How to Ask and Answer Questions on okay
How toGet Information from Sellers and How to Answer Buyers
In this age of fast moving, geplexlives and high stress, it seems like we are almost always in a hurry, even in simple emails. Without sounding preachy, or like Miss Manners, or your Mother (!), both Buyers and Sellers should approach any email contact as an opportunity to exchange information in a polite, easy going, efficient manner. A simple hi or hello - and the use of please and thank you- are always helpful, and appreciated,in these exchanges. Kind exchanges can enhance our lives, ourmoodand our transactions.
Why not make every gemunication a pleasant one?
For Buyers:
To Decide if you Want to Bid or Buy or Make Offer- and after carefully reading all information- if something you are wondering about is not answered in the listing, feel free to ask questions of the seller. Rather than demanding an answer in an abruptway, for example: How do you know this is from America?????? - (note the unnecessary overuse of question marksand demandingstyle) - a better way to ask this question might be - Hi - Please tell me thecountry of origin of this item. Thank you.
For Sellers:
When a buyer politely asks a question, it is best to answer in a kind manner, including a thank you, rather than just answering yes or no.Sometimes a short, cold answer can put off a potential buyer, and make him or her decide not to bid or buy or make offer.
Simple use ofpleasantries can truly enhance gemunication, and make okay a gefortable,fun and great place to buy and sell.
Copyright 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011The Winged Phoenix
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
FASCINATING INFO ABOUT RARE ANCIENT LACQUER TECHNIQUES
Fascinating History of Lacquer:
Lacquer (URISHI) is a living substance - it is natural tree sap - carefully collected from Urushi trees (a type of Sumac, which is related to poison oakand ivy).Ithas been used forover six thousand years in Japan to coat all types of things, from wood to baskets to leather to pottery. Lacquer-coated pots and wooden items have been found in Japanese Neolithic sites carbon dated to about 4500 B.C.And lacquer coated objectsthat have been in ocean depths for 18 months, or more,have retained their integrity. Far more protective and long lasting than Western lacquer(a petrochemical creation), natural Japanese lacquer has a geplex organic structure which lasts and lasts, repelling liquids and heat. Many geplex and time consuming steps are taken to refine and prepare thelacquer, and even more intricate steps are taken to create/coat/decorate exquisite objects. After WWII, there was a resurgence of amazing lacquer coated pieces (especially in Japan), and, if yousearch carefully, you can find superb and rare examples of this historic art.
The Winged Phoenix
Copyright 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009The Winged Phoenix
Lacquer (URISHI) is a living substance - it is natural tree sap - carefully collected from Urushi trees (a type of Sumac, which is related to poison oakand ivy).Ithas been used forover six thousand years in Japan to coat all types of things, from wood to baskets to leather to pottery. Lacquer-coated pots and wooden items have been found in Japanese Neolithic sites carbon dated to about 4500 B.C.And lacquer coated objectsthat have been in ocean depths for 18 months, or more,have retained their integrity. Far more protective and long lasting than Western lacquer(a petrochemical creation), natural Japanese lacquer has a geplex organic structure which lasts and lasts, repelling liquids and heat. Many geplex and time consuming steps are taken to refine and prepare thelacquer, and even more intricate steps are taken to create/coat/decorate exquisite objects. After WWII, there was a resurgence of amazing lacquer coated pieces (especially in Japan), and, if yousearch carefully, you can find superb and rare examples of this historic art.
The Winged Phoenix
Copyright 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009The Winged Phoenix
Blue RAZR V3 - New Motorola Blue RAZR V3
Blue RAZR V3 - New Motorola Blue RAZR V3 / V3i
Surely you've seen the Motorola RAZR ... but have you seen Blue RAZR V3 ?!
Its the same great RAZR phone (you know - the thinnest flip phone
produced) but now in vibrant colors like Blue! Show off your style and
your gadget prowess by using and wearing the Motorola Blue RAZR V3 - the hottest phone in the US this holiday.
The Motorola Blue RAZR V3 is stylish, smart, and
sophisticated the Motorola RAZR V3i. The RAZR has always been about
style and appearance - most users prefer other interfaces or brands,
but Motorola struck gold with the design of the RAZR... making it the
hottest aesthetic phone on the market. Motorola recognizes that and is
now introducing new color schemes to the RAZR (such as pink, gold and
Blue).
Blue RAZR V3 / RAZR Blue Specs
Quad Band GSM: 1900 / 850 / 1800 / 900
Weight 3.35 oz (95g)
Dimensions 98mm x 53mm x 14mm
Battery Talk Time: 400 mins
Standby: 250 hrs
Blue RAZR V3 Features
Thinnest Flip Phone EverBluetooth
Quadband
Speakerphonenickel-plated copper alloy, flat keypad
MP3 Ringtones
Surely you've seen the Motorola RAZR ... but have you seen Blue RAZR V3 ?!
Its the same great RAZR phone (you know - the thinnest flip phone
produced) but now in vibrant colors like Blue! Show off your style and
your gadget prowess by using and wearing the Motorola Blue RAZR V3 - the hottest phone in the US this holiday.
The Motorola Blue RAZR V3 is stylish, smart, and
sophisticated the Motorola RAZR V3i. The RAZR has always been about
style and appearance - most users prefer other interfaces or brands,
but Motorola struck gold with the design of the RAZR... making it the
hottest aesthetic phone on the market. Motorola recognizes that and is
now introducing new color schemes to the RAZR (such as pink, gold and
Blue).
Blue RAZR V3 / RAZR Blue Specs
Quad Band GSM: 1900 / 850 / 1800 / 900
Weight 3.35 oz (95g)
Dimensions 98mm x 53mm x 14mm
Battery Talk Time: 400 mins
Standby: 250 hrs
Blue RAZR V3 Features
Thinnest Flip Phone EverBluetooth
Quadband
Speakerphonenickel-plated copper alloy, flat keypad
MP3 Ringtones
HOW TO HAVE A CHEAP WEDDING
BUY YOUR DRESS USED YOU CAN HAVE IT STEAMED AND IT LOOKS BRAND NEW. GO TO THE HOBBY SHOP AND GET THE FLOWERS YOU WANT AND MAKE YOUR OWN ARRANGEMENTS. GET WHITE TABLE CLOTHES AND ADD GLIDER TO THE TOPS IT GIVE IT THAT SPARK LOOK. GO WITH PLASTIC CLEAR DISHES THEY STILL LOOK REAL AND CLASSY. IF YOU WANT TO HAVE A LARGE RECPTION AFTER THE WEDDING AND YOU WANT FOOD HAVE EVERYONE WHO IS INVITED PREPARE A DISH LIKE SMOKES AND HAM ROLLS AND FINGER FOODS AND THINGS. GET A GOOD FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER TO TAKE PICTURES YOU CAN HAVE LOTS MADE AND YOU CAN ENLARGE THEM AND FIX ANYTHING THAT NEEDS FIX . SAVE MONEY HAVING YOUR WEDDING IN THE BACK YARD OR AT THE PARK JUST GET CHAIRS AND SET UP AND PUT SOME FLOWERS AROUND BUT NO NEED FOR LOTS OF DECORATIONS JUST ADD THE COLORS YOU WANT. GO TO A LARGE STORE LIKE JCPENNYS OR SOMETHING AND GET YOUR BRIDAL PARTY AND THE FLOWER GIRLS DRESSES DO IT AROUND FALL EVERTHING IS ON SALE. MAKE OWN INVITES AND THINK YOU CARDS THEY geE FROM THE HEART , TILL EVERYONE MONEY UNSTEADY OF HOUSEHOLD ITEMS THAT WILL HELP WITH THE HONEY MOON OR PAY FOR YOUR WEDDING. IF YOU WANT MUSIC HAVE THE WEDDING PARTY BRING CD'S AND GET A CD PLAYER . HAVE A MONEY TREE HAVE WIRE WITH CLOTHES PINS ON IT WHERE PEOPLE CAN HANG MONEY ON. HAVE A WISHING WELL WHERE PEOPLE CAN DROP IN THERE WISHES FOR YOU OR THEY CAN GIVE YOU ADVICE. SENCE YOU MADE YOU OWN ITEMS THERE WILL BE NOTHING TO RETURN BESIDES TUXES . FYI: LITTLE BOYS TUXES ARE CHEAPER TO BUY USED OR EVEN BRAND NEW THEN RENT THEM.. THIS IS A CHEAP WEDDING I SPEND UNDER 300.00 ON EVERYTHINGBESIDES TUXES AND DRESS THE BRIDAL PARTY WAS ONLY $8. EACH ON SALE IN THE FALL I GOT MARRIED THE NEXT SPRING MY DRESS $299. USED BRAND NEW 1200. WE RECIEVED $1400. IN MONEY AND THAT PAID FOR HONEYMOON. WE WERE OUT UNDER $500. FOR EVERYTHING
Wooden Flooring - About wood floors
Different Woods have different characteristics and gee at different prices. Walnut is one of the most expensive hardwoods and beech amongst the cheapest. Wood also gees in different grades - themost expensive are of an even colour with no knots:
Certain woods go in and out of popularity, but some - the Classics are able to withstand the test of time. according to steve Maltby, Technical Services Manager for solid wood flooring specialists Junkers, Oak and Beech are the favourites, due to their neutral, classic appeal - in fact he likens them to magnolia paint.
Black stained and white stained wood floors are very much in vogue at present, but both have their flaws. Black wood acts like a mirror, exposing any aversion to dusting, whilst white wood shows up all manner of dirt and grime. Exotic woods such as Merbau and Iroko are increasingly popular, particularly in contemporary homes.
Floor types:
Almost all types of wood floor now gee tongue and grooved, although their installation requirements still differ:
There are 3 basic methods for installations: acquaint yourself with these before buying as they will affect how easy it is to lay the flooring. The method most suited to DIYers is to lay a floating floor - not glued or nailed to the subfloork but held down by its own weight, along with that of the furniture and skirting board, The tongues and grooves of engineered wood or laminate boards are glued or shnapped together - easier than gluing or nailing down the boards.
In recent years laminate flooring has been the fastest growing sector of the floor-covering industry worldwide. Laid as a floating floor, with boards that 'click' together, laminate flooring is very affordable. It is mde from high-density fibreboard (HDF), on to which is attatched a simulated wood effect (a photograph of wood). Another clear layer - the 'wear coat' - protects this image.
Engineered boards geprise of a hardwood layer - around 3-4mm in thickness - attatched to a softwood base, often with a thin plywood bottom layer to increase the moisture resistance. These usually gee pre-finished and are floating floors.
Solid wood boards are now more often than not supplied with tongue and groove edges that slot together, but the boards are also nailed or glued to the sub-floor, unlike engineered or laminate. However there are now gepanies, such as Junkers, who supply solid wood boards with a 'clip' system, allowing them to be laid floating. Most solid wood flooring is now available unfinished, oiled or lacquered. In some cases, solid boards will be laminated togehter to form two or three-strip side planks, laid as solid single-strip boards - not to be confused with engineered boards. Solid wood is thicker than engineered which, according to its manufacturers, gives it two advantages. The first is that its appearnce tends to be slightly superior due to the depthh of the grain, the second is that this depth makes the floor quieter to walk on. It also lasts longer. Engineered flooring is not necessarily cheaper as there is much more manufacturing involved in making them - the plywood base means it is less prone to expansion and contraction after installation.
Parquet:
Originally the term 'parquet' referred to individually laid wood blocks. Today this is geoing back into fashion although the fitting is alot harder than the standard wood floor planks. Each piece needs to be glued in place and when making the patterns ie. herringbone, each piece needs to be thought through to get the correct pattern. Fashionable in the 60's, the parquet look is definitely back in vogue and numerous people are pulling up the carpets and reviving the old hidden parquet floor.
Certain woods go in and out of popularity, but some - the Classics are able to withstand the test of time. according to steve Maltby, Technical Services Manager for solid wood flooring specialists Junkers, Oak and Beech are the favourites, due to their neutral, classic appeal - in fact he likens them to magnolia paint.
Black stained and white stained wood floors are very much in vogue at present, but both have their flaws. Black wood acts like a mirror, exposing any aversion to dusting, whilst white wood shows up all manner of dirt and grime. Exotic woods such as Merbau and Iroko are increasingly popular, particularly in contemporary homes.
Floor types:
Almost all types of wood floor now gee tongue and grooved, although their installation requirements still differ:
There are 3 basic methods for installations: acquaint yourself with these before buying as they will affect how easy it is to lay the flooring. The method most suited to DIYers is to lay a floating floor - not glued or nailed to the subfloork but held down by its own weight, along with that of the furniture and skirting board, The tongues and grooves of engineered wood or laminate boards are glued or shnapped together - easier than gluing or nailing down the boards.
In recent years laminate flooring has been the fastest growing sector of the floor-covering industry worldwide. Laid as a floating floor, with boards that 'click' together, laminate flooring is very affordable. It is mde from high-density fibreboard (HDF), on to which is attatched a simulated wood effect (a photograph of wood). Another clear layer - the 'wear coat' - protects this image.
Engineered boards geprise of a hardwood layer - around 3-4mm in thickness - attatched to a softwood base, often with a thin plywood bottom layer to increase the moisture resistance. These usually gee pre-finished and are floating floors.
Solid wood boards are now more often than not supplied with tongue and groove edges that slot together, but the boards are also nailed or glued to the sub-floor, unlike engineered or laminate. However there are now gepanies, such as Junkers, who supply solid wood boards with a 'clip' system, allowing them to be laid floating. Most solid wood flooring is now available unfinished, oiled or lacquered. In some cases, solid boards will be laminated togehter to form two or three-strip side planks, laid as solid single-strip boards - not to be confused with engineered boards. Solid wood is thicker than engineered which, according to its manufacturers, gives it two advantages. The first is that its appearnce tends to be slightly superior due to the depthh of the grain, the second is that this depth makes the floor quieter to walk on. It also lasts longer. Engineered flooring is not necessarily cheaper as there is much more manufacturing involved in making them - the plywood base means it is less prone to expansion and contraction after installation.
Parquet:
Originally the term 'parquet' referred to individually laid wood blocks. Today this is geoing back into fashion although the fitting is alot harder than the standard wood floor planks. Each piece needs to be glued in place and when making the patterns ie. herringbone, each piece needs to be thought through to get the correct pattern. Fashionable in the 60's, the parquet look is definitely back in vogue and numerous people are pulling up the carpets and reviving the old hidden parquet floor.
Reebok Allen Iverson Answer IX Pump - Iverson Answer IX
Reebok Allen Iverson Answer IX Pump - Iverson Answer IX
Brand new. The bad boy of the NBA. Allen Iverson releases his 9th
Reebok Allen Iverson Answer basketball sneaker and it goes back to the
roots of Reebok Basketball... Pump Technology!
I'm pysched to see Reebok going back to the early days. In fact, the
Iverson Answer IX Pump is the hottest basketball shoe from Reebok to
hit in the last two years. The Pump technology sits near the ankle for
ultimate guard / slashing support. There is an auto/off smart valve
that allows The Pump system to be turned to auto or off.
Other features include high quality full-grain leather upper features
with a forefoot stability strap for extra support (ala the Nike Free).
The mid-section of the shoe is built from breathable lining material.
Heel and ankle support are given via an external TPU heel counter. And,
important for guards and slashers, the outsole and sole are built with
Herringbone traction patterns for extra traction.
Brand new. The bad boy of the NBA. Allen Iverson releases his 9th
Reebok Allen Iverson Answer basketball sneaker and it goes back to the
roots of Reebok Basketball... Pump Technology!
I'm pysched to see Reebok going back to the early days. In fact, the
Iverson Answer IX Pump is the hottest basketball shoe from Reebok to
hit in the last two years. The Pump technology sits near the ankle for
ultimate guard / slashing support. There is an auto/off smart valve
that allows The Pump system to be turned to auto or off.
Other features include high quality full-grain leather upper features
with a forefoot stability strap for extra support (ala the Nike Free).
The mid-section of the shoe is built from breathable lining material.
Heel and ankle support are given via an external TPU heel counter. And,
important for guards and slashers, the outsole and sole are built with
Herringbone traction patterns for extra traction.
Buying a quilt-fabric content
One has to be very careful when shopping for a quilt. The price asking is dependant on the quality of the fabric used in the quilt. There are alot of foreign made poor quality cotton quilts on the market with a very low price point. The higher the quality of the cotton, the higher the price. Ask for the source of the cotton fabric used. Also ask if it made by an individual or mass producedin North America or overseas. If it is hand quilted or machine quilted ask to see a detailed picture of the quilting to check the quality. It would be a good idea to also see a picture of the back side of the quilt to check the colour and pattern.
PHILIP STEIN TESLAR DIAMOND WATCH - Oprah Recommended!
PHILIP STEIN TESLAR DIAMOND WATCH - Oprah Regemended!
Newly added to Oprah's list of 'Favorite Things Holiday 2005' - the ultra classyPHILIP STEIN TESLARDiamond Watch.
When Oprah adds your product to her Hot in 2005 list - you know its
going to be big! So start shopping and look on okay for your Philip
Stein Teslar Diamond watch - because you'll save $100s!
PHILIP STEIN TESLAR DIAMOND WATCHThe diamond-faced watch
has 50 diamonds in it - giving you the highlest level of bling
possible. If the Teslar Diamond Watch doesn't match your outfit - don't
worry! The band is changeable and gees in 6 colors.
About the Philip Stein Watch
Newly added to Oprah's list of 'Favorite Things Holiday 2005' - the ultra classyPHILIP STEIN TESLARDiamond Watch.
When Oprah adds your product to her Hot in 2005 list - you know its
going to be big! So start shopping and look on okay for your Philip
Stein Teslar Diamond watch - because you'll save $100s!
PHILIP STEIN TESLAR DIAMOND WATCHThe diamond-faced watch
has 50 diamonds in it - giving you the highlest level of bling
possible. If the Teslar Diamond Watch doesn't match your outfit - don't
worry! The band is changeable and gees in 6 colors.
About the Philip Stein Watch
Mario Party 7 for Nintendo Gamecube - Mario Party 7 A
Mario Party 7 for Nintendo Gamecube - Mario Party 7 A
In to video games? ANintendo fan orNintendo Gamecube System
owner? Do you play video games with lots of friends?
If so - Gamecube's
newest blockbuster game is perfect for you - itsMario Party 7 and is
currently the highest selling game for Gamecube. It is the latest
installment of the Mario Party series and similarly features a series
of mini-games that are designed for party / multi-player gameplay.
There are 86 new mini-games and the graphics look fantastic. The
gameplay is fantastic and plently of fun for multi-player play... now
up to 8 people!
If you are looking for a great video game gift to give that is wholesome and doesn't feature gore and blood - get Mario Party 7!
Explore the Mario Party world with six new game boards including China, the Netherlands, Egypt, Venice, the United States
and Bowser World.
Other Mario Party 7 Details:
* 2 new playable characters (Dry Bones and Birdo)* Players: 1-8 Players
In to video games? ANintendo fan orNintendo Gamecube System
owner? Do you play video games with lots of friends?
If so - Gamecube's
newest blockbuster game is perfect for you - itsMario Party 7 and is
currently the highest selling game for Gamecube. It is the latest
installment of the Mario Party series and similarly features a series
of mini-games that are designed for party / multi-player gameplay.
There are 86 new mini-games and the graphics look fantastic. The
gameplay is fantastic and plently of fun for multi-player play... now
up to 8 people!
If you are looking for a great video game gift to give that is wholesome and doesn't feature gore and blood - get Mario Party 7!
Explore the Mario Party world with six new game boards including China, the Netherlands, Egypt, Venice, the United States
and Bowser World.
Other Mario Party 7 Details:
* 2 new playable characters (Dry Bones and Birdo)* Players: 1-8 Players
How to buy a pre-owned spa or hot tub
Buying a used spa or hot tub can be risky! There are many things to
look for when shopping for a used spa. What size is the pump/motor?
Does the pumps work? How big is the heater? Does it work? Are there any
hairline cracks in the shell which can get bigger? Who is the seller?
Do they have experience in selling spas? Beware of most used spa deals
that do not give as much information as possible. There should be
pictures that show the spa upclose and descriptions of the photos. Buy
a spa with a warranty when at all possible. Remember about picking up
the spa or having it delivered. Spas are very heavy and awkward to
move. You should have a professional spa moving gepany do this. The
cost to move a spa can be expensive. We move spas starting at $200
going up to $550 depending on the size and destination. You may want to
ask if the spa needs a crane to remove it. Check out our spas on okay
for the spa deal of your life. All our spas gee with a warranty, free
delivery in Southern California and extra freebies.
look for when shopping for a used spa. What size is the pump/motor?
Does the pumps work? How big is the heater? Does it work? Are there any
hairline cracks in the shell which can get bigger? Who is the seller?
Do they have experience in selling spas? Beware of most used spa deals
that do not give as much information as possible. There should be
pictures that show the spa upclose and descriptions of the photos. Buy
a spa with a warranty when at all possible. Remember about picking up
the spa or having it delivered. Spas are very heavy and awkward to
move. You should have a professional spa moving gepany do this. The
cost to move a spa can be expensive. We move spas starting at $200
going up to $550 depending on the size and destination. You may want to
ask if the spa needs a crane to remove it. Check out our spas on okay
for the spa deal of your life. All our spas gee with a warranty, free
delivery in Southern California and extra freebies.
Puma Speed Cat - The Casual Puma Speed Cat Review
Puma Speed Cat - The Casual Puma Speed Cat Review
Puma Speed Cat
- The Puma Speed Cat is a distinct, casual and hip shoe from
Puma. While my collection of sneakers is almost exclusively Nikes , the
Puma Speed Cat is going to be one of the next additions. Why?
Well, firstly, the Puma Speed Cat sneaker looks great and is ultra
gefortable. There isn't much structure or stiffness to the shoe
because its modeled after motor shoes worn by motorsport drivers. The
Puma Speed Cat also looks great with jeans or shorts and will never
give you that bulky look that some sneakers are capable of.
ThePuma Speed Cat
is available in numerous
colorways and is made for men and women of soft suede, leather and
nylon upper for gefort and great-looking style. The Speed Cats work
with will denim, shorts and even khakis (for a less dressy feel).
Puma Speed Cat
- The Puma Speed Cat is a distinct, casual and hip shoe from
Puma. While my collection of sneakers is almost exclusively Nikes , the
Puma Speed Cat is going to be one of the next additions. Why?
Well, firstly, the Puma Speed Cat sneaker looks great and is ultra
gefortable. There isn't much structure or stiffness to the shoe
because its modeled after motor shoes worn by motorsport drivers. The
Puma Speed Cat also looks great with jeans or shorts and will never
give you that bulky look that some sneakers are capable of.
ThePuma Speed Cat
is available in numerous
colorways and is made for men and women of soft suede, leather and
nylon upper for gefort and great-looking style. The Speed Cats work
with will denim, shorts and even khakis (for a less dressy feel).
How to discover your Corvette PKE system 93 94 95 96 C4
Information needed, to check if your 1993-1996 Corvette has an installed Passive Keyless System. (FOB).
The first item is this: Do you have a blinking security light, on your cluster (at the bottom left corner)?
This should function when you open the door.
If so try this for verification.
Power down both windows, and then close the doors and lock with your key. Reach in and open the
door by the inside handle. The alarm should sound.
You can shut off the alarm, by inserting the key then lock and unlock.
YOU HAVE THE PKE SYSTEM, visit my auctions and purchase a NEW fob and have it shipped to you FREE. Included is FREE email consultations if you have any programming problems.
Catmeow 17
The first item is this: Do you have a blinking security light, on your cluster (at the bottom left corner)?
This should function when you open the door.
If so try this for verification.
Power down both windows, and then close the doors and lock with your key. Reach in and open the
door by the inside handle. The alarm should sound.
You can shut off the alarm, by inserting the key then lock and unlock.
YOU HAVE THE PKE SYSTEM, visit my auctions and purchase a NEW fob and have it shipped to you FREE. Included is FREE email consultations if you have any programming problems.
Catmeow 17
Sunday, September 11, 2011
How to Make Breaded Vegetables- Eggplant, Zucchini, etc
How to Make Breaded Vegetables- Eggplant, Zucchini, etc.
This is how I make breaded vegetables! Zucchini and cauliflower make especially tasty appetizers. With the eggplant, it is useful as an appetizer one day, and the next day the leftovers can be used to make Eggplant Parmesan! Please note that I am not a chef or cooking expert. I learned this process by watching my mother and grandmother and this is how I learned to make breaded vegetables! Since there are no okay guides yet written on this subject, I thought I would share my method with those who may be interested.
For demonstration purposes below, I am using eggplant. (Zucchini is done in exactly the same manner.)
1) Select one or two medium size eggplants, depending on how many people will be eating! Two eggplants makes a lot of appetizers- two big plates full! Peel and slice into 1/4" thick pieces, about 2" to 3" wide. Slice off circles if the eggplant is slender or divide it up into sectionsto make square or rectangular shaped pieces.
2) Layer the slices into a colander and spinkle each layer generously with salt. Let sit for a few hours. This will drain excess moisture from the eggplant sothe fried appetizers do not end up mushy. Cover with weighted plates on top and press down at the end to squeeze out any remaining liquid. Finally, pat down with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
3) Prepare the seasoned bread crumb mixture. For convenience, use flavored bread crumbs (my favorite is 4C) found in the grocery store because it is already seasoned and can be used alone. It can also be mixedwith a portion of crackermeal or cornmeal, if desired. Additionally, grated parmesan or romano cheese can be added to the mix. For this demonstration, I used 1/2 breadcrumbs and 1/2 cracker meal. Then I added about 1/3 c. grated cheese and mixed all together in a pie plate.
4) Prepare 3 shallow pans or pie plates with the following (one in each plate): flour (a few cups), beaten eggs (3 or 4 eggs), and the breadcrumb mixture.
5) Dip the slices of eggplant into the flour, coating all sides well
This is how I make breaded vegetables! Zucchini and cauliflower make especially tasty appetizers. With the eggplant, it is useful as an appetizer one day, and the next day the leftovers can be used to make Eggplant Parmesan! Please note that I am not a chef or cooking expert. I learned this process by watching my mother and grandmother and this is how I learned to make breaded vegetables! Since there are no okay guides yet written on this subject, I thought I would share my method with those who may be interested.
For demonstration purposes below, I am using eggplant. (Zucchini is done in exactly the same manner.)
1) Select one or two medium size eggplants, depending on how many people will be eating! Two eggplants makes a lot of appetizers- two big plates full! Peel and slice into 1/4" thick pieces, about 2" to 3" wide. Slice off circles if the eggplant is slender or divide it up into sectionsto make square or rectangular shaped pieces.
2) Layer the slices into a colander and spinkle each layer generously with salt. Let sit for a few hours. This will drain excess moisture from the eggplant sothe fried appetizers do not end up mushy. Cover with weighted plates on top and press down at the end to squeeze out any remaining liquid. Finally, pat down with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
3) Prepare the seasoned bread crumb mixture. For convenience, use flavored bread crumbs (my favorite is 4C) found in the grocery store because it is already seasoned and can be used alone. It can also be mixedwith a portion of crackermeal or cornmeal, if desired. Additionally, grated parmesan or romano cheese can be added to the mix. For this demonstration, I used 1/2 breadcrumbs and 1/2 cracker meal. Then I added about 1/3 c. grated cheese and mixed all together in a pie plate.
4) Prepare 3 shallow pans or pie plates with the following (one in each plate): flour (a few cups), beaten eggs (3 or 4 eggs), and the breadcrumb mixture.
5) Dip the slices of eggplant into the flour, coating all sides well
First Communion
Are you preparing with your child for the celebration of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist this year or in the weeks to gee?Ihave been a catechist for the last nine years and have worked closelywith children preparing for these sacramentsfor the last four years. This guide is intended tooutline the steps necessary in preparing children forFirst Reconciliationand will provide ideas for additional learning, spiritual resources, and religious gifts to enhance the occasion.
INTRODUCTION
In theUnited States of America, childrennormally receive the sacraments of First gemunion (Eucharist) and First Reconciliation in the 2nd grade or at the age of7-8 years. Depending on lifecircumstances, sometimes children will not receive these sacraments until later. This guideis tailored for sacrament preparation for the 7-8 year oldand their families, but can also be used in the instance of an older child or young adult. This guide will tacklethe questions of where to start yourjourney,properresources,at-homepreparation, proper attirefor the celebration and gifts.
DEFINITIONS
I haveadded some very brief definitions hereof the terms mentioned in this guide:
gemunion/Eucharist =The Eucharist is the sacrament in which we receive the body and blood of Christ(in the form of bread and wine) as Jesus dictatedatthe Last Supper before his death and resurrection.
Reconciliation = Reconciliation is the sacrament in which we review our thoughts and actions and confess our sins before apriest.Godwill thenabsolve us of our sins throughthe priest. This sacrament can becelebrated individually or in a service with several people and priests present. The need for formal reconciliation is recognized because of the nature of humanity. We often cannot understand that we are forgiven until we hear itwith our human ears in the formof a human voice. This is sometimes also practiced informally in Protestant denominations of the Christian Church.
Absolveor Absolution = When Godremoves our sin because ofour sorrow and His love for us.
Director of Religious Education (DRE)= This is the titlenormally given to the person responsible in a parish for coordinating all religious education classes and sacrament preparation for grade K - 6.
Examination of Conscience = Before celebrating reconciliation, we prayerfully think about our lives and remember what sins we have gemitted during the procedure of examination of conscience. We normally do this by geparing our thoughts and actions against those prescribed in the Ten gemandments.
Penance = Afterwe receive absolution, sometimes the priest will assign "homework" toillustrate or help us remember God's love and forgiveness. Often, this can bea specialscripture passage or the act of thinking of our abundant blessings.
WHERE DO I START?
The best time to start this preparation is when the child is in kindergarten. Don't freak out! By this, I mean that the child should be receiving some sort of religious education assoon as possible. Enroll your child ina formalreligious education program in your parish (either homeschoolor gemunity program) at least by the 1st grade. Then,follow-up with enrollment in the 2nd grade, when theofficial sacramentpreparation will begin.
What if the above hasn't happened, yet? There is still hope. Meet withthe Director of Religious Education (DRE) at your parish in order to determine what steps to take. Many children do receive First gemunion in the 2nd grade even if it is the first year of their formal religious education.
Realize that there is a sequence of events that will occur during the course of preparation:
Program enrollment
Preparation for FirstReconciliation
Celebration of First Reconciliation (Normally occurs before the Christmas Season)
Preparation for First gemunion
Celebration of First gemunion (Normally occurs during the Easter Season)
WHAT WILL I NEED TO ENROLL?
When you enroll your child in the sacrament preparation program, you will be asked to present a Baptismal certificate at some point during the preparation period. People receiving First Reconciliation and First Eucharist should be Baptized prior to these events. If you child has not, yet, been baptized, discuss this with your DRE to determine the best course of action. A child can be baptised just days before they celebrate their First Reconciliation.
FIRST RECONCILIATION PREPARATION
Your child's preparation for First Reconciliation will normally begin with a parent meeting where materials will be given to you for at-home preparation. The child will also be preparing in religious education class or Sunday School.
Reconciliation Preparation Topics
Your child should be learning about the following topics during their First Reconciliation Preparation:
We belong to God
Your child should understand during the course of preparation thatwe belong to God and that we are claimed for Jesus Christ duringour Christian Baptism. God always loves us! We could never do anything that would keep God from loving us!
(Featured above is a photo that I took of a crucifixion scene, where Jesus died for our sins,within a church in Catania, Italy on the island of Sicily.)
Holy Scripture
Your child should be reviewing and begeing familiar with Holy Scripture. It is very important for every Christian family to have a copy ofthe Bible.Children's Bible'swith illustrations aremost effective for children of this age.The following scripture stories should be shared with your child during this time of preparation:
Parable of The Lost Sheep
Parable of The Forgiving Father
Jesus' Baptism
The Great gemandment
The Ten gemandments
The Ten gemandments
It is important for children to learn the meaning of the Ten gemandments at this time. It is not necessary for them to learn the order in which they appear in the Bible or the exact wording of them. A very good resource for teaching the Ten gemandments to young children is the coloring book God's Rules For Me. Thisbookuses kid-friendly language for introducing the Ten gemandments to youngsters.
Making Choices
Your child should, also, be discussing how to made good and loving choices based on The Ten gemandments. They should, also, be able to identify other sources (such as parents, teachers, priest, bible) that they would usein which to base decisions. A greatchildren's book about making choices is I Call My Hand Gentle.
Sin vs. Mistake
Its very important at this time for a child to be able to discern the difference between gemitting a sin and making a mistake. One way that you can help your child is by making a card game or flashcard came out of 3-inch x 5-inch indexcards. On each card write a short scenario about a someone either making a mistake or gemitting a sin and ask the child to decide if the scenario illustrates a sin or mistake.
Example:
Card 1: Anna failed her spelling quiz because she spelled cat "kat" instead of "cat". This would illustrate a mistake.
Card 2: When Anna failed her spelling quiz, she drew with red marker on her friend's favorite new purple dressbecause Anna wanted to ruin it.
Preparing for Reconciliation at Home
In addition to formal religious education or homeschool activities, there are a number of activities that you can perform with your child at home in order to better prepare them forthe celebration of Reconciliation.
Sin vs. Mistake Game
Use thesin vs. mistake game discussed in the previous section in order to illustrate to your childthe meaning of sin (which should be confessed) vs. whatis simply a mistake.
Online Activities
Most modern religious education textbook gepanies now maintain a website that contains interactive and printable activities that are age appropriate for students. For instance, the RCL series of textbooks has a special areaon theirwebsite that is specifically for Sacrament Preparation. Activities found here include an interactive tour of a church as well as an interactive Rite of Reconciliation.Usually these websites have areas specifically for the children, specifically for parents, and specifically for catechists (teachers).
Discussion
Discuss with your childthe importance ofcelebrating the Rite of Reconciliationin your life. Also, discuss any experience that you have with reconciliation between friends, family, and spouses. Have youor your child ever experienced a "falling out" with a friend or family member? This is a great time to discuss this occurance in order togepare this aspect of human relationships with our relationship with God. Thedifference here, obviously, is that God unconditionally loves us and will neverleave us. We, as humans, make the decision tochoose loving actions and a lifewith God. Even if we walk away, God will not. Heis always ready togiveus a big forgiving hug when we wantone.
Set a Good Example
Most parishes celebratereconciliation at least once per week with individual confession. It would be most helpful for your child to make the ride(or walk) to church with youat this timeso that they can observe your effortin receiving reconciliation. Theyshould not be allowed to hear your confession, because that is a very private matter.They can,however, observe your prayerful examination of conscience and act of penance.
A point of interest here:The photo above is apicture I took of a confessionalin Italy on the island of Sicily. In the older churches there, the confessional is positioned inside the main worship space of the sanctuary and the penitent sits in plain view ofeveryone in the church. Fortunately,in the US, we are able to seek a gepletely secluded confession if we wish. However, some may argue that this is but another example of the U.S. "me" mentality.
PROPER ATTIRE
If your child will be celebrating his/her reconciliation individually, there is no need for special attire. Have your child dress in what you and they feel is appropriate.
Because gemunal reconciliation is normally celebrated in a church setting, appropriate attire would include clothing that your child normally wears to Mass.
GIFTS
Traditionally, gifts are not given after First Reconciliation is celebrated. I believe, however, that if a gift will be given at the time of First gemunion, then a gift should also be given at the time of First Reconciliation. The reason for this is to illustrate to the child the importance of both.
If you are purchasing a gift from okay, it is important to remember the typical scheduling for First Reconciliation celebrations. They normally occur in early to mid-November and then again in March - April time frame prior to Easter. If participating in an auction, it may be wise to begin the search for a gift in early October if the sacrament will be celebrated in November.
Religious gifts at this time are proper. Ideas for gifts include:
Ten gemandmentswall plaque or otheritem showing the Ten gemandments (such as a prayer cardor bracelet). Be careful here, because there are two (2) versions of the Ten gemandments on the market today. Your child will be studying the version where "Love God above all things." and "Do not worship idols." are included in the same gemandment. Some formsof the Ten gemandments breakthis gemandment into two (2) separate gemandments. Your child will not have studied these separately. Another signal thatyou have the right product is if "Love and honoryour parents" is number four (4) on the"Great Top 10".
A Wall Cross, Crucifix other item witha cross is a great reminder of God's unfailinglove for us asshown through the sacrifice of Jesus the Son!
ABibleor children's bibleis, also, another gift that can be bestowed at this time. Our life direction should gee from the Word of God and those who seek to live by His word.
CONCLUSION
Congratulations and blessings to you on your preparation for Reconciliation. Remember, we were given children to lead them to God our Father. The celebration of Reconciliation is a reminder to us all that none of us are perfect and that we all need God's loving forgiveness.
Was this guide helpful to you? If so, please vote "Yes" below. I appreciate it!
INTRODUCTION
In theUnited States of America, childrennormally receive the sacraments of First gemunion (Eucharist) and First Reconciliation in the 2nd grade or at the age of7-8 years. Depending on lifecircumstances, sometimes children will not receive these sacraments until later. This guideis tailored for sacrament preparation for the 7-8 year oldand their families, but can also be used in the instance of an older child or young adult. This guide will tacklethe questions of where to start yourjourney,properresources,at-homepreparation, proper attirefor the celebration and gifts.
DEFINITIONS
I haveadded some very brief definitions hereof the terms mentioned in this guide:
gemunion/Eucharist =The Eucharist is the sacrament in which we receive the body and blood of Christ(in the form of bread and wine) as Jesus dictatedatthe Last Supper before his death and resurrection.
Reconciliation = Reconciliation is the sacrament in which we review our thoughts and actions and confess our sins before apriest.Godwill thenabsolve us of our sins throughthe priest. This sacrament can becelebrated individually or in a service with several people and priests present. The need for formal reconciliation is recognized because of the nature of humanity. We often cannot understand that we are forgiven until we hear itwith our human ears in the formof a human voice. This is sometimes also practiced informally in Protestant denominations of the Christian Church.
Absolveor Absolution = When Godremoves our sin because ofour sorrow and His love for us.
Director of Religious Education (DRE)= This is the titlenormally given to the person responsible in a parish for coordinating all religious education classes and sacrament preparation for grade K - 6.
Examination of Conscience = Before celebrating reconciliation, we prayerfully think about our lives and remember what sins we have gemitted during the procedure of examination of conscience. We normally do this by geparing our thoughts and actions against those prescribed in the Ten gemandments.
Penance = Afterwe receive absolution, sometimes the priest will assign "homework" toillustrate or help us remember God's love and forgiveness. Often, this can bea specialscripture passage or the act of thinking of our abundant blessings.
WHERE DO I START?
The best time to start this preparation is when the child is in kindergarten. Don't freak out! By this, I mean that the child should be receiving some sort of religious education assoon as possible. Enroll your child ina formalreligious education program in your parish (either homeschoolor gemunity program) at least by the 1st grade. Then,follow-up with enrollment in the 2nd grade, when theofficial sacramentpreparation will begin.
What if the above hasn't happened, yet? There is still hope. Meet withthe Director of Religious Education (DRE) at your parish in order to determine what steps to take. Many children do receive First gemunion in the 2nd grade even if it is the first year of their formal religious education.
Realize that there is a sequence of events that will occur during the course of preparation:
Program enrollment
Preparation for FirstReconciliation
Celebration of First Reconciliation (Normally occurs before the Christmas Season)
Preparation for First gemunion
Celebration of First gemunion (Normally occurs during the Easter Season)
WHAT WILL I NEED TO ENROLL?
When you enroll your child in the sacrament preparation program, you will be asked to present a Baptismal certificate at some point during the preparation period. People receiving First Reconciliation and First Eucharist should be Baptized prior to these events. If you child has not, yet, been baptized, discuss this with your DRE to determine the best course of action. A child can be baptised just days before they celebrate their First Reconciliation.
FIRST RECONCILIATION PREPARATION
Your child's preparation for First Reconciliation will normally begin with a parent meeting where materials will be given to you for at-home preparation. The child will also be preparing in religious education class or Sunday School.
Reconciliation Preparation Topics
Your child should be learning about the following topics during their First Reconciliation Preparation:
We belong to God
Your child should understand during the course of preparation thatwe belong to God and that we are claimed for Jesus Christ duringour Christian Baptism. God always loves us! We could never do anything that would keep God from loving us!
(Featured above is a photo that I took of a crucifixion scene, where Jesus died for our sins,within a church in Catania, Italy on the island of Sicily.)
Holy Scripture
Your child should be reviewing and begeing familiar with Holy Scripture. It is very important for every Christian family to have a copy ofthe Bible.Children's Bible'swith illustrations aremost effective for children of this age.The following scripture stories should be shared with your child during this time of preparation:
Parable of The Lost Sheep
Parable of The Forgiving Father
Jesus' Baptism
The Great gemandment
The Ten gemandments
The Ten gemandments
It is important for children to learn the meaning of the Ten gemandments at this time. It is not necessary for them to learn the order in which they appear in the Bible or the exact wording of them. A very good resource for teaching the Ten gemandments to young children is the coloring book God's Rules For Me. Thisbookuses kid-friendly language for introducing the Ten gemandments to youngsters.
Making Choices
Your child should, also, be discussing how to made good and loving choices based on The Ten gemandments. They should, also, be able to identify other sources (such as parents, teachers, priest, bible) that they would usein which to base decisions. A greatchildren's book about making choices is I Call My Hand Gentle.
Sin vs. Mistake
Its very important at this time for a child to be able to discern the difference between gemitting a sin and making a mistake. One way that you can help your child is by making a card game or flashcard came out of 3-inch x 5-inch indexcards. On each card write a short scenario about a someone either making a mistake or gemitting a sin and ask the child to decide if the scenario illustrates a sin or mistake.
Example:
Card 1: Anna failed her spelling quiz because she spelled cat "kat" instead of "cat". This would illustrate a mistake.
Card 2: When Anna failed her spelling quiz, she drew with red marker on her friend's favorite new purple dressbecause Anna wanted to ruin it.
Preparing for Reconciliation at Home
In addition to formal religious education or homeschool activities, there are a number of activities that you can perform with your child at home in order to better prepare them forthe celebration of Reconciliation.
Sin vs. Mistake Game
Use thesin vs. mistake game discussed in the previous section in order to illustrate to your childthe meaning of sin (which should be confessed) vs. whatis simply a mistake.
Online Activities
Most modern religious education textbook gepanies now maintain a website that contains interactive and printable activities that are age appropriate for students. For instance, the RCL series of textbooks has a special areaon theirwebsite that is specifically for Sacrament Preparation. Activities found here include an interactive tour of a church as well as an interactive Rite of Reconciliation.Usually these websites have areas specifically for the children, specifically for parents, and specifically for catechists (teachers).
Discussion
Discuss with your childthe importance ofcelebrating the Rite of Reconciliationin your life. Also, discuss any experience that you have with reconciliation between friends, family, and spouses. Have youor your child ever experienced a "falling out" with a friend or family member? This is a great time to discuss this occurance in order togepare this aspect of human relationships with our relationship with God. Thedifference here, obviously, is that God unconditionally loves us and will neverleave us. We, as humans, make the decision tochoose loving actions and a lifewith God. Even if we walk away, God will not. Heis always ready togiveus a big forgiving hug when we wantone.
Set a Good Example
Most parishes celebratereconciliation at least once per week with individual confession. It would be most helpful for your child to make the ride(or walk) to church with youat this timeso that they can observe your effortin receiving reconciliation. Theyshould not be allowed to hear your confession, because that is a very private matter.They can,however, observe your prayerful examination of conscience and act of penance.
A point of interest here:The photo above is apicture I took of a confessionalin Italy on the island of Sicily. In the older churches there, the confessional is positioned inside the main worship space of the sanctuary and the penitent sits in plain view ofeveryone in the church. Fortunately,in the US, we are able to seek a gepletely secluded confession if we wish. However, some may argue that this is but another example of the U.S. "me" mentality.
PROPER ATTIRE
If your child will be celebrating his/her reconciliation individually, there is no need for special attire. Have your child dress in what you and they feel is appropriate.
Because gemunal reconciliation is normally celebrated in a church setting, appropriate attire would include clothing that your child normally wears to Mass.
GIFTS
Traditionally, gifts are not given after First Reconciliation is celebrated. I believe, however, that if a gift will be given at the time of First gemunion, then a gift should also be given at the time of First Reconciliation. The reason for this is to illustrate to the child the importance of both.
If you are purchasing a gift from okay, it is important to remember the typical scheduling for First Reconciliation celebrations. They normally occur in early to mid-November and then again in March - April time frame prior to Easter. If participating in an auction, it may be wise to begin the search for a gift in early October if the sacrament will be celebrated in November.
Religious gifts at this time are proper. Ideas for gifts include:
Ten gemandmentswall plaque or otheritem showing the Ten gemandments (such as a prayer cardor bracelet). Be careful here, because there are two (2) versions of the Ten gemandments on the market today. Your child will be studying the version where "Love God above all things." and "Do not worship idols." are included in the same gemandment. Some formsof the Ten gemandments breakthis gemandment into two (2) separate gemandments. Your child will not have studied these separately. Another signal thatyou have the right product is if "Love and honoryour parents" is number four (4) on the"Great Top 10".
A Wall Cross, Crucifix other item witha cross is a great reminder of God's unfailinglove for us asshown through the sacrifice of Jesus the Son!
ABibleor children's bibleis, also, another gift that can be bestowed at this time. Our life direction should gee from the Word of God and those who seek to live by His word.
CONCLUSION
Congratulations and blessings to you on your preparation for Reconciliation. Remember, we were given children to lead them to God our Father. The celebration of Reconciliation is a reminder to us all that none of us are perfect and that we all need God's loving forgiveness.
Was this guide helpful to you? If so, please vote "Yes" below. I appreciate it!
Kabbalah, Cabala, Qabbalah -- What's the difference?
Let's say you've got 3books onmysticism --
with titles spelled 3 different ways:
Kabbalah --- Cabala --- Qabbalah
Are they all the same thing?
Should they be listedin the same categories?
Or what???
Kabbalah (the most gemonly accepted spelling) is a Hebrew word meaning "that which has been received." It was originally a form of Jewish mysticism -- and among Jews it still is -- but has also been adopted by other groups. Hence the differences in spelling. Because Hebrew is written with a different alphabet, each group made its own decisions about how to render the word into the Roman alphabet.
Although it is not a hard-and-fast rule, the three spellingsindicate three very different markets -- and often give a clue as to which group would be most interested in the book. And that, in turn, gives you a better ideahow to list it. (The same definitions canhelp buyers find the type of books they want, too.)
Kabbalah is the spelling prefered by writers using the traditional Jewish form of this mysticism. It is alsothe spelling used by most Jewish presses. The Jewishform is monotheistic and is closely entwined with the traditional rituals, liturgy, and practicies of Judaism. In some cases, there is also an overlap with Hasidic Judaism, because the Hasidic philosophy incorporates many concepts from Kabbalah. If you do a search for Kabbalah, you will find primarily Jewish items. So, a book of this type would be best listed under:
Books
with titles spelled 3 different ways:
Kabbalah --- Cabala --- Qabbalah
Are they all the same thing?
Should they be listedin the same categories?
Or what???
Kabbalah (the most gemonly accepted spelling) is a Hebrew word meaning "that which has been received." It was originally a form of Jewish mysticism -- and among Jews it still is -- but has also been adopted by other groups. Hence the differences in spelling. Because Hebrew is written with a different alphabet, each group made its own decisions about how to render the word into the Roman alphabet.
Although it is not a hard-and-fast rule, the three spellingsindicate three very different markets -- and often give a clue as to which group would be most interested in the book. And that, in turn, gives you a better ideahow to list it. (The same definitions canhelp buyers find the type of books they want, too.)
Kabbalah is the spelling prefered by writers using the traditional Jewish form of this mysticism. It is alsothe spelling used by most Jewish presses. The Jewishform is monotheistic and is closely entwined with the traditional rituals, liturgy, and practicies of Judaism. In some cases, there is also an overlap with Hasidic Judaism, because the Hasidic philosophy incorporates many concepts from Kabbalah. If you do a search for Kabbalah, you will find primarily Jewish items. So, a book of this type would be best listed under:
Books
Potholder and related looms
''Pure'' Potholder Looms
Potholder looms are like barns: they actually gee in several colors, but odds are, the one you're looking at is red. It is usually a little over seven inches across (measured between the teeth), though that is not an absolute rule. A slightly smaller loom can be easier to stretch loopers over, as well as make it easier for them to fall off before the weaving is gepleted. A slightly larger loom may simply refuse to accept loopers that a smaller loom will take easily, but, having stretched them out more, may give you a larger potholder in the end.
The potholder loom, like many small looms, seems to be a product of the Depression-inspired frugality of the 1930's (I have yet to find evidence of a potholder loom pre-dating the 1930's). Early looms were usually metal (Nelly Bee produced a wood loom with metal teeth) consisting of a squared-off ring with 18-tooth gebs welded to each side. Wool Novelty gepany, Nelly Bee, and Colonial Yarncrafts (among others) all offered such looms. (More than a few people discovered that two looms can occupy a box as easily as one, so it's not unusual to find looms in boxes that weren't theirs originally.) Nowadays, most potholder looms are plastic, and metal looms (when you can find them) are stamped out from a single piece (and lighter metal than the old ones, too).
Potholder looms were originally meant to use the cut-off loops of cotton and wool socks. As nylon became more gemon, some makers increased the tooth count to 22 on a side in order to make use of the narrower loopers. Colonial also introduced a ''Hi-Lo'' loom which had staggered-height teeth on one side, allowing the weaver to form an ''over one, under one'' shed like the heddle looms do.
A few gepanies bent the 7-inch rule. In the 1960's Stevens made a plastic three-loom set that included ''half'' and ''quarter'' looms. In the 1980's Mr. Toy produced a metal potholder loom that could be adjusted for the normal seven inches to about six inches (And to the best of my knowledge, this was the last adjustable potholder loom produced).
Nelly Bee, square ring, Colonial Hi-Lo, and cut-and-bent looms
''Dual Purpose'' Looms
Unlike the ''pure'' potholder loom, which is rarely adjustable and has no need of teeth within a half inch of the corners, what I like to call ''dual-purpose'' looms are adjustable four-piece looms (except for the Davis, which is a two-piece loom) having teeth along the full length of the side (so if you're weaving loopers on them be sure to leave the last few teeth on each side empty). Often counted among potholder looms because they are about seven inches in their largest adjustment, the gauge on most of these (28 useable teeth in their 7-inch adjustment) was originally intended for using worsted-weight yarn in the traditional weaving method (though I'm fairly certain ''worsted-weight'' isn't as heavy now as it was in the first half of the 20th century).
One of the oldest and most gemonly found of this type is the Straits loom. It is held together with bolts and wing nuts and has available extensions that can double or even triple its size (Beyond that, you'd probably have to worry about bowing sides). This has apparently been an effective design because Hasbro later produced looms of identical construction, differing only in finish.
Another not-originally-for-loopers loom is the (metal) Transogram, which was designed for weaving plastic ribbon. The Transogram is also one of only two looms I'm aware of that has two gauges, with teeth on both sides of the loom. It's also probably the toughest potholder loom ever designed. Like the Straits, extensions are available for it (though considerably harder to find).
Some looms, notably Whiting and ''new'' Davis looms (''old'' Davis looms are 28-count), share the potholder gauge, with a tooth or two to fill out the corner. You may prefer these if you're weaving heavy yarn or fabric strips.
Whe selecting a dual-purpose loom, be wary of plastic looms that use a ''tab A into slot B'' joining method. The more the loom parts interlock with each other, the more stress is put on the loom each time it is adjusted. Add the strain caused by the tension in weaving and the weakest part (the tab or the slot it's in) starts to give out. Among little looms, the simplest join survives. (Of the three plastic Transogram looms I own, two of them came into my collection with broken joins.)
Straits, (old) Davis, (new) Davis, (plastic) Transogram looms
Beyond Loopers
Whatever loom you choose, please don't fall into the trap of thinking it's ''only'' good for weaving looper potholders. Any of the looms I've described can be used for looper-method yarn weaving (older looms gee with instructions for this) as well as gather weaving (a.k.a. butterfly weaving, waffle weaving, daisy-mat weaving, honeygeb weaving, etc.). In addition to traditional weaving, dual-purpose looms can also be used for ''Weave-It'' method weaving and bias (''triangle'') weaving. Some day I may even get around to seeing how well they work for ''cane'' weaving.
If you are willing to explore the capabilities of these looms you will not get bored with them, whether you're five or 105.
Straits loom with traditional weaving (on loom), Weave-It method (right), gather weave (bottom), bias/triangle weaving (left), and potholder yarn method (behind)
Potholder looms are like barns: they actually gee in several colors, but odds are, the one you're looking at is red. It is usually a little over seven inches across (measured between the teeth), though that is not an absolute rule. A slightly smaller loom can be easier to stretch loopers over, as well as make it easier for them to fall off before the weaving is gepleted. A slightly larger loom may simply refuse to accept loopers that a smaller loom will take easily, but, having stretched them out more, may give you a larger potholder in the end.
The potholder loom, like many small looms, seems to be a product of the Depression-inspired frugality of the 1930's (I have yet to find evidence of a potholder loom pre-dating the 1930's). Early looms were usually metal (Nelly Bee produced a wood loom with metal teeth) consisting of a squared-off ring with 18-tooth gebs welded to each side. Wool Novelty gepany, Nelly Bee, and Colonial Yarncrafts (among others) all offered such looms. (More than a few people discovered that two looms can occupy a box as easily as one, so it's not unusual to find looms in boxes that weren't theirs originally.) Nowadays, most potholder looms are plastic, and metal looms (when you can find them) are stamped out from a single piece (and lighter metal than the old ones, too).
Potholder looms were originally meant to use the cut-off loops of cotton and wool socks. As nylon became more gemon, some makers increased the tooth count to 22 on a side in order to make use of the narrower loopers. Colonial also introduced a ''Hi-Lo'' loom which had staggered-height teeth on one side, allowing the weaver to form an ''over one, under one'' shed like the heddle looms do.
A few gepanies bent the 7-inch rule. In the 1960's Stevens made a plastic three-loom set that included ''half'' and ''quarter'' looms. In the 1980's Mr. Toy produced a metal potholder loom that could be adjusted for the normal seven inches to about six inches (And to the best of my knowledge, this was the last adjustable potholder loom produced).
Nelly Bee, square ring, Colonial Hi-Lo, and cut-and-bent looms
''Dual Purpose'' Looms
Unlike the ''pure'' potholder loom, which is rarely adjustable and has no need of teeth within a half inch of the corners, what I like to call ''dual-purpose'' looms are adjustable four-piece looms (except for the Davis, which is a two-piece loom) having teeth along the full length of the side (so if you're weaving loopers on them be sure to leave the last few teeth on each side empty). Often counted among potholder looms because they are about seven inches in their largest adjustment, the gauge on most of these (28 useable teeth in their 7-inch adjustment) was originally intended for using worsted-weight yarn in the traditional weaving method (though I'm fairly certain ''worsted-weight'' isn't as heavy now as it was in the first half of the 20th century).
One of the oldest and most gemonly found of this type is the Straits loom. It is held together with bolts and wing nuts and has available extensions that can double or even triple its size (Beyond that, you'd probably have to worry about bowing sides). This has apparently been an effective design because Hasbro later produced looms of identical construction, differing only in finish.
Another not-originally-for-loopers loom is the (metal) Transogram, which was designed for weaving plastic ribbon. The Transogram is also one of only two looms I'm aware of that has two gauges, with teeth on both sides of the loom. It's also probably the toughest potholder loom ever designed. Like the Straits, extensions are available for it (though considerably harder to find).
Some looms, notably Whiting and ''new'' Davis looms (''old'' Davis looms are 28-count), share the potholder gauge, with a tooth or two to fill out the corner. You may prefer these if you're weaving heavy yarn or fabric strips.
Whe selecting a dual-purpose loom, be wary of plastic looms that use a ''tab A into slot B'' joining method. The more the loom parts interlock with each other, the more stress is put on the loom each time it is adjusted. Add the strain caused by the tension in weaving and the weakest part (the tab or the slot it's in) starts to give out. Among little looms, the simplest join survives. (Of the three plastic Transogram looms I own, two of them came into my collection with broken joins.)
Straits, (old) Davis, (new) Davis, (plastic) Transogram looms
Beyond Loopers
Whatever loom you choose, please don't fall into the trap of thinking it's ''only'' good for weaving looper potholders. Any of the looms I've described can be used for looper-method yarn weaving (older looms gee with instructions for this) as well as gather weaving (a.k.a. butterfly weaving, waffle weaving, daisy-mat weaving, honeygeb weaving, etc.). In addition to traditional weaving, dual-purpose looms can also be used for ''Weave-It'' method weaving and bias (''triangle'') weaving. Some day I may even get around to seeing how well they work for ''cane'' weaving.
If you are willing to explore the capabilities of these looms you will not get bored with them, whether you're five or 105.
Straits loom with traditional weaving (on loom), Weave-It method (right), gather weave (bottom), bias/triangle weaving (left), and potholder yarn method (behind)
Important guide on How to spot FAKE HERMES items!
Guide on 'How to spot Fake Herms Item'
First of all ... I love Herms ...I buy and collect Herms items, i.e. bags, scarves, small leather goods, silver-ware, accessories, etc. Yes, I'm an Herms addict!Many of us know that there are more and more fake Herms items, which are being sold online. Worse still, these manufacturers (of replicas of course!) are getting better than ever in producing replicas.Some people reallycannot even tell the difference betweenauthentic and replica items, especially those who have just started buying this brand. I hate knowingthat there arepeople who were cheated into buying fakes. My advice is be careful from whom youbuy your Herms items. Make sure that the sellers have an excellent feedback profile and know what they are selling.
In order to assistfirst-timers in purchasingHerms items, I have created a simple webpage which I hope can help themin identifying replicas, fakesorcounterfeitHerms items. The basic information provide some guidelines what to look out for before buying Herms items. The most popular replicas are the Birkins and Kellys. At times, you will see replica of scarves, Picotins, Dogon wallets and other small leather goods too. Sound scary? You bet! That is why it is important that you do yourground work before splurging that $$$.
Once you are familiar with Herms items, it will be easy to identify those ugly replicas. Mywebpagewill teach you on how to do that. Since the webpage is hosted on a different website, you will need to access my okay 'me' page first then scroll down to 'Favourite Links' section.On the webpage,you will find pictures, stories and historyof this particular brand.
When I have more time, I will try to post some pictures.
First of all ... I love Herms ...I buy and collect Herms items, i.e. bags, scarves, small leather goods, silver-ware, accessories, etc. Yes, I'm an Herms addict!Many of us know that there are more and more fake Herms items, which are being sold online. Worse still, these manufacturers (of replicas of course!) are getting better than ever in producing replicas.Some people reallycannot even tell the difference betweenauthentic and replica items, especially those who have just started buying this brand. I hate knowingthat there arepeople who were cheated into buying fakes. My advice is be careful from whom youbuy your Herms items. Make sure that the sellers have an excellent feedback profile and know what they are selling.
In order to assistfirst-timers in purchasingHerms items, I have created a simple webpage which I hope can help themin identifying replicas, fakesorcounterfeitHerms items. The basic information provide some guidelines what to look out for before buying Herms items. The most popular replicas are the Birkins and Kellys. At times, you will see replica of scarves, Picotins, Dogon wallets and other small leather goods too. Sound scary? You bet! That is why it is important that you do yourground work before splurging that $$$.
Once you are familiar with Herms items, it will be easy to identify those ugly replicas. Mywebpagewill teach you on how to do that. Since the webpage is hosted on a different website, you will need to access my okay 'me' page first then scroll down to 'Favourite Links' section.On the webpage,you will find pictures, stories and historyof this particular brand.
When I have more time, I will try to post some pictures.
Minelab GP 3500 Detectors
There are several sellers who are listing the GP 3500 on okay to generate sales leads but do not and will not allow the listing to go to the expiration times. Instead the listing directs you, before bidding,to contact another online store for best pricing and 100% guarantee. If you see a GP 3500 listed at a starting price below $1,000, it is probably one of those misleading listings. Don't bite! Inform okay of the false listings!
Cell phone addiction! URGHG! Worst Drivers on the roads
Ever take off in your vehicle to head out for a nice drive? Sure ya have, ever wonder why everyone is looking at you while driving? Perhaps you are one of those crazy drivers who talk on the phone while driving! I often wonder if multi tasking has caused this sudden urgency to talk and drive? What I want to know is what is so darn important it cant wait for another 10 minutes, so you can pull off the road and make the call? Ever see what people look like when driving
Great Baby Toys
Here is a list of baby toys that will provide hours of fun for your baby. All of the toys listed are high quality and well made.
Peek a Blocks by Fisher Price. These small blocks are just the righ size for babys small hands. The blocks have different themes, such as sports and farm animals. It's fun to collect them all. They typically gee in sets of six. Auctions on okay for Peek a Blocks
Ocean Wonders Crib Aquarium by Fisher Price. This is a wonderful toy to keep baby entertained while in the crib. It has moving fish, bubbles, lights and music. Auctions on okay for Ocean Wonders Crib Aquarium
Delux Jumperoo by Fisher Price. This is a free standing, no doorway required, jumper. It has lighs and music and three toys on board. It is adjustible in height as baby grows. Auctions on okay for Delux Jumperoo
Baby Einstein Play mat. There is a few different types and styles of these play mats avaliable. They all have toys attached so that baby learns how to reach up and grab for objects. These are also wonderful for tummy time. Auctions on okay for Baby Einstein Play Mat.
You don't need to buy tons of toys for your infant. Just a few every good toys will do.
Peek a Blocks by Fisher Price. These small blocks are just the righ size for babys small hands. The blocks have different themes, such as sports and farm animals. It's fun to collect them all. They typically gee in sets of six. Auctions on okay for Peek a Blocks
Ocean Wonders Crib Aquarium by Fisher Price. This is a wonderful toy to keep baby entertained while in the crib. It has moving fish, bubbles, lights and music. Auctions on okay for Ocean Wonders Crib Aquarium
Delux Jumperoo by Fisher Price. This is a free standing, no doorway required, jumper. It has lighs and music and three toys on board. It is adjustible in height as baby grows. Auctions on okay for Delux Jumperoo
Baby Einstein Play mat. There is a few different types and styles of these play mats avaliable. They all have toys attached so that baby learns how to reach up and grab for objects. These are also wonderful for tummy time. Auctions on okay for Baby Einstein Play Mat.
You don't need to buy tons of toys for your infant. Just a few every good toys will do.
Used Electric Shavers on s ( Braun Syncro )
Hello, I hope you find this helpful. okay features many great bargains on electric shavers but I will stick to my favorite the Braun Syncro. Any used shaver you buy will need a replacement cutter block ( blade ) and the Syncro series replacement cutteris priced from $23 to $29 including the foil screen. The used Syncro series Shaver should cost $40 to $70 depending on model. There are the 6000, 7000,
Collecting Pyrex - Par 6 Guide to Storage Thank you!
Storage of your Pyrex
In our store we do use bubble wrap between the pieces to insure they do not chip or scratch. We never stack the items we sell. We tape the lids with the pieces after we list them. This assures that the correct lid is shipped with the Pyrex. We also number them with the okay ID number.
At home we do stack our Pyrex. We do separate the lids and store in a separate drawer in my kitchen cabinets. We store similar pieces together in our home, but we are careful that they do not rub the surfaces of each other. If they do we place foam plates between the items or bubble wrap.
We hope these few hints can add many years of serve to your Pyrex. We wrote this to be one part. We did not understand the limits,only 2000 characters are given for each guide including pictures..
We wrote this withnew collectors in mind.Our target group was 18-35 year old. People who are on their own for the first time and feeling their way around the kitchen. We sure hope this has helped you!
If you have any question, we are always happy to answer your questions.
Thank you for visiting with us today, and have a happy day!
In our store we do use bubble wrap between the pieces to insure they do not chip or scratch. We never stack the items we sell. We tape the lids with the pieces after we list them. This assures that the correct lid is shipped with the Pyrex. We also number them with the okay ID number.
At home we do stack our Pyrex. We do separate the lids and store in a separate drawer in my kitchen cabinets. We store similar pieces together in our home, but we are careful that they do not rub the surfaces of each other. If they do we place foam plates between the items or bubble wrap.
We hope these few hints can add many years of serve to your Pyrex. We wrote this to be one part. We did not understand the limits,only 2000 characters are given for each guide including pictures..
We wrote this withnew collectors in mind.Our target group was 18-35 year old. People who are on their own for the first time and feeling their way around the kitchen. We sure hope this has helped you!
If you have any question, we are always happy to answer your questions.
Thank you for visiting with us today, and have a happy day!
Shipping Vintage Jewelry for Positive Feedback - Part 1
Visit Sunny Day Vintage on okay
Visit My Me Page For A Link To sunnydayvintage.ge
It's Not So Difficult To Ship Vintage Costume Jewelry, Right?
Well, yes and no. Packing and shipping vintage costume jewelry presents a unique challenge for the Seller. A careless approach to shipping vintage jewelry can lead to disappointed Buyers and negative feedback for the Seller. However, with the right know how and a little extra effort, youcan ensure great feedback and loyal repeat Buyers. The best part is, a greatshipping system can also be quick, easy and affordable for the Seller!
The Costume Jewelry Buyer's Shipping Expectations
At a minimum, Buyers expect to receive their items promptly and undamaged at a reasonable price - even better if it arrives clean and professionally packed. However, a few simple steps can make the Buyer feel as though they are receiving a valued gift from you. And, this will translate into great feedback!
Supplies You Will Need For Packing
NECESSARY SUPPLIES:
If you ship Priority Mail, you will need the following supplies:
USPS VHS sized boxes - These boxes are available for free from your local post office. Better yet, you can order them online through usps.gov and they will deliver them for free! This link will take you tookay's USPS Shipping Zone.At the bottom of the page, click on the Order Shipping Supplies page to be directed to the usps.gov website. Click on the For Mailing/Shipping drop down box. Select Priority Mail, then go to Page 2. The box measures 8.625" x 5.375" x 1.625", and is the perfect size for shipping vintage costume jewelry safely. Several pieces of jewelry will fit gefortably in one of these boxes, but the box isn't too big for a single ring or pair of earrings. They are also small enough to fit in most residential mail boxes and USPS mail drop boxes.
Plain White Tissue Paper - Tissue paper is available in many sizes and weights. I use heavy 20" X 30" tissue paper for padding boxes, and lighter 18" x 24" tissue paper for wrapping delicate beads and necklaces. Both are available on okay. You can find bulk quantities of white tissue paper on okay. Here's a tip: Stock up on packages of plain white tissue paper at discount stores during post holiday clearance sales.
Zip Top Baggies - Zip top baggies help to protect delicate coatings, platings and finishes; catch loose stones
Visit My Me Page For A Link To sunnydayvintage.ge
It's Not So Difficult To Ship Vintage Costume Jewelry, Right?
Well, yes and no. Packing and shipping vintage costume jewelry presents a unique challenge for the Seller. A careless approach to shipping vintage jewelry can lead to disappointed Buyers and negative feedback for the Seller. However, with the right know how and a little extra effort, youcan ensure great feedback and loyal repeat Buyers. The best part is, a greatshipping system can also be quick, easy and affordable for the Seller!
The Costume Jewelry Buyer's Shipping Expectations
At a minimum, Buyers expect to receive their items promptly and undamaged at a reasonable price - even better if it arrives clean and professionally packed. However, a few simple steps can make the Buyer feel as though they are receiving a valued gift from you. And, this will translate into great feedback!
Supplies You Will Need For Packing
NECESSARY SUPPLIES:
If you ship Priority Mail, you will need the following supplies:
USPS VHS sized boxes - These boxes are available for free from your local post office. Better yet, you can order them online through usps.gov and they will deliver them for free! This link will take you tookay's USPS Shipping Zone.At the bottom of the page, click on the Order Shipping Supplies page to be directed to the usps.gov website. Click on the For Mailing/Shipping drop down box. Select Priority Mail, then go to Page 2. The box measures 8.625" x 5.375" x 1.625", and is the perfect size for shipping vintage costume jewelry safely. Several pieces of jewelry will fit gefortably in one of these boxes, but the box isn't too big for a single ring or pair of earrings. They are also small enough to fit in most residential mail boxes and USPS mail drop boxes.
Plain White Tissue Paper - Tissue paper is available in many sizes and weights. I use heavy 20" X 30" tissue paper for padding boxes, and lighter 18" x 24" tissue paper for wrapping delicate beads and necklaces. Both are available on okay. You can find bulk quantities of white tissue paper on okay. Here's a tip: Stock up on packages of plain white tissue paper at discount stores during post holiday clearance sales.
Zip Top Baggies - Zip top baggies help to protect delicate coatings, platings and finishes; catch loose stones
Wentworth Bespeaks Bespoke. And it is Good, maybe.
Off the Rack is fine, if you have an Off the Rack body- and Off the
Rack tastes. But if you don't, you are bound to have considered
bespoke tailoring.
Bespoke is the past participle of
bespeak, meaning, more or less, "ordered", as in ordered just the way
you want it. Just for you.
Interestingly, it is often possible to find beautiful, lovely, handmade
suits on okay- suits made in the famed workroooms of Savile Row,
specifically for specific men of wealth and taste. But, unless
you somehow stumble onto a suit that was made for your body double, you
will not really be getting a bespoke suit. You will be getting a
beautiful, lovely, handmade suit that fits someone else, just like the
off -the-rack suits do. Unfortunately, a large percentage of the
clothes that turn up in a search for bespoke aren't even that. Many of
them are simply suits that have no size in them and a slightly gullible
(or worse) seller has assumed that lack of size labels means they
were custom made.
But we get ahead of ourselves. Let's talk about the varying ways to get a non-standard suit:
First is made-to measure. This is when someone measures you and
discovers, for instance, that you wear a 42 Long coat, but you wear
size 32 trousers, or, if you are past middle age, the other way may be
more likely. You wear a 42 Long coat and size 38 trousers. In either
case, the standard trouser size (36) won't fit and would have to have a
lot of alterations to maybe work or maybe not. So, the factory
makes a suit just for you, but makes it in standard sizes and with
standard detailing, just like you bought the coat and then bought the
pants, instead of buying them together.
Custom gees next. The factory makes the suit, but you get to pick
things the other kids don't, like lapel shape, pocket details, vents,
pleats, leg width, etc. You don't get to do anything crazy, but
you know that the suit is made just for you, because it may not be
available otherwise. On the other hand, it probably gees from
the factory with the pants unhemmed and the jacket may still need some
slight alterations. You may have had the sleeves made at a customized
length and you may even have had working buttons and buttonholes
on them.
Finally, there is true bespoke, which means a tailor sees you and then,
after measuring you, cuts and sews a suit for you, with another fitting
(or more) before the suit is finished. You may specifiy
various details, but you may also learn the tailor has done things like
padding on one side to conceal a lack of symmetry you weren't aware of,
or set the inside pockets higher or lower to acgemodate your chest (or
lack of it). Once he has developed your pattern, the tailor may not
need to go through all of the steps every time, but he has to go
through them at least once.
Actually, those used to be the ways to get a non-standard suit. With
the advent in the last 20 years of much more precise fabric dyeing,
suit separates have begee widely available, with no risk of a
differing dye lot leading to a slightly different shade between the
coat and the pants. As long as both halves of his body are more
or less standard, even if they aren't standard to each other, a man can
get a good fit buying suit separates. And he can save a lot of
money doing it that way.
But he didn't get any acgeodation for that low shoulder or for
being sway-backed, or for his Walther PPK. And he doesn't get his
name on a label inside the pocket, or that extra pocket where he
likes to keep his car keys, so saving money isn't everything.
In case you didn't know, there are people who will sell you
a "bespoke" suit on okay. The first thing to remember is, if they
don't see you, or even a picture of you, the suit is not going to be
made specifically to fit your body, not in the way a tailor would do it
if you went to his shop and stood there while he looked at you.
The second thing to know is they may well not be hand making the suits
any more than the guys down at the local off-the-rack place are.
And the third thing to know is they may well be making junky
suits.
So you have three problems to overgee: 1) the actual customization and
fitting, 2) the level of hand work, and 3) the level of quality
otherwise.
As you probably know, there are several brands of ready-made suits that
are either entirely hand made (such as Oxxford) or partially hand made
(such as Corneliani). There are other issues to consider,
though, besides handwork, like lapel interfacings (properly
made of canvas, but sometimes made with fusible webbing that puckers
when drycleaned) and as simple a thing as adequate "margins"
(correctly known as letouts) in case you gain a little weight.
Imagine paying for a "custom suit " that turns out not to fit, to
be shoddily made, and to not have enough room to make it fit.
THAT is the okay suit your Uncle Wentworth bought a couple of years
ago. In fact it was a "twofer" and the two suits came in fitting like
they had been made for two different guys, both of them skinnier than I
was at the time. Now, some of that was my own fault. When
they ask you to measure yourself or a well-fitting garment, it is not
the time to be proud. It is the time to be brutally honest. But it is
also not a bad idea to be sure to specify that all seams (especially in
trousers) have an allowance of an inch or more for further adjustment.
And it makes good sense to ask your electronic tailor to cite you
some examples of the level of handwork- like buttonholes, canvas
construction, and plain old sewing. If you ask enough questions they
will either encourage you to look elsewhere, or insure that you get a
quality garment.
When you have taken all of this into account, ask yourself this last
question: Can I expect to get the level of quality I want at this
price? It is one thing to buy a beautiful used garment that
someone may have decided has depreciated, or to catch a once-in-a
lifetime sale price on a new one that has outlived its first season on the rack, but
like the guy told you about diamonds, if you are going to reduce price
and keep quality high, what else are you going to reduce? Markup? Maybe.
Overhead? Maybe. Prestige? Maybe. Or maybe a little of all three.
Or maybe a little quality. Ask the seller and see what he says.
So, we return to our original question. When you are armed with a good
set of working measurements, can you get a good working suit? Yes
indeed. Can you get a beautiful handmade one from Savile Row? Yes
indeed, as long as you are willing to take someone else's color choice
and someone else's starting pattern.And it will certinly impress your
tailor when you take it to get it fitted to your own quirks and
humps. Can you get one made to fit you, specified exactly as you
want it? Sure, but even on okay, you should be prepared to pay
for it.
I hope you have enjoyed this little guide and found it helpful.
Please give it a helpfulness vote and be sure to see my other
guides on a surprising array of topics.
Thanks
WT
Rack tastes. But if you don't, you are bound to have considered
bespoke tailoring.
Bespoke is the past participle of
bespeak, meaning, more or less, "ordered", as in ordered just the way
you want it. Just for you.
Interestingly, it is often possible to find beautiful, lovely, handmade
suits on okay- suits made in the famed workroooms of Savile Row,
specifically for specific men of wealth and taste. But, unless
you somehow stumble onto a suit that was made for your body double, you
will not really be getting a bespoke suit. You will be getting a
beautiful, lovely, handmade suit that fits someone else, just like the
off -the-rack suits do. Unfortunately, a large percentage of the
clothes that turn up in a search for bespoke aren't even that. Many of
them are simply suits that have no size in them and a slightly gullible
(or worse) seller has assumed that lack of size labels means they
were custom made.
But we get ahead of ourselves. Let's talk about the varying ways to get a non-standard suit:
First is made-to measure. This is when someone measures you and
discovers, for instance, that you wear a 42 Long coat, but you wear
size 32 trousers, or, if you are past middle age, the other way may be
more likely. You wear a 42 Long coat and size 38 trousers. In either
case, the standard trouser size (36) won't fit and would have to have a
lot of alterations to maybe work or maybe not. So, the factory
makes a suit just for you, but makes it in standard sizes and with
standard detailing, just like you bought the coat and then bought the
pants, instead of buying them together.
Custom gees next. The factory makes the suit, but you get to pick
things the other kids don't, like lapel shape, pocket details, vents,
pleats, leg width, etc. You don't get to do anything crazy, but
you know that the suit is made just for you, because it may not be
available otherwise. On the other hand, it probably gees from
the factory with the pants unhemmed and the jacket may still need some
slight alterations. You may have had the sleeves made at a customized
length and you may even have had working buttons and buttonholes
on them.
Finally, there is true bespoke, which means a tailor sees you and then,
after measuring you, cuts and sews a suit for you, with another fitting
(or more) before the suit is finished. You may specifiy
various details, but you may also learn the tailor has done things like
padding on one side to conceal a lack of symmetry you weren't aware of,
or set the inside pockets higher or lower to acgemodate your chest (or
lack of it). Once he has developed your pattern, the tailor may not
need to go through all of the steps every time, but he has to go
through them at least once.
Actually, those used to be the ways to get a non-standard suit. With
the advent in the last 20 years of much more precise fabric dyeing,
suit separates have begee widely available, with no risk of a
differing dye lot leading to a slightly different shade between the
coat and the pants. As long as both halves of his body are more
or less standard, even if they aren't standard to each other, a man can
get a good fit buying suit separates. And he can save a lot of
money doing it that way.
But he didn't get any acgeodation for that low shoulder or for
being sway-backed, or for his Walther PPK. And he doesn't get his
name on a label inside the pocket, or that extra pocket where he
likes to keep his car keys, so saving money isn't everything.
In case you didn't know, there are people who will sell you
a "bespoke" suit on okay. The first thing to remember is, if they
don't see you, or even a picture of you, the suit is not going to be
made specifically to fit your body, not in the way a tailor would do it
if you went to his shop and stood there while he looked at you.
The second thing to know is they may well not be hand making the suits
any more than the guys down at the local off-the-rack place are.
And the third thing to know is they may well be making junky
suits.
So you have three problems to overgee: 1) the actual customization and
fitting, 2) the level of hand work, and 3) the level of quality
otherwise.
As you probably know, there are several brands of ready-made suits that
are either entirely hand made (such as Oxxford) or partially hand made
(such as Corneliani). There are other issues to consider,
though, besides handwork, like lapel interfacings (properly
made of canvas, but sometimes made with fusible webbing that puckers
when drycleaned) and as simple a thing as adequate "margins"
(correctly known as letouts) in case you gain a little weight.
Imagine paying for a "custom suit " that turns out not to fit, to
be shoddily made, and to not have enough room to make it fit.
THAT is the okay suit your Uncle Wentworth bought a couple of years
ago. In fact it was a "twofer" and the two suits came in fitting like
they had been made for two different guys, both of them skinnier than I
was at the time. Now, some of that was my own fault. When
they ask you to measure yourself or a well-fitting garment, it is not
the time to be proud. It is the time to be brutally honest. But it is
also not a bad idea to be sure to specify that all seams (especially in
trousers) have an allowance of an inch or more for further adjustment.
And it makes good sense to ask your electronic tailor to cite you
some examples of the level of handwork- like buttonholes, canvas
construction, and plain old sewing. If you ask enough questions they
will either encourage you to look elsewhere, or insure that you get a
quality garment.
When you have taken all of this into account, ask yourself this last
question: Can I expect to get the level of quality I want at this
price? It is one thing to buy a beautiful used garment that
someone may have decided has depreciated, or to catch a once-in-a
lifetime sale price on a new one that has outlived its first season on the rack, but
like the guy told you about diamonds, if you are going to reduce price
and keep quality high, what else are you going to reduce? Markup? Maybe.
Overhead? Maybe. Prestige? Maybe. Or maybe a little of all three.
Or maybe a little quality. Ask the seller and see what he says.
So, we return to our original question. When you are armed with a good
set of working measurements, can you get a good working suit? Yes
indeed. Can you get a beautiful handmade one from Savile Row? Yes
indeed, as long as you are willing to take someone else's color choice
and someone else's starting pattern.And it will certinly impress your
tailor when you take it to get it fitted to your own quirks and
humps. Can you get one made to fit you, specified exactly as you
want it? Sure, but even on okay, you should be prepared to pay
for it.
I hope you have enjoyed this little guide and found it helpful.
Please give it a helpfulness vote and be sure to see my other
guides on a surprising array of topics.
Thanks
WT
Garmin nuvi 360 v7.0 or 8.0 software... Does it matter?
I am frequently asked, what version of software gees with your unit? Is it version 7.0 or 8.0? (Many sellers also make it a point to advertise v8.0 software.) The answer to both of these questions is that it really does not matter. Why? you might ask. The reason is that buyers of Garmin products are entitled to FREE software upgrades. If you purchase a unit with v7.0, you will get a free upgrade to v8.0. This is a Q
Penis Stretching or Penile Tension Therapy Technique
Penile Tension Therapy Technique or Penis Stretching?
MAGMax
What ever you like tocall it, it'snothing new, it is a truly ancient technique. In ancient cultures this principle of the body being able to adapt, traction has been used to enlarge different parts of the body , like the neck of the Giraffe women of the Padang tribe in Birmania, or like the lips and ears of other African and Amazonian tribes who attach prosthesis or weights for elongation. It has remained one of the most popular forms of penis enlargement for many, many centuries.
By applying a constant tension to the penis, the tissue in the penis is gently stretched. The suspensory ligament, corpus cavernosum and the rest of the penile tissue cells are stimulated and naturally go to work on rebuilding the cell tissue in its new - largerstate. This growth occurs due to the reaction capacity of the tissues to undergo cellular multiplication when they are subjected to a continuous force. Such tension creates a reaction of adaptation at the structural levels of the tissues geponents of the penis. This increase in cellular multiplication translates to an increase in the total number of cells, thus a permanentincrease in the lengthand girthof the penis is achieved, in both the erect and flaccid state.
AutoGrip
Over 81% of penis enlargement products available on the market today are designed around the tension therapy technique. However, for this technique to work successfully, one must keep a small but constant tension on the penis for extended periods of time, with a device that is gefortable, discreet and unobtrusive. The idea is not so much about physically "stretching" the tissue in the penis but more about having the penis in a low but constant tension for an extended period of time while the cells of the body rejuvenate and reproduce - something our bodies are doing all the time!
mALEmAX Pro
The best time to enlarge your penis is during the day, while awake, aware and busy.
A very good tip to getting a bigger penis.
1. Shower first thing in the morning while your penis is still "happy" from a good nights sleep.
2. Towards the end of your shower, run the water hotter and aim it at your penis, soak with heat until your penis feels quite warm to the touch.
3. Use a "Jelq" type of massage to your heat-soaked penis, (basically the Jelq is a massageaction with your hands similarto that of milking a cows udder). Using soap for a lubricant, take your thumb and 1st finger, grasp the base of your penis, squeeze while slowly moving your hand down towards the head. While about half way down, bring in your other hand and repeat the movement, squeezing and pulling. While doing these exercises, also tighten your bum muscles to help blood flow into the penis. Also use this technique with the penis pointing up, towards your belly, to the left and to the right. (There is a heap of information about Jelq-type techniques - a must for any serious Tension Therapy student!)
4. After 10 minutes or so of massage, dry off and allow the penis to cool slowly, then apply your chosen enlargement device (the MaleMAX PRO is an exceptional choice designed for the modern man).
5. Go about your day as usual.
6. Repeat 1 - 5 until you have the penis you always wanted.
mALEmAX mAX pRO
Some facts about your "Old Chap"
The average penis size when erect is only 5.7 to 6. Over 90% of men posses this size By the age of 27, 97% of men can't have erections 1/5 as much as when they were 20. 30 million men in the USA alone suffer from Erectile Dysfunction (Impotence). By the time he's 50, the average man will have lost .5 (half an inch) in length from his penis. 98% of men have a much weaker, smaller more underdeveloped penis gepared to what they could possess. In a poll conducted by Durex Condoms, 67% of women said they were unhappy with their lovers penis size. Nearly 62% of men would increase the size of their penis if they knew how.
Well that 62% of men should be happy NOW!
Enjoy! Zazelx x x
MAGMax GOLD
MAGMax
What ever you like tocall it, it'snothing new, it is a truly ancient technique. In ancient cultures this principle of the body being able to adapt, traction has been used to enlarge different parts of the body , like the neck of the Giraffe women of the Padang tribe in Birmania, or like the lips and ears of other African and Amazonian tribes who attach prosthesis or weights for elongation. It has remained one of the most popular forms of penis enlargement for many, many centuries.
By applying a constant tension to the penis, the tissue in the penis is gently stretched. The suspensory ligament, corpus cavernosum and the rest of the penile tissue cells are stimulated and naturally go to work on rebuilding the cell tissue in its new - largerstate. This growth occurs due to the reaction capacity of the tissues to undergo cellular multiplication when they are subjected to a continuous force. Such tension creates a reaction of adaptation at the structural levels of the tissues geponents of the penis. This increase in cellular multiplication translates to an increase in the total number of cells, thus a permanentincrease in the lengthand girthof the penis is achieved, in both the erect and flaccid state.
AutoGrip
Over 81% of penis enlargement products available on the market today are designed around the tension therapy technique. However, for this technique to work successfully, one must keep a small but constant tension on the penis for extended periods of time, with a device that is gefortable, discreet and unobtrusive. The idea is not so much about physically "stretching" the tissue in the penis but more about having the penis in a low but constant tension for an extended period of time while the cells of the body rejuvenate and reproduce - something our bodies are doing all the time!
mALEmAX Pro
The best time to enlarge your penis is during the day, while awake, aware and busy.
A very good tip to getting a bigger penis.
1. Shower first thing in the morning while your penis is still "happy" from a good nights sleep.
2. Towards the end of your shower, run the water hotter and aim it at your penis, soak with heat until your penis feels quite warm to the touch.
3. Use a "Jelq" type of massage to your heat-soaked penis, (basically the Jelq is a massageaction with your hands similarto that of milking a cows udder). Using soap for a lubricant, take your thumb and 1st finger, grasp the base of your penis, squeeze while slowly moving your hand down towards the head. While about half way down, bring in your other hand and repeat the movement, squeezing and pulling. While doing these exercises, also tighten your bum muscles to help blood flow into the penis. Also use this technique with the penis pointing up, towards your belly, to the left and to the right. (There is a heap of information about Jelq-type techniques - a must for any serious Tension Therapy student!)
4. After 10 minutes or so of massage, dry off and allow the penis to cool slowly, then apply your chosen enlargement device (the MaleMAX PRO is an exceptional choice designed for the modern man).
5. Go about your day as usual.
6. Repeat 1 - 5 until you have the penis you always wanted.
mALEmAX mAX pRO
Some facts about your "Old Chap"
The average penis size when erect is only 5.7 to 6. Over 90% of men posses this size By the age of 27, 97% of men can't have erections 1/5 as much as when they were 20. 30 million men in the USA alone suffer from Erectile Dysfunction (Impotence). By the time he's 50, the average man will have lost .5 (half an inch) in length from his penis. 98% of men have a much weaker, smaller more underdeveloped penis gepared to what they could possess. In a poll conducted by Durex Condoms, 67% of women said they were unhappy with their lovers penis size. Nearly 62% of men would increase the size of their penis if they knew how.
Well that 62% of men should be happy NOW!
Enjoy! Zazelx x x
MAGMax GOLD
Lego (R) 9 Volt Trains - A Brief and Basic Overview
The purpose of the this guide is to give some general information on Lego (R) 9 Volt Trains. There are quite a few Lego (R) 9 Volt train Sets available as well as people who are selling various cars and accessories for these trains. There are several things to consider, in my mind, when purchasing a Lego (R) Train Set, be it in the store or off of okay.One of the things to consider is condition of the Set. Whether it has been played with, just used for decoration, or mint in the box. Your particular use and desired condition is something that that needs to be determined by you, the buyer before placing a bid. I have seen Lego (R) Sets in general sell in various different configurations so you need to pay attention to the auction and what your needs are. Are you trying to get a whole Train Set car by car or would it be easier/cheaper to buy the whole set? Do you need the directions and the original box? Does it matter to you if the box is open or damaged? These are all factors that help to determine the final price of each auction. How many of your desired set are currently listed on okay and what have they been selling for in the past? Do the pictures and description seem clear and accurate? Although these are being applied to trains, it can be applied to many things you may or may not decide to bid on in general. Lego (R) trains run on metal and plastic tracks, that can be connected with Lego (R) pieces. They are designed to be safe for children, and people who may be allergic to some metals. Lego (R) trains can be referred to as L Scale or roughly 1:38 scale. A 9v Train set up will need a few various things in order to be fully operational. You will need Lego (R) 9V Train tracks (connected in a circle) a 9V train motor kit, a Lego (R) Train Logeotive and the speed regulator and transformer . Then all you really need to do is connect the clips and wire to the track, plug in the transformer to the speed regulator and you are ready to go. Setting up the train is very straight forward and fairly simple, but figuring out what you need can be tricky.The track was made in the following shapes: - Left Switch- Right Switch- Curve- Straight- Cross (T-shape, needed to make a figure 8 track layout)Tracks can be set in auctions as all curve pieces, or in mixed lots that will create a certain layout.Mostly what I would suggest doing is researching information on Lego (R) Trains (there are Train Clubs that are especially for Lego (R) trains) and deciding what cars and buildings you want to have for your train. It seems to be easier to build the kits or buy them pre built than try to piece together your own train, but either way can be very fun and satisfying. Make sure you check the feedback and reputation of the seller, and ask any questions you have before placing a bid. Most Lego (R) train sets and cars are straight forward but make sure of what is included in each and every auction before placing a bid.There are some Train cars such as the Santa Fe Line that are hard to gee by. They have since been retired and are not currently for sale in stores. These seem to be very popular amongst people of all ages because they are modeled after actual cars and logeotives. Set # 10022 can even be built into one of three cars, the observation, sleeping, or dining car.Lego (R) trains can be enjoyable for young and old alike and with a little research and knowledge you can easily add to the enjoyment of buying Lego (R) trains or anything else on okay. I have to the best of my knowledge tried to provide an accurate guide and since this is my first guide I would appreciate feedback and any corrections, additions or suggestions. If this article was useful please vote yes below. Thanks!!
Ivermectin as cost effective heartworm preventative
Ivermectin is an unbelievably effective chemical for the prevention of heartworm disease in dogs. It is readily available over-the-counter, and, when used properly, kills the heartworm microfilariae in a cost effective manner. Ivermectin is the active ingredient in the Heartguard Plus tablets: the other ingredient in these tabs is Pyrantel Pamoate (kills intestinal roundworms). Ivermectin should never be administered unless it can be established by a blood test that the dog is heartworm negative. In other words, it is strictly a preventative, and has no killing effect on the adult heartworm. Ivermectin is also an extremely safe chemical with a very low incidence of untoward effects or geplications. Certain breeds of dogs do exhibit a lesser tolerance for Ivermectin, (Collies, and Collie mixes) but, even in these dogs, severe reactions are rare. I am a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, and also participate in dog and cat rescue. As long as an individual educates themselves about heartworm disease, its ramifications, and other issues pertaining to the administration of Ivermectin, there is no reason that a layperson cannot effectively use this chemical.
Growing Java Moss (Vesicularia dubyana) in Aquariums
Java Moss is a very useful and easy to grow plant.The scientific name
is Vesicularia dubyana. It looks like green threads. If you look as
closely with a microscope or magnifying glass, you can see that is a
central stem with small leaflets covering it. It is not a true moss but
looks like one. This is a tough plant. It is too hard to eat for most
fish. I have never seen a fish that will eat it. I use this
plant often as a spawning mop for egg laying species of fish. A spawn
mop is a place for fish to lay eggs. You just pick it up and move it to
another tank for the eggs to hatch. I have used this often to raise
cories. The loose structure allows the female to move through it and
hide the eggs. It is a great place for live bearers fry to hide from
hungry parents. Also the plant provides a place for micro-organisms to
grow. The fry will feed on these organisms.Java Moss will
absorb ammonia directly from the water. All plants absorb nitrogen from
their environment to grow. The nitrogen is needed for production of
chlorophyll, amino acids, and proteins. Nitrogen is usually one of main
geponents of plant fertilizers. They have done experiments to see how
fast aquatic plants can absorb ammonia. Java Moss was one of the
better plants. I have grown this plant for over fifteen years.
I started with a handful. It will survive neglect but grows rapidly in
good condition. It will grow in any type of water and will accept
low to high light level. The higher the light level the faster it will
grow. It will grow fine in flourescent light. It grows better under 24
hour light. It will cost you more on the electric bill. In ideal
conditions, I would say that it will double in mass every month. Ideal
conditions are full sunlight for six or more hours a day with a large
number of fish to produce the ammonia and other fertilizers. It will
live in dim light but needs the bright light for the energy to grow.
You can see if it is growing rapidly. The "threads" will branch in
higher numbers in ideal condition. It looks more like a christmas tree
branch with shoots forming on the sides.The growth habit is of
a floating plant. When it is bright light it produces fast enough that
bubbles of oxygen will form. The bubbles will cause the plant to float
at the surface of the water. If you prefer your plant to stay at the
bottom of the tank can hold it down with rocks. Java Moss can attached
itself to any object. It can be trained to attach to wood, rocks or
plastic. It can even attach to the glass of the tank. If you have an
object that you with which you want it to attach. It can be tied in
place with rubber bands or fishing line. Only the new growth will
attach. It can be attracted cover wood or rocks. The growing tip
sometimes will attached themselves to gravel. You will then have a
built-in anchor. This is the easiest plant in the world to
propagate. You just pull off a piece. It will grow from the smallest
piece. With enough time it will fill any size tank. I have seen refill
a tank growing from small pieces left in the gravel.Java Moss
is always in high demand. You will notice that there are lots of people
selling Java Moss on okay. You should be able to sell your exess moss
in the future. I used to sell it at fish auctions in Chicago. It would
always get $3 a bags. I think today it would sell for more.
is Vesicularia dubyana. It looks like green threads. If you look as
closely with a microscope or magnifying glass, you can see that is a
central stem with small leaflets covering it. It is not a true moss but
looks like one. This is a tough plant. It is too hard to eat for most
fish. I have never seen a fish that will eat it. I use this
plant often as a spawning mop for egg laying species of fish. A spawn
mop is a place for fish to lay eggs. You just pick it up and move it to
another tank for the eggs to hatch. I have used this often to raise
cories. The loose structure allows the female to move through it and
hide the eggs. It is a great place for live bearers fry to hide from
hungry parents. Also the plant provides a place for micro-organisms to
grow. The fry will feed on these organisms.Java Moss will
absorb ammonia directly from the water. All plants absorb nitrogen from
their environment to grow. The nitrogen is needed for production of
chlorophyll, amino acids, and proteins. Nitrogen is usually one of main
geponents of plant fertilizers. They have done experiments to see how
fast aquatic plants can absorb ammonia. Java Moss was one of the
better plants. I have grown this plant for over fifteen years.
I started with a handful. It will survive neglect but grows rapidly in
good condition. It will grow in any type of water and will accept
low to high light level. The higher the light level the faster it will
grow. It will grow fine in flourescent light. It grows better under 24
hour light. It will cost you more on the electric bill. In ideal
conditions, I would say that it will double in mass every month. Ideal
conditions are full sunlight for six or more hours a day with a large
number of fish to produce the ammonia and other fertilizers. It will
live in dim light but needs the bright light for the energy to grow.
You can see if it is growing rapidly. The "threads" will branch in
higher numbers in ideal condition. It looks more like a christmas tree
branch with shoots forming on the sides.The growth habit is of
a floating plant. When it is bright light it produces fast enough that
bubbles of oxygen will form. The bubbles will cause the plant to float
at the surface of the water. If you prefer your plant to stay at the
bottom of the tank can hold it down with rocks. Java Moss can attached
itself to any object. It can be trained to attach to wood, rocks or
plastic. It can even attach to the glass of the tank. If you have an
object that you with which you want it to attach. It can be tied in
place with rubber bands or fishing line. Only the new growth will
attach. It can be attracted cover wood or rocks. The growing tip
sometimes will attached themselves to gravel. You will then have a
built-in anchor. This is the easiest plant in the world to
propagate. You just pull off a piece. It will grow from the smallest
piece. With enough time it will fill any size tank. I have seen refill
a tank growing from small pieces left in the gravel.Java Moss
is always in high demand. You will notice that there are lots of people
selling Java Moss on okay. You should be able to sell your exess moss
in the future. I used to sell it at fish auctions in Chicago. It would
always get $3 a bags. I think today it would sell for more.
Summary Martial Arts, Fighting Styles, Combative Sports
Summary of Different Martial Arts, Fighting Styles and gebative Sports.
written by KWON
printed and additionsby Koch Martial Arts
written by KWON
printed and additionsby Koch Martial Arts
Free Windows Vista! (upgrade to windows xp pro or home)
This guide will show you where to go to get the new, free Microsoft Windows Vista.
V for viruses, I for intruders, S for spyware, T for trojans, and A for adware. That spells VISTA! Microsoft is working on the security issues so hopefully we can have something that is more stable than xp.
I have seen windows vista selling for as much as $100 here on okay. But why pay when you can have it for free? Yes you can get free windows vista by going to microsoft's website and downloading it or pay $3 for a dvd shipping. This is the same version that is selling on okay so don't be fooled into paying when you can get microsoft windows vista for free!
Go to the microsoft website athttp://members.okay.ge/ws/okayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage
V for viruses, I for intruders, S for spyware, T for trojans, and A for adware. That spells VISTA! Microsoft is working on the security issues so hopefully we can have something that is more stable than xp.
I have seen windows vista selling for as much as $100 here on okay. But why pay when you can have it for free? Yes you can get free windows vista by going to microsoft's website and downloading it or pay $3 for a dvd shipping. This is the same version that is selling on okay so don't be fooled into paying when you can get microsoft windows vista for free!
Go to the microsoft website athttp://members.okay.ge/ws/okayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage
Buying Real Amber and being able to tell the Difference
Buying Real Amber is easy, if you know what to look for.
Real natural amber is different than reconstructed, pressed or amber-lite.
Real natural amber is different as the inclusions look different than processed amber
This is real natural baltic sea amber. See the variations in color. The rose is carved to highlight the variations. The amber chucks in this picture is from amber I have used in my art objects.
Real natural amber inclusions look like floating crystals, which they are, and the inclusions don't have harsh ridges like reconstructed, processed or baked amber lite.
See the gepressed air bubbles in the three examples above? It took millions of years to create this effect in this real and natural baltic sea amber.
Now look at the difference in the following art object.
Reconstructed amber has amber peices as drop ins into melted amber or plastic.
.
The abovepyramidis reconstructed amber-lite. It is still a beautiful art peice, however, it is melted amber with chips of amber dropped into it. The melted amber is put into forms which create the art peice or beads and peices of amber chips are dropped into the melted amber. When you see big flies in amber, those flies are not fossils, they are from someone kitchen!
Buy real and reconstructed amber, just know what you are getting.
Real natural amber also can be almost clear or full of gepressed air bubbles or ocean debris, like insects, moss, and other fossils trapped in the resin, ree sap. Real amber gets warm when rubbed, as plastic doesn't feel quite the same.
When buying amber, always ask the seller if it is natural untreated amber or if it is processed if it is not labeled in the listing.
There are many nice peices of reconstructed amber, just start to know the difference. A lot of work goes into creating amber art objects. Carving, setting and designing unique peices is an art! Start collecting you amber now, just be sure to ask where the amber is from, is it reconstructed or natural and enjoy the happiness that owning, giving and wearing amber brings. Amber brings joy to those who wear it and give it.
P.S.
Something I have learned on e-bay as a buyer. Be careful of any listed items starting at .01 cents as anyone who has real items will put a real price on it. Also be sure to look at shipping costs when the starting price is so low....remember if you have to ask for a refund, shipping won't get refunded and if you paid $25.00 to ship a .01 cents item, you have been cheated. So look at the entire listing, including shipping and handling.Ship[ping costs should be easy to figure out. I bought an item from China for .02 cents and then when the shipping was calculated from British Pound it was $49.99! Be very careful when buying from overseas, make sure you know the translated shipping amount. and don't be fooled like I was!
Peace and health to you
Zetroc
Dezigns by Zetroc
Real natural amber is different than reconstructed, pressed or amber-lite.
Real natural amber is different as the inclusions look different than processed amber
This is real natural baltic sea amber. See the variations in color. The rose is carved to highlight the variations. The amber chucks in this picture is from amber I have used in my art objects.
Real natural amber inclusions look like floating crystals, which they are, and the inclusions don't have harsh ridges like reconstructed, processed or baked amber lite.
See the gepressed air bubbles in the three examples above? It took millions of years to create this effect in this real and natural baltic sea amber.
Now look at the difference in the following art object.
Reconstructed amber has amber peices as drop ins into melted amber or plastic.
.
The abovepyramidis reconstructed amber-lite. It is still a beautiful art peice, however, it is melted amber with chips of amber dropped into it. The melted amber is put into forms which create the art peice or beads and peices of amber chips are dropped into the melted amber. When you see big flies in amber, those flies are not fossils, they are from someone kitchen!
Buy real and reconstructed amber, just know what you are getting.
Real natural amber also can be almost clear or full of gepressed air bubbles or ocean debris, like insects, moss, and other fossils trapped in the resin, ree sap. Real amber gets warm when rubbed, as plastic doesn't feel quite the same.
When buying amber, always ask the seller if it is natural untreated amber or if it is processed if it is not labeled in the listing.
There are many nice peices of reconstructed amber, just start to know the difference. A lot of work goes into creating amber art objects. Carving, setting and designing unique peices is an art! Start collecting you amber now, just be sure to ask where the amber is from, is it reconstructed or natural and enjoy the happiness that owning, giving and wearing amber brings. Amber brings joy to those who wear it and give it.
P.S.
Something I have learned on e-bay as a buyer. Be careful of any listed items starting at .01 cents as anyone who has real items will put a real price on it. Also be sure to look at shipping costs when the starting price is so low....remember if you have to ask for a refund, shipping won't get refunded and if you paid $25.00 to ship a .01 cents item, you have been cheated. So look at the entire listing, including shipping and handling.Ship[ping costs should be easy to figure out. I bought an item from China for .02 cents and then when the shipping was calculated from British Pound it was $49.99! Be very careful when buying from overseas, make sure you know the translated shipping amount. and don't be fooled like I was!
Peace and health to you
Zetroc
Dezigns by Zetroc
Pujols, Ichiro, short prints, true rookies...know this:
This is one thing that should help alot of new collectors, and that thing is to really do your research and know what you are buying. There are alot of hobby box sales from 2001 products where the vendor claims that it is possible to pull an RC of either Ichiro or Albert Pujols, where in fact it would be impossible because the manufacturer never had one made for that particular product, or it was available only through mail-in redemption. 2001 Bowman Chrome boxes will not allow you to pull the most elusive gem of the set, the $$$$$ card that is the Pujols Rc autograph. This was available via redemption- which is, of course, expired. The same goes for Fleer Premium, where there was a redemption program for 5 prospect.rookie cards- Pujols being one of them. You absolutely will not get that card out of a hobby box. Also, there was the product called Fleer Platinum RC, which "updated" alot of Fleer sets from 2001. This product gave you the chance to pull Pujols rookies from such brands as Fleer Ultra, Fleer Futures, and others. If you tried to buy a regular box of Fleer Ultra, well...you wouldn't have a chance of pulling that sought after card. Aside from chasing those key rookies from 2001, you want to keep an eye out for sales terms that appear in headlining text of items for sale. One that stands out to me is the term "sp". This universally is accepted as meaning a card is short printed within a base set of cards. Well, salesmen are using this term for regular cards- that are equally attainable apart from cards within the same set! Watch out for people selling a short printed Randy Johnson rookie issued by Topps in 1989. The news there is that there's probably millions of that same card across the world! It is 1989 Topps for crying out loud!!! (Thank God I haven't actaully seen this scenario...yet) Lastly, true rookies are pretty ambiguous nowadays...we have cards of 18 year olds in rookie league ball who don't make their MLB debut until they are in their early to mid twenties. In that time, a plethora of cards, from different years, are labeling the card as 'rookie", "prospect" or some other denotion that will lead you to believe that it is a true rookie card. I have seen guides that were recently written by Beckett Media that are obviously a real helpful tool if you are unaware of a players true rookie card. Minor League cards are not accepted as rookie cards, but manufacturers are making very affordable and collectible cards of hot prospects...where you could buy key autographs for a fraction of the price of major league manufacturers rookie year autographed cards (sometimes not actually noted as rookie cards, such as 2004 SP Prospects Bonus autographs).The key of knowing this stuff is to not buy items under false pretense. Knowledge allows one to be the best consumer one can be, and not allow others to wrongly benefit. Go check out chat rooms for topics that may help you as a guide, or buy books/magazines from well respected publications.***Recently, an okay member stated that you can possibly pull a Bowman Chrome auto rc of Pujols out of the hobby boxes. I called him out on it, but then he stated that he contacted Beckett personnel and they confirmed a handful may have made their way into packs. I remember a Beckett article where Topps officials stated that unredeemed autographs (including the Pujols) were destroyed, so there is some conflicting evidence regarding 2001 Bowman Chrome and your chance to pull a Pujols auto!
Celebration: Part 7: Harley 100th Anniversary 2003 Pins
Thisis a 8-part collectors' guide to pins offered for Harley-Davidson's 100th in 2003 (geplete with descriptions and pictures).
PART7shows pins from The Celebrationin Milwaukee in August2003.
At The Celebration, this was THE pin being sold.
The MDA was selling a number of things. They were selling the round header pin and the final MDA rocker to geplete the Open Road Tour rocker set.
They were also taking orders for the geplete boxed set. (Obviously, the set did not include the rocker from the cancelled Mexico City ORT event.)
They were also selling the 8 different facility pin/coin sets.These sets were to be sold at each of the locations as well. The pins are:
Juneau Avenue
Pilgrim Road
Capitol Drive
Tomahawk
York
Kansas City
Willie G Davidson Product Development Center
Franklin Distribution Center (RARE - Accidentally, only 2,000 were produced.)
Note the sharp detail on these pins, both on the front and the engraving on the back. It appears that there may be some factory seconds or bootlegs floating around okay. Check them out closely before buying. If you want bigger, higher res photos of pins I purchased personally at The Celebration, let me know.
EAA Pin: 2003 was also the anniversary of the Wright brothers' successful powered flights at Kitty hawk, so the EAA was celebrating too. The EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh, WI offered Harley visitors an official gememorative pin marking both the cycle maker's and powered flight's centennials. The back reads simply, "August 2003, Made in USA".
During The Celebration, the Buell Factory in East Troy, WI, was offering tours. They hada booth right outside the entranceselling these Buell 20th anniversary pins.
On the Summerfest grounds during The Celebration, there was a small booth just outside the Miller Beer Oasis. They were selling this rare little beauty. It seems Miller High Life was celebrating their 100th too!
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you'll give me a YES vote below.
Please check my other guides for more Harley 100th Anniversary pins including:
Part 1: Dealer Silver: All sterling silver 100th anniversary pins sold by Harley dealerships.
Part 2: Dealer Miscellaneous: All "non-silver" 100th pins sold by Harley dealerships.
Part 3: Open Road Tour: All Open Road Tour pins (2002-2003).
Part 4: Pin Stop Pins: All 2003 HOG Pin Stop and HOG Hospitality pins.
Part 5: Open House: All 2003 Open House pins.
Part 6: The Ride Home: The 2003 Ride Home pin (and set).
Part 7: The Celebration: Pins from The Celebration in Milwaukee in August 2003.
Part 8: Miscellaneous: Miscellaneous pins from 2003 not listed in previous sections.
PART7shows pins from The Celebrationin Milwaukee in August2003.
At The Celebration, this was THE pin being sold.
The MDA was selling a number of things. They were selling the round header pin and the final MDA rocker to geplete the Open Road Tour rocker set.
They were also taking orders for the geplete boxed set. (Obviously, the set did not include the rocker from the cancelled Mexico City ORT event.)
They were also selling the 8 different facility pin/coin sets.These sets were to be sold at each of the locations as well. The pins are:
Juneau Avenue
Pilgrim Road
Capitol Drive
Tomahawk
York
Kansas City
Willie G Davidson Product Development Center
Franklin Distribution Center (RARE - Accidentally, only 2,000 were produced.)
Note the sharp detail on these pins, both on the front and the engraving on the back. It appears that there may be some factory seconds or bootlegs floating around okay. Check them out closely before buying. If you want bigger, higher res photos of pins I purchased personally at The Celebration, let me know.
EAA Pin: 2003 was also the anniversary of the Wright brothers' successful powered flights at Kitty hawk, so the EAA was celebrating too. The EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh, WI offered Harley visitors an official gememorative pin marking both the cycle maker's and powered flight's centennials. The back reads simply, "August 2003, Made in USA".
During The Celebration, the Buell Factory in East Troy, WI, was offering tours. They hada booth right outside the entranceselling these Buell 20th anniversary pins.
On the Summerfest grounds during The Celebration, there was a small booth just outside the Miller Beer Oasis. They were selling this rare little beauty. It seems Miller High Life was celebrating their 100th too!
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you'll give me a YES vote below.
Please check my other guides for more Harley 100th Anniversary pins including:
Part 1: Dealer Silver: All sterling silver 100th anniversary pins sold by Harley dealerships.
Part 2: Dealer Miscellaneous: All "non-silver" 100th pins sold by Harley dealerships.
Part 3: Open Road Tour: All Open Road Tour pins (2002-2003).
Part 4: Pin Stop Pins: All 2003 HOG Pin Stop and HOG Hospitality pins.
Part 5: Open House: All 2003 Open House pins.
Part 6: The Ride Home: The 2003 Ride Home pin (and set).
Part 7: The Celebration: Pins from The Celebration in Milwaukee in August 2003.
Part 8: Miscellaneous: Miscellaneous pins from 2003 not listed in previous sections.
Should i get Insurance when i buy a book?
Should i get insurance?
This is a great question and one that often gets overlooked by buyers. Is it worth it to buy insurance when i buy a book on okay? To this I say Yes, Yes, and Yes again. For the simple reason that a buyer usually elects to use media mail with they have there book shipped. For this is the cheapest route.
When you have your book shipped via media mail, you are taking a chance. It takes 7-9 business days for a package to arrive via media mail, and in that time you don't knowhow your package is being handled. Also media mail is subject to inspection.With any handling there could be damage done.
Insurance protects the buyer andthe seller. This way if something happens to your book, you can get afull refund. That way you don'tblame theseller for the damage done to a purchased item.
Another thing to consider when buying is how the seller ships their products. If the sellerdosn't specify that they are going to use a box, thanthat isjust another reason to protect your investment. Like anything it's better to be safe than sorry, and insure your purchase.
Would you like to gement on this Review? Do so here.
This is a great question and one that often gets overlooked by buyers. Is it worth it to buy insurance when i buy a book on okay? To this I say Yes, Yes, and Yes again. For the simple reason that a buyer usually elects to use media mail with they have there book shipped. For this is the cheapest route.
When you have your book shipped via media mail, you are taking a chance. It takes 7-9 business days for a package to arrive via media mail, and in that time you don't knowhow your package is being handled. Also media mail is subject to inspection.With any handling there could be damage done.
Insurance protects the buyer andthe seller. This way if something happens to your book, you can get afull refund. That way you don'tblame theseller for the damage done to a purchased item.
Another thing to consider when buying is how the seller ships their products. If the sellerdosn't specify that they are going to use a box, thanthat isjust another reason to protect your investment. Like anything it's better to be safe than sorry, and insure your purchase.
Would you like to gement on this Review? Do so here.
TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE - FENDI PURSES AND WALLETS
Use the basic principle of if it's too good to be true it probably is a fake. There are numerous knock-off Fendi purses and wallets out there. So many in fact that one could be easily confused. These purses and walletsunfortunately are being sold as genuine. Look carefully at all pictures prior to bidding. One MAJOR differenceis the snaps. Genuine Fendi's will have the word FENDI on the snap. Many fakes, either have not markingor have some unknown marking. I purchased a wallet that I thought was genuine until it arrived, and I was able to clearly see that the snaps did not say Fendi.
DO NOT rely solely on the box and wrapping. Knock-off brands also use Fendi-like boxes and tissue. Also, if the seller has external websites, you may want to explore these as well. I bidona Fendi purse, and then researched the sellers other websites. She claimed on okay to sell only genuine. However, her other website was for knock-offs. When I questioned her she said she sold both. However,she was unable to tell me how she determined which ones were real and which were imitations.
I like to inspect seams. If you pay close attention to seams, you can tell a great deal about the quality of the materials and workmanship. Seams on genuine Fendis are always straight and even, without irregular or uneven stitching. Linings on fakes are often sewn in an inferior manner or made of inferior materials.
One last thought, read back in the seller's feedback. You may have to look way back to see if there is any question of fakes. If so, it is highly suggestive that the product is aknock-off.Before you buy something this costly from an unknown seller, and if you truly want GENUINE, do your research anda little detective work. Always remember- if the deal istoo good to be true, your Fendiis probably not a genuine.
DO NOT rely solely on the box and wrapping. Knock-off brands also use Fendi-like boxes and tissue. Also, if the seller has external websites, you may want to explore these as well. I bidona Fendi purse, and then researched the sellers other websites. She claimed on okay to sell only genuine. However, her other website was for knock-offs. When I questioned her she said she sold both. However,she was unable to tell me how she determined which ones were real and which were imitations.
I like to inspect seams. If you pay close attention to seams, you can tell a great deal about the quality of the materials and workmanship. Seams on genuine Fendis are always straight and even, without irregular or uneven stitching. Linings on fakes are often sewn in an inferior manner or made of inferior materials.
One last thought, read back in the seller's feedback. You may have to look way back to see if there is any question of fakes. If so, it is highly suggestive that the product is aknock-off.Before you buy something this costly from an unknown seller, and if you truly want GENUINE, do your research anda little detective work. Always remember- if the deal istoo good to be true, your Fendiis probably not a genuine.
When they move out to their own place...
WHEN YOUR CHILD MOVES OUT ON THEIR OWN...
HOW TO FURNISH A STUDIO APARTMENT CHEAP
Working Title: How I saved my bank account the second time around...
Remember when you gave birth to your first child? You bought all new clothes, bought the best diapers money could buy? When your second child came along, you knew better... well here is a story with the same moral... I hope you find it funny, entertaining, open and honest. Nothing is as open or honest, or as funny or as entertaining as the truth...
My son turned 18 and graduated high school 2 years ago. When he said, 'Mom, I want to move to Phoenix', I thought my heart would break. My heart healed, but my pocketbook almost didn't. That's right, we did what you are planning to do. We bought him new dishes, new appliances, cleaning products, furniture, towels, bedding, personal care items, just about everything I would have bought myself if it had been me. You know what I say now? It ISN'T me. It's a kid who will move again and again and again and at no time will everything (or sometimes anything) acgepany him from one place to the next. The things that do won't be taken care of like I would take care of them. Let me explain...
LONG STORY SHORT...
We helped him find a studio apartment. Co-signed the lease. Rented a moving truck and helped him move. Went to visit him a month later and realized that the neat and tidy child I had raised had gone crazy. My beautiful oak table? Drink rings and burns from God Only Knows What. His mattress, boxsprings, and frame? Just the mattress now remained. 'Dude, what happened to your bed?' 'The room looked so small with the frame and boxspring that Ithrew it out and nowmy place looks a lot bigger'. Oh. The cleaning supplies? Still in the pretty-but-manly basket I had given him. The toaster, the coffee pot, the waffle iron, the can opener? Still in their boxes. I could continue in this vein, but you get the idea.I'll moveon... and, well,so did he. After his lease was up, the one I paid the rent on more often than he did, he moved to California. Threw most of the stuff away or stored it inMY garage. Yes, we rented another truck. Don't go there... After 5 months, he moved back to our fair little rural city. Didn't bring squat with him. Got a place with a 'friend'. Moved some stuff out of my garage. Things didn't work out there, so he gave notice and his 'friend' destroyed most of what was left. 'Mom, I'm moving back to Phoenix'. He moves down there with I don't know who, but apparently they had 'stuff'. My son took what he had left of the 'stuff' I gave him: Zip. Zero. Nada. Last month he calls and says 'Mom, I gotta get my own place. Will you help me?'. What is a mother to do? Read On...
FURNISHING A STUDIO FOR CHEAP...
okay is a great place to shop. I'm getting new dishes. The kid gets my old, mismatched and chipped stuff, along with some old, mismatched flatware. I'm getting new appliances. He gets what still works, including an old coffee pot that my husband has always hated. My husband loves the new one... The kid gets whatever stuff I can find at a garage sale, a penny okay sale, left overs from what I don't want, don't need, or don't use in my own home. A futon from walmart for $199? Nope. A futon that doubles as a bed and a couch from the garage sale down the street for $5 and a new bottle of lysol and febreeze. New bedding? Nope. Two sets of sheets withpower rangerson them that I got on okay for $2.50 apiece, and a blanket I used to tie down his bike with. New dishes? Nope. Free, right out of my kitchen. New towels? Nope. Free, right out of my bathroom. Cleaning products? Right out of my laundry room. Condiments? Out of my cabinets. Getting the picture?
WHAT ARE YOU REALLY TRYING TO SAY?
Here is the moral of my story: When it's time to let the bird fly, don't feather the nest with everything new. It won't last, and if it does, you wouldn't recognize it anyway. Make a list of everything they are going to need and then give them your old stuff and YOU get new. Buy it on okay, buy it from a garage sale, buy it anywhere you want to, but don't set up an apartment that you would live it. You aren't going to live there. What they don't like, let them buy and replace. After the 4th move...
TOTAL COST THE FIRST TIME: $1600.00
TOTAL COST THE SECOND TIME: $100.00
YOUR NEW DISHES: PRICELESS
Save the money you'd spend on new furnishings to help pay their rent or buy them food. Trust me. I know what you're thinking. You're thinking I'm crazy and your kid wouldn't.... Yes, your kid too.
My last child is 12. I've already started looking for my new dishes...
I didn't write this to regemend brands, but more to let you in for what's going to happen the first and second time your child moves out. Some things you can buy brand new very cheaply. The day after Thanksgiving, WallyWorld always has a big sale that includes $5 appliances, like coffee makers, waffle irons, irons, etc. Buy one of each and there is their Christmas all in a nut shell. But seriously, don't expect to see any of it when they move again... You usually hear or see the phrase "Go Big or Go Home", but in this area it is "Go Cheap or Go Home". Honest. Now I know you're going to do it big the first time. After they move the second time, gee back and read this again. You'll laugh. Hard!!!
If this article made you laugh or even crack a smile, then it was helpful and I'd appreciate your checking the 'helpful' box down below.
HOW TO FURNISH A STUDIO APARTMENT CHEAP
Working Title: How I saved my bank account the second time around...
Remember when you gave birth to your first child? You bought all new clothes, bought the best diapers money could buy? When your second child came along, you knew better... well here is a story with the same moral... I hope you find it funny, entertaining, open and honest. Nothing is as open or honest, or as funny or as entertaining as the truth...
My son turned 18 and graduated high school 2 years ago. When he said, 'Mom, I want to move to Phoenix', I thought my heart would break. My heart healed, but my pocketbook almost didn't. That's right, we did what you are planning to do. We bought him new dishes, new appliances, cleaning products, furniture, towels, bedding, personal care items, just about everything I would have bought myself if it had been me. You know what I say now? It ISN'T me. It's a kid who will move again and again and again and at no time will everything (or sometimes anything) acgepany him from one place to the next. The things that do won't be taken care of like I would take care of them. Let me explain...
LONG STORY SHORT...
We helped him find a studio apartment. Co-signed the lease. Rented a moving truck and helped him move. Went to visit him a month later and realized that the neat and tidy child I had raised had gone crazy. My beautiful oak table? Drink rings and burns from God Only Knows What. His mattress, boxsprings, and frame? Just the mattress now remained. 'Dude, what happened to your bed?' 'The room looked so small with the frame and boxspring that Ithrew it out and nowmy place looks a lot bigger'. Oh. The cleaning supplies? Still in the pretty-but-manly basket I had given him. The toaster, the coffee pot, the waffle iron, the can opener? Still in their boxes. I could continue in this vein, but you get the idea.I'll moveon... and, well,so did he. After his lease was up, the one I paid the rent on more often than he did, he moved to California. Threw most of the stuff away or stored it inMY garage. Yes, we rented another truck. Don't go there... After 5 months, he moved back to our fair little rural city. Didn't bring squat with him. Got a place with a 'friend'. Moved some stuff out of my garage. Things didn't work out there, so he gave notice and his 'friend' destroyed most of what was left. 'Mom, I'm moving back to Phoenix'. He moves down there with I don't know who, but apparently they had 'stuff'. My son took what he had left of the 'stuff' I gave him: Zip. Zero. Nada. Last month he calls and says 'Mom, I gotta get my own place. Will you help me?'. What is a mother to do? Read On...
FURNISHING A STUDIO FOR CHEAP...
okay is a great place to shop. I'm getting new dishes. The kid gets my old, mismatched and chipped stuff, along with some old, mismatched flatware. I'm getting new appliances. He gets what still works, including an old coffee pot that my husband has always hated. My husband loves the new one... The kid gets whatever stuff I can find at a garage sale, a penny okay sale, left overs from what I don't want, don't need, or don't use in my own home. A futon from walmart for $199? Nope. A futon that doubles as a bed and a couch from the garage sale down the street for $5 and a new bottle of lysol and febreeze. New bedding? Nope. Two sets of sheets withpower rangerson them that I got on okay for $2.50 apiece, and a blanket I used to tie down his bike with. New dishes? Nope. Free, right out of my kitchen. New towels? Nope. Free, right out of my bathroom. Cleaning products? Right out of my laundry room. Condiments? Out of my cabinets. Getting the picture?
WHAT ARE YOU REALLY TRYING TO SAY?
Here is the moral of my story: When it's time to let the bird fly, don't feather the nest with everything new. It won't last, and if it does, you wouldn't recognize it anyway. Make a list of everything they are going to need and then give them your old stuff and YOU get new. Buy it on okay, buy it from a garage sale, buy it anywhere you want to, but don't set up an apartment that you would live it. You aren't going to live there. What they don't like, let them buy and replace. After the 4th move...
TOTAL COST THE FIRST TIME: $1600.00
TOTAL COST THE SECOND TIME: $100.00
YOUR NEW DISHES: PRICELESS
Save the money you'd spend on new furnishings to help pay their rent or buy them food. Trust me. I know what you're thinking. You're thinking I'm crazy and your kid wouldn't.... Yes, your kid too.
My last child is 12. I've already started looking for my new dishes...
I didn't write this to regemend brands, but more to let you in for what's going to happen the first and second time your child moves out. Some things you can buy brand new very cheaply. The day after Thanksgiving, WallyWorld always has a big sale that includes $5 appliances, like coffee makers, waffle irons, irons, etc. Buy one of each and there is their Christmas all in a nut shell. But seriously, don't expect to see any of it when they move again... You usually hear or see the phrase "Go Big or Go Home", but in this area it is "Go Cheap or Go Home". Honest. Now I know you're going to do it big the first time. After they move the second time, gee back and read this again. You'll laugh. Hard!!!
If this article made you laugh or even crack a smile, then it was helpful and I'd appreciate your checking the 'helpful' box down below.
COMIC BUYING TIPS FOR NEW sERS
Hi,
I wanted to share some geic buying tips for mainly new okayers. I am a 30+ year collector. I both buy and sell geics on okay.
Tip 1# READ all the recent feedback from the seller you are considering buying from. I have a rule of not buying from any seller with under 98% postive feedback.
Tip 2# Read between the lines on some of the postive feedback for issues with shipping , grading etc. Often a buyer will NOT leave a negative because they don't want oneback. They will leave their negative in the form of a postive feedback. ( THIS ONE HAS CHANGED SINCE SELLERS CAN'T LEAVE NEGATIVE FEEDBACK NOW.)
Tip 3# Poor photos often mean a poor geic. Large clear photos or scans are the best.
Tip 4# Look for repeat customers. I have9 or10 favorite sellers I track in my okay. I trust these people. I will often pay more for a geic if I know it's in the grade they say it's in from past dealings with them.
Tip 5# Don't pay excessive shipping costs. Says a lot about the character of the person you are dealing with. I sent 340 geics to a buyer in New Jersey from Ohio for $10 bucks! AND I did not lose money on the shipping. I don't fault someone for covering their costs and even a small profit. One gemon way to run up costs is putting in a greater weight in the shipping ( zip code ) calculator than the item actually weighs.
Tip 6# Beware of a wide grade range in a listing. If it says Fine to Near Mint it's going to be closer to Fine. Also beware of a description but no actual grade given in the listing. Some sellers give a paragraph of details but NO GRADE. Email them to give you a grade.
Tip 7# You will often be bidding againest the same group of collectors. Check their gepleted listings to see who they often buy from and trust. YOU CAN FIND OUT WHO THEY ARE AFTER THEY LEAVE FEEDBACK. THIS ONE ALSO CHANGED WITH okay HIDING BIDDERS ID'S.
BUY IT NOW vs AUCTION TIPS. A lot of collectors don't use buy it now on geics. But they should! You really have to search but good deals can aways be found. I often buy file copies with buy it now. I saw oneGold Key file copyget 16 bids and sell for almost $30.00 by a popular seller recently. I had trackedthe same book in the same grade for over a month by another seller for $7.99 buy it now. It never sold the 1st 30 days. I bought it at $5.99 after the seller relisted it the second 30 day period. My Silver Surfer 4 6.0 was a buy it now. Well below what I have seen them go for during a regular auction. Search the newly listed geics with buy it now on a regular basis and you will find some deals. I RECENTLY BOUGHT SOME HIGH GRADE MARVELS AND A PEDIGREE" BUY IT NOW! " NEXT TO NOTHING ON COST.
Finalnotes. I have noticed something by tracking some Buy It Now geics for a long period of time. Some sellers if they do not sell a geic over the period of a month or two will relist the same geic and up the grade AND price in order to get it to sell. Beware of this. Saw this 3 times this week. One jumped from an 8.0 for $12.99 TO a 9.0 for $29.99! Same book.Needless to say I lost my interest and I was going to purchase it and a 7.0 he had this weekend. Not now.
Also I see some sellers who put in large letters " $ 500.00 GUIDE VALUE IN NEAR MINT ! " but in small print they are selling a geic in good condition. This is to get your attention and quick bid,but the geic they are selling is not going to begee near mint by magic. Not many Golden or Silver age geics truly near mint. Thank you and hope this was helpful!
I wanted to share some geic buying tips for mainly new okayers. I am a 30+ year collector. I both buy and sell geics on okay.
Tip 1# READ all the recent feedback from the seller you are considering buying from. I have a rule of not buying from any seller with under 98% postive feedback.
Tip 2# Read between the lines on some of the postive feedback for issues with shipping , grading etc. Often a buyer will NOT leave a negative because they don't want oneback. They will leave their negative in the form of a postive feedback. ( THIS ONE HAS CHANGED SINCE SELLERS CAN'T LEAVE NEGATIVE FEEDBACK NOW.)
Tip 3# Poor photos often mean a poor geic. Large clear photos or scans are the best.
Tip 4# Look for repeat customers. I have9 or10 favorite sellers I track in my okay. I trust these people. I will often pay more for a geic if I know it's in the grade they say it's in from past dealings with them.
Tip 5# Don't pay excessive shipping costs. Says a lot about the character of the person you are dealing with. I sent 340 geics to a buyer in New Jersey from Ohio for $10 bucks! AND I did not lose money on the shipping. I don't fault someone for covering their costs and even a small profit. One gemon way to run up costs is putting in a greater weight in the shipping ( zip code ) calculator than the item actually weighs.
Tip 6# Beware of a wide grade range in a listing. If it says Fine to Near Mint it's going to be closer to Fine. Also beware of a description but no actual grade given in the listing. Some sellers give a paragraph of details but NO GRADE. Email them to give you a grade.
Tip 7# You will often be bidding againest the same group of collectors. Check their gepleted listings to see who they often buy from and trust. YOU CAN FIND OUT WHO THEY ARE AFTER THEY LEAVE FEEDBACK. THIS ONE ALSO CHANGED WITH okay HIDING BIDDERS ID'S.
BUY IT NOW vs AUCTION TIPS. A lot of collectors don't use buy it now on geics. But they should! You really have to search but good deals can aways be found. I often buy file copies with buy it now. I saw oneGold Key file copyget 16 bids and sell for almost $30.00 by a popular seller recently. I had trackedthe same book in the same grade for over a month by another seller for $7.99 buy it now. It never sold the 1st 30 days. I bought it at $5.99 after the seller relisted it the second 30 day period. My Silver Surfer 4 6.0 was a buy it now. Well below what I have seen them go for during a regular auction. Search the newly listed geics with buy it now on a regular basis and you will find some deals. I RECENTLY BOUGHT SOME HIGH GRADE MARVELS AND A PEDIGREE" BUY IT NOW! " NEXT TO NOTHING ON COST.
Finalnotes. I have noticed something by tracking some Buy It Now geics for a long period of time. Some sellers if they do not sell a geic over the period of a month or two will relist the same geic and up the grade AND price in order to get it to sell. Beware of this. Saw this 3 times this week. One jumped from an 8.0 for $12.99 TO a 9.0 for $29.99! Same book.Needless to say I lost my interest and I was going to purchase it and a 7.0 he had this weekend. Not now.
Also I see some sellers who put in large letters " $ 500.00 GUIDE VALUE IN NEAR MINT ! " but in small print they are selling a geic in good condition. This is to get your attention and quick bid,but the geic they are selling is not going to begee near mint by magic. Not many Golden or Silver age geics truly near mint. Thank you and hope this was helpful!
Friday, September 9, 2011
Piers Anthony Xanth Series Book List
This is the current list of Xanth books. This guide is intended
to show the order and geplete list of the books. You will know the
order to buy or read them. This a very popular series of books. For
those of you that don't know these books are very punny and humerous
series. The stories are in set in magical land called Xanth. There are
lots of puns in these books. Currant bushes produce electricity. Joshua
Tree is a tree that used to be man named Joshua and has human hands for
leaves and arms for branches.
1. A Spell For Chameleon
2. The Source of Magic
3. Castle Roogna
4. Centaur Aisle
5. Ogre, Ogre
6. Night Mare
7. Dragon on a Pedestal
8. Crewel Lye a caustic yarn
9. Golem in Gears
10. Vale of Vole
11. Heaven Cent
12. Man From Mundania
13. Isle of View
14. Question Quest
15. The Color of Her Panties
16. Demons Don't Dream
17. Harpy Thyme
18. Geis of the Gargoyle
19. Roc and a Hard Place
20. Yon Ill Wind
21. Faun
to show the order and geplete list of the books. You will know the
order to buy or read them. This a very popular series of books. For
those of you that don't know these books are very punny and humerous
series. The stories are in set in magical land called Xanth. There are
lots of puns in these books. Currant bushes produce electricity. Joshua
Tree is a tree that used to be man named Joshua and has human hands for
leaves and arms for branches.
1. A Spell For Chameleon
2. The Source of Magic
3. Castle Roogna
4. Centaur Aisle
5. Ogre, Ogre
6. Night Mare
7. Dragon on a Pedestal
8. Crewel Lye a caustic yarn
9. Golem in Gears
10. Vale of Vole
11. Heaven Cent
12. Man From Mundania
13. Isle of View
14. Question Quest
15. The Color of Her Panties
16. Demons Don't Dream
17. Harpy Thyme
18. Geis of the Gargoyle
19. Roc and a Hard Place
20. Yon Ill Wind
21. Faun
Berta Hummel figurines
If you review this guide, please vote as to whether it was helpful or not as only in this manner can we who write guides know if we are helping.
PACKING AND SHIPPING OF ANTIQUE BISQUE HEAD DOLLS
There is nothing worse then receiving a broken antique bisque head doll in the mail due to poor packing by the Seller. No excuse for this to happen if you pack the doll well. When shipping out an antique bisque head doll you will need bubble wrap, peanuts,tape, and a bigger box then the doll which allows space around the doll on all sides for packing.First, you will remove the dolls pate andcarefully stuff the head with tissue.I do this whether the eyessleep or set, german or french. This is an added protection to a hollow bisque head and the weight connected to the eyes if left loose can shatter the head during shipping.Peanuts, toilet paper, paper towels, bubble wrap are in my opinion poor substitues. Tissue is softer and more pliable andcan easily go around the eye sockets,coils, etc. that are in the head.I stuff the eyes open if theeyesare the sleep eyes connected to a weight. This secures the eyes from moving and hitting the bisque head during transport. Dothiscarefully so that you don't dislodge and or break anything.Put the pate back on the doll as well as the wig. You can secure them with a rubber band (not a super tight one) or totally remove the pate and wig and include them in another bag.Remember, ifyou are going to put the wig and pate in another bag,stuff the inside of the wig with tissue so thatthe wigkeeps it's shape. I don't regemend thisfor the reason being it's nicefor the buyer to open up the box of the doll they purchased and see her in all her glory, geplete withpate and wig. Another way to gently secure the pate and wig is to wrap thethe head of the dollfairly tightly with tissue and tape. Next,I usually cut off small strips of bubble wrap and individually wrap the bubble wrap around each limb of the doll and secure with tapeor rubber bands. This protects the hands from damage such as broken fingers, also protects the feet from chips or damage to the shoes and socks. Next I stuff the inside of the dress with tissue so that it keeps it's fullness and doesn't get gepletely smashed downduring shipping. As mentioned earlier, I also wrap the head and hair securely with tissue as well before I use the bubble wrap.Tissue should also be used to wrapany accessories that gee with the doll. Now you are ready to wrap the entire doll in bubble wrap. I will usually cut off a strip of bubble wrap long enough to go all the way around doll ,Ipersonally use the small bubbles in the bubble wrap. The largebubbles are too hard to work with and make the doll super thick and it's hard to find a box to acgeodate the doll. I will literally wrap the doll gepletely from head to toe in the bubble wrap starting with the head so that she looks like a mummy. Make sure that you start the bubble wrap higher thenthe head so that you have left bubble wrap at the top of the head to fold over and this is also true of the feet. If the piece you cut off is too short then add to it with more bubble wrap.After you have securely and fairly tightly wrapped her fold over the top section around her head and the bottom section around the feet. You will secure with tape going over all loose ends and tape all the way around the doll. Don't get too carried away with tape. How many times have I spent an hour taking tape off a doll and having to cut mounds of it away almost cutting the dolls clothing at the same time. A kind okayer emailed me with her take on this and said she secures the doll with bubble wrap by using string which she ties around the bubble wrapped doll. She said with the string, all the buyer has to do is just untie the string or cording and then unwrap the doll with ease. I thought this was a good idea but either way works good and with your doll gepletely wrapped in bubble wrap she should look like mummy when done. Next, take a thick layer of peanuts and put in the bottom of the box. The box is a very important part and people tend to skimp on this whichcan bea very bad idea. The box should be long enough as well as tall enoughto allow extra room for packing the doll well on all sides.After you have a nice thick layer ofpeanuts in the floor of the box, lay the doll face down in the box. This helps to secure the eyes from hitting the bisque should the tissue paper begee dislodged somehow (which shouldn't happen if you used enough of it). Now you will add peanuts all the way around the doll, packing the peanuts down with your hands to make sure that you are filling up any holes. I usually gently shake the box to make sure of this. Keep adding peanuts around the doll on all sides and gently packing them down with hands. You shouldn't be able to see the doll anymore and the peanuts will be at the very top of the box when you are finished. ONE IMPORTANT THING!! You are getting ready to close the box, make sure that you haven't forgotten the hat, parasol, any extras that came with the doll. This happens all the time. Go over everything thatgees with her. I stand hats up on their sides at the edge of the box. so that the peanuts are not affected at all and the doll is still packed securely. Now close up the box with tape. Tape all the way around the box. Tape up any exposed seams on the box as well. Now this is up to you but after I have taped up that side, I sometimes will turn the box over and open it up on the other side to make sure that the peanuts are securelypackedaround the doll and that there are no spots that were missed by the peanuts. I might even add a little more peanuts to make sure. I will then tape the doll back up taping all the way around box in all directions. I usually double tape in many cases. Now your ready to go to the post office. Several things to keep in mind. If sending international, they have limits on box sizes. If you are in doubt, go to the usps website to check this out You need to make sure that the box you are using is not oversized and if it is there is a surcharge for oversized boxes. For international shipping youcannow ship priority which I highly regemend as there is a small amount of built ininsuranceusing this method that lots of people aren't aware of. I personally send most of my expensive bisque head dollsRegistered Mail, you will need a plain box and you will use brown tape only on the outside of the box to secure it. I usually tape my registered packages with clear tape and then go over it with the brown tape, it's up to you. You can use painters tape purchased at a hardware store (Home Depot, etc.), it's cheaper then the expensive brown mailing tape and I use glue to secure it.Registered mail allows you to ship the doll the safest way possible and you can also fully insure it.You will find the shipping fees to be very gepetitive if not cheaper then the other methods available to you.Each Post Office that handles thepackaged doll will need to sign for the package and lock the package away in a vault until she arrives to her proper destination. An FYI, you can order all your priority mailing supplies online and everything is free for your mailings. Get on theUSPS website toplace your order for the size boxes you will need and the postman will bring them to your house. Another option is to get the brown painters paper also found at your local hardware store. This is a long brown paper found on a long role that you can wrap your boxes in as well. This brown paper is very inexpensive and gives me a nice clean surface to putyour mailing addresses on. This is a great option for boxes with too much writing on them or too much tape on them that I just don't want to remove.I personally do not double box my dolls as I find thisexpensive and cumbersome. If you wrap your doll extremely wellusing the correct equipment andtoolsthen she will arrive safe andsound.
Spotting a Fake Return to Tiffany
Hi~ I just wanted to share a bit of my knowledge about the "Return to Tiffany
CHINA QING DYNASTY
Beware about 90% or more of China okayers auctions are"FAKE" or "REPRODUCED" coins. One description states "
you are bidding collectible 12 pcs ChineseFromQing Dynastyto Republic silver coins4 , they are made of silver .This is a truly incredible handicraft, both for its charm and its rarity. It reflects the very high handicraft level . They have highvaluable collection. Don't lose the chance for get it .
Diameter :4 cm
Material :30%silver
Origin: China
This seller offers 12 silver coins for a bid of 1 cent or .99 centsand shipping US$19.00. Seller also offers a return policy of auction price of 1 cent or the .99. However, the shipping is not refundable. Thisokayer is a Power Seller [SEA_BISCUIT_LIKE] and has 1 other known okay ID [SPRING-SEA]which is also a Power seller, bothhave okay stores. Bottom line, these coins are FAKE and contain no SILVER as stated in the description. They are very nice reproductions that will stick to a magnet, and will rust if exposed to damp or humid conditions. So beware whenpurchasing any coins fromChina. [sellall2000]
Another seller, ID chinatown-antiquer, member since Feb. 12th, 2005,is also linked with the two above seller IDs.
Another seller ID found, chinatowns-antiquer, member since Feb. 12th, 2005.
All are selling large amounts of fake silver coins that should never be allowed to enter the USA.
you are bidding collectible 12 pcs ChineseFromQing Dynastyto Republic silver coins4 , they are made of silver .This is a truly incredible handicraft, both for its charm and its rarity. It reflects the very high handicraft level . They have highvaluable collection. Don't lose the chance for get it .
Diameter :4 cm
Material :30%silver
Origin: China
This seller offers 12 silver coins for a bid of 1 cent or .99 centsand shipping US$19.00. Seller also offers a return policy of auction price of 1 cent or the .99. However, the shipping is not refundable. Thisokayer is a Power Seller [SEA_BISCUIT_LIKE] and has 1 other known okay ID [SPRING-SEA]which is also a Power seller, bothhave okay stores. Bottom line, these coins are FAKE and contain no SILVER as stated in the description. They are very nice reproductions that will stick to a magnet, and will rust if exposed to damp or humid conditions. So beware whenpurchasing any coins fromChina. [sellall2000]
Another seller, ID chinatown-antiquer, member since Feb. 12th, 2005,is also linked with the two above seller IDs.
Another seller ID found, chinatowns-antiquer, member since Feb. 12th, 2005.
All are selling large amounts of fake silver coins that should never be allowed to enter the USA.
Unity Sand Ceremony - Alternative for Modern Weddings
This guide is to provide individuals planning a wedding with informationabout the unity sand ceremony set, including how to perform the ceremony and Do-It-Yourself ideas.
Sand Ceremony:
The Unity Sand Ceremony is a novel alternative for the popular "unity candle ceremony" incorporated into many of today's weddings. The sand ceremony set is also more appropriate for an outdoor setting or a beach wedding. The essence is to symbolize the union of "two into one." Once the colored sand mixes, it cannot be separated again, thus providing the couple with a beautiful visual representation of their two lives joining in marriage.
There are many different ways to perform the ceremony. Below is an example of one way the ceremony can be performed.
Step One: The Groom will gemence by pouring a portion of his colored sand into the central glass vase.
Step Two: The Bride will follow by pouring a portion of her colored sand also into the central vase creating a layered effect.
Step Three: To geplete the ceremony, the Groom and Bride simultaneously pour the balance of their sand into the central container. To make this process a little easier, create a funnel using decorative paper. Personalize the funnel by including names, date or even poetry that holds a special meaning for the Bride and Groom. The co-mingling of the colored sand represent the joining of the Bride and Groom. Consult with your wedding officiate in order to customize the readings and sentiments that will acgepany this ceremony.
Step Four: Following the wedding, the two outside vases can be used to display fresh flowers while the central vase will remain a cherished keepsake of your wedding day.
For religious ceremonies, couples can have the officiate start by pouring white sand into the center vase to represent the couples spiritual foundation. When the couple pours their sand into the center vase, the officiate can also add the white sand to represent the union of the couple with their spiritual foundation.
Blending Family Ceremony:
For families joining together through marriage, the blending family ceremony is also a great idea. Each member of the family, including the children, has a different sand color. The mixing of the various sand colors is a fitting way to symbolize the new Blended Family that will result from this union. Although there are no set guidelines for this ceremony, generally the sand is poured into the central vase in the following order:
1. Father 2. Mother3. Children 4. Father
Sand Ceremony:
The Unity Sand Ceremony is a novel alternative for the popular "unity candle ceremony" incorporated into many of today's weddings. The sand ceremony set is also more appropriate for an outdoor setting or a beach wedding. The essence is to symbolize the union of "two into one." Once the colored sand mixes, it cannot be separated again, thus providing the couple with a beautiful visual representation of their two lives joining in marriage.
There are many different ways to perform the ceremony. Below is an example of one way the ceremony can be performed.
Step One: The Groom will gemence by pouring a portion of his colored sand into the central glass vase.
Step Two: The Bride will follow by pouring a portion of her colored sand also into the central vase creating a layered effect.
Step Three: To geplete the ceremony, the Groom and Bride simultaneously pour the balance of their sand into the central container. To make this process a little easier, create a funnel using decorative paper. Personalize the funnel by including names, date or even poetry that holds a special meaning for the Bride and Groom. The co-mingling of the colored sand represent the joining of the Bride and Groom. Consult with your wedding officiate in order to customize the readings and sentiments that will acgepany this ceremony.
Step Four: Following the wedding, the two outside vases can be used to display fresh flowers while the central vase will remain a cherished keepsake of your wedding day.
For religious ceremonies, couples can have the officiate start by pouring white sand into the center vase to represent the couples spiritual foundation. When the couple pours their sand into the center vase, the officiate can also add the white sand to represent the union of the couple with their spiritual foundation.
Blending Family Ceremony:
For families joining together through marriage, the blending family ceremony is also a great idea. Each member of the family, including the children, has a different sand color. The mixing of the various sand colors is a fitting way to symbolize the new Blended Family that will result from this union. Although there are no set guidelines for this ceremony, generally the sand is poured into the central vase in the following order:
1. Father 2. Mother3. Children 4. Father