Lighting the Lights

I recently bought another curio cabinet for my HL collection. The lights were not halogen so I went the the local Home Depot to get some. My other cabinets came with 50 watt, 30 degree spread bulbs. Home Depot did not have any of these so I bought two 35 watt, 40 degree spread bulbs. The difference is enormous. The greater spread gives a more uniform light and also lights up the corners of the cabinet much better. I was afraid that the lower wattage would mean too little light but that is not the case. The lights that come with most curios seem be designed to show off crystal at it's best. I would reccomend experimenting with different bulbs to get the best effect in the cabinet(s) you have.

AB in Ala-Bama

Smokey says, "Only you can prevent curio fires!"

Always make sure you do not exceed the manufacturers recommendation for lights in a curio. Halogen bulbs can get very hot and are known to cause fires if they are placed improperly near a combustible.

I'm not quite sure what effect they can have on HLs if the light is too close to it. Also make sure your curio has proper ventilating holes around the light fixture to allow heat to escape from the lighting unit. Feel the electrical cord every once in awhile to make sure it isn't heating up.

The life you save may be your own.

Well said Bob,

I concour with your professional advice.

-Todd (Chairman, Support Your Local Public Safety Official Committee)

Boy, do I feel safe in here! Ahhhhhh.

Alan,

I did something different to give my display a really different look. I have a countertop top raised between the kitchen and dining area that is raised about chest high, approximately 10-12 inches wide and 10 feet long.

I used fish netting and placed a string of Christmas lights within the netting. Three of my models were raised on overturned flat bottomed wooden snack containers approximately 4 iches high. For the final effect, I used a dimmer on the lights.

What a show at night. Gives a dim hazy look. Just an idea for those who like to try something different. Has thirteen models.

Must build in shelving next. Thinking about exposed beams as a medium. Anyone tried that. Let me know if you have.

Keep the flame,

How about a picture of that display, Robert?