Care of Antique & Vintage Glass Christmas Ornaments
Want to start collecting antique or vintage glass feather or Christmas tree ornaments from days gone by? Already have a collection? In this guide I will give a few pointers on how to care for those lovely delicate little mercury glass treasures!
- Always keep your old glass ornaments towards the top of the tree, and not so close to the bottom. We wouldn't want little animal paws batting them around when you are away, nor would we want them in clear reach of little ones.
- Make sure none of them are actually touching any lights, as the lights can become very warm and over many years can damage the mercury glass interior or paint exterior.
- Flock your tree with snow BEFORE you put your old ornaments on. The snow can really do a number on the handpainting. If there is already snow on the ornament, please consult a good Christmas reference book such as "Christmas Ornaments Lights & Decorations" by George Johnson for cleaning tips and techniques.
- Always use a thick padding such as blankets of "snow", or a thick vintage tree skirt in case you accidently drop an ornament. It has more of a chance of not breaking with the padding in place.
- Always store your ornaments in a cool dry place, and in an area that stays a consistant temperature. NEVER store them in an attic or basement, as those areas are almost always damp and humid. After use, carefully wrap them in acid free tissue paper and store them in one of the readily available large cardboard ornament storage boxes. There are even some sturdier plastic storage boxes available today.
When using these tips to care for your newly found treasures, you can bet that you will be enjoying their beauty for many more years to come!
