Making chalk is an easy and inexpensive piece of work that you can do at home using the ingredients you have on hand. Mix in a small amount of paint to create a chalk of different colors, or stick with a white base. This article provides instructions for making lime using gypsum, eggshell, or cornstarch.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using a Cast
Step 1. Gather the ingredients
In addition to the materials you will use to make the chalk, you will also need a mold. Look around your home and head to a craft supply store to collect the following list of materials:
- plaster. You can find a large tub of plaster at most craft supply stores. You will need half a cup of plaster for each batch of lime.
- Tempera Paint. This type of paint is easy to clean, so it's perfect if you're going to use your chalk on sidewalks or chalkboards. Choose as many colors as you like.
- Wax paper. You'll need it to coat your chalk molds, so the chalk doesn't stick.
- Items to be used as molds. You can use toilet tissue tubes, kitchen tissue tubes, ice cube molds (as long as you're not using them again to make ice), or other tube and cardboard shapes.
- Paper tape. You will need it to cover the bottom of the jar to keep the lime mixture inside.
Step 2. Prepare the mold
Cover the mold with wax paper so that the waxed side is facing up. If you are using a tube, cover one end with paper tape to keep the lime mixture in the container.
Step 3. Pour the paint into the bowls
You will need two tablespoons of paint for each batch. Measure into bowls, with one color for each bowl. You can also mix colors to create new colors; for example, mix red with yellow to make lime orange, or blue with yellow to make green. Make sure the amount of all the paint in the bowls was two tablespoons.
Step 4. Add the cast
Spoon half a cup of cast into each bowl. Stir well until all ingredients are combined and there are no lumps.
Step 5. Add a drop of liquid dish soap
This makes it easier for the chalk to clean. Add a drop or two to each bowl and mix thoroughly.
Step 6. Pour the lime mixture into the mould
Use a spoon to help you pour the chalk mixture into the molds, one for each color. Fill the mold with as much mixture as you want; the mixture will not expand as it dries. Cover the mold with wax paper when you are finished.
Step 7. Let the chalk dry
Place the chalk in a dry place and allow it to dry overnight. Lime can be used once it is completely dry.
Step 8. Done
Method 2 of 3: Using Eggshell
Step 1. Gather the ingredients
This method uses all-natural ingredients to make chalk with ingredients you can find at the grocery store if you don't have them in your home. Gather these items to prepare your chalk making project:
- Eggshell. If you are raising hens that lay eggs, then you have a store of eggshells waiting to be used. If not, find a way to collect as many eggshells as possible. If you start early, you can ask your neighbors and friends to save it for you.
- Flour. This thickens the mixture and fills the lime.
- Food coloring. Liquid or gel type, both can be used.
- Print. Use a toilet paper tube, ice cube mold, or any other type of mold of your choice.
- Wax paper. You will need this to coat the mold.
- Paper tape.
Step 2. Prepare the mold
Cover the mold with wax paper so that the waxed side is facing up. If you are using a tube, cover one end with paper tape.
Step 3. Grind the egg shells
Make sure the eggshells are completely dry before you start. Use a mortar and pestle or a bowl and the back of a spoon to grind the eggshells into a fine powder. Make sure no egg fragments are left behind; the mixture should be soft.
Step 4. Mix the lime base
Mix two parts flour with one part eggshell in a bowl. Add water little by little until the mixture forms a thick dough. Divide the mixture into as many bowls as you want, according to the number of colors you want to make.
Step 5. Add food coloring
Stir a few drops of food coloring into different bowls.
Step 6. Fill the mold
Spoon the chalk mixture into the different molds, one color for each. Cover the mold with wax paper.
- For a fun variation, try filling the print halfway with one color, then filling the other half with a different color.
- Make marble-colored chalk by filling the mold with two or more colors, then use a skewer to poke into the layers of color to create swirls of color.
Step 7. Allow to dry
Wait at least 12 hours for the chalk to dry before removing it from the mold and using it.
Step 8. Done
Method 3 of 3: Using Corn Flour
Step 1. Gather the ingredients
This simple lime recipe requires only two main ingredients: equal parts cornstarch and water. Use food coloring to make more than one color. For chalk molds, use an old toilet paper tube, kitchen paper roll, or other small container. You can also make a large sheet of chalk and break it into pieces.
Step 2. Prepare the mold
Cover the mold with wax paper so that the waxed side is facing up. If you are using a tube, cover one end with paper tape to keep the lime mixture in the container.
Step 3. Mix corn flour with water
Pour equal amounts of cornstarch and water into a bowl to mix. Stir until the mixture is thick and smooth. Divide the mixture into several small bowls, one for each color you want to make.
Step 4. Add food coloring
Use a few drops of food coloring to color the mixture into different bowls. Mix well.
Step 5. Pour the lime mixture into the mould
Use a spoon to help you pour the chalk mixture into the molds, one for each color. Cover the mold with wax paper when you are finished.
Step 6. Let the chalk dry
Wait 12 hours before removing the chalk from the mold. This lime is completely natural and biodegradable.
Step 7. Done
Tips
- Make scented lime by adding a few drops of essential oil to the mixture before pouring the lime into the mold.
- Experiment with adding glitter and other small items.
- You can replace the cast and eggshell with another type of calcium, such as limestone.
