BRIGHTENING BEADS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18832, 21 March 1931, Page 13 (Supplement)

BRIGHTENING BEADS

THE FASHIONABLE PEARLS. Strings of beads, now so fashionable are all the better for an occasional cleaning. The method employed depends on whether the beads will stand moistening or not. Beads made of wood, papier mache and some of the coloured synthetic pearls must not be made damp. Here a dry method of cleaning must be adopted. Finely powdered magnesia is a very good agent, and this is rendered much more active if it is slightly warmed. Put a little in a saucer in the oven and after a few minutes spread it over the beads which have been placed on a cloth. Tie up the cloth and then give the whole a vigorous shaking. After about ten minutes take out the beads and rub gently with a polishing cloth, and you will be surprised at the improvement. Bran is also a useful medium for the dry cleaning of beads. This should be used warm, and the same method used as described above. Beads that will stand a liquid can be much brightened in colour by the use of salt. Make a little bag of soft white material, and into this put the beads. Then cover with salt and tie the bag. Rinse in lukewarm water until all the salt is dissolved. Then, if the beads are on a string, hang them up to dry, or, if loose, spread them on a sheet of paper. White synthetic pearls may be very much improved in appeareance by giving them a bath in slightly warmed milk. When they are taken out hang up to dry and then pass several times through a very soft cloth.

DUCHESS’ HOUSE TRANSFORMED. The magnificent corner house in Portman Square that was formerly the town house of the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch has now been transformed into a group of offices, without, however, altering too much of the inside. The big staircase still remains with the Adam medallions on the walls now painted sea-green and the been ingeniously made into electric Adam pedestals on the landings have light standard lamps. The stair rail is a beautiful piece of mahogony, inlaid with ebony and with other pieces of mahogany laid crosswise. IN DEFENCE OF DRESSMAKERS. Some people are always suggesting that dressmakers are despots trying to make women wear the absurd fancies of their brain. This is not true: dressmakers are not only artist, but business men and women, and do their best to meet the needs and desires of their clients. For a long time there have been wails from the middle-aged woman that no one troubles to make clothes to suit her dignity and age. This year she is to have them. SWEDEN’S PRINCESS. Princess Ingrid, who is being trained as a nurse and dispenser in Sweden, takes her duties very seriously, and works for several hours a day regularly. She is often accompanied by her great-uncle, Prince Carl of Sweden, who is himself* a skilled dispenser. Princess Ingrid is allowing her shingle to grow, and it now curls up very prettily at the back, we are told.