You can make the lady look as if dancing and kicking in the clouds by making the feet of stiff pasteboard and allowing them to hang loose from the line which forms the bottom of the skirt.  The feet will move and sway with each motion of the kite.

** How to Make Rubber Stamps [393]

India rubber, especially prepared for stamp-making, should be procured from a dealer or manufacturer, if good results are to be obtained.  As an experiment, it is possible for an amateur to prepare the rubber, but, in such cases, it is always attended with uncertain results.  The mixed uncured rubber comes in white sheets, strong, firm and about 1/8 in. thick, and for its manipulation a press is indispensable, but can be home-made.

For the base of the press use a piece of iron, having two holes drilled in it at the middle of opposite sides, through which pass bolts, letting the thread ends extend upward and counter-sinking places for the bolt heads to keep the under side of the base level.  Solder the bolts in place at the base.  The upper part of the press, or the platen, is also of iron, cut so it can be swung

[Illustration:  Fish Kettle Vulcanizer]

off the bolts, rather than by removing the nuts and lifting it off.  String a half dozen nuts, larger than those which screw on, on each bolt, so that when the upper nut on each is screwed to the extent of the thread the pressure will be communicated through the nuts wedged in between the platen and the upper nut.  The bolt holes in the platen should be directly over those in the base.  Distance pieces of an exact thickness should be provided for use on the base; these serve to keep the pressure even.

In preparing the mould, if type is to be copied, use rather large type with wide spaces and set up with high quads and spaces, or the type faces may be filled up by rubbing with either wax, or soap, lightly brushing off any that remains loose.  The type so set should be locked into a frame.  This may be made of two pieces of wood bolted together at both ends, or of printer’s furniture.  Place it on a flat surface (marble is good, but any perfectly smooth surface will do) and place distance pieces 1/8 in. higher than its upper surface on either side of it.  Apply olive oil to the type faces and wipe off any excess.  To form the matrix or reverse of the model, take a piece of iron larger than the inscription to be copied, and spread upon it to a depth of 1/4 in, a putty made by mixing plaster of paris and water to the right consistency.  By means of a table knife spread the plaster smoothly and then invert the plate upon the model and press down until

[Illustration:  Vulcanizing Press for Rubber Stamps]

the distance pieces are struck.  Let it set 10 minutes and then remove.  If care has been taken the matrix will be perfect.  After it has thoroughly dried, preferably in an oven, saturate it with an alcoholic solution of shellac to strengthen it.