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

---

Edible Flowers in Your Garden

Flowers can be an integral part of cooking. While most... Read More

Orange Perennials For Your Garden

Perennials are wonderful because, they bloom year after year. Sometimes,... Read More

Metal Outdoor Furniture - Explained

Mention metal patio furniture and you probably think of the... Read More

Create and Furnish Your Outdoor Room

More and more people are enjoying their time spent outdoors... Read More

Here is Why You Should Use Gypsum in Gardening

Do you have clay or layer of hard subsoil problems... Read More

The Meanings Behind the Colors of Roses

Roses are a sign of love and friendship and by... Read More

A Few Simple Facts About Purple Martins

Purple Martins are the largest member of the swallow family.... Read More

Basil: The King of Herbs

One of the most popular herbs is Ocimum basilicum commonly... Read More

Feng Shui in the Garden

"The Ancient Art of Placement" called Feng Shui (pronounced phung... Read More

Secrets of Growing Killer Tomatoes

Tomatoes have always been my favorite garden vegetable to grow... Read More

Winter Gardening

As the end of summer approaches, unfortunately far too quickly,... Read More

Fake Grass

The history of artificial or fake grass is to say... Read More

History of the Adirondack Chair

If you were to travel to Blue Mountain Lake, New... Read More

Build a Rain Garden

There's a new garden in town. It is (mostly) easy... Read More

Preliminary Considerations Before Building Your Own Backyard Garden Pond

This article is geared towards the beginner water gardener, who... Read More

Growing Orchids as House Plants

One of the long standing myths that I still hear... Read More

Landscaping Design - The Primary Principles

Principles refer to standards or prescriptions for working with or... Read More

Making Memories with Flower Gardening

Flower gardening is not only about the present, but can... Read More

Patio Accessories ? Complete The Great Outdoors

Patio accessories can range from small to large and of... Read More

Planting Roses in Pots

In years past, serious rosarians would never consider having a... Read More

Trust Your Plants - They Know How To Grow!

I've done a lot of container gardening over the years,... Read More

It?s Gardening Season!

It's gardening season again! Are you ready? Whether you are... Read More

The Advantages of Silk Flowers

The silk flower is growing in popularity among young couples... Read More

Hydroponics Gardening - An Introduction To Hydroponics Gardening For Beginners (Part 3) Lighting

THE BASICS OF HYDROPONICS.An Introduction To Indoor Plant Grow Lights.There... Read More

Earthworm Friends in the Garden

Earthworms are a gardener's best friend.Research has shown that earthworm... Read More

Hydroponics Gardening - An Introduction To Hydroponics Gardening For Beginners (part 4) Environment

THE BASICS OF HYDROPONICS.The Success or Failure of Your Plants... Read More

Hummingbirds

Many individuals are fascinated by hummingbirds. So much so, that... Read More

Wind Chimes Soothe The Soul

They can be pretty to look at and soothing to... Read More

22 Fun Things To Do With Your Dozen Rose Gift

Your dozen rose gift doesn't only have to decorate your... Read More

Fall Pond Cleaning

Doing a full pond cleaning during the colder winter months... Read More

Lazy Fish Worries

If your fish hang out at the bottom of the... Read More

Gardening with Bamboo

Myths and facts A misconception about bamboo is that they... Read More

Indoor Gardening Tips for Jerry Seinfeld

"I have no plants in my house. They won't live... Read More