The possibilities that may be achieved in beautifying these wooden toys are almost limitless. They may be treated as design problems, thereby serving as a means of training the taste and imagination as well as developing an appreciation of space relations and color harmonies. The work is fascinating to children and presents an excellent opportunity for acquiring knowledge and skill in mixing and applying colors. Several methods are given here. The choice of method should be guided by the child's ability and experience in doing work of this kind. The employment of striking and brilliant colors will enhance the charm and increase the artistic effect.

The methods of coloring are arranged in the order of their difficulty in manipulation:

Method No. 1. Water colors may be used to color the wood, but only a little water should be used so as to prevent the tendency to spread. When the toy is dry, a coat of shellac may be applied over the water color. This protects the wood and gives the toy a crisp and bright appearance.

Method No. 2. Of the calcimine paints, the one known as "Calcimo" may be used successfully by children. It is procured in powder form and costs from 15 to 50 cents a pound according to color. It is mixed with water that contains a binder to prevent the colors from rubbing off in handling the toys. The binder may be either glue or mucilage mixed with the water. The proportion is about a tablespoonful of glue to a quart of water. In preparing the colors, put a teaspoonful of powder in a water-color pan and add water, while stirring and rubbing out the lumps, till the mixture comes to a consistency of thick cream. It may then be applied with a No. 6 water-color brush.

LEAD WARNING!
DO NOT USE THE WHITE LEAD OR GROUND LEAD INGREDIENTS MENTIONED IN METHODS 3 AND 4.

Method No. 3. When handled correctly, oil paint and enamel paint give excellent results, producing a smooth, brilliant gloss. First, give the toy a coat of white lead or flat white tone. Apply it with a flat sash brush about an inch wide. Allow the toy to dry four or five days and then sand-paper it smoothly with No. 1/2 sand-paper. Finally, give it a coat of enamel paint of the colors desired.

If colored enamel is not at hand, use white enamel and add colors ground in oil. The enamel paint is put on a surface with a large camel-hair brush. Use No. 10 artist's flat brush for features. Natural details and life-like effects should be avoided.

The features should be conventionalized. Eyes, ears, nose and mouth may be dotted in with a tooth-pick.

Method No. 4. For a second coat, instead of using enamel for coloring, white lead ground in oil may be used, mixed with colors ground in oil. This produces a mat or dull finish that is quite pleasing. However, if a gloss finish is desired, a coat of varnish may be applied over the dull color. Dry colors may be mixed with shellac varnish until it is heavy enough to cover the wood. If this mixture becomes too thick to spread smoothly, it may be thinned with alcohol. The brush that has been used in varnish may be cleaned by washing in borax water. When the joints are movable, it is advisable to paint each part separately before putting them together. Where glue has been used to form joints, it should be thoroly dry before the toy is painted.