In a message dated 4/21/2011 11:44:55 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, hottl...@neo.rr.com writes:
Hello! Are you sure you want to store your bobbins in with these--off-gassing & all?? Does Jeri have an opinion? Frankly I don't use chemical tabs even for my silver. Just soft cloth, mild detergent, old fashioned cream polish when absolutely necessary (i.e. after eating eggs--doesn't apply to bobbins though <g>) & use the pieces as much as possible. Just a thought. Sincerely, Susan Erie, PA ---------------------------------- Well, Susan, the subject is wood and metal. I try to stick to cotton, linen, silk, and wool. There are many generalists in the world, and they may jump to solutions that are sometimes not based on tried and true conservation methods. I try to tell modern lacemakers and embroiderers that items that combine silk and metal (for example) are not compatible, and will probably have a shorter life. For an example, Chinese silk and metal embroidery, where the metal has become undone because it cut the silk couching stitches due to expansion and contraction in response to temperature/humidity fluctuations. The few early items that are intact in museums have survived because they were kept in ideal temperature/humidity conditions. However, the metals may have tarnished. When they are part of a textile item to such an extent that they cannot be removed and separated, they remain in place and are not polished because any chemical reactions may lead to destruction of threads. If the wood/silver bobbins were mine, I would first contact the maker. Then, I might try to contact the conservation/restoration department of a major museum for suggestions. They may charge a consulting fee. Or, contact Kay Sullivan, author of "Needlework Tools and Accessories - a Dutch Tradition" There are objects of combinations of silver and other materials in her book. She is English, with a Dutch husband, and probably still lives in The Netherlands. You might reach her through the Antique Collectors' Club, which published the book in 2004. _www.antique-acc.com_ (http://www.antique-acc.com) Jeri Ames in Maine USA Lace and Embroidery Resource Center - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003
