New to glass collecting? Well here is how I got started. I hope some of these tips help you on your way to becoming an expert, well at least someone who knows something about their particular pattern pieces.
First, I decided on a pattern. I found this could be done many ways. Maybe you saw some of your grandmother’s glassware that was passed down from her grandmother. Or you were looking on ebay and came across a pattern that would match your home décor. Or on a warm Sunday afternoon you took a drive thru the country and came across an antique store and something in the window caught your eye. That is how I started.
I parked my car and went into this quaint little shop and started looking around. You will find as I did, the owner of the store was more than willing to enlighten me on any piece I picked up. So when I asked about the piece in the window, I got my first informative lesson. There are many ways to start your collection but as I sa
We have mentioned "Flea Bites" in the description of several of our glass and pottery pieces. Now doesn't that seem like a nasty thing to have a "Flea Bite" on your china or pottery?
Well let me put your mind at ease. A "Flea Bite" on an item is just a minute chip or crack as small as the bite of a flea. Why we use this awful term is beyond me.
But rest assured, if your piece has a "Flea Bite" it is not necessarily a bad thing.
"Flea Bites" are usually on the bottom of an item or the rim. They can go undetected and some can't even be seen unless you are looking through a microscope. Imagine how small a flea bite would be and that's the size of your flaw.
You do have to be dealing with a reputable person, because some people are calling regular chips and dents Flea Bites, so Buyer Beware, know who you're buying from or dealing with.
We have a fun and relatively easy DIY crafting project for you. We are going to show you how to make decorative plates that look great on a plate stand or hanging on the wall. For this example we are going to create Monogrammed Plates but you can obviously take this idea and create whatever masterpiece you desire!
First thing first, find a plate that has the look you desire. Do you want a stark white base with no frills, like we chose for this example or do you want to add your own personal touch to a plate that already has a pattern? Do you want a plain round plate or square plate, a scalloped edge, raised
Men need a spot where they can get away from everything else and just be a man. Although the term "Man Cave" is relatively new, the actual concept has been around for decades. Most guys have memories of their Dad’s sneaking away to the garage to tinker with things while listening to music or for those lucky enough put the game on the T.V. and maybe throw back a couple of beers. Man Caves are becoming more and more popular and have moved their way from the garage to inside the home. These spaces need to feel like a man’s domain and to achieve that feel they must be decked out with manly items.
This room is a hobby / rest / recreation room that gives you privacy when you want it as well as a venue where you can spend good times with your buddies. Man Caves are most often made to feel like a home sports bar or club. They absolutely must have a TV, some kind of music and usually some form of recreational gaming such as a Dartboard, Pool Table, Foosball Table or
Collecting can be a great hobby, as well as a lucrative investment. People collect all kinds of things including advertising items, stamps, coins, dolls, teddy bears, art glass, art pottery, figurines, antiques, vintage items and memorabilia. Some collect for the sheer pleasure it gives them, while others hope to increase their net worth over time. For instance, anything antique or vintage and items that are no longer circulated like coins and stamps can become quite valuable over time, especially rare ones. As the law of supply and demand states, the rarer an item is the higher the value rises. The value of these collector’s items will also largely depend on their condition; many items that have never been out of the package or box are usually worth more than items that have been used or unpacked.
There are few name brands that stand out above the rest and have created a following among collectors that is extra special. Brand names like Boyds Bears, Coca Cola (
I just returned from my weekly expedition of visiting antique malls. Let me tell you, one really should know the difference between antiques, vintage items, and collectables before purchasing, and it’s really not that hard.
If you are specifically looking for antiques, the rule of thumb is, items made 100 years ago or longer. Why 100 years? That is the time in history when most items stopped being made by hand and started being massed produced.
According to Michael Flanigan, an American furniture expert on the PBS Antiques Road Show most antique dealers abide by the 100 year rule.
The U.S. Customs Office, defines an antique using the Tariff Act of 1930, which states that antiques are defined as items, (except rugs and carpets made after the 1700’s) made before the 1830’s. Antiques are valued by their condition, and when they were made.
So many people today are displaying their items as antique, when in reality they are v
Here is a List of 5 Questions To Ask Yourself Before You Start Collecting. We have also provided some good guidelines to follow when starting your collection.
1.
Think about your interests. What things do you enjoy doing?
If you are starting a collection, you obviously want it to be enjoyable. So ask yourself, what do I enjoy doing. Reflect on that for a moment, most likely you will be able to find something to collect that ties in with something you enjoy
There are many soft drink brands in the current market but there are many reasons why you should only go for coke. There are many reasons why the Coke brand has not fallen into obscurity over the 126 somewhat years it’s been in existence. Coca-Cola is also more than a fancy brand since it’s been able to go through some very difficult challenges virtually unscathed. That being said, the following is why Coca Cola should feature prominently on your kitchen cabinets.
It tastes good Taste is usually one of the major determinants for the success or failure of a soft drink brand. The fact that Coca Cola is usually the drink of choice for people of all age groups means that a large number of people find the taste very agreeable. Coke has a sweet, fizzy taste to it providing a sensation that’s unlike what you would get with hot beverages, noncarbonated drinks and the like. Moreover, the fact that coke comes in a variety of fl
