Harvey's Helpful Hints
May 2007 

Use an architects' dry cleaning pad to remove slickness from paper. This pad is no more than crumbled eraser bits enclosed in a pad.

For an interesting effect, drop rubbing alcohol onto a wash. No telling what might happen.

To help prevent creasing a large size of artwork paper that extends over the edge of your writing table simply take a mailing tube, (cut in half lengthwise) and tape to the table. Extend the artwork on top of the tube and when your body is against the artwork, creases will not form.

When proofreading a piece of text start backwards – read the words from right to left. This makes no sense, but you become too close to the work when reading from left to right and will overlook mistakes.

Did you know that a copy machine can sometimes pick up faded signatures and faded backgrounds from photographs? Try it.

For a small inkwell, you can use the old type fuse plugs.  Remove the brass band

with a screwdriver, discard the band and the plastic lid. What remains will be the (inverted) inkwell. Simple, but very usable. Add a small bit of sponge to the ink if you’d prefer not to have loose ink.

Another good container for storing pen nibs is an old salt shaker. The holes in the cap will allow moisture to evaporate. It might be a good idea to place a sponge in the bottom of the shaker to keep the nibs dry. If you use a plastic or glass shaker, you will be able to see what’s inside – or you can label the side of the container.

Cicero said it best, “If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.”

To help find your plastic or clear tools simply place a

colored adhesive dot on the tool.

For a quick 5-line pen, use a tongue depressor and cut the end with pinking shears. What could be easier than that?

A gem from Marsha Brady, “Don’t cross out mistakes, even in practice”.