Benefits of Water Fountains
Thinking of adding a fountain or another water feature to your garden space? Treasure Pott’s garden center has a selection of fountains to choose from. Just ask Charles for help! In the meantime, here is another helpful article from Treasure Pott’s garden center.
The Benefits of Garden Fountains
By Sarah Martin
Remodeling and landscaping have become more popular projects than ever before, as people want to create a living space inside and out that is unique and complementary to their personalities– but it is also a pricey endeavor.
As the economy continues to affect pocketbooks, people have had to be even more creative with their patio and backyard revamping by choosing key pieces to make their space more inviting. Often times even a simple garden fountain (http://www.garden-fountains.com/Detail.bok?no=1070) can change the mood.
Garden fountains and waterfalls are made from a variety of materials such as stone, fiber glass, wood, copper, porcelain, ceramic and concrete.
Water fountains were first used in the Middle East as hieroglyphics on ancient Egyptian tombs have shown researchers. These pictures showed the use of garden fountains in home courtyards. The Mesopotamians used many fountains to decorate their formal gardens.
Romans made use of many outdoor fountains as they were religious about their bathing rituals and enjoyed water features in the gardens mingled with public baths. Fountains have been a place for wishing and have helped people relax as the sound of running water calms the senses.
When landscaping or revamping a yard or patio, there are many options to use depending on the size of the space and the budget available. Flowers, paths, new grass, wood chips, pebbles, sculptures, decorative lanterns and outdoor fireplaces all create a more inviting atmosphere.
Patio water features (http://www.garden-fountains.com/Detail.bok?no=3252) can be placed anywhere around the home and come in a wide range of styles and prices. The sound of moving water is inviting for guests and provides a place to relax after a long day.
Besides the relaxation and beauty, having a garden fountain inside or outside has been found to improve health. The holistic living approach discusses the existence of positive and negative ions in the air.
Positive ions come from things such as T.V.s, computers and microwaves which pollute the air and cause us to become tired and more susceptible to health issues. But water fountains or garden waterfalls release negative ions into the air which naturally purifies and increases energy as well as can help relieve stress and depression.
To care for a garden fountain, you must protect it from the elements. During winter the pump should be brought inside to protect from freezing. All concrete, including cast stone is porous and cold weather can often crack these surfaces.
If a fountain is completely dry in freezing conditions, it will most likely be protected, but if there is any moisture, it is susceptible to cracking. Fiberglass fountains are easier to protect because they are light enough to bring inside.
If possible, place the fountain in an open area so that debris isn’t constantly falling into it. To keep the fountain clean and working well, it is wise to spray it down (including the pump) with a hose every couple months. These simple steps are all you need to preserve your garden fountain for years.
About the Author: Sarah Martin is a freelance marketing writer based out of San Diego, CA. She specializes in gardening, home improvement, and collecting patio water features. For an amazing garden fountain or a selection of garden waterfalls, please visit http://www.garden-fountains.com/.
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Summer Gardening Tips
Summer’s here! Are you out in your garden? Come to Treasure Potts for more gardening advice from our master gardener, Charles!
In the meantime, here are a few more quick ideas!
Summer Gardening Tips
By Michael McGroarty
Don’t be afraid to trim those flowering shrubs and trees that need it. Failure to prune is probably the biggest gardening mistake a person can make. I spent 20 years landscaping homes and businesses, and I watched people make the investment in my services, then they failed to prune when the plants needed it, and before you know it their landscape looked terrible.
If you make a mistake pruning, don’t worry about it. It’s like a bad haircut, it will grow out. Of course use common sense and read the previous articles that I’ve written on pruning.
Along with summertime comes high humidity. High humidity can cause a lot of problems with the plants in your garden and around your house. One of the simple things you can do is don’t water just before dark. Make sure your plants are nice and dry when you tuck them in for the night and you can cut down on the chance of fungus being a problem.
One of the more common fungi that I get asked about a lot is powdery mildew. This appears as a white film on the leaves of ornamental plants. Dogwoods and Purple Sandcherry are often the victim of powdery mildew. Powdery mildew isn’t extremely harmful to the plants, it’s just that the foliage is damaged, and little growing takes place once it sets in. Your local garden center will have a general fungicide you can spray if you’d like to try and control it. Usually once the plant defoliates in the fall the plant is back to normal.
If you have Perennial Rye Grass in your lawn, and you probably do if you’re in the north, you must be careful not to leave your grass wet at night. There is a fungus known as Pythium Blight that appears in very humid conditions. This fungus attacks and kills perennial rye grasses. Here in the north most of our lawns are a blend of fescues, perennial ryes, and Kentucky Blue Grass.
If you have problems with Pythium blight you will lose the perennial rye grass in large areas of your lawn, and even though the other grasses will still be there and fill in, your lawn will have areas that are much darker green than the rest of the lawn because you will then have concentrations of Kentucky Blue Grass.
You can see this fungus in the early morning. It looks like white cotton candy laying on top of your lawn. It usually appears along walks and driveways where the soil is wet if you have been watering. To prevent Pythium blight water as early in the day as possible.
Another nasty little blight that likes summertime is Fire Blight. Fire Blight attacks ornamentals, especially Apple trees, Crabapple trees, Cotoneasters, and Pyracantha. You know you have Fire Blight when a branch on one of your plants dies and turns almost red. The leaves usually hang on but turn reddish brown. The damage usually starts out near the end of the branch and works its way toward the main stem of the plant. There is little you can do except prune out the affected branch, cutting it as far back as possible.
Fire Blight is very contagious to plants so you should burn the branches you prune out. You should also dip or wash your pruning shears in rubbing alcohol after each cut to keep from spreading this deadly fungus.
Unfortunately, I’ve got one more summertime culprit to warn you about. It’s a handy little fungus that grows in mulch. Actually there are all kinds of fungi that tend to grow in mulches, and most of them are really disgusting looking. But this little gem is unique in the fact that as it grows it tends to swell. Then somehow it manages to explode, and it will spatter your house with tiny brown specks. The experts have appropriately named this one “Shotgun Fungus”. Isn’t that a cute name?
These tiny little brown specks will fly as high as eight feet into the air, and once they stick to your house or windows, they stick like glue. I know that right now there are people hollering across the house at their spouse, “Hey, remember those brown specks all over the house? I know what they are. It’s from the mulch!” Tell me I’m wrong, but I know I’m not.
A lot of people are victims of this nasty little fungus, but they don’t know it. All they know is that there are tiny brown specks on the house that look like paint. So far they have blamed everything from spiders to aliens.
There’s not a lot you can do to prevent this fungus. I have found that if you keep the mulch loose so air can circulate it is less likely to grow fungi. Don’t just keep adding layer after layer to the mulch around your house. You should skip at least every other year and just loosen the mulch you already have down. If you loosen it and then rake it flat it will look like you’ve just mulched. Mulch is great, just don’t let it get packed down hard. Loosen it up at least once a year.
About the Author: Michael J. McGroarty is the author of this article. Visit his most interesting website, http://www.freeplants.com and sign up for his excellent gardening newsletter.
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Caring For Antique Furniture
By Don Riggott
One of the great advantages of collecting antique furniture is
that it is not only a good investment, but it is something that
can be used and enjoyed every day. To protect your investment
and insure it’s continued value, it is important to care for it
properly.
There are three areas to consider when caring for antiques:
proper cleaning, proper protection and maintaining a proper
environment. When it comes to caring for antique furniture,
dust, direct sunlight and improper environment are furniture’s
worst enemies.
Regarding dust, if it is allowed to remain on the surface of
your antiques, it can actually damage the finish of wood, brass
and other surfaces. Therefore, it is critical to make dusting a
part of your weekly routine. You should dust every few days, and
at the very least, once a week. How often you dust may also
depend on your environment and location.
When dusting, it is important to “do no harm”. Never dust with
anything that may scratch the finish of your furniture, whether
a dusting or cleaning compound or cloth that may have abrasive
properties. Use only a soft cloth, and avoid sprays of any type,
including furniture polish. The chemicals used in many of these
products that are designed to repel dust and dirt may cause a
weakening of the antique’s finish or even stain the wood.
Remember, cleaning should protect and preserve your pieces, not
cause damage. No matter how good one’s intentions may be,
efforts to clean antique furniture, if done improperly, may
actually do damage.
Spills should be removed immediately. Water may be simply wiped
off with a soft cloth until the surface is dry. However, other
spills should be treated more carefully. Rather than wipe away
the spill, dab at it with a soft cloth until the spill has been
removed. Wiping the spill may damage the finish of the furniture
by spreading the spilled liquid over a wider area.
Another enemy of virtually all antiques is direct sunlight. To
protect the surface and fabrics of antique furniture, keep them
away from windows – especially windows with a southern exposure.
Sunlight will not only fade or discolor upholstery, but it is
hard of wood surfaces as well. If a piece of furniture such as a
table is exposed to sunlight, it is very important to take care
when placing lamps or other objects on them. Be sure to change
the position of these objects. This will prevent spots from
forming where a lamp or other object has been sitting. Once a
piece of furniture has faded or been discolored by sunlight, no
amount of cleaning or polishing can restore it to its original
color and beauty.
Finally, to preserve and protect your antique furniture, it is
important to control environmental factors inside your home.
Because wood naturally expands and contracts with changes in
temperature, it is important to keep temperature changes to a
minimum, and take great care to avoid temperature extremes
during summer and winter months. However, even more important
than controlling temperature is controlling humidity.
Air that is too humid may cause wood to warp, drawers and doors
to stick and veneer to swell. In extremely humid conditions,
mold and mildew may occur and cause costly damage. Extremely dry
air may cause wood to crack and joints to become loose.
If you live in a climate that is prone to temperature and
humidity extremes, it is a good idea to invest in a humidifier
and dehumidifier. During cold winters when temperatures plunge
below zero, the humidity level inside a home can easily drop to
as little as 5 percent. Room humidifiers are not expensive, and
can easily protect your antique furniture from unnecessary
damage due to dry air.
In extremely humid climates, humidity may be controlled by a
home’s central air conditioning system. However, when outdoor
temperatures are not high enough to make it necessary to use air
conditioning, a room dehumidifier will help maintain a safe
humidity level.
Antique furniture can be more than just an investment or hobby.
Many believe it is best when used and enjoyed. When properly
cleaned, maintained and protected these pieces can be passed on
for generations.
Copyright © DC Riggott Inc.
About the Author: http://www.dcriggott.com DC Riggott Inc.
specializes selling authentic architectural church antiques,
liturgical artifacts, and relics from around the world.
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Special Thanks to The Red Hat Ladies!
Thanks again to our Red Hat ladies who joined us for lunch again on March 13. We so appreciate your repeat business! You guys are welcome back to our Gap Deli at the Parkway anytime.
Do you have a small group who needs a great place to meet over lunch or coffee and dessert? Get in touch with us at The Gap Deli. Call 276-728-3881
Tips from Our Garden Center
Greetings Fellow Gardener! Here are just a few tips from Landscape Artist and Owner of Treasure Potts, Charles:
- If you haven’t already done so, it is time to complete your pruning for the season!
- It is now time to add slow release fertilizer to all your perennials, trees and shrubs!
And of course, Treasure Pott’s Garden Center has all your gardening supplies and plant needs, so stop by Fancy Gap and see Charles soon.
For more gardening tips, here’s an interesting article:
Jumpstart The Spring Garden – Gardening Tips For March & April
By John Conti
Snowdrops stand guard over tiny daffodil buds. Daylight is lingering a bit longer. The snow is receding and the robins are returning. The big thaw has begun. There’s no denying the signs. Spring is right around the corner.
If you’re like me, you can’t wait to get your hands into the soil. While you’re holding out for higher temperatures, there’s plenty you can do today to jumpstart the spring gardening season.
Sow Seeds Indoors
Take a trip to your local nursery or home store and buy seeds to start indoors.
In March I like to start annual flowers for my pots and containers. Currently, I have Coleus, Zinnias,
Impatiens, Petunias and Marigolds germinating. Follow the seed packet instructions and you’ll get excellent
results. Some plants will take longer than others to bloom or bear fruit, so plan accordingly. This is also a great time for starting culinary herbs and vegetables. If you’re looking for something new this year, try moonflower vine or cathedral bells to climb your fence or trellis. Both can be started from seed. If you have children, get them involved. Many children have a natural affinity for gardening. It’s a great quality to encourage and nurture in them.
Dust Off The Birdhouses
I put my birdhouses out in early March. Small birds like chickadees will be actively searching for appropriate homes to raise their families. Mine were up for less than 24 hours before the home tours began.
Give Your Garden Tools A Checkup
Take your pruning shears and other cutting tools to your local hardware store for cleaning, oiling and a good sharpening. On a warm day you may want to assess your lawnmower. Take it in for servicing or a tune up now-while you can. Many lawnmower repair centers are swamped shortly after the season starts. It’s one tool you don’t want to be without.
Get Inspired
Order your garden catalogs. Purchase your favorite garden magazines. Here in the northeast, there’s nothing like winter time to remind me how valuable my summer garden space is. Create a wish list of new plants, design features and outdoor furniture. With a little planning, you won’t be overwhelmed when May rolls around.
Seek Out Indoor Gardening Events
In March there are countless indoor garden, flower and landscaping expos. If you can’t find anything in your local area, a day or weekend trip to a flower show might be just what you need. Look for a botanical garden or arboretum with indoor facilities. In my area we have Longwood Gardens. It has year round indoor gardens and the displays are fantastic.
Clean Out Your Beds
As soon as the snow has melted and the weather permits, you can clean out your beds. It’s a good time to rake and clear your planting areas of dead branches, leaves and debris. I like to mulch as soon as possible in the spring, while there’s still plenty of space between the emerging bedding plants.
Learn A Landscape Design Software Program
There are so many inexpensive landscaping software programs available today, many of them under $50.00US. During the winter months you’ll have plenty of time to learn how to operate the system.
Create and sample new designs before digging. Take advantage of the overhead and 360 degree views. Many of the programs now offer a 3D walk through feature. It simulates the experience of walking through an actual garden. You can also advance the garden timeline into the future to see what it will look like when the plants and trees mature. It’s a wonderful creative tool to beat the winter blues!
Call Your Landscaper Now
If you’re planning to use a professional landscaper this year, make sure to schedule your work as far in advance as possible. When the ground is soft enough for digging, landscapers will be working overtime to keep up with the volume.
Book Your Garden Tours Now
Scour the internet for local and regional garden tours. Find out when tickets go on sale and plan ahead.
I’ve often read announcement lists in the newspaper after I’ve already made other plans. There’s nothing like
visiting other people’s gardens for encouragement and inspiration.
I hope these suggestions get you motivated to take action. The sooner you get started on your garden plans-the more time you’ll have to enjoy the rest of the season. Happy Gardening!
© 2007 John Conti
About the Author: John Conti is a landscaper and publisher of http://Stellasyard.com | The Soulful Garden. Visit his web
site for how to articles, advice and free design plans. Beginners are welcome.
http://stellasyard.com
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How is the Value of Antique Determined?
By Benedict Smythe
An antique is prized for its rarity, artistry and age.
Experienced antique collectors have grown accustomed to the
basics of determining the value of an item. Moreover, they have
the ability to distinguish an authentic item from a reproduction
or a fake. For first time antique collectors, the skills of
seasoned collectors may not be acquired easily. However, there
are common guidelines to assist first time antique collectors.
Check the Manufacturers Markings
As first step, an antique collector should look for the mark or
stamp of the manufacturer or designer of the antique. This would
determine if the item is authentic or fake. An authentic mark of
the manufacturer, when proven by an antique expert, would have
considerable effect in the actual value of the antique.
With the help of the internet, a collector can use the net to
identify recorded marks and then seek an expert advice to
establish its authenticity in the item. Credible online antique
appraisers may also provide the needed information by simply
forwarding photos and descriptions.
Check the Condition of the Item
Take considerable attention to the condition of the item. An
antique that is in good condition will have greater value
especially if the collector plans to sell it in the future. An
item with complete parts is highly regarded. A cracked or
chipped antique is less valuable unless the item is very unique
and historical. While some antique’s cracks and chips have
significant value to its artistry and age, it is still advisable
that a collector search for an antique of his or her interest in
good and acceptable condition.
However, some antique collectors can go ahead and buy items
that have small defects if these have significant value in their
collection. A good antique collector may ask an antique restorer
to repair the antique item but extreme caution should be taken
here. Not all antique restorers have the right expertise to
restore these valuable pieces.
Evaluate its Rarity
Antiques are also cherished for its rarity or uniqueness.
Rarity, when used in the context of antiques, refers to the
quantity or number that is presently available in the market. A
rare antique increases its monetary value regardless of its
condition.
Therefore, it is significant to note that not all items which
are at least 100 years old will have similar values. The value
of any antique item is based on the marketing idea that when the
supply is low, the demand for the item increases and so does its
monetary value.
Prove its Authenticity
Authenticity is the most widely discussed subject when it comes
to antiques. Accurate reproductions of antiques have risen
through the years. An inexperienced antique buyer may have
extreme difficulty in distinguishing a fake item from the real
thing.
There are various sources which may help a first-time buyer to
determine the authenticity of an item. If an individual owns an
antique piece which belongs to the family heirloom, a
provenance, a proof such as a receipt or a photo which will show
the history of the item will significantly prove its
authenticity.
About the Author: Driscolls Antiques is a leading supplier of
quality antiques and antique furniture. Benedict Yossarian is a
freelance Internet Marketing Consultant that can help maximize
your exposure online. http://www.driscollsantiques.co.uk/
http://yossarian.co.uk/
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Antique Jewelry
By Simon Oldmann
Antique Jewelry is often referred to as Vintage Jewelry, this
is the kind of jewelry that dates back a few dozens of years, or
in some cases even hundreds of years, it is clear that the older
the jewelry is the chances of it being worth more increases,
this is not only due to the age, but also due to the techniques
and craftsmanship that was practiced in the past.
Even today jewelry is considered to be a thing of wonder, each
piece of antique jewelry is regarded as unusual, and unique, in
many cases a real one of a kind. Antique jewelry is precious and
rare and is often used to make someone feel very unique and
special.
Today the market for antique jewelry is actually very large,
from the corner shop to auction houses and internet sites, one
must take care to get all of your investment’s worth. Many
people out there are ready and willing to take advantage of a
person’s naivety. Dealing with the amount of money required to
invest in antique jewelry needs a bit of finesse. Anyone who is
interested din getting into the antiques market must be willing
to do some research and learn about the pieces he is interested
in.
When purchasing a piece of antique jewelry you should be well
informed and practiced in checking the jewelry to make sure that
it is authentic and worth whatever price the seller is asking
for. The seams of antique jewelry often say a lot about the
condition of a piece. In fact, the very existence of a seam can
tell you that the piece may have had a previous life. It is
often the case that jewelers will cut a piece of jewelry out of
an antique dress or other old accessories in order to make them
easier to sell.
If you are done looking at the back, then you should check out
the front for any missing stones. Buy one of those special
magnifying glasses used to examine jewelry in order to spot
small flaws in any repairs done in the jewelry.
You should also check out the overall design and style of the
antique jewelry as this will give you a clue as to how old a
piece actually is. This, of course, can give you an estimated
value of the jewelry.
Of course, once you have found a piece of antique jewelry worth
buying, you need to take good care of it. You need to regularly
clean your jewelry and to keep it in a case where you can avoid
the effects of weathering. Antique jewelry can be very delicate,
so if you do not know the proper way to clean it, then have a
professional do it for you.
About the Author: Collecting Antique Jewelry is a passion many
know too well, these collections are valuable, unique and
interesting. If you want to know more about collecting and
dealing with Antique Jewelry visit the Antiques Pages at
http://antiques.zupatips.com
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Antique Silver
By Sarah Manners
The History of Silver
Century’s ago when silversmiths first started working with
silver they discovered that it was far too soft to work with and
had to be assimilated with other, more resilient, base metals
before it could be moulded. It is due to this discovery that
from 1300 BC all silver metals had to be tested to show that
they contained more than 92.5% silver.
This hallmarking system has survived to present day without
much change. It is these hallmarks that provide silver
collectors with their most important identification tool.
Hallmarks are stamped by the Official Assay Offices, together
with the marker’s own mark, so you can identify where, when and
who made the pieces of silver. You can also learn to tell if the
style of the piece is consistent with the date indicated by its
markings. Although this hallmarking system of marking was most
rigorously applied in England, most countries have some form of
identifying marking system. For example Mexico use numbers that
signify the quality of a piece.
Antique Appreciation
An antique is described as being an object which has reached a
certain age and has become a witness of a previous era in human
society. Antiques are usually objects that show a high degree of
craftsmanship and attention to detail and design. In a today’s
society an antique is above all an object whose atypical
construction and age give it a market value superior to similar
objects of recent manufacture. Silver is a valuable commodity
amongst those on the antique scene and despite changing
fashions, old silver pieces remain collectable.
Antique collecting is becoming more popular amongst society as
a whole, where as in the past collecting was thought to be a
hobby enjoyed only by those who enjoyed wealth and a certain
social standing. More and more people are becoming educated in
antiques and are beginning to see pieces of value in their own
homes. Television programming such as BBC’s “Cash in the attic”,
“Antiques road show” and “Bargain Hunt” have done wonders in
educating society about all things antique.
Researching Antique Silver
Determining whether your items of silver are valuable or not is
not as hard as it may sound, you could have it professionally
appraised or you could take the time to do some research at your
local library or on the Internet.
There are a number of facts that make your research easier,
particularly the official hallmark and the stamp indicating the
craftsman’s name. They immediately disclose the item in which
the item was made and by whom.
There are a few key items of information that will make your
research easier: what is the marker’s mark, the decade in which
the item was crafted and so on. There are many websites
dedicated to antique silver online and you could even enter into
a web discussion with its members who may be able to offer you
some valuable information about your silver collection.
Silver Plating
Silver plated articles also have considerable antiquarian
value. Good pieces can have up to 40 microns of pure silver
electro-plated onto a base metal, usually copper or nickel.
Years of abrasive cleaning may often have worn away some of the
silver plating, but this is looked upon as proof of age and such
items should not be re-plated or they will lose considerable
value. Silver service cutlery is all silver plated, with
traditional patterns like Kings or Queens being very
collectable.
Whilst silver plated pieces have obviously less value than
solid silver, they are often much sort after by collectors.
Silver Collectors
Some silver collectors devote their attention to a specific
pattern while others collect a particular maker, era or item.
The silver you chose to collect does not need to adhere to any
of these specifications – don’t be afraid to mix and match. When
purchasing silver, signs of use do not always detract from value
and damage may or may not. In fact slight damage on a rare piece
will not significantly reduce value, if at all.
Be wary of buying tarnished pieces as it can easily be hiding
wear, damage or repair. Ask yourself why someone selling such
items has not cleaned them to show them at their best. So
inspect tarnished items with particular care.
Having a monogram on an item will often detract from its price.
This is much more common on silver plated rather than solid
silver pieces. Sometimes attempts have been made to remove
monograms, damaging them as well as lowering their value.
Make sure that you are educated enough to be able to spot
repairs that have been made to items as well as forgeries that
do crop up at less reputable markets or websites.
Caring for your Silver
Looking after antiques is the most important part in owning
them. They need to be taken care of properly to ensure that they
remain valuable, attractive and collectable. Whether your silver
is modern or antique it is very important to take proper care of
it as it’s value and beauty are prized. Always maintain your
silver with a non-abrasive cleaner. Every time you buff and
polish you remove a fine layer.
Over the years such treatment removes hallmarks and eventually
removes the silver plated surface. Museums use an electrolytic
process which is quite harmless. These are available for
domestic use and remove tarnish in seconds.Tarnishing
(oxidisation) occurs when silver is exposed to the air. Items
that are not for display like cutlery can be kept airtight in a
drawer wrapped in a cloth – otherwise they will need cleaning
each time you use them.
Storing Silver
When storing silver the best way to keep it safe from harmful
sulphur in the air is to seal it in an air tight container. This
said it is not always practical to store your pieces in such
containers. In cases like this a sachet containing activated
charcoal can help to reduce tarnishing significantly.
Activated charcoal is effectively an air scrubber which removes
pollutants like sulphur from the air around your silver. It is
also a good idea to keep a bag of activated charcoal in your
display cases or jewelry box. Charcoal can only absorb a certain
amount of sulphur before it becomes ineffective so sachets must
be replaced at least once a year.
After prolonged storage, your silver will need to be cleaned,
but if stored correctly it will be a far less daunting task.
Don’t use ordinary newspaper to wrap the silver or use elastic
bands to bind several pieces together. After a while the rubber
will bond to the silver as the band deteriorates and rots,
leaving a stain, as will newspaper. Instead, use acid-free paper
to wrap items and store where it’s not damp.
Appreciating your Silver
To ensure that your items of silver remain in the best possible
condition whether they are antique or modern pieces it is
imperative that they are cleaned and stored correctly. Silver
crafts are valued works of art that should be treasured. Hold on
to pieces of silver and treat them well, it will only add to
their value in later years.
About the Author: Caring for your antiques is the most
important part in owning them but this doesn’t need to be as
hard as it sounds. The Qwicksilver company
http://www.qwicksilver.co.uk have patented a non-abrasive
electrolytic cleaning plate that quickly removes tarnish under
water in your sink. They also offer advice on proper care of
your antique
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Collecting Antiques – It Never Gets Old!
Collecting Antiques – It Never Gets Old!
By Collectibles And Antiques
Television plays an important part in the lives of the 21st century American. It defines us to an extent, and often fuels a massive spike in even the most traditional seeming areas. One such area was the hobby of collecting antiques, which saw a massive increase with the introduction of The Antiques Road Show.
Antiques have long been a part of our culture. Items are handed down through generations, some with special emotional meaning, some as heirlooms, some as valuable investments. They can be bought and sold at garage sales, on eBay, or at auctions.
Some antiques are only valuable to those who are in possession of them. This should not detract any meaning from the possession or collection of antiques for the individual though. One might go so far as to say that every antique or collectible possesses its own intrinsic value, and that in fact the show has had a detrimental effect on the collection of antiques. Collecting should be a passion first, and the idea that it should be for profit somewhat cheapens it.
If you are thinking about starting to collect antiques, there is a whole world out there for you to explore and enjoy. You will probably find it hard to believe the abundant opportunities open to the antique collector. Antiques can be found at garage sales, on eBay, at auctions, and at special collector’s shows. A great place to look for antiques is the home of older relatives, and more often than not they are pleased to show you around!
Before you go out and start gathering anything that is older than Law & Order, however, you should decide on what it is that you would like to collect. Perhaps you are only looking for a grandfather clock to add a little oomph as the centerpiece in your sitting room. Maybe you have decided that you would like to look for old military badges and awards. A great place to find an idea is collector’s shows. At these shows, there are often varied displays of the collections of people who have been practicing the hobby for years, and you just might find an idea that is so appealing that you will want to start right away. Odds are you are in the right spot, as most of the collectors also have items for sale or trade.
Collecting antiques is a great hobby that never gets old. You should not begin with ideas in your head about discovering riches along the way. Antiques often have to be in peak condition, and collections must include every piece, before they are appraised at any real value. Most expensive antiques are not a surprise to their owners, as they were usually expensive to get in the first place. Begin your antique collecting experience because it is something fun and new for you to do. Any dreams of windfalls should be a distant thought, and never the driving force, behind your new pursuit.
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Why to Decorate With Antiques
Why to Decorate With Antiques
By James1984 Thompson
Many individuals are collecting antiques as their hobby. Some do this because they want to know the culture of the people who made these antiques. Other individuals collect antiques because of the age of the item, the uniqueness of the item, or the rarity of it. There are different reasons why collectors love to have antiques, but why to decorate with antiques.
One of the main reasons why to decorate with antiques is that it can highlight different parts of the house. If you put an antique piece in your living room, it can add elegance to the living room. This is a good idea especially if you want to make the room look more special. If the room looks boring, you can spice it up by simply decorating it with the antiques that you are collecting.
Also a reason why to decorate with antiques is that it can compliment other furniture in your house. If the furniture in the room makes it look dull, it is a great idea to compliment the furniture with an antique. This will make the room and the furniture more attractive than it was before. Some furniture really needs some item to compliment them in order for them to be noticeable.
This also goes the other way around with other antique items and furniture. If the antique furniture is too noticeable for the room, you may want to add an antique painting, vase, rugs, or figurine near or on top of the antique furniture. By doing this the antique furniture which earlier was too noticeable for the room will blend in perfectly. This is due to that the attention that might be given to the furniture will be redirected to the antique ornaments.
Other reasons of why to decorate with antiques is due to that if you display such an item you will be showcasing the art and culture of the people who made it. This is a great idea especially if you have kids. Because when you display antique items to showcase the arts and culture of the makers of the antique item, you are teaching your children about the history and culture of certain peoples.
If you really just want to see and appreciate fine and rare arts, it is a great idea to have your antique collection on display in your room. Also, decorating your room with antique will not only satisfy you but it will also satisfy the taste of other people that visits your room.
There are different reasons why to decorate with antiques. But, the entire effect on decorating your room with antiques is the same. You want to make that certain room more beautiful. However, you must consider several things when decorating the room with antiques. One of the things you must consider is that the room should compliment with the antique. You don’t want to place an antique together with a digital appliances or gadgets. Also, you don’t want to decorate the room with so many antiques because the room will not look great if it’s swarming with antiques. It is best to have the appropriate number of antiques to display.
About the Author: Looking for more antiques? Online Antique Auctions.
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