GRUBBY DIPPIN’

GRUBBY DIPPIN’

Dipping is a technique used with wax. Also called grubbing. There are several methods to grubby your items. Here are a few: Whisk method, rolling method, and the spicy grubby method. Using an old pan or a double broiler, or crock pot, melt the wax (paraffin) on low heat. Add stearine (this helps the wax stay hard and not melt in warm weather). When wax is melted, remove from heat, and choose your way of dipping. If you want to add color and scent, this is the time to do so. You can buy color wax chips or just use crayons you snatched from the kids, or even food coloring. I like to use lots of spices (cinnamon, ginger, cloves etc.). Spices mixed together make a dark brown color. Do not mix spices in with your color chips because you just end up with brown anyway. You will know when your wax in ready for dippin’ because it gets a film on top. TIP: If you dip a spoon in, the wax should stick to it. If this happens, you are ready to dip. If the wax runs off, it is too hot and if it is too clumpy, the wax is too cold.

Whisk Whip Method: Using a old whisk or fork, quickly stir and whip the wax to make bubbles. The more bubbles, the more grubby looking it will be. Dip your items and lay on waxed paper to dry.

Rollin’ Method: Dip your item into the wax and quickly roll in dry spices or mixture (shreaded wax, crushed bay leaves, coffee beans, etc.) Then re-dip to make the spices stick.

Spicy Grubby Method: Add spices to the melted wax. Keep stirring as you dip your items so that the spices stick to your item. Spices have a tendency to go to the bottom so you have to keep stirring.

If you are dippin’ wood items, you may have to dip it a few times for the wax to stick. If you are gluing bows, etc. to dipped items remember to use E6000 or tacky glue … HOT glue does not work as it just melts the wax.

NOTE: If you are dippin’ wood items, you may have to dip it a few times for the wax to stick. If you are gluing bows, etc. to dipped items remember to use E6000 or tacky glue … HOT glue does not work as it just melts the wax.

Try making some wooden gingerbread men and snowmen to add to potpourri. Tie them up with your candles to sell in a bag. Make bay leaf garlands out of them. Have your dolls hold them in baskets.

Take heavy cardboard and use cookie cutters (stars, hearts, gingerbread men, etc.) Trace them onto the cardboard and cut out. Punch a hole in top and string in some twine. Now you have to melt wax in your OLD crock pot. When melted, turn off your crock pot and let wax start to harden. It’s ready when there is a film on top. Stir wax and start to dip your ornies. The wax should be cool enough to be chunky. Dip them about four or five times and they get the real grubby look. Add a piece of homespun to your gingerbread men and Wala!!!!!! You should add a scent to your wax.

Use your imagination. You can dip hang tags, stuffed stars and hearts, cinnamon sticks, dried apples and oranges to add to potpourri, the list is endless.
Please have fun with this craft but do remember that if you are not careful you can burn yourself.