Friday, December 23, 2011

Raku Firing

Firing the raku kiln and the results. I think I might have had the glaze on a little too thick. Next time I'll try to thin it out a little.

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Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Why Pottery Crazing Can Increase a Collectible's Value

!±8± Why Pottery Crazing Can Increase a Collectible's Value

Crazing is when a spiderweb of hairline cracks appear on an item. This is most common with pottery.

I am not talking about a chip. A large crack. Or even a small crack. Crazing refers a number of 'lines' that appear on pottery objects, such as ceramic cookie jars, where one could not even realize these are actually hairline cracks unless they rubbed their fingernail across the pottery.

On the one hand, obviously the better the condition an item is in the more valuable it is. However, with older products, those dating back before World War II, finding an item in perfect condition is either impossible or rare, or they are now so valuable as to be priced out of most people's ranges.

So we are left with imperfect collectibles.

Crazing can result simply from age. Old ceramics were not necessarily well made. Perhaps made great according to the technology of the time, but certainly production machines today are nothing like from years gone by.

Crazing can also result from humidity or temperature, or simply moving an item which causes unseen vibrations.

So what does it mean if there is crazing on an old ceramic collectible?

Nothing bad.

But consider the flip side - which is really where I want to lead you in this article...

Fakes can be a real problem in the collectibles world. Cheap knockoffs and fakes are easy to make today. Especially from place like China.

However, fakes and knockoffs made today are going be in perfect condition.

There is no crazing. It is virtually impossible to replicate crazing.

So what does it mean if you see an advertised 1920s collectible that does not have any crazing? Unless the price is very, very high, and there is some reliable authentication of the item - your red flags should be going off in your head. You should be thinking this is not authentic.

But if there is crazing? Ironically, that imperfection may worth a whole lot more because your item is the real deal.


Why Pottery Crazing Can Increase a Collectible's Value

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Monday, November 21, 2011

You Have Many Options For Ceramic Tile Patterns

!±8± You Have Many Options For Ceramic Tile Patterns

With ceramic tile it is possible to create all sorts of different effects just based on the way that you lay out your tile. Regardless of whether you are making a backsplash, putting tile on the floor, or putting tile on the wall, you have all sorts of ceramic tile patterns to choose from.

First of all, you can create mosaic tile patterns using different colors ( and/or shapes ) of tiles to create the pattern that you like. You can find all sorts of examples of ceramic tile patterns like this either free over the internet or for sale.

You can create your own pattern, using a piece of paper or a software program that can be purchased for this purpose. Design your own ceramic tile art to liven up the room and give it a style all its own.

A simple ceramic tile pattern can be created by alternating different colors, either in a set, or a random way. To design a pattern that goes well with the room, use colors that are already present in that room. Or you might add a totally new color as the main color, and throw small bits of the other colors that are used in the room into your pattern. It's up to you.

Quite a different kind of ceramic tile pattern can be made by using the way the tiles are laid out. You can put them in simple rows, for example, or you can make a brick type pattern.

If you want something more complicated, you can try making the pattern on a diagonal, or doing a herringbone, basket weave, or windmill pattern with the tiles. You can use tiles that are all the same, or use different color tiles to add another level to the design.

You may prefer not to have a repeating pattern, but to set your tiles in a completely random way. Use different shapes, sizes, and/or colors of tiles all mixed together. The tiles can even be broken, to achieve a totally unique look. This technique can be a lot more difficult to master, however, in order to end up with something that looks nice.

As you can see, there are lots of different options when it comes to ceramic tile patterns. Consider the size, shape, and use of the room when deciding what might be the best option for you to use. For more ideas on using decorative ceramic tiles in your home, see the author's website, shown in the paragraph below.


You Have Many Options For Ceramic Tile Patterns

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Friday, November 11, 2011

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Friday, October 21, 2011

Creating the Most Favorable Hermit Crab Habitat For Your Hermit

!±8± Creating the Most Favorable Hermit Crab Habitat For Your Hermit

Hermit crab habitat is commonly known as a "crabitat". A crabitat is usually made from glass much like an aquarium without the air pump. It is important that we make and maintain an ideal crabitat for our hermit crabs because just like other pets, they also want to have an environment that can mimic their wild habitat. Most people see the significance of setting up an ideal hermit crab habitat in order to keep their hermits longer and more alive. Here are some tips to give you ideas on how to make that kind of ideal habitat. First you have to understand that the hermits require their surroundings to be perfect. The proper enclosure, substrate, humidity, decorations and accessories, temperature, lighting, and cleaning must be provided so that they can live a healthy life. To learn more about these factors, here are some hints, which you must take at heart. Enclosure. Always prefer the glass aquarium and not the plastic. For smaller species a 10 gallon aquarium is enough for a pair. If you want multiple medium sized hermits, a 30 or 40 gallon can be the ideal size. Put woods or corrals inside their crabitat for them to climb and dry themselves.

Substrate. Choose substrates that are easy to clean and soft which can allow your hermits to make their tunnels easily. Terrarium sand and coconut fiber substrate are perfect for crabitats. You can also put crushed coral as an alternative but avoid gravel, wood chips or anything that they cannot dig.

Accessories/decorations. As hermits are playful and always love to climb, they will love anything that they can climb upon. You can put ceramic pots, sanitized shells, driftwoods or rough rocks. Water dishes. An ideal number of water dishes for an ideal hermit crab habitat in one aquarium would be two - one for the saltwater and one for fresh water. Base the size of their dishes to the largest hermit crab you have to accommodate all crabs that may want to take a bath.

Humidity. Hermit crabs have different gills than the fishes but they still need water to moisten it. If the air is too dry inside the aquarium their gills can dry out and may suffocate them. The relative humidity therefore should not be lower than 70%. To keep humidity levels, you have to keep the substrates always damp but not too wet. Keep the middle areas of the crabitat moistened always while the higher hills dry.

Temperature. Hermit crabs thrive on tropical climate so the temperature in their crabitat must not go below their body temperature or else their metabolism will be affected. Under tank heaters or 15 watt reptile heat lamps are ideal solution during winter. Also, always keep a thermometer in their tank to monitor temperature. Lighting. Lights are always good for the hermits but daylights are more beneficial. Wattage is the most important factor when choosing lights. Use ideal wattage lamps so that the humidity will not drop below the appropriate levels. For example, a 15-watt bulb is ideal for a 10-gallon crabitat so the larger the tank the more wattage you need.

Cleaning. If you can do regular cleaning, your crab can enjoy their stay in their crabitats. To be able to clean their places properly always try to filter their substrate to remove debris and their wastes. Also, change their water and food when soiled and wash their dishes regularly.

In setting up hermit crab habitat, you have to follow a step-by-step guide in doing this because crabitats are different in every nature. You may want to install artificial decorations or choose the natural materials. To get more great information that can teach you how to set-up ideal crabitats then please visit my site, I can even help with regards to choosing the right pet species.


Creating the Most Favorable Hermit Crab Habitat For Your Hermit

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Friday, October 7, 2011

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Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Antique Lighting - Antique bisque porcelain lamps

!±8± Antique Lighting - Antique bisque porcelain lamps

Bisque porcelain or biscuit porcelain, takes its name from it's first or initial firing, when the brittle porcelain could be snapped off like a biscuit.

Bisque porcelain is also widely known as "biscuit ware", unglazed ware and more popularly as "parian" ware. All bisque or parian porcelain is unglazed and in Victorian times was admired for its sculptural qualities. The name "Parian" is in fact attributed to Thomas Minton, the famous 19th century English potter, who coined the name Parian after Paros, the Greek island that quarried much of the pure white sculptural marble used in studios. Of course, the originator of porcelain was China, including unglazed white bisque porcelain, known to the Chinese potters as "Fan Ts'u". China was, before the early 18th century, the only producer of porcelain in the world and this is commemorated by the standard name we give to porcelain - "China".

When porcelain receives its first firing, it is porous. It is then glazed and refired. This second firing causes the glaze to fuse with the porous shape and become vitrified, or "glass-like". From this "glazed in the white" state, it is then moved to the decorating department to be painted by skilful porcelain painters, or to be transfer printed.

At the finish of this decorating process, the shape is then refired to fix the coloured enamels. If gilding is to be applied, the shape is fired yet again with each firing at a lower temperature than the last, the heat being gradually reduced. In the production of bisque porcelain, the porcelain is left in the white and unglazed.

Ceramic glazes have an enormous benefit to porcelain manufacturers as glazes hide faults. With bisque, this helpful element is missing and quality is entirely dependent on detailed modeling and production control.

We illustrate a pair of Bisque lamps, described as -

A fine pair of, English, high Victorian, or possibly, American made, slip cast, bisque lamps. Bisque, also known as "biscuit", is unglazed porcelain which has been fired only once.

The lamps of formal neo classic style with a deep cream colour. The upper section of the lamps, moulded as formal acanthus compositions and the central urn shapes moulded with evenly spaced swags supported by tied ribbons. The centres of the urns decorated with large loose bouquets of garden flowers and foliage supported by a suspended tie.

The urn shaped lamps on short circular socles, the rims dragooned and standing on square pedestals.

Bisque was creamy with a new color in 1846 and again in the late 19 th century revival. It has a palette of colors, from white to cream and was also called "Parian", a reference to the white marble from the Greek island of Paros, a lot of famous sculptors studied. Bisque was highly favored in the Victorian period, because of its appearance than plastic.

It is very fashionable pair of late Victorian lamps.

Approx 1890 Total Height(Includes color) 20 "/ 50 cm

Although we still retain the "biscuit porcelain" name, modern production methods now produce a hard, durable and ceramics without the fragility of glass biscuit very soon need to stabilize the shape.

Happened in Europe, pure white, biscuit porcelain, just like a ballerina in the middle of 1750 with the production of an impressive portrait busts and groups of figures in brilliant white marble look-a-like.

On the Vincennes factory, anice set of children shaped by designs of Boucher and have been shaped by Blondeau with the other half of the 18 th century factories as Sèvres and Mennecy products, the production of figurative sublime quality.

In England in the 18 th century the factory in Derby has produced finely detailed characters in the plain biscuit. British numbers are conventionally designed with color, these figures looked great.

The English of the 18 th century it was high point in 1774, with JosiahWedgwood jasper discovery. Jasper is a fine, glazed stoneware, now recognized to be seen as good as a synonym for the name Wedgwood.

Jasper has been copied by French Sevres bisque porcelain and other French and German factories. By the end of the 18 th Century, as usual, dominated the taste changes and not painted, neoclassical style. Biscuit porcelain reached new heights of sophistication with elegant Regency style.

Bisque busts Library, Wedgwoodjasper white glazed bisque models and elegant French and English. Bisque was creamy, with a new color introduced by Copeland in Staffordshire in 1846 and was immediately echoed by other British and American manufacturers.

And now, for the technical side! The production of bisque porcelain figures, or the lamp base, begins with the eye of the designer, with a sketchbook and pencil, an overview of the design concept. This idea is of course designed by the contemporary style of the time.

BiscuitChina, like all complex ceramic molds, slip cast or molded. The slip is liquid manure, which the potters' clay with water into a creamy semi-liquid state, which is literally poured into pre-formed plaster molds, in order to take shape is composed of mixed.

Slippage is the raw material that we see behind the beautiful china. This fluid is a mixture of kaolin, feldspar and flint finely ground. Kaolin is a natural, very fine clay, with a high percentage ofSilicates.

Feldspar is a mineral crystal, with a high content of silica and quartz is a finely ground flint hard. These are just the main content of this blend of porcelain, which was developed and perfected over hundreds of years.

The chemistry is much more complex potassium, sodium and calcium contributes to the finished product. Both ceramic and porcelain made by slip in plaster molds plaster to absorb water from the flow, leading to ato form a solid layer, the excess is then drained.

And 'interesting to note that the tradition of casting with plaster, shaped pre-forms is not new, the method introduced in England around 1745, allegedly by a potter named Ralph Daniel of Cobridge.

If the remaining cheese slipping become difficult or sometimes referred to as "hard skin", the plaster molds are removed and the cast assembled to produce continuous slip design desired.

Traditionallyfunction of this meeting was conducted by a staff member as a "laboratory". It 'was his job to remove all traces of seams and smoothing tool. This post is very similar to that used today with a wicket, to act as an adhesive. When the installation is complete, the molds are dried in the air so that the pieces to dry.

The completed form is sent into the oven for cooking. Some things never change, and the production base of this elegant china, it seemsis one of them.

And remember, a good lamp, used to be difficult to find!


Antique Lighting - Antique bisque porcelain lamps

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Saturday, September 3, 2011

Travertine, marble and granite - which room is the best?

!±8± Travertine, marble and granite - which room is the best?

They are natural and beautiful and expensive. I have natural stone floors to questions, as well as almost any other product. So here are some quick tips before you invest in a natural stone floor.

Natural stone, such as the name suggests, the work of God We can not say to look a certain way. There will be models, colors, the veins to be everywhere. They are cut off from the earth, so do not expect them to have much consistency. If you're willing to give them for their acceptanceBeauty of nature, then here are some additional things to consider.

Try this experiment. Take a felt pen. Set a point on the corner of a tile travertine. Now do the same for a tile at low cost. Immediately try to remove the item from the travertine. Sorry, should not be wasting your time. You can not. Has penetrated the stone and colored well. Now you wait a few minutes, a bit 'of water or acetone, and watch the right character to clean the tile on the cheap.

So why pay $ 8 per footTravertine value when it stains so easily on a tile cheap $ 0.50? Look, travertine, marble, slate or granite - all natural stones stain like crazy because they are porous. If you do it under a microscope, you will be wide open holes all over the world to see. Here's how to get the patch

Unless it closes.

A seal effectively fills holes in their natural and makes it more difficult for the spots to go. It must be re-held at regular intervals depending on the shipping port. IfThey are not willing to do this then do not buy natural stone flooring for your kitchen or high traffic areas.

You will be very disappointed. Do not put on your backsplash or not you're willing to hold. Seal, Seal Seal! I came to horror stories from many people saw as travertine is the next big thing without really knowing it, how to work for them. If your dog pees on it, yes, you scrub. Do you have a pee soaked with travertine tiles. So it isit is not. So if you bring a small point pain when trying to remove it, imagine what would happen if your child spills mustard or ketchup on the new natural stone floor?

Just put them in these areas, if you are willing to have them sealed. In this way you can enjoy for years to give a timeless look.

Otherwise, you have been warned!


Travertine, marble and granite - which room is the best?

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Thursday, August 25, 2011

Collectible - Antique Oil Lamp Shades

!±8± Collectible - Antique Oil Lamp Shades

Antique oil lamp shades can provide lighting in your home that makes it one of the most important things when considering an interior design. These may be placed in various parts of the house. It 'can provide reading light, while the working document. You can also pick up something interesting because it not only allows you to create your mood, but at the same time give your home a modern and traditional.

As an avid collector of lamps, you should be aware thatThese decorative pieces during the previous century, where it manually with a coherent form it will take more than products made by a machine. These items are made in the past have been limited and demand that the collection of old oil lamp shades is a perfect location to start another collection. However, the collection of these incredible pieces of lighting is not expensive considering the fact that stocks are limited and demand is increasing.

Or the lamp chimneyShades are made from different materials. Some of them are made of shades of glass quality as amberina, blueberry, mother of pearl and frosted glass, which are expensive in the 18 Century, which is more expensive for collectors today, did you buy it. Plain opal shades, created with the milk glass are also available, which is considered to be functional because it has two layers of glass. Most of the time in shades of collectors focus on the selection of oil lampShadow buy.

If you want to gather a wonderful decorative piece at home and looking for the next element, can then antique oil lamp shades of the item you are looking for a long time. Not only collect objects that can be beautiful in your eyes, but collect items that are older than you.


Collectible - Antique Oil Lamp Shades

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Monday, August 22, 2011

How to repair broken Antiques

!±8± How to repair broken Antiques

Despite advances in technology over the years, the value and popularity of antiques seem to grow. People realize how precious and irreplaceable can pass on their antiques. While there are many types of antiques that can be restored, the furniture and clocks are the most common. It 's rare that each piece, which lasted many years, without finding any kind of damage. It is expected that naturally carry antiques. This wear can sometimes actuallyThey increase the value of an antique. You may decide to practice, to keep the antiquities from further deterioration, but you must make sure not to inadvertently devalue your old repairs frivolous.

Most antiques need special care if you fix them. However, there are some antiques, the best left without repair. Sometimes what seems that can actually damage a precious antique. You should always do some research on the point thatfor repair. Find out what it was, is and techniques of materials and finishes of the time. Try to find out how important it is and why.

If you think the item can be worth thousands of dollars, you may not want to take a chance to repair it yourself. You should be repaired or restored. Even if it's worth a few hundred dollars, you may need to hire an expert. The cost may be lower than expected. Shop around for estimates. If the piece is notof great value, this may be a good way to learn about ancient repair.

When the repair of antiques should be kind of glue, you will use. Some antiques, a different type of glue or other material mending antique. It should, therefore, not an "all-purpose glue" approach in the repair of your precious antiques. Some popular adhesives can lose strength over time. To remove and restore the poor repair contributes significantly to the time and difficulty of repairElement. Some adhesives are not to be removed and re-repair is difficult or impossible.

Another important point is to save all parties. Lost parts are rebuilt, but it is more difficult and more expensive than just putting the pieces together. Sometimes when things break, the small but important pieces flying across the room, or a few feet to the side. You should do everything possible to find all the parts. If something is broken during transportation, box or container in the eyesvery carefully. Large pieces should be wrapped individually in shipping.


How to repair broken Antiques

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Wednesday, August 10, 2011

How valuable is your Antique China?

!±8± How valuable is your Antique China?

Antiques are a great value for your money, and clearly this option if you are looking for unique items. The old object, the higher the value, but sometimes it depends on the quality of the articles. Why are antiques of previous eras are considered collectibles. Antiques, as are a set of china to open his eyes to the discovery of Chinese culture, history and art. It is not just an antique that was passed down from generation to generation.

Antiquities, the termby collectors, buyers used to be an act of buying or trading for a particular item. It is commonly found in flea markets, auction houses, or in any place where there is an event of purchase and sale of antiques used. If you are auction houses, usually you hear the word vintage. Antiques most popular are those made in China especially in the Yuan Dynasty porcelain that are made only for emperors. Chinese have a great talent for crafts, arts and quality ofReasons why many collectors prefer to China is made. The so-called Ancient China is the one favored by dealers, collectors and even ordinary people who love antiques.

If you are looking for collectors of antique value, there are many antique shop, where you can find a lot of antiques or you can register online, unlike before, antiques that are truly difficult to find and antique shops that have literally visit the place you're looking for beautiful object. E-bay or similarMany antiques for sale at affordable prices, just make sure you are dealing with a trustworthy seller. Check their feedback to avoid being scammed.

Here are a couple of antiques that well on the market, has published that collectors are looking for: antique china plates, cabinets, dishes and bowls. Showcases vintage is what people with their practical use, design and uncommon love.

Here are some examples of antique china cabinet, china cabinet that he would nowembellish with curved glass, antique walnut china cabinet, antique display case - carved garlands of flowers / beveled mirror. Antique China and porcelain plates are of people doing awesome table decoration for all to enjoy and have something to tell loves looking. And 'perfect for special occasions and meetings, the elegance and make stunning design and drawings, is the perfect choice for the collection and must.


How valuable is your Antique China?

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Sunday, August 7, 2011

All About Bulbs

!±8± All About Bulbs

Love it or not, lights or some of the key elements that make the house completely. The lamps have been around for as long as the person with the idea that when it gets dark, it must be lived to see little 'light to help him. Back in the time that was previously number of ways that humans create their own means of light, could be mainly from the chimney. But today we have progressed a lot about this on a stage, where we have not only the lights illuminate the house at night, butthey can also be used during the day, and this depends on what purpose you have for them.

For this reason, the lamps are not just limited to home, but can be used in different ways. If you are a painter, then it is unlikely to understand the importance of light, especially in tunnels, which are used to move the center of an aspect of painting, who can see the eye of the artist alone. For this reason, it is necessary to throw away the bulbs only need appropriateLight on the paintings, since they give too much or too little light for me the same artist.

Apart from the artists, the lamps a good position to have the house, above, and in particular for lighting. There are different types for this purpose, and it is up to the homeowner, to shop around for the perfect lamp that touches can add to their home decor. Some of the most common are floor lamps and table lamps that are all the rage in today's markets.However, there are also many other types and styles of lamps can give your room the perfect theme for any reason.


All About Bulbs

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Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Lite Source LS-20830ORN Ashanti Ceramic Table Lamp, Orange with Fabric Shade

!±8± Lite Source LS-20830ORN Ashanti Ceramic Table Lamp, Orange with Fabric Shade

Brand : Lite Source | Rate : | Price : $65.00
Post Date : Aug 02, 2011 13:21:27 | Usually ships in 4-5 business days


Ceramic Table Lamp Orange Finish 16" x 10" Matching Fabric Shade Uses 150W Type A Bulb Lamp Dimensions: 27" x 16"

More Specification..!!

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