Brass Items
BRASS: Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. A diverse range of brass can be created simply by varying the proportion of these two ingredients. Brass has a yellow color that is somewhat similar to gold. It is also fairly resistant to tarnishing. Brass craft objects can have two types of finishes: highly polished and antique polished. Highly polished brass handicrafts are bright and shiny. Antique polished brass craft items have an older appearance and are not shiny.
ADVANTAGES OF BRASS
Brass has several characteristic properties that make it the ideal choice for art and craft.
- It is a long lasting metal
- It requires little maintenance
- Its color, which is similar to gold, gives it a very attractive appearance
- It can be of varying degrees of hardness or softness. This makes it malleable, and easy to engrave.
- It does not tarnish very easily. Brass handicrafts are, hence, very popular in coastal areas.
BRASS HANDICRAFT MAINTENANCE
- Brass craft items should not be cleaned with ammonia based cleaner, as this causes tarnishing. They should be cleaned with a gentle soap and warm water and wiped with a soft dry cloth.
- If the brass handicraft tarnishes despite having refrained from using ammonia based cleaners, it is possibly steel plated. Confirm with the help of a magnet. If the magnet sticks, it confirms the presence of iron. The tarnish is then most probably rusted. This is to be cleaned with steel wool.
- A brass cleaner can also be used for cleaning brass craft items. Thereafter, the object must be sprayed with clear liquor paint.
Brass Craft Items
There are innumerable objects (a) both decorative and useful (b) that have been crafted of brass, or embellished with intricate patterns made of brass. Some of these are:
- Animal figures
- Bells
- Bowls
- Chandeliers
- Christmas decorations
- Coasters
- Statues and figurines of gods and goddesses, animals and birds.
- Vases
- Furniture
- Garden accessories like planters and pots
- Lanterns
- Wind chimes
- Tableware including crockery, cutlery, napkin rings, trays, jugs
- Wine chillers and ice-tongs
- Lampshades and lamp stands
- Candle holders and wall sconces
- Key rings
- Hooks
- Picture frames
- Cooking utensils
- Stationary including paper weights, paper clips and paper cutters
- Baskets
- Puja items including diyas (lamps), stands, thali and holders.
- Bath sets
- Ashtrays
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