Do it yourself tips

Here are a few vignettes I came across that I find extremely handy. Try them out.

* Your tools will stay corrosion-free if you apply automobile paste wax on the steel parts.

* Some chalk pieces and a few moth balls in the tool box will keep moisture away.

* Sticky drawers, in tables, cupboards, cabinets? Run a candle over the grooves, they will glide.

* Fishing line is good for re-stringing your beads. It won’t break and it is flexible and easy to thread.

* Planning to get your house painted? You can banish the smell of paint by adding 2 tsp. vanilla essence per quart of paint, or, place a large pan of water with 1 tbs. ammonia, in a freshly painted room, leave overnight. A large onion cut and put in a big, open pan of water also removes the smell.

* Use cooking oil to remove paint marks on your face or hands. It won’t burn.

* An inexpensive way of finishing picture frames is to paint them with liquid shoe polish. Use one coat, dry, and then apply another coat. Finish with wax paste. Dark brown colour gives mahogany finish and tan appears light maple in colour.