Lilolladystuff

When you bring treasures home often they could use a cleaning to bring out their beauty, but be careful what and how you clean stuff or you may remove the value while removing dirt.

Some things are supposed to remain in more of their natural state like primitive furniture and items. Usually it is okay to remove major dirt, caked on mud and some rust in a gentle way, but do not clean so much that the original finish is affected.

When you have fragile paper items like books and posters using a gentle duster is about all you can do. Some mild washing may be okay for the binding depending on what it is made of. Check Internet or library resources to know the best way to clean them.

Dolls almost always could benefit by a light cleansing. Use special vinyl cleaner to remove marks and wash gently around eyes and open mouths so as not to get water inside. Their clothes could be hand washed in baby detergent or Woolite. Be gentle with older dolls and only clean as directed. Scrubbing too hard in some cases could result in breakage and irreversible damage.
With some glass ware and pottery you can use bleach or vinegar to remove stains, but again if fragile be very careful about what methods you use.

Jewelry should be cleaned with a good jewelry cleaner, but use recommended methods for old rhinestones and vintage pieces that seem to be glued together. If pieces seem weak or fragile, consider leaving them as is.

Any very valuable item or art in most case should be professionally cleaned and restored.

Everyone uses coffee mugs and there are millions to choose from thus they could make a very nice collection.

Your coffee mug could be an additional extension of your other collection. If you already collect a certain type of pottery and you can add coffee mugs to it that is part of that pottery collection. My husband has some Labrador Retriever coffee mugs which go with his Lab collection, but he also has others as well. If you begin to find lots of interesting mugs, that may be the start of a whole new collection.

To just collect coffee mugs, you might consider first what area of collecting appeals to you within the field of coffee mugs. There are mugs with dogs and cats, floral designs, funny sayings, about different occupations, and souvenir mugs to name just a few. The ones from states, countries, or attractions can be still further divided into other categories.

You may only want to collect pottery ones or ceramic ones. Maybe you wish to collect just those gimmicky ones that do something or have a silly secret function or mystery.

Once you decide what to collect, you will find them almost everywhere from Wal-Mart to antique shops and thrift stores.
Find a safe place to store or display them. Possibly a glass fronted china cabinet or maybe a shelf on the wall. Will you actually use them? It might be fun to have your morning coffee from a different cup every day for a year. Maybe you want to use just the kitchen cabinet for storage or a row of cup hooks or a cup rack to hold them. Keep them safe and if you decide to use them, clean and dry them carefully.

Coffee mugs could be a reasonable priced collection and one that could be very entertaining.

If someone called you a Phillumenist, there would be no need to be offended or upset. That just refers to the fact that you are a collector of match covers and other related match items. This unusual field of collecting is called Phillumeny.

Before computers were invented all publishing and printing was done in a more lengthy process. Some of the best art from those times was found on everyday items such as match books, match boxes, match labels, and match covers.

The people who collect these things are just preserving some common art of the day whose excellence can hardly be found in today’s more common items.

In 1826, a man named John Walker, invented the friction match. The gentlemen of this time period began carrying around holders to keep the matches in and strikers to use the matches against. These items are rarer and are highly collectible.
The match cover of a match book offered a way to carry both at one. The striker was right on the pack.

The art is what is relay collectible. Advertisers took advantage of this item that many used to put their message on and did it in a beautiful and artistic way.

For beginners, you can start trying to find any kind of match box or match book. Usually the labels are hard to find and will only be available through other collectors or dealers. The boxes and books could technically be found anywhere, even in gutters and the trash. There are still examples given away occasionally at hotels etc. so there would be a starting point. The matches are removed and just the covers collected in most cases. Once you start getting too many, you will then need to specialize. Some collectors specialize in eras, or just a particular type of label or book.

To find more for your collection, you could advertize in collector’s magazines or the newspaper. Check out antique and collectible shops and search out dealers who just specialize in these items. Don’t forget you can join clubs as well to further your knowledge and collection.

Since your home is truly a reflection of who you are and what pleases you, there are few hard and fast rules to live by when decorating. But choosing art, though a personal expression also, is important that it ‘feels right’ in room. Your bedroom should be a place of harmony, peace, and sanctuary so should not contain any jarring elements.

Art for your bedroom should be chosen with several things in mind and these tips should help with those choices.

Step1- Pick some artwork that agrees with your style. For example, if your bedroom is romantic or more traditional, you would not want anything too modern like a Picasso.

Step2- Find artwork that reflects your theme if there is one. An example would be when you feature lots of floral in your fabrics, a picture of a garden or flower arrangement would be very nice. Birds would be complimentary to this scheme. Even a scenic picture if it was soft and complimentary to your tone for that room.

Step3- Try to pick up the colors in your color scheme in a painting for a truly unified look. You will usually find all artwork has a few colors that are most dominate and these should match or coordinate with your chosen colors for the décor of your bedroom.

Step4- Don’t select any artwork that is too violent in nature or harsh for the bedroom. If that type appeals to you, place it in another room.

Step5-If you are choosing a sculpture, let it reflect the mood you are trying to achieve in your bedroom. It can be sweet, ethereal, pleasant, lovely, sensual, but not too realistic.

Step6-Artwork for any room should be uplifting and pleasing to the eye, but it is most important in a bedroom where you are trying to create an atmosphere that is special for a couple.

Step7- Choosing bedroom art is more about what adds to the harmony and calmness of the place and less about how valuable it is.

Step8- Choices of art for the bedroom should always be subjects that both people enjoy and nothing that causes either of you to feel uncomfortable.

Buying at an auction is easy, but there are several tips which will make your experience more successful. You should know why you are going to an auction. Is it to find a needed item less expensive? Is it to find something rare and scarce; or are you just wanting to experience the fun of buying at an auction? Whatever your goal, there are tips to make it a better time.

First decide your motivation for going to an auction. If you want to purchase something common, but needed cheaper than in the retail stores, look for household auctions listed in the newspaper. Many used items will be available. These are usually run of the mill events where a variety of a person’s household goods are going on the auction block. Often this is to settle an estate after someone passes away. Sometimes it is to sell out extra stuff when an older couple downsizes. These auctions usually have lots of stuff and the majority will go inexpensive if it is not full of antiques or attended by a lot of sentimental family members.
If you are looking for something collectible, antique, or rare try estate auctions which mention in their ads that such things are offered or auction houses that specialize in better quality items or high end ones. Expect to spend more at these types of auctions especially if you receive a catalogue of the auction offerings. Catalogues often advise of the expected price the item should bring. Some auctions have reserves and this just means that the owner has set a price and will not sell it cheaper than that figure. If the reserve is not met, the item will not be sold.

If you just want the fun of buying at auction try a regular weekly auction or the household ones. You never know what you will find at these auctions since often the household ones cannot list all of it and the weekly ones do not advertise everything if they advertise at all.

First step is to consult your newspaper to find a suitable auction to attend. Second is to arrive in time to view the auction. There is a preview time set so you can actually examine what you are interested in.

While spending time previewing what is offered take a notebook and make notes of what interests you and if possible what you are willing to pay for that item. Sometimes things will never reach the cost you have set and other times they will start above where you hoped to finish. Make sure you examine items carefully so you know exactly what you are bidding on. Use a loupe or magnifying glass to be able to check for manufacturer’s marks etc. Check for markings to see if this is by the company you thought and write down any damage you find so you can bid accordingly.

If you bring collectors books to the auction, you can return to your car to check out what is going up for bid to be sure of what it is and what it is worth. Remember all items do not bring the price of what the book suggests it is worth. Prices are affected by what the market will bear and how many bidders want that same item.

Before the auction starts be sure to obtain your bidding number. To bid usually you will need to register and sometimes depending on the type of auction (very select ones offering very high end items or real estate etc.) show bank information or credit worthiness. Most times just name etc will get you a bidding number. Most newspaper ads will let you know what type payment they will accept.

Choose a good place where you can see and hear the auctioneer and view the items. Many people bring boxes, newspapers, or other stuff to wrap items in if they intend to purchase lots of items.

When the item or lot comes up for bidding be prepared to get into the action. When you want to bid, just raise your card with your number. Play close attention as to where the bid is and where you want to go with it. Auctioneers often talk very fast so listen carefully. He will point at you if it is your turn to up the bid and if you wish to just nod or raise the card again. If not, shake your head no. It is that simple.

If you have won, they usually will bring the item to you and mark down your cost and your number to be paid at the end of the auction or whenever you leave. Just pay before you go and you have successfully bid at your first auction.
Remember to set a budget for your visit to an auction or to set a price you will not go beyond for the item. Auctioneers are very persuasive and you should be careful to not let auction fever overcome you.

Have fun and happy bidding.

Besides books, videos, the librarian at your local library, antique shops, collectors clubs and magazines, and speaking to other collectors, there are a couple shows on TV that you may find informative.

First of all if you have never watched Antique Roadshow, you are missing an entertaining and educational program. The show travels from city to city and sets up at a place where the public can bring their treasures for identification and evaluation.
Sometimes, the show is just filled with the most beautiful, unusual or amazing items. They often feature several very high priced and rare treasures. You can watch the little lesson that is given in regards to each item and the faces of the people who bring them in as they discover they have a museum piece or just a piece of junk or even a fake. It is an enjoyable show and even worth taking some notes while watching. They even go to England and that is always a great show.

Lately, there have been two others I get into- one is called The Pickers- these are the folks who go out to find these wonderful collectibles in some of the most unusual places. They buy, clean up and turn the item around quickly often selling wholesale to another dealer or shop or collector. They travel the countryside across the nation and discover wonderful things in barns, old factories, and old buildings of many kinds. It is extremely interesting to watch then haggle and bargain till the price is agreed upon. These two guys are practical but real collectors themselves so sometimes their passions get in the way and they show you what happens in that case also.

The last show, usually right after The Pickers, is the Pawn Stars. This is a huge and higher end pawn shop run by a guy with his father and his son. The characters on this show are almost as much fun as the stuff people bring in to pawn or sell. They get amazing and unusual stuff which often requires an expert to really identify or even value. You just won’t believe the wonderful rarities that make their way through this paw shop’s door.

One thing a new collector should learn is how to evaluate the condition of a doll. When purchasing a doll, condition should be a deciding factor. In some cases, condition must be your only consideration, other times it is less important, but a collector can never go wrong when buying the best condition you can afford.

Perfect condition, the way your doll looked originally, is called mint condition. If your old doll comes in the original box or packaging, your condition is called mint in the box or MIB. You can expect to pay a high price for a doll in mint condition, a premium price for a MIB one. Remember, mint condition means your doll is as good as when it was first sold. This is not an easy condition to find since dolls are playthings. That is the reason a higher price is attached to a doll in this shape.

You can expect to pay top dollar for an older doll in mint condition, a doll in good or fair condition would cost much less. Never consider a doll in poor condition unless it is very rare and cheap. These dolls may offer a chance to learn something.

Different types of dolls may have different problems. When buying a vinyl doll, make sure no fingers or toes are chewed. Avoid ink, permanent marker, lipstick and nail polish anywhere on the doll. Some excellent cleaning products are now on the market, but are cautious when purchasing dolls.

Porcelain dolls must be checked for missing parts or cracks that could shatter your investment. Color should be excellent.

Composition dolls can contain “crazing”(minute cracks all over) that effect appearance. Some is acceptable ii rare dolls.

Cloth dolls need to not be torn, not badly repaired, and fabric still bright.

Hair and eyes are important. Eyes that are white faded, discolored, or rusty should be avoided. Eyes should open and close easily. Hair should be uncut and all there. It is considered excellent to mint condition if the hair still retains the original set. The same is true with clothing. Very old dolls may be redressed in appropriate period clothes. With some dolls, the clothing is a major part such as Madame Alexanders, Ginnys, or Barbies. Look for clothes with original tags. Shoes and socks should be those that your doll came with when new.

Restoring dolls to like-new condition is okay, but it effects the value of the doll in most cases. Many redressed dolls are beautiful and if value is unimportant, add clothes that you enjoy. Be aware your redressed doll will not be mint condition.

The beginning collector can always find less than perfect dolls at good prices. Have fun and buy these dolls. Adopt the attitude that any doll can be loved, but for investment, buy the best condition you can afford.

Depression glass is collectible that originated during the depression in the 3o’s and even a bit earlier. It was very inexpensive glass made by taking glass making ingredients that had been melted in a tank and then forcing that through pipes into molds. It was very cheap and even was used by advertisers as a giveaway.

The colors were kept bright in a contrast to the colorlessness of the era. Green was the most popular and pink most desirable. It also came in a clear color which was a bit heavier glass.

The most appealing part of this glassware is that it came in numerous patterns which were pressed into the glass. Many folks collect strictly by pattern, attempting to find all pieces ever manufactured in that pattern. Others do collect by color as well.
The most well known manufacturers of Depression glass include Anchor Hocking Glass Company, Jeanette, Indiana Glass Co., and Hazel Atlas.

When collecting avoid any piece with cracks, chips, or breaks. It is okay if it has slight scratching marks or bubbles and ripples.

There are many reproductions out there so you must do research to find what patterns and items came in what colors. Learn how the glass feels and looks and what the weight feels like in order to avoid the reproductions.

Kewpie dolls are wonderful characters and very popular from the early 1900’s. They were originally drawn by Rose O’ Neill and illustrated her stories in the Ladies Home Journal of 1909.The very first Kewpies were not produced until 1912. Dolls then were actually based on a sculpture by Joseph Callus, a well known artist.

The Kewpie character was supposed to be a helper and in the stories would perfume good deeds in humorous ways. Sometimes O’ Neill would have them promoting women’s suffrage and other times fighting injustice.They were first produced bin Ohrdruf, German.

To be an authentic older Kewpie doll they must have blue wings on their shoulders. The newest vinyl ones often sport nude colored wings. They also should have that top knot of molded hair to be the real deal.

They were made of a variety of materials and this is a great consideration in age and the resulting price. Some materials included all bisque, celluloid, composition, early vinyl, hard plastic, chalk and the vinyl of today.

The original ones should be signed Rose O’ Neil, but were not always. Sometimes they were unmarked. Other times the simple words O’ Neill were on the bottom of the foot. Often they just said, Made in Germany. Other times, they were marked with a red paper heart. Later in the 1920’s to 1940’s, the Cameo manufacturing company made some. In 1949, there were mainly bisque and celluloid.Some older ones actually had hinged joints.

One of the most well known doll makers that also produced Kewpies was Kestner. Their dolls of all kinds were well loved and valued.

In the 1970’s, the original Kewpie mold was sold to Strombocker Corporation. Eventually the original Kewpie mold was sold to Jesco.

The latest company to produce the vinyl Kewpies is Charisma Company which is owned by Marie Osmond.
When purchasing a Kewpie doll make sure if it is an original or just a reproduction or later issue. The older ones will be much more expensive.

If buying a composition Kewpie, look for just a little crazing with no cracks. There should be no peeling paint and the cheek color should be good. You have found a much greater doll when it also is wearing its original costume. Lots of later dolls come with nothing on, but the composition early ones had costumes.

Rose O’ Neill was not just an artist and author, but a great businesswoman, somewhat of a rarity for her time. She licensed several other types of products using the Kewpie illustration so there is much available to round out your collections. There are also Kewpie Kutouts which were paper dolls.

There are five great reasons why you should send a gift baskets“>gift basket. The first that comes to mind is when you do not know the recipient well, so need to find something everyone would enjoy. It is very difficult to find a gift when you know almost nothing about the person. A second reason may be a lack of time to shop. To shop properly for someone you need to spend time that you may not have right now. Third some people also lack the creativity in putting a gift basket together themselves. If you allow the experts to do it, the results will be outstanding. The fourth reason is that you do not need to know about a size. Buying clothing is awkward when you must guess the size and could make a horrible blunder by buying the wrong one. Fifth, you can send a gift basket far away easily since they do the shipping. This means no standing in line to mail it, no finding the right box or tape to make it mail ready. They take care of all of that for you.

One of the best gift baskets I ever received was full of luxury bath items in my favorite scent to make me feel elegant. But the choices are amazing at gift baskets<">1800 Baskets.