Spanish Ceramics

Spanish Ceramics

Ceramic Garden Pixies

Ceramic Garden Pixies

Should they be Released Back into the Wild?

Ceramic garden pixies provoke one of two feelings; you either love them or you hate them, but one thing is for sure they are a source of fun for people all over the world.

Well, the funniest story I ever heard about ceramic garden pixies was this one that happened to my sister-in law. She had a sweet little garden pixie complete with a fishing rod which she set on the edge of a pond in her back garden. She loved it, even though her husband hated the thing and kept telling her to get rid of it because he thought it was embarrassing. Well, anyway, they kept arguing about it and in the end, her husband paid some local boys to steal it from the garden and get rid of it.

The boys took it away, and my sister-in-law was heartbroken, of course, but then a funny thing happened and she got a postcard in the mail from her missing pixie! It said that he was very well and that he had decided to take a trip around the world, because just sitting by the pond in her garden was boring! I'll never forget the look of astonishment on her face when she read that first card. And through all of that year, she kept getting these postcards from all over the world and all signed, Pixie.

She was pretty annoyed that it had been stolen, but she couldn't understand why anyone would be so crazy as to keep sending the postcards. We all thought it was hilarious, because what had happened was that one of the boys who had been paid to remove the pixie from the garden, had then gone off on a year long student trip around the world and he was sending the postcards for fun! When her husband finally confessed, she got her revenge by making him take her to the Garden Centre where she bought three more ceramic garden pixies and a ceramic garden stool.

A lot of people get pleasure from supporting the 'human' rights of garden pixies. For example, in Paris in 2005, there was a daring nighttime attack on an exhibition of antique ceramic garden pixies held in a museum. The 'Pixie Liberation Front' stole more than 20 of the pixies and later issued a statement demanding that all ceramic garden pixies should be liberated and released back into their natural habitat!

And in several parts of the world, police have had to be called in to solve cases of missing pixies. In Fairfax County, Washington D.C. a woman complained that her garden pixies were being stolen, one each night. The police installed a spy camera and filmed the thief in the act on four separate occasions. It turned out to be a Labrador retriever dog, which had been retrieving the ceramic garden pixies and taking them to his home!

Ceramic Garden Pixies

And in Australia, the gardens of one specific residential area were totally cleared of garden pixies, which left the local police mystified. It wasn't until several months later that the pixies were found in a bush clearing where they had been carefully set out around the largest one, as if having a meeting.

If you are a lover of ceramic garden pixies and you visit England, you absolutely must visit the Pixie and Gnome Reserve, set in some wonderful countryside in northern Devon. In a beautiful four acre reserve, there are more than a thousand gnomes and pixies made out of pottery, porcelain and ceramics. It's very popular with children who always love anything to do with fairies, elves and pixies. Apparently, the owners just started with one or two around their large garden and in the small wood next to it and then every time they spotted a ceramic garden pixie they hadn't got, they bought it and now they've got enough to populate a small village!

It's clear that although to many people the ceramic garden pixie is an abomination, there are many others who find that their cheery presence brightens up our lives and adds a bit of fun to the gardens they inhabit.

Ceramic Head

Ceramic Head

Precision Ceramic

Investment casting is one of the oldest methods in metal-working existence known. From more than 5,000 years ago as a "lost wax investment casting" of the historical process in the wax pattern, which is then used for various components and products used to create a form.

Fast forward to today, thousands of years later, and science are the same. However, investment casting foundries in the world, new innovations such as high-tech refractory materials have been developed and made many advances of computers and CAD possible.

Similar to the results of our forefathers, when they do, casting offer a repeatability and unmatched quality - make the investment casting of small parts and most of high quality alloy is a good alternative to other production methods which are less accurate.

Investment Casting Process: An Overview

Design

Investment casting process begins with design. This may be an image that already exists or the prototype to be.

Mold next step is to create a mold. From the designs, drawings, or produce investment casting injection mold prototype. Wax molds and then milled with computer-aided design and / or computer-aided manufacturing, old marriage of science and high technology.

Meeting wax model

Some of the wax mold pattern on a tree or 'sprue' to all parts.

Layer

In the next part of the process, the ceramic shell or primary sludge, applied to the tree or sprue, a layer of liquid wax in fine ceramic components. During the wet pulp, in very fine sand covered and then let dry before another is more mud and sand is applied. This is repeated until six or more layers of wax on ceramic shell assembly

Outgrow

Later in the process, the ceramic plate is ready to be removed for the installation of wax from the inside. This is done using an autoclave, where the ceramic shell to melt on a tray and autoclave with steam to the wax into the mold.

High-temperature burnout

After the wax on the skins of ceramic bear high temperature fatigue of ceramic forms to heal removed. After this process they are ready for the heating and casting.

Melting and casting metal

In the step of precision investment casting process, a high quality alloy melt in the oven. This step is essential to the quality of the casting. In ensuring that part of the process, degassing and alloy, the properties of the optimal liquid metal for casting. Metal is then poured into ceramic molds.

Cooling

After cooling, a metal foundry, which has taken the form of patterns in stock. When the casting has cooled, ceramic bowl with water jet, the metal foundry located approximately at a cost.

Cut Off, Grinding and Finishing

unwanted port will then be cut with a saw and then removed by grinding. This is by thorns and hand tools, equipment and surfaces that a closed and finished casting production followed.

Although this is a fine cast done a certain way there are other ways to make castings - such as vacuum casting, typically used for casting aluminum. As the old story of fine cast of thousands of years of innovation, technological progress and the modern foundries, as to prove Alcumet Incorporated, that the process will always have a place in the manufacturing new parts, components and products to see.

Branches of Ceramics

Branches of Ceramics

Generally speaking ceramics are clustered into two categories. These are called "traditional" or "advanced". The traditional category is generally the one where consumer goods are located. Anything that is used for day to day use like dishes, ovenware or other utensils that may be used in a kitchen are the traditional ceramics.

When an industry takes ceramics to look at their other components like the mechanical, electrical, optical or other ways to use the product, it becomes a more commercial strength and is used in a bigger way. There are also refectories and they are used in iron and steel making. There are a variety of products that are made through the use of ceramics in both of these branches. Some are listed below (courtesy of The American Ceramic Society):

Traditional Branches of Ceramics:

- Structural clay products like bricks, sewer pipes, roofing tile

- Things like dinnerware or electrical porcelain

- Different kinds of glasses like flat or container glass.

- Natural and Synthetic Diamonds

Advanced Branches of Ceramics:

- Automotive parts like brakes, rotors or spark plugs

- Aerospace parts like thermal insulation or satellite positioning equipment

- Optical parts for dental and medical

- Optical parts for telecommunications.

Ceramic branches are really about the materials that are used to do things in our world. When you understand that these branches are the foundation of what ceramics will do, then you can take this into an understanding of different places where it can be used.

Ceramics in Construction:

You will find some sort of ceramics in all kinds of building materials. You will see it in the floors, countertops and fireplaces. You can see that many new homes have applied ceramic floors for a new kind of stoned looked. You will also see that ceramics are used for decoration around a fireplace to add color to a room.

Clay bricks will often be used in areas where hurricanes or other natural disasters occur because they are very strong and often can withstand these elements when other building materials will falter.

Ceramics in Aerospace:

Ceramic coatings are used a lot by the military and by other governmental divisions because they are sturdy and last a long time. In fact, ceramics have been used the space shuttle.

The biggest place that ceramics are used is in aircraft and space shuttles because the fibers act as fire protectors and thermal insulation so that the crafts won't blow up as the engines heat up. The ceramics resist heat and are light weight.

Branches of Ceramics

Another industry where ceramics play a large part is in sports. You will find them in race car brakes and in some golf clubs. With golf clubs it makes a good putter because it is light weight and they are tough. So, the average golfer can throw them or otherwise abuse them and they will still help them make an even swing.

Ceramics and Electronics:

You probably know that ceramics have been used in many of your electronic equipment from radios to GPS devices. They are used to do a variety of things within this equipment. Many of the new laptops and PCs will have tiny ceramic transistors in them that will give them more speed and take up less space inside them.

Ceramics in Medicine:

There are medical breakthroughs that are using ceramics. As an example, cancer patients are benefiting from glass beads called TheraSpheresTM that are actually very tiny and made radioactive through a specific process. These are used to help people with liver cancer. They are inserted into the tumor to help reduce it and they leave less damage than regular chemotherapy.

Ceramic Lights

Ceramic Lights

Ceramic art equipment is a good way for a creative environment and colorful for the fix. You not only liberate themselves from the trendy Standard equipment, it is an additional benefit, the art of their craft. There are hundreds of groups of lights that produce thousands of game plan that produced in bulk. New trend for this generation, creativity and new style to express age. light can reach the individual painted ceramics and glass, or any style. Artists touched by you or a professional artist living environment will shine with originality.

Ceramic Design and surface

Ceramic lamp has a subtle curve design that flows through the room. It adds color and pattern you have a heart feel lighter and special creative. Ceramic texture allows many different versions. Finish standard acrylic paint can be used for flat. The surface of the glass allows the freedom of artistic expression, color schemes and designs. By increasing the lighting of lamps and interior detail true color of the ceramic itself bring

This technique is a combustion process which permanently lock the color and pattern on the ceramic. Each light is hand made easily varied offer great sense of diversity and unity. Another option for the production of finished ceramic false light. These are the conclusions related to the texture of acrylic paintings and add another layer of texture and color. Faux finish is the same glazes they only have a more organized pattern. Finally, the last option to try painting their own furniture and lighting can be as creative as your own ceramic art.

A19 Lighting is a good brand to start your search. Choosing the right lighting can really enhance a remarkable way the design and layout of your home or office. Characters have the ceramic wall lamp or pendant, the difference between periods and exclamation marks.

There are some specific brands with some pretty innovative design. Enjoy shopping wisely choose and enjoy the wonderful world of lighting. Or Shop for ceramic lamps painted in a light that is truly unique.

Ceramic Sculptures

Ceramic Sculptures

Ceramic sculptures are known to be very powerful home accents. Their unique collections comprise of wonderful pieces of art in this medium, which is known for its great finishing. These decors are very realistic and owing to their great creativity and art, they have become one of the most powerful home accents. They are available in wonderful choices such as sculptures of people, animals, objects as well as abstract sculptures. Every piece is crafted with perfect designing and finishing thus having such a perfect decor within your place is nothing but a treat for your home.

You can go for beautiful figures of animals such as dolphins, dogs, fish, horses etc. the figures of people also have some great options like musicians playing music, couple dancing, head of men etc. there are also some striking abstract figures and objects which present a different kind of art and decor for your interior.

Before you seek to buy these sculptures, it is important to decide as where you want to place them. You should also keep your budget in mind, as these decors can be expensive at times. However, if you are tight on budget, the best way to get these accents is to look for them online. There are some great online stores, which offer discounts on these decors, which allow people with little resources to buy some great decors for their home.

Other than making them a part of your home, you can also use these accents as gifts for your loved ones. They make perfect presents for special occasions such as housewarming, weddings, anniversaries, Valentine's Day etc. Such lovely gifts will certainly delight your loved ones and getting them on discount helps to save your money.

Ceramic Wedding Favors

Ceramic Wedding Favors

So you are getting married and you would like to purchase some really nice and useful wedding favors. Well ceramic wedding favors are the way to go. Although they are breakable they are also very useful also. Below I have put together a list of some of the more popular ceramic wedding favors that you can purchase as wedding favors for your wedding guests.

Two Peas in a Pod - Ceramic Salt & Pepper Shakers in Ivy Print Gift Box

Each shaker is dainty and detailed and reusable time and again. Add a cheerful touch to your garden party, reception or bridal shower. Guests of all ages will love this sweet little favor! Showcase box frames the clear window with an adorable curling ivy print. Box measures 5 inches long by 2.5 inches wide.

Wedding Cake Salt and Pepper Mini-Shakers in Designer "Thank You" Gift Box

These adorable shakers will impress your guests with their exquisitely detailed silver accents. Each set of two shakers arrives in a textured display "Thank You" box which shimmers with a subtle sheen and is prettily finished with a delicate organza bow. Shakers stand approximately 2 inches tall.

Ceramic Wedding Favors

Ceramic Shell & Star Fish Salt & Pepper Shaker

Celebrate the "Perfect Pair" with this ceramic shell and starfish salt and pepper gift set. The shell and starfish salt and pepper shakers are presented in an off white box with a clear top that measures 5" x 3". Each shaker measures approximately 1.5" x 1.75". Comes with "Thank You" tag

This is just a few of the very many ceramic wedding favors out there on the market today. So just browse around the many different retailers and you will surely find the perfect ceramic wedding favors for you.

Ceramic Rabbit

Ceramic Rabbit

Ceramic Fish

Ceramic Fish

Ceramic Floor Tile Grouting

Ceramic Floor Tile Grouting

When your tiled floor has completely set in mortar after a minimum waiting period of at least 24 hours, it is only then that you should re-enter the room and inspect your handiwork close-up in order to proceed with the next stage. Once you're happy that your floor tiles are all sitting even and aligned to perfection, and none require any unnecessary and painstaking removal due to neglect of the previous stages of level subfloor installation and the laying of floor tiles, then your next step is to begin grouting.

Before you actually do apply tile grout to your grout lines though, you must prepare the lines so that they are ready to be filled. First of all, do the obvious and remove all your floor tile spacers from the grout lines. Next, you'll want to inspect every single grout line carefully for points of excessive mortar, and prepare to clean them out before the application of tile grout.

The general rule with grout lines is to have them all at a consistent depth of at least halfway down the thickness of the floor tiles installed, or better still a minimum of 1/4" inch deep. There will more than likely be raised spots of mortar at certain points in your grout lines that were missed during the floor tile installation process, and to achieve the perfect grout finish these must be removed.

If high spots of mortar were left in the grout lines when you apply the tile grout, these can either show through the formed grout when finished, or even if they are not seen after grouting they can eventually cause cracking in the grout given time. Cracked grout means that your floor is no longer sealed and waterproof, and even if the depth or width of the grout is inconsistently less than the required minimum, the lack of a solid quantity of grout can cause this problem all the same.

Therefore, it is very important to clean grout lines properly before applying tile grout, and to do this you can use a variety of tools. Dried mortar is similar to concrete and grout lines are quite narrow, so obviously you are going to need a thin tipped tool solid enough for chipping and scraping purposes.

A flat head screwdriver is the most common of tools to be found around the home, so instantly it becomes a good option, but not entirely the best. You can also use your 6-in-1 all purpose painters tool for only scraping or popping out chunks of mortar, but if you need to actually chip out a piece using a hammer also, then it becomes a poor choice.

You can actually buy grout cleaner tools which are a fine blade embedded in a plastic housing. Again ideal for scraping, but not actual chipping, the blades on these can tend to be a little on the narrow side. This can add extra time to your job in order to clean out wider 3/16" or 1/4" inch grout lines found in ceramic floor tiling, and not to mention be sharp enough to scratch a tile, but they can be ideal for grout lines if 1/8" inch wide if used carefully.

Chisels however are normally the best choice for cleaning grout lines. Whether it is a narrow tipped cold chisel or a blunt wood chisel, these can be the perfect tools for scraping out wide lines, as well as being able to take some punishment from a hammer.

Cold chisels though which are ideal for taking a beating, can sometimes tend to be a little on the wide side for a nice deep clean, without causing damage to your tile edges. They also don't posses a grip handle, which makes them a little on the short side to work with resulting in less control. This process of elimination has therefore left us with one ideal candidate for the job of cleaning grout lines. The tool which I personally prefer to use and recommend for this task, has to be that of the humble wood chisel with a blunt and well used tip.

Matt is a proud husband and father of a 2 1/2 year old daughter, with another little one on the way. He and his wife live in a 60 year old home that he was able to fix up over a few years in his "spare time". With a love for floor tiling and extreme sports, the two don't necessarily mix, but help to add to his outgoing personality and ability to tackle almost any problem.

It took Matt almost 3 years to perfect his book "A Unique Step-By-Step Guide: Making Floor Tiling Easier". He wanted to make it as accessible as possible for people of all varying degrees of experience.

Painted Ceramic Floor Tiles

Painted Ceramic Floor Tiles

Today there are a new option for people who wish to decorate their homes with ceramic floor tiles. And that is to have paint ceramic floor tiles that are painted to their liking. This is really a nice option for creative individuals, who can express them self this way, and paint their rooms this way. Also, it can allow you to break the monotony of the usual dark tones that most ceramic tiles are produced with, and paint ceramic floor tiles to vivid colors, which will enhance your enjoyment in the space where you place them.

These paint ceramic floor tiles are produced by painting them manually, by hand, to your liking. This can be done for you by people who specialized in that. You can try and look up for some of those tiles in stores that are specialized for ceramic tiles in general. Or you can try and get in touch with people who are making them through the Internet.

These paint ceramic floor tiles, that are painted by hand, often follow certain motives, like a field of flowers, or some other nature theme, or they can portray something totally different. The only thing that links all of these tiles is that they are original. Perhaps, you can even say they are a work of art. Of course, they are more expensive than usual tiles. Manual work necessary for creating them always come at a cost.

These paint ceramic floor tiles can take various positions on the floor where they are placed. They can just take the border tiles, but sometimes they can be placed in the middle of the floor, and form some sort of a mosaic there.

These paint ceramic floor tiles are usually created by coloring white glazed tiles with various paint.

Painted Ceramic Floor Tiles

To paint ceramic floor tiles one should probably have artistic talents, for as we mentioned, most people who are looking for these tiles are regarding them as certain works of art. Also, they really want to decorate their rooms with them, not just merely place tiles in them. These paint ceramic floor tiles can be used for decorating various rooms in ones home. They are, however, most often used in living rooms, children bedrooms, and recreational areas. And if you are a person looking to buy some of these tiles you too should have in mind that they are a work of art, and unique. Therefore you should not expect to get them whenever you want, as it is unlikely that the artist who created them will create a similar work.

Apart from the aesthetic reasons, these tiles should be considered for their other benefits like the fact that they are easy to maintain, simply due to the fact that they are ceramic tiles. Also, they are highly resistant to moist, and and various stains.

To conclude, if you want a functional, yet artistic addition to your home had painted ceramic tiles could just the thing for you.

Laying Ceramic Floor Tiles

Laying Ceramic Floor Tiles

Ceramic tiles are made from clay dust pressed into moulds and baked at high temperatures. If you choose the option of laying ceramic floor tile, you will be using a tile that has been used for hundreds of years, since they are so durable and are capable of withstanding heavy use, they are waterproof and will not be affected by most household spillages. Many Victorian houses that have ceramic tiling look as good today as they did when they were laid. The main areas for laying ceramic floor tile are the hall, kitchen and bathroom.

Ceramic floor tiles are slightly thicker than wall tiles, they come in a variety of designs, shapes,colours and patterns, and are available either glazed or unglazed. As with any job preparation is key to getting it right, this is no different with laying ceramic floor tile. If you are laying ceramic floor tile over a concrete floor surface, you need to first repair and fill in any holes, clean any grease off the surface and sweep leaving the floor free of dust before applying a sealant.

When laying ceramic floor tiles you will need to use an adhesive recommended by the manufacturer of the tile, this will usually be a bituminous cement based or solvent based adhesive. A trowel or spreader to apply the adhesive, spacers and a tile cutter or saw. If tiling over floorboards screw loose floorboards to the joists and then cover with 12mm exterior grade plywood, make sure the screws are countersunk and then seal the plywood surface.

How many tiles will I need? you can work this out by using the tile size to find out how many tiles there are in a row, then add up the number of rows, count the tiles you will have to cut as a whole one and then allow another row for any broken tiles you might have.

The final part of your preparation when laying ceramic floor tiles is deciding which grout to use. Waterproof grout is available in many colours, and white is always a popular choice but bear in mind this tends to show up dirty marks easily. Now we are ready to start. The first thing I recommend before you start laying ceramic floor tile is that you plan your tile layout on paper, in an awkward shaped room your tiles should follow a main feature such as a run of kitchen units.

Ok now we can get down to the real business of laying ceramic floor tiles. Firstly we need to find a starting point, this can be done by snapping chalk lines from the centre of each wall across to the opposite wall, where these two lines cross will be the position of your key starting tile. Dry-lay the key tile and tiles to two walls, reposition these tiles along the chalk line to prevent the cut tiles at both ends being less than a third of the full size. Remove the tiles and fix guide battens along the chalk lines, then spread the adhesive within the area using a notched trowel.

Start laying ceramic floor tiles onto the adhesive using a twisting motion, then place spacers between tiles to keep gaps even, at this point only lay whole tiles. Remove any excess adhesive. Now we can move onto the other sections of the floor and repeat the process. When this has been completed it is usually best to leave it overnight to dry. Next using a heavy duty tile cutter, cut and lay the edge tiles. Finally we can now grout the floor using a rubber bladed spreader, pressing the grout into the gaps with a grouting tool, and then wiping off the excess with a wet cloth before it sets.

Glass House Syndrome

Have you ever heard the phrase people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones? Maybe your more familiar with what Jesus said he that is without sin cast the first stone (John 8:7). Before you begin to attack or find fault in others examine yourself first.

Imagine a family of people that keep their house dirty but they tell all of their neighbors to keep their house clean. That family is living in delusion because they have not taken care of business themselves yet they point fingers at others. In many ways the church has grown to become the hand that points an index finger only to discover three fingers pointing back at us.

There is so much controversy amongst believers about how non believers speak harshly against the word of God. In many fellowship circles the topic of discussion is what an entertainer, rapper, or politician has said against the Bible. The words of non believers shouldn't surprise Christians because honestly they don't believe in God. To hold a non believer to the standard of respecting Jesus would be like holding a Christian to the standard to speak well about atheism.

Our early brothers and sisters lived and served God in pagan lands where many idols where worshipped but their focus was on the word of God. They presented the gospel of Jesus Christ and they engaged in battles with others when necessary. The bulk of their day was not consumed with what the pagans where doing to disrespect Jesus rather the focus was on spreading the gospel and converting non believers.

Jesus has called all of us to be about our Fathers business and to focus on building the kingdom of God. We need more focus on spreading the gospel to non believers instead of debating non believers about their beliefs. We were all once lost and it was the word of God that opened our eyes and we should use that same power to open the eyes of others. The love and grace of God saved my life and was more powerful then someone shouting to me at the top of their lungs that I was wrong for practicing atheism or dabbling in Islam and Buddhism.

The sad truth is that we focus so much on non believers that we neglect to take care of home first. There are many false churches and false pastors leading whole congregations into destruction and blaspheming the name of Christ. We should focus on cleaning house and teaching the real gospel to those within are family because the hypocrites are giving us a bad name. Many preachers are teaching the doctrine of demons and preaching for lust and gain and at the end of the day the only thing many Christians say is did you hear that celebrity or politician say that about God. Let's focus on teaching the word of God and let the Holy Spirit do its job on saving the world through us.-Amen

For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?-1 Peter 4:17

The Glass House in Connecticut

The Glass House in Connecticut

The Glass House in Connecticut was built by Philip Johnson in 1949 in New Canaan. The reason this home is famous is because the exterior walls are not constructed of wood as one might assume but rather clear glass, which is quite uncommon for a home exterior!

When the architect died in 2005 the Glass House became a National Trust Historic Site and has since been opened for the first time in its history to the public for tours. Those interested in taking a tour of Connecticut's Glass House may visit the Visitors Center that is located across from New Canaan's Metro-North train station.

What is so interesting about the Glass House is that Johnson actually lived in this home. He also designed some of America's other well-known landmarks. These include the Sony Plaza, Fort Worth Water Garden, and The Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden at the Museum of Modern Art, the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, and many more.

The Glass House in Connecticut

Since there is so much history involved as well as design and just novelty it is highly recommended that individuals check out the Glass House in Connecticut. You can visit New Canaan while you are traveling through Connecticut to reach New York or else you can plan a direct trip of your own. New Canaan is quaint and a great place to spend some time exploring and really checking out the Glass House. You will surely have some questions about the Glass House so take note of those so you can ask about them when you take the tour. The Glass House only recently opened to the public in 2007 so it has not been widely seen by tourists yet. Although, plenty of people are pouring into New Canaan to check out the glass house and the impact it had on architecture and design throughout the 20th century.

Internal Glass Doors

Internal Glass Doors

Rooms inside a house are separated with internal doors. How stylish is your house is also known from your internal doors. Better the quality and style of your internal doors, more expensive will their price be, but at the end is all worth it.

These are usually made of wood, that is one of the reasons for its high price, the quality of wood. Wooden types give a more natural feel and look definitely very classy. The type of wood used can be:

Oak-they are popular due to lighter timber, long lasting, color can be made to your choice.

Mahogany- they are popular because they have more redness than other woods

Walnut- they have more color than oak

Bamboo- they are the most recent trend in household.

The most popular kind of wood used are oak and mahogany. Internal Wooden doors are advantageous as they help to prevent sound from travelling through them, creating a sound proof environment. They also need very less or no maintenance because of the moisture or also because they are not directly exposed to external factors. Even if the texture is spoilt, they can easily be varnished or painted.

Internal doors can be of the following types:

1) Sliding doors- these are great for small places with less space. they are opened horizontally by using special type of rollers that enable the door to open smoothly. These can be made using wood, glass, aluminum, etc. some of the these types are:

• Pocket doors- these disappear into a compartment built inside the wall, when they are opened.

• Bypass doors-these slide one behind the other, as generally seen in wardrobes. You cannot fully open such kind of doors.

• Sliding French doors-these kind of French doors give you the look of French doors, but slide instead of swinging in or out.

• Shoji screens-these doors give a typical Asian look, these sliding doors are made using wood and translucent paper.

• Patio sliding doors-these are like the standard sliding doors that open onto an outside area of the home.

• Standard sliding doors- these are where the door will slide over a part of the wall once you open it.

• Louvered sliding doors-these type of sliding doors louver or shutter in their design.

2) French doors- these were first used in France, to allow direct sunlight to enter a home or room as in those days there was no electricity. The traditional French doors were made by using wood, however today they can also be found made of glass and aluminum. Where the metal or aluminum doors are more durable and light in weight, the fiber glass doors come in a variety of colors. The classical French doors are generally hinged and swing in or out of the room or opened by sliding to either side of the wall in case of sliding French doors.

Plate Glass

Plate Glass

So you are planning to buy dinner plates? What types of dinner plates you want is solely your decision. But a little research is needed as it also reflects your choice and style statement. Another important question to consider is the quality of the dinner plate you are looking to buy. You can choose from metal plates to glass dinning plates. Metal plates are also good but they are seldom used for dinner purpose as it looks very traditional. However, you can get a vast range of designs, colors, and styles in glass plates.

As we all know that dinner plates are used for eating meals and are different from serving plates. Glass dining plates are preferred to china plates as they are classy and fragile. Dinner plates are made up of a range of materials ranging from porcelain, glass, wood and plastic. It depends upon your choice. However, it has been seen that the most commonly used materials are glass and porcelain. Similarly, people also prefer glass dining plates to plastic or wooden plates for dinner purposes as it looks far more elegant and stylish.

Being a consumer you have to make a choice between Chinese and glass dining dishes. A majority of people opt for glass dinner dishes as it looks stylish and suitable for any occasion. Moreover, you can choose from the striking recycled glass plates to round dining plates depending on your taste. However, the later are more conventional, whereas curved or square dishes provide a new and trendy look.

What quality of dining plates suits your needs can be judged by you only.

To get quality dinner glass plates, you can do a little research. You can do a little homework and collect details from the market, take help from the designers and lastly you can take help from different websites showcasing dinner dishes. You can get ample details about the product and can compare the pricing and the glass quality of the product. You can also see the vast range of styles and colorful designs available on the net and can place your order directly. Today, dining platters are available in numerous colors and designs. There are some dinner glass platters which are specially intended for beautifying the house.

So with so many choices available in glass platters, you can easily plan an occasion. It can be a small get together or a big party, your chosen glass dinner dishes will include extra elegance and spark and your friends are going to appreciate it. So go for glass dinner plates and enjoy the party forever.

Leaded Stained Glass

Leaded Stained Glass

There are two ways to make stained glass, leaded or copper foiled. The major difference between the two is in the construction. With leaded, the glass is fitted into channels of lead came. In contrast, copper foiled, is constructed by wrapping each piece of glass with copper foil.

Leaded stained glass historically is found in churches. It was during the Victoria Era where leaded glass was introduced into homes and has remained a popular method of constructing stained glass ever since.

Foiled glass was mastered by Tiffany in the early 1900's and soon after became a popular method for creating stained glass.

Common Questions:

Is one method better than the other?

The simple answer is no. A better answer is that it depends on the artist and the design.

What is the difference in leaded and foiled construction?

With leaded glass, the construction must begin at an outer corner, the individual pieces are fitted into lead came. Once all pieces are cut and placed in lead came, the joints of came are soldered. Then the piece is cemented.

With foiled glass, the construction can begin at any point in the design and worked out from there. The individual pieces are wrapped in copper foil and soldered together.

When is foiled stained glass construction better than lead?

With intricate designs, foiled construction is superior

When is lead construction better than foiled?

Leaded construction is used most often with designs that have repetitive geometric shapes. These designs can be foiled, but construction time is increased.

Which is easier?

There is no simple answer for this. It is really a personal preference. Leaded, foiled or combination of the two are used throughout the stained glass industry.

Is leaded or foiled construction better than the other?

No, each method, if done correctly, will provide the same long lasting beauty and endurance.

Why is foiled construction taught to beginners doing stained glass?

The cementing in leaded construction tends to be messy. Foiled construction can be started and stopped, making weekly classes work.

What are the steps for making leaded glass?

Glass is cut, shaped and fitted into channels of lead came.

Joints of lead came are soldered.

The piece is cemented

The piece is cleaned and polished

What are the steps for making foiled glass?

Glass is cut and shaped, and then each piece is wrapped in copper foil.

Copper foil seams are soldered together.

The piece is cleaned and polished.

Curtains For Sliding Glass Doors

Curtains For Sliding Glass Doors

One of the more challenging factors of interior design is choosing the best sliding glass door window treatments for your home. It is important that you find something that is not only attractive, but that is functional as well. Another issue that is often a problem is finding blinds or curtains that are large enough to fit a sliding glass door. In fact, in some cases you may even have to have them custom made. The good news is that with a little information you can find solutions that are both effective and economical. The following will introduce you to a few of the better ideas you have for sliding glass door window treatments.

One option that you have for sliding glass door window treatments that will work if you are not overly concerned about privacy is to simply frame out your window so that your door will match the rest of the windows in your home. This is an option that is more design oriented than it is functional, but because there is a lot less fabric used it will really save you a lot of money. This is the best option for you if you are on a budget.

When choosing your window treatments for sliding glass doors, you have a few different options that can help you improve your home's energy efficiency. For one thing, you can put a film over your glass door and windows that will help you to retain warm and cool air in your home, thus decreasing your overall heating and cooling costs. Overall, this is a low cost alternative to buying a special, energy efficiency door with low emissions glass that is definitely worth looking into.

Another great option to keep in mind for sliding glass door treatments is to simply stick with blinds instead of buying expensive curtains. These will not only keep the sun out of your eyes and help to maintain your privacy, but they look nice as well. There are many different colors and textures to choose from so this is a cost effective option that will still provide you with plenty of interior design options.

In order to provide your sliding glass door window treatments with some extra presence, you may want to consider a thick molding. This is an easy DIY project that is fairly inexpensive and can offer some attractive results. This is the best way to turn an average, unimpressive door into a fashion statement without breaking the bank. How you choose to do this is entirely up to you. You may choose a more rustic, wood framing for your doorway or fluted moldings which offer a simple elegance. This does not solve your issues with privacy, but in some rural homes this is not an issue anyway.

Glass Block Walls

Glass Block Walls

"Why can't designing and installing a glass block wall or bar be as easy as putting together Lego blocks," a customer once asked. Although it's not that easy, with the new shapes, sizes, prefabrication techniques and installation accessories available today this unique glass wall product is being used increasingly in homes, businesses and commercial buildings. Follow these 5 steps and you'll be able to create a cool, stylish, and easy to maintain wall or bar.

Step 1) Where do you want to use your glass block wall or bar? How big do you want to make the wall?

These specialized glass walls can be used on the inside, within the exterior structure of the home or building, or even on the outside. Most common uses include partition walls to separate rooms, shower walls, and bars for the kitchen and recreation rooms. When you are designing and determining the materials needed for this project the size and shape of the wall are critical.

o Glass block bar sizes & shapes - Most bars are built 40" high (5 courses of 8" blocks stacked on top of each other). The countertop is installed after the block work is finished. For extra stability and cool design consider making your bar with either an "L shaped" or angled shape design or rounded (radius) look. The bars should be anchored into one wall for added support.

o Glass block wall sizes & shapes - Block walls can be built virtually any size, however the maximum dimensions of each wall section (or panel) will vary based on the thickness of the block (3 1/8" or 3 7/8" thick) and if the wall will be on the inside or exterior of the home or building. Since most walls are built using the 3 7/8" thick size, here's a quick reference for how big you can make your wall without the need for some type of engineered steel or aluminum support structure between your glass panels:

1. Maximum inside wall panel dimensions (3 7/8" thick block)

- Total square footage of the wall - 250 sq. feet.

- Maximum height - 20 feet

- Maximum width - 25 feet

2. Maximum outside wall panel dimensions (3 7/8" thick block)

- Total square footage of the wall - 144 sq. feet.

- Maximum height - 20 feet

- Maximum width - 25 feet

Step 2) What type of floor, partial wall or base will the block wall be placed on? What is the smallest width of the base for the block wall?

Block walls or bars can be placed virtually on any surface as long as it is structurally sound and approximately 3" to 4" wide. Most block walls weigh about 12 pounds per square foot of wall area. Shower pans made of acrylic, fiberglass, and tile with concrete work well. Interior walls with wood joists are usually fine as well as long as the floor is level. Placing the block on knee walls (also called half walls) with metal stud and drywall supports underneath works as well.

Step 3) What do you need to put your glass block wall or bars together? Can panel sections be manufactured to make the project easier?

The installation of block walls can be made much easier with the use of spacers, installation systems, or purchasing pre-made sections of block. Here's a quick overview of each type of approach:

o Glass Block Spacers - In the old days block had to be laid piece by piece by a skilled mason contractor - these skilled craftsmen can be expensive and difficult to find. With the use of all plastic spacers the blocks can be laid uniformly and the spacers even help to keep the wall or bar flush and in place as you're building it. Spacers are available for either straight or radius walls.

o Installation systems - The new vinyl stack installation system uses vinyl horizontal and vertical spacers between the blocks to align and hold the blocks in place for easy assembly. Silicone is used to bond the blocks to the vinyl spacers on the inside of the block wall. This system can be used for interior and exterior applications. Special tile grout or silicone can be used to finish off the joints.

o Prefabricated or pre-made block sections - With the vinyl stack installation system sections of block can be pre-assembled and installed in the field. Glass block panel manufacturers can build these sections for you, often saving time and money to complete the job. These sections should be designed considering who(m) will be installing the wall and where it is physically located on the project site.

Step 4) Choosing the right sizes, shapes, and colors to make your glass block walls and bars cool and unique.

o There are a wide selection of block sizes, patterns, shapes, colors, artistically designed murals, and lighting options available for your wall or bar. Here's a overview of your options:

o Sizes and thicknesses of glass blocks for walls or bars - Glass masonry units are made is both metric and American sizes. Most of the blocks available in the United States are American sized. The American sized blocks are available in 4" x 8", 6" x 6", 6" x 8", 8" x 8", and 12" x 12". Specialty shapes can help you turn corners, make 45 degree angles, create rounded or radius walls if you're looking to make a walk in or roll in shower, or finish off the end of the wall or bar with a smooth bullnose look. The blocks have nominal sizes meaning the actual size of the block units is ¼" smaller allowing for a mortar joint to adhere the block to one another (an 8" x 8" block actually measures 7 ¾" x 7 ¾"). The blocks for walls and bars are 3" and 4" thick. Thinner block (3 1/8" thick) are more cost effective, but design options are more limited in this thickness of block.

o Patterns, designs and color glass blocks - Blocks come in a multitude of patterns providing different levels of privacy, style, and design options. The block are now available in standard and custom colors, tints, and artistically decorated murals to match any interior design style. Check out a comprehensive block web site to see the possibilities.

o Lighting your blocks - Putting lights behind a glass wall has increased in popularity. Consider a fiber optic system (where the colors of the block wall can change as the system is running) or standard rope lighting behind a clear wall for extra impact.

Step 5) Don't worry about any of the first 4 steps and call a glass block supplier, wall panel manufacturer and installation professional - If you really don't want to figure out what size, shape, and design layout is best call a block specialty company who offers design, supply, wall fabrication and installation services. This type of company will usually come to your home or business (without a charge), measure your shower space, figure out the possible designs for you, and install it with a guarantee.

Reading Glasses Online

Reading Glasses Online

Reading glasses are essentially the most commonly used glasses. By the age of 40, most people develop presbyopia, which refers to the inability of focusing on objects located close by. Often, buyers depend upon over-the-counter (OTC) reading glasses to overcome presbyopia. However, this can often be a short-term solution and inadequate. The best option is to consult an eye doctor, get a complete check-up for your eyes and if required get the prescription for both the eyes. Opting for prescription glasses for reading is the most recommended method to correct your blurred vision.

Why Prescription Reading Glasses?

Although OTC readers may seem like an easier option, prescription reading glasses serve you better in the following way:

1. OTC readers have the same power for both the lenses. However, it is possible that each of your eyes have different powers. Using wrong powered glasses can cause severe strain on the eyes and hence must be avoided at all costs. Prescription glasses ensure that each lens has the accurate power and are tailor-made for your eyes.

2. Prescription glasses are necessary to overcome the problem of astigmatism. Astigmatism refers to blurred or distorted vision that can affect distance as well as near vision.

3. OTC readers are designed in such a way that one size fits all. However, with prescription glasses the optical centre of the lens is aligned exactly with the centre of the pupil. This ensures clear vision.

4. Also, prescription lenses ensure that there are no distortions or bubbles which are fundamental for crystal clear vision. OTCs often are of the poor quality and do not offer highest quality vision.

5. Individuals with nearsightedness should not opt for OTCs as they have negative or minus lens. OTCs are mainly plus or positive lenses and thus not useful.

Buying Prescription Reading Glasses Online

If you think prescription reading glasses is expensive or time-consuming, the Internet offers you some really helpful options. Several online stores provide cheap prescription glasses online made in different styles and colours.

Buyers only need to browse through the several models and choose a pair, enter their prescription and pay online. The glasses made to your prescription would then be delivered to your door-step.

So, the next time you think of buying OTCs, think again. It is recommended that you try prescription glasses for reading.

Cheap Prescription Glasses

Cheap Prescription Glasses

A new trend recently covered by some major news media outlets has consumers doing a bit of hands-on window shopping at eye glasses stores, but then waiting to make their purchases online.

The reason for this phenomenon is the savings offered by online vendors.

For years the more Internet-savvy have been buying cheap prescription glasses frames online, but then had to go to their local eye glasses store to have their prescription lenses put in. And anyone who wears glasses knows that the lenses often cost more than the frames.

The biggest step forward in this new shopping trend in recent months and years is the ability now to be able to buy prescription glasses online, including the lenses, and to save on the entire package.

Finding cheap prescription glasses is not merely an act of casual frugality. Well, for some it may be. But for others, especially those with multiple children who need glasses, finding cheap prescription glasses is a financial necessity. A decent pair of glasses and lenses can easily cost hundreds of dollars. Multiplied by a few kids and that becomes a debilitative expense.

With no option but to shop at a local opticians or eye glasses store, families that need to shell out on multiple pairs of prescription glasses are usually forced to settle for cheaper brands of reduced quality. When children are involved, that typically means the glasses become scratched, worn down or broken at an accelerated rate.

For the local eye glasses business, this situation is every bit as lucrative as if the family had been able to purchase more expensive prescription glasses in the first place, as they will need to constantly repair and replace the cheaper models.

So being able to buy more expensive and sturdy glasses for the same or similar price as cheap models are offered at in brick-and-mortar stores is a cherished opportunity for many.

For others, it's just about finding cheap prescription glasses.

Whatever your reason for searching out cheap prescription glasses (or sunglasses), it can't hurt to try this method.

Nor is this new market limited to standard glasses. It is now easy to find cheap prescription sunglasses online as well. There is no denying the benefit of wearing sunglasses if you spend a lot of time outside, so it is highly recommended to keep a pair of prescription sunglasses in addition to your regular glasses.

So, next time you or a family member needs glasses, go get your eyes checked at the local optometrist or optician and make sure to take your prescription data with you, and then go browse and try on glasses at the nearest store. Don't be shy, go ahead and try anything your heart desires, even the most expensive models.

When you find a few favorites, write down the makes and models, or maybe even snap a few quick pictures so you remember the look you wanted. Then have a look through online eye glasses vendors for the same makes and models, or at worst a different brand with a similar look. You may be pleasantly surprised by the savings.

Glass Frames For Men

Glass Frames For Men

It is always said that ladies are more concerned about being fashionable than their counterparts. This is also true while selecting eyeglasses. There are surveys revealing that most girls put fashion at the first consideration when they try to choose a pair of spectacles. Quite differently, the majority of men would firstly evaluate requirements such as comfort and fitness. However, these criteria never suggest that men's eyeglasses are designed with no fashionable elements. There are still some stylish or preferable models of eyeglass frames for men. In other words, it is a wise decision to wear different spectacles under specific circumstances. But in general, eyeglass frames for men are becoming more masculine. At the same time, new modern twist is being added into these frames. There are some lasting trends in fashionable men's eyeglass frames.

First, many larger and bolder eyeglass frames are available now. These extraordinary eyeglasses are really reasonable for their existence. They not only offer another special choice, but also flatter those male eyeglass users with larger body shapes. In particular, those biggest men's eyeglass styles suit better with individuals who have large eyes and head. Masculine styles including Aviator glasses are such a good example. Meanwhile, these large frames were never meant to replace the small, John Lennon glasses. The latter type will continue to go well with men with smaller faces.

Rimless and semi-rimless eyeglass frames for men have been popular during the recent years. These two styles have something in common. They are designed in a similar way that the lenses are held in place to the temples by a screw or a wire. In other words, the lens frame is minimized. Most men wear rimless or semi-rimless eyeglasses because of their modern or minimalist look. This advantage will be even magnified if these frames are combined with anti-reflective lenses. This combination is thought to make the glasses practically disappear. Another valuable benefit offered by rimless or semi-rimless eyeglasses for men is lightweight. Most men like these frame styles because they reduce the weight of a whole pair of eyeglasses.

Among the variety of eyeglass frame materials, titanium has never lost its popularity. This advantageous material is also widely used in golf clubs, bicycles and space shuttles. Titanium eyeglass frames rate high in both the function and fashion categories. They feature super lightweight, non-corrosive and very durable. Except for titanium, stainless steel and aluminum are also preferable for men.