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I have been collecting teacups for some 40 years now, and I must have a few hundred of them. To me, it doesn't matter what kind of teacups you like or who the manufacturer is, just as long as you like it.

Here are some tips on teacups where to find them, what kinds are popular, and how to care for them.

When I do a workshop on teacups, the first question all want to know: Is it porcelain or china? In 1707, German manufacturers started using feldspar instead of glass in a process that continues today to make porcelain. Also in today's porcelain, silica is added to the raw ingredients. The raw materials are finely ground, cleaned, formed in a mold and then fired, then glazed and fired again, which gives it that refined look. The design is often very detailed.

You will find bone china is made similar to porcelain and, yes, you will find fine ground fragments of cow bone ash added to the clay. And yes, you can tell between bone china and fine china. Bone has a warm color, while fine china will be brighter and porcelain is much harder than either. More information: http://www.narumi.co.jp/en/tableware/how_bone_china_is_produced.html.

There are many types of teacups. The cups I tend to use for the traditional afternoon tea are the footed cup or the flat teacup. The footed cup usually has an indented saucer and can be used for coffee as well. Flat cups have a matching saucer, but are flat on the bottom instead of shaped. These can also be used for coffee.

What I really love and have quite a few of are the Demitasse cups and saucers that are traditionally used for espresso or Turkish coffee. But nobody says you can't use a coffee mug for tea, especially for breakfast tea. I even have for everyday use whimsical designs such as lady bugs and dots.

You know I always love colorful books, so check out my current resource: "Collectible Cups & Saucers: Identification & Values, Book 3," by Jim & Susan Harran, and "Teacup Collection: Paintings of Porcelatin Treasures," by Molly Hatch & Kathleen Morris.

Thrift shops are always first on my list, especially those operated by nonprofit charities such as Salvation Army or Goodwill. I also check out flea markets, garage and estate sales, online and country auctions as well as antique shops.

There are also websites that have new and used tea cups for sale that may be of interest to you. Decide before you get started collecting in a big way just how much money you want to spend. Sometimes it's just the thrill of the hunt to find a teacup for a small amount of money than it is to pay $50 for one teacup.

Deb Schreck, of Lakeside Antique, Lake City, said, "Tea cups are still selling. A cup and saucer set starts at $6 for the demitasse size and goes up to $15 for full-size English bone china sets. Some patterns by Parragon and Royal Albert run higher, and sets by Shelley can run as high as $50 each. No chintz right now. Our 'English Tea and Cakes' cookbook will help anyone who wants to host a tea party."

Joan Thilges, owner of the New Generations of Harmony Antique Mall, said, "I am no teacup expert so I asked our resident authority on teacup collecting, Betsy Hillesland-Busch. I would say that English teacups decorated with floral designs are far and away the most popular at New Generations of Harmony. There is still a large collector base for cups and saucers, as well as people who give them for gifts. Also collected are Depression glass cups and saucers, which can be difficult to find, depending on color and pattern. We do have a very nice array of them throughout our mall. Prices are $12 and up."

Never stack your cups, but if you need to, place a soft cloth between the cups.

China pieces should never be washed in the dishwasher, especially those vintage pieces. Newer pieces now are labeled if they are dishwasher safe, but I still don't do it. I handwash with a gentle dish soap and dry with a soft towel.

Be sure to keep your teacups out of direct sunlight when displaying and do try and hand-wash them twice a year if possible. It's fun to rotate them at the same time.

Never put teacups in the microwave, especially those with a metallic trim.

Sandy Erdman is a Winona freelance writer, dealer, speaker and workshop appraiser. If you have an antique shop, hobby collecting anything or restoring antiques or collectibles and want to share within this column, contact Sandy at life@postbulletin.com.

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Antiques & Collectibles: Have an old-fashioned tea party - Post-Bulletin