Hobby Shop Blog

Posters make great collectibles but unless they are looked after, the collectible value decreases considerably. You may have a poster from a concert of your favorite rock band, a special movie poster or you have found an advertising poster from years ago that has been well kept.

No matter what type of poster your prefer, they all need to be protected as they are can be damaged so very easily. A plastic poster frame is a good way to do this.

Protection

Not all posters are made from the same quality material. When posters were first introduced as a way of advertising, they were only meant to last for a short time, could be a few weeks or a few days. That they have lasted as long as some of the antique ones have, is quite amazing and says a lot for the quality of the workmanship form years gone by.

There are many things that will decrease the value of a poster, things like creases, exposure to moisture, slight tears or the edges being damaged. Lamination will decrease the value of a poster also, some people have thought by laminating their posters, they are protecting them and yes they were but only for their own use.

The way to protect your poster is with a poster frame. There are many types of poster frames, a really good one and one that is also inexpensive is the plastic poster frame. Your poster will stand the test of time in a plastic poster frame, no dust, no moisture and no worry about creases or damage in any way.

Beauty

Your plastic poster frame will display your poster beautifully. Don’t let the work plastic put you off. They do amazing things with plastic these days. There are different styles to choose from.

The plastic poster frames are durable and make hanging a poster so easy. Most frames have mitered sections that grip firmly and then can pull apart and slide off for easy changing of your poster if you decide to re-arrange your art work.

These poster frames have a clear protective front sheet with a hardboard or cardboard backing for the mounting and also a hanging system so you can display your poster either vertical or horizontal. They come assembled, so no worries there.

If you purchase your posters online, then the online stores will have a range of plastic poster frames for you to choose from and can easily mount your poster for you. You should also find the local store that sells posters will have a range of poster frames also and if not there are many framing stores that do have the plastic poster frames in stock.

For the poster collector, the plastic poster frame is a great find, it allows you to protect your posters, allows them to increase in value and at the same time, allows you to enjoy viewing them on the walls of your home. It is a simple, an easy and a reasonably priced solution for poster protecting.

Owning and collecting antique furniture is the closest way to recreate the atmosphere of the period it came from. That is why there is such an interest in collecting antiques furnishings either through purchasing it if you are a keen collector, or researching the information for yourself if you are interested in the styles of the generations of the past.

Collectors like to own different furniture spanning through different periods to compare and admire the different changes of style between them. Not everyone is well off enough to buy or have the space to own every period piece of period furniture, so if you are interested in antique furniture the best plan is to buy specialist magazines, visiting museums, visit your local antique shops, go to antique fairs or even to specialist auction houses. By doing so you will gain a deeper understanding of antique furniture and the changes that occurred through the ages that gave that period its own particular style.

Antiques and antique furniture can indeed help us to understand history in the way that styles and fashions changed to reflect the needs and general living conditions of the time. Style changes are never sudden but they are progressive never the less, and finding out how these changes occurred is an interesting journey. If you are interested in finding out more, there are lots of books that specialize on each different period and the style that characterized it.

During the 1300s the main style what “Gothic” and it was characterized by benches, seats, cases and beds produced by nailing wooden boards together. Soon after followed the renaissance period characterized by the beautiful work of the Florentine furniture makers.

Those of you that love lushly decorated wood will have a particular affection for the Baroque style which is becoming more and more popular with its lush decorations and frames featuring from little angels and masks to cornucopias of fruits and flowers. You then have the Rococo and Neoclassic styles and then the Imperial style which is characterized with decorations usually depicting swans.

More and more shops are selling antique furniture of the 19th century and this is what attracts most of the aficionados of furniture, them being either collectors or furniture enthusiasts in general. Following this period the Liberty style follows and following that the styles closer to our present time.

You could literally spend hours reading up on the styles briefly outlined above. Each style represents a small mirror of a bygone age as well as enriching our current lives by filling our houses with beautiful furniture.

Making a contour drawing may seem a little overwhelming or pointless to you. Let me say there are a great many advantages and lessons learned through doing these drawings.

First, let’s discuss what a contour drawing is. Before you can draw the human form, or anything else for that matter, you must be able to see it accurately. Contour drawing is a tool that helps artists develop this skill through the sense of sight and sense of touch.

The contour is the edge of the model in space, or in more simple terms, it is the outline or horizon of the form. Contour is more than the outline; it shows forms within overlapping other forms and so on. It creates the sense of 3D. It is curved lines representing specific forms along the silhouette of the form. Defining contour can be tricky but as we explain how to do the contour drawing, you will see a clearer definition.

How to draw the Contour…

Contour drawings should be handled carefully and delicately to see the great benefits in your drawings. To make a contour drawing, you must be able to see the different variations in the shape of the figure you are drawing. Put your pencil on your paper and fix your eyes to a starting point on the model. The starting point should be on the edge of the model. Starting on this contour, move your eyes and drawing hand slowly along the edge/contour at the same time. (A helpful hint is to turn sideways so you are not tempted to look at your drawing.) As you move your eyes along the contour, your pencil is moving along the paper to draw the contour. These are done synchronized. Don’t worry about your drawing! Just keep concentrating on the edge/contour/ as your eyes follow along the contour. Follow this edge/contour until it ends or changes direction. When it changes direction, establish a new starting point and begin the process again.

One note of caution…Try not to let your gaze get ahead of your pencil. Don’t get too concerned about the accuracy of the drawing. Use patience and practice and you will reap the benefits of this tool.

Benefits of Contour Drawing…

Contour Drawing is a great tool for helping artists to be able to see the model/human form accurately. It helps you develop this skill through the sense of sight and sense of touch.

Since childhood, we are sometimes taught to draw icons as certain shapes. Use a football shape for an eye, etc. Contour drawing helps us learn not to be iconists. We start seeing the subject correctly. In addition, contour drawing helps create a sense of 3d. Done well, it can stand-alone. Contour drawings help us get rid of biases that may have been ingrained since childhood. For more info on learning to draw, visit www.learning2draw.com.

If you have further questions contact us at info@learning2draw.com.

Crafts are more popular than ever. But some people shy away from taking up a crafty hobby because they don’t think they have enough time to learn something new and don’t really know where to start. You could always spend some time at the library reading about your chosen field, or you could do it the easy way. Pick up a craft kit and start crafting right away.

If you’re looking to learn a new skill or take up a new hobby, a craft kit is a great first step. You get to test the waters so to speak without investing a lot of time and money in something that might not be fro you. If you decide that you don’t like your new hobby, no big deal. You won’t end up with lots of money invested and a garage full of equipment you’ll never use again.

I doesn’t matter what craft you want to try out, chances are you’ll find a kit just for you. There are sewing kits, needlepoint, macramé, woodworking, candle making, ceramic kits, and more than I can go into here. What all the kits have in common, is that you get everything you need for a project. Kits not only include all the supplies you’ll need like cloth, thread, or patterns, but you’ll also get any special equipment you might need to complete your project. Depending on the kit, the tools you get may not be the highest quality, but until you decide to peruse your new hobby further, you may not want the best most expensive tools. The best part about crafting from a kit, is you get simple step by step instructions.

Even if you’re not looking to take up a new pastime, a craft kit can make addition to family nights. You hear so many people talking about never having enough family time these days. A kit you and your kids can work on together can be a great solution. Much better than sitting in front of the TV and not talking. The best part is you get to keep the finished product. Unlike a jigsaw puzzle that goes back into the box when you’re finished, you can keep your craft for years as a wonderful reminder of time spent with the ones you love. Craft kits are also a great way to keep kids occupied when they’re out of school.

Don’t forget about craft kits when it comes time to give gifts either. I’m not talking about just giving someone a kit, but using the kit yourself to make a handmade gift. Gifts you make yourself are incredibly personal and can show that special someone just how much you care. If you’re not exactly crafty but want to experience giving a handmade gift, just pick up a craft kit.

No more excuses, if you’ve been wanting to try out something new, pick up a craft kit today. You’ll find all kinds at your local craft store from starter kits to more complex kits. Find one that’s right for you and get crafty today. Copyright 2007 Marge Snow

As a sports fan, there is nothing better than winning a championship. You start the season with the highest of hopes, a fresh start to a new season. Who knows? Maybe this will be the year!! You follow every game, every play, celebrating each big moment and you agonize over every loss, no matter how big or small. This stuff keeps you up at night because this is YOUR team! Then, as the season is winding down, you have a shot for the playoffs. Maybe this will be the year!! You hang on every game and every moment even more than before. You go through all the rituals, sit in your lucky chair, eat your lucky snacks, wear your lucky shirt, whatever it takes to get your team that championship ring. Then, you’re in! You make the playoffs, then it all starts over again……multiplied by ten!!! You have a chance. Could this really be the year? Yes it can!!!

The playoffs are an emotional roller coaster. One nail biting moment after another. You’re up, you’re down. A break here and a break there and suddenly, you’ve made it to the finals. A chance for the ring, for bragging rights, a chance to be a champion. Maybe this will be the year!! Then it happens. All of your joy, all of your agony, all of your sleepless nights, your anxious moments pay off. Your team fulfills your every hope and dream and rewards YOU with a title. You are on top of the world. You are a champion. Yes, this IS the year!!!

It has been a season like no other, one that you will never forget. How will you remember it? How will you display your pride? What will you have to show for all of the blood sweat and tears you put into your never ending love and support of YOUR team? Do you want a T-shirt that will fade and tear over the years? A hat that will end up getting lost or make it’s way into the yard work clothes pile? How about a bumper sticker for your vehicle that will peel and fade? I would hope not!! This is YOUR team we are talking about, your CHAMPIONSHIP team. They and YOU deserve better!

One of the best commemorative and collectible items you can buy is the classic Hunter Championship Stein. The ceramic stein that is famous for it’s natural color and bright gold accents. The team logo and colors of your championship team are displayed on the front with the season and/or playoff results detailed on the back. With proper care, the colors will not fade or peel so your championship pride can shine on year after year. A great way to remember the big comebacks, the classic games and all of the memories that made this a season you’ll always remember. It’s the next best thing to having the championship trophy right there with you in your office, game room or bar.

It doesn’t matter if you display your Hunter Championship Steins high on a shelf for everyone to see or have them on your desk to hold your pens, pencils or other things you hold dear to your heart. It doesn’t matter if you are celebrating a Super Bowl victory, a World Series, a Stanley Cup or a NBA Championship. There is no better way to have all the scores, memories and team pride right at your fingertips like a quality Hunter Championship Stein. Display them all or the simply the one that is most important to you. Do not accept cheap imitations. After all, this is YOUR team, and you are a champion! You deserve the best, you deserve a Hunter.

Bird watchers are rabid about bird watching, and rightfully so. If you are looking for Christmas gift ideas for bird watching presents, here are a few keepers.

Bird Watching Presents

As with practically anything in our modern society, there are all kinds of gadgets and unique gifts that make great Christmas gift ideas for bird watching presents.

1. Electronic Bird Identifier – The Electronic Bird Finder is a device that provides you with the ability to recognize bird sounds and appearances through a comparison with a database in the device. Bird appearances are shown on the device and an ear plug lets you listen to bird calls until you match what you are hearing in the wild with a specific bird in the database. About the size of a pager, the device comes in an easy to carry pouch and is built to take a pounding. You can expect to pay $25 to $50. Just search for “electronic bird finder” on the web to find cost options. .

2. Bird Watcher’s Digest – Bird Watcher’s Digest is “the” magazine for bird watchers. Great for beginners and avid birding fanatics, the magazine covers unique bird watching locations, birding tips and reviews of Big Day bird watching events to mention just a few items. A one-year subscription will set you back a whopping $19.95, money well spent when you see your friend or loved one hunkered down on the couch and reading away.

3. Trek Pod – This handy device is so cool it should be illegal. The Trek Pod is a multi-function device that acts as a hiking staff while you cruise around looking for optimal bird watching spots. Once you find the perfect location, the staff converts to a tripod you can mount binoculars, cameras and scopes onto. Oh, WHY didn’t I think of this?! You can expect to pay $135 for the Trek Pod.

4. Nomad Bird Watching Journals – A little self-promotion. Nomad Bird Watching Journals are great gifts for bird watching enthusiast. Whether they enjoy bird watching tours, backyard birding or bird watching vacations, these journals let bird watchers keep track of sightings, conditions, locations, people met and impressions of the birding experience. A great Christmas gift, you can see the journal by clicking the link in the byline of this article and expect to pay $25 for the journal with case.

Bird watching is sweeping the world. Now you know what to buy bird watching enthusiasts for the holidays.