OK, I give up. I think of emery as sand. Can you clarify?
Linda

So tha little strawberry attached to the tomato pincushions is filled with regular sand???
That's what I'm trying to figure out..I think of Emery as something used in polishing....thought I needed to buy something special...
Please let me know if anyone can enlighten me..
Thanks!

It's the kind of sand they use for sand blasting. It's different then play sand. It still is cheap though.

Nicki

I fill my pincushions with the shavings out of the pencil sharpener. The graphite in the wood shavings keep needles polished. But, I'm old so I'm sure people have lots of newfangled ways of doing it these days. I do still use pencils!
Linda

Nicki,
Where can I buy that - at a hardware store????
Bill

Hardware store is a good place to look -- for a product like this one:
Emery Buffing Compound

Here is a link to instructions for making an emery pin cushion. This woman sells her pin cushions on Etsy, but she also sells the emery powder so you can make your own:
How to make your own emery pin cushion
Buy half a cup of emery from the pincushion lady
I don't know if the pin cushion lady's emery is different than the emery polishing compound sold in the hardware store. Obviously, she's found a source for purchasing in bulk.

Emery is a particular type of mineral.

HTH,
CMC

Thanks CMC

sand blasting sand can be bought at larger hardware stores...sometimes it's black, though usually white. Very fine in texture. I'd fill outside or over a box filled with a plastic bag. If this stuff spills it goes everywhere. (Yes that would be the voice of experience speaking)

Nicki

Linda,

I am right there with ya...I have an old crank pencil sharper outside the door in the shop area of the office. The guys keep it pretty full for me. lol Never thought of putting it a pinchisuhion but then I have not made one yet. :)

Nanci

I use Bird Gravel,,,it works great!!!

Bird gravel. That's brilliant. I sometimes need some weight and bird gravel is perfect. Thanks.
Linda

Crushed walnut shells. You can buy them in the pet store (in the lizard section!) 5 or 10 pound bags. Makes a lot of pincushions.

Emery is used by those doing printmaking (with paper and press) as it gives texture to the printmaking plates. Sizable, CHEAP quantities can be purchased from danielsmith.com - a catalog for printmakers.

I saw that someone had suggested bird grit for the stuffing of their pin cushion. I have used that and it rusts good pins or old pins what ever you have. DON'T use it. Judy

Some people are allergic to walnut. Be sure to check with recipient.