Hobby Shop Blog

Hot Wheels Live Up to Their Name

The more research I do for my website the more I realize that there is an awful lot of things in this world I know nothing about. I am trying to build a more substantial hobbies section for my site. While doing so I came across something I never expected to be such a widespread hobby, collecting Hot Wheels.

When I was little I used to play with Hot Wheels in the dirt, drop rocks on them, put them under the tires of my parents cars and watch them get crushed when they drove off. What did I know, I was 7 years old and they cost about $.50 each back then. How could I have known that I was probably throwing away hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. You read that correctly, possibly thousands of dollars wasted.

There are a handful of sites dedicated to Hot Wheels collecting. Two sites that really caught my eye were, www.hallsguide.com/hotwheels.html, and www.z-mods.com. More specifically, on Halls Guide they have cars valued in the hundreds of dollars just for one car. For example, a 1968 Metallic Blue Camaro with a black roof is listed at $320.00. A 1968 Metallic Orange Firebird is listed at $360.00.

Halls Guide has a forum on their site with 637 registered users. The forum also provides sections that allow for trading between members. There is another area for people that customize their Hot Wheels. It is clear from just what is offered on this forum that people spend a lot of time enjoying this hobby, which is good. One of the reasons I put a hobby page on my site was because I do not think people spend enough time on a hobby. People are so busy with working, taking care of their kids, maintaining their homes, and many more things that they spend no time on themselves in some cases. Developing a hobby can be an excellent source of stress relief.

Now that I am more aware that there is such a following for Hot Wheels collectors I will make every attempt to get more information regarding it on my website. I am also going to be very conscious of what I am throwing away in the future. You never know what is going to be the next biggest hobby. If you are reading this article you may want to go dig out that box of Hot Wheels you have stored in the attic that you thought you’d never use, you may have some valuable cars sitting up there that you can cash in.

Have you ever rummaged through your grandmother’s jewelry box? Or perhaps through your grandpa’s closet to find old straw hats or his unique silk ties? It’s amazing of all the items that you can find! But did you ever stop to think of the stories behind them? Imagine the decade of events!-Maybe even the turning of a century! Everybody and everything has a story.

The same concept goes with your handmade crafts. Each special moment that you worked on your craft, a story was in the making. What were the major current events going on during the creation? Something in the news, entertainment, or family could have inspired you to design your special treasure.

Also, the supplies and contents that were used to make your craft each had its own personal saying as well. Perhaps it was those old antique mother of pearls that were used to design a handmade bracelet-or that oak wood from your favorite tree in that backyard you used to play for hours at a time as a child. Then again, maybe it was a special heirloom charm that had been shared from many family generations through the years.

When creating, think about your story and what you want your piece to say. How do you want it to inspire others when they see or use it? Life is short, but it’s the little things and the story that it represents that will make your special craft last an eternity.

Cherish your moments and hold close those stories that you keep in your heart. Creations by hand are the best treasure of all.

I’m sure your kids are as excited as mine are about the upcoming holidays. Each year I take the time to do a special holiday craft with my children. Here are two that we enjoyed in the past.

Holiday Lake Cake

You’ll need: a tray or heavy cardboard, light cardboard, a flat cake, foil, lots of white frosting, a pencil and scissors, 3 large marshmallows, small, round colorful candies, a small candy cane, 3 conical (sugar) ice cream cones, solid color candy sticks, Life Savers, and gumdrops (especially yellow and green), small plastic figures of people (optional).

Find a large tray or cover a heavy piece of cardboard with foil. Make a large, flat cake to place on it. Have your child draw and cut out a wavy circle from cardboard about 1/3 the size of the cake. Cover it with foil, shiny side up and place it in the middle of the cake. This is the holiday lake. Help your child frost all around the lake and down the sides of the cake with store-bought or homemade white frosting. Make it billowy so it looks like snow. Put a few spots of frosting on the “lake.”

Use 3 large marshmallows to make a snowman. They can be stuck together with frosting. Use small candies for eyes, mouth, and buttons. Give him a candy cane to hold. Put him near one end of the cake.

Frost 3 sugar ice cream cones with green-tinted frosting. Put them upside down at the other end of the cake for trees.

Put straight, candy sticks (solid color ones) into life savers (for a base) and scatter them around the cake for lights. Put yellow gumdrops on top for the lights. Use green gumdrops for bushes.

Add plastic figures of people in the snow and on the lake.

Enjoy your holiday craft!

North Pole Christmas Tree Ornament

You’ll need (for each ornament): a tongue depressor, red and white craft paint, painter’s tape (1” wide), small foam paint brushes, heavy white cardboard or a white index card, a black felt pen, red and green construction paper, glue, a small amount of red, white, green, or black yarn, scissors, and a pencil.

Paint the tongue depressor white. Let it dry. Put strips of the tape across the tongue depressor leaving strips of white showing. Paint the stripes red. Let them dry. Remove the tape. Glue the ends of a piece of yarn (3”) to the top back of the tongue depressor to hang the ornament by.

Draw a rectangle (1 ½ ” by 3”) on the cardboard with one pointed end. Cut it out. Neatly write North Pole on it. Trace the words with the black felt pen. Glue the sign to the tongue depressor about 1/3 of the way from the top. Draw 3 red circles for berries on the red construction paper and 2 green leaves on the green construction paper and cut them out. Glue under the North Pole sign to look like holly.

Your North Pole Christmas Tree Ornament is complete!

Take time this year to make a special Christmas or holiday craft with your child!

When the roses are in full bloom is the time for this activity. It is an ancient art and I do not know where it originated. It is fun to do. Fragrant roses are the kind to use. I remember picking American Beauty roses and wild rose petals to make the rose beads. The more fragrant the flower is the more fragrant the rose beads will be.

It takes quite a few flowers to make a string of beads. I have gone to several florists to request the good smelling roses that they usually discard for some reason. I keep one old cast iron pan specifically for this project. Cast iron is required because the rose petals must turn black to be made properly. A hand cranked meat grinder should also be used.

Once I have collected a goodly amount of rose petals I grind them using the fine blade of the grinder. I make sure that all the juices drain into my cast iron pot with the ground up petals. Only a cast iron pot will turn the rose petal pulp black. I then cook the pulp until it is the consistency of dough. Next I make certain I have long hat pins and a square of cardboard or styrofoam ready to pin the beads on.

I take a small amount of the rose petal dough and roll it into a ball. I try to make the balls the size of a pea. I thrust a hat pin through the center of the bead and stick it onto the styrofoam. I make sure the bead is in the center of the hat pin and not touching the pin head or the styrofoam. I leave them there until they are hard and thoroughly dry.

The beads can be strung after they are dried. To make them shiny a smidgeon of vaseline may be rubbed on them. I prefer them with a matte finish. They are beautiful when strung with alternating colored glass beads but equally beautiful strung alone. Keep them in a closed container when not wearing them to preserve the fragrance, which will last for years.

Coin collecting is not only fun to do but is also exciting. It can be something of a challenge to find that one rare coin to add to your collection. If you are not sure which coins are worth a lot or are very rare to find, then here is a guide which could help you identify them.

Gold coins circulation stopped during the early 1930s making them very rare and thus equally expensive. They make a good investment because gold is a commodity that should always retain its value to due its scarcity. For this reason, they are also a very good coin to invest in.

The Liberty Seated Dollar is another rare coin. They are very hard to find as they were last produced during the 19th century. The fact that nobody is really sure when exactly they went out of circulation is what makes them all the more rare and elusive.

The Twenty cents coins that were minted between 1875 to 1878 are very much worth looking out for. They resemble the quarters circulating today but are far more valuable and a great addition to any collection.

Minted from 1892 to 1915 the Barber half dollars are coins which are sought after by collectors who specialize on dates or type of coins. The trouble faced by them is finding Barber coins that are in good condition and if they do the sky is the limit in terms of their value.

The 1917 type One Standing Liberty Quarter is another coin very much in demand. It shows the exposed breast of Ms. Liberty and was only minted for 2 years. As you can imagine this coin caused a major uproar at the time and for this reason it was only in circulation for a year.

The market value of Mercury dimes is $50 a piece. Not so expensive as they have been produced a few times over the course of the 20th century but is never the less a coin that is also worth owning as it will no doubt go further up in value.

The Walking Liberty Half Dollar were only circulated for 4 years. It is one of the most appealing and beautiful coins for a collector to have in his or hers collection and is one of the rarest. Truly a great coin to adorn any highly prized collection.

Another rare coin is the Texas Commemorative Half Dollar. This is no surprise as only 150,000 of them were minted over 4 years. Only about two third of that number is available to purchase or trade which makes it one of the hardest to find.

The “creme de la creme” or “Rolls Royce” of coins is the $20 Saint Gaudens. Sold for the best part of 8 million dollars at auction it boasts a truly superb design and it is so sought after that its value has always remained the same even during the market recession periods of the early 1980s.

As you can see rare coins such as these are what every collector aspire to having in their collection. They are not only hard to find but when you do find them, the price for them will be almost prohibitive. But certainly if you do have the money to invest on these coins you will find it to be money very well invested. This is what makes coin collecting so challenging as one day you hope to trade your coins up to the point where you can afford these rare coins. And when you do you will certainly feel like all your passion and hard work has been all worth it.

Great collectors know the marketplace, and the marketplace knows them. They are plugged into the grapevine and are among the first to find out when a choice work becomes available. They are active in the hunt for quality pieces to add to their collection, so they make it known that they want to be kept informed.

Cultivate Relationships With Good Dealers

Did you know that not all newly-available art is displayed by galleries, whether brick-and-mortar or online? Quite often, the best items are offered and sold to favored customers without any publicity or exposure. The most sought-after pieces often exchange hands privately.

Find out who the good dealers are and cultivate a relationship with them. Let them know what you like, what your preferences are and what kind of budget you have. Naturally, dealers like to cultivate loyalty so they tend to reserve preferential treatment for their best clients.

Let the dealer know that you are a good candidate for this special treatment. Be responsive when the dealer contacts you. If you trust the dealer and he or she offers you an artwork which meets your specifications and your budget, accept it with minimal negotiation. Avoid haggling just for the sake of getting a lower price. Dealers find this annoying. Of course, if you have a valid reason for asking for a lower price, then let the dealer know.

Do your part to be a good customer and favor will come your way.

Auctions

Now, what about buying at auctions? Auctions can be a lot of fun and you can pay less than retail prices but, in order to make really worthwhile buys, you must do your homework. Be particular about the auctions you patronize. Many auctions offer inferior or, worse, problematic pieces which are not worth bidding on.

You should be especially careful with charity auctions; people who donate to such events often do so for social or tax reasons. In other words, charity auctions can be a dumping ground for inferior art. If you were a dealer, would you donate highly-marketable art that can easily fetch a good price to a charity auction? You’d probably be more willing to part with art which is unpopular, flawed, minor and so on.

One red flag is the price. If something seems like an unbelievable bargain, too good to be true, it probably is. Good-quality, collectible art will have many suitors, so that will tend to chase the price up.

The auctions most likely to yield valuable finds are those which offer art owned by highly-regarded entities such as museums and other institutions, respected artists, collectors and galleries. These bodies sometimes do a ‘spring-cleaning’ of sorts, to focus on their core interests or collections. In the process, they may actually let go of some great art, simply because it does not fit in with their long-term plans.

Once you’ve spotted something of interest to you, the same rules of art acquisition apply. Find out as much as you can about the piece and check its condition before the auction starts. If it meets your criteria, you can proceed to make a bid.

Buying On The Internet

With the advent of the internet, anyone can be an armchair collector today. For convenience and choice, the internet is hard to beat. Just by tapping a few keys, you can view art in the comfort of your home and find out everything you need about a known artist and his or her artwork. Try this, for instance:

http://www.cherishcollectibles.com/site/1256072/page/459196

Of course, the internet has its hazards, just like the ‘real’ world. If you’re thinking of purchasing art via the internet, check whether the online dealer:

- is accredited by the artist(s)

- specializes in a certain genre or artist (this reflects expertise)

- runs a proper, professional website, with all necessary information

- provides contact details (do a test by calling or e-mailing)

- is transparent about costs

- ensures all pieces are covered by insurance

- has a return / refund policy

- has a secure online transaction system

Just like for conventional dealers, it’s possible to establish a ‘favored client’ relationship with an internet dealer. Send out your feelers and let the dealer know what you like.

Copyright © 2006 Carol Chua

http://www.CherishCollectibles.com

Art, collectibles and gifts

This year, after being separated from my computer for a ridiculous amount of time; I decided to go back to writing, in the pursuit of happiness. This year I decided to master keyboard composition. This has given me mixed results so far.

For many years, I wrote long hand on paper first, then edited, and then copied it by hand. When I was older, I processed it on a typewriter.

I remember watching movies with news reporters as characters in them. I watched amazed that they composed as they typed. The perceived speed, in which their fingers flew across the keyboard, amazed me further.

When I was first learning to type, my speed jumped from 10 words per minute to 35. I assumed that with more use and practise that this speed would naturally climb. I was wrong.

Years later, when I entered college, as a mature student, I had an electric typewriter. For most of our assignments, I continued to produce them in my usual way, unless I was fortunate enough to beat the line up in the computer room.

As the editor for most of my team writing assignments, it was sometimes necessary to rewrite portions of a report. Occasionally, I had the opportunity to compose a portion when the deadline was approaching and I had to fill in something that was missing.

In the years since college, I have returned to secretarial work. Even with all the business correspondence I have written over the years, my keystroke speed has not increased, nor has it offered much opportunity to compose. Word processing is a function that was relegated to perfecting work, after it was created, not part of the creation processes itself.

I did notice that email has been helpful in learning keyboard composition. Maybe that’s because of the source of the relationships; family and friends are usually easier to talk to. Sometimes, in order to maintain these relationships, the writing requires a great deal of editing. Instant messaging is still a challenge for me. I try not to use all the short cuts available.

One method I’m experimenting with is auto writing, this is interesting but it is difficult to do when others are present. I have resorted to closing my eyes, in order to focus. I’ve noticed that typos have increased.

I haven’t given up writing longhand of course. I still use journals, or napkins; whatever usable writing surface is handy when I’m away from my computer. I guess in the pursuit of happiness, I shouldn’t be debating whether it’s pen stroke or keystroke I should just be pleased that I am writing again; and I am.

http://www.createyourplay.bravehost.com

Candles are attractive and come in a range of varieties today. They add beauty to the home and represent warmth, love and relaxation. To make candles at home, the right supplies are needed. So when choosing a source for buying the ingredients for a candle, it is always advisable to keep in mind that the product is only as good, as the supplies used. It becomes essential to check out reputed local stores and suppliers who are also available online.

Guides are available in the form of articles and reviews, which are online or published in the magazines. They help the potential customers understand the different types of candles that are available, and provide information about their features and usage. Candle manufacturers may hire professionals to write guides that tend to be commercial in nature. At times guides are written by consumers and could be judgmental or critical. Such evaluations may not offer an absolute solution to purchaser woes. Apart from that guides help determine the various types of jars, candle supplies, scented candles, floating candles and cheap candles that are available in the market. These guides consists detailed information, of all the varieties and types that are popular. Some potential customers may desire to get a special customized candle made. Such guides give the procedure as to how to go about it. They also give directions to be followed in order to make candles at home. These guides give a detailed research of how candles have evolved and the history behind it.

Numerous customers are unaware of safety tips and burning tips related to candles. These guides give all the information that is requisite. Guides provide information about the latest candle accessories and candleholders. It becomes easy for people to choose from the detailed information that these guides contain. All this becomes essential to increase the sale of candles.

Guides are important because they affect the decisions of the potential customers. It is advisable not to absolutely rely on them for solutions because at certain times they can be biased. A large number of people indulge in buying these candles supplies after viewing the guide.

When leaving for work or for a night in town, you may dab on a few drops of your favorite perfume before heading out the door. Depending on how much you value your collection of scents, you might want to explore the wonderful world of collecting antique perfume bottles. While the innovative design of today’s perfume bottles can be quite eye catching, nothing compares to the precision and artwork that antique perfume bottles possess.

Archeologists have uncovered numerous pieces of evidence suggesting that perfume has been a part of history that is evident throughout the oldest of ancient civilizations. While some perfumes and scented oils were held in simple jars, the evolution of the perfume bottle has since escalated into an art form worthy of collecting. Antique perfume bottles were mentioned in records during Biblical time periods to the 6th century creations of the Egyptian perfume bottle.

The use of glass to create antique perfume bottles was not utilized until 1500 B.C. To possess a glass perfume bottle was quite an honor in those days as they were reserved for the wealthy. Perfume was used on a regular basis during ancient times in Rome, Greece and Venice, giving rise to various perfume bottle creations. Glass perfume bottles were created in England during the 16th century, followed by the emergence of Murano glassblowers during the 17th century. The Americas did not catch wind of the perfume bottle until the mid-1700s when the importation of these objects from England started.

The 18th century marked the beginning of perfume bottle creation with artistic merit in mind. After that, a wave of experimentation took place. The 1800s saw different styles and colors in New England. By the 1820s, the size of antique perfume bottles became larger. Various figures and shapes became prominent during the 19th century. In 1876, there was even a perfume bottle in the likeness of the Liberty Bell. Throughout the 1900s, antique perfume bottles were grouped by styles. When collecting, you may encounter the Art Deco, Victorian, Art Nouveau (iridescent colors), Steuban and Imperial styles and designs.

When looking for the perfect perfume bottle to add to a collection, you will find numerous shapes, styles, cuts, colors and sizes to choose from. During the Edwardian era, a perfume bottle may display a hand painted scene on a ceramic canvas with a silver cap. Beautifully detailed scenes were commonplace on bottles from the early 1900s. To highlight the many different shapes that antique perfume bottles offered, you might find a Victorian era example showcasing a heart-shaped body. Some of these were enhanced through hand painted gold detail and may offer an original gold chain flowing from the top of the bottle. Some also doubled as a piece of jewelry. These types of decorations and enhancements were popular during the 1880s.

There is a rich and interesting history behind each antique perfume bottle. Just invest a little bit of time to learn about the tips of choosing the right bottles and you will be on your way to a rewarding hobby!

With the final long weekend of the summer approaching, Labor Day weekend may signal the last summer cookout, beach BBQ or campfire grill until next May. So, if you’re planning to make this long weekend the most memorable camping trip of the season, why not put a little extra panache into your outdoor dining? After all, just because you’re roughing it doesn’t mean your menu needs to be limited to canned beans and weenies on a stick.

I spend every Labor Day weekend at my trailer in Ipperwash Beach, Ontario. I’ve been venturing to Sunnyside Trailer Park for the past 30-years, which means many of my fellow campers are like family. That’s why we host the annual Sunnyside Labor Day pot luck. It gives us the opportunity to kiss the summer farewell with good food, and good company.

Personally when I’m preparing for our annual camping pot luck, I’m looking for what I like to call “unique convenience” - which means an easy dish, but one that will still knock the socks off of my fellow campers. Many of my campsite neighbors enjoy cooking as well, so the annual Sunnyside Labor Day pot luck has given into a little bit of healthy competition - who can out cook who with limited tools.

If you’re familiar with small hard-top trailers, tents and campers, then you know we are all limited to the odd gas stove, BBQs, hibachi grills, and glorious open flame cooking. Typically, what I do to prepare for my annual pot luck dish is watch the Food Network and consult my health gourmet cook books, and adapt one of the recipes into a campfire-friendly dish.

This year I’ve decided to make a grilled vegetable, shrimp and artichoke pasta salad that I spotted in one of my favorite healthy food gourmet cookbooks. It will just take a few minor adjustments, because I will be marinating and then barbequing the shrimp on skewers, boiling the whole wheat penne burner-side on my gas BBQ grill, and grilling the mélange of red and green peppers, sweet red onions, and canned artichokes on a pie plate over open flame.

My adjusted recipe turned out to be easy for campfire cooking, plus it will have my fellow pot-luckers thanking their ‘lucky plates’!

Campfire Grilled Artichoke Pasta Salad

Ingredients

• 1 can of artichokes

• ½ cup sweet red onion - chopped

• ½ cup sweet red pepper - chopped

• ½ cup green pepper - chopped

• 1 package of whole wheat penne pasta - boiled

• 1 cup of chopped basil

• 1 ½ cups of balsamic dressing

• Spices of your choice for shrimp marinade ( I use a mix of cumin and chili).

• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

1.Roll fresh shrimp in spice mixture and set aside in a bowl

2.Pierce shrimps single-row on skewers

3.Fire up the grill, when hot place shrimps on and grill each side for 2 minutes - set aside

4.Place all of your chopped veggies in pie plate and place over open fire coals

5.Grill until desired. They should be crisp but warm.

6.Bring water to a boil on BBQ side burner and add penne

7.Combine pasta, grilled veggies, and chopped basil.

8.Toss with balsamic dressing.

9.Remove shrimps from skewers and toss with salad.

10.Place covered in the refrigerator until ready to serve

So it just goes to show that a little extra planning; can mean a night of dinning enjoyment. Just pop the cork from your favorite bottle of red, and voila - gourmet campfire cuisine awaits!