogged up with paint, drying up, and having to be thrown away while they still contain paint.
He told us that after he’s finished using a pen, he rinses the nib off in cold water to get rid of all the surplus paint. Dry off the rest of the pen apart from the nib and replace the cap.
If you have any tips for people using our products, then please let us know by replying to this posting.
Apr 24
fun2make is celebrating the arrival of spring with a whole new range of products themed on the rainforest.
These new rainforest doorhangers are a great addition to our doorhanger range. As with our other products of this type, they use self-adhesive stickers, and there is no mess involved. They are sold in packs of 6 or wholesale packs of 12 and include stickers showing the animals found in the rainforest as well as alphabet stickers for spelling out your name or a message.
The next product to follow this theme is the rainforest suncatcher keyrings. These are sold individually, in 6 packs or in 12 packs. The animals consist of butterflies, monkeys, parrots, lizards, frogs and snakes (2 of each design per pack of 12 keyrings).
Also following the rainforest theme are our temporary tattoos. These are great for themed parties and party bags. Each one comes with full instructions. We’ve tried them out and they work really well. The instructions suggest that they be removed with sellotape rather than washing. We found that sellotape works well for most of the tattoo, but washing helped to remove the last little bit. Some people swear by a some oil to make the removal process easier, but we haven’t tried that method yet. These are sold in packs of 6 or 12. They feature the same animals as the suncatcher keyrings except the lizard is now replaced with a cheetah/ leopard.
Sand art has been one of our best selling products since we started fun2make 2 years ago. We now have a brand new type of sand art - also themed on a rainforest design.
Just like our existing sand art product, sections of the self adhesive backing sheet peel off for you to pour the different coloured sand onto it. No messy glue to worry about. The product is in a gorgeous presentation pack including two sand art landscapes plus two frames for mounting your finished work of art. A must-have gift for any boy or girl and just one of our exciting new products from 4M (more to come about those very soon).
Mar 10
Look at illustrations of the Bayeux Tapestry and Egyptian wall paintings for ideas on how to simplify and stylise the figures. Use a computer to check out different fonts, choose a style to complement your design and add words and dates where necessary. OR show an alternative idea for the same theme by designing and making a sampler (in the style of the stitched samplers made by adults and children c.1800) using Dylon Fabric Pens to create a stitched effect.
Mar 10
An easy way to prepare a design for use with Fabric Painting Pens is to iron an embroidery transfer onto the fabric; the pens can then be used to outline and fill in the design asrequired, either with blocks of colour or withimitation embroidery stitches.Alternatively, draw or trace a design with ablack marker pen onto a piece of paper, tape this in place on a piece of board, fix a piece of clear plastic sheet over the design, then tape fabric over the top. If the design shows through the fabric clearly enough, it can be used as a guideline for drawing the design onto the fabric.If the fabric is too thick for the design to show through, use dressmaker’s carbon paper to trace the design directly onto the fabric
(Idea from Dylon factsheets)
Mar 10
Dylon Fabric Painting Pens may be used on natural or synthetic fabrics. Black fabric pens may be used successfully on light coloured fabrics, other colours should be used on white fabric only.Pin or tape the fabric on a plastic covered board; if the fabric is taut it will be easier to draw on. Broad nib painting pens have a chisel tip which is ideal for medium width lines or small areas of solid colour. Brush nib pens are for finer lines and detail. Both types can be used for lettering and calligraphy, for colouring in or for detail. Dylon Fabric Paints are best for large areas of colour. When using several colours, let one colour dry before applying the next, otherwise the colours may bleed into each other.When the design is completed and dried, put a clean cotton cloth over the area and iron on ahot setting for 1-2 minutes to set the colour into the fabric.
(Idea from Dylon factsheet)
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