Great Uses for Your Pottery Collection

If you are just starting to collect pottery here's a little secret that avid collectors know all too well: pottery is infinitely useful and extremely versatile. What this means is that most pottery has multiple functionality. Just make sure that there aren't certain restrictions on the pieces you purchase. Normally, pottery dealers will let you know the necessary care instructions and precautions that should be taken when you make the purchase.

You will find that most pottery is dishwasher and microwave safe (depending on the glazing method-Raku pottery is not), food safe (again this depends largely on the glazing method and any paints that may have been used), safe for use in the oven, and able to hold liquid. So, you have a lot of options with most pottery pieces that go well beyond the uses for which the specific piece may have been designed to carry out.

• Storage. Vases and other vessels are great for holding things. They are by no means limited to flowers or fruit. Small pottery pieces are great for holding perfumes, particularly those with stoppers, or oils, and countless other small treasures you have lying around. Larger pieces of pottery are perfect for storing large amounts of food. And various medium sized pieces make excellent canisters in the kitchen for storing so many different things.


• Display. Of course there are many pottery pieces that you will want to showcase and display but did you realize that pottery could also be used to display other items you want to show off in your home. For example, use a pottery spoon rest in the bathroom as a soap dish. It's great for displaying special hand soaps in the bathroom and will add a little splash of color to the bathroom counter top.


• Cooking. You may not know that pottery can withstand fairly high temperatures with grace and style. Therefore, it's an excellent choice for cooking. Use pottery in the microwave and the oven, though never on the stove top for preparing and serving all kinds of dishes. If you are wary about using these beautiful pieces for cooking, they can make excellent choices for serving food.


• Dining. Stoneware is a very popular style of casual dinnerware these days and with good reason. Not only is it a beautiful addition to any table but it is also quite versatile. You may also find mugs, plates, and bowls that are thrown or hand built for your dining pleasure. Regardless, most tables are greatly enhanced by the addition of pottery rather than many other choices on the market today.

There are so many thingsyou can do with your pottery, so don't miss out on much of the versatility that many find the primary incentive for investing in pottery for the home. Pottery is a beautiful addition to any home, so don't hide it away but use it fully and regularly in order to enjoy the true value of the pieces and get your money's worth. The true value in pottery is in how much it enhances your life; it won't enhance your life very much if kept locked away in the kitchen cabinets!

• Cookbooks or travel books
• Kitchen gadgets - vintage
• Photos - family, travel, pets...
• Art Glass
• Figurines
• Linens and pillows (of the same type or vintage)

If there is something you love, start a collection now to enjoy for years to come.

• Splash the walls with colors
  Repaint the walls. This simply gives your bedroom walls a new face lift! It will lighten up, and completely renew the look of any bedroom! This is a great chance to add some spice to your old, dull, and boring bedroom. Choose your favorite color to add warmth to the bedroom. But if you want to go crazy, you can pick wild colors and create your very own artwork on your walls. This is a great way to add a personal touch to a bedroom. It also will showcase your personality
• Make old furniture look good as new
  Re-upholster old furniture. It’s amazing the difference this makes in the overall look of a bedroom. Individuals don't have to spend a lot of money on new furniture either. They can as easily restyle their old furniture using unique fabrics, paints, etc.
  Just let their imagination run wild! The best thing is that they totally control the finished appearance of their furniture, since they decide what will be done to refurbish the furniture.
• Accessorize the bedroom
  Strategically place some decorative scented candles around the bedroom to give the room an elegant look. They exude a sense of tranquility once they are lit.
  Another great idea is to hang artwork on the walls. It does not have to be expensive, as inexpensive pieces of good quality are readily available. Select reproductions, or photographs! Even better, if they are adept at art, use some of their own creations and make the walls into their very own personal gallery.
• Go hunting at a second hand store
  Numerous treasures can be found in second hand stores! You can purchase second hand furniture as well as decorative lamps, antique mirrors, etc. for bargain prices at these stores
  Garage sales are also great places to unearth hidden treasures. Just drive around the block or watch the newspaper to see if there is anyone who is hosting a garage sale in your area.
• Develop a theme for your bedroom
  A great way to give a bedroom a fun and exciting look is to use a totally different theme. If you want to go with a Bohemian look for your bedroom, you just build around this theme by picking up things that will suit this motif. Also, try digging through old chests in the attic for items that would compliment the new style of your bedroom.
• Decorate your Bed
  Purchase new bedspreads and pillows that will compliment the new style of your room. Pay a visit to the linen department of any mall: browse through their selection of beautiful sheets, bed skirts, comforters, and pillows. The bedroom is a person's sanctuary: that is why it is important that it offers comfort. After a hard day's work, people just want to lie down in bed, relax, and forget about the day that has just passed. Their beds should offer them maximum comfort so that they are rejuvenated for the next day. The condition of the bed is of utmost importance - it is the most essential part of any bedroom makeover!

Renovating a bedroom does not have to cost you a fortune! Just making key changes will make a world of a difference. Those who are on an extremely tight budget do not have to redecorate their bedroom all at once; they can make improvements as their finances allow. Giving a bedroom a much needed makeover can be an exciting and challenging activity. It can give people just the right boost they need to start their day out right.

Let's face it, who wants to wake up to a messy and/or dreadful looking bedroom? By renovating their bedroom individuals can give themselves that much needed change of environment that will help brighten their day!

Here's a great idea if you are decorating for a Valentine's Day event, or would just like a nice keepsake gift for loved ones. The hand blown glass hearts at ConiArtGlass.com make great party or wedding favors, gifts, and year round decorating accessories for your home.

In the image on the right, you can see one way they can be used as party or wedding favors. Put one at each place setting to let your guests know how much you appreciate their participation in your event.

Another idea to to hang them in windows to let the sun shine through them - beautiful! Or, put them in lovely bowls or centerpieces. There are so many ways to use them. Need a gift for a co-worker or friend, they also can be used as paper weights.

The glass hearts come in several unique and beautiful colors, and ConiArtGlass.com will sell them at wholesale or retail prices, depending on the number of pieces you require.

So if you are looking for a unique and beautiful party or wedding favor, decorating or gift idea, take a look at the mouth blown glass hearts at Coni Art Glass!

Re-upholster for Low Cost Decorating: It’s more than Just Saving Money

With everyone these days talking about the problems in the economy, and the need for everyone to save money, here is one low cost decorating idea that makes sense!

Although you may think that re-upholstering their furniture is only done to save more money, in reality, it can offer more advantages than just cutting expenses. However, cutting expenses can be a great thing too!

Some people argue that re-upholstering is expensive; even more so than buying new furniture. The debate continues over whether it is more economical to re-upholster furniture or buy new.

What many people fail to realize is that re-upholstered furniture is often preferred for a number of reasons other than saving money. Statistics show that 8 out of 10 people would rather re-upholster their furniture and their main reason is not even about money.

Do you want to know why more and more people are considering re-upholstering than buying new furnishings? Here’s why:

1. To preserve the quality of the furniture
   Survey shows that nearly 85% of the items being re-upholstered have damage on the outer surface only. This means that most of the damages are minor; padding that is sticking out or damage to the upholstery. If the damage is not to the framework itself, it is an indication that the framework is probably still in good condition and it would be better to preserve it and have it re-upholstered than to purchase new furniture.
2. For remembrance
   Nearly 75% of the people who had their furniture re-upholstered contend that they wanted to preserve their memories of the furniture; perhaps it was the first furniture acquired after their marriage or it has been handed down from generation to generation.
   If the fabric of their furniture is worn out, give it a sparkle and a new life by re-upholster it because some things are worth preserving!
3. For adaptability of desired patterns
   One of the best things about re-upholstering is that people can choose a quality material and designs that they prefer for their furniture. They can have the look that they have always wanted without compromising the price.
   Re-upholstering for low cost decorating cannot be underrated because it offers more advantages than just monetary saving.

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Wedding Decorating - Unique Wedding Favors for Each Table

Provide unique wedding favors for each table at your wedding is a way to let your guests know how much you appreciate their attendance at your wedding. Standard practice is to give each guest the same favor, but if your centerpieces will vary from table to table you may want to vary the favors as well. This is a great idea for those couples who cannot settle on one overall theme for their wedding. You may choose to have a different theme for each table. As a result, you may also prefer to have a different wedding favor for each table. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of offering unique wedding favors for each table at your reception.

One of the most obvious advantages to offering unique favors at each table is it prevents the couple from having to select just one wedding favor. There is a wide variety of wedding favors available and many couples have a great deal of trouble selecting just one favor. This may be because they are not agreeing on which favor would be the most appropriate or because they each have several different favors which they really like and are having difficulty narrowing down their options. For either of these cases, the idea of giving different wedding favors at each table is a great idea.

Another advantage to giving unique wedding favors for each table is that the couple can branch out and either choose several different themes or one overall theme which they vary slightly from table to table. Once you know your table arrangements and seating chart, you can also vary the favors accordingly. This can make the process of shopping for wedding favors a lot more fun for couples who enjoy doing this. However, couples who feel stressed out by the process of selecting wedding favors would be wise to simply stick to one wedding favor because the process of selecting several different favors can make the planning exponentially more stressful.

One of the major disadvantages of offering unique favors at each table is the couple will not likely be eligible for bulk order discounts. Many wedding favor manufacturers are often willing to offer discounts to couple who are ordering a large number of the same favor to distribute to all of their guests. However, couples who are ordering different favors for each table will likely not qualify for these discounts. Most weddings have approximately 8-12 people at each table. This means the couple will not be ordering many of each favor and will most likely have to pay full price for each one.

Another disadvantage to providing unique wedding favors for each table is it can make setting the tables more complicated. If each table will also have a unique centerpiece and the wedding favors are designed to match the centerpiece, special care must be taken to ensure the correct favors are placed at the correct table. This may be obvious if the favors are unwrapped but if they are wrapped it can be incredibly difficult. Someone familiar with the favors and how they were wrapped should oversee the process of setting the tables to ensure the correct favors are placed at each table.

Another disadvantage to giving unique wedding favors to each table is it may create discontent among the guests. For example some guests may feel as though the favors given to one table are nicer than the ones given to the table at which they are seated. This is not a major concern as most guests will not make these types of comparisons but if the couple is concerned about this possibility they may wish to keep the wedding favors the same for each table.

1. You must keep your kitchen clean for you to work conveniently and free from any time consuming activities before you cook. Discard any items that you will not use and place them in a place where you can locate them easier when the time comes that you will need their use.
2. If there are medicines, spices, or food that have already met their expiration, you can put them in the trash or discard those things immediately.
3. Store cooking utensils, pots, and pans in an area near to where the stove is placed. You can congest the cooking materials for you to have more space in cooking.
4. If there are large materials and cooking utensils that are seldom used in the kitchen, you may want to remove them and place them in a cupboard. There are even appliances that are not used in your everyday cooking. You may consider adding to your kitchen an appliance barn. This can store your juicers, toasters, blenders, and other appliances on the countertop with order and arrangement.
5. Place the silverwares and dishes close to your dining area. It can be accessible for you to get these items when you are about to eat. You may need silverware holders and racks to have more space.
6. You have to be aware of the materials or tools that are reachable by your children such as knives, cleaning chemicals, and alcohol. Keep them in high places where they cannot be reached.
7. You may use a bulletin board or the refrigerator to stick or hang reminders and schedules. These can help you to have an enjoyable and organized time in the kitchen. Designate spots for your mail and bills and check them out everyday.
8. Always keep you refrigerator clean and neat both inside and outside. If you see mystery foods, discard them at once. Sometimes there are unknown items that are placed in the refrigerator.
9. If you are through with the kitchen, you must check everything before you leave the kitchen. Do not forget to turn off the lights and the ceiling fan and everything that you used with electricity. The key to an organized kitchen is maintenance.

Home Decorating with a Native American Theme

There really is no style of home decorating that can be identified as decidedly Native American. There are however touches that can be added to almost any style of décor. The trick is always a matter of incorporating these things without making them seem out of place. Of all the design styles that exist, and of course depending on the tribe in question, the southwestern style of home decorating and design would actually make a good match for many Native American artifacts, touches, and artwork.

Pottery is central to a Native American theme. Different tribes had different styles of creating pottery. If you have a favorite tribe or a favorite style of pottery you may want to build the remainder of the room or design area around the pottery you love as it is quite personal to many people and not all styles of pottery will match all other styles of weaving, carving, basket making, or artwork. Pottery is very useful in a kitchen if you plan to use some of it in this room. Not only can most pottery be baked when cooking but it also works wonders for storing things like utensils that you would like to have in reach, strays, napkins, and any other things you can think to store within the pottery you have available. If you are going to pay for it you may as well put it to good use.

Speaking of artwork. There are some beautiful Native American prints as well as some 'sand art' that is a must have for a room that is trying to capture the spirit of the Native American or at least a specific tribe and incorporate that spirit into their homes. I think this is a beautiful idea for those who wish to pay their respects to those who are ancestors to many of us. Not that the pottery mentioned above isn't art work in and of itself but the addition of art that can be placed on the wall is a welcome addition in many homes.

Keep in mind also that many Native Americans played the flute. Some people display a collection of Native American flutes next to their prized pieces of art. There really is no wrong way to go about home decorating when it is your own home that is being decorated. Select the things you like, omit the things you do not like. You do not even have to be loyal to one tripe, design, style, or region when decorating your home. Some people have happy little collections that are filled with all kinds of odds and ends pieces from a wide variety of artistic styles along the way.

For those who are hoping to stick with a somewhat Native American theme baskets are once again a good selection to add to the collection. Baskets are not only lovely but also incredibly useful for holding blankets, throws, rugs, pillows, knitting supplies, magazines, and anything else you do not wish to have cluttering the living spaces of your home. They are even quite good about hiding remote controls for the electronic equipment when you place them cleverly throughout the room.

The best suggestion for those who wish to honor their Native American neighbors and ancestors by incorporating the artwork and designs into their home decorating plans is not to spend too much time planning. The Native Americans appreciated nature and allowing many things to happen naturally. Use this opportunity to learn this very important lesson while incorporating other great things you appreciate about them into your home.

Here are some cost-saving tips when decorating an apartment;

1. If you have any posters, one good idea is to use straight pins to hang them, and make the smallest holes. If they are framed, use the smallest nail possible so that when the lease ends the holes will be easy to patch using a spackling compound.
2. If the apartment is fully furnished, cover the furniture with decorative and colorful throws to prevent it from getting dirty or stained.
3. Buying a disposable rug or carpet would be better than an expensive one to protect the floor. Outlets such as Home Depot offer some great choices that are nice looking and very inexpensive. Should the carpet become soiled or stained you won't feel badly about throwing it out due to the small investment.
4. Check out retailers like Pier One Imports or IKEA for inexpensive furnishings and accessories. IKEA has many options from which to choose, and is quite inexpensive.
5. Inspect the apartment with the landlord before you move in to check for existing damage, or cracks or holes in the walls from the previous occupant. These should be duely noted so that you are not charged for this damage at the end of your lease.
6. Tenants can usually paint or apply wallpaper only with permission from the owner. In many cases landlords will allow the walls to be painted, and will even pay for the paint, if they approve the color. Most owners who will allow repainting will specify the color which is generally an off white, but you can negotiate. Be sure there is sufficient paint saved for any touch up that needs to be done later.
7. If you want privacy use curtains that can be hung using spring tension rods. These are both easier to assemble and disassemble than standard curtain rods.

Types of Closet Organization Systems

Getting your closet organized by accessing the available space requires you to decide on the type of closet
organization system you want to use. There are three types to choose from – hanging rods, shelves, and drawers. Of course there are various accessories you can add to enhance the space you have in your closet, but these are the main types of closet organization systems you have available to work with.

Hanging rods can be much more versatile than just a long bar that hangs across your closet, as most of use having hanging in our closet. You can choose to install a second hanging rod, and double your hanging space instantly. You can also choose to have a hanging rod that only goes across half of your closet, in one tier or two. This is a great way to access the remaining space in your closet for other closet organization products.

Shelving units in your closet are an excellent way of getting it organized. You can use simple dividers to make several small shelving areas. Have you ever piled too much on the top shelf of your closet only to watch everything topple over? Or you simply have to dig through the pile each time you want to wear a particular item? Having multiple shelves makes separating your clothing items and accessories a very easy feat. You will be able to find everything you want in an instant.

You can make the shelves as long or short as you desire. You can also choose the depth. Depending on the type of material you use to device the shelving units, you may be able to adjust them later on as your storage needs change.

Baskets and drawers are great for storing anything you can think of in your closet. Make sure you choose a closet organization system that offers drawers or baskets that slide in and out with easy. Again, you can choose the width and the depth of these baskets and drawers to suit your needs and your closet space. You may have to make them skinny, you can add depth to get more in them.

Take your time to find the closet organization system that works best for you. There are so many different set ups and types of materials to choose from that you may have a hard time making up your mind. If you are unsure of the best set up for you, look at various resources available to you. The internet is a great way to find information on various closet organization systems. You can find several websites that allow you to enter the dimensions of your closet and see what you can come up with. Try a layout in many different materials to see what you will be the happiest with.

You will save money if you purchase a closet organization system or kit over purchasing the various products individually. You will also be assured that they all fit together properly, with only one customer support center to work with in the event you have complications while you try to get everything installed.

The internet is a great place to compare the different manufacturers of closet organization systems. You can find out about designs, the level of skill needed to assemble them and the cost. It is also a good idea to read reviews about the various closet organization systems to find out what other consumers are experiencing with the one they chose to purchase.

If you are interested in more information about decorating in the Asian style, find out more about Feng Shui the art of living in the Asian style. Feng Shui incorporates the art of "placement" or how to place furnishings, artwork, and other pieces in the correct areas of the home for the proper flow of energy through the home, and much more..... This book, Home Design With Feng Shui A-Z (Hay House Lifestyles) is one of the easiest to use, and best that we have found to date. Give it a try!

Decorating with Elegant Christmas Decorations

Every year, millions of Americans decorate their homes for the upcoming holiday season. Are you one of those people? If so, what kind of Christmas decorations do you plan to use? While you may not think that there is a difference in Christmas decorations, there is. The difference is often in the overall quality of materials used, as well as the design. If you have not started decorating for Christmas, you may want to think about decorating your home with elegant Christmas decorations, which are very en vogue this year. You will find that there are a number of benefits when doing so.

Before we focus on those benefits, let's take a look at elegant Christmas decorations, namely what they are and from where they can be purchased. When it comes to elegant Christmas decorations, you will find that each individual will have a different view of what it is. Despite these many different views, you will usually find that elegant Christmas decorations simply look better than most other decorations. For example, instead of using cardboard to create a table centerpiece, an elegant Christmas decoration would likely include a porcelain, crystal or glass centerpiece. Likewise, handmade, mouth blown glass ball ornaments from Europe, such as the ones pictured above, look much nicer than plastic ornaments, and so on....

In addition to the refined look of elegant Christmas decorations, you will also find that their cost is different. In most cases, you will find that the more elegant Christmas decorations cost more than some of the traditional decorations. Aside from the better quality materials and design, you will find that this has to do with where you can purchase the decorations. Usually the most elegant Christmas decorations can be purchased online, from specialty retailers, or from specialty Christmas stores. Many of these retailers are priced higher than others. One of the reasons for that is because most elegant Christmas decorations are handcrafted. A large amount of time, and skill go into creating handcrafted Christmas decorations; thus the increase in costs.

Perhaps, the greatest benefit of using elegant Christmas decorations to decorate your home is the feel they will create. Elegant Christmas decorations tend to create a more formal or elegant feel or environment. If you take great pride in your home, you will also be proud of the results created when using elegant Christmas decorations. Your guests will be impressed as well.

If you are planning a Christmas party or dinner in your home, elegant Christmas decorations can help set the mood and tone, especially if your party or dinner will be more elegant or formal in nature. It is no secret that decorations are the key to any party. The decorations that you use will likely have an impact on the mood of your party; therefore, if elegant and formal is what you were going for, elegant Christmas decorations may do just the trick.

Elegant Christmas decorations can add just the right ambiance and environment that you are planning; however, you do not have to only use formal decorations. It is your home, your own personal space, so decorate with what makes you feel the most comfortable.

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Room Colors and Feng Shui

When it comes to Feng Shui home decorating, designers should not forget the subject of Feng Shui colors.

The entire Chinese culture is based on the metaphysical system of "I-Ching," which classifies everything in the universe into "Yin" and "Yang." This "Yin/Yang" concept further branches itself into the "5 Elements," which are Metal, Water, Wood, Fire and Earth. From here comes the interesting concept of the manipulation of the various forms of these elements.

For example, in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the lungs are of the Metal element; the kidneys, water; the liver, wood; the heart, fire, and the stomach, earth. It's the careful balancing of these five elements in the forms of their various representations that this type of medicine, one of the finest and oldest in the world, has been founded upon.

At the same time, in Feng Shui, the directions are also classified into different elements: West is of the Metal element; North, water; East, wood; South, Fire and center, earth. Thus the whole game of Feng Shui home decorating is just how well these 5 elements are utilized according to the unique characteristics each element dictates.

In terms of Feng Shui colors, "Metal" is represented by the colors "golden, silver, and white," whereas "Water" is "blue, gray and black;" "Wood," "green and wooden-like;" "Fire," "red, orange, pink and purple" and "Earth," "brown and yellow."

Of course, the utilization of these elements can be carried out in a very general way. But one can also go very deep and be very precise in the presentation of their significance in a very detailed fashion.

For example, it is often read from many a book on the subject of Feng Shui that, in order to enhance the well-being of the Eastern part of the house, one can simply put more of what represents the Wood element over there, such as plants, green pictures, wooden furniture, etc. just because East is Wood.

But this practice is, although partially correct in theory, very misleading in actuality because that is not how Feng Shui decorating is to be done.

Ancient Feng Shui texts dictate that one is to deduce the correct choices for element employment from the further interaction of the "Yin" and "Yang," rather than just with the elements themselves.

In other words, the true Feng Shui master will order the employment of various elements based upon not just the directions themselves, but the configuration of the "Flying Star Feng Shui" which is a calculation methodology that blends together the interactions among the 5 elements in various dimensions. Namely, such methodology takes into account the time space spectrum to come up with the "Flying Star Table" which will serve as the blueprint for authentic Feng Shui tips to be applied.

To completely understand the "Flying Star Feng Shui" methodology will take a very long time of thorough study; however, to apply what it reveals can be easily done - just as one doesn't have to be an electrician to be able to use electricity by flipping a switch.

Therefore, the most correct applications of the Feng Shui colors will only be done in accordance with the configurations dictated by the "Flying Star table" itself. Hence the need to come up with the most appropriate set of numbers within the "Flying Star table" with which to reflect the various positions of these 5 elements before the right Feng Shui colors are put onto the right place.

What is the first thing you notice when you walk into a home? Probably the walls, right? Walls surround the home, giving a thematic impression. If your walls are empty you've got to get to work to on them. Wall hangings can often be expensive, but that's only if you purchase something by a famous dead artist.

You can create your own artwork without having any art education whatsoever. First, consider your theme. Let's say you want add some small artwork to a bathroom. You could consider framing some beautiful sea shells. Simply arrange the shells creatively onto either a sheet of colored paper or onto fabric, and frame them.

If you have hundreds of pictures and have no idea what to do with them, you could arrange the photos into a huge wall photo collage. Examples include pictures of places you have visited, weddings, or children growing up. Although it's more fun creating your collage yourself, there are companies that will create one for you. One of my favorites is SmugMug. They'll mount your digital prints on canvas, ceramic tiles and more, to create a work of art that no one else will have but you!

Consider pressing leaves or flowers and framing your work; the best ones to use are flat. Place the leaves or flowers in a book, with papertowels on each side, to allow them to dry flat. As soon as they become crisp, they are ready to be framed. It shouldn't take longer than a week or two for them to dry.

You are only limited by your imagination when you decorate your home with artwork. Be creative. Don't be afraid to experiment with different types of art - artwork is easily reversible.

So, be imaginative and creative and design your artwork.