HOME DECORATIONS. 
Directions for Decorating Vases. 
The glazed ware can only be decorated with mineral 
colors, and unless the use of the paints is thoroughly 
understood, the piece wiU prove, after firing, probably, 
only a disappointment. No such result need be antici¬ 
pated in decorating the unglazed ware, for oil colors 
are used, and the 
glazing can also be 
done by the artist, as 
there are many kinds 
of varnish or glazes 
that can be applied 
without difficulty, and 
with excellent effect. 
Of shapes and sizes 
there is an endless 
variety, and the de¬ 
sign used should be 
in accordance with 
the vase which it is 
to decorate. 
The vase must first 
be coated thoroughly 
inside and out with a 
solution of shellac. 
Several coats will be 
necessary to fill the 
pores of the ware, and 
each one must be dry 
before putting on an¬ 
other. 
A pair of tall, 
straight vases will be 
easy for the first at¬ 
tempt, and after they 
have been decorated 
fill them with long 
stemmed cat-tails, and 
tall grasses, and stand 
them on the hearth 
at either side of the 
fire-place. They will 
prove very handsome 
ornaments. 
The ground color 
may be the same for 
both vases, Naples- 
yellow. Put the color 
as smoothly as possi¬ 
ble on the interior as 
well as the exterior. Let the first coat dry, and then 
apply a second. After this is dry and hard, trace the 
designs upon the vases, on one a spray of Virginia 
Creeper, with its rich autumn coloring of scarlet, and 
crimson. Trail the vine as if it were falling over the top 
of the vase, and clinging round the sides. The colors 
necessary will be vermilion and crimson-lake. On the 
other vase a Blackberry Vine with the berries will be 
pretty. Paint the leaves green, and the berries black, 
with a little crimson-lake, and here and there touches 
of white for the high light. When the painting is en¬ 
tirely finished stand the vases away from all dust, to 
dry and harden. They will then be ready for glazing. 
Copal varnish, or one of the many glazes which can 
be purchased all ready prepared, may be used for this 
purpose. Stand the vase in a warm place where it will 
be free* from dust, to 
dry, and if there is 
not a sufficiently-high 
polish apply another 
coat. Do not on any 
account handle them 
until they are thor¬ 
oughly dry and this 
will require several 
days. 
Then when filled as 
directed with cat-tails 
and grasses, they will 
certainly be pleasant 
pictures for the eye to 
rest upon. 
M. E. Whittemore. 
Book-Marks. 
One can see at a 
glance how useful 
these little three-cor¬ 
nered book-marks are, 
and they are so easily 
and cheaply made, 
that they must find 
favor with every one. 
The four corners of 
handsome heavy en¬ 
velopes furnish the 
material for them. 
Glue the back together 
as though to seal it, 
and then cut off the 
cbrners so as to make 
four pieces the shape 
of those in the illus¬ 
tration, which shows 
them full size. 
Paint on each one a 
little flower, or some 
other suitable design, 
or a natural flower 
can be pressed and then carefully glued on and var¬ 
nished over with white varnish, or simpler still, a little 
blossom in decalcomanie can be so neatly transferred 
as to look well. As some envelopes come in elegant 
qualities, the book-marks can be very handsome without 
much expense. When pressed and ready for use slip 
them on the upper corner of your page and you can tell 
at a glance just where to open your book. They form 
one of the few presents adapted to gentlemen’s use. 
E. S. W. 
