Painted Frame Drums

Whether your veil is dyed or painted,it requires some special care. Below are some tips to help it last a long time:

• Wash it in cold water by hand, or a very gentle cycle of the washing machine
  
• Dry it in the cool cycle or air cycle of a drier. My advice is to dry naturally until a bit moist, then tumble in the cool dryer to remove the wrinkles.
  
  It is best to use a hand steamer than to iron it, but if you must iron, use the silk setting, and don’t let it sit long in one spot. If you have silk at home, test the temperature on it first. If not, start on a very corner of the veil.
  
• If it gets a bit wrinkled, hang it up in the bathroom. Sometimes the steam of showers smooth them.
  
• ALWAYS wash the veil the first few times by itself. Even though they are been steam set and treated for the colors not to run, it is common for a little excess to run the first few times.
  
• It is best to keep some form of plastic between your silk veils and your costumes. Otherwise the coins and sequins might pull the veil, and also some color from a new veil my run into other fabrics with water or moisture.
  
• To help avoid static electricity, store it hanging with a sheet of anti-static between the layers, or tumble it in a cool dryer with a sheet in it.
  
• Enjoy it and make it flow beautifully.

Made with love,

By Samra

Audible Art

There is no doubt that the melodic sound of finger cymbals enhances a Middle Eastern dance performance. There is one element that you can add to your finger cymbal playing that will bring even more positive attention: Embelishment with visual art.

I had experimented with painted finger cymbals a few years ago, and after a short hiatus I renewed my interest in this art form. The trick to painting brass finger cymbals is that very few paints adhere to it, and in fact most paints warn that it is not guaranteed for brass. It would be an easier task if the painted zils could be heated, but doing so would affect the sound of the cymbals, which is not desirable. Also, the painted designs must be be of a size large enough to be visible, and yet not too large to block the natural flow of sound. I have found an exclusive technique to prepare the cymbals with the pre and post painting process, so that with appropriate care the painting will last for years and years. I can create a design myself, or paint your own design or logo.

Your unique finger cymbals will not only will be a topic of conversation, but you can use the designs so that any variation between the thumb zils and finger zils will make it easy to identify which ones go where in a second's notice. No more guesses as you hurried try to fit the wrong zil to the fingers as you rush to the stage. Designs may be standard or customized. Email samra40@netzero.net for more information. They make a great gift for a special dancer, or a way to show off a troupe's logo.