Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-12-05
ATTRACTIVE HOMES.
Some Seasonable Suggestions in Re-
gard to Gifts for the Holidays.
HON E-MADE ARTICLES
That win Display Ingenuity and Taste. and
Can Be Got Up Cheaply-NOvelties in Silver
Ornaments-Handsom Work in Embroi-
dery-New Things In China.
Written for The Evening Star.

Written for The Evening Star.
NONvENIENCEs MULTIPLY FOR THOSE
~ who wish to copy at home in q more or less
diversified form some of the pretty things seen
in the shops; often the efforts OF one pioneer
in having something out of the way made, as
an assistance or guide, starts n regular business
in that article, and it soon becomes well-known
fac. that such is the case. Lamp-shade frames,
for instance, can be made to order here now
of any shape and style, and moreover the
holders for them can also be ordered to fit any
lamp, and thus the obstacles to making the
pretty connections Of lace, silk aud chiffon are
quite removed.
Such a short time ago, too one had TO try in
vain to get what was wanted in that line unless
it had one regulation shape which might be
bought, but which had then to be altered by a
worker in wire in order to make it available.
The standards for the shades it was quite i'm
possible to get here at all until recently.
LAMP SHADES MADE AT HOME.
These shades can so easily be made at home,
and are so much less expensive than the pretty
ones in the shops, that many people prefer to
do their own, for the result is SO much for the
trouble that one is fascinated with the making.
The broad metal band that is the heading Of
the frames protects the silk or lace frill which
finishes the shade at tho top, 30 that there is
little danger of its scorcEing. The frame has
FIRST to be covered with the foundation silk
shirred at the top and caught down in plaits on
the outer wire OF the France over this comes the
lace or chiffon which is very full and just deep
enough to allow the pinked out edge of the silk
to show below. A shirr is often put in the lace
at the outer wire making q little outstanding
ruffie, and very full plating OF silk doubled,
or of single silk fringed on each edge, is put
around the top. With India silk aud pretty
airy laces so cheap large shade may be got
up at home which, while perhaps not equaling
those sold for SOS, may be quite
pretty enough to give much pleasure and
| freshness and delicacy have departed. as they
| unfortunately will in time, the regret may be
according to the outlay and it may be renewed
without one feeling extravagaut over the mat
ter
The large shades made Of crinkled paper
Likewise. In soft coloring they are really eff
fectire on lighted lamps much more SO than
by daylight
Every one seems to be filed with the idea Of
multiplying lamps In their houses, SO that they
and their belongings are likely to be prominent
for Christmas presents. Where one lamp was
seen year or two ago three and four now ap-
pear, and rooms are prettier and more artisti-
caily lighted accordingly.
AN ATTRACTIVE SMOKING SET.
saw smoking set the other day which had
just been purchased for Christmas gift which
was attractive and decidedly mannish: it was
in three pieces, each a section of natural ivory
mounted in nickel The ivory was a deep
cream color, looking like meerscEaum in the
early stages OF its coloring process The cigar
holder was one of the prettiest specimens be-
ing the largest, while the match safe and open
receptacle for ashes were similar but smaller;
they were pleasing in color, good in shape,
keeping the natural curve of the tusk and sub
stantial in finish. therefore suitable for mans
use.
SILVER ARTICLES HOLD THEIR OWN.
Silver articles hold their own this season
and come i'll every imaginable style and to
supply every imaginable want All the small
pieces are much the same we have seen for
some years past, but naturally a few new
things appear. Every one is pleased with gifts
OF silver in any form, and unless one il more
completely QUILTED with it than most people
are there are many bits that make pretty
souvenirs without being very costly. Pretty
iittie SILVER cases come now inciosing dentists
floss; other little cases are for thimbles, to at
tach to chatelain especially, and the chate-
Ialns themselves are very handsome, particu-
larly in English silver, fligree locking, but
much heavier than it appears and strong
enough not to bend or break in the using
The hair ornaments in silver are legion q new
style looLSrg like heavy wire, with tiny balls
tipping ali the points on hairpins or small
combs. The pierced silver for small hair
combs or fancy topped pins is as plentiful as it
was last year and is very pretty.
TORTOISE SHELL RIVAL.
Tortoise shell rivals silver for these last men,
toned articles, and is in various styles. the
newest and choicest being combs with narrow
high top Of solid SHE'LL either perfectly plain or
with q narrow carved border across the top and
sides are
BILE than the open work or tiligree effects, and
are worn larger than hair ornaments OF any
other material. Both silver and shell seem
favored in preference to gold for use in the
hair, and a present in either can scarcely 90
amiss, as most people like variety in such
things.
Tortoise shell is equally pretty for backs of
brushes, and lately saw it recommended in
place of silver as more of q novelty, mono
gram carved on the she'll being suggested for
decoration. A prettier idea l have seen carried
out, and that is small silver monogram on
the shell brush. which is decidedly novel an
handsome, and the comb to use with it has q
heavy repousse silver band. Tortoise shell is
certainly fragile to a certain extent, and
extremes of heat or cold ere liable to crack it;
still the set speak of has been in use several
years, and while one feels that little more caro-
must be used with it than if it we're unbreak-
able silver, it is q satisfaction in its uncommon
prettiness.
PRETTY EMBROIDERY.
have Just seen a pretty piece ofembroidery,
intended as a Christmas gift, on fine white linen
II is square and may be used either for center
piece on the dinner or luncheon table, or as a
mat on u small table of any kind one in white
enamel shifting it better than any other.
Large Hover forms, very much convention
allied, are set irregularly over tLesur. ACE per-
haps seven in ell, though two are cut in hail. or
nearly SO, by coming close to the hcmstitched