How to simply perserve and store special plates and dishes

In many American homes, there are special items that families hand down to each generation to have the young family members remember them after they have long past. So many people don't understand how to take care of these items simply and easily in there own home? Having small items are one thing but what if it a collection (thirty or more) of many items? Good example would be a lage amount of tea cups that have a special pattern on them. Now you can't fit them all in your china cubboard, can you? Try these tips and see if they work for you as well as they have for us!

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Felt
• Silver cloth
• Bias fabric tape
• Acid free box with lid
• Archival pen

1. 
   Cut felt circles

   The key with any storage project is to get the proper box and supplies to make careful notations and pack the object right the first time. The goal is to not have the dishes move but on a minimum amount in transport or storage so packing well is crucial. First off, start with measuring the diameters of the each dish, that you plan to store, so that you can cut the felt circles to put in between each dish.

2. 
   Fitted lid box

   Once that is done, it is time to prepare the box. If you have already a acid free box you can skip this step but if not, do this. Measure the circumfrence of the largest plate within the stack of dishes. Next measure the height of the stack and add 1" to the measurement. Now you have enough information to make a four sided box for the dishes.

3. Once the box is made it is time to make the lid for the box. The only thing that you have to keep in mind when you are making a lid is that instead of the lip of the lid being the distance of the stack of the dishes, you only need to make the lip low enough to help it stay on the box. I always use a measurement of two inches on all sides.

4. Be sure to take a photograph of all the dishes that you are storing in that box so when you put it in storage on the shelf you will bae able to have a photo of the dishes on the outside of the box for easy reference. When the box is properly housed it is time to tie on the bias tape tie so that the lid will stay with the items that are in the box. The when that is done, it is time for final placement for the items to it's perminate home.

Tips & Warnings

• Save all of you packing peanuts that you get from things you order in the mail because they always come in handy when you move or store things. Plus it keeps it out of the landfill!

[LouisLim]

on 4/28/2009 good article.

[85mike]

on 4/28/2009 Thank you for a very interesting, intellectually engaging, and insightful analysis. I also share a mutual passion for preserving the profound culture and history bequeathed by my ancestral heritage. Likewise, you offer a very practical, simplified approach regarding the maintenance of priceless personal possessions. Thanks again for the invaluable insight.

[JasneJ]

on 4/28/2009 Excellent advice for storage of old pottery and porcelain.