A Diwali to Remember,at home

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As the evening approached on Diwali day,the home got filled wih prayers and diyas for aprosperous year ahead.As the diyas were lighted and the prayers chanted the home filled with positive energy and brightness.We made it sure as the diyas were lighted from the entrance to the inner rooms,the lights were put off one by one to assimilate the festivities and light around us.Some lamps were hung on the tree that bends into our terrace.An evening to remember as it is....the diwali evening..

Before the pedestal

on the dining table,on a mirrormy lord krishna's pedestal

a corner of the room on top of the chest

below the chest

on top of the centre table

an island created keeping in mind the centre table in the centre of the room

the triangles of lamps...and their reflection

on the steps leading to the terrace

beautiful okeh of light and lamps,some lamps are handmade by recycling old bottles

beautiful bokeh on the bookshelf

a distant view

with prayers and waiting for the next diwali

Linking to the Diwali Dhamaka parties here and here

Please do not copy nor steal images.

images and ideas conceived and clicked by Lakshmi Arvind

Brass Decor on window sill.

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Brass is any alloy of copper and zinc; the proportions of zinc and copper can be varied to create a range of brasses, each of which has unique properties. In comparison bronze is principally an alloy of copper and tin. Despite this distinction, some types of brasses are called bronzes. Brass is a substitutional alloy. It is used for decoration for its bright gold-like appearance; for applications where low friction is required such as locks, gears, bearings, ammunition, and valves; for plumbing and electrical applications; and extensively in musical instruments such as horns and bells for its acoustic properties.

Brass has a muted yellow color, somewhat similar to gold. It is relatively resistant to tarnishing, and is often used as making casted statues, sculptures, flower vases, figurines, decoration and coins.

some brass items on my window sill.....

Brass has likely been known to humans since prehistoric times, even before zinc itself was discovered. It was produced by melting copper together with calamine, a zinc ore. In the German village of Breinigerberg an ancient Roman settlement was discovered where a calamine ore mine existed. During the melting process, the zinc is extracted from the calamine and mixes with the copper. Pure zinc, on the other hand, has too low a boiling point to have been produced by ancient metalworking techniques. The many references to 'brass' appearing throughout the King James Bible are thought to signify another bronze alloy, or copper, rather than the strict modern definition of 'brass'.

To wax or not to wax is a matter of personal preference. Depending upon the proportions of copper, tin or lead in the alloy, the natural patina of your piece will take on any number of colorations, all the way from black to red to light green. This is known as Edel Patina and is simply natural oxidation - the outermost layer of bronze reacting to oxygen. A thin wax layer protects your bronze however you may prefer allow your bronze to age naturally. If you prefer to halt or slow the ageing process, maintaining a coat of wax to shield your piece from the air's oxidizing effects. In a dry climate, waxing once a year is sufficient; twice a year in areas of high humidity. Outdoors apply two coats, ideally in the heat of the day when the wax is able to more readily be absorbed into the pores of the metal. We recommend premium clear paste wax.

Do NOT use cleaning sprays or furniture polishes containing solvents or other chemicals. They may react to your bronze, discoloring the patina. Older bronzes having their own natural dark patina, or new pieces with a faux antique patina, should NOT be waxed or polished, as this can alter the look and character of the piece.

Edel Patina, a green copper carbonate, protects the bronze naturally, and this layer of oxidation should not be confused with Bronze Disease. Edel Patina normally covers the entire sculpture more or less uniformly and appears as a duller shade of green than Bronze Disease- a condition in which metal produces acid normally hydrochloric or hydro sulfuric acid) internally and begins to disintegrate, while a small fuzzy green or brown patch begging to grow. This disease is mostly caused by exposure to extremes of heat, humidity, acids or environmental pollution. For Bronze Disease there is no quick solution and many method only halt the spread without curing it. The various treatments such as; baking in high temperatures, soaking in distilled water with certain chemicals, and application of chemicals are treatments, but all these methods would change the patina and look of the bronze and may also physically damage the sculpture.

images and ideas conceived by lakshmi arvind

pl.do not copy or steal

Text courtesy: www.xportarts.com

Happy Deepavali !

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Wishing you all lovely blogger friends a very happy and bright Deepavali! A festival which brought me back many shiny memories. Deepavali is the time to celebrate new beginnings.

Today let me take you around the festivities at home. I always look forward to let my creativity flow as I set about decorating the house with rangoli, flowers and diyas.

Welcome to our sweet little home, where we lit 108 Diyas. Those were the lights of faith and worship lit towards welcoming the Goddess.

The day is very special as the entrance gets adorned with colourful rangoli.

All Urulis and small brass vessels get filled with floating flowers and floating fragrant candles.

Tea light candles in small glasses on the steps.

Dining table with a big lotus candle

Diyas and Diyas ,a house full of diyas and prayers....

I wish you all a very happy Deepavali and I hope it brings all of you joy ,laughter and wonderful memories.

Hope you all liked the series from my house to yours.Thanks for the love and affection showered on me and encouraging me.I thank you all once more and hope you will be on my side in further endeavours.

(Images and Ideas by Lakshmi Arvind.Please do not copy them .Please dont use them without prior permission.)

Shubh Deepavali:11.10.09

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The festival of lights is all about welcoming the Goddess of wealth.A festival for thorough spring cleaning and wearing new clothes.Enjoy the best. A flurry of activities at home for me,cleaning polishing the brass and bringing out the diyas and of course some last minute purchases.

Its fun as dusk settles at the time of Deepavali and the whole house gets illuminated by the bright little diyas and my favourite Kerala Lamps.Memories at home do bring tears,but they do get wiped by the bright diyas and the halo surrounding them.

A simple idea from the kitchen utensils finds a way in today's Deepavali inspiration.The brass utensil used is the one used for making small sweet balls called "Unniappam".The wooden utensil is nothing but an antique wooden utensil used for keeping aside spices while cooking with cup shaped depressions in it.You can float any flowers and diyas alternately in the small holes and place it before the god,in front of the entrance and make a 'kolam' (rangoli design) to the side of it or around it.Here i have used rice grains and masoor dal in the shape of Diyas and placed diyas alternately in the patterns.

Hope you all enjoy the design and will watch out for more...

(Images and Ideas by Lakshmi Arvind.Please do not use it for any purpose without informing.Images are all subject to copyright)