Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Miniature Paint Brush Tutorial

Miniature Paint Brush Tutorial


Here are the supplies that I used for the project:

1. paint color of your choice (for the handles) or stain or leave as is. I used my son's Crayola markers for the blue handle below.
2. mohair or synthetic doll hair
3. bead findings
4. glue
5. toothpicks or mini dowels

Tools:
1. Pliers
2. Scissors
3. Embry Board

PREPARING THE BRISTLES
1. Roll a section of hair until it is as thick as the tooth pick
 
2. Dip one end in glue
 
3. Roll it between your fingers until the end is coated in glue and the hairs stay together
 
4. Set aside to dry and wipe off your hands! 




ATTACHING FERRULE TO HANDLE
1. Dip the toothpick in glue and then push it on the ferrule.
  
2. Make sure that you leave at least ½ of the ferrule open for the bristles. 
3. Set aside to dry



ATTACHING BRISTLES TO HANDLE
1. Take the now dry section of hair (from section Preparing the Bristles)
2. Trim the glued end, roll gentle with fingers to make round
 
3. Apply glue on the end of the hairs and stick into the ferrule 
4. Set aside to dry



SHAPING THE HANDLE
1. Trim the handle to the length you want, scissors will work for this
 
2. Use sandpaper or an emery board to round the end

FINISHING

1. Stain, paint or leave the handle unfinished

2. Trim the bristles to the desired length
 
3. Gently flatten the ferrule next to the brushes (Note the bottom brush has had the ferrule flattened in the right picture)