Tag Archive: piece

April 23rd, 2011
post by energy-saving-light-bulbs | | 0

Lighting Up Your Decorating Project With Moroccan Home Lighting

By Moe Tamani

Lighting is one of the hardest choices in any decorating project. Wall Sconces, chandeliers, floor lamps, candle lamps or electric light fixtures? After you have decided for a nice chandelier, some sconces and few accent lights, now comes the question what kind? You are looking for uniqueness, a beautiful design, size, hopefully with a nice story behind your pick. That is exactly what more and more find in Moroccan themed interior design, the fastest growing interior design concept in the US.

Moroccan lighting is one of the most unique concepts for many reasons. Moroccan Decor is generally very hard to find in the US and also very unique because of the different historic, cultural and art influences in Morocco. Moroccan lighting with its vivid colors, elaborated geometric forms, exotic designs, and unique raw materials is the most recognized symbol of Moroccan decor.

Henna lamps, made with stretched goat skin and hand decorated with traditional henna designs, and at times dyed with saffron or paprika based dyes, are one great way to add an earthy and rustic touch to any space. Henna wall sconces can also be used without lighting just as decorative wall pieces. Often said that Morocco is the country of recycling where nothing goes to waist, the goat skin is recycled into these beautiful lampshades and passed on to henna artists to put in the final decorative touches. Most if not all the henna artist are women that earn extra cash and for who it is the only way to achieve financial independence.

A Stained glass lamp with carved motives can be a bolder more extravagant way to spice up your space. With Moroccan lamps, also referred as Moroccan lanterns (useful search words if you are researching them on the net) you can introduce a little eclectic flair in virtually any existing concept you may already have.

If you already have wrought iron or rustic furniture, then get one of those cool hand hammered chandeliers. A Chandelier is the perfect option that would delightfully enhance that sense of magic and warmth that only Moroccan chandeliers can accomplish.

Using few pieces of Moroccan lighting and some accent pieces will recreate a true exotic Moroccan oasis.

Tips on using Moroccan lighting:

Consider “playing” with different wattage that can help you realize a different look, experiment with using a candle instead of a light bulb, when possible a candle works best in small spaces. When using henna lamps or wall sconces, use very low wattage 20-25 watts is recommended. Colored light bulbs are a great way to add a color emphasis to your project.

Maintain your Moroccan lighting:

Maintenance of your Moroccan lighting is minimal and doing so will ensure that your items last for a long time. Most of the light fixtures that have opening side doors only require the hinge to be lubricated once a while. Henna lamps and wall sconces need absolutely no maintenance, however expect the henna to fall off as it is designed to do so. The actual henna on the skin of the sconces will fall off and leave the reddish design tattooed on the surface, so it is useless to fight it and you will be surprise to see that it your piece will embellish even more. When using Moroccan lanterns outside consider spraying them with a clear sealant to keep the lamps from rusting. There are two ways of coating your lamps. You can meticulously go over the metal parts only or you can just spray the sealer throughout the fixture including the glass. If you choose to go over the whole lamp you will finish it in a way that the lamp will appear aged. Beware that at all times you need to keep the hinges protected so you are still able to open and close the door.

Light bulb or candle?

Esthetically speaking using a candle will always bring the most out of your lighting fixture, working best in small space where less light is needed or dim lighting is desired. Using a light bulb will bring more light in larger spaces. If your lantern has a flat base, you can just sit a candle using the same fire safety precautions you would otherwise. If you decide to go with an electrical bulb remember that most if not all Moroccan lighting importers do not include the wiring kit which you can acquire easily at your local hardware store for a minimal cost. Once you have the wiring kit all you have to do is insert the kit through the opening door and get the plug out of the top opening of the lamp and voila you are ready to showcase the new lamp.

About the Author: Moe Tamani is an importer of aa href=”http://www.themoroccanbazaar.com” rel=’nofollow’>Moroccan Furniture and a designer of aa href=”http://themoroccanbazaar.com/shop.php/home-lighting/moroccan-lamps/c_60.html” rel=’nofollow’>Home Lighting and aa href=”http://www.themoroccanbazaar.com” rel=’nofollow’>wrought Iron Screens

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March 15th, 2011
post by halogen-bulbs | | 0

How Lead Crystal Is Made

By Bonnie Spring

Composition

Lead crystal glass is made from a mixture of sand, potash and lead oxide. The type of lead crystal glass is determined by a British specification (BS 3828: 1964) for each type. Lead crystal glass contains a minimum lead oxide content of 24% and is produced primarily for its beauty of appearance. Full lead crystal glass contains higher amounts of lead oxide usually not less than 30%. This higher content of lead oxide enhances the beauty of the item but it is more costly to manufacture.

The Glass Workshop

The workshop where the lead crystal glass making is done is an interesting scene. Workers are stationed in groups around the furnace where the glass is melted. Each group is known as a “chair” and consists of 4 or 5 persons: The “workman”, who is the principal, two who are known as “foot maker” and “servitor” – and one or two boys who are employed in what we would call “gofer” positions. A certain part of the work is assigned to each member of the group, according to the design of the item on which the “chair” is making.

Any lead crystal figurine or other piece begins as a ball of molten glass. This ball is drawn from the pot on the end of a blow-iron, which is a steel tube about 4 ft. long. It is constantly rotated in order to distribute the glass evenly. The molten glass is rolled on a polished iron table to smooth the surface. The glassworker now blows through the tube and the hot glass forms into a hollow sphere. By turning, tilting and swinging the molten glass on the tube the shape begins to develop. The glass is further created as the iron is rolled up and down on the arms of the glassmaker’s chair. Few tools are used in this process – a steel pincers, calipers, shears, wooden measuring sticks and clappers. Once a stem and foot are added to the piece being made it is transferred for further working to steel rod called a pontil, the end of which it is attached by a blob of hot glass. The glass is re-melting before excessive glass is sheared away from the item being made and any final touches are given. The still glowing article is cracked off the rod, dropped into a carrying case and transported to a “lehr” or annealing oven.

Annealing

The annealing oven is a long chamber through which the glass is slowly carried, passing little by little from a high temperature to the ambient temperature of the workshop. This is necessary because the glass could cool too rapidly and shatter the item being created. When removed from the lehr, each article undergoes an examination for any defects. An instrument utilizing polarized light is used to reveal any imperfect annealing.

Cutting

Cutting is one of the more critical processes and calls for a very high degree of skill. Cutting is done by holding the lead crystal figurine against the edge of a revolving cutting wheel. The glass is carefully guided to produce some of the lovely and complex patterns that are possible. The number of patterns is infinite and in combination creates some beautiful effects. The pattern which has been designated on the glass “blank” by specially trained workers, is first roughly cut by the carborundum wheel. The glass is now ready for polishing.

Polishing

Polishing is done by placing the glass into a vat containing a mixture of hydrofluoric and sulphuric acid for about a minute. It is then thoroughly rinsed and the glass transforms into sparkling pieces of crystal.

This is the process that virtually any piece of lead crystal glass goes through before it becomes a beautiful piece of art. Throughout the years little in the process has changed.

About the Author: Bonnie Spring is writer and administrator for aa href=”http://Kbkgifts.com” title=”http://Kbkgifts.com” target=”_blank” rel=’nofollow’>http://Kbkgifts.com, where you can find beautiful crystal.

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March 2nd, 2011
post by LED-Bulbs | | 0

Modern Floor Lamps: 1960s Lava Lamps

By Mr.Andrew Caxton

The lava lamp has survived the 1960s to become a style icon. Whether out of nostalgia or for their soulful retro look, they are still in vogue today.

In terms of interior design the 1960s and 1970s were not decades that particularly made a positive impact. There is however one 1960s piece of decorative kit that holds a special place in my heart. I am referring to the omnipresent lava lamps. Their viscous lumps of wax came in a variety of psychedelic colors. You could find them in purple, lime green, pink and yellow amongst other shades. Lava lamp would become my main focal point whenever there was one around.

Whenever I was in a room with one, my attention went to it automatically, as if I was hypnotized by the suspended, vibrantly colored. I found them to be a completely innocuous pleasure and rather relaxing, especially if combined with Indian music and the scent of burning incense.

People my age buy the lava lamps that are manufactured nowadays out of nostalgia while youngsters are attracted to their retro look. They may be considered tacky and ordinary today but I find them curiously soothing. Maybe it is because they were invented in more buoyant times.

They are still being made today, bought by my generation for reasons of nostalgia and by young people who love the retro look of them. I know they’re trashy and unsubtle but there’s something strangely comforting about them. Perhaps they represent a more optimistic age. I may even possibly purchase one though it would not really sit in well with the rest of my d

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