Strange stories about Vietnamese pottery

The biggest flower-vases

There is no other place in Vietnam displaying so many giant flower-vases of all sizes like the house of artisan Le Minh Ngoc in Bat Trang pottery village in Gia Lam (Hanoi). Here, the shortest jar is 1.5m high, a medium one is about 2.5m and the highest can nearly reach the ceiling.

Firstly, he made 0.45 m-high vases and he has gradually raised the height of them to 1m, 1.2m, 1.8m, 2m and 2.5m and all the time his passion for this work also grew. After many years of researching and creating, he is now the only artisan in Bat Trang who can make flower-vases of 2m high or higher.

In 1996, he decided to make two 5.6m-high flower-vases, as high as the banian tree in his village, to the wonder of everyone. On the day of opening the kiln, all the villagers were eager to see his products but regrettably, the vases were deformed. At that time Le Minh Ngoc was completely dispirited.

The two flower-vases were made in 2002 with their height of 3.2m, diameter of 0.94m and weight of 170kg. They were recorded in the Vietnam’s Guinness Book in September 2004. These vases are so big and high that Ngoc had to build a new kiln for them and they need ten strong people to carry.

Recently Ngoc has found kaolin (a kind of clay) in Quang Ninh and intends to produce some 5.4 m high vases.


The "Pottery Road" project

This is a project to celebrate the 1000th Thang Long – Hanoi anniversary.

It's 6km-long colorful mosaic covering the dike from Au Co Road through Nghi Tam, Yen Phu, Tran Nhat Duat and Tran Khanh Du roads.

To implement the project, Nguyen Thu Thuy and a team of Vietnamese and international artists have created many pottery works based on traditional materials of famous pottery craft villages such as Bat Trang Village outside Hanoi.They have also adorned the ceramic mural with unique cultural motifs and patterns of different dynasties, such as designs of Thang Long architecture of the Ly Dynasty (1010-1225), artifacts found in the Thang Long citadel archaeological site, brown flowed pottery of the Tran Dynasty (1225-1400) and sculptures in the 17th-18th centuries.

The Pottery Road is trying to acquire the Guinness Record 2010 for the longest pottery road in the world.

Source: TkCeramics - Vietnamese pottery

Decorating Living Room

Living Room is considered as the heart of the house; hence it becomes a prime and major objective of a house owner to make Living room attractive and eye catcher. Living room is also the first thing that comes in anyone’s mind when he enters the house. There are lots and lots of different ideas of decorating the living room. These ideas include Interior decoration, paint, garden decoration etc.

Before discussing these ideas, let me tell you there are different sources which help us in deciding what ideas we should take for decorating our home. Television is considered as one of the most successful and popular source which provide us good ideas about room decoration. This not only provides you the idea, but also gives you sample and procedure which you can apply at your living room. This source will help you a lot when you are new and have not much knowledge about room decoration. Through television, you can see and learn different styles and trends of room decoration.

The best thing is that this is a cheapest source and you people can flexibly apply these decoration ideas to your living room. Now lets move on to different ideas which you people can apply in your living room for making it attractive. decorating is the most important thing and you have to be careful while purchasing decorating for your living room. decorating, its color or design is the first thing a guest notices in your living room then only he will decide whether your room looks attractive or not. Always try to purchase light decorating so that the living room not look overstuffed.

Modernistic, sleek tables, side tables with glass tops are arranged well in the living room for giving the room an oriental look. If you want a budgeted decoration for your living room, then let me tell you its better to purchase odd things from different places instead of buying a streamlined set. Wall is also a prime attraction of living room; hence it also becomes the responsibility of house owner to make the walls look attractive. There are several budgeted ideas which you people can apply for wall decoration of your living room.

Like you can use different frames and mirrors of assorted sizes and shapes for your living room walls or even you can frame piece of remnant wallpaper to give a colorful look. You can also try used canvases or spray paint to the wall for giving it more stylish and unique look. Let’s move on to the decorating idea of paint for living room. Painting is considered as the starting point for living room remodeling. Here the first thing on which you have to concentrate is the color scheme which you want to apply on your walls. A color should always be decided according to the largest piece of decorating that dominates the room. After color selection next step is to concentrate on finishes.

Flat or matte paint finish with no shine is considered as the best for the walls which have minor surface imperfections. Water based paint that dries up quickly is the best and most commonly used paint for the living room walls. Interior decoration is also an excellent idea which gives your living room an eye appealing look. So, after discussing about the decoration of living room, I also want to discuss the décor of home garden, as it is also a part of living room, and discussion of decorating living room remains incomplete without it. Garden makeover or décor is also very important as it is the first area of house which comes in view of visitors or guest.

It is also a place which your neighbor can see anytime, so it also becomes the prime responsibility for you people to well organize your garden. Growing a garden or planting flowers are really very good for your outlook of life. Choose the right flowers for your garden, so that it gives a wonderful colored view to your garden. Also always try to clean your garden by yourself, as it’s your own property and no one else can take care of this place better than you. Always try to design the items in such a manner so that it makes your outdoor space attractive and welcoming. Hope the above discussion of de

in reference to:

"Decorating Living Room"

- http://www.tkceramics.com/event-detail/539.html (view on Google Sidewiki)

How to Repair a Broken Ceramic Plate

Read this article to know how to fix a broken ceramics plate in 6 easy steps.

in reference to:

"How to Repair a Broken Ceramic Plate"
- http://www.tkceramics.com/event-detail/544.html (view on Google Sidewiki)

How to Plant Arabesque Pottery Plant Containers

Arabesque pottery can add a focal point to a simple garden or can be a theme for an elaborate garden. Choosing the right type of foliage for this style container and planting it to thrive is the key to beautiful results.

Step 1

Choose a container. Check that your planter has a drainage hole. Plants will not thrive for long in containers that cannot drain.

Step 2

Choose a plant. An arabesque design lends itself particularly well to plantings with full, fanning or trailing foliage like palms or ivies. Think about what colors will complement the container. If the container is monochrome, your options are unlimited. If the container includes painted elements in its design, stick with a plant that is one color that complements the colors on the container.

Step 3

Fill the container with soil. Using a garden spade or a spoon, fill your container about 75 percent full of potting soil. An all-purpose soil from any garden center will do.

Step 4

Make a hole in the soil. Using your fist, form a hole about the same size as the root ball of the plant you have chosen.

Step 5

Check the hole size. Place the plant into the hole to check its size. You should have room to cover the roots and about an inch of the base of the plant with soil. If you don't, modify the hole.

Step 6

Place your plant. Place the plant in the hole, and gently add more soil until the container is heaping full.

Step 7

Firm the soil. Tamp down the soil around your plant, and water with a fine spray to settle it.

Step 8

Check the soil level. Check the soil level, and add more as necessary, tamping it firmly and watering gently until damp soil covers the plant's roots and about an inch of the base of the stem.

Step 9

Water your plant. Thoroughly water your plant until water drains from the bottom of the container.

Source ehow.com/Shannon LCC

Stylish Home Decorating in Black and White

When people start thinking about living room decorating ideas and decorating their home, whether it be one or two rooms or even the entire house, the first question that usually springs to mind is ‘what colour’. Usually, people choose colours that they like or those which match pieces of their existing furniture. When searching for living room decorating ideas, one idea which is perhaps too often overlooked is decorating with the two basic colours (or shades, to be accurate) ” black and white.

Black and white, used in home decor shows style and creates drama and pizzazz. Top decorators say that every room in the house can benefit by using a touch of black. Black is a colour which anchors and grounds a room. Adding sophistication, black is definitely a colour that demands attention. Stylish home decor ideas for a home using black may include accessories such as light fixtures, trim or furniture. Black serves to add definition to focal points in a room. Black is just one colour that stands out or makes a statement, but it is definitely one of the most outspoken!

Decorating with the shades of black and white in your living room decorating ideas, lends a clean, fresh, elegant environment. This combination can be added to any room in a home making it a sophisticated area. Black and white are frequently used in contemporary interior design and often used to highlight other colours in the French Country style. It may be hard to visualize but there are many ideas for decorating a home using combinations of only these two basic colours.

The floor is a great place to start when considering stylish home decor. Black and white vinyl tiles laid alternately make a beautiful chessboard pattern and gives a clean and elegant appearance. Black marble used on the floor, accented by wide white baseboards is another beautiful idea for decorating a home. Laying white ceramic tiles with a black border or simply painting the floor black or white and using stencils of the opposite colour for decoration, is also quite stunning. These are great ideas for decorating a home.

Can you think of anything more perfect than white walls in the Mediterranean style? Painting the walls white or even an off-white, say smoke-white or apple-whitemakes a perfect backdrop for decorations such as shelving framed in black. Great living room decorating ideas! Elegant black window surrounds or black shutters against a clean, crisp white wall would certainly create an aura of sophistication. Maybe a glass-topped table with a black iron rim and black chairs? These are great ideas for decorating a home using only black and white.

Imagine a bedroom decorated using only black and white – that would be lovely stylish home decor too. A black or white iron bed-stead, covered with a striped black and white duvet or eiderdown. The pillow cases could be either all black or all white and you could add throw cushions in the other colour.

A nice leather black or white armchair in the corner would certainly accent the living room decorating ideas. Then you could have the white walls with a sophisticated piece of artwork, framed in black, hanging on it. That would surely add to the contemporary feel of your living room decorating ideas. Black furniture against the crisp white walls would look really neat and tidy and you could jazz it all up with accessories like pewter or silver candlesticks, jugs or vases.

However, if you think that the living room decorating ideas need a little more colour to complete the effect, perhaps a throw or a cushion in a bold colour such as red or gold for the chair in the corner of the room would be enough to accent the room. There are innumerable ways to decorate a home, however, finding the one that suits you and those who live with you is really very important. It’s nice to do something extreme and unusual, but please remember that you must be able to live with what you have created for quite sometime.

Decorating Your Home for 2010: Using Color

Blue, green, red, orange—what’s your favorite color? Better yet, what color never fails to make you smile? Now glance around your home to see whether this color is in your décor. If not, it might be time for change.

Third in this series on decorating your home in 2010, this article delves into color—what it means, where to place it and what to avoid in your home. After all, color is all around you; it might just as well make you happy.

Changing the colors in your home is quick, easy and powerful. In fact, painting a room can transform your home and your state of mind.

For example, cool colors such as blues, greens, grays and purples calm and soothe. Pink has a way of casting a warm, healthy glow on everyone in the room. Yellow offers sunshine and cheer even on a cloudy day, while orange and red raise the excitement level—and your guests’ appetites—wherever you place them. You probably never knew that paint had such power!

And since it’s only paint, try it. If you’re afraid to commit yourself to a complete overhaul, paint only one wall (the dominant one in the room) in a color that you just love. Be daring! After it dries, step back and admire the transformation. If you hate it, just paint it again. Chances are you’ll love the makeover. You just might be emboldened to change another room.

You can also incorporate “pops” of color in your home with a throw pillow in a lighter or darker shade than your new paint color. Or drape a length of fabric over your couch or on a chair, in a print infused with your new paint color. You might try new lamp shades in a different color or quirky print. Try a couple of other accessories in variations of your new color.

These color changes add vigor to traditional Atlanta decor and underscore the lightheartedness of other design styles. So, be fearless!

Just a few caveats to help you avoid common mistakes people make when they begin: limit the number of colors in the room to no more than three and vary the intensities of the colors. For instance, five day-glo colors not only clash, but your eyes—and your mind—never rest. On the other hand, three equally dark colors create a gloomy atmosphere. Strike a balance.

Also, let only one color dominate by using it for sixty percent of the room. Then let 30 percent of the room be a second color and use accessories in a third color. This way, you avoid having the colors compete for attention.

And if monochromatic (i.e. one color) rooms appeal to you, while they create a peaceful atmosphere regardless of the color, be sure to use several shades of the color and various textures to avoid monotony.

For 2010, aqua, yellow, gray, purple, maple brown, turquoise and orange are all trendy colors. Try one of these or select any color that you dearly love. Just get started! Next time, we’ll tackle personalizing your home.

Source examiner.com

Decorating Your Home for 2010: Design Styles

What is your style? Each person has a style that reflects who you are and how you see yourself; your home should reflect this same aesthetic. In this second installment on ideas for decorating your home in 2010, let’s look at design styles.

You may not have thought about your style before. In fact, you may not even know what your style is. Yet, figuring this out will enable you to create a home that beautifully defines who you are and makes both you and your guests feel welcome. Here’s a little help in determining your style.

Do you find your eye drawn to rooms and photos in which the couch is flanked by end tables, with a lamp on each table? Do you enjoy decorating using items in pairs? Perhaps medium to dark-toned woods with unique design elements capture your attention. If these warm tones and calm symmetry appeal to you, your design style is traditional. For a photographic example of traditional style, check out the photo that accompanies “Decorating Your Home for 2010: Focal Points”.

On the other hand, perhaps you’re a person who likes a cozy, cottage look. A more casual version of the traditional style, this one has homey touches such as ruffled kitchen curtains, handmade quilts and needlepoint, design motifs that include fruit, flowers or animals, and colors in dusty tones such as mauve, gray, blue-gray, and deep greens. If this style sounds perfect to you, then your design style is country.

Or maybe sleek, spare design attracts you. Characterized by steel, glass, plexiglass and smooth, unadorned woods, this design style focuses on spaciousness and placing few items in each room, thereby allowing individual pieces or a spectacular view to take center stage. If this uncluttered style calls out to you, your style is modern.

Often confused with modern, contemporary style has the sleekness of modern design, but with personal touches such as rugs, art and other accessories that add personality and quirkiness to the décor. The photo accompanying “Home Décor after the Holidays” is an example of contemporary design.

Old World or Ethnic design introduces the flavors of other countries. A more eclectic style, this one uses elements of one or more cultures to reveal your heritage, travels or interests and happily coexists with traditional, modern or contemporary designs. If you enjoy items that highlight your cultural sensibilities, this style is for you.

Don’t hesitate to mix these design styles in whatever way you find appealing. What matters is that your design style reflect your life, interests and personality. Next time, we’ll look at color’s role in your home's décor for 2010.

Source examiner.com

Our first pottery and ceramic article on ArticleDashboard.com

This articles is about strangest stories about Vietnamese pottery.

First is about the big flower-vases that were recored in the Vietnam's Guinness Book in September 2004. These were made by the young man in Gia Lam (Ha Noi). Now, he intends to produce some 5.4 m high vases. Big dream, gaint vases.

Second but not the least is about the Pottery Road the is made to celebrate the 1000th Thang Long - Ha Noi anniversity. The Pottery Road is trying to acquire the Guinness Record 2010 for the longest pottery road in the world.

These are just some stories in the hundereds of Vietnamese ceramics stories. We will share more in the next time.
in reference to: http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/Strange-Stories-About-Vietnamese-Pottery/1309731 (view on Google Sidewiki)

How To Paint On Ceramics

Simply put, ceramics are crystalline solids formed by the action of heat and subsequent cooling. Ceramics, as objects of art, were used from, as early as, the Paleolithic era. The origin of ceramics is credited mainly to Asia, with the earliest work of pottery work being found in China. Ceramics found wide usage throughout the world, because of its beauty and durability. Ancient ceramic vases are the most priced and sought after. Other than art, ceramics has huge usages like tiles, utensils, semiconductors, electrical appliances, etc. In households, ceramic products like vases and tiles can be made very attractive by painting on them. In this way, a simple ceramic tile or vase can be converted into a work of art. Easy and enjoyable, it is also a very constructive hobby. Read the article below to know more on how you can paint on ceramics.

Ceramic Painting Tips 

Prepare The Ceramics

The ceramics must be extremely clean. Remove the seam lines on the ceramics that are formed due to the mould. Use a scraping tool to gently scrape the lines. Erase the lines completely. Now use a sponge, and after dipping it in water, wipe the ceramic tile or pottery. Ceramics are quite delicate so handle with care. If the ceramic surfaces are not cleaned properly then the paint won’t stick to it. Since, ceramic surfaces are glazed, it is very difficult to get the paint on them. Treat the shiny surface with a mild abrasive, which not only removes the dirt and grease but also makes the surface a little rough. You can also use the sandpaper as an extra measure. This also removes the dirt and roughens up the surface without leaving any marks. Then thoroughly remove the dust using a wet sponge. Let it dry completely.

Drawing

Draw the outline of the image you are going to paint. If drawing is not your forte then you can trace the image on the ceramic. Place a carbon paper onto the ceramic surface and on top of it place the image. Now using a fine pencil trace the image onto the carbon paper and this in turn will form an outline on the ceramic surface. Drawing the outline is not required for people with a good hand at painting. This is also not necessary if you only want to paint the surface without any images.

Priming

Use a high adhesion primer as a base, on which the paint should be applied. Ensure high quality, otherwise, the paint will peel off in a short duration. The primer is very good in forming a bond between the paint and the ceramic surface. If you are using an oil-based paint, then the primer should also be oil based. Taking a roller, apply the primer on the flat surface, and use a brush for the sides. Paint the primer evenly, and set it for drying. Once dry apply a second coat of primer, and again leave it for drying. If you see, any small burrs on the surface, then using sandpaper slightly brush it, taking care not to leave any scratch marks on the primer.

Painting

Use paints of the best quality. It is better to use acrylic ceramic paints, for painting ceramic surfaces. Also, buy a wide range of brush sizes. Keep a number of rags handy to wipe the paint drippings and missed brush strokes. Paint the design and leave it for drying. While drying take care that no dust or other debris falls on it. If you are not painting any design, but only giving it a simple paint, then it is better to give three coats of paint. Always wait for the paint to dry in between coats.

Glazing

Unless the paint is glazed, it will appear dull. After the paint has dried thoroughly, apply acrylic gloss over the entire object. Gloss not only adds shine to the painting, but it also protects the paint. It is better to apply three coats of gloss for better effect. Leave for drying.

How To Paint On Ceramics

Tips For Decorating Your Kitchen

The decor of your kitchen area wholly depends on your likes, preferences and choices. In some houses you will find a separate room for the kitchen while in other houses the kitchen is set in an open area which seems like an extension of your living room or dining room. Kitchen designs that are most popular these days are L- shape, U-shape, island shape and gallery shape kitchen designs. These days people are adding expensive appliances like Dishwashers, ovens, Glass and wooden cabinets, old and silver dinnerware and pewter finish to give a whole new look to their kitchen area.

If you want to decorate your kitchenette on a large scale then you can even hire professional interior decorators. They would provide you great ideas for making your kitchen look more appealing and classy.

Here I would like to present some brilliant ideas in front of you about kitchen decoration.

1. Buy attractive table clothes

Attractive table clothes can really impress your guests while they are dining. In the market these days you will get a large variety of table clothes of different fabrics and patterns that you can choose according to your kitchen decor. You can purchase different table clothes in bulk; this would help you to change them on special occasions like Christmas, birthdays, and special dinners and on thanksgiving holiday.

2. Use decorative lights to illuminate your kitchen area

A dark and dull kitchen creates bad vibes whereas a well illuminated kitchen can really improve the ambiance. Even if you have a small kitchen it can look impressive with some great lighting. Purchasing bright decorative lights would surely be a very profitable investment for you. You can either have track lighting or lighting at the focal point of your kitchen. You can even consider a good chandelier accompanied by dazzling trimmings or unique lamps which can be placed on all the focal points.

3. Accessorize your kitchen

Accessorizing your kitchen is a great decorating option. The kitchen area is an extension to your living space hence this area should be welcoming and cozy. Kitchen accessories include china, collectibles, antiques, photographs, alligator chandelier, silver utensils, modern appliances, wall paintings, flower vases, fruit bowls, lamps, small plants and unique decorative pieces. If your budget allow then you can also include a patio area just outside your kitchen where meals can be served to all your guests and friends.

These are some essential tips that you must surely follow while decorating your kitchen area.

Tips For Decorating Your Kitchen

Tips To Design A Mexican Style Garden

Mexican Designed Gardens combine character with elegance and like the Hispanic culture should include a space for socialising! In the same way as Mexico is vast the types of Mexican style gardens have variations also, there are Mexican Water Gardens but more commonly the garden can be a courtyard style with a water feature if room allows it.

A Mexican courtyard garden is designed around people with evidence of the varied Mexican landscapes such as lush tropical forests, desert and coast. So the aim is to focus on the people who will enjoy it and visit it, then building the props and plants with this in mind which should mirror the diverse beauty of Mexico.

Some Mexican courtyard gardens may focus on one favourite place or aspect of Mexico which also works very well, so if you have been to Mexico this is an option. It could be a loving tribute to the relaxing coasts of Mexico, the diverse mountain regions or the native feel of the northern deserts.

When you have your theme decided then immerse yourself in lots of photos online of the aspects of this style to help you further define what props and plants will fit in your garden well. Remember that the socialising area is central to the plan, and this will ideally include some form of outdoor cooking facility as well as the area to relax, eat, drink and be merry! The end result should give a feel of native and colonial design with colours, plants, terrracotta and practical plants like herbs and vegetables are very much part of it.

Once you have set aside the entertaining area the next step is to put in the roots of this courtyward style which means choosing tiles which should have earthy tones, like terracottas, reds or browns, can include nature designs such as cacti or the sun and traditionally would have been handmade ceramic tiles.

Having chosen the socialising area your aim is to make this welcoming, cheery and functional so a good choice is a hand made brick oven or barbeque. The dining and relaxing furniture is typically rustic wood and/or wrought iron tables, benches, chairs. Look forward to the great evenings you will have there and feature wrought-iron candelabras for lighting.

If you have space for a water feature it can be a small fish pond or a small water feature made from old terracotta pots, it doesn't need to be big to have the desired effect. Of course if you do have the space for a larger feature then go for it, watch out for the pink flamingoes though!

You'll notice that there has been mention of terracotta once or twice already, so to get it out of the way you can use used and broken terracotta earthenware in as many ways as you can think of in your Mexican garden. You can put little cacti in them or herbs just go for it.

Which leads us onto cacti and plants. Lots of cacti and tropical type plants, if possible cultivate lemon, orange, nut or banana trees if your climate allows. A small vegetable garden is a must also and if you haven't grown your own vegetables before it is a great experience and they taste heaps better than what we get in most supermarkets. Go for well kept flowerbeds alsoo and large arrangements of hanging baskets. Some plants to consider are aloe vera (great healing properties), flowering agave, fuchsia, golden trumpet, hosta, orchid, acacia, caladium, rex-begonia vine, hibiscus and rex-begonia vine.

Props to consider are bright wall frescos, wrought iron gateways, pottery and ceramics painted with traditional designs, as well as Aztec style cushions and tablecloths if you wish. To make the evenings more pleasant you can put of a straw type roof on the entertaining area. This is best done using scaffold towers for your safety or that of any workers. When it is all finished sit down and enjoy a well deserved drink in your new garden.

Tips To Design A Mexican Style Garden

Enhance Your Garden With a Wall Fountain

The elegance of a wall fountain will certainly increase the tranquil atmosphere of your garden as well as increase the retail value of your property. Such an addition is not new in the outdoor setting as it was often the source of water for the household in ancient times. This fountain brings the sight and sound of falling water to your outdoor living space increasing the enjoyment you will have just sitting there taking in the natural setting you have created.

Although they have a different appearance than most fountains, wall fountains operate in basically the same way. There is a basin that serves as the pool into which the water falls from the fountainhead. Pipes or tubing take this water through a pump, hidden inside the fountain, from the pool back up to the top in a continuous motion. The water can fall in a wall of water, spray from the head or even replicate waterfalls by pouring over several shelves or ledges on its way to the pool.

You can have the water in a wall fountain coming from the mouth of an animal or a mythical creature or even pouring from a watering can or teapot. There are numerous designs to choose from and they are easy to install. You simply hang the fountain on a garden fence or attach it to a wall. You can even have this water feature on your patio if it is large enough. The trick to the installation is to make sure that the water pipes are hidden behind the feature over which you have the water pouring.

There are ready made water wall fountains available for purchase in home improvement and garden stores both online and off. You can also create your own wall fountain using any materials that you have on hand, such as a sheet of clear glass to create a wall of water or even a gnarled branch of driftwood on which you place different containers.

Whatever the design of the wall fountain, the components remain the same. You will need to have a basin in which you have a submersible pump, tubing from the pump to the fountain head or spout and some direction for the water to fall back into the basin. It is a challenging task to build a large wall water fountain, but it is possible if you have time and patience. You do have to look at the area in which you want to place the fountain so that you can landscape the area to complement the design of the fountain. Then it will look as if the fountain is a natural part of the garden.

When you search online you will see many examples of wall water fountains, maybe even the ideal outdoor wall fountain! This will give you ideas for creating your own unique designs that will have your visitors asking where you bought it or how you came up with the design. If you purchase a ready-made wall fountain, the package will contain all the directions and parts you need for assembling and hanging it in whatever part of your garden you decide is best. This is the simplest and easiest choice, but there is a wealth of information available online to help you build your own.

Enhance Your Garden With a Wall Fountain

Homemade Water Garden Fountains

Making a homemade garden fountain can be quite a simple task. You can also build quite elaborate fountains although it may not be quite as easy. You first have to decide just what it is you are contemplating. Are you looking to make a simple garden fountain that will sit on your patio table as a focal point? Or are considering an in ground pond with a relatively large fountain? Either way there is going to be some planning required.

The table top homemade garden fountains: This is a great way that you can really use your creativity here. Chances are you probably have many items around your home that you can use to make up your fountain. There will be some items that you will need to purchase such as a small pump and tubing to make your fountain flow. You can start by using several different sizes of clay flower pots. For the base of your fountain try and find a ceramic flowerpot or even large bowl. Then you can use your clay pots to create different levels in your fountain allowing the water to flow through them. You can vary the positioning of them, by allowing some of them to fill with water, and then spill down onto the next pot which would be placed upside down.

To position your pots at different levels, use a variety of different size stones and build them up. If you can find some small pieces of shale they work well as ledges. Then once you have the various pots strategically laid out the way you want them then you can start adding some accessories. You can add either some real plants or some artificial ones. Purchase some artificial moss and position this around your pots and on the ledges. It's from this point where you can be creative. You may have thought that you didn't have the talent to do this but once you start you will see how easy it really is.

The outdoor pond fountains: You have lots of choices here for your fountain as there are many on the market that you can purchase. If you really want to customize your pond consider making your own fountain head. A great medium to make a fountain head out of is ceramic. This doesn't mean that you have to settle for one of the store bought ones either.

If there is a ceramic hobby shop near you then you could go and purchase a piece of unfinished ceramic and do it yourself. There are actually ceramic pieces that are designed for fountains or you can modify it with your own creativity. The ceramic shop will give you instructions on how to prepare your piece so that it can be used in your fountain setting. The two important aspects will be inserting an opening for the water to flow through, and to make sure the piece is glazed. This is one sure way of having a unique fountain head for your garden fountain.

Homemade Water Garden Fountains

Top 10 Pottery Making Tips For the Beginner

1. Go to pottery making classes. Everyone has to learn somehow. Although it can be comforting to learn on your own it will be much more fun with others. In addition your skills will improve much quicker!

2. Don't be put off by the terminology! Pottery making uses some strange and quirky terms. It wont be long before you know green ware from biscuit ware.

3. Be prepared to get dirty - you can tell a potter by his hands and shoes! Even with an apron it is impossible to stay clean when making pottery. Your hands and shoes will get dirty! Treat it as part of the fun so dress appropriately.

4. Enjoy the experience - even if it goes wrong! It goes wrong for everyone including the experts so don't be afraid to experiment. Remember that your designs are unique and you have the chance to express your own creativity.

5. Read some simple pottery making books. Lots of pottery books are available so choose books with simple descriptions and pictures to get you started. Books,however, are no substitute for classes but they should reinforce your learning.

6. Ask questions. Asking questions aids memory so you learn quicker. Don't be embarrassed to ask even the most simple of questions. Remember you are probably only saying what many others are thinking!

7. Practise then practise some more!This probably should be my number 1 tip on the list. As with most things in life, the more you practise the more skilled you become and the more enjoyable will be the experience.

8. Develop your own style. Don't be afraid to experiment-its your chance to show your artistic flair.

9. Make some pots & give them away. It makes you feel good and you might even find a soul mate.

10. Share your experience with a loved one. Making pottery can become a real passion so don't forget to share your experiences with your loved one. They might even want to join you at the next pottery class.

Top 10 Pottery Making Tips For the Beginner

Cheap Garden Decorating Ideas

You don't have to break your budget to spruce up your outdoor garden. Adding unusual decorations found around your home and surrounding landscape can help to bring in an element of surprise to your garden, but without the high price tag. For added pops of color, contrast the decorative elements with the existing colors found around the space. You now have a budget-friendly and unexpected addition to the garden.

Bottle Fence

Create a cheap garden fence or border using recycled glass bottles. Available in green, blue and clear, create a mosaic of color using old bottles, while helping to define the garden. To create the fence, turn the bottles upside down and press the bottleneck into the soil so it stands upright. Insert the bottles side-by-side or every one to two feet, depending upon your design preference and how many bottles you obtain. Work your way down around the garden space adding the bottles into the soil. Alternatively, you could bury the bottles so the bottom is flush with the surrounding soil, creating a low-built accent and border to the space. Another garden decorating ideas is to use old bottles to create a bottle tree. Use any tree which has dead or dried-out limbs and insert the bottle over the limbs and branches. Repeat this by adding bottles all over the tree to create your own interesting garden design and one that becomes a focal point and unexpected touch to the landscape.

Homeade Luminaries

Use old jam and jelly jars, and other masonry jars to create cheap holders for tea lights. Clean out the container and set the tea light inside for a warm and inviting glow to the garden. Use them on an outdoor patio or nestled under a pergola for added sparkle during evening dinners or entertaining friends. Line a garden walkway or front path with candle filled jars for an enchanted evening walk. Brown paper lunch bags can also be used to create an affordable outdoor luminary. These homemade luminaries are not only cheap but can be placed all over the garden for a warm glow. Place a small candle within and watch the lights flicker and glow inside.

Seating

Seating is essential in your garden space but does not have to break your budget. You can use surrounding material found in your landscape like a downed log or tree stump as the perfect seating area to enjoy your morning cup of coffee. Turn a set of old cinder blocks into an inviting bench within the garden. Paint the blocks with an all weather paint for a long-lasting design. Don't forget to add a set of pillows to make the bench soft and cozy as well as a very cheap seating option to your garden space.

Source tkceramics.com

How to Build a Fountain From Three Garden Pots

Although the idea of using pots as garden fountains is not a new idea, I came across a way of building them that I hadn't seen before and would like to share that with you. The idea is simple. First you will have to choose the pots you will use for your fountain. You need a basin, a base and the pot you will use as the fountain. Choose the shape of the main fountain not only for its appearance but also how it will function. Smooth pots with very little taper on the bottom will be quieter as the water will cling to sides as it falls. Some pots have ridges or rings that will cause the water to fall off producing more sound.

You start with a large sized terracotta or stone bowl as your foundation. This will be the basin pot where the overflowing water will fall. Drill a hole out of the bottom center of the bowl if there isn't one already. Now take the cord from your pump and run it through the hole. For larger holes, cover with duct tape and fill with Bondo. Smaller holes can be filled in with silicon. When that has dried, coat the inside with a water sealant. Now you should be ready to place the basin in your desired location. Although not crucial, try to make the basin as level as possible.

The base pot is a pot that is turned upside down and houses the pump. Choose a pot that has a base diameter the same as the base diameter of the main fountain pot. Soak the pot overnight in water. This helps make it easier to cut notches around the top rim of the pot. These notches allow water to come in that gets pumped up through the fountain tube.

Cut a piece of tubing about a foot longer than the height of the fountain pot. Attach this to the pump. Now feed the base pot down over the tube through the hole in the bottom of the pot. Seal the gap around the tube with more silicon. Now you should have your basin with an upside down pot sitting in the middle of it with a pump inside and the tube sticking out the top of the base pot.

Now take your fountain pot and test fit it by feeding it down over the tube and placing it on top of the base pot. If everything looks good (it should be plumb and level with the tube sticking out the top higher than the height of the pot) you can take off the fountain pot and run two thick beads of silicon around the top of the base pot. Run one bead towards the outside to help hold the pots together and one on the inside to keep water from running in between the two pots.

Once everything has dried, fill with water and test. Now you will have to adjust the height of the tubing to get the desired effect you are looking for. Finish by filling in the basin with rocks.

Ideas for Gardening in Containers

Containers are perfect if you don't have a lot of space in your garden but want to grow your favorite plants and flowers. You can still experience the joy of gardening when using a container filled with elegant blooms. All you really need is a large enough container to hold your plants and good potting soil. Keep the plant in its preferred area of the garden and watch as the container takes shape and creates a lovely addition to the garden space.

Colorful Bushes

Bushes can be used inside containers for colorful and inviting focal points around the garden. Use a larger container to hold the bush and add a stunning effect to the space. Hydrangeas with their snowball blooms look lovely inside containers and placed at the entrance to an outdoor pergola or garden walkway. Another stunning bush to add is the hibiscus bush. With the white and pink blooms and crimson red centers, this vibrant bush looks especially beautiful because of its cascading and billowing effect over a container. Watch how it spreads into the garden area with its giant blooms. To keep the bushes healthy inside the container add a layer of mulch to help retain water during the hot summer months and to prevent weeds from shooting up through the soil.

Vegetables

Why not plant a vegetable patch inside a container? With the ability to manipulate the soil to accommodate these edibles, a container is the perfect spot for growing delicious blooms like squash and tomatoes. Use a larger container and one that is lower to the ground, so the vines can sprawl over and down the sides. Add an ever-hardy zucchini plant to the container to produce a plethora of fruits to use in your favorite dishes. Use a container inside the garden for growing your favorite cool weather lettuces like bibb and arugula to use in salads while adding a vibrant green color to the garden space. Don't forget to add a deep container for carrots. Their long roots need more space than most vegetables so make sure you have a large enough space for these crunchy delights.

Herbs

Herbs love to be crammed into a container space so don't be shy when it comes to planting one large herb container for your garden. To create height and balance, add the taller herbs in the back of the space like dill and cilantro. Add medium-sized herbs to the middle of the container like basil and sage. The different shades of green and various textures add a stunning design element to the garden while producing fragrant herbs to use in your favorite dishes. Along the front of the container, add a draping thyme or oregano to cascade over the container and into the garden space.

Useful Gardening Tips

A garden is a treasure house of happiness for most owners. One can forget all their work tensions and stress of life by spending quality time in their garden area, but for that you'll need a garden that's not only lush green and colorful but a healthy one too. If you are just about to start setting up your garden, however small or big, some of these tips might be mighty handy for you.

- Plan a garden that you can easily maintain and also one that suits your home and personal needs. Often we make the mistake of building a large and fancy garden which cannot be maintained in the absence of additional help.

- Give your garden a multi colored hue, if you do not have favorable climate for exotic plants or flowers do not plant them since they would need extra care and the chances of survival are lesser. Often we make the mistake of planning a garden based on what we see in gardening books. It always makes sense to incorporate plants that are more suited to local climate and conditions and that which need minimum of care.

- Make your garden a riot of colors not only with the flowers you plant but also with trees that have different colored leaves. In the absence of seasonal flowers you won't be deprived of color in the garden.

- Keep your garden weed and insect free, it makes for a healthy garden one where you can relax and your children can play safely.

- While buying new plants for the garden make sure they are healthy and well taken care of. Ensure that you have the right planting conditions and soil ready before bringing the plant home. You should check a new plant for shape as well as signs of disease and insects.

- If you have a large garden, you might think of decorating it with different ideas. Ornamental clay pots or earthen figures are often a good way of decorating the garden. Securing a reading zone or a reading area for you could be a good idea for all of those who love the idea of a good outdoor read.

- Buy yourself a set of good and sturdy gardening tools that you will be able to handle yourself. Tools should always be kept clean and away from small children. Allot a separate place for gardening tools as well as manure and pesticides; remember to keep them away from children.

- Introduces variety to garden decoration. A corner of your garden could be set up to be a small pond, replete with water lilies and lotus plants; it gives that exotic touch to your garden and relaxes you too.

Gardening is a relaxing recreation. For all of you who want to have that ideal garden, go ahead and plan for it, you could involve your children or take the help of friends who could pitch in to build a garden both relaxing and one that will be an integral part of you.

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5 steps to complete a successful ceramic tile installation

If laying ceramic tiles is totally new to you, "5 Steps to complete a successful ceramic tile installation" is a set of basic but important tips that you will help you avoid making costly mistakes on your next bathroom or ceramic tile installation.

- Plan which Tile

- Shop around if you want to save

- Prepare the surface for a long lasting job

- Lay the tiles

- Finishing touches

Plan which Tile

This step is often underestimated and sometimes even forgotten (can you believe it?). Planning your ceramic tile installation from A to Z is probably one of the most important steps for a smooth, easy going and problem free bathroom tile installation.

Some things to take in account are;

" Suitability of the tile

" Pattern /colour of the tile

" Size of the tile

" Size of the area to be tiled. (This is important data that will be vital to know how much tile, grout, etc, you have to buy)

" Adhesive, mortar or grout to suit your needs

Not all ceramic tile installations are the same, different tiling installations may require different mortar or grout. DO NOT feel shy about asking the suppliers for advice or help in calculating how much you need. They will gladly help you, as they are likely to make a sale.

Shop around if you want to save

This isn't as difficult as the first step, however when the budget is tight it can be tricky to find the right tile for the ceramic tile installation you want. You are going to have to make some compromises and so don't get carried away by the beauty of some of the ceramic tiles. Prices can vary a lot between different tiles, so some end up rather expensive for only a few square metres.

Always shop around, it has never been easier. Just sit in front of the computer and use the Internet. Use local directories to find the suppliers close to you and pay them a visit.

Before making your final decision always check the chosen tile under different lights as the results can be surprisingly different.

Prepare the surface for a long lasting job before laying the ceramic tiles

The surface to be tiled (floor, wall or any other) will often need to be prepared, this can include work like filling, levelling, smoothing, priming and sometimes water proofing.

The right preparation will be directly affect the lifespan of the ceramic tile installation. Unless you want to be tiling again soon, you want to get this right from the start.

This is probably the most important point to ensure a long lasting tiling job. Don't rush it.

Laying the ceramic tiles safely

The technique of laying ceramic tiles is not especially difficult. It only takes a little bit of practice before anyone can easily master it. Clearing the room to be tiled before starting will help you to do the job safer and easier. Don't forget to wear your safety goggles when cutting or chipping tiles.

Laying ceramic tiles can also be a bit messy, if you don't want dust all over the house we suggest sealing the room you want to tile whenever possible. A large piece of plastic tacked to the door frame will do the job quite well.

Try not to allow any adhesive to get on your skin and never forget to read the manufacturers directions before even opening the tin. If some ends up on you, just clean it with water as soon as possible. Even though tile adhesives aren't usually abrasive, if you leave it for some time it may cause an allergic reaction.

Use a spirit level to help you with the depth & level of the tiles and spacers to maintain an even distance between them.

The finishing touches

Once the tile adhesive or mortar has cured (dried) and the tiles are firm and even, you can start with the finishing touches.

You'll have to fill the spaces between tiles with grout making sure you don't leave any gaps as these cause damp problems, in a shower for example.

The technique is very simple, use a rubber faced trowel to spread the grout and a cotton cloth to clean the excess grout from the tiles afterwards.

There are many different types of grouts; you'll have to choose the right one depending on the surface and chosen tile.

Now that you have your ceramic tiles laid down, you only need to take care of them, usually manufacturers provide information on taking care of their tiles and only minimal effort is required. Most household cleaning products will do the job well, if some particular stain is stubborn, there are many commercial stain removers, just make sure you use the right product for the right tile.

You are now closer to discovering how satisfying it can be handling a tile installation yourself; just follow these 5 steps to get the best result.

Collecting from the Internet