Cleaning up a Precious Wooden Surface

When to use wax, oil or other wooden surface protectants for precious wooden surfaces. One of the most common errors people make when restoring wooden objects is to fail to determine precisely what they want to achieve with the restoration. For each level of restoration, whether it is a full restoration, a thorough clean-up, or […]

Stripping Methods for Wooden Furniture and Antiques

Depending on the finish you want to achieve and the original coating of the item Refurbishment or Full Restoration? Refurbishment is the process of removing the original coating, whether lacquer, beeswax, oil, or shellac, and re-applying a new finishing coat to give your furniture luminosity. By comparison, a full restoration is to remove coatings and […]

Pitfalls to Avoid in Writing Biographies

A brief summary of the experiences that can be encountered by the unsuspecting biographer – forewarned is forearmed. When you undertake writing a biography, actually writing it is in some ways the easiest part of your task. What you’re attempting to do is to collect as much information as possible about your subject from as […]

Creating Natural Swimming Pools

Natural swimming pool near Dargaville, Northland, New Zealand - Photo Theresa Sjoquist

Build an environmentally sustainable swimming pool that uses only nature’s plants as a filtering system and requires no chemicals or cleaning. When Neil Hearn was invited to see the natural swimming pool of one of his customers actually in use, he took the opportunity to investigate since he was building a new home in rural […]

Spicy Fruit Cake – European Style

Spicy Fruit cake - photo Theresa Sjoquist

Spicy Fruit Cake – European style – Boiled fruit cake which is quick and easy to make. Slice and butter it and everyone will be your friend. Freezes well.   Spicy Fruit cake – photo Theresa Sjoquist This sophisticated fruit cake is delicious with or without butter and is a popular favourite with old and […]