Like this site? Pledge support via Patreon!
Photo of a slate wall.

List of materials

Things that you can use to make other things from.

Photo of varnished wood
Attribution-Sharealike

Vis forVarnish

Varnish is made by dissolving some kind of substance, often a resin, tree sap or even the shell of beetles, into something like oil or alcohol. When you put varnish on wood, it becomes hard, smooth and shiny.

Wis forWax

Originally wax was something bees made the inside of their hives out of, that people harvested to use. Wax is soft enough to be able to mold it into new shapes, but doesn't melt at room temperature. Liquid wax will burn with a bright light, and is used to make candles out of. Things that are waxy and similar to beeswax are also called wax. Modern candles are made from paraffin wax. The stuff you sometimes scratch out of your ears is waxy and called earwax. Many cosmetics like lipstick are made mostly from wax.

Wis forWicker

Wicker is the name given to woven furniture and baskets. Wickerware can be made from thin willow branches, bamboo, plastic or wire. The frame of wickerware is usually made from rattan vine, and sometimes the rattan is cut into strips and used for making the wicker itself.

Wis forWire

Wire is made of metal stretched out long and thin. Wire is stiffer than string so you need tools like pliers to bend it into intricate shapes. Wire is most often used to make fences out of on farms.
Photo of cut wood
Attribution-Sharealike

Wis forWood

Wood is what the trunks and branches of trees are made from. Trees get thicker as they grow, so when you cut them down you can see rings of colors in the inside of the tree, like in the picture. When you cut a tree lengthways the rings become lines called grain, which you can see in most things made out of wood. Wood is used to make houses, furniture and some toys.

Wis forWool

Wool, also called yarn, is made from animal fleece, spun into a long, thin string. It can be made in any thickness and then dyed in any color. People then use the wool to knit things like socks out of.
Photo of balls of yarn
Attribution-Sharealike

Yis forYarn

Yarn is made from animal hair, spun into a long, thin string. It can be made in a range of thicknesses and then dyed in any color. People then use the yarn to knit things like socks out of.