Fill a large bowl or shallow baking dish with 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.6 cm) of water and a handful of ice.  Note that the bowl needs to be wide enough to fit the bottom of the saucepan you'll be using. You can also use this ice water in case you accidentally burn yourself during the cooking process. If you burn yourself with the metal saucepan or the hot syrup, simply dunk the burned area into the bowl of ice water to immediately stop the damage. Place the isomalt crystals in a small to medium-sized saucepan. Pour the water into the saucepan, as well, and stir the two ingredients together with a metal spoon to combine.  You only need enough water to wet the isomalt. When combined at this stage, the contents of the saucepan should look like wet sand. If you need to alter the amount of isomalt, make sure that you change the amount of water, too. Typically, you need three to four parts isomalt for every one part water.  Use distilled or filtered water. Tap water contains minerals that can cause the syrup to turn yellow or brown. The saucepan and spoon should be made of stainless steel. Avoid using a wooden spoon since previously absorbed material can seep into the syrup and give it a yellow tint. Set the saucepan on the stove over medium heat. The contents should reach a steady boil; do not stir or disturb them until they do.  Once the contents reach a boil, use a nylon pastry brush to scrape the excess off the sides of the pan and back into the main mixture. Do not use a natural bristle brush for this. After cleaning the side of the saucepan, attach a candy thermometer to the side. Make sure that the ball of the thermometer touches the hot syrup, not the bottom of the pan. If you want to add food coloring to the isomalt syrup, this is the ideal temperature to do so. Add the number of drops needed to achieve your desired color depth, then stir the food coloring into the boiling syrup using a metal mixing spoon or skewer.  Don't worry if the mixture gets stuck at around 225 degrees Fahrenheit (107 degrees Celsius) for a little while. At this temperature, the excess water is boiling out. The temperature will not climb further until this water boils out. Expect the mixture to bubble rapidly when you add the food coloring in. In order to create isomalt glass or similar isomalt decorations, the liquified syrup must be allowed to reach this temperature. If it does not, the structure of the isomalt may not be altered enough to allow the decoration to set properly. You should actually remove the saucepan from the heat when the thermometer reads 333 degrees Fahrenheit (167 degrees Celsius). The temperature will continue to climb after that, even if you try to quickly stop the melting process. Once the isomalt reaches the correct temperature, quickly transfer the saucepan to your prepared dish of ice water. Stick the bottom of the pan inside the water for 5 to 10 seconds or so to stop the temperature from climbing further.  Do not let any of the ice water get inside the saucepan. Remove the saucepan from the water as soon as the hissing sounds stop. Isomalt pours best at about 300 degrees Fahrenheit (149 degrees Celsius), so you should keep it warm in the oven until you are ready to use it to prevent the syrup from cooling too much.  The oven should be set to 275 degrees Fahrenheit (135 degrees Celsius). Keeping the isomalt syrup in the oven for 15 minutes will usually help it achieve its ideal pouring temperature. During this time, the bubbles will also have time to escape from the syrup. You can keep isomalt in the oven for up to three hours. If you store it longer, the mixture can begin to yellow.

Summary: Prepare a bowl of ice water. Combine the isomalt and water. Boil over high heat. Add food coloring at 280 degrees Fahrenheit (82 degrees Celsius). Cook until the syrup reaches 340 degrees Fahrenheit (171 degrees Celsius). Dunk the bottom of the pan in ice water. Keep the isomalt warm in your oven.


Pick a color scheme or have all the materials be the same color. Find something that fits your sense of style. You can mix and match materials, like using lace and suede rope, to create a unique look. There are many different types of material you can use to make a braided headband.  Suede rope Lace Leather rope Hemp cord Gold or Silver chain You want the rope to be long enough to go around your head, be tied in a knot, and have some left to hang down a bit. Wrap the rope around your head to measure your head, and then double the length. Cut all the ropes the same length. Take three ropes and tie them together with a knot at the top of the ropes. Use something to stabilize the knot as you braid the ropes. You can use a clipboard by putting the knot under the clip of the clipboard, use your feet to hold the knot, tape the knot to a table, or have someone else to hold the knot still as you braid.  Braid the ropes until there is only about two inches left. Then, tie a knot with the ropes to secure the braid. To wear your braided headband, wrap it around your head starting in the front and wrapping the headband toward the back of your head. Tie the headband in a knot at the back of your head. There will be extra headband hanging down beyond the knot. Embellish your headband by clipping on feather hair clips or bows.

Summary: Pick the material you want to use. Cut the rope or materials used. Braid the ropes together. Wear the headband.


How much did you loan out? When do you expect the borrower to pay you back? If multiple payments will be made, agree on specific dates for the payments. Especially if you're lending money to a friend or family member, it may seem a little extortionate to charge interest. But there are several good reasons why you may want to charge the person you're giving money to a little bit of interest:  If you're giving away money without interest, you're losing money. You're losing purchasing power (the ability to buy and invest with the money you're lending) and inflation is outstripping your money. If you charge someone interest, the borrower may be more likely to pay you back quicker than had you not. Think about it: Interest lasts as long as the life of the loan, so if the borrower holds on to the money longer, they'll end up paying more interest. Don't charge more than 15% or 20%. In fact, interest rates above 15% or 20% might not even be allowed under predatory lending laws. So keep the interest rate at something manageable and both parties will be happy. Include your signature along with your legal name. Have them put down a signature along with a legal name. Although a witness does not make or break the IOU, it's helpful if you ever need to go to court. A witness might be able to prove a binding verbal contract took place.
Summary: Include the date and the amount being borrowed, or the amount agreed on for the service or product. Include a due date for return of the funds. Include how much interest you will charge. Sign the document yourself. Make sure the other party signs the document. If possible, have a witness (optional).