Magic Of Meenakari! For April 2018

Colour Stories

Meenakari is the wonderful art of colouring metal surfaces, combining beautiful colours over it in an intricate design. Read on to know more about this interesting art form…

Origin

'Mina' is the feminine form of 'Minoo' in Persian, which means heaven. It refers to the Azure colour of heaven. The Iranian craftsmen of Sassanid era invented this art and Mongols spread it to India and other countries around the world.

Gold was used traditionally for Meenakari jewellery as it held the enamel well and lasted longer. Silver was introduced later and was used for artefacts such as art pieces, spoons, boxes and bowls. Copper was introduced after the Gold Control Act as the Meenakars were forced to look for an alternative for gold.

Process

The traditional process starts with the designer and moves on to the goldsmith, the engraver who engraves the design, the enamelist who applies the colour, the polisher, the stone-setter and the stringer. They all play an important role in creating a beautiful Meenakari design. However, often a single artisan with years of experience performs all these tasks.

The Meenakars engrave the metal surface with intricate designs with the help of a metal stylus, which is then filled in with different colours. It is then placed in a furnace where the colours fuse and harden to become one with the surface. The piece is rubbed with a file gently and cleaned with a mixture of tamarind and lemon to highlight the lustre of each colour. The colours are applied as per their level of hardness, beginning with the hardest. Prior to the application of enamel, the surface of the ornament is cleansed with care. In their raw form, these mixtures do not always show their true colours. They emerge only when they are fired in the kiln. The enamel colours are sourced from Amritsar in Punjab, or from France or Germany.

It is interesting to note that Enameling was practiced in many centres in India and each region specialized in its own variation of style and technique. In Banaras, the speciality of the Meenakars was dusky rose-pink or 'gulabi meena'. In Lucknow, the specialty of the Meenakars was blue and green enameling on silver. This wonderful craft was also practiced in Kashmir, Kangra and Bhawalpur. If you are interested in seeing the process of creation, you can visit two centres present in Jaipur and Delhi!

Colour Trivia

Colour Facts For April 2018

1. We are sure most of you don't even know the word 'watchet'. Watchet is a very pale blue colour, similar to sky blue. According to folk etymology, the colour derives its name from the town of Watchet on the coast of Somerset in south-west England, the cliffs around which look pale blue due to their rich alabaster content. It is also believed watchet is derived from 'waiss', an old Belgian-French word for royal blue. The word 'watchet' was used originally to describe the material used to line cloaks in 15th century England. This material was blue, and later the word came to mean just the colour, not necessarily the fabric. Interesting, isn't it?
2. Zaffre is the name of an ancient blue pigment. It was originally produced by burning ores of cobalt in a furnace. During the Victorian period, zaffre was used to prepare smalt and to stain glass blue. In the 17th century, the name was borrowed into English from the Italian 'zaffera', and is ultimately descended from the Latin word for 'sapphire.' The first recorded use of zaffre as a name for a colour in English was sometime in the 1550s though the exact year is not certain.
3. Verditer is an old-fashioned name for 'verdigris', the green rust-like discolouration of copper and brass, and also the name of blue-green pigment dating from the 1500s. It was popular in distemper and water-based paint from the 17th to 19th century. Its name is derived from the French "verte-de-terre", or "green of the earth." Today, it is used for a lovely turquoise songbird, the Verditer Flycatcher, which is native to the Himalayas. Fascinating isn't it?

Colour Quotes For April 2018

• "Music gives colour to the air of the moment"

  - Karl Lagerfeld

• "The garden of love is green without limit and yields many fruits other than sorrow or joy. Love is beyond either condition: without spring, without autumn, it is always fresh."

  - Rumi

• "All my life I've pursued the perfect red."

  - Diana Vreeland

Colour Tips For April 2018

1. With time, layers of paint can build up and you will observe bumps and crud on the ceilings of your home. If you are planning to paint them, you need to read this! On untextured ceilings, it is always a good idea to begin with a swift once-over sanding with 100-grit drywall sanding paper. This will ensure a perfectly smooth paint job and increase paint bonding. The simplest way to do this is with a sanding pole. When you are done with sanding, use a damp sponge to wipe the ceiling and remove all the dust.
2. Planning to repaint a wooden surface? First of all, begin by evaluating the paint condition of the surface. If the paint is peeling, you will have to scrape it and remove all the old paint coats. After this, the surface will need to be smoothed with 180 grit sandpaper to create a smoother surface. Do not ever attempt to paint an existing wood surface without preparing its surface properly. Do not apply a direct coat of paint over the old coating as it will not work and eventually will tend to peel, especially if it has a glossy finish.
3. Unsticking windows once they have been painted into place takes a lot of time but it is not impossible – especially for professional painters and carpenters. First of all, to unstick windows, the crusted layers of paint that are actually binding the window sash to the window sill have to be scored with a sharp tool on the inside and outside of the window. You will have to take a putty knife and other tools to unstick the sash from the sill gently. The window can be opened again without causing any damage to the walls around it, with skill and care.

World Of Colours

Colours & Emotion For April 2018

1. It's important to understand the psychological effects colours might have on an average person. The sight of a large patch of furry brown from the corner of your eye could be enough to trigger emotions and adaptive responses appropriate to an encounter with a large grizzly bear. A lake of water that is a dirty blue may trigger an emotion of disgust, and you could avoid a drink of the same colour thinking it is potentially harmful.
2. Did you know there are connections that are forged by culture-specific associations of colours to people, objects, places or events that are emotionally-charged? The red and yellow cape of a bullfighter could trigger special emotions in the Spanish culture. The blacks and oranges of Halloween or reds and greens of Christmas could trigger culture-specific emotions. The colours of plants, landscapes or animals that are specific to a region may develop culture-specific emotions. The delicate pinks of the Japanese cherry tree may have special emotional connections for the Japanese, the bright blues of the blue poison dart frog for those in the Sipaliwini Savanna of Southern Suriname or the pale reds of the Arizona desert may have for the indigenous Indians.

Colours & Fashion For April 2018

The word "monochromatic" breaks down into two words: 'mono' means single and 'chromatic' means colour. A monochromatic outfit would essentially consist of pieces of one colour. Monochromatic colour schemes are taken from single base hue and extended using its shades, tints and tones. The tints are achieved by adding white and shades and tones are achieved by adding a darker colour, grey or black. This doesn't mean that a monochrome dress is all about solid black or solid white from head to toe. The interesting part of a monochromatic outfit is wearing different shades and tints of the same colour.

Colours & Gems For April 2018

1. Grandidierite is magnesium aluminum borosilicate. It is an extremely rare gem that was first discovered in 1902 in southern Madagascar by Alfred Lacroix, a French mineralogist. However, the gem was named in honour of French explorer Alfred Grandidier (1836–1912) who studied the natural history of Madagascar. The gem comes in the form of a strong bluish green to greenish blue translucent to transparent crystals and the blue component increases owing to the iron content. This possesses the property of trichroism, which is the ability to exhibit three different colours depending on viewing angle.
2. Jadeite is a pyroxene mineral. It is one of the two types of pure jade. The other is known as nephrite jade. What makes Jadeite special is that it is the rarer of the two jades, and as a result, it is considered to be more precious and expensive. The most valuable form of jadeite is a striking and even emerald green that is known as "imperial jadeite." For jadeite, the intensity of the green colour, combined with a high degree of translucency are the key factors in understanding its value. Gems which are extremely dark in colour or not so translucent are comparatively less valued. Ideally, colour should be totally even to the naked eye, without any spotting or veins.

Colours & Nature For April 2018

1. Turaco
   Meet the Turaco. It is a unique bird, which belongs to the Musophagidae family. It is found mostly in the sub-Saharan Africa. Its colouring attracts a lot of attention, but it is more due to the peculiar shading in the plumage that makes it all the more attractive. It is mostly shooed away because of its piercing and shrill calls, and is described as 'go-away-birds'. Its crest and long tail is quite prominent. Isn't the bird beautiful?
2. Take a look at the Cuckoo wasp. It is also known as the Emerald wasp. It is highly sculptured, with stunning metallic colours created by structural coloration. It has been discovered that the colour is actually produced by light refracting through open spaces between six layers of cuticle in its exoskeletons. It glows a brilliant iridescent blue-green, as if illuminated from within. It is found in the desert regions around the world, as it is associated with Solitary bee and wasp species. Interestingly, scientists have not figured out whether the bright colours of the cuckoo wasp serve any function.

Décor

Planning To Paint Your Home In Summer?

Home painting in hot weather does bring on a number of challenges. If you wish to achieve the best possible finish and a smooth-sailing job, read on further and keep some pointers in mind…

• It is essential to prepare well prior to painting. Before you begin painting, you need to clean any dirt, mould, mildew and spider webs before you get started. You need to detect all the areas that have cracks and use highly efficient materials to fill the cracks properly. This will create ease in painting the walls afterwards. It is best to get an early start so that you don't end up standing in the sun or blistering heat.
• Opt for water-based paints that you can spray on the walls lightly with water before you paint, to cool them down and make the job faster and easier. If it's something metallic that you wish to paint, the surfaces can be much hotter. We recommend you dip your brush in a small amount of water to help the flow of paint, but if the metal is in direct sunlight, it is best to do this task in the morning when it is cooler. Never opt for the middle of the day as it is always the hottest part of the day and painting should be avoided. It's best to leave the middle of the day for any prep work like sanding and filling rather than painting.
• Scorching hot weather is not the best for exterior paint job, unless the painting is taken care by professional painters. It is best to take care of the interior wall paint job in this weather condition than touch the exteriors. As a general rule, the hotter the weather, the faster the paint will dry. Excessive heat could cause visible brush marks, and even cause blistering or peeling, making it an unpleasant painting experience. It is recommended that a certain amount of hot weather thinner be added into the paint for best results.
• High temperatures can dry the paint before it is able to adhere to the surface. Avoid the hottest days. The heat can cause the paint to dry too quickly, ruining the smoothness of the texture.

These steps will help minimize problems often associated with hot weather. Happy Painting!

5 Exterior House Paints Options To Keep An Eye On In 2018

Decorative trends and colours change every year. Painting your home’s exterior may seem overwhelming, however, it is an excellent way to add curb appeal and update your home’s overall appearance. If you are seeking some inspiration, you have come to the right place.

We have put together five of our favourite exterior house paints options for the year 2018.

Blue
You can create a relaxed atmosphere with shades of deep blue, aqua and light greens. It is simply perfect for a seaside holiday home where you can sit back and relax, sipping on your virgin mojito and coconut water. The colour is reminiscent of the sky and the ocean, and balances out emotions for a serene and calm effect.

Red
When it comes to interior as well as exterior paint colours, crimsons and deep red are both popular. It is the go-to colour when you want to draw attention to a specific element of your home. You can use this shade on your main door to make a stunning statement.

Grey
The grey trend has made its way to the exteriors of the home, with most homeowners opting for this subtle and elegant shade. It matches well with white trim and virtually every exterior colour.

If you are not quite ready to go totally grey, consider using grey paint with a wide range of siding, trim, shutter, door and home styles. It exudes elegance and also makes a strong statement.

Green
Green is the perfect shade to opt for if you like rustic and vintage-inspired living spaces. It lends personality to the space and is also an inviting shade. When it comes to picking a new exterior paint colour, you cannot go wrong with this colour.

Chocolate Brown
Chocolate brown has a soft and welcoming vibe. It looks wonderful paired with soft greens and creamy whites, making it a favourable option for those looking for exterior paint colours.

These paint colours are sure to transform the façade of your home. However, before you finalise the exterior paint colour for your home, consider the surrounding landscape and nearby architecture as well. Your home's position in relation to the sun will also impact how the colour appears and you don't want it to look either dull or gaudy. All the best!

Looking For Inspiration From The Paint Colours Of The Year For 2018?

If you are looking for some inspiration from paint colours to give your home a makeover, you need not look further! You can draw inspiration from the paint colours of the year 2018. Read on to know how you can use these to spruce up your home…

After a froggy-green 2017, Pantone unveiled the colour of 2018, an uplifting hue of Ultra Violet. It is a powerful, bold colour, which works beautifully as an accent. You can use it on cushion covers, throw pillows, rugs, wall art, vases, curtains, candles, ceramics and tableware against a neutral wall scheme to make a stunning statement. You can also create a violet focal point using a statement piece in this wonderful hue. You can easily pair this rich shade with leather, velvet and dark-coloured woods. Also, when it comes to pairings, you can create a striking impact using contrasting colours like yellow, fuchsia, emerald and red with it.

Next is the berry-inspired shade, which is also going to be seen all through the year. You can make a bold statement and add depth to the interiors of your home with this striking hue.

If you are seeking tranquillity in your living space, blue-green is the perfect shade to opt for. It is sure to bring calm and enhance any living space. All you need to do is complement it with a few organic accents and you are set!

If you wish to spread cheerfulness in your space, you should go with sunshine yellow. You can warm up any space with this delicious hue. It works best in natural lighting and pairing it with electric-hued accents is the way to go!

Bright blue is perfect no matter how little you incorporate it in your home. Its versatility helps create a serene atmosphere or an electrifying one depending on the dosage of the shade used.

Now that you know how to use these lovely shades, get started! Transform your home into works of art with the power of colour!

Colours & Ancient Sciences

Feng Shui For April 2018

If your child plays sports, you can help your child to unearth his or her maximum potential as an athlete through the power of Feng Shui. Read on to know how…

Feng Shui for the Athletic Child

There is a good chance that your athletic child spends considerable amount of time in their bedroom, especially if the child is a teenager. This is why some Feng Shui principles should be applied to this area of the home, and the energy that flows through the child's life should be maximized.

You need to keep out as much interference as possible from the room such as electrical and digital items in order to increase the child's fitness levels. Keep all electrical items as far away from the child's bed as possible. Don't pick metal furniture for the room as it is a natural outlet for electricity. Avoid using mirrors in the bedroom as it can have a negative influence on the child's health.

Dealing with Sports Equipment

Don't let your child store his or her sports equipment in the bedroom. Arrange for an alternate storage space within the home. Equipment that is used in competitive sports such as softball, baseball, basketball and so on can bring an element of negativity to the space which can in turn make the child overly competitive. This also includes storing items for sports beneath the bed, which brings negative vibe to the space, disrupting the flow of chi.

Add some greenery to your child's bedroom to encourage the flow of good health within the home, not just for the child, but for all of the home's occupants. Pick shades of sunny yellow or other yellow hues, as well as earthy colours for the centre of the home. In the home's centre, don't display tree-shaped objects, house plants that resemble trees, pictures, prints or other wall art that features trees as it can move energy upward within a space, causing the earth elements to be uprooted. This can have a detrimental effect on your child's health and fitness.

These are some pointers to remember when you decorate your child's room. Hope you find this article informative and useful!

Reiki For April 2018

Did you know that Reiki can help you if you are suffering from Asthma? You can handle this ailment using the power of Reiki. Read on to know more…

Reiki for Asthma!

Asthma usually develops during childhood and is most often hereditary. However, it frequently clears up, or at least decreases in severity, once the adult years commence. It can suddenly develop in adults who have no prior experience of the ailment.

For those suffering from Asthma, there is help in several forms, one of which is Reiki. It is a natural energy healing mechanism for Asthma. It heals the disorder by balancing the subtle energies within the body with the help of universal life energy. It is believed to cure almost all ailments over a period of time either directly by providing enough energy for healing, or by bringing the patient in touch with someone who is capable of healing.

All ailments are due to mental and emotional imbalances, and many times, the manifestation of a disease is a result of long-term mental or emotional turbulences, or simply unlearned lessons. One of the underlying causes of Asthma is known to be anxiety and emotional stress. Reiki can be an extremely powerful tool to provide relief from that stress and bring down the severity and the frequency of Asthma attacks.

Reiki practitioners work with the Asthma patient by holding hands above the patient in 1 of 12 positions. This positioning provides energy to the patient's body. Interestingly, no physical pressure is applied over the patient's body.

The practitioner gets the energy by changing the hand positions and transferring it to the patient. Cho Ku Ray power symbol is the hand signal appropriate for Asthma. The practitioner is supposed to make this signal over the patient thrice and utter the words "Cho Ku Ray."

Reiki brings the body into emotional and spiritual balance, supporting the body's natural ability to heal itself.

These supportive therapies assist the body in functioning and responding appropriately and can help the patient feel better by relieving the misery associated with the ailment. Hope you found this article informative and useful.

Vaastu For April 2018

It is true that a woman makes a house a home. She strikes a balance between her responsibilities, playing an important role in the house. Vaastu plays on important role in affecting one’s health and disrupts the harmony.. Let us read on to know how Vaastu Shashtra can help women in their lives…

Women and Vaastu

According to the principles of Vaastu, it is recommended that you sleep with the head towards the south for harmony in the different relationships that you have with people around you – as a daughter, mother, sister and wife. It is recommended that you avoid using the North-east bedroom and instead use the bedroom in the south. This is believed to bring peace and prosperity in the house. You should spend time in the east direction to feel upbeat and energetic if you are feeling drained out or lethargic. The North-East direction is believed to be very significant and a spiritually energized zone. If you like to meditate, this direction is suitable and you can practice breathing exercises facing this direction.

When it comes to home renovations and constructions, do not construct a toilet in the North-East and Center (Brahmasthan) of your home as it can bring ailments and sickness to residents. If you are planning on conceiving or going to conceive, avoid sleeping with your head towards the North or in the North-West. You should always sleep in the southern direction. If you suffer from sleep disorders, it is best to keep your head in the south. Defected South-East direction attracts health problems in women. It is a great idea to put a pleasant, happy family photograph in the South-west of the bedroom for healthier compatibility between couples. Keep a basil plant (Tulsi plant) and pearls in the North for prosperity and wealth.

The colour blue is believed to have cooling attributes, which is why a bulb emitting soft blue light is extremely soothing and highly recommended. You should use purple, violet and indigo for the walls of your room. It is best to avoid red colour in the bedroom.

The best way to reduce health problems related to your heart and the nervous system is by never using the space below the staircase for bathroom, pantry, toilet or even for storage of eatable and food grains.

Also, avoid bigger windows in South-West. Instead, keep bigger windows in the North for professional success if you are a working woman.

Hope you find this article handy and informative. Follow the mentioned Vaastu principles to make your life better!