10 Tips to Care for Your Antique Ceramics

To care for your antique ceramics you need a gentle touch and they'll last you a long time. This month we'll give you some useful tips to help you care for them.

1. When you are cleaning delicate ceramics, remember to use a soft-bristled brush to wash antique ceramics in warm soapy water.

2. Rinse with warm, clear water.

3. Don't rub ceramics dry; let them dry naturally.

4. Avoid abrasive products and bleach.

5. Avoid soaking antique ceramics. If there are any repairs, extended soaking could loosen them.

6. Avoid plate hangers. They do great damage to antique ceramics because over time the pressure from the hanger will cause cracks.

7. Display ceramics on sturdy plate stands or plate rails.

8. Avoid hanging antique ceramics such as cups, pots or vases by their handles or other weak areas.

9. Don't attempt repairs. It is tricky work and you'll never be able to match the paint colours exactly on your own. Bring a damaged ceramic to a qualified ceramics restorer. Repairing a bad restoration disaster will cost you more than fixing it right the first time.

10. Avoid serving food on restored ceramics; the chemicals used in the restoration could be hazardous.

Martin Swinton owns Take-A-Boo Emporium, an antique shop located in Toronto, Canada. He does furniture restoration, caning and rushing repairs, custom reproductions, upholstery, teaches courses on antiques and does appraisals for estates and community events. He can be reached at 416-785-4555 or by visiting http://www.takeaboo.com

---

Maintaining Oxygen Levels in Fish and KOI Ponds

Severe environmental stressors are the most frequent causes of sudden... Read More

Roses - Creating Beautiful Cut Roses

Many gardeners like to enjoy their roses twice - first... Read More

Starting Seedlings Indoors

Unless you have access to a greenhouse, or something like... Read More

Cast Aluminum Furniture

In days gone by, outdoor furniture was cast from iron.... Read More

Fall is the Time to Get Your Garden Trees and Shrubs Ready for Winter: Heres What to Do

Tips for winter care of trees and shrubsWith the garden... Read More

Sculpture Can Bring Life to Your Garden

I should know: I've been a sculptor most of my... Read More

Gardening--Fun and Frugal!

Whether you are an avid vegetable gardener, a beginning herb... Read More

Want a Garden, But Don?t have Enough Dirt Or Space? Hydroponics Gardening Is The Answer!

Hydroponics gardening is the perfect solution for anybody who wants... Read More

You Take The Vacation - Not Your Garden

If you are planning to go on vacation, there are... Read More

Add Value to Your Home - Landscaping

Just recently my friend had his house appraised between $800,000... Read More

Why Should You Create A Butterfly Garden?

Have you noticed you do not see as many butterflies... Read More

How to Grow Apples

The first thing you need to grow apples is a... Read More

10 Free Gardening Products

One of the pleasurable spin-offs in organic gardening is finding... Read More

Chives - Allium Schoenoprasum

Known as common garden chives, Allium schoenoprasum, can be grown... Read More

Vegetable Garden Layout

The size of your yard will determine your final vegetable... Read More

How to Rid that Lawn of Thatch!

You know that brown patchy debris in a lawn that... Read More

All about Tulip Gardens

As the curtain of winter lifts, tulips are one of... Read More

Ship Ahoy! The Nautical Touch in Your Outdoor Living Space

Would you rather be sailing or are you strictly a... Read More

Moss on Lawns

Just about right now, we start to see moss on... Read More

How to Grow Bananas

If your grocer says, "Yes, we have no bananas. We... Read More

Home for a Gnome?

Kitsch is defined by several dictionaries as relating to poor... Read More

Preparing Successful Seedlings

Growing your own seedlings is very gratifying and far more... Read More

Tomatoes: History, Origin, Facts... or Fiction?

A tomato importer, John Nix, decided to challenge the law... Read More

Themes of Shade

A Shade Garden can be created in any of several... Read More

What Is One Flower Benefit That You Know Of?

The biggest flower benefit of all is the fact that... Read More

How to Grow Cucumbers

The versatile cucumber (cucumis sativus) is tasty pickled, in a... Read More

Garden for Birds #3

Well, another week is passing us by.I want to thank... Read More

16 Lawn Mower Safety Tips

1. Always read the instruction manual before operating your lawnmower.... Read More

Release Some Tension...Spend Some Time In Your Garden

Gardening can be one of the most rewarding and relaxing... Read More

Tarragon: A Favourite of French Chefs

Long a favourite of French chefs, the herb Artemisia dracunculus,... Read More

Budget For Your Garden

Have you ever thought about how much it costs to... Read More

Set Out a Feast for Your Feathered Friends

February is "Feed the Birds" month in much of North... Read More

The Zoo-Doo Man - Or How to Make the Best Compost in the World!

Is your garden soil great? Does it produce an abundant... Read More