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It seems that I have a big problem.
Since summer I have problems with the skin of my hands.I have eczema.At first I ignored it,because I had it before,I used the creme I had ,but it did not go away,it became worse.The dermatologist concluded, after a skintest ,that I am allergic to formelahyde and nickel.PM might be one of the causes,but it can be nearly anything.I really want to go on with PM.
At first I went looking for good sawdust,I found it but it has not arrived yet.
The white glue I use ,does not contain formelahyde,but the distributer of the glue told me that all wallpaperpaste contains a trace of formalahyde.
I could make paste with white flour,but than you have to add bleach.And....the stories here with beasts eating the PM scare me.
I just do'nt want to give up.
Does someone have a splendid idea for me?
Dorine
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If you are making glue from flour you don't have to add bleach, if you add a few drops of teatree oil or oil of cloves then you will minimise the growth of mould in the resulting glue. I can't guarantee that they will completely remove the likelihood but they are both very good anti fungal and anti mildew factors. Alternatively go to your local health food or natural food shop and ask them for an alternative bleaching agent and tell them what you want it for.
Hope that helps,
Charlotte.
Like you I have problems with eczema on both hands and face and I find that I struggle as much with the wet and dry, wet and dry nature of PM as I do with allergy to the paste. There are ways around this so don't give up.
Last edited by newmodeller (2007-11-26 15:51:55)
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Hi,
you can use borax instead of bleach or simply salt. And have you already tried working with latex gloves? And leave the sawdust out of your pm, it might be contaminated with formaldehyd....
good luck,
Christina
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Hi,
And about vinegar?
Jimo, never give up! There is a solution for everything.
Shali
Last edited by Shali (2007-11-26 18:27:02)
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Krise is right, many woods are treated with formaldehyde. You don't need sawdust for PM, anyway.
But I wouldn't use salt. It is corrosive, and will break down many substances in time, including paper and concrete. Bleach can be an irritant, also.
I don't know what country you're in, but maybe your paper has formaldehyde in it?
Of course, it could be something unrelated to PM that is causing the trouble. Latex or nitrile gloves may be the answer.
Sue
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Thank you all so much for your adcices.I will try them,because they give me encouragements to go on.
I don't know if there is formallehyde in the paper.It is in so many things,the nickel is a problem too.
I just have to try what works for me and avoid some things,wear gloves when I PM for instance.But then I don't feel what I am doing.
But... I don't have the intention to give up,I will try anything.
Thanks again.
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Hi Jimo,
Try using surgical latex gloves. These are super thin, like a second skin, so you can feel your work. If you are allergic to latex, there is another kind of surgical glove, but I can't think of the name of the material right now.
Best of luck!
Jonette
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OOPS! I missed the message from Cat. Nitrile is the other material. But they have to be surgical gloves. Dishwashing gloves are thick. I've worked with surgical latex gloves to keep my hands clean when using some artist materials, and they are really wonderful!
Jonette
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Hello Dorine (Jimo)
I don't think the paper should be any problem but the wallpaper paste and adhesive could be (though I've never experienced it).
What with gloves and everything and advice from such excellent people as Sue, Charlotte and Jonette, you should overcome any difficulty.
I would add the idea of using CMC (Carboxy Methylated Cellulose or sometimes known just as Methylated Cellulose) for your paste. The problem is finding some. Web searches are recommended. It is very safe because it is used in beauty and food products but makes an excellent gel. It is a major element in wallpaper paste but unfortunately other chemicals are added to counteract fungal and insect attacks.
I mix my CMC with white (PVA glue).
DavidO
The Ozzard of Wiz
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Thank you very much.
I found teatreeoil,oil of cloves and and ecocleaner for the toilet,but I think I will use the oils.Before I used oil of cloves ,but at first I could not buy it anymore.
I have latex gloves,and will use these first.When that irritates I can order gloves of nitrile(or vinyl)at the pharmacy.I searched for other wallpaperpaste,the one I used when I worked at a primaryschool as a teacher.I can't buy in the shop here,but I can order it on internet.There is no formalehyde in it.
Today I made a bit of paste with flower and added the oiles,I added it to grinded eggcartons together with white glue and linseadoil.It feels good.
But..I think I will order the wallpaperpaste.Glutofix it is called in the Netherlands.
I will make some beads to test the PM.
But giving up is not in my dictionary.
This forum is great.You all understand that I want make to PM,cooking and grinding it like an old mad witch and not run to the shop to buy something prefab.
You will hear from me how everything turns out.
Dorine
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Dorine,
I'm also in the Netherlands. Let me know if you need help locating materials and maybe I'll know some sources.
Jonette
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Thank you Jonette .
What I can't get is groundchalk.
I always used sawdust,but I have to wait till the cabinetmaker is going to empty his dustreservoir(?if that is a word ,but you know what I mean)
I thougt:in the meantime I will use groundchalk of "gemalen krijt",but they looked at me in the shop if I asked for the moon.They have a cellulosefiller but that is expensive I think,17 euro for a box.
So I took schoolboardchalk and grinded it,just a bit to try.
I know where I can order rhe wallpaperglue,(Heutink particulierenverkoop),so I will order it there
If you have some 'dutch' advices,they are very welcome.
Dorine
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Ground chalk is also called calcium carbonate. Maybe they know it by that name.
Sue
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When you keep asking you will succeed.
I finally found the groundchalk,about 10 euro -25 kilogram,rather cheep.I have not bought it yet,but finally I know where I can get everything to make a PM that should not be agressive.
thanks for the help,
Dorine
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Oops -- just saw your posts, Dorine, but am glad you found what you wanted. You might want to visit one of the paper mills to get some supplies (I don't know if they have the chalk). I've been to this one: http://www.demiddelstemolen.nl/index1.htm It is one of the oldest working paper mills in the Netherlands. It exists since 1622! The surrounding area isvery lovely -- woods and brooks and an ancient spring. Visitors to the paper mill get a tour. There are numerous products for sale (different kinds of pulp, cellulose, paper, etc.) It's open from Wednesday-Saturday from 10-4. Admission is € 3 for adults and € 2 for children up to 12 years of age.
There is another old one in the Zaanstreek, I think Zaandam, that also has tours, products, etc. I think both mills offer paper craft classes.
Groetjes,
Jonette
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PS-- Where in Holland did you find Cellulose filler and what is it called?
Jonette
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Hi Jonette,
That was a very nice link "de middelste molen".
In the local shop for paint,buildingmaterials etc.
I saw cellulosefiller of " Alabastine" . Alabastine has stuff to repair the walls with additives like gypsum and cement etc.and chemical additives,but they also have a box with cellulosefiller without the black cross on the box.(Contains no dangerous ,irritating things.)The man in the shop told me I could use that as a filler,but I think it is too expensive.
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Thanks so much, Jimo. I'll look for it. Of course, if it's a small box and too costly, that will leave me hunting for an alternative.
I've been to visit the Middleste Molen twice and bought lots of supplies there.
Cheers,
Jonette
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Hi jimo
I very rarely ever use paste and use a white glue and water mix and as newmodeller has said a few drops of tea tree oil is what I use. Good luck.
Tea tree oil can dry some peoples skin out and be careful with oil of cloves it's very strong you can still get it from a drug store they use it for tooth ache.
Sue.
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Thank you all very much.
Now I have everything to start again.
Yesterday the good sawdust came in and the good wallpaperpaste.
I willtry the teatreeoil at first.
I have pvcgloves to try,when I know wich one fits best and works best,I can order more.
When I have enough time I will finish the little rendeers for on the table at Christmass.This was a little in-between work,but may be I have enough time.
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