Post #592107 by tikiskip on Fri, Jun 3, 2011 11:08 AM

You need to do the same to the hat as you did the basket.
Flame retardant, lightly flame.
At this time you are going to shellac the basket (outside only)
and shellac the hat outside and part of the inside.
Burning these will not only make them look older but also help them
to match better.
Shellacing makes them stronger helps protect them from water and dirt
it also helps to make these look more like they match.
Some people think that the shellac looks too shiny, if you don't want
this shiny look(it will dull through the years)
You can buff it out with steel wool when shellac dries.
See the last photo it is the shellac I use.
The one far right or the amber is the one I use most.
On the brushes I buy the cheap one dollar type.
Someone once asked me how I clean my brushes, I don't clean my brushes.
I just wrap them tite the in plastic film or cling wrap and put them in the fridg.
If you use the brush every now and then it won't dry out.
This brush is a year old.