Put the kettle on and settle down

Posted on January 23, 2013 by Zoe Finlay

What with all this snow we’re having, you may be foregoing your keep fit class, countryside walks or just looking for an excuse to not leave the house!

So here are two very good excuses..

If you didn’t see them the first time around, there were recently two excellent television series which are still available on BBC IPlayer. ‘Illuminations; The Private Lives of Medieval Kings’ examines the history and the making of some of the beautiful manuscripts which are normally hidden in the depths of the British Library.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0192nrg/Illuminations_The_Private_Lives_of_Medieval_Kings_Ruling_by_the_Book/

The second series I would recommend is ‘A History of Art in Three Colours ‘  (Blue, Gold and White). I really enjoyed this series which examines the history and use of pigments, (one each programme). They were presented by the prominent Cambridge/Yale art historian, Dr James Fox, who is clearly very passionate about his subject.

The final programme, ‘White’ left me slightly disappointed at first as it spent a good chunk discussing the architecture of Le Corbusier and Mussolini and the passion for white which both these men shared, rather than the pigment history I had hoped for. However, it unfolded to be a fascinating programme. If you can forgive the repeated, (and rather unnecessary) shots of James posing moodily against a sun-baked wall, I really recommend it.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01lcz2s/A_History_of_Art_in_Three_Colours_Blue/

I hope you enjoy them!

Stay warm.

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January Newsletter – available soon!

Posted on January 23, 2013 by Zoe Finlay

The January newsletter will be available this Friday. Check back to this blog on Friday morning for a link or keep an eye on my ‘Newsletter’ page on this site.

If you’d like to be added to the email circulation list, please send your email address to: zoe.finlay@gmail.com

I will never pass your details onto anyone else nor send you additional emails in between the quarterly newsletters, (let’s face it, we all have enough in our in-boxes, don’t we)? You may also unsubscribe at any time.

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Don’t forget the birds!

Posted on January 22, 2013 by Zoe Finlay

It may seem a little out-of-place here on a paper conservation blog but this is conservation – just of a different kind. Please remember to feed our birds during all this cold and snowy weather. This is a very difficult time for them and your efforts, however small, could make such a difference to their fate.

If you have bird feeders, keep them clean, replenished and free from snow if possible. If you haven’t any feeders, putting out bits of cheese, chopped apple, raisins soaked in water and lightly dampened bread can be just as effective, as well as leaving fresh water for them to bathe in and drink.

Robin in the snow

I know it takes extra impetus to venture out into the garden on cold, wet days like today. However, regularly checking the food is free from snow and the water hasn’t frozen will reward you with the pleasure of not only seeing the birds come to your garden  but with the thought that it may be only because of you that they’re still alive.

Thank you.

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‘Paper, An Elegy’ by Ian Sansom

Posted on January 10, 2013 by Zoe Finlay

There is a very nice book available which I would recommend to anyone interested in paper, its diversity and fascinating history, (honest)!

‘Paper: An Elegy’ by Ian Sansom, (2012) provides a very comprehensive overview of the subject with a wealth of interesting facts. It makes an entertaining, interesting and easily digestible historical read.

Click on the the below link if you would like to read more about the book.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Paper-Elegy-Ian-Sansom/dp/0007480261/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1355005695&sr=1-1#_

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A very happy new year to all

Posted on January 2, 2013 by Zoe Finlay

A happy new year to all; I hope that you have had plenty of time to relax and recharge your batteries amidst the usual rush and mayhem of Christmas! I had a great time relaxing with family and friends as well as catching up on some reading, working my way through a stack of books that had accumulated during 2012!

My new year was spent in Allendale watching the ancient, traditional Tar Bar’l ceremony. Shortly before midnight, barrels of flaming tar are paraded around the town held aloft on people’s heads and closely followed by a brass band. The lit barrels are then thrown onto a huge bonfire in the town square along with much cheering and music. It was great fun and if you haven’t yet been, I recommend a visit.

I’m delighted that due to your confidence, your praise and your loyalty I have enjoyed a successful 2012. In late March this year, my business will be 2 years old and, despite the recession, I am looking forward to new challenges and opportunities which I’m certain 2013 will bring.

I’m excited at being back in the studio, beginning treatments on some new items which arrived shortly before Christmas. My January newsletter is already in progress and I’ll look forward to meeting many of my regular clients as well as new ones in the coming year.

All the best and many thanks!

Zoe

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Happy Festivities!

Posted on December 24, 2012 by Zoe Finlay

I would like to wish everyone a very happy festive season and a fantastic 2013!

With very best wishes,

Zoe

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Patrick Moore’s Letter

Posted on December 19, 2012 by Zoe Finlay

With the recent and very sad passing of the astronomer, Sir Patrick Moore, I have read several articles which highlighted the many letters Patrick used to send to astronomy enthusiasts of all ages and abilities, bashing out his considered and lengthy replies on his old typewriter in response to queries.

My husband’s late father was one such fortunate recipient, having received a signed, two-page letter from Patrick. The letter is now in my husband’s possession and, prompted by the same articles I’d read, it once again saw the light of day to be re-read.

These days, however, it’s safely stored inside a conservation grade folder and box. In fact, it has been ever since I was first told about it, as I knew both how precious it was and how it could degrade without intervention. The letter itself is printed on a thin, low-grade paper, prone to rapid deterioration. The ink, likewise, is of a typical fax ink, which is keen to fade in the light.

One further benefit of its custom-made folder is that the letter is now stored in such a way that it doesn’t require handling to be read. Protected from dust, light and acidic materials, I feel gratified that it is safely preserved for my husband for many years to come.

Patrick Moore's letter, housed in a conservation- grade enclosure.

Patrick Moore’s letter, housed in a conservation- grade enclosure.

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Brantwood – a gem in the Lake District

Posted on December 13, 2012 by Zoe Finlay

On a recent trip to the Lake District, wet and windy weather gave me and my husband the perfect excuse to leave the fells and visit Brantwood, the home of the Victorian artist, art critic, writer and philanthropist, John Ruskin, (1819-1900).

Ruskin was an influential figure on art, politics and conservation during the 19th century and his writings embraced a wide variety of subjects from art to politics. Ruskin famously highlighted the need for a social conscience during the Victorian era of industrial pollution, great poverty and difficult working conditions as well as the importance of preserving heritage and traditional craftsmanship.

The visit was made excellent by the beautiful artworks from his collection on the walls, the views of Lake Coniston in the fading autumn light and not least because so many of his furnishings and possessions were present. It felt as if Ruskin had only recently left the room and the breadth and passion of his interests was apparent throughout this small but elegant house.

If you find yourself in the Lakes, faced with wet weather and a slippery climb up a peaty hill, I recommend visiting Brantwood. John’s influence and ideas still resonate today and made an experience to remember.

Brantwood, overlooking Coniston Lake.

Brantwood, overlooking Coniston Lake.

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Check..1..2..3…

Posted on November 30, 2012 by Zoe Finlay

I really enjoyed delivering my presentation to my largest audience yet recently. This one even demanded a microphone and was well attended, with 119 people coming to listen to my talk on Paper Conservation.

Each time I present the talk, I spend some time incorporating new slides and tweaking it for the intended audience. I really enjoy bringing such a little-known (and little-understood) subject to people. It generates so much interest and the best bit is that people take away information about how they can look after their own paper objects by paying attention to issues such as the temperature, humidity, light, dust and storage for their items.

I love it when academic research, scientific experiments and published, peer-reviewed articles turn into useful and practical advice which reaches out to help people.

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Multi-coloured mould

Posted on November 24, 2012 by Zoe Finlay

I received an object into the studio recently which had what may be the worst mould I have ever seen on a paper object. Needless to say, it went straight into quarantine to reduce the risk of any spread of the mould spores to other items, myself or into the air.

When I later removed the back of the picture during cleaning, the colours were quite beautiful; pinks, purples, lilacs, blues, greys.! And of course, the black of Aspergillus niger, the paper-loving mould that we see the most of in paper conservation.

Colourful appearances aside, mould is extremely dangerous. Owning mouldy items such as this in the home can present a health hazard as the spores of certain moulds can lodge in the lungs where they can continue to grow and cause respiratory problems in the future.

Mould should only be removed by professionals with the correct equipment. If you have an item which you know to be mouldy, don’t be tempted to disturb it at all. Try and keep it separate from other items in a dry and cool room and contact me for some free advice.

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