These tips and tricks do indeed work, along with many others contained in a new book titled Protecting Your Collectible Treasures: Secrets of a Collecting Diva by Judith Katz-Schwartz for Martingale & Company.
Actually, the inspiration for this great reference came from a stint Katz-Schwartz did on "Personal FX: The Collectibles Show," a cable television program that went off the air several years ago.
Even though the show itself didn't sustain, the tips she shared with her viewers were extremely popular and still please audiences when she makes an occasional talk or morning show appearance. Enough so to end up in book form for posterity.
I've known the author for a number of years through a couple of costume jewelry collecting clubs, which serve as support groups for a bunch of jewel crazed addicts as much as anything else. And, Katz-Schwartz was my predecessor here as the antiques guide for About.com. She's always been forthcoming in sharing her knowledge on antiques and collectibles and doesn't disappoint in the least with her latest work.
With chapters titled "Porcelain Prescriptives" and "Furniture Fresheners" your whole house will gleam in no time flat. And for me, the best part of the book is having several alternatives for most types of cleaning and care.
For instance, out of ammonia and low on vinegar? Then try mixing up a batch of glass cleaner using one-quarter cup of cornstarch in one quart of warm water. Rubbing alcohol and even vodka will make glass sparkle in a pinch, according to Katz-Schwartz.
No matter which around-the-house type of glass potion you concoct, don't forget to save the newspaper you read this morning to wipe away the excess cleaner and give your glass a lint-free shine.
You'll also find out how to clean mirrors so they won't fog, something we can all use. You'll learn what works to get stubborn water rings out of odd shaped bottles and vases. And, you'll even garner a few tips on restoring and freshening your old toys, including teddy bears.
Of course, if you enjoy a humorous essay or two interspersed within your collectible care tips, Katz-Schwartz doesn't let us down here either. Like many folks we know, she's from an "eccentric but lovable family" that inspires many collecting adventures.
"So many of the objects that I collect are filled with rich associations because of my family's humor, love and unique personality," Katz-Swartz admits in her preface.
From her grandmother, "the Empress of Never Throwing Anything Away," to a funny look at Cleopatra who must have been "short a couple of hieroglyphics" for marrying her 12-year-old brother, each essay leads the chapter in to some really valuable tips with a healthy dose of smiles. And to be honest, not too many books dealing with antiques and collectibles contain humorous anecdotes, so they're definitely entertaining to say the least.
If you're looking for a way to care for collections while "getting back to the basics," don't miss this one. In an affordable paperback format, it's definitely worth a trip to the online bookstore.
Book cover scan by Pamela Wiggins
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