For the really special garments, with hand-painting & quite old, we recommend getting a professional opinion on cleaning. (We recommend Frank Connet a textile expert conservator and artist in Chicago, contact is below). However, we can share with you the common practice we know from being raised in Japan. So, here are some pointers on the care of the older silk: Dry heat is bad for it. **Direct sunlight is bad for it.

Kimono were traditionally taken apart, laundered and sewn back together. Because the fabric content is not always known, we do not suggest home washing for your kimono. You can use a dry cloth to brush off surface dirt or dust, but water may cause the colors to run and the fabric to shrink. We have some success with professional cleaners, but dry cleaning destroys metallic painting and sometimes embroidery. The chemicals may weaken silk.

Sorry, no. Many of our customers have acquired vintage Japanese items from family or travel and ask us for more information or value. As much as we might like to assist, we are not certified appraisers. Our prices here are based on availability, condition and decorative appeal of each item.

antique gun's original finish and patina are of paramount importance to the firearm collector. The value of many an antique firearm has been destroyed by over cleaning and/or refinishing. The only cleaning we recommend is to use oil and extra fine or super fine steel wool (#000 or #0000) and lightly rub the metal surfaces. This should remove surface grim while not harming the finish or patina.

Please read our 'about us' page to learn more about Yoko and how she works closely with her family in Japan. Her family's network of alliances within the Japanese antiques and textiles trades serve us well. Also, her family has been in the recycling industry for some time. Our sources for these kimono are from throughout Japan using our connections in the Japanese recycling industry as well as other sources (auctions, markets, store liquidations, estate sales, family network, etc.

Silk fibres are very durabe, stronger than other natural fibres. However silk does lose strength temporarily when it becomes wet and for this reason care is required. Do keep your silk out of direct sunlight to avoid damaging the fibres. Use no bleach. Cool iron using silk setting.

A PatrickMoor sport coat should be Dry Cleaned only. They are strong but care needs to be taken with the threads. It is not unusual for the pure Thai silk fabric to last more than a century.

It is the practice to boil the cocoons that still contain the living moth larvae in order to obtain the silk. This produces longer silk threads than if the moth was allowed to emerge. The silkworm can certainly feel pain and will recoil and writhe when injured.

Use a slightly damp cloth to remove excess dirt. Dry naturally, away from direct heat. The leather will remain soft and supple with ECCO® Daily Care Cream. For instant shine use ECCO® Shoe shine sponge. Before wearing for the first time, use ECCO® Universal Waterproofing Spray, to help protect them. Use ECCO® Nubuck & Suede Eraser or ECCO® Suede Brush to remove dust and dirt and restore the nap to the shoe. Heavy stains can be removed with a ECCO® Foam cleaner.

Susan Fatemi may have added some patterns for antique Japanese garments. To learn more about Susan's offerings you can find more about her site on our links page. Updated August 2006:Also, in the last year or so (since 2005) a number of patterns for making kimono (and other Japanese garments) have become available. A search on google for kimono patterns turns up quite a few we didn't know existed.(You can go to that google search page by clicking HERE).

Our crews always appreciate hearing from their patients. Believe it or not, a kind word actually goes a long way. Please feel free to draft a letter to our mailing address or email address. Please include the date and approximate time of the call, and we will make sure your message gets to the crew that served you.

No. More and more people are consulting chiropractic doctors not only for themselves, but for their families. For example, many parents bring their children in to be checked due to problems caused by birthing trauma, childhood falls and accidents, “growing pains,” and ear infections. Older adults who are concerned about over-medication and the side effects of these medications are using chiropractic for its natural approach.

The kimono is colorful, artistic and dramatic--everything needed to create a unique and beautiful display in your home. A large wedding kimono is perfect to fill an expansive wall or provide a focal point in a large room or hall. Children's kimono or haori give the same effect when less space is available. Try using a children's kimono in a play room or nursery to complete a "children of the world" theme.

We combine visits to family in Japan with our buying trips, arranging to visit markets and shops while there. We choose things from the vendors that catch our eye--things we would enjoy owning and using ourselves. Some accessory pieces are purchased from retail shops, as they are not available any other way. Our clothing items are all previously owned and were found in the greater Tokyo area.

Kimono belts are folded and lightly stitched into one of the sleeves. Belts for Short Kimonos can be found tucked inside the collar.

The items in our Limited Edition Silk and Microfiber collections should not be machine washed -- simply spot clean if necessary. Please note: Vera Bradley does not recommend dry cleaning any of their products.

I've had good success with warm soapy water and an old toothbrush. Do not use anything abrasive on the razor. Many razors are plated and polishing or cleaning with abrasives could wear away the plating. Unfortunately, I've seen this quite often. A patina on the razor is normal. Removing it may reduce the value of the razor. Also, be sure to check for blades! Don't get cut on an nasty, dirty old razor blade!

After each ride, sponge or hose down Old Mac's with cold water and remove grit with a brush if necessary. Mud and dirt should be removed from Old Mac's while they are still wet. If Old Mac's become saturated with water, allow them to dry naturally. DO NOT expose the boots to naked flame or use artificial heat to dry as this may damage the upper and outsole materials.

Although it's possible to manually go through the Registry and delete unwanted entries, Microsoft provides a tool to automate the process, the program is called RegClean or download registry cleaner from here. Registry clieaner analyzes Windows Registry keys stored in a common location in the Windows Registry. It finds keys that contain erroneous values, it removes them from the Windows Registry after having recording those entries in the Undo.Reg file.

It's already too late. The breeder should have had the tail docked at the age of 3-5 days, before the nerves in the tail were fully developed. It can be done very easily and with minimum pain to the dog at that age. Even though your puppy is only a couple of months old now, his tail is already very sensitive. It would require surgery with anesthetic to dock that tail now. Enjoy his unique full tail as it is, rather than putting your dog through surgery.