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KERAMIC STUDIO 
ANSWERS TO INQUIRIES 
M. J. H. — Any wood that is used for pyrography may be carved, 
white wood, oak, maple, &c, &c. 
When carving is used in connection with the burning it should be 
done in a bold, strong manner, as any fine detail work is lost when the 
hot point is applied. 
Most effective things may be made if treated in this simple manner : 
First burn the outline of design very deep and strong, then carve away 
the background, leaving the design in low relief; strengthen the outline 
when the carving is finished, and burn the background very dark with a 
flat point, then model your design with the carved point in the usual 
manner. 
These four chisels are all that are necessary for the work : | ) ) > 
The pointed one is used to follow around the outlines and carve out 
the small corners — the others are for general background and modeling 
work. 
Mrs. O. M. L.-We again give directions for finishing burned wood. 
Where a deep dark background is desired, darker than can be obtained by 
burning, a black walnut stain may be employed. If this is done, the part 
stained must be gone over lightly with bleached shellac, being very care- 
ful not to touch the ornament ; then go over the entire article with py- 
rography wax applied with a, flannel or piece of kid; rub it in thoroughly, 
then, with a stiff scrubbing brush, brush out all the crevices, otherwise the 
wax will harden and form white spots which can only be removed with a 
hot point; let stand until, when touched by the hand, no stickiness is per- 
ceptible, then polish briskly with the scrub brush; this process can be re- 
peated until the desired lustre is obtained; usually twice is sufficient, 
though sometimes three times is necessary. When stain or water color is 
used, the article can be waxed over the color ; but if oil colors are em- 
ployed, they must be allowed to dry, then a thin wax wash of bleached 
shellac employed before the waxing is done, otherwise the colors will rub off. 
The famous Charlesvvorth collection of Capo di Monte 
porcelain has been bought by an English connoisseur, and 
thus Naples loses what, while Mr. Charlesvvorth lived, was a 
distinction of the city, though in private hands. It had been 
hoped that the municipality might get the beautiful ware for 
one of the public museums. The Italian Minister of Public 
Instruction had the objects photographed before they left 
Naples. 
INDIAN DESIGNS FOR NUT BOWLS— MARY GIBSON 
