Encompassing Designs
  • Home
  • Shop
    • Kits
    • Patterns >
      • Christine Little >
        • Signature Designs
        • New Designs
        • Seasonal Designs
      • Deborah Sweet
      • Susan Leslie
      • Patricia Perry
      • William Morris
    • Supplies >
      • Backings
      • Frames
      • Hooks
      • Books
      • Extra
    • Wool >
      • Abrashed
      • Custom Dyeing
      • Dyed Bundles
      • Dyed Curly Mohair
      • Dyed Spots
      • Dyed Values
      • Dyed Yarn
      • Jacquard Dice Dyes
      • Natural & Colours
      • Plaids & Textures
      • Dye Books & Swatches
  • Ordering
  • Blog
  • Workshops
  • Our Story
  • Contact Us

The dying art of polishing silver.....

1/7/2019

15 Comments

 
Picture
I managed to do a bit of writing over the holidays but never posted them as blogs.  Christmas is now dismantled and packed away in the attic, our company has left and New Year’s is in the rear view mirror.  The holidays can feel like running a marathon, so much squeezed into every day until it bulges at the seams but now life is back to a normal routine and the days are jogging along at a leisurely pace. 

Written in December. 

The Christmas season doesn’t begin until I complete a holiday ritual; polishing the family silver. Lots of little things like, candy bowls, vegetable dishes, a cruet, candle stick holders, and last but not least, my coveted tea set.  Every year I tackle the tarnish and make it all shine as brilliantly as the day it was manufactured.

When I say family silver, I mean in the immediate sense.  None of this collection is of heirloom status from either my husband’s or my lineage.  The tea set is the closest at qualifying as a family treasure, it came from my mother-in-law who was bequeathed it by a friend who passed away, while all else came from yard sales and antique stores.  I bought all of my so called heirlooms, back in the day when I became breathless every time I spied a piece dangling a price tag, sitting unwanted, unloved and tarnished.  Driving by a road side table, my trained eye would spot metal glinting in the sun and I’d risk whiplash braking to a stop.   

I’m well known for my polishing and every year we spent visiting my in-laws, Wynn and I would rescue the tea set from the back of her linen closet and I’d rub it affectionately to a mirror finish.  She would let it sit out until the dulling crept over the surface like a dense fog, then pack it away to await my return.   She saw the lust in my eye as I charmed the beauty to the surface, saw me wipe away the drool and graciously offered it to me when she downsized to assisted living.   I’d already purchased a set decades before but it was plain in design and was immediately stashed in a cupboard to make room for my new, fabulously ornate, almost family heirloom.  My new Precious! 

The week before Christmas, while traditional holiday tunes played in the background, three hours melted away along with the tarnish.  I use Silvo and Twinkle.  I prefer the latter, water based product but the Silvo is needed for the stubborn areas and then Twinkle cleans it up nicely.    By the end I was feeling it all over, the standing, the bent posture, the elbow grease sawing back and forth, rubbing with puckered fingers even with gloves on.  By the time I was at the last piece, the coffee pot, I was whining like a bad bearing on a motor and wanted it to be over, my enthusiasm was the only thing that remained tarnish.   

I’ve made up a name for my affliction, ‘Crow Syndrome’. Not sure when or why it began, I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth, but from a young age I liked shiny things and it grew with me until I had the income for it to burgeon into an obsession.  Those days are over of course; I can’t get excited over derelict silver offered for sale when I already have too much that will need to be reckoned with.    

I’m thinking my polishing days might be ending or maybe I should play it a bit smarter by bagging it up after the holidays so it doesn’t oxidize to the degree I feel like its scraping paint with a tooth pick.  All those little bits around the handles and engraved pattern take a lot of rubbing to remove the hardened charcoal patina, the result of sulfur in the air combining with the silver to create what’s called Acanthite.   I’ll probably keep the tradition going, I like a sparkling house during the holidays, but it sure would be nice to only do a light touch-up next December.   Leaving it all out to turn an iridescent black and blue seems unfair, forcing it all to be ugly ducklings, when they should be swans to behold.    

Another thought surfaced as I rubbed my fingers into cramps, there is no one coming after me that will continue the tradition.  When I’m gone, it will all be sold for a pittance or discarded along with the rest of my treasures.  Unfortunately, although the pieces have the potential to live for many more years, these beauties are cursed by my mortal life span and then it’s toast for us both.   I’m a dying breed.  The masses don’t want or appreciate silver or the maintenance that comes with it, only freaks like me.   

I don’t want to dwell on the inevitability of my death or the fate of all the stuff I’ve collected and cherished and surrounded myself with.  Now I’m blasé about it all, even begrudging the care and upkeep, I’d rather be doing something creative and fun.  The plan is to get rid of it in yard sales; maybe I’ll find a kindred spirit, cause a near crash for someone else on the hunt for the Precious!  Surely there are a few old souls left, suffering Crow Syndrome that still appreciate the formalities of past grandeur in the dining room.  
Picture
Picture
15 Comments
Tina
1/7/2019 01:57:07 pm

With ya all the way! Wish I could post a pix of my shiny tea set on its silver tray, with all its accoutrements.

Reply
Carolyn Sharp
1/7/2019 04:26:22 pm

Christine, i have 2 sets i have bought when i was up North, i have 4 G.Daughters that want a set, i tried to tell them about tbe polishing but they loved it,,..so its still alive to some.....lol

Reply
Liza
1/8/2019 08:06:28 pm

I told David to just throw my silver in the casket with me. No one else wants it!!

Reply
Eleni link
4/19/2021 01:59:06 am

Even though it's not as valuable as gold, I think silver can be a great asset and everybody wants it. Not necessarily for its value, but for its beauty and emotional charging. To be honest, I find gold a "show-off" metal so I'd take silver anytime.

I doubt none of your relatives would want to you to share your silver belongings with them, they're just saying stuff.

Reply
Angela
1/8/2019 08:07:16 pm

It always looks so pretty when it is done.

Reply
Marilee
1/8/2019 08:07:56 pm

I am just like you! Love the silver in my house and give it two polishing annually usually. While on holiday in Nova Scotia, we bought a fantastic wind chime made of silver plate utensils and a teapot. It hangs in our stairwell and reminds me it is time to give the other silver pieces some attention.

Reply
Lou Ann
1/8/2019 08:08:38 pm

Oh, how I love this post! I, too, love silver and still polish mine a couple to three times a year. It's a task that I enjoy starting and enjoy, just as much, finishing! I find that because we use our silver flatware every day, it doesn't tarnish as fast as it would if it was packed away. Everything, even take-out, seems to taste better when eaten with silver flatware. After all, as you have said, you can't take it with you! BTW, I use Wright Silver Cream, which I buy at Publix, our local grocery store.

Reply
Paula Corwin
1/8/2019 08:09:02 pm

Good post. I understand completely. Lots of silver (inherited because no one else wanted to deal with it) equals lots of polishing ! Plus, no one in the next generation wants it!! I have found that placing sticks of white chalk in the fabric bags with the silver helps tarnish issues. Happy New Year!

Reply
Brenda
1/8/2019 08:09:28 pm

I have a lovely tea set as well. When in use I use Silvo to polish it. When not in use I wrap it tightly in Saran Wrap. It really holds off the discolouration so it. Just needs a bit of refreshing before use.

Reply
Barb
1/8/2019 08:09:51 pm

Beautifully Designed Set,gorgeous polished up! I used to work in a couple of China Shops years ago,we used to clean with a polishing cloth and/ or treated gloves,but sometimes a deep clean was necessary.

Reply
Jennifer
1/8/2019 08:10:17 pm

I polished mine today...and had the same thought, that future generations will not know the effort (nor the beauty) of these pieces

Reply
Cathy
1/8/2019 08:11:28 pm

I am another old soul but my nemisist is Alll things grass...blow torches .old fire extinguishers...in brass,old propellers.,binachculs...brass &old oak.....perhaps a mesejum will take my goodies one day....but silver is an awesome tradition...I can remember cleaning my moms..

Reply
Jane
1/8/2019 08:11:56 pm

My 6 year old grand daughter helped me this year. I have alot of inherited pieces that are black. Any tips? Mainly a tea set.

Reply
Christine
1/8/2019 08:12:42 pm

I find Silvo is best for the really black tarnish, there is less rubbing and then I use the Twinkle for the remaining shine. Every time you polish silver plate you loose a fine layer of finish so after awhile you can be down to the base metal. I try to rub as gently as possible. Of course if your heirlooms are sterling that isn't a problem. None of my silver is high class!

Reply
Tetlow
1/10/2019 09:23:34 am

Oh no, but I know how you feel. They don’t want to polish it! Each piece has meaning to me....love it!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Christine Little has been ranked #5​ out of the 60 top rug hooking bloggers by Rug Hooking Magazine!

    Picture
    Picture
    Max Anderson, Australia, recipient of my Nova Scotia Treasures rug.  An award of excellence for promoting Canada through his writing.  
    Picture
    Picture

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    July 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    November 2021
    October 2021
    July 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012

    Picture
    Picture
    Gift Certificates are available for that special rug hooker in your life!  Any denomination, no expiry date! 

    Picture

    Categories
    (Click on the categories for past blogs)

    All
    Announcements
    Beginner Class
    Christmas
    Colour Planning
    Contests
    Copyright
    Coupon
    Customer Rugs
    Cutter Servicing
    Dyeing
    Equipment
    Featured Hooker
    Giveaway Draw
    Guest Blogger
    Guest Blogger
    Health & Fitness
    Home & Heart
    Hooked Rugs
    Hooking Groups
    Hook In Talk
    Initially Yours
    Jibber Jabber
    Just A Bit Of Fun!
    Life's Experiences
    Life's Experiences
    New Design
    New Ideas
    Pattern Of The Week
    Patterns Hooked
    Pets
    Rants
    Recipes
    Rememberingfbe7326ff7
    Rug Schools
    Show & Tell
    Show-tell
    The Rant
    Tips Technique
    Tips Techniquef0cd117ab4
    Visitors
    Workshops

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture





















    Picture
    We have a pot to "Fiz" in!

Shop Hours:
Monday - Friday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM 
Saturdays 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
We are closed during ice and snow storms
​so please call ahead.  If school is cancelled we probably are as well.  

Toll Free: 1-855-624-0370
Local: 1-902-624-0370​
encompassingdesigns@gmail.com

498 Main Street
P.O. Box 437
Mahone Bay, N.S.
Canada B0J 2E0

​Follow us and keep up to date
on our specials, new products
​and events!
Picture
Picture
Picture


Home
Shop
Ordering
Blog
Our Story
Workshops

Contact Us




​​​© Copyright 2023 Encompassing Designs. Website by SKYSAIL