Newbie/Outsider question: what are resistors actually made of?

Hello everybody!
My name is Myria and I really don't belong into this group at all, but
I do have a question and searching the web doesn't really get me
anywhere, because I guess I lack some basic understanding of
electronics. I was hoping you could help me.
Simple question: What are resistors actually made of? I mean the inside
material. I know it must be some kind of substance that leads
electricity more slowly (hope I phrase that right), but I am interested
in the actual inside materials.
Reason: My husbands grandfather was a radio/TV repair guy from the 50s
to the late 80s and we inherited a huge collection of, well, different
kinds of resistors (and a couple of capacitators). We couldn't sell
them and I was wondering if I could use them in my craft projects. As I
am working with children, I need to know if there is anything inside
those resistors that is inherently dangerous/poisonous like mercury or
maybe lead. And could it be dangerous by contact alone, or if they
swallowed a resistor? (They are not that age group, but the weirdest
things do happen. In todays suing happy society, you cannot be careful
enough!)
Any info is appreciated. Thanks.
Myria

.

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