Thursday, September 16, 2010

Project: Make a Beader's Friend!

You know how it goes, especially you bead weavers out there. Those long hours of sitting, hunched over a table, your fingers twisted around strings and needles, your eyes burning with the amount of light and concentration required to do this sort of work. And it doesn't matter how much you love it; "it" does not love your neck or back, your muscles or your eyes.

There can be some relief, however! It can be found in a small, hot poultice resting against the back of your neck. My sister taught me how to make these, and I don't know where I'd be without mine! It's really easy to make one for yourself, and you won't believe how nice it feels on your sore, work-worn muscles.

All you need is the following...




1-2 cups of dry, uncooked rice, any kind
1 CLEAN, hardly worn ankle sock (you don't want one with holes in it or thin spots; the sock I used I only ever wore twice, so I didn't feel too bad parting with it.)
1 tablespoon dried herbs or flowers or loose leaf tea or two tea bags (optional)

The more rice you use in your sock, the thicker and firmer it will be. I prefer mine with a little less rice because it tends to stay in place easier. If you want some nice aromatics, pour your rice into a big bowl and add a tablespoon of dried herbs, flowers, or loose leaf tea, or tear open two tea bags and dump the contents in (I used a green tea and lemongrass blend here!). Mix it all up with your hands, then use a spouted measuring cup to help pour the rice into your sock. Tie the ankle off, and you're done!

Here is a finished one made with a toe-sock:




To warm your poultice, place it in the microwave for 45 seconds to a minute. Be careful taking it out, as it could be very hot! You might want to wait a minute or two before applying the poultice. You can drape it over the back of your neck, lie down and place it on your forehead or over your closed eyes, sit on the couch and place it between your lower back and the cushions. It will soothe any bead (or any craft) worn muscles!

This is a great way to use up mismatched socks. If you don't have a mismatched sock, and you don't know what to do with the second one, make two! Place the second one in your freezer in case you ever need a cold pack for anything.

Hope this proves helpful!


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