Giving new life to old furniture

Doing up an old piece of furniture or charity shop find is a creative and budget-friendly way to transform these unused items into personal treasures. These few tips might help. REFINISHING old sideboards, tables, etc. can instill new life into them making these pieces functional and contemporary once more. Whether you're finding a new use entirely, or simply updating the look, there are a few things to keep in mind: PREPARATION Although you may be anxious to put your new treasure to use, taking time to properly strip and prepare your wood for its new finish will ensure the best results.Use a chemical paint stripper to remove heavy layers of paint, stain or varnish. ensuring you follow the manufacturers instructions. Give the stripper time to work and then gently scrape away the residue. (Tip: Remember to wear gloves approved for chemical handling and eye protection, and be sure to set up your project in a well-ventilated area) Once your piece has been stripped, wipe clean with a damp rag and allowed to thoroughly dry then give the item a light sanding. NOW YOU are ready for painting (If you will be using multiple colours, tape off areas to make crisp lines.) Use a brush to apply the paint, and allow to dry, again following the manufacturers instructions. Is this your first project? If so, water-based products can be easier to use than oil based stains and finishes. Will your "new" furniture be in frequent or casual use? To protect from wear and tear on daily basis, be sure to finish your project with an appropriate sealant or protective coat. It is worth noting that some stains and varnishes have a protective element builtin and can provide a rich colour and a tough, durable finish. COLOUR Do you have a specific room or setting in mind ? If you have a place already chosen, consider a colour or stain to match or maybe a versatile wood tone could be a better choice. ALL YOU need do now is to put your item into position and enjoy Don't forget that your hard work can be enhanced and the item made to last longer by some tender, loving care. After all, you have put work into creating this so it is worth looking after. Heritage Woodcare is east to use and versatile. Check it out at www.heritagewoodcare.co.uk

goncalo alves (sometimes called tigerwood, kingwood , zebrawood, etc.

I have been reading a fascinating article about a hardwood called goncalo alves sometimes called tigerwood, kingwood , zebrawood, etc. It is a very hard wood and is particularly suitable for wood floors. It is also used a lot for making guitars. check it out at http://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/wood/hardwood-softwood-species/Goncalo-alves-Pretty-Wood-Is-Pretty-Hard-240898301.html?ref=301#sthash.xJTo6TCL.dpbs LIKE ALL wood (floors etc.) it will benefit from proper care and nothing does this better or easier than Heritage Woodcare READ ALL about your HERITAGE WOODCARE at www.heritagewoodcare.co.uk

New Year Greetings and what is Heritage Leathercare

Well, it is now January 4th 2014 so I would like to start my 2014 blogs by wishing all my readers a belated but a very happy New Year!! I THOUGHT I WOULD START 2014 blogs by going back to basics and looking at what Heritage Leathercare is. Made in Dublin by Drigate Products (Mfg) Ltd (a family owned company based in Dublin), Heritage Leathercare , like it's sister product Heritage Woodcare is based on a Victorian craftsman's recipe containing old fashioned tried and tested ingredients that has been updated, using modern technology, to enable it to cope with 21st century developments. Heritage Leathercarecare is one example of their approach to only bring the very best products to your attention. SO, WHAT IS IT.? Heritage Leathercare is a traditional 19th century leather balsam containing original, old fashioned ingredients including beeswax. These are well known in the trade for protecting and revitalising the leather used in leathercraft (and indeed the stitching). Many craftspeople and professionals will vouch for its tried and tested formula. The results obtained with Heritage Leathercare are instantaneous and long lasting and, whilst newer leather products benefit from a shine and protection unsurpassed by modern polishes not containing our ingredients older, tired leather is left revitalised and more supple! Heritage Leathercare is generally regarded as one of the most economical on the market in this day and age FOR MORE INFORMATION about Heritage Leathercare visit my website at www.heritageleathercare.co.uk You can obtain Heritage Leathercare online online, visit http://www.heritageleathercare.co.uk/buy-leathercare REMEMBER you can also buy Heritage Woodcare online, visitwww.heritagewoodcare.co.uk/products-page

Problems and customer care

What an array of weather we have had recently. Rain, high winds and dull most of the time, but then we get days like yesterday with a fair amount of sun. Still, we can't really moan. We don't get the extreme weather conditions that are experienced in some parts of the world. The current problems in the Philippines is just one example of these extremes of weather and here in the Midlands we even seem to escape the worst of the weather we do get! Well, now I have had my little gripe, I ought to get down to business. I am having some trouble with the website www.heritagepolish.com I don't know what the original cause was (my IT guy said it was because there was some conflict on the site due to the new international agreements on weights of liquids but I really don't know enough about computers and the web to be able to reconcile this) Anyway if I can ask my customers to temporarily use the other sites I have - for woodcare go to www.heritagewoodcare.co.uk or for leathercare go to www.heritageleathercare.co.uk - this will enable you to answer any queries or to make your purchase. I assure all my customers I have asked my IT guy to look into the problems but I do know he is very busy at the moment. I also want to reassure you that I still take pride in offering the highest standards of customer care I can.

My contact information, Shopping for Paston Crafts , Heritage Woodcare and Heritage Leathercare

Hi to all my readers.It has been a while since I updated my contact information so I thought it might be useful to go through it again.You can contact me via the usual methods - email, phone and post. EMAIL jim@heritagepolish.com TELEPHONE 07967 139636 (office hours only please) MAIL DCK Services, The Technocentre, Puma Way, Coventry, CV1 2TT (The Technocentre is part of Coventry University and receives my mail only. No personal calls please.) So, just WHY ARE PASTON CRAFTS' PRODUCTS SO FANTASTIC? Sometimes caring for yourself goes more than skin deep! The Paston Crafts range takes care of those deeper aches and pains and additionally there are times when we just want to warm ourselves, (in my case it is my feet!) Here at DCK Services we stock their full range of Heatwraps and Handwarmers stuffed with wheat and aromatic herbs, their Heat Retaing/Self Heating Cushions as well as their relaxing Eye Masks and Herbal Cushions. Now there's no excuse not to pamper yourself! You can BUY ANY OF THE PRODUCTS made by Paston Crafts online, visit http://heritagepolish.com/shop/paston-crafts/cat_3.html YOU CAN ALSO BUY HERITAGE WOODCARE and LEATHERCARE online. For Woodcare visit http://www.heritagewoodcare.co.uk/products-page/ For Heritage Leathercare visit www.heritageleathercare.co.uk/buy-leathercare

Keeping warm and getting drug free pain relief with Microwarm Heatwraps

Isn't it a lovely morning. It is a bit cloudy but the sun is there, somewhere.The warm temperatures are still continuing although it does get chilly in the evenings. That brings me to what I wanted to tell you about. How do I KEEP WARM AND GET RELIEF FROM PAIN? Sometimes caring for yourself goes more than skin deep and the weather turning a bit colder doesn't help. MICROWARM HEATWRAPS made by Paston Crafts can take care of those deeper aches and pains. At DCK Services we stock the full range of their Heatwraps and Handwarmers that are stuffed with wheat and aromatic herbs. We also stock their range of relaxing Eye Masks and Herbal Cushions. MICROWARM HEATWRAPS They contain English wheat and are available unfragranced or with either lavender or a mix of aromatic herbs. They can be used hot or cold for the relief of pain as both heat and cold can give drug free pain relief. To use hot simply pop into the microwave for up to two minutes (depends on wattage) or to use cold put into a sealable plastic container or bag and leave in the freezer for up to three hours. Either way you just apply to the affected area for deep and soothing relief. I can RECOMMEND THESE from personal experience. They do work! I have gained relief from pain, particularly backache, by using the Heatwraps and, at shows, have had many people extolling their virtues. I have also used them to keep myself warm when doing outdoor shows. Additionally I regularly take one to bed as my feet get very cold and stop me getting to sleep. They really are good! They are available online, visit http://heritagepolish.com/shop/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=2

Paston Crafts - Self Heating / Heat Retaining Cushions

Well now, I am back from my holiday. I have been to Gran Canaria for a week with my wife and my daughter and family.he weather was great - generally very hot although it did cloud over in the afternoon for the last three days which was helpful as it reduced the temperature a little. Didn't do much, just chilled out and relaxed. Back to earth now though! IN MY LAST POST I told you about Paston Crafts, another family business, also based in Coventry that manufactures craft products in fabric. I told you about their microwavable warming products - Microwarm Heatwraps and Handwarmers. They also make a SELF HEATING / HEAT RETAINING CUSHION. Now, as the weather has turned a bit colder is when these Self Heating / Heat Retaining Cushions come their own. It is quite chilly when you get in the car first thing in the morning and you really feel the benefit sitting on one of these cushions. Another use it to put them under your jumper when you go out. They look a bit bulky buy they do work and do keep your back warm. They are also very good if you are in a wheelchair. I know from personal experience how cold they can get. Using two of them, one to sit on and one at your back really does help to keep you warm. Another use is to use them for your PETS.I use one for my cat. She heads straight for it when she goes into the utility room at night. It is in front of the radiator so she gets nice and warm in there. They are suitable for both cats and dogs but I recommend putting the cushion under a an old towel or something similar for dogs. Can you think of other uses that will help to keep you warm. Do let me know. BUYING BOTH PRODUCTS ONLINE Both products can be bought online, visit www.heritagepolish.com/shop/paston-crafts/cat_3.html