Category: Designing

One of the nicest lamp shade are those made with mica. One reason for this is that it’s durable and strong plus these kinds of lamps are easy to make. Mica lamp shades is one of the lamps that came along before electricity. A few years after 1930s along came the earliest electric lamps. Some features of Mica lamps that appeal to people are: 1. These beautiful mica lamp shades produce a warm soft light; 2. Mica lamp brings a sense of soft beauty into a room. 3. Mica is group of silicate minerals and the word ‘mica’ is derived from the Latin word ‘micare’ which means ‘to glitter’. 4. Mica produces a marble look and mica lamp shades are easy to make and you can do it yourself as well. In this article we’ll show you how to create your own mica lamp. Before you start on your project, check if you have a tape measure, a metal lampshade (with strong frame) and shears. Now purchase the amount of mica sheets you require to make the mica lamp shades. It comes in four colors, dark amber, standard amber, stained amber and white. If you have a lamp shade that you may already have at home and decide which area you would be adding the mica too, or if you plan to do a full mica lamp shade, then measure the entire shade. Once the amount is decided purchase your mica sheets. Cut the mica sheets into the desired measurement. Slip it into the metal lampshade or fit into desired areas. Hold mica sheets in place with glue or tape or if you have tabs at the back of the fold, fold them in to hold the sheet in place. Mica lamp shades can be designed by using circular or square or even rectangular shaped rims. If you don’t have a metal frame to make your mica lamp shades, don’t worry there is another option, though it may require a little more work! Take 4 or 6 coat hangers. Bend one of those hangers into the shape of a circle. Use a mug or a round container to get the desired shape. Do the same with another hanger and make it larger so that it can be the lower rim. Take 3 or 4 hanger pieces cut to the same measurement and connect both rims with them leaving equal spaces...

As individuals age their balance often becomes compromised. Over time the use of a cane stops being optional and becomes a necessity. When choosing a walking stick or cane as an everyday accessory it is important that not only does it function properly but that is also offers and aesthetic value. Many hand carved canes use heraldic symbols as a way to offer visual appeal and bring meaning to a piece making this style popular amongst cane owners. These symbols and their classifications have intrigued people for ages. Family history can often be connected by examining the coat of arms and the symbols within. Each symbol represents an individual, family, community, society or city all found one of several classifications of heraldic arms. Having an understanding of these classifications and symbols brings to life the symbols within hand carved canes. With the inclusion of such in a cane users are allowed to draw the focus away from the practical use of the cane and allow it to be on the canes meaning. Heraldic Symbol Classification Arms of Succession: Arms of succession are used to represents inheritance from bequest, entail or donation. Arms of Community: This type of heraldic symbol is most often used to represent corporate institutions such as a university or city. Arms of Dominion: The dominion usually represents the arms of the state often held by kings or sovereigns. These symbols are not allowed to be modified or adjusted by a change in dynasty or ruler. Arms of Pretension: A king or prince who own or stake claim to other territories often hold the heraldic symbol of pretension. Since it is only partially owned the symbol is displayed in the territory. Arms of Concession: These arms are given when extreme bravery or good virtue is shown. Paternal Arms: Paternal arms belong to and outline a certain family’s ancestry. These heraldic symbols are not allowed to be duplicated. This would be seen as a breach of conduct. Over time the symbols are allowed to be modified because of this some symbols are hardly recognizable and have lost their original significance. Arms of Alliance: After marriage the arms of alliance is granted. This new set of arms represents the bond now shared between the two families. Arms of Patronage: Followers of a king often wear the arms of patronage. The symbol is a variation of the original arm of their...

Whether you own a busy bar for skiers in Lake Tahoe, or you have a cozy home bar where you invite friends to gather, it’s important to create the right atmosphere for your bar. Bars are places for making friends, for enjoying good company, and for appreciating the pop culture around us that unifies friends and strangers. You can add a lot to the atmosphere of your bar by decorating with a shot glass display case. Shot glass collecting is a popular pastime, and a fun way of uniting friends while drinking. Shot glass collections provide a great conversational opener. (“Say, I never knew you went to France. When did you find that Eiffel tower shot glass?”) There is a story behind each shot glass, and keeping your collection framed on the wall allows you and your guests to enjoy each unique piece in a collection. Many collectors prefer to group certain shaped shot glasses together (with the taller shot glasses stored in a larger shot glass display case. Other shot glass collectors prefer to group shot glass collections together by subject matter (advertisements, funny cartoons, geographical locations, fraternities and organizations, etc.). Many shot glass display cases can hold over 100 shot glasses, and have sections for larger shot glasses as well. Shot glasses should be made of sturdy hardwood, such as beech, oak, mahogany, cherry, alder, or other hardwood. When selecting a shot glass display case, look for finely made corners that are designed to last a long time. You can find display cases in materials other than hardwood (such as acrylic, glass, and other materials), but they usually are not as well made and do not last as long. When selecting the style of the display case, you should take into consideration the unique characteristics of the shot glass collection that will be inside the case. Certain shot glasses that are decorated front and back will be shown off better in a display case that has a mirrored back. Other collections are shown off by a dark velvet background, which lends some class and solemnity to an otherwise whimsical collection. Funny shot glass collections also look great in painted display cases, often made of wood and painted in bright colors to match some of the colorful designs on the glasses themselves. You can buy shot glass collections online, which is very helpful if you are decorating a restaurant...