Author Archives: Jennifer

Decorating With Pewter

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There are a lot of gifts, knick knacks and absolutely useful things that are made out of pewter including napkin rings, oil lamps, key rings, key hooks, bowls, cutlery, brooches, buttons and plaques.

So just what exactly is pewter? Technically it is just zinc. The word pewter is an ancient distortion of the old slang word “spelter” that is a nickname for the metal zinc. It is a metal alloy made traditionally of 85% to 99% tin with the remainder of the metal being composed of lead, bismuth, copper and antimony. The copper and antimony are used mainly to harden the metal.

Pewter objects are so old that examples have been found in Egyptian tombs that date back as early as 1450 B.C.. Interestingly some of the big cups and vessels found in ancient tombs have a bit of a resemblance to the pewter mugs, flagons and decorative sugar bowls that you see on sale in stores like Danforth Pewter of Vermont.

Historically pewter objects were found in churches, especially in the 18th and 19th centuries. Pewter was used to store food until it was determined that the high amounts of lead in the metal could leaching into food.

In Vermont the pewter lamps were shipped to the Eastern coast of the United States as they made excellent whaling lamps and candle sticks.
Today pewter is considered to be a bit too toxic to use as foodstuffs. It is mainly used in decorative objects such as replica coins, pendants, metals and other collectibles. These objects are usually created using a method called “spin casting.” This a form of centrifugal rubber mold casting which means that the molten zinc alloy is poured in a disc shaped mold that is spun on an axis at a set speed. That is the method that is commonly used to make things like coins or plaques. Plastic and resin molds are used to make objects such as mugs or trophies.

Here is something to remember if you are shopping for high quality pewter treasures. The more lead that is in the pewter the lower quality it is and the faster it will tarnish. Lower grades of pewter have a bluish tint while the highest grade have a whitish tint.

Even though most pewter objects are coated with a sealant to keep them from oxidizing (especially if the pewter has a high lead content) it is probably not a good idea to consume beverages or food in them. Pewter objects are mainly intended to be for decorative purposes only.

Decorating With Lobster Rope Mats

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It is worth it to spend a bit of extra time shopping for a doormat since it is not something you likely purchase often. Once you have bought it you are going to be looking at it for a very long time so make sure you get one that compliments your décor, is hardy and that you like it!

A doormat is not JUST a doormat. TI is the outdoor house décor that showcases the entrance to your home. It is iconic of the welcome that you give people before they set foot in your dwelling and symbolizes nothing less than a statement about your personality and how you live.

For the ultimate in both contemporary and rustic chic and also the ultimate in being ecologically correct consider a door mat made out of recycled Maine lobster float rope. This light hairy durable rope is perfect for catching dirt and grime so it does not get tracked inside.

The original purpose of the rope that is used to make lobster rope doormats was to tether lobster traps together. The reason there is so much lobster rope d that must be recycled somehow is because fishermen have now changed to the much heavier sink-rope. Sink rope is preferable because it does not trap whales and other marine life during lobster catches. That is why the reclaimed float rope is now being rewoven into beautiful mats.

Each lobster rope mat is unique. They are not dyed after they are recycled even though they appear to be so artistic. Each fisherman has his own rope color so his catch is not confused with his colleagues. The raw ropes come in all shades of green, aqua, yellow, blue, orange and are woven together and sold under various general color schemes – you name the color and you are likely to find it sold as a lobster mat.

Lobster mats come in all shapes in sizes from the almost doily shaped front door mat that is only about 18 to thirty inches to the very large porch mat that is 24 inches to 36 inches. You can choose mats in colors that accent your personal style. In fact the right mat can even help you define how to decorate a porch.

For instance if you have one of those ocean-side houses that is painted a sea foam color you will like this doormat in light green or blue. Brilliant dark blue and creamy yellow white suit homes with a nautical theme. Lazy faded yellow, seafoam or hydrangea colors suit cottage porches.