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120 from five to ten cents for each small piece, such as a cup, a saucer, a tile, etc., and increasing in accordance to the size and shape of the article to be baked. Gilding is generally done by the decorators, as their facilities for such work are much greater than an amateur can have. The charges for this, too, with some firms are very moderate. I have had a cup and saucer fired and very nicely gilded (a narrow rim round cup and saucer, with a very prettily decorated handle) for twenty cents. Always mark your name or initials or some "trademark" on the back with black paint, and keep each piece carefully away from dust and smoke, enemies to be guarded against in all processes of the work. In packing china to be carried to the decorator's, the chief thing to be guarded against is rubbing. It is very disheartening to have your china brought back to you with parts of the painting entirely removed. By having your painting perfectly dry, and packing it in soft paper, you will avoid this risk.

Small kilns for the use of amateurs are to be obtained at prices ranging from $3.00 to $25.00. The statement has been made that any woman who can bake bread properly can manage these kilns, but it is not every one who can bake perfectly, and mistakes in firing china would be far more lasting and provoking than in baking bread. Still, some who have tried them, have had great success with them, and the possession of one would be a great aid in learning combinations of color, as experiments could be tried on bits of broken china.

Sometimes when the firing is done the coloring in part or whole will seem weak or faded. This can be remedied by painting the design over again, especially strengthening any weak places, and having the whole fired over. Many always have their china fired at least twice, while some authorities, amongst whom is Miss McLaughlin, say that ordinarily one firing is sufficient. Of course, if the