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Health and Safety Tips
- Transporting Weaving Tools:
Open tool bags and baskets are wonderful for organizing your weaving
tools. However, what happens to these tools in an auto accident. The true is
that the tools become flying missiles and could cause more injury than the
accident. Imagine being stabled by an awl or hit on the head with a spoke
weight traveling at a high rate of speed. Store the tools away in the car’s
trunk or transport tools in a tightly closed and secure bag inside the
passenger area.
- Mineral Spirits is the
recommended paint thinner since it is less flammable and less toxic.
Odorless mineral spirits have been further refined to remove the aroma
compounds.
- Use a cork on the end of your
pointed awl to prevent it’s poking through where it shouldn’t, including your
hand when searching through your tools.
- Is it safe to serve food in a
basket which has been dyed? - Most packaged dye is not toxic; however as a rule
check the package first. Don't use for food service if you are uncertain.
Caution: Some of the natural dyes are poisonous.
- Never put reed in your mouth,
or let your pet drink out of your water bucket. Reed is treated with
insecticides before it is imported. Use the soak water of non-dyed reed
to give your plants a drink and to pass any insecticide on to the plant.
- When you dye materials or
stain your basket, work in a well ventilated area. Avoid breathing the
fumes and wear a filtered mask.
- If you have a septic system,
do not put toxic substances down the drain. Toxic substances such as
acrylic paints, dirty paint water, varnishes, paint thinner and solvents can
kill the microorganism that decompose wastes and can damage the soil in a
disposal field. I would jus say never put
toxic down the drain – bad for the environment all the way around!
- Use a few drops of glycerin
or a teaspoon of lemon oil in the bucket of water for soaking your reed to keep
your hands from getting too dry. It also helps to keep the reed damp and
pliable longer.
- Anyone who actively
sells baskets needs to beware of the stains used. You never
know how the person buying your basket will use it. Don’t use something
that will endanger their life if they use it for serving food or for children
(toys, cradle, etc.)
Tips
and Tricks listed on this page have been pasted from weaver to
weaver over the past years. MBG does NOT claim originality
but provides a
forum for sharing those deemed beneficial to new and experienced
weavers.
MBG welcomes the submission of additional tips and tricks.
Please send
your tips to
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