Victoria

Ceramics

Victoria & Albert Museum
Author: Anil Gupta
Queen Victoria laid the foundation stone of the Museum on 17th May 1899. The Victoria & Albert has a collection of more than 4 million objects. The Victoria & Albert Museum in London is the world's largest museum of the decorative arts and has 146 galleries, including national collections of sculpture, furniture, fashion and photographs. It also houses the National Art Library. The Victoria & Albert also manage the Bethnal Green Museum of Childhood, the Wellington Museum at Apsley House and the Theatre Museum in Covent Garden.

The Victoria & Albert is the world's greatest museum of art and design. The Museum is renowned for the immense diversity of its collections, which embrace furniture, fashion, textiles, paintings, silver, glass, ceramics, jewellery, books, prints and photographs. Housed in magnificent Victorian buildings, these collections illustrate the artistic life of many different cultures, from European to South East Asian, American to Islamic, over hundreds of generations.

The museum has been housed in Aston Webb's grand building since 1909. The building has a impressive facade and main entrance. As the museum grew new buildings were erected when needed. Many of these buildings were intended to be semi-permanent exhibition halls but all have survived and represent one of the finest groups of Victorian buildings in the country. The Victoria & Albert has around four million exhibits from all periods and areas of the world. The 145 of galleries cover ten acres and are spread over four floors.

The Art and Design galleries are arranged by themes and by place and date, for example the Materials & Techniques galleries are arranged by the type of material. The six-storey Henry Cole Wing holds the Victoria & Albert's collection of paintings, drawings and prints. In 2001 the restored British Galleries reopened to the public. These cover British art and design from 1500 - 1900 and include James II's wedding suit and the Great Bed of Ware. The Victoria & Albert, which held its first photographic exhibition in 1858, is also the home of the National Collection of Art of Photography. The Canon Photography Gallery has regularly changing displays.

The fifteen galleries of the Victoria & Albert Museum tell the story of British design from the Tudor period to the Victorian era and display the Victoria & Albert's unrivalled collection of historic British furniture, textiles, dress, ceramics, glass, jewellery, silver, prints, paintings and sculpture. Every major name in the history of British design is represented, including Grinling Gibbons, Robert Adam, William Morris and Charles Rennie Mackintosh as well as workshops and manufacturers such as the Mortlake tapestry works, Spitalfields silks weaving workshops, Wedgwood, Doulton and Liberty.

The Victoria and Albert Museum, London, has started work on a new jewellery gallery that is planned to open in 2008. Jewels from 2000 sc to the present, drawn from a pool of five thousand, will include an ancient Egyptian hippopotamus, Elizabethan pendants, Marie Antoinette's bracelet clasps, jewels owned by Napoleon and Catherine the Great, as well as this nineteenth-century English bodice ornament, a diamond bouquet of roses, a carnation, a chrysanthemum and a fuchsia, set on springs so they tremble as the wearer moves.

The transformation of the British Galleries is the Victoria & Albert's largest project for over half a century and with over 3000 exhibits on display in magnificent new surroundings, the result is a truly exceptional experience not to be missed.

Article Source : http://www.articledashboard.com

Anil Gupta recommends that you visit www.bookings.it/city/gb/london.html ?aid=305255 for more information on london hotels.

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Tuscany Style Decorating Ideas

Pottery

Tuscany Style Decorating Ideas
Author: Jill Kane

Earthy colors and natural materials are two basics for the "old world" style of decorating. To get an idea of the colors we're talking about, go for a walk outside and take notice of the beautiful colors around you, the blue sky, the golden sun, even the chocolate brown of mud in the springtime. Ok, so you don't have a view of the blue/green Mediterranean Sea but you've seen pictures of it haven't you? On that walk, stroll through the produce department of your local grocery store and note the dark purple eggplants, the red peppers, yellow lemons, green olives. These are some of the colors you'll want to consider for your Tuscany decorating. Natural materials will include wood (think rustic, sturdy type furniture), tile (colorful ceramic for wall accents) natural stone for flooring and unpolished metals such as copper, tin, or pewter for accents.

You probably already have some Tuscan influences in your home. Iron scrollwork brackets, terra cotta planters (more about these later), fruit themed artwork, colorful pottery, copper, tin, pewter items, tapestry wall hangings – what was old is new again! Check your garage, attic or flea markets for some of these items.

What could be simpler than lining a sunny windowsill with some pretty little terra cotta pots with Italian herbs (oregano, basil, sage, etc.)? Do you have a section of old wrought iron railing that once graced your front porch? Bring it in, clean it up and get creative. Maybe you could use it for a pot hanger in the kitchen or hang it on the wall for a decorative accent in the family room. How about that old leather trimmed trunk? It may make a great coffee table or storage area. Since colorful tile work is essential for the Tuscan style, how about making your own mosaic masterpiece? Just break up a few pieces of old china, (use safety goggles), apply it with tile adhesive to a terra cotta planter, old vase or whatever you choose, let it dry for 24 hours, grout it and wipe down with a damp sponge.

If you're redoing your walls, a simple way of getting that time-burnished stucco look is to use Venetian plaster, which is simply drywall compound mixed with latex paint. First, paint the walls a Tuscany color such as gold, cream or even a terra cotta red. Then spread the plaster over the wall in varying thicknesses – let some of the painted wall show through. Then, you can seal it with a latex sealer if you wish. Or, you may want to check out wallpapers that imitate this look.

Keep in mind, the whole idea is to create a warm, comfortable "lived in" look and you'll get it using these ideas and some of your own.

Jill Kane is the owner of http://www.1st-Home-Decorating-Ideas.com " http://www.1st-Home-Decorating-Ideas.com . A site with tips and resources related to home decorating.

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Tuscan Themes and Decorating Ideas

Ceramics

Tuscan Themes and Decorating Ideas
Author: jamies
Tuscan theme

Tuscan décor provides a place to relax and can use it as a place for entertainment. It is a way to decorate the place through plants or fruits or something which make feel green. For a Tuscan décor the main point to be considered is to provide green everywhere. One can use the runaway potato vine for covering the wall. This potato originally is planted in a couple of tubs and when it spreads out, the roots are cut and the vine is snipped, the potato plants fall away. This makes the wall ready for a water blast and then it is painted with an acrylic Murawash in stone.

Hidden meaning

Tuscan theme is not just decorating the place with plants. It is meant to give the place a shade of colors which makes the place feel living. We have come across the shades which makes the place look dull. Giving life to a place through colors and other decors is called to be Tuscan theme. This theme can also be applied for wedding ceremonies which makes the ceremony look decent and a good one with a Florence texture. Everything in a wedding when is designed with the floral theme in mind it makes the place look like wedding place.

Who can design it?

One can design the kitchen through the Tuscan theme giving it an overview of the sun. It can be anything related to sun i.e. it may be a sunflower designed in the dishware, or it can be the walls which are yellow in color to give it a feel that it is affected by sun or one can provide a window which lets the sun come in during the day time. Tuscan world is related to the old word. So everything which is antique can use for the purpose of designing the place with the Tuscan theme. So while designing a bedroom or a living room it can be the design of a pillow cover or a the design of the bed cover or the window cover or the door cover which is inspired by the Tuscan theme which makes the place look antique and since every antique things are good looking or in other words we can say that every old things are gold so the place decorated that way are also inspiring and good looking.

Tuscan decorating ideas

A home may be decorated using a beautiful Tuscan landscape or may be by contemplating any of the below mentioned ideas.

Brick and stucco are generally what a Tuscan home is generally built of. Simplicity and modernity are two adjectives that describe a Tuscan home very aptly. The window dressings are simple and bold in character. The main objective behind a Tuscan home is comfort, convenience and a compact arrangement coupled with affordability and beauty of interiors. A veranda forms an inexpensive way to decorate your Tuscan home. Grape wines are planted at the base of every post of the roof of the veranda. The look exudes comfort and coziness. It makes the area look more spacious and elegant. The stairs are aptly placed and it provides privacy for the people living in the house. It gives it a cottage kind of an arrangement to the home. The kitchen is generally of a measurement of 10 by 16 feet, with a couple of closets at one end, and a back porch which is located behind the pantry and to its other end stands the back door.

Tuscan landscapes:

The fertile and serene parts of Tuscany in Italy provide for ample beautiful and simple decorating styles and patterns. Adding a touch of Tuscany to your house is definitely going to be a pleasurable experience. Such antique Italian ceramics are popular sources of the traditions of Tuscany. The ceramics depicting the charm of Tuscan landscapes are found commonly in every farmhouse and villa. Some examples of Tuscan landscapes are the casa Colonica and stile Rustico.

Casa Colonica:

It is a simple block shaped structure made of stone with a roof. Such landscapes are found in abundance in and around the Tuscan countryside. It was once considered a privilege to be the owner of a farmhouse or a villa in Italy.

Stile Rustico:

This is the landscape that goes with the Italian idea of a quiet and serene existence. The color scheme depicts the rich soil and soft greenery, beautiful hills and the charming olive trees are inspired from the peace of the Tuscan landscapes.

Article Source : http://www.articledashboard.com

Jamie is the author of other Tuscan Tips located at Home Improvement Tips
Also check out our Home Improvement Tips Blog for other Tips.
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Traditional VS Modern Anniversary Gifts

Pottery

Traditional VS Modern Anniversary Gifts
Author: Slade Hartwell
Most people are familiar with the traditional materials list that good etiquette requires us use as a guide when selecting a gift to commemorate a wedding anniversary. If you are like most people, you might find it a bit challenging to convert the materials on the list into an acceptable gift idea. There may be more choices available to you than you realize. Do you know that an updated "modern" gift list is available which is becoming more and more popular? This article touches on the history of the traditional list, highlights the differences between the modern and traditional lists, and helps you decide which is right for you.

Parts of the traditional list have existed since medieval times. Historians can trace the origins of silver and golden anniversaries to medieval Germany, where garlands made of these metals were presented as gifts for the 25th and 50th years of marriage. The rest of the list may not be as traditional as you think. I was surprised to learn that the traditional list, as we know it today, did not exist until 1937. In that year, the American National Retail Jeweler Association published a list, which associated a material for each Anniversary up to the 15th year and then each fifth year after that up to the 60th Anniversary. The following is the materials list from 1937, through the 60th year:

* First - Paper
* Second - Cotton
* Third - Leather
* Fourth - Fruit/Flowers
* Fifth - Wood
* Sixth - Candy/Iron
* Seventh - Wool/Copper
* Eighth - Bronze/Pottery
* Ninth - Pottery/Willow
* Tenth - Tin/Aluminum
* Eleventh - Steel
* Twelfth - Silk/Linen
* Thirteenth - Lace
* Fourteenth - Ivory
* Fifteenth - Crystal
* Twentieth - China
* Twenty-Fifth - Silver
* Thirtieth - Pearl
* Thirty-Fifth - Coral
* Fortieth - Ruby
* Forty-Fifth - Sapphire
* Fiftieth - Gold
* Fifty-fifth - Emerald
* Sixtieth - Diamond

The modern anniversary materials list presents us with a contemporary, easier to use alternative. The modern list has no clear beginning, but like the original, each year's gift is more precious than the last. This arrangement is intended to honor the longevity of the commitment. The new list retains the spirit of the traditional list, but loses the some of the sense of etiquette in the original. Although more convenient, the modern list sacrifices the thoughtfulness previously required to make a good gift from the more mundane materials on the old list. However, the modern list is more extravagant (expensive) than the original, which in some cases may be more appreciated than a thoughtful but humble gift from the traditional list. The following is the widely accepted modern list, through the 60th year:

* First - Clocks
* Second - China
* Third - Crystal/ Glass
* Fourth - Appliances
* Fifth - Silverware
* Sixth - Candy/Iron
* Seventh - Desk Sets
* Eighth - Bronze/Pottery
* Ninth - Linen/Lace
* Tenth - Leather
* Eleventh - Jewelry
* Twelfth - Pearls
* Thirteenth - Textiles/Furs
* Fourteenth - Gold Jewelry
* Fifteenth - Watches
* Twentieth - Platinum
* Twenty-Fifth - Silver
* Thirtieth - Diamond
* Thirty-Fifth - Jade
* Fortieth - Ruby
* Forty-Fifth - Sapphire
* Fiftieth - Gold
* Fifty-fifth - Emerald
* Sixtieth - Diamond Jubilee

For most couples, I recommend using the modern list. When selecting a gift from the modern list you have the benefit of more specificity, for example a desk set is much more clear than copper/wool. With the modern list, you won't risk insulting your spouse by rewarding 10 years of companionship with a pitiful tin or aluminum gift. Believe me, she won't be satisfied with the excuse of tradition. Also, good luck finding the ivory candlesticks for year 14! Unless you really enjoy the creative challenge of using the traditional list, try the modern list this year.

About the Author

Slade Hartwell, Webmaster at www.ezromantic.com

http://www.ezromantic.com/home.html Romance Relationship Advice We offer tons of romance and relationship help such as: great articles, advice, love poems, book reviews, gift ideas, romantic travel guides, a relationships forum, and more.

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The Artist Inside All Of Us

Ceramics

The Artist Inside All Of Us
Author: Laura Thykeson - Owner of "An Artist's Dream"
I firmly believe that all people are born artists. Everyone can
remember how, as children, we all loved drawing,
finger-painting, etc. The wonderful thing was, we didn't care
what others thought of our efforts, we were just having fun!

Somehow, as we age, we often lose that creative innocence and
exuberance, and in the process, lose a very gratifying part of
our lives. I see people every day that are unhappy and don't
know why. I believe that if they could "rediscover" a creative
outlet of some form, it would so enrich their lives that they
would return to it again and again. Often I hear adults say, "I
can't do that! I can't even draw a straight line!". Well, the
straight lines don't matter; it's the curved and crooked ones
that are more interesting!

I personally have never had any formal art training. Neither has
my husband, Kris, or our daughter-in-law, April. We all three
just need a creative outlet to help us stay sane, and now here
we are! When you browse through the Artisan Shops on Ruby Lane,
you will see many very talented Artisans with different forms of
artistic _expression. Each and every one of them is exquisitely
beautiful in their own way, and all are uniquely different. That
is the wonderful thing about art. What you create is a very
personal part of you, and that carries over to your work. There
are three of us that contribute to our shop.

I started painting fifteen years ago. I had always wanted to
paint, had never pursued it, and literally just woke up one day
and said, "Today I start painting!" I did, and two months later
sold my first piece. Next thing I knew, I had a custom artwork
shop going out of my home, and later, opened a brick and mortar
store that I had for over a year, until my mother became ill, so
I went back to painting from home. Kris started out designing
book covers in elementary school for extra money. April started
out scrap-booking about two years ago, and has taken off with
her own designs and techniques. I also work in ceramics, clay,
and jewelry, and have sold items through wholesalers in Texas
and Colorado. All because I decided I wanted to paint! Go ahead,
give something a try! "If you can dream it, you can do it"!

"An Artist's Dream"
http://www.tias.com/stores/anart
offers a
Abstract, Fine art, and creative designs using oil, acrylic and
mixed media.
Visit Laura and Kris at Ice Originals II ~ Collectibles, Jewelry and Artistic Designs,
http://www.tias.com/stores/iceorig
"An Artist's Dream", and
"Ice Originals - Inside out!!!".
http://iceoriginals.faithweb.com

About the Author

Laura is the owner of Ice Originals II ~ Collectibles, Jewelry and Artistic Designs . She is a practicing Artist and collector. View her items at http://www.tias.com/stores/iceorig

View her personal webpage - "Ice Originals - Inside Out" at http://www.iceoriginals.faithweb.com for detailed insight into the artists and collectors behind Ice Originals II!
"An Artist's Dream"
http://www.tias.com/stores/anart

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