Articles in plain white wood can be bought almost anywhere nowadays.
Pen-trays, letter-racks, easels, paper-knives, photograph-frames,
watch-cases, needle-books, portfolios, glove-boxes, fans,
silk-winders--there is no end to the variety which can be had, and
had at a very moderate price. Now, any girl or boy among you with a
paint-box and a little taste for drawing, can make a really pretty
gift by decorating some one of these wooden things, either in color or
with pen drawings in brown or black. The pattern need by no means be
elaborate. A wreath of ivy simply out-lined in sepia or india-ink, or
a group of figures sketched with the same, produces a very pleasing
and harmonious effect. "Prout's Brown," a sort of fluent ink of a
burnt-umber tint, will be found excellent for drawing purposes.
For designs, our own ST. NICHOLAS will furnish excellent examples.
Scarcely a number but holds something which a clever artist can
adapt to his purpose. The "Miss Muffett" series, for example, or the
silhouettes, or the sea-side sketches, or the ornamental borders and
leaf-and-flower headings. Look over your back numbers, and you will
see how rich they are in subjects for copies.
Here is a suggestion for such of you as live by the sea, and who know
something about drawing. Search for clam-shells on the beach, and
select the whitest and most perfectly formed. Separate the two shells,
cleanse them thoroughly, and make on the smooth pearly lining of each
a little drawing in sepia. It will serve as a receiver to stand on a
lady's toilet and hold rings and trinkets, or it can be used as
an ash-holder by a smoking gentleman, or to contain pens on a
writing-table.