New Uses for Granny's Tea Cart

There may still be a few attics left untouched for decades, housing treasures from the past. One of the most useful items from past centuries is the tea cart. These carts were once used for formal teas, holding the delights of dainty sandwiches and pretty desserts along with the afternoon pick-me-up pot of tea, served in delicate bone china cups.

You see, carts on wheels aren't new; we have just found many more uses for this utilitarian throw back piece of furniture. Young married couples from the forties, fifties and sixties found the enameled kitchen cart most useful in kitchens lacking storage space. Finally relegated to the garage and then the landfill, oh my, they were just screaming, "rescue me!" A fresh coat of outdoor paint and this once discarded utility cart makes a great garden cart or display cart for brightly colored pots of herbs near the kitchen door or simply pretty potted flowers.

Look at IKEA to find mobile islands and carts on wheels, many will have locking casters to stay put when you need them to and wheels to move them where you need them most. Plain carts can be painted and accessorized to meet your personal needs. For instance, a plain bathroom can be brightened up with a flash of color on a newly painted cart holding bath accessories and towels.

Granny's old tea cart can take on new life as a bedside table, holding not only the necessary bedside lamp, but lots of books, reading glasses, tissues for sad stories and a clock to wake you to a new morning. If the old tea cart is in good shape and suits you in its original form, great; but if not, paint it to suit you. If it's not a museum--quality piece, have some fun with paint; even the most staid piece is fun in apple green or poppy red, set against a subdued colored wall.

Tea carts can find a home in any room with the space. Dining rooms are the expected place for such a piece, but I like to shake it up a bit. An entry is another good place for a tea cart, to hold the mail, your keys and a welcoming vase of garden fresh flowers.

A wheeled cart makes a great home office piece for the computer printer and paper and even files held in brightly colored boxes.

Naturally, the cart on wheels makes perfect sense outside by the pool to hold towels on the bottom shelf and a pitcher of iced lemonade, tea or whatever suits your pallet on the top shelf. For safety's sake, be sure to use a sturdy plastic pitcher and glasses for the pool area.

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Taking Care Of Doll Clothes And How To Do The Doll Laundry

Some dolls that come with their own set of dresses and accessories have extra needs that are sometimes overlooked. The problem is that doll clothes are more vulnerable to wear and tear and that the cloth can easily become stiff due to dust after storing it over time. Doll garments can easily get ripped and torn. Careful handling should be observed when cleaning doll clothes and that chlorine bleach is not advisable as it will disintegrate the fibers. Mild bleach can be used such as products that contain oxygen bleach with hydrogen peroxide or enzyme brighteners.

Prepare lidded glass jars, white vinegar, mild fabric detergent liquid or powder, distilled water, Q-tips, ironing board, iron, and clean white towels. Prior to using any cleaning solution, try a test area to check for bleeding. Test the inside seam and check if the color will bleed onto the Q-tip. If it does then do not wash the garment and instead use a spray foam carpet cleaner and use a soft toothbrush once it has dried. You may also use Carbona Rust or Ink solutions for tougher stains as an alternative. If the doll garment's color does not bleed then proceed to wash clothes with water.

Mix a solution of vinegar and distilled cold water into the jar with a 1:1 ratio. Remove any hook and removable metal accessories from the dress. Soak dolls garments in the jar for an hour. Rinse clothes in another container with distilled water. Next is to soak the dress in a solution made of mild fabric detergent such as Ivory snow and cold water using the ratio on the detergent's box. Shake the jar gently once it has been soaked for almost an hour and observe for color bleeding. Rinse garments with cold water.

If stains are still visible, this time you may use bleach but those that do not contain chlorine bleach and make sure to rinse it. Use products that are made of enzyme brightener as it is mild. The garment wills still have to undergo to 1 final soak with vinegar and water but this time just for a few minutes. Rinse with cold water and then gently dry it off with two clean white towels to absorb water.

Let it air dry on a white towel and keep it under the sun for a few hours until it dries but do not let it stay longer. You may also turn the garment once but do not hang the doll clothes using clothespins. Once the clothes are dry, you may now gently press the clothes but use the lowest setting on the iron. Do not run the iron on the fabric and make sure it does not touch any plastic materials if the dress has such. Finally, never use fabric softener or starch as this could cause stains in the over time.

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Antique Sale at Long Beach Vets Stadium on May 29

On Sunday, May 29th over 600 dealers from more than 7 different states (from New York to Montana ) will feature “Everything Chic, Cheap, Unique & Vintage” including a variety of antiques, collectibles and home furnishings for sale at the “Super Sunday Antique Sale ” held at Long Beach Veterans Stadium.

Spread over 20 acres shoppers, collectors and home decorators can furnish their homes from the bathroom to bedroom …complete their collections…. or find that one of a kind treasure…..all at discount prices! Dealers will be offering a myriad of collectible treasures from pottery to toys, ….jewelry to oak furniture and everything in between.

General admission is $5.00 for adults (from 8am – 2pm), children under 12 are admitted free. Early bird admission from 5:30 – 6:30am is $10. For discount coupons, a map and directions to the stadium, photos and a complete schedule visit their web site at www.longbeachantiquemarket.com

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The Collection Of Momiji Dolls

The Momiji dolls are modern-age collectible hand-painted dolls that took inspiration from the Kokeshi dolls that were made during the Edo era around 1603 to 1867. The word Momiji comes from the Japanese word of maple leaf but these are not of Japanese origin at all. These Momiji are also called the message dolls as these dolls have a tiny slot on its base where one can hide a message on a piece of folded paper. The Momiji dolls have modern Chinese looking characters and are resin mold that are painted with images inspired by today's anime features. These 3-inch (approximately 8 cm) dolls were initially launched in 2005 by Artforum Limited in United Kingdom and these were not from any Japanese makers at all.

Primarily for children and teenagers, these cute colorful dolls have several collectible series such as the dolls in the Itchy Feet collection which are designed by Nina Zimmerman. The dolls in this collection are inspired by travelling in magical lands. The characters in this series include Mabel, Mika, Sonny, Souzi, Nani, and Luca. Each piece will only cost $15 and each character comes with its own accessories along with the special foldable message card.

Other series include Celebration Dolls, Linnea Borjesson Dolls, Adolie Dolls, Heroes Dolls, and The Book Club which is designed by Luli Bunny. The Book Club has several characters that are inspired by Japanese pop art and each doll is carrying a book with her. The characters are Enid, Phoebe, Alex, Danielle, Eve, and Clarice. There is also a series, created by award-winning manga artist Joanna Zhou, which is called the Flock-It-Dolls. The collection consists of Tiger, Tulip, and Pea and each character in this collection comes with a transparent zip-lock pack. Zhou's new edition line of Momiji comes with six dolls namely Kitty, Lolita, Kogal, Sakura, Papillion, and Pinku which now comes with a tin box.

Momiji dolls are also produced in limited numbers and the some of the collections are retired sooner, thus giving the collectors a rare opportunity to own a specific design. Momiji collectors find some retired series to be in demand some of the characters that are rate and limited in numbers are Purrl, Funny Girl, Poppet, Pixie, Silly Billy, Coco, Giggles, Ted, Soul, and Dancing Girl. Most of the characters that belong in the limited edition were only produced in batches of 500 pieces and are individually numbered before they are distributed to be sold worldwide. For those interested with the limited designs, one can get them for around $25 a piece online.

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The Collection Of Native American Katsina Dolls

The use of katsina dolls (also known as katchina, katcina, or kachina) is of spiritual significance. These were traditionally given by Hopi fathers to their daughters and nieces to be hung on the wall or the beam inside the home. This is also of education importance which teaches the child about the mask, body painting, and the outfit used in the katsina. The katsina refers to the dancers in a pueblo village who wear masks in impersonating the spirits. This ceremonial dance is observed in western pueblos located in southwestern United States. The pueblo tribes are the Hopi, Zuni, Acomna Pueblo, Laguna Pueblo, and the Tewa Village.

The katsina dolls are wooden dolls that represent the natural spirits and elements around such as the stars, moon, sun, wind, thunderstorms, and other elemental objects. However, these dolls are not items of worship or religious objects. Some of the dolls are made of natural materials such as cottonwood roots, natural pigments, leather, and feathers. The theme in these dolls is the life force that is present in every object in the universe and that humans have to interact with them in order to survive and live abundantly.

The original katsinam are made by Hopi craftsmen or artists and only a few of them have dedicated their lives into this art. The ritual dance with the use of katsinam (plural of katsina) was observed two hundred years ago even before the Spaniards came. The katsinam can be categorized into 5 types: the guards, spiritual beings, ogres, racers, and clowns. Each has its role during the dance wherein the clowns keep the humor during the dances while the ogres keep a positive energy in children. The spirit beings represent the cosmos while the guards protect the participants from inappropriate behavior. The racers on the other hand symbolize the Hopi's communication pathways from one village to another.

The details spent on each katsina are amazing. However during the time when most of the Hopis were handcrafting these dolls for profit, the dolls' designs became fancier and were drifting from the traditional form. In the 1970s, Manfred Susunkewa who was a famous katsina carver realized the need to go back to the original purpose of the dolls and started to lead his colleagues back to the creation of traditionally designed dolls. Some famous vintage carvers of the katsina are Wilson Tawaquaptewa, Jimmy Kootshongsie, Otto Pentewa, and Jimmie Kewanwytewa. So those who are planning to collect these dolls, better check the works of these Hopis who make traditional katsinam.

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Treasures from the Forbidden City

When the wisteria symbolizing growth and longevity blooms this year in the Chinese scholars’ garden created for her Winnetka gallery, Betsy Nathan, Pagoda Red’s owner, will probably think of China’s art-and-design-loving emperor, Qianlong.

One of the 18th century’s most influential global figures, Qianlong constructed a secluded garden compound within his vast imperial Beijing complex in 1771. (Vast meaning more than 8,000 rooms.) His personal realm included an intimate theater decorated quite unexpectedly with a Western-influenced trompe-l’oeil-covered ceiling that offered the illusion of summery wisteria-laden bamboo latticework overhead. This surprising penchant for European painting was just one aspect of Qianlong’s complexity as a connoisseur—a hard-to-pigeonhole collecting style that fascinates Nathan and beckoned her to New York City to see The Emperor’s Private Paradise: Treasures from the Forbidden City, a landmark exhibition on view through May 1, 2011 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

“Energizing… and validating,” is how Nathan describes her visit. As a student in the 1990s, she lived in Beijing and immersed herself in the city’s antique markets and back alleys, fast becoming a gatherer of old curiosities. But her first glimpse of this part of Qianlong’s rarefied private collection came fifteen years later at the Met where ninety carefully conserved pieces may now be appreciated by the public thanks to the joint efforts of the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts, the Palace Museum in Beijing, and the World Monuments Fund.

Like other Met visitors walking through the galleries, Nathan was awed by the craftsmanship and visual splendor of the double-sided embroideries, hand-painted silks, lacquered furniture, jades and other myriad decorative objects acquired by the emperor.  Equally inspiring to her, though, was the emperor’s spirited approach to collecting.

“To me, he seemed voracious and wildly open—open to a variety of ideas, art forms and mediums from rustic to very refined. And he seemed intrigued by things that aren’t necessarily what they appear to be at first glance,” says Nathan. A devout Buddhist, he brought in Giuseppe Castiglione (aka Lang Shih-ning), the Italian missionary artist versed in European techniques such as linear perspective, trompe-l’oeil, and naturalistic shadowing.  Cross-cultural pollination between Chinese court painters and Castiglione led to a fresh style of art that combined Chinese brushwork, materials, and subject matter with traditional Western shading and perspective.

A look frequently described in contemporary shelter magazines, “the eclectic global mix,” might apply to Qianlong’s 18th-century interiors, too. In addition to being an ardent patron of the most skilled Chinese artists, the exhibition’s organizers note that Qianlong’s willingness to embrace certain foreign elements can be seen throughout his private compound: glass windows, mirrors, mechanical clocks, and Japanese-style lacquer are some of the non-native design components he integrated into a Chinese setting.

For Nathan, the ruler’s openness also encompasses his appreciation for the unusual.  She was instantly drawn to a dramatic rootwood chair that The New York Times critic Holland Cotter likened to “some version of rustic Victoriana.” Initially, the piece appears completely wild and organic but it is actually the result of meticulous craftsmanship. As someone who has always gravitated to offbeat or underappreciated things, she was thrilled to see that Qianlong was an aficionado of the unconventional.

Through a long-range conservation project spearheaded by the World Monuments Fund in partnership with the Palace Museum, Beijing, the entire garden complex, encompassing twenty-seven buildings and pavilions, is slated to be restored. The first structure that has been transformed back to its original state—the site of the emperor’s private theater—is known as Juan’qin’zhai, or Studio of Exhaustion from Diligent Service. Nathan, a mother of four young boys, still can’t help smiling when she thinks about the English translation.

After its run at the Met, The Emperor’s Private Paradise travels to the Milwaukee Art Museum.

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Antique and Vintage Lamps - Jewel like Glass

Whether it be a piece of art work, partitions, windows or lamps, stained glass are beautiful to look at with its carefully selected colorful glass.

Stained glass is one of those classic design features that never go out of fashion.  This type of glasswork enables artists to create some amazing and truly beautiful designs that will last for many years.  One effective way to incorporate stained glass into your interior designs is through antique lamps.

Stained Glass Antique Lamps
Stained glass antique lamps can be a wonderful addition to your home.  They represent items that are both beautiful and practical.  As well looking amazing in your rooms the soft light stained glass antique lamps produce is ideal for atmospheric lighting.   This can create some wonderful decorative highlights to your overall room design.

Tiffany Lamps
There are a number of excellent examples of stained glass antique lamps on the market.  Several stained glass designers have become very collectable over the years. This includes Frank Lloyd Wright known for his ‘mission' or ‘prairie' style stained glass creations.

Almost certainly the most famous designer of stained glass antique lamps is Louis Comfort Tiffany.  His designs mostly took their inspiration from nature and he created some beautiful stained glass lamp shades.  Tiffany stained glass antique lamps are very collectible and make stunning centrepieces to any room.  Some of these lamps are extremely valuable and can fetch millions of dollars at auction.  However you can get some very impressive replicas that are more cost effective if you are on a budget. If you are interested in these types of antique lamps then here are a few important facts to consider:

The most collectible stained glass lamps from the Tiffany range today are those featuring the nature scenes.  The most popular are the daffodil, water lily, dragonfly and cherry blossom motifs.

The cost of Tiffany lamps will depend on their condition, the rarity of the pattern and the colour (red pieces are amongst the most expensive).  Authentic lamps should have a small tag printed with ‘Tiffany Studios New York' and the number of the design on the shade itself. The lamp bases should also be engraved with Louis C. Tiffany Favrile or the initials LCT on the bottom. However there are a few authentic Tiffany Lamp Shades without this marker. This can be because the base has had to be replaced over the years.

Tiffany's parents were New York jewellers.  There is a definite element of the art of jewellery in his work with his trademark intricate designs and detailed finishes.

Tiffany was fascinated by the smooth flowing lines and organic shapes of the Art Nouveau movement.  He was also very travelled and found great inspiration in the traditional glassware of the Mediterranean, North Africa and the Middle East.

The popularity of Tiffany lamps has meant that there are now many replicas and forgeries on the market.  In fact so influential was Tiffany on this genre that ornate stained glass lamps are often referred to colloquially as ‘Tiffany Lamps'. You will need to know what you are looking for when buying to avoid making any costly mistakes.  There are some excellent replicas that make great additions to any room.  However you do need to know how to value these pieces accurately. Get as much help as possible from experts and only use professional dealers with a good reputation.

Tiffany stained glass antique lamps are renowned for their flawless attention to detail.  This level of perfection makes them easier to distinguish from the inferior replicas.

Tiffany lamps are beautiful as decorative objects.  However their true beauty is revealed when the lamp is switched on!  The stunning coloured glass pieces glow vibrantly creating a rainbow-light effect.

How Are Stained Glass Lamps Made?
Creating stained glass decorative designs is a unique craft.  It takes years of experience and a fine eye for detail to work the coloured glass pieces into attractive shapes and designs.  Stained glass antique lamps are made by creating designs from many small pieces of coloured stained glass.  These are fused into place using coloured enamel.  The finished piece is fired up to 1100 degrees Fahrenheit in order to set the design.

It is essential that good quality glass is used for stained glass lamps.  This creates a very transparent finish which allows the light to shine through clearly. Also the colours will not fade with the high quality materials.

Choosing Stained Glass Antique Lamps
If you do want to include stained glass antique lamps in your room design then there are a number of considerations to make.  To help you choose the best antique lamps for your rooms here are just a few essential tips:

• Budget – when buying stained glass antique lamps you need to set yourself a reasonable budget.  Even the smaller less collectible pieces from popular designers such as Tiffany can set you back hundreds of pounds.  A good replica can be an affordable choice but check the piece can offer you a good quality finish.
• Colour and Pattern – think about the colour scheme in your room and which tones and patterns would best compliment your overall design.  Many stained glass antique lamps have bold colours that could clash with other patterns and tones in the room if not chosen carefully.
• Space – check how much space you have available for stained glass antique lamps before you buy. You will want this beautiful item to stand out so its needs its own place in your room.  Buying a lamp that is too big for your room can create a cluttered, intrusive look.  Buying a lamp that is too small means it could be easily overlooked and may not provide enough light for the space. This, of course, applies to all lamps, antique, or modern.

Stained glass antique lamps are both practical and highly decorative. The beautiful finish will compliment almost any interior space and they are available in a wide range of styles and designs.

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Antique Brass - Care, Preservation And Restoration Tips

Do you own an antique brass? How do you care and preserve it? Are you sure that what you are doing in caring for your antique brass is right? Maybe what you are doing could potentially damage your antique brass. So here are a few tips on how to care, preserve and restore an antique brass.

Antique brass is a beautiful material that is often left un-restored because it lends a deep, rich color and tone to old objects. The antiquing occurs when oxygen reacts with moisture and other elements in the air to tarnish the surface of the metal. While some prefer the look of polished metal, the patina and wear of antique brass is actually more valuable when it is intact because polishing literally rubs away layers of the original metal, which can potentially damage it and weaken it. Therefore, if you own any antiques, it is important to know how to care for old brass and keep it in the best condition possible.

In optimal conditions, brass will begin to patina within a few years of being finished, and will gracefully age for hundreds of years until the brass is antiqued. The optimal conditions for brass to properly age are mild temperatures and moderate humidity in non-coastal areas. The salt and humidity in the air in coastal cities can deteriorate brass as such a rapid rate that it can fall apart within just a few years. This is one of the reasons that antique brass items found in ancient cities near coastal regions are as fragile as dust balls, while brass that has aged properly in drier regions retains its structural integrity while still achieving the beautiful rich brown and red color that so many antique collectors have come to love and appreciate.


Caring For Antique Brass
Cleaning and conditioning antique brass improperly can destroy it, especially when you want to retain the natural beauty of this material. There are many chemical agents on the market which are specifically marketed to keep old brass in prime condition, but they really don't stand up to the challenge. Caring for antique brass is a simple and delicate process which doesn't require any harsh chemical additives or treatments.

To clean antique brass, you should only use warm, soapy water and a microfiber cloth to remove surface dust and grease. Elbow grease is not required, because even the slightest bit of friction between the fibers in the rag and the brass can scratch away surface patina, which will allow oxygenation to occur at deeper levels in the brass. Once tarnish is allowed to reach deeper in the brass, the antique can crumble away. Do not use regular wash cloths, brushes or paper towels, as they are too abrasive to gently remove surface grit.


Preserving Antique Brass
To lock in the patina and condition your antique brass items, you can gently apply olive oil or linseed oil to your brass with a microfiber rag. Brass sealants that are sold at hardware stores work great for new brass, but when you are dealing with brass that is more than a couple of decades old, it is important to use the most gentle methods possible or you will risk destroying the antique finish on the brass. Olive oil will penetrate microscopic pores in the brass, keeping oxygen and moisture from reaching inner layers of the material. Linseed oil works the same way, but is a bit more aggressive and expensive, and is often used to treat steel tools. Olive oil has been used for thousands of years, dating back to at least ancient Rome, to preserve brass from wear.

When applying olive oil to your antiques, gently rub small amounts of oil in a circular motion until the brass is coated and slightly gleaming. Allow your brass to set for at least 10 minutes before using a dry microfiber cloth to remove excess oil. Although the shine from extra oil leaves your antique brass gleaming in direct light, dirt and contaminants will stick to the slow drying oil and eventually cause damage.


Restoring Antique Brass
If you really must remove the patina from your antiques, you will want to make sure that your brass is in good enough condition before attempting to get rid of the tarnish. Remember, when you polish brass, you are rubbing away layers of material. When you use chemicals to treat brass, you are etching away layers of material.

To ensure that your antique brass is in good enough condition to polish or restore, check your items for cracks, flakes, or black spots. If any of these defects are present, you will risk permantently damaging your antiques beyond repair if you try to restore them. If your brass is simply brown with a few scratches or surface imperfections, you should be able to safely restore the antiques to look brand new.

The most popular household chemical used to restore antique brass is Brasso. Brasso can be purchased in most hardware stores for just a few dollars. This substance contains ammonia and other additives to etch away tarnish when applied as directed. For tough areas, you can use a dremel tool with brasso and a nylon brush attachment to achieve optimal results; however, you will usually only need a toothbrush or cloth to properly use this substance.

Although Brasso might be the easiest way to remove tarnish from antiques, it is not the most optimal method for doing so. The best way to restore antique brass is to professionally polish it. There are no chemicals on the market that will make brass as shiny or perfect as a skilled operator behind a rotary buffer can. While you can purchase your own buffer (or grinder with buffing wheel attachments), using these machines is extremely dangerous - both to you, and your antique brass. Leave it to a professional, who can polish and refinish most small to medium brass objects for a reasonable price of between $50 and $250.

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