How To Start a Porcelain Doll Collection

Collecting porcelain dolls has become a very popular hobby not just in the US but also throughout the world. Who would not be enticed to own and collect these tiny, delicate and beautiful dolls in our own shelves? 

Dolls are definitely not just for children. Grown-ups also have this fascination towards porcelain dolls because having these dolls transport us back to their childhood – back when everything seems to be a lot less complicated. Seeing these dolls displayed in our homes would definitely bring back the genuine smiles that we once had when we were still young. 

If this fascination towards porcelain dolls is just starting to brew inside of you, then why not start having a porcelain doll collection? You can use the tips below when you start shopping for these porcelain dolls.

1.Know what type of dolls to collect

Before you start buying porcelain dolls, you must know first what type of dolls to collect. Do you want to be a hard-core collector and have those vintage, antique dolls in your fold? Or do you simply want to collect these dolls so that you can put them up as home decorations?

There are a lot of porcelain dolls that are very popular among collectors. These include Victorian dolls, fairy dolls, oriental dolls and even baby dolls! Whatever type of porcelain doll you would wish to collect; there are certainly a lot of them that you can find. 

2. Do your research

After knowing what type of doll you will collect, you have to learn some things about these dolls. It is essential to know what constitutes a quality porcelain doll so that your precious money will not come to waste. If you intend to collect antique and limited edition porcelain dolls, you should know where the reputable antique shops are located so that what you'd buy are truly antique. 

Again, if you just want to collect these dolls to decorate your home, some little flaws can be disregarded, but serious collectors certainly must be more aware of buying a genuine antique doll.

3.Consult with the experts

Talk with the people who are experts in the field of antique doll collecting on how you can start with your collection and make it grow in the future. For instance, one mistake that a new antique doll collector often commits is having an interest in restoring a vintage porcelain doll. Sure, these dolls already have some signs of wear and tear, but these scratches are what make them valuable as time progresses. You should hold your horses first and disregard any thought of doll restoration. Seek advice from the experts first before making any alteration. 

4. Go to auction sites online

The Internet is one place where you can get loads of information on collecting porcelain dolls. Go to popular auction sites such as Ebay to find out what porcelain dolls are popular among collectors. You can do some canvassing already by comparing the prices of every doll.

How to Care and Clean for Porcelain: From Coffee Stains to Oil Stains

One of the coolest things to collect and to treasure is porcelain. They are nice to look at, and its delicate construction makes it a good addition to any living room showcase. They are more fitted to be placed on a pedestal because it's a shame if these pieces will be regularly subjected to use, abuse and to dirt. And this is the reason why many collectors and homemakers select a special place in their homes where they can store the porcelain.

But no matter how careful you may be in handling these collectibles, there will be times when accidents will happen and the porcelain pieces will get dirty. So what needs to be done when the porcelain gets in the wrong and dirty hands? Here are some usual stains and tips on how you can address these issues:

• Coffee stains are common issues for porcelain. And when your treasured China collection gets stained by coffee, you only need to dampen the cloth with water. And you need to dip this wet cloth on the baking soda. Wipe the affected surface with the use of the damp cloth.

• There will be times when kids may spill fruit juices or tea on the porcelain. When this happens you need to prepare a solution that is made of one tablespoon of tri-sodium phosphate and a quart of hot water. Use this solution to wash the porcelain or the affected part. After this, you need to wash the porcelain once again with another solution containing 3 tablespoons of laundry bleach and a quart of water.

• What to do when grease takes over the porcelain? If this happens for the porcelain, then you need to make use of a stiff-bristled brush and use this to brush the affected area of the porcelain together with a strong solution of household detergent. The strong detergent by the way should be diluted first in a gallon of hot water. This should speed up the removal of the grease.

• What if the stain on the porcelain is of unknown origin, and you are not too sure who made that to the porcelain? If you are faced with this, you will need to apply a stiff past of whiting also called the calcium carbonate and add household ammonia. Once applied, you need to let the mixture stand on the surface of the porcelain for at least an hour. Once the time frame has elapsed, you should wash the affected area with soapy water. Remember that this is applicable for glazed surfaces. But for porous surfaces you should mix scouring powder and water, and the mixture should be used to wash the affected area. Again, let it stand for a few minutes before brushing the stain once again.

• And if an oil stain concerns you, you also need a mixture of scouring powder and water. And this mixture should be applied to the stained area.

Stains will always be there no matter how careful you are. But don't worry; you know the tricks to do when confronted with the situation every now and then.

Get to Know the Variety of Uses of Porcelains

A Quick Look at its Origin

Time and again, porcelains are often connected to the Chinese culture. In fact, its discovery can be traced back to China's Tang Dynasty in the 618 to 907 A.D. The development of which did not push through at once though. The reason behind was because of the high temperature that was required for the ceramic materials to be fired. Two clay substances that were contained include the kaolin and petuntse which is only found in China. And because of this fact, the porcelain items are commonly addressed today as “china”.

We all know that when we speak of porcelain, the first thing that comes to our mind is the intricately designed plate or dish, vase, figurine, and other kinds of decorative ornaments. During the Song Dynasty in China, there were royal factories that were established just for the purpose of producing porcelain pieces for the royalties and their palaces.

Thereafter, the same technique began to spread to other countries but the standard remains different when it comes to the Chinese porcelain. Even the collectors of today still consider those porcelains during the Ming and Qing Dynasties as the best qualities to be fashioned in history.

Other Applications for Porcelains
Apart from the continued production of the decorative porcelain pieces these days, it is essential not to limit the material to this line. There are a lot other uses of porcelain at this time and age.

In the dental field, porcelains come useful in the forms of veneers and bridges. Because of their high resistant characteristic, they are best used to combat stains as compared to the other materials. Also, they closely resemble the properties of the set of real teeth.

In the field of architecture, porcelain enamel is utilized as sheathing for the top quality building applications. Homes, office complexes, child care centers, skyscrapers, museums, schools, and the likes use the same material both for their interiors and exteriors. Subway stations make use of porcelain for tunnel linings, and restrooms are equipped with dividers made of porcelain enamel.

Commercial and residential buildings likewise utilize porcelain for bathroom, living room, bedroom, walls, and kitchen floorings. The porcelain is a favorite material because of its natural water resistant quality. The tiles differ in styles, colors, and sizes and are known to be very durable.

Homeowners truly love choosing porcelain tiles in line with home furnishing. Stoves, bathtubs, toilets, sinks, dryers, grills, water heaters, washing machines, and ovens are oftentimes coated using the porcelain enamel. The tiles are not only adorable to look at but they also don't easily stain and scratch as well as limit moisture absorption. That goes to say that the fixtures are able to last longer and retain their beauty all the more.

Overall, the uses of porcelain vary. The material is involved in all areas such as the agricultural, food production, manufacturing, petrochemical products, dentistry, and municipal waste water facilities, to name a few. Through the decades, it is for sure that other applications will soon be developed for more uses of the porcelain materials.

Fused in Earth and Fire: Making Porcelain Tiles

Earth resources fused with fire- this is how many experts and industry insiders describe the making of porcelain tiles. The making of these tiles may seem simple at the surface, but upon closer inspection it will be revealed that there are a lot of things going on in the making of these types of tiles. For those interested in knowing the process, presented below are the simplified steps in making these amazing porcelain tiles pieces.

• The step one in the manufacturing cycle of these products is all about the sourcing of the main materials to be used. This step involves the mining of the raw materials needed in making these tiles. In making these tiles, the most common raw materials used are the clay and other minerals.

• The second step in the process is the blending of all raw materials. The clay and the mineral mixture are then blended together, and the result is the powdered form of these two raw materials. Once the semi-fine powder materials are present, water is then introduced into the mixture to get into that mud-like texture. The resulting muddy element is then transferred into the large dryer, and the end result will be the fine clay powder. The consistency for this powder is nice- all fine and warm.

• The moment the material is ready, then this is the time that the clay material is then made and formed into different sizes, often in squares as most tiles do come in that size. Manufacturers label the products at this stage as the green tiles. Other than this step or the pressing step, there is another process that may happen to the powder material. This process is called the extrusion method and can be performed in lieu of the pressing of clay powder. The tiles that are produced using this process are made by pushing the clay to the mold in order to be shaped into desired forms. Though this is an option for many tile manufacturers, still the preferred way of making tiles is through the pressing process. Once the extrusion or the pressing has been made, then these 'tiles' are then dried in order to drain these tiles of the extra moisture.

• The step four in the manufacturing process is the glazing- of course for tiles that are glazed. For the glazing part, the initial step is to prepare the glaze liquid using a glass derivative known as the frit and the dyes. Once the mix is ready, then the mix is poured on the surface of these tiles. This glaze should be applied in high pressure and can be sprayed or can be poured directly on the surface of the tiles.

• And the last step in the making of these tiles is the introduction of heat into the tiles- heat that can reach almost 2000 Fahrenheit. Tiles can be fired once or twice depending on the demand of the market.

These are the major processes in making tiles, and the basis for porcelain tiles. The differences between ordinary tiles and the porcelain include the facts that porcelain tiles are known for its 50 percent feldspar content and that these are fired at a higher temperature.

Cleaning Porcelain Tile Flooring

Porcelain is a material that is preferred by many homeowners for flooring because of its easy-to-clean properties. Keep in mind though that this doesn't mean regular cleaning isn't an option. Porcelain is still susceptible to wear and tear, and it'll be a waste if the beauty of the material is not allowed to accentuate your home.

Porcelain flooring come in three types: polished, unpolished and textured. Each one has its own unique properties that require a specific cleaning method to keep it free from dirt. The following is a break down of all porcelain flooring types and the preferred cleaning method for each.

Cleaning Polished Porcelain Flooring

Sweep the dust off the floor using an untreated dry dust mop. Don't use the broom for it can damage the polish from the porcelain tile. Pour a quarter of cleaning solution in a bucket, add hot water and stir the solution briskly. Dip the dry dust mop inside the bucket and sweep the surface of the porcelain flooring that needs cleaning. Once you have applied the solution evenly on the surface, wipe it using a clean rag until there's no sign of lather from the porcelain flooring. Do the same procedure for the whole expanse of the porcelain flooring.

Cleaning Unpolished Porcelain Flooring

Relocate your furniture to a different location in the house in order to prevent any hindrances in cleaning. Mix some non-bleach cleaning solution with hot water inside a bucket. Using a mop, apply the solution evenly on the unpolished porcelain flooring. Leave the solution for 5-10 minutes, but don't leave it to dry. Wipe the solution with a clean soft brush then sweep it again with the mop using just plain water this time. Remember to start with small areas to ensure that the cleaning is progressive. Repeat the procedure on the remaining areas and then leave them to dry.

Cleaning Textured Porcelain Flooring

This type of flooring requires more vigorous cleaning because of its ripples and bumps. The first thing to do is to sweep and vacuum the floor to get rid of dust and grit. Sweep or vacuum the floor in two directions to ensure thorough cleaning. Once that's been taken care of, mix a detergent solution or any kind of neutral solution with hot water and wipe the floor with the mixture using a hard bristled brush (use a soft bristled one for non-durable tiles). Leave the solution for 5-10 minutes then dab the flooring with a napkin and pat them until it becomes dry.

Additional Tips For General Cleaning And Maintenance

As with any floor surface, additional precautions and regular cleaning have to be administered to keep it looking shiny and pleasing to look at. Here are the supplementary tips on caring for porcelain tile flooring.

• Do not allow people wearing dirty shoes to step on the tiles.

• Do not use ammonia-based cleaning solutions or cleaners with bleach or acidic properties or they could damage the porcelain tiles.

• Sweep the floor or vacuum it at least twice a week.

• Place a rug outside the door to prevent grit from being carried over to the porcelain tile flooring.

Can Porcelain Tiles Be Rated for Moisture Absorption?

There are a lot of ways on how you can tell if the porcelain tiles are best. One such yardstick is the price. There is a common thinking that the higher the price of these tiles, then the better its quality. The tiles' hardness is also another measure that is used by many designers and welders in telling if one set of tile is better than the other.

Now there is another factor that can be used in telling which tiles are best and which ones is not- and that is through moisture absorption rate. How well can these tiles absorb water? And how much amount of water can these tiles carry before these will break and disintegrate?

These are the critical questions that are being asked, and these questions are all related to the concept of moisture absorption. Together with hardness, this factor is being used right now to test the quality of these porcelain tiles.

Here's a simple definition of water absorption rate. This is actually the measurement developed by the American National Standards Institute or the ANSI to see how much moisture one porcelain tile can absorb on a regular basis.

This is a necessary move because there are some porcelain tiles that can easily crack after it has absorbed some water. In order to test for its rate, the testing body will oil the tiles on water and will measure the gain in the weight of the tiles and compare the current weight to the previous one before the tiles were boiled. Now there are four (4) ratings that are used to test the moisture absorption rate of these tiles and these are discussed below:

• The first rating group is the non-vitreous or the low dense. These are given to porcelain tiles with absorption rate of 7 percent or more.

• The second rating group is called the semi-vitreous where the absorption rate is more than 3 percent but should not be more than 7 percent.

• The vitreous group. This level is called the high dense where rate is more than 0.5 percent but not greater than 3 percent. And finally;

• The impervious group or the extremely dense tiles. These are your porcelain tiles.

This function is also related to the suitability of the targeted tiles for a number of applications, whether for exterior or for interior applications. The general ruling in the proper selecting of tiles based on this rate is as follows:

• If the tiles that are targeted are to be used for exterior projects, then it should be remembered that the tiles that should be selected are those with low water absorption rate. This is especially true in areas bombarded by rain and snow.

• And if the rate is low, then these tiles may absorb typical stains in a lesser manner.

Majority of the porcelain tiles are part of the third group, and the group that will not absorb those stains easily. Now you know the reason why these types of tiles are sought-after and very much in demand in the market.

Buying Porcelain Ceramic Tiles

Your home is a haven. As much as possible, you want to incorporate all the best features in your abode. After all, it is where you mostly hold personal events, entertain your guests, and come to after a long and stressful day. It is an investment. It is your pride. It is a reflection of you. Therefore, it is understandable that you want to choose the ceramic porcelain tiles to be included in your home finishing.

That is right. The ceramic porcelain tiles are becoming one of the top choices of many homeowners. They are practical and durable. They have the capacity of turning an ordinary home into such an adorable abode.

Why the Porcelain Tiles?

Coming from the Italian term, “porcellana”, the term points to something like a “cowrie shell” and is known for its translucent characteristic. It was first invented in China and by 17th to 18th centuries was exported around Europe by means of jars and other intricately designed ornaments. But then again, what has made it popularly known worldwide as of today is the base material that ranges from the soft to hard paste which makes it up.

Alright, so why should you prefer it over other materials? Porcelain is highly resistant to abrasions and high temperatures. It is non-porous which means it minimizes water absorption which therefore makes it longer-lasting. The tiles are good both for commercial and residential finishing.

The ceramic porcelain tiles are available in a variety of finishes, colors, and sizes. Each of them is unique and requires different ways of maintaining them. Hence, it is very important to know how you can keep them clean at all times.

Learning How to Clean the Tiles

Over time, dirt can pile up and eventually abrade the tile. If it happens, you will notice a change in the feel of the tile as well as in its looks. It may appear stained or dirty even when it has already been cleaned. For better effects, it is mostly recommended to use a solution that is made up of one part vinegar as equated with 100 parts water. Or you can use 2 gallons of water with a quarter cup vinegar. This acts as a very mild cleaning and maintaining agent. There are of course tile cleaners sold in the market. Without following the instructions, they can stain the tiles. Therefore, be sure to dilute them according to the procedure stated in them.

When it comes to cleaning the polished tiles, first sweep or vacuum the surface. Use a mild detergent solution or soap by diluting it to half the recommended amount for the other types of tile surfaces. Apply the cleaner with a mop or tile-safe scrubbing brush or pad. Then, rinse the floor with clean water and let it dry with a towel. This will keep it shiny and leave no water spots.

Ceramic porcelain tiles can add beauty to your home. Thus, it is up to you to keep it sparkly clean and attractive over the years.

Be an Expert in Collecting Antique Chinese Porcelain Pieces

Want to have the real gems that will adorn your newly refurbished living room? If this is your pet project in the coming weeks, then consider antique Chinese porcelain pieces. These are glamour pieces that are perfect accents to any homes. And the rarer these pieces, the better bragging rights you have. But that's where most of the issues from collectors arise. Some of the collectors often complain that they are being duped in the purchases.

They are made to believe that what they got was genuine and rare, yet upon verification what they get instead are poor imitations. This is a serious issue and this should not happen to you. In order for you to avoid the usual pitfalls of these collectors, it is recommended that you follow some of the tips below in buying and collecting porcelain pieces.

• When shopping for porcelain pieces, you need to take note of the other product lines of the sellers. Is he selling all genuine pieces, or are there other fake items in the listing? If there are some fake items, then be careful since what you are aiming at could be just a reproduction. Reproduction is an important word in the business. This is not an antique, yet it cannot be considered as fake as well. You will know that you are at the receiving end of a fake one if the seller tries to pass the porcelain as a genuine antique. There is deception here since it's his intent to pass it up as antique.

• You need to remember two things if you can notice that there are a lot of antique reproductions in the seller's display area. One, it could be that the seller has no knowledge in determining which one is the newly crafted and the antique. And secondly, it could be that the seller is not saying the truth and you have to be wary of this.

There are some tricks and tips that you should know too when dealing with an experienced seller porcelain antiques. One thing that doesn't fail is to ask and to probe. Sometimes these sellers will just tell you that the Chinese porcelain pieces are antique, and it's because the previous seller told them so! Also it is best if they have some rules on returning a product just in case you found out in the end that the porcelain is not genuine.

If the seller has no return policy and will not accept returns even though the article is not genuine, then there's a high chance that even at the start the seller thinks that the article that he is selling is not an antique at all!

And finally, reconsider anything related to provenance. If the seller says something about this, then probably it's not true. Remember that antique Chinese porcelain pieces are priced well in the market, so it can be expected that sellers will always do their best in order to make a tidy profit in the market. So don't fall into their traps; make sure that you know how to locate these prized porcelain pieces.

Antique Porcelain—How to Take Care of Your Collection

Come to think of it, antique collection is such a fascinating hobby for many people. Most of them really have to travel far and wide just to get their hands on the best pieces. They even care less about the amount of money that they get to spend. Antique porcelains are among the collectibles that collectors love spending on and keeping safe. They see these pieces as worthy investments and they really take time adoring all their collections. But of course, one more important thing that needs to be learned is how to take care of such bunch of collections.

The antique porcelain is basically held to be important because of its artistic and historical values. Because they usually come in expensive prices, they deserve to be well taken care of. Culturally speaking, these antique pieces are very significant. But then again human negligence along with a couple of natural disasters or accidents can cause them to get stained or worse, damaged.

Because collecting them is such a popular hobby, it matters that you know of the tips on how to make them last longer. When properly done, you can expect them to last longer that you can even pass them on to your next generation of kin.

The first rule in cleaning your antique porcelain is to never put it in a dishwasher. Sometimes you get so tied up with another task that you want the cleaning procedure to be immediately done. But if you have antique porcelain plates, the dishwasher can just damage them. You see, its temperature can get too hot and the prolonged exposure of your antique pieces to this kind of environment can wear them down and cause them to crack. Also, fragile pieces are more prone to chipping and cracking especially when they get all tossed around during the wash cycle.

Therefore, wash you antique plates by hand and use only warm water and mild detergent cleaner. Hot water and a very strong detergent can destroy the patterns. Avoid using anything abrasive. Use only a soft cloth. For heavy scrubbing, use the baking soda.

Never rub the stains. Instead, create a solution of 1 part water and 2 parts peroxide. Use a q-tip to dab the solution.

Professional Porcelain Restoration

Alright, so, if you want things done by a professional, you will be happy to note that there are actually shops that do this. Professional porcelain restoration is a course training that is offered in colleges and universities to train students in ceramic and porcelain restoration. The students are awarded certificates and diplomas and you can trust them to have the ample knowledge on restoring different materials aside from porcelain such as the majolica, ceramic, earthenware, terra cotta, plaster, and clay.

Anyhow, you can always find a shop that specializes in the restoration procedures that are definitely safe and worth applying to your antique porcelain collections. These professionals should be informed of the historical period of the item to be restored so as to be able to retain the surface and color patterns.

How to Tell the Rarity of Antique Porcelain Products

They say that in order to get the best and the priciest antique porcelain product in the market, what you need to do is to select the oldest and you get the best. This is a good move for someone who knows his porcelain subject, but this could be difficult for someone who has a limited background in these products.

So what can be done so that you will not left out and to avoid being given the wrong porcelain? One important that you should acquire is the skill that can help you tell the age characteristics of porcelain.

The recognizable age signs of the porcelain will tell you if the product that is given to you is the real one, or something that has just been manufactured last year! one thing to remember first; take note that even the age signs can be faked as well so make sure that you are prepared the right way.

In noting the age of these products there are two basic rules that can be considered. One is that if the piece has no visible age signs, then you can take that piece as newly made. And second, if the piece is full of age signs and telling you to look at it as an antique then better reconsider as the piece may not be antique at all. Other than these, there are signs that you should know that can help you in your assessment. Here are those age signs worth noting:

• Check the discoloration on the piece. Pieces with glaze and decorations will not get discolored, except for articles that are in display for a long period of time.

• Another age sign is the crackle, and the discolored crackles that can be seen on porcelain pieces are indicative of the old age of the products. Just be careful in assessing these products with crackles since this sign can be faked too. What you can do when shopping is to check the authenticity of the crackles on the porcelain.

• Rust spots can be considered too as a sign of age. Rust spots are often small in porcelain and these are formed as a result of the movement of the iron residue into the surface.

• Glaze contractions can be used as signs for age or the authenticity of the porcelain pieces.  For genuine pieces with glazed contractions, these contractions are made due to the kiln conditions during the time of production- could even be a century ago. But again this is not a reliable indication for the age, so make sure that you use this in determining the kiln conditions and during that time and not necessarily the age. You'll these as the small spots with holes or recesses.

The ones discussed can be used in telling the authenticity of porcelain pieces. The best way is to make use of a combination of these signs when assessing products to determine best which porcelain products are genuine or not- and to check if they are antique or not.