till the seven letters are cut out,
care being taken to powder the blotter every time a new sheet of wax
is laid on. Lay the back of the box on the table, having melted glue
ready, and with a camel's-hair brush apply a small portion of it to
the back of each letter as it is set in its relative position,
pressing it gently against the velvet with the palm of the hand. The
letters should be set an inch apart, and when all on the frame should
be set away until the glue is thoroughly dry and the waxen letters
adhere firmly to the velvet, then they are ready for ornamenting. This
is done in various ways, and all depends on the artist's taste, but a
few suggestions may not be amiss.

Take a two-inch fern-cutter and cut the ferns out of double sheet wax;
then bronze them as directed on both sides, either with gold or silver
bronze. Begin with draping the letter W. Take the stem end of the fern
leaf and with the bead end of the curling-pin fasten it to the lower
side of the letter; then turn it over and fasten it down in the
middle, letting the point turn outward. Set the ferns on the letters
in such a way as not to obscure their form, _i. e._, the form of the
letters. If the motto is made in white wax it should be frosted with
diamond dust.

A pretty style of motto is clasped hands in the center, of pure white
wax, surrounded with sprays of fine flowers and buds, finished in fire
bronze.

Another style of motto is a vase in the center, from which vines in
different colors of bronze run. Green, fire, and copper bronzing
should have a light background; silver and gold bronzing should have a
dark background.

THE ART OF MAKING A FLORAL BASKET IN BRONZE.

Take a medium-sized basket (chip or any solid substance), brush it
with glue on the inside, fill it with moss, and set it away to dry
till the moss is stuck to the basket. The moss should be raised in the
center in the form of a mound. Have the wax sheeted in carmine. Make
the center of the basket in roses, rosebuds, and carnations, as they
are the most durable. Mold the petals over the embossed muslin petals
and bronze them with fire bronze--Nos. 4000 and 6000--as previously
directed. Drape the basket and the handle in smilax, having the wax
for the smilax sheeted in chrome green; then mold over the embossed
muslin leaves, bronze in green bronze, and drape loosely. Such a
basket makes a pretty table ornament.

DIRECTIONS FOR BRONZ