Considering a Home Brewery Making Money from Your Hobby

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Once you see your friends once too often at your door, for the excuse of borrowing a hammer, a needle, a thread, or even your great grandmother's chamber pot, and linger too long to be invited for that cold mug of home made beer, it's time for you to think of investing in a commercial home brewery.

Most commonly, home brewing beer is thought of as a production for personal consumption activity. However, this may not necessarily be the case always. Even if you started as a hobby, once you know your commercial value, you can go into business. Some people would even patronize you knowing that the production is personally looked over by the owner and not by a multitude of layers of administration staff.

It is not enough, however, to know how appreciated your homebrew recipes are. You should also first look into the economics of commercially brewing your beer. First, will you be able to get beer making supplies at a relatively low cost to be able to price your product competitively? When you brew beer for your personal consumption, you don't normally mind the costs too much because in the end you would want to satisfy yourself with what you are drinking. Like the food connoisseurs, they don't mind the cost of what they're eating as long as their palates are happy. This should no longer be the case if you make a commercial home brewery.

Costs must be kept low. Obviously, you would want to open a home brewery to get some profits. If you are just selling to make other people appreciate your discovered beer recipe, save yourself the bother of going into business. Just hold a party and keep the beer flowing.

When you have calculated your possible cash flows, next to ask should be, would you be able to maintain your excellent brew if costs are lowered? Possible patrons might stop drinking your product if you sacrifice its taste to pull down production costs. If you do so, the whole point of selling your brew because of the demand for it would be lost. It is good to scout for other suppliers other than your trusty just-around-the-corner home brew shop. Other suppliers might be able to offer you better costs than the one you originally go to. Sometimes, it might be more economic for you to get supplies from far areas than be at the mercy of suppliers near you.

There are other things you would need to consider like hiring other people to be able to produce more, registering your business, and other processes necessary. You have to get a patent so that in case another person discovers your outstanding recipe, he or she will not be able to produce it for market. Also, most often than not, your country would have alcohol duties imposed on commercial distilleries. Once you've got these intricacies down to pat, you are ready to open your home brewery.

Collecting Whimsical Dolls

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Dolls are highly collectible as well as being a little girl's favorite plaything. Sadly, the two are not really compatible as to keep value in your doll collection it needs to be in as good a condition as possible - ideally, in its original packaging.

The fantastical and whimsical are super-popular right now. Youngsters are delving into fantasy worlds in books and films like the Twilight series.

Whimsical dolls are just as imaginative, but come from a rather more innocent place from the dark worlds of vampires and even the conflict torn worlds of Middle Earth in the Lord of the Rings - although, hobbits might fairly be described as whimsical creatures.

In fact, there's even innocence to the construction of whimsical dolls, many of which are knitted and sewn or made of rags and which show a deliberate disregard for realism and take a child's eye view of the world. While many fantasy products can have a darkness to them, whimsy is non-threatening and fun - far more likely to be pixies than trolls.

That doesn't mean, however, that they are just for children, and collecting whimsical dolls can be a rewarding and even financially worthwhile hobby for any adult.

The usual rules for any collector apply: always keep your eyes open, in any store, yard sale or thrift store you might find just the whimsical doll you are looking for. Many are lovingly home-made for a child and although such an item will take many years to appreciate in value, you may be so charmed that you feel you have to pick it up.

Of course, while you can make you own dolls, there are companies who specialize in them. Take a stroll through eBay to find specialist shops and for a wonderful array of whimsical toys and collectibles.

Whimsical dolls tend to look towards the past and are the sort of thing any mother would have been able to put together for their children from rags and spare cloth.

Try auctions for older examples, keeping a particular eye out for job lots of children's playthings. Antiques stores too - particularly those which major in the cottage chic look - are worth a look.

Of course, you can make your own, and popular collectible dolls are still made today and even aimed at adults. For example, Carold Linda Lewis, an artist from the North West, makes dolls based on the likes of Elvis and Dolly Parton and charges up to $150 a time.

Collecting Vintage Perfume Bottles The History of Perfume

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Collecting Vintage Perfume Bottles: The History of Perfume Bottles

The History and Evolution of Perfume Bottles
(courtesy of http://www.perfumes.com/eng/bottles.htm)

Perfume Bottles in Ancient Times

The enticing scent of the perfect perfume and the eye-catching elegance of the bottle has been an important part of world culture since ancient times. The oldest known perfume bottles came from the Ancient Egyptians. They crafted containers made of stone and alabaster which kept the perfume cool, and prevented the liquid from leaking. The Ancient Egyptians also used clay pots that they sculpted into designs of people and animals.

Perfume was an important part of the Egyptians preparation of the dead. Many of these ancient perfume bottles have been found in tombs. Containers have been found made of wood with different compartments for each perfume.

Glass bottles were also a part of ancient perfume history. They date all the way back to the fifteenth century BC. Perfume bottles made of glass were lightweight, and also prevented the liquid from leaking. Eventually the glass bottles were created in a variety of colors.

Perfume bottles discovered in Palestine were made of glass, and were designed to have a narrow long neck. These delicate bottles were primarily found in tombs. Larger perfume bottles were also found in tombs because it was believed to mask the smell of the dead bodies.

The Ancient Greeks also made beautiful containers to hold their perfume. They hand painted vases which were often shaped as animals. They used lidded bowls for holding less expensive perfumes.

The Roman's cherished their perfumes. They used hollowed-out precious stones to carry their most valuable fragrances.

Early European Perfume Bottles

Europeans used many different materials to store their precious perfumes. The most common materials that were used were glass, gold, silver, porcelain, semi-precious stones and shells. Perfume was commonly used in the form of incense. Some incense burners consisted of a container held from chains that was swung like a pendulum during Mass in the Christian Church. Stationary incense burners were also commonly used in Churches.

Some European perfume containers were designed to be worn. Semi-precious stones held perfumes and were pinned to clothing. Silver earrings were worn that contained perfume soaked fabric inside of them. Many containers were designed to be hung around the neck, from a belt, or from a finger ring.

Perfume bottles were handcrafted and designed by artists, jewelers and goldsmiths. Each bottle was gently crafted and designed to be worn, or displayed on a table.

Small wooden boxes were created to hold a sponge soaked with perfume. These boxes would fit inside a pocket and could be taken out and inhaled at any time.

Porcelain was used in the Thirteenth Century. Many highly decorative bottles were created. Boxes were created that included perfume and other essentials. Some boxes contained several bottles of perfumes, a funnel and a mixing dish.

Most fragrances during this time were first sold in inexpensive, plain bottles. Then the perfume was transferred into a fancy bottle at home.

Perfume Bottles of the Early 1800s and 1900s

The design of perfume bottles made a dramatic change in the late 1800's. There was a great incline of the arts movement called Art Nouveau. Most Art Nouveau designs consisted of floral motifs, and were primarily used to design the perfume label and box, leaving the perfume bottles fairly traditional in styling.

Several famous pieces of this time were the Bouquet Nouveau, Royal Vaissier, and Cri du Coeur. The Bouquet Nouveau was a Roger & Gallet perfume. It had a square green-glass bottle with an unusual gilded brass casing. Royal Vaissier displayed magnificent Art Nouveau style paper motifs in the form of a fleur de lys designed by Baccarat. Cri du Coeur (Cry from the heart) was a Lorenzy-Palanca powder box. It had a woman-flower image which is a rare high-style Art Nouveau icon.

Belle Epoque was the preferred style for perfume presentations at this time. The style tended to be traditional, cluttered, very elegant and very French. Examples of perfume bottles of this style were Coronis by Monpelas and Roger & Gallet's Gloire de Paris.

A new trend in perfume bottles was to create a bottle that looked like a luxurious crystal with an elaborate brass cap. The bottles had classic designs, and the brass caps matched the ornate gold labels and boxes. A few examples of this style were Rose Ispahan and Prince Igor by Riguard, Rose de Chiraz by F. Wolff & Sohn, Stylis by Delettrez, Eros by Richard Hudnut, Le Lilas by Riguard, and Mavis by Vivaudou.

During the 1910's, there was a noticeable shift in the design of the traditional perfume bottle. The emergence of psychology and new perfume creations led to much more complex perfume bottles and names. The power of suggestion and dreams was having a huge effect on cultures in general, and perfumes were also affected. Perfumes were being marketed for specific times of day, seasons, and people.

Guerlain introduced the perfume "Voila pourquoi j'aimais Rosine" (That is why I loved Rosine). The bottle resembled a vase, and the stopper was concealed under silk flowers. The bottle shape was again used in Guerlain's "Muguet" (Lily of the Valley). It was later re-introduced in all white with a white ribbon replacing the silk flowers. This presentation was an immediate success. Guerlain later introduced "Le Mouchoir de Monsieur" (The Gentleman's Handkerchief) which had an innovative bottle with the shape of a triangle and a spiral motif on each side.

Rene Lalique was approached in 1906 by the perfumer Francois Coty to design the bottles for his perfumes. Coty was well established in the perfume industry and desired both beautiful and affordable bottles to hold his perfumes. Lalique was successful in fulfilling Coty's wishes, and continued to design bottles for his future creations. His most famous designs include Au Coeur des Calices, L'Entrainement and Ambre Antique. He also designed bottles for other perfumers. Some of his most famous creations were developed for Houbigant, Roger et Gallet, D'Orsay, Forvil, and Arys and Molinard.

Other creative perfume bottles of this time were "Rediviva" (Revived) by La Compagnie Francais du Lysogene. It was shaped like a porcelain coffeepot, and the perfume was dispensed through the end of the spout. Illusion was presented by Dralle in 1908. It had a silver case shaped like a lighthouse, and the perfume bottle was held inside of the case.

The Oriental Movement in Paris began in 1910 by Paul Poiret, a famous French fashion designer. Pioret introduced an Oriental style in clothing, furnishings and perfumes. Women, who longed to wear the gowns he designed, but could not afford them, could still wear his perfume. For women who did wear his collections, the perfume was the final touch. Poiret developed a new perfume "Chez Pioret" with beautiful and innovative packaging. The bottle was made of clear glass with a colored glass stopper. It was decorated with gold tassels, and had a new label with a classic "R". Pioret used his boxes as a tool for expressing the style of the fragrance.

Bichara Malhame was a very successful perfumer in Paris. His famous label on his perfumes portrayed himself seizing a mythological figure of Fortune by the hair. He also appeared on a Baccarat stopper wearing a wig, and appearing as an English judge.

Perfume Bottles of the 1920s

The 1920's brought a new era to perfumes. After World War I, many American Soldiers brought perfumes back to the states from Paris. This greatly influenced the perfume market in the United States. The perfume industry expanded rapidly, and many new perfume companies emerged.

Many fashion designers expanded their merchandise by including perfume. Most of these designers knew very little about creating a good fragrance, but they did know about style. They understood the importance of the visual presentation, which became vital to the success of the perfume.

Mascarades were very popular at this time, and had a strong influence on perfume bottles. "Masque Rouge" was introduced in a very modern bottle, and the box had a red mask motif. "Mascarades" by Cherigan came in a black bottle with a golden face under a rain of gold dust. "Arlequinade" was a Rosine perfume which resembled a Harlequin costume. It had gilded and clear triangles on the bottle, and a dark-green Bakelite stopper in the form of Harlequin's hat and an orange wood tassel.

"Bakanir" was introduced in 1927 by Honore Payan. The bottle was a simple geometric shape with a stopper resembling an exotic headdress. The box was covered with painted leather with a ceramic plaque. It was one of the most luxurious presentations for perfume.

Baccarat perfume bottles were designed using superior quality crystal. They designed bottles for most of the perfume companies during this time. Two of their famous perfume bottles were designed in 1927. "Silver Butterfly" by Delettrez was made of pink crystal with silver ornamentation. It was designed in the shape of a vertical hexagon with an abstract motif. "Astris" by L.T. Piver was shaped as a star, and featured a silver six-pointed motif.

One of the most famous perfumes, Chanel No 5, was released by Chanel in 1921. The perfume was revolutionary in scent and presentation. The bottle was a very simple design. The perfume was intended to make the masculine world available to women.

Perfume Bottles of the 1930s

With the stock market crash of 1929, and the depression that devastated the United States, the perfume market slowed down dramatically. There remained a more limited demand in Paris, and only the strongest companies such as Baccarat, Brosse and Lalique were able to continue. The bottles became less elaborate, tended to be conservative and were often machine made.

Perfume bottles during this time were less frequently inspired by nature, and more often reflected Hollywood movies and metropolitan cities. Lalique designed the presentation for "Je Reviens" by Worth. The bottle resembled New York skyscrapers. It was a tall ribbed bottle in dark-blue glass. The stopper was sky blue, and the box had a chrome surface. It was a very modern presentation.

Jean Patou released the perfume "Normandie" in 1935. It was inspired by the luxury ship the Normandie. All First Class Passengers on the ship's maiden voyage were given a souvenir model of the Normandie. Inside the model of the ship was a crystal bottle of perfume.

Perfume Bottles of the 1940s

World War II caused another decrease in new perfume creations, as well as a decline in the quality of perfume presentations. After the war, the perfume industry was re-established, and many new perfumers emerged.

Christian Dior and Nina Ricci both presented works of art that strongly influenced the perfume industry. "Miss Dior" by Christian Dior was offered in an elegant clear crystal Baccarat bottle. Dior used a classic look that was elegant and luxurious. Nina Ricci was known for feminine and romantic creations. L'Air du Temps was released in 1948 and sold in a sunburst shaped bottle. The stopper was decorated with a dove. The lid of the box was lined with white silk and depicted a woman and a flying dove. The 1951 box was in the shape of a birdcage covered in yellow silk, and was illuminated by a battery.

Perfume Bottles of the 1950s

Perfumes once again became inspired by romance in the 1950's. Salvador Dali designed the bottle for "Monsieur Marquay" by Marquay. The bottle featured an elegant man with a top hat and bow tie. The box was simple white with Dali's moustache and signature.

Christian Dior introduced "Diorissimo" in 1956. The special edition bottle was designed by Baccarat. The crystal bottle was in the form of an amphora, and the stopper had a magnificent flower bouquet in gilded bronze designed by Chrystiane Charles.

"Magie" was released by Lancome in 1950. Every Christmas a special edition was released. It was presented in a Baccarat spherical bottle with stars, and a box covered in leather or satin.

Modern Day Perfume Bottles

Pierre Dinand was the first perfume bottle designer to produce perfume bottles exclusively. Dinand designs bottles with a modern feel, and uses the bottle as an expression of the perfume. He has produced numerous bottles using state of the art plastics, and has transformed perfume bottles in the 1980's and 1990's.

Serge Mansau is another modern day perfume bottle designer. He prefers to focus his designs on nature's beauty. His prize winning bottle for "Montana" was inspired by a maple seed. He has used flowers, stones and waterfalls as ideas for his bottle designs.

Jewelers have also entered the perfume business. Van Cleef & Arpels were the first jewelers to release a fragrance. Cartier followed An Cleef & Arpels with the bottle for Panthere in 1986. Tiffany, Bvlgari, Chopard and Boucheron have also launched fragrances.

Baccarat and Lalique continue to design the highest quality perfume bottles. Perfume bottle collecting has also become very popular. Most collectable perfume bottles come from French perfumes and date from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Modern day perfume bottles are expected to give the feel of the fragrance. The perfume bottle makes the first impression, and often helps the buyer decide if they want to add the fragrance to their personal collection.

Tips for Collecting Vintage Perfume Bottles

Always Keep an Eye out for opportunities to add to your collection! You never know where or when you could stumble upon the perfect bottle to add to your growing collection. Check out estate sales, garage sales, flea markets, antique stores, and specialty vintage perfume bottle websites online. You may even be able to find one or two in your own family, so ask around! What could be more special than a family heirloom perfume bottle in your collection?
Decide how you want to collect your vintage perfume bottles. Do you want to only collect a certain brand? Or maybe you want to collect only perfume bottles manufactured during a certain time period? Creating a theme for your collection will make your collection as a whole more valuable and interesting.
Do your research. It is good to know a little bit about what you are collecting before you start shopping! This way you will know if you happen to stumble upon a rare, unique find! Knowing a lot about your new hobby will also help you stay engaged. Books such as the Antique Trader Perfume Bottles Price Guide and The Wonderful World of Collecting Perfume Bottles, by Jane Flanagan are great resources for perfume bottle collectors.
Don't discard the mini bottles! When you are shopping for perfume bottles, snatch up the mini sizes of your favorite brands. Sometimes, these are rarer and are worth more than their larger counterparts!
Check local events and conventions. You never know when a vintage perfume bottle convention could be coming to a town near you. These are great opportunities to learn more about perfume bottles and find some really great deals and unique bottles.
Become a member of the IPBA. The International Perfume Bottle Association. Being a member of this association gives you access to exclusive newsletters and information about vintage perfume bottles. They also hold events each year, including a convention, conference, and perfume bottle auction.

Collecting Diecast Toys--A Hobby for All Ages

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Diecast toy vehicles were first produced in England and the USA in the early 1900s. This was the beginning of what was to become one of the most popular toys ever. Diecast toys are now collected by tens of thousands of people,both children and adults,all over the world.

The early diecast models were very simple,featuring just a painted metal body with no interior fittings whatsoever.They were unfortunately made from low grade cast metal alloys which in most cases did not stand the test of time.These low quality alloys become brittle as they age and gradually deteriorate and crumble. As a result of this early die cast toys from the first quarter of the twentieth century are quite scarce today.

Before very long however these early diecast toy makers realised that there was a really good market for toy vehicles. Cars,trucks,airplanes miniature farm equipment,and many other models,were widely produced by a number of manufacturers. As demand grew the quality of materials used to make the toys was improved. Increased attention to detail also became the rule as manufacturers vied for more sales.

In the early 1930s Modelled Miniatures were introduced. These 1/43 scale miniature vehicles were designed for use with model train set layouts. Soon they became popular as a collectible,in their own right,and were known as Dinky Toys.

The height of popularity for Dinky Toy diecast model vehicles came in the 1950s and 60s. They were a fairly basic low detail model but were extremely popular.The flashy big American cars seen on TV shows,which began in the 1950s,became very desirable Dinky Toys and outsold the more staid small English cars of the time.

Dinky toys were made into the 1970s when they died out mainly due to the competition from Mattel Hot Wheels. Vintage Dinky Toys today are a much in demand collectible and some of the scarcer models fetch extremely high prices.

The well known Lesney Matchbox cars started production in England in 1947 and thus began a new trend in diecast models. In 1953 Lesney made a miniature diecast model of Queen Elizabeth's coronation coach complete with horses. This model was a huge success and more than a million were sold.

The Lesney Matchbox cars were produced in huge numbers with 75 different vehicles in each line. This gave collectors an immense variety of models to collect.

The Corgi line of diecast vehicles was introduced by Mettoy in the 1950s. These were also very successful. One of the big reasons for their success was that these cars had exceptional attention to interior fittings. They had detailed interior decor. They were even fitted with clear plastic windows. These very detailed miniatures vehicles were a big hit with collectors.

In 1968 Mattel introduced Hot Wheels cars with an initial line of 16 vehicles. These early Hotwheels vehicles all had a red line around the side of the tires. This led to their becoming known to collectors as Red Line Hot Wheels models. The initial sixteen models with which the line began are now known to collectors as the "Sweet Sixteen" and are much in demand.

Hot wheels vehicles are collected around the world by rabid collectors and were a huge success story for Mattel. They continue in production at the present time.

There are now hundreds of different companies offering diecast toys to collectors. They are manufactured in Taiwan,Korea,China, and other countries around the world. High quality and attention to detail are a must if a diecast toy is to be a success as a collectible. Diecast toys made around the world are now mostly of very good quality.

Collecting Barbie Dolls--A Profitable Hobby

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The first Barbie doll was introduced by Mattel in 1959. Barbie made her debut at the New York toy fair in that year. Since then many millions have been made and sold all over the world. Barbie doll collecting has become very popular as a result and Mattel estimates that there are over 100,000 Barbie collectors. Most of these collectors are women with the average age being 40 and they buy an average of 20 Barbies each every year.

Barbie underwent many changes in appearance over the years. The first Barbie had a ponytail hairstyle and wore a zebra striped one piece swimsuit. She was marked Made in Japan on the bottom of the right foot and had the copyright date 1958 on the back. If you find one of these dolls in excellent condition you have a collector's treasure which is worth a condsiderable sum of money.

Vintage Barbie dolls are considered by collectors to be those made between 1959 and 1972. Later dolls are considered to be modern. Mattel made special edition dolls in the later years which have their own collector following. To be truly collectible these later dolls should be in mint condition in the original box. There were several series of these which were made in varying quantities.

The Pink Label collectible Barbies were made with no limit to the quantity. The Silver Label dolls were a limited edition of up to 50,000 and were distributed worldwide. Gold Label Barbie dolls were made in an edition of up to 25,000. The top tier is the Platinum Label dolls which were limited to 1000 dolls. These label edition dolls are much sought after by collectors. They must be in mint condition in the original box to have value as a collectors item.

Barbie doll collecting is popular in many countries around the world. Pre 1972 vintage Barbies are the most sought after and many are still to be found in garage sales,flea markets,thrift stores and such like places. Most people know nothing about vintage Barbie dolls or their values. As a result there are lots of them still out there waiting for the right collector to come along and find them. The thrill of the hunt can be almost obsessive and can get an avid collector out of bed to be an early bird at garage sales or flea markets. It's all worth it when that early Barbie is purchased for a song and carried home triumphantly to join her sisters in a collection.

Collecting Barbie Dolls--A Hobby And An Investment

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Barbie will have her 50th birthday next year. Wow I wish we all looked like that after half a century! But then again she has had major plastic surgery over the years.

The first Barbie was made by Mattel in 1959 and since then millions have been sold all over the world. Her official birthday is March 9th 1959 when she was exhibited at the New York Toy Fair. She was dressed in a black and white zebra striped one piece swim suit,open toe high heeled shoes,hoop earrings and white sunglasses with blue lenses. She has blonde or brunette hair in a ponytail at the back. She has white irises and very arched eyebrows. The plastic she was made from is usually faded to white now. She has holes in her feet for mounting on a pedestal and copper tubing in the legs. She is marked JAPAN on the bottom of her right foot. On the back she is marked Barbie TM Pats. Pend. Copyright MCMVIII. Find one of these in good shape and you have a collectors dream which they will pay quite a bit of money for. The exact value depends very much on condition and completeness. Damage or missing parts will downgrade your doll severely. She is known as the #1 Ponytail Barbie.

The #2 Ponytail Barbie is identical to #1 with the exception that there are no holes in her feet and no copper tubing. The pedestal is made with extensions to hold her up. Markings are the same as for #1.

The #3 Ponytail Barbie is identical to #2 except for blue irises and different eyebrows. She comes with either blue or brown eyeliner.

The #4 Ponytail Barbie is made from a non fading plastic which retains it's flesh color. She is made up with blue eyeliner.

The #5 Ponytail Barbie has a hollow plastic body rather than the solid body of earlier editions. The markings are the same except that she is now marked R instead of TM Pats. Pend. A new hair color known as titian was introduced and dolls with this color hair are scarce and more valuable than the blonde or brunette. There was a problem with the plastic in some of these dolls which gives them a greasy appearance. If you find one with the original matte face it is more valuable than a "greasy" faced doll.

The #6 Ponytail Barbie has a different vinyl which does not become greasy with time. Her fingernails and lips are a pinkish red instead of the earlier bright red. She is dressed in a red swimsuit and red open toed shoes.

The #7 Barbie was made in several hair colors including ash blonde,lemon blonde,titian and brunette. Her nails and lips are orange red (coral). This changeover took place in the 1962-1963 period and the mark was changed to Midge TM copyright 1962/Barbie copyright 1958 by Mattel. The dolls with this new mark are referred to as the #7 Barbie usually,but some still call them #6. Dolls produced in 1962 before the changeover are scarce and more valuable than the new edition.

In valuing collectible Barbie dolls condition is the all important factor. A doll which is complete,not damaged and clean will fetch a premium price. If the doll is mint in the original packaging it is extremely desirable to collectors and will be priced accordingly. Dolls which have been repainted or otherwise restored will actually be worth less than if they had been left in the original faded condition.

Where can you buy old collectible Barbie dolls? Well just about anywhere if you know what to look for. The general public is mostly unaware of what an old Barbie looks like or that it may be worth a considerable sum of money. You can find them occasionally by searching garage sales,flea markets, and thrift or second hand stores. Take your magnifying glass along when you go treasure hunting so that you can read the markings on the dolls. Good luck.

Collect Barbie Dolls--Make Money With Your Hobby

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Barbie will be 50 years old in 2009. Wow I wish we all looked that good at 50. Of course she has had plastic surgery over the decades. She has even had a complete body replacement.

Barbie was first made in 1959 by Mattel and millions have been sold all over the globe since then. On March 9th 1959 Barbie was exhibited at the New York Toy Fair and that date is her official birthday. She wore a one piece black and white zebra striped swimsuit,high heel open toe shoes,hoop earrings and had white sunglasses with blue lenses. She has blonde or brunette hair pulled back in a ponytail and she has strongly arched eyebrows and white irises. She was made from a type of plastic which has faded to white over the years. She has copper tubing in her legs and holes in the feet for mounting on a pedestal. She is marked JAPAN on the bottom of the right foot and on the body she is marked Barbie TM Pats. Pend. Copyright MCMVIII.

If you find one of these dolls in good condition you have a collectors delight which is worth quite a bit of money. The exact value depends on the condition and completeness of the doll. Any missing parts or damage will lower the value substantially. This doll is known as the #1 Ponytail Barbie.

The #2 Ponytail Barbie is the same as #1 except that there is no copper tubing in the legs or holes in the feet. The pedestal was changed and made with extensions to support the doll.

The #3 Ponytail Barbie is the same as #2 but has different eyebrows and blue irises. She has either brown or blue eyeliner makeup.

The #4 Ponytail Barbie is made from a non fading plastic which retains it's flesh color. She has blue eyeliner makeup.

The #5 Ponytail Barbie was made with a hollow plastic body rather than the solid type found in earlier editions. The markings are similar with the difference that she is marked R Pats. Pend. rather than TM Pats. Pend. A new hair color was added to the line,known as titian,and dolls with this hair color are scarcer and therefore worth more than the brunette or blonde dolls. Some of these dolls had a problem in the plastic which developed a greasy look with age. The regular matte faced doll,if you find one,is more valuable than a greasy faced doll.

The #6 Ponytail Barbie was made from a new vinyl which does not develop a greasy appearance as it ages. Her lips and fingernails are a pinkish red rather than the previous bright red. She is clad in a red swimsuit and has open toe,red,shoes.

The #7 Ponytail Barbie was made in various different hair colors including brunette, titian,lemon blonde and ash blonde. Her lips and nails are coral red. This new edition was brought out in the 1962-1963 period and the markings became Midge TM copyright 1962/Barbie copyright 1958 by Mattel. Dolls which carry this new mark are usually called the #7 Ponytail Barbie but some collectors still call them #6. Dolls made before the 1962 change are harder to find and therefore worth more than the new edition.

Condition is undoubtedly the most important factor in putting a value on early Barbie dolls. Collectors want a doll which is clean,completely original and not damaged.Such a doll fetches top price. If the doll is in its original packaging,and in mint condition,it is a highly desirable collectors doll and will fetch a premium price. Dolls which have in any way been repaired,restored or repainted are worth less than those left in the faded original condition.

Where can you expect to find early collectible Barbie dolls? The answer is almost anywhere,if you know what you are looking for. The vast majority of people do not know what an old Barbie doll looks like or that it is valuable. You can find old Barbie dolls sometimes by looking in thrift or second hand stores,fleamarkets and garage sales. Be sure to carry a magnifier to read the markings on the Barbie dolls when you are out there searching. Best of Luck.

Coin Sorter Why You Need One

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If you have a lot of coins around the house for whatever reason, the best thing that you can get is a coin sorter. Just like a coin counter, this is going to be a very helpful tool for helping you keep track of your coins and keeping them from getting all over the place and possibly getting lost. Fortunately there are lots of different places that you can head to if you are looking for a coin sorter.

Grand River Toys

This is a funky coin sorter, one that is not just going to help you out but which is going to be fun to use at the same time. This is an easy to assemble sorter that will help you to sort quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennies into wrapper-friendly stacks and you can use the wrappers included to bank your coins.

This coin sorter is a great way to keep all your coins sorted and make them easy to sort through when you need to. So whether you have valuable coins that you want to keep track of and pass down to your children or just some spare change hanging around for your coffee and bagel in the morning, you will definitely want to try out this sorter.

Gadget Shop

This is another great place that you can go through if you want a coin sorter. They are well known for their nifty, advanced little gadgets, and their coin sorters are no different. You will want to check out their website to learn more about the different items that they have to offer, and see just how amazing their prices are out.

Gadget Bargains

Or perhaps you would like a motorized coin sorter, such as this one available through Gadget Bargains. This is a great gadget, that offers new sorting technology and which will electronically sort and count coins showing a grand total on the digital display. With just the press of a button you can see how many dimes, pennies, nickels, and quarters and dollar coins are in each tube, and you can even subtract coins from the total as desired.

You can pull the drawer forward and lift out the filled tube and you will have automatically rolled and there are even coin wrappers included with your purchase. It really all depends on what you are looking for here, but you are going to want to make sure either way that the sorter you get is going to come with all the features you are looking for.

Classic Watches Make Great Collector's Items

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Timepieces have been developed for centuries. Starting as sundials and evolving to sophisticated pieces of machinery and technology, watches have been sought after and appreciated as functional and appealing accessories. Men in particular have been interested lately in the collecting of classic watches, since many vintage timepieces were designed for men and many women's watch models were not created until relatively recently on the horticulture timeline.

Classic or vintage watches make amazing collector's items and gifts for collectors because of all they can bring to a collection, all of the experience and excitement that goes along with such a piece of history. Timepieces have long been not just functional as time-tellers, but also as indicators of status and indicative of the level of prestige of which an individual may be deserving. While these timepieces are so sought after and alluring, it is also important to note that there are a number of forgeries among classic watches and it is important to be on the lookout when collecting vintage or classic timepieces. No matter from what period an individual is collecting timepieces, this can be a very expensive hobby and it is important to protect this investment and ensure that the timepieces an individual is purchasing are authentic. No one wants to purchase a timepiece just to find out it is a fake, so make sure to confirm the authenticity of any timepiece prior to its purchase in order to protect yourself and your investment. There are a few key things to take into consideration when examining the collectability of a timepiece. In particular, the popularity, desirability and condition of the timepiece should be considered. There are a number of factors which may influence how enticing a timepiece may be as they are being considered for collectability. Historical milestones are always impressive pieces of a collection, including the first automatic timepiece, as is the technical quality and/or innovative design of the timepiece.

It is also important to consider the historical importance of a timepiece. Conditions of timepieces also need to be considered, especially in relation to similar timepieces or models in existence. If there is a low survival rate of a particular timepiece, this will make it more impressive and alluring to collectors. Collectors will also likely want to consider what potential a particular timepiece exhibits by way of investment.

For the most part, timepieces will be categorized as being uncommon, scarce, rare and extremely rare. At the same time, timepieces may be collectable, very collectable, highly collectable and an investment grade collectable timepiece, respectively. Some of the timepieces which are particularly collectible and desirable include the Rolex Daytona, the Vacheron Constantin, the Cartier Panthere, the Rolex Zephyr and the Gruen Curvex. When it comes to collecting timepieces, it is important to remember that the hobby does not need to be expensive or exclusive. Not all timepieces collected need to be in pristine condition. Rather, collecting vintage timepieces can include fixing them up and making them aesthetically appealing again. Watches are personal pieces and accessories and having a collection of them can truly bring to life a number of individual human experiences.

Christmas Crafts - How to Make a Christmas Tree

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Crafts are loved by everyone. There are so many things to make a kid craft. Essential materials to make a kid craft include paper, crayons, safe scissors, and glue.

The kids can take plain paper or old newspaper. Crayons are nice for younger children, but the stores are now filled with other options, such as washable dry-erase markers, watercolor pencils, and gel pens. Empty cereal boxes, toothpaste boxes, cardboard from packaging, plastic containers, and even tin can also be taken. In this the children makes from own imagination.

There are lots of advantages of kid's craft:
- Build positive self image
- Encourages self-discipline
- Rewards hard work and diligence
- Promotes eye-hand coordination
- cultivates a love of learning
- Fosters cooperation with others
- encourages their imagination
- The kids argued less among themselves and with me
- Discipline became easier and less necessary

Christmas is an annual holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus. On Christmas day, people gather with family and friends to enjoy a festive meal and exchange gifts as they celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

People decorate their home on Christmas and make Christmas tree. These days, many people decorate garden trees or house walls with colored electric lights. The Christmas Crafts include ornaments, decorations, fun foods and crafts that are just fun. Crafts are made from household, recyclables and readily available materials, which help with the household budget.

With these crafts the children learn the importance of Christmas by making Christmas crafts. To make a Christmas crafts the children need ornaments, decorations, fun foods and crafts that are just fun, crafts are made from household, recyclables and readily available materials, which help with the household budget.

Christmas tree can be easily made from old newspaper. To make a tree you will need:
- Paperback book
-wooden star
- Gold, silver or green spray paint
- Utility knife or sharp paring knife

Choose a paperback book with a strong spine and remove the covers. You will have sliced the spine with a sharp knife to separate the first 30 pages. Fold the paper; first, fold the top right corner toward the spine to form a right angled triangle. Fold the triangle toward the spine again. After then fold the overhanging triangle at the bottom of the book back up to form a straight line. Repeat it with 30 pages. Use the knife to slice another 30 pages from the book. Turn this section so the spine is on the right, rather than left. Repeat the steps above to create a mirror image. Glue the two halves of the Christmas tree together and add a wooden star at the top. After then spray paint the tree all over.

Chicken Coop Roost Height and Other Factors to Be Considered in Building Perches

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Determining the right chicken coop roost height is important in keeping your chickens comfortable and healthy. Some coop builders focus too much on other aspects of the design that they usually forget how important roosting places are for chickens.
In here, we will provide you with guidelines on determining the right chicken coop roost height and offer tips on other design aspects related with coop roosting features.

Functions of coop roost poles

Chickens do not usually sleep on floors. Their nature makes them look for an elevated place to sleep to protect themselves from predators and it is common for them to look for an elevated place when roosting at night.

Perch height

Perches or roosting bars should be constructed on a high level, but not too high that chickens will feel discouraged to fly up and use them. The ideal level is at the two-third section of your coop.

Materials for roost bars

The best material to use for perches or roost bars is wood. Some use pipes and metal bars, but wood is still the best option. More often than not, two-inch diameter bars are used for backyard roosts.

It is advisable to shave off the edges and make the bar a bit rounded so that chickens' claws can grip it. The bar should not be too smooth since chickens will have trouble getting a grip. However, it should not be too rough either as you don't want your chickens to have splinters.

Design specs

If you have a number of chickens and you need more than one roosting bar, don't build them one above the other. This is because droppings from the chickens roosting in the upper most level will fall on the ones below and that would be a mess.

The best way to accommodate all your chickens without cramping their space is to build the bars stair-like and not with each bar directly above the other. Twelve inches of distance between poles is the ideal measurement.

Position in the coop

Perches should be placed opposite where nests are located and directly above the litter boxes. Make sure that your litter boxes are enough for each roost pole. Also, make the boxes accessible to whoever is responsible for their regular clean up.

Chicken coop roost height is just one of the factors that you need to consider when building perches for your chickens. Don't forget that materials to be used, their position within the coop and their size are also important and should be given appropriate attention.

Read more information about all aspects of chicken coop design and construction including Chicken Coop Kits and step by step guides that show you how to build your own chicken coop at => http://www.diybuildchickencoop.com

Chamonix A Playground for Everyone's Inner Child

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If you're looking for the best alpine destination to indulge your inner child then look no further than Chamonix. Despite its reputation as a winter playground for the rich and famous, Chamonix has a range of countless activities in which you can get involved throughout the year. You don't even need to get anywhere near a pair of skis if you don't want to!
For the low down on what's on offer for you and your friends, take a look at our quick guide.

Wonderful Winter Activities

Chamonix, as one of the best alpine destinations for skiing, is a wonderful natural playground where you can nurture your inner child. Obviously, you don't have to be an expert to participate in any activity you can sign up for a class run by trained professionals. So whether you just want to have a laugh or try something new, be it mountaineering, rock climbing or even glacier walking, there's bound to be a class at the right level for you.

If you love animals and fancy doing something different, why not combine your love of horses and skiing in the sport of ski-joering? You will wear a pair of special skis and be attached to a horse with a special harness. All you need to do is hold on, relax and enjoy the sensation of being whisked through the mountains with the wind in your hair.

If you're a bit wobbly on skis then you might want to consider dog sled driving. You can't beat the feeling of being out in nature, in the white powdery stuff surrounded by our four-legged friends. Both these activities can be done in groups so you don't have to go it alone.

Summer Fun

Chamonix wouldnt be one of the best alpine destinations without featuring masses of activities that happen all year round or in the summer months.

Most hotels boast their own swimming pools and spas but there is also the opportunity to try out squash, weight-lifting, tennis, bowling and even golf. Of course, in a resort as stunning as Chamonix you probably want to do those activities that you cant do at home.

It would be a shame not to take advantage of the natural environment, as water is an omnipresent feature in the valleys. There are a multitude of river-based activities to indulge in, so just throw on a wetsuit and have a splash around.

Alternatively, you could try an adrenaline packed canyoning adventure involving teamwork and coordination or white water rafting. For total immersion in the wet and wild stuff get kitted out with some fins and a flotation device for the exhilarating sport of river boarding.

For animal lovers, there are multiple opportunities to indulge in a sport with our four-legged mountain friends. Cani-hiking (or hiking with dogs) is a great way to keep in shape and explore the stunning valleys on foot. However, real thrill seekers will love the sensation of galloping around the mountains on horseback.

How To Get There

Get you and your gang right where the action is in double quick time with a Shuttle Direct private group transfer. Book your transfer online and our friendly local drivers will be on hand when you touch down at Geneva airport to lug your luggage while you and your troops plan your adventures in the best alpine destination for thrills and spills.

Author Plate

Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct, the number one provider of shared and private airport transfers all over Europe and northern Africa. If youre looking for the best alpine destination for a memorable ski holiday, there's nowhere better than the fabulous French and Swiss Alps. Lukas and his colleagues can make sure that you and your luggage get to and from your chosen resort swiftly and safely.

Celebrate Republic Day with Self-Drive cars in Delhi

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India, as a country, is going through a continual expansion to upscale its stature in the world. Since the last few years, the patriotic factor among the Indians has risen significantly. Like never before, we feel like keeping an eye on the current affairs of the country and the world. We like to participate in the celebrations of occasions like Independence Day and Republic Day. As the Republic Day is nearing this year on 26th January 2018; let us look how you can make the most of this grand day with your family and friends. 

Why is Republic Day celebrated?

Gantantra Divas, or Republic Day as we call it, is celebrated in India on 26th January every year to commemorate the enactment of our constitution in 1950 on this day. This year in 2018, we are celebrating 69th Republic Day, and the preparations in the country are in full swing. Not many Indians realize it, but it is a big deal for us to have the longest constitution and have it enacted in the largest democracy in the world. After years of efforts and support of a vast team, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar prepared this constitution while bearing in mind hundreds of castes, communities, and religious tribes.

The constitution of India declares the country as a sovereign, democratic, secular, and republic. It assures the citizens of equality, justice, and liberty, and undertakes to promote mutual support among them. The Indian administration chose this day as Republic Day for another reason that the Indian National Congress had proclaimed Purna Swaraj in 1930 on 30th January.

The Celebrations

Throughout India, countless educational institutes, colleges, schools, and government organizations celebrate Republic Day with great zeal. If you are associated with any residential society or an NGO, you can take part in the flag hoisting events. You can also buy tickets for the celebrations held at Rajpath in Delhi. If you happen to be a relative or friend of a politician, you can get lucky to get the front row passes. Else, you will have to purchase the tickets and rent Cheap Self Drive Cars in Delhi to reach the venue and enjoy the festivity and patriotism all around. The tickets are available from 13th January to 25th January every year at different outlets at various places in Delhi. You must carry any of your government-issued identity proofs to buy the tickets, which may include Adhaar Card, Driving Licence, or Voter ID Card.

The president of India hoists the Indian National Flag at the India Gate. The ceremonious parade is worth watching when you are there at the place. You can witness the rich diversity of India at the ceremonies. The government buildings are decorated and lit with decorative lights for a week or more. Most people want to enjoy the holiday of 26th January, but once you decide to get out of the house that day, you can witness the grandeur of this day in the entire capital region.

The Beating Retreat Ceremony takes place on 29th January every year after the Republic Day; it is also a treat for the eyes. The grand participants of this ceremony include the Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, and the Indian Army. When you hear patriotic songs like Sare Jahan Se Acha, Ae Mere Watan Ke Logo, and many others on this day, you can feel the chill down your spine. This year, the Republic Day celebrations in the country are going to be even more massive as ten ASEAN countries will be there to see the parades. You can come with your family to celebrate a national holiday in a grand style this year.

Author's Bio: 

I am a writer by profession & traveler by hobby. I am crazy, fun loving & passionate traveler who love to write travel related articles to share my travel experiences as well. Most of the time I am on trips to explore the Indian destination using Mychoize self drive cars to reach everywhere.

Carousel Horses - Paint Your Way

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Antique carousel horses often sell for thousands of dollars. These beautiful creations large and small are wonderful additions to any collection. Collectors almost will pay any price for the true hand carved horses once displayed on the carousels of yesteryear. Through the miracle of modern technology molds have been produced of these works of art. From these molds grand carousel horses have been recreated. In this article I will show you where to purchase them and guide you through the process.

Anyone with reasonable talent with a paint brush can create an antique reproduction carousel horse. Unpainted or unfinished carousel horse molds can be purchased ready to paint. These molded horses are made of a high density polyethylene which is strong and very forgiving to the finisher. Most of the time the artist is able to make the choice to purchase a horse with seams to sand at a reduced price or choose a ready to paint surface.

Time to create an antique reproduction. Choose the size you desire. Full size, half size or small horses. Full size horses at a full 65 inches high are a very large project. I have seen Elegant Standers and Royal Standers that really do look like the horses we all would ride or stand next to. Half sized unfinished carousel horses are probably the most popular to artists and hobbyist. This size fits real well in baby nurseries and little girls rooms. Most of the horses that I have seen available come complete with the brass pole that runs through the horse.

Let's Get to Painting! There are many ways to finish a carousel horse. Most people like the traditional painted horse that recreates the memory of the Merry Go Round. Some artists are able to locate pictures of actual horses where they are mounted on carousels. Right down to the color of the tail, the picture can be followed to recreate that special horse. Some painters like to reproduce the carved wooden horse effect. Special paints and techniques are available to mimick a real wood surface.One of the last steps is choosing a clear coating to provide a clear shell around the painted finish. Some artists have chosen to take this step a bit further and add multiple coats of gloss creating an almost deep glass effect. Small pictures and material can be added under the gloss to get a desired look.

Creating your own antique carousel horse remake is a very rewarding project. Reproductions horses have sold for hundreds even thousands of dollars. I know of at least two small businesses that have been created finishing and selling these horses.

Caring For Bonsai

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Indoor bonsai requires constant care and attention to establish a rhythm and routine that will not only benefit the plant, but also the grower, whose increasing knowledge and experience will create a stronger awareness of the plant world in general.

Both you and your bonsai tree will benefit if you draw up a routine tree care schedule, such as daily maintenance checks of light, water, temperature and humidity, along with regular feeding, pruning, checking for spider mites, re-potting, etc.

Its easy enough to follow the instructions regarding watering, feeding and pruning, but understanding a little of how a bonsai tree functions will increase your enjoyment of bonsai and give you more confidence for caring for your own trees.

Bonsai root pruning is an important part of the care of bonsai plants. Because the roots are out of site its very easy to overlook the importance of a healthy vigorous root system.

As in the wild, the bonsai root structure provides the anchorage and absorbs moisture and soluble nutrients from the soil. Therefore it is essential to check every day if the bonsai is in need of water.

More often or not when a bonsai begins to look sickly, it because it has some form of root disorder. If the root lacks vigour or is decaying it will not hold the tree firmly in the pot.

For indoor bonsai care, its also a good habit to check the fertilizer and soil in the bonsai pots every day. Baring in mind that the bonsai tree should always be watered before it dries out completely.

But however dry the soil may appear to be, take care not flood it. The soil should be watered slowly, with brief interruptions, to allow for complete permeation.

To guarantee that the watering has been successful you should watch for water seeping out of the drainage hols in the bottom of the bonsai pot. If the soil is too dry, the water will not be absorbed and spill out over the rim of the pot.

Do not spray the bonsai with water. Its far better to use a long spouted watering can, which will reduce the force of the water and promote better permeation to the soil for bonsai.

At the base of the trunk, healthy growing roots show plump and white at the tips. This is the most active part of the root system. Behind the white part, the root is clothed in minute root hairs.

Although water can be absorbed by other parts of the root it is through these tine root hairs that the water and most importantly nutrients are more readily absorbed due to their enormous combined surface area.

Older thicker roots on more mature trees develop bundles of sap conducting cells, which are also present in the trunk and branches. These cells conduct the sugars from the leaves and distribute them to all parts of the bonsai plant, wherever they are need for growth, including the roots.

Every bonsai variety needs a different amount of water; for this reason, as a grower, its in your own interest to familiarise yourself with the type and habits of each individual plant.

A final piece of advise on watering your bonsai. Never use water that is too hot, since this will limit the ability of the plant to absorb the all-important nutrients for healthy new growth.

Career Design Identifying and Defining Your Ideal Work

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Have you ever been involved with an activity and found that the time just flew by that you "lost time" because you became so engrossed in the task at hand? How about an activity that made your energy level soar? Do you have a hobby or some other activity that you do that you find deeply fulfilling because you feel like the work you are doing really "matters" and makes a positive difference in some way?

If you have experienced any or all of the above, you know what it would be like to find work aligned with your life purpose work that you might define as your "calling" or the profession for which you are uniquely and ideally suited. While some people just "know" their ideal profession and calling, most people struggle to define it, often under the pressure to just make a living. Certainly your career goals need to be filtered through the business and economic realities of your life, but with some introspection and analysis, it is very possible to not only make a comfortable living, but to do so in work that is aligned with your true professional calling and life purpose.

The career coaching process to assist people in career design is usually a multi-stage process that involves looking at your values, motivators, interests, knowledge, skills, abilities, experience, and more. While there are validated assessments to help you understand many of these factors, the vast majority of the career design process involves deep thought and introspection. The following questions will get you started:

1. What activities, subjects, causes, and/or hobbies am I passionate about?

2. What activities, subjects, and hobbies did I enjoy doing as a child?

3. When I was a child, what did I imagine I might want to do as a job someday?

4. What activities am I doing when time just seems to fly by for me?

5. What subjects do I enjoy reading about in my spare time?

6. What types of things do I love doing in my spare time?

7. Is there some activity or subject at which I am a "natural"?

8. If I knew there was no way I would fail at it, what activity would I try (or do more of)?

9. What activities, subjects, causes, and/or hobbies do I daydream about?

10. What types of people do I want to be around?

11. In what type of environment do I feel most comfortable?

12. Is there a vision or a cause that you would devote your life to?

Did any themes emerge in your answers to these questions? Even if you haven't precisely defined your ideal career from this exercise, many people find important clues that help lead them on a path that eventually leads to an ideal profession. Don't give up in your pursuit. The feeling of fulfillment and contentment that comes from working in and making a living from a job that is your "calling" is well worth the time and effort.

If you need further support, consider working with a career coach through the interactive process of career design. The best career coaches can help you to connect to your passion and purpose and empower you to manage your own career in a job you love, while still making a comfortable income and living a balanced life.

Career Change For Over 40's

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Getting back into the workforce or changing careers after the age of 40 can be tricky, especially in this economy, but there is a great deal you can do to improve your chances.

As populations in the developed world are growing older and many countries are experiencing a crisis in the pension system, we are facing the prospect of having to work past the usual retirement age. Yet, at the same time, older people are not always welcomed back into the work force. Many also have difficulty finding a new job if they have an unbroken track record and are simply looking for a change in career after the age of 40.

There are a number of steps you can take to maximize your chances of getting a job, despite the negative views regarding age on the part of some employers.
When writing your CV or rsum, be sure to target it for the job in question. You can do this by highlighting all the skills and experience which are needed for the job and then proving that you have got them.

It is not necessary to put personal information on your rsum - in many countries it is illegal to ask about age so don't feel you have to volunteer your age on your rsum. You should either leave out your date of birth completely or put it at the end. Do not mention your marital status or the number of children you have or their ages. This is not relevant to the job!

The fact that you are older means that you have valuable experience in many areas and you need to make good use of this in your application. Don't worry if you are returning to work after bringing up children - soft skills, such as communication, time management and the ability to meet deadlines are crucial in the workplace today and all of those will be skills you have developed in the intervening years. So take a good look at all the skills you have acquired both at work and in other areas of life and make a list. You'll be surprised to see how many you have and how many of them are transferable.

If you find your particular career favors youth, consider the possibility of self-employment. Could you use your existing skills as a freelancer? If your computer skills aren't up to date, get your kids to teach you or find out about local classes, which are sometimes free. If there have been changes in your particular industry, look into refresher courses.

Many people make the mistake of assuming that they will get job satisfaction in one place, but this is the exception rather than the rule. So make a list of all the skills you'd like to use (or learn) at work and a list of the tasks which give you job satisfaction. Then consider the possibility of becoming a portfolio worker, that is, someone who has more than one occupation. You might, for example, work as a freelancer in your existing career for two or three days a week and set up a small business doing something completely different during the rest of the week. Or you might write about, teach or run workshops in one of the skills you have developed.

This doesn't have to be work-related - it could be a hobby you've been interested in for years, it could be a hobby you're passionate about. Look at everything you've done in your life so far and you'll find that there are several areas in which you are an expert.
If you are prepared to look beyond the conventional 9-5 job, you will find that there are many opportunities open to you, regardless of your age.

Care of Bonsai Trees - Don't Be Fooled Into Buying Bonsai Tree Seeds!

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A word of warning before I talk to you about the care of bonsai trees - don't be fooled into buying bonsai tree seeds. Despite the fact I have seen bonsai seeds offered for sale, there is no such thing.

A bonsai is a work of art, not any particular kind of tree. They are simply ordinary trees that are miniaturized by being potted and having their roots and branches trimmed to prevent them growing to full height. The branches are also "trained" to grow into aesthetic shapes. Almost any perennial, woody stemmed tree will do and, if you're growing them from seed, normal seed will do.

However growing any tree from seed is a slow process and if you really want to get started on bonsai growing as a hobby it is best to buy a very young plant or even better, one that has already been potted and trimmed as a bonsai. Once you have your tree at home you will need to know the few easy steps on the care of bonsai trees to keep it healthy and growing in just the right shape.

It is not difficult to grow a bonsai, but, if you don't know what you are doing, things can go wrong very quickly.

Proper care of bonsai trees, like any plant, involves providing just the right amount of water, food and light. The exact amount will depend on the type of tree you have in your pot. Is it a tree that likes dry, desert conditions? More bonsai probably drown from being over-watered than under-watered. However bonsais are often kept indoors, when the plant itself would prefer to be outdoors. The air inside our houses is often very dry, so one little trick to help your bonsai is too spray the leaves with a gentle mist to create a more natural, humid environment.

Like all plants, bonsais also need regular feeding. The pot your bonsai is growing in is its micro-world. Its roots cannot search beyond the bounds of the pot for fresh nutrients which is why your bonsai needs regular feeding. But here's another warning in your care of bonsai trees - like the watering, you don't want to over do it and kill your tree with kindness.

All plants need light - and bonsais generally like plenty of it, but how much is the right amount for your bonsai depends on the type of tree it is. If you're keeping your bonsai inside it is a good idea to turn it regularly so all sides of the tree get a dose. If you maintain the same position all the time you may find your tree grows towards the light source.

Long-term care of bonsai trees involves pruning of both the roots and branches and training of the trunk and branches to grow into the desired shape. There are five basic bonsai styles - formal upright, informal upright, cascade and semi-cascade, and the windswept, slanting look. It is easiest to start with a tree that is showing a natural tendency to grow into the shape your desire.

As I stated at the beginning, a bonsai is a work of art. It should be pleasing to the eye and tug at the soul. That sounds rather grand and perhaps a little scary for someone who has little or no experience in the care of bonsai trees. However, once you know a few simple techniques it is an enjoyable and relatively easy hobby and there's plenty of help available.

Candle Wick Secrets To Better Burning Candles

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How to make candles burn better might seem like a mystery but knowing how to do it is not rocket science. You just need to know how. Choosing the right kind of candle wick is important. The right size of wick should also be considered as there are candle wicks for votive candles, tea lights, and different size containers.
To determine the size of the wick, you should not base it on the height of the candle but on the width of the candle container. The basic principle is that the size of the container should be directly proportional to the size of the wick. Therefore, a wider container should have a thicker wick.

The relationship between wick size and flame size is not complicated. Because thin candle wicks absorb less liquid wax, it will produce less vapor fuel resulting in a smaller flame. Take note of this relationship when you have a wide container. An evenly distributed burn circumference going into the edge of a wide container is produced by a larger flame.

There are several important things that you need to remember when buying your candle wick.
First, it should be marked with the suggested candle container size. If there are no markings, just do a comparison of the several options that you can see. The thickest wicks should be used for containers in excess of 3.5 inches wide
For medium-sized wicks, the ideal container should be between 2.5 and 3.5 inches wide. For candle jars that are less than 2 inches, a thinner wick would be fine. However, there is no rule that you cannot use thicker wicks in smaller jars. The only downside is that it will burn off the candle wax much faster.

Another important factor to consider regardless of the wick size or container you use is perfecting the art of centering the wick. Here"s a short procedure that you can use as a guide:

1.Put the candle wick on the center of the jar. Some suppliers place a center marker at the jar that you can use as the reference point.
2.While pouring and while the candle making wax cures, use a popsicle stick that has a small hole in the middle to hold the candle wick.

So there you have it. The tricks are pretty simple to implement using the proper candle making kit like candle wick. With this knowledge, you"ll be able to make candles that burn better.

Can You Teach An Old Dog New Tricks

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You cant teach an old dog a new trick,

If you always do what youve always done, then youll always get what youve always got!

In other words, if you want to train a dog, no matter his age, to do something new, then you need to do something different while training him.

And you know what?

If you use the right approach, it will work!

Yet, unfortunately, when humans just repeat the same old actions to training a dog, and the dog fails to learn, we quickly label the dog stupid or too old to learn, which is simply not true.

So, can you teach an old dog a new trick?

Yes. Absolutely. But it starts with you and me!

Ready to discover how to teach an old dog a new trick?

Here are some basic tips for training a dog to learn a new behaviour

1. Establish yourself as the decision maker.

If your dog takes no notice of you when you ask him to follow a command, its vital to establish that you are the decision maker first, before you begin training.
Why?
Because establishing yourself as the decision maker enables your dog to trust you. When he trusts you, hell be more likely to do something when you ask him to do it.
Its just like having a child. If your child looks up to you because she knows you make decisions for her that will keep her safe and happy, she will be more likely to listen to you when you ask her to do something.

A great example would be keeping your child safe while cooking. If you tell your child not to touch a hot stove top because it will hurt her, and the child trusts you, chances are shell take your warning and directions seriously.

If the child couldnt care less about what you have to say and she doesnt trust you, theres a good chance shell touch the burning stove top because she thinks she knows whats best.
Always make sure your dog knows youre the ultimate decision maker.

2. Dont lose control of the environment.

While teaching your dog a new command, its so important to ensure the environment youre teaching in is a controlled setting. Its up to you to help your dog make the right decision.
For example, you may have a dog that charges out the front door and runs up and down the picket fence barking at people.

You dont like this behaviour, so you want to train your dog to not run out the door and bark.
Despite the fact you want to change this behavior, its summer outside, and you want to leave your doors open to let the fresh air into your home.
So, in this case, Id install a baby gate just inside the door to help motivate your dog to make the right decision and stay inside, despite the fact that he wants to bark at people along the fence.

That baby gate will often make all the difference to the training pattern.
And over time, hell learn that he is not allowed to rush out the door without your permission.
Keeping control of the environment may mean keeping your dog on a long line or leash or putting a gate up in your home. Do whatever you need to do to keep control of your dog while you are teaching a behaviour.
Back to the parent/child analogyits like holding a toddlers hand as you walk through a busy parking lot.
Holding your kids hand is taking control of the environment, and it ensures that your kid wont do something silly like run out in front of a car because she wasnt paying attention.
While youre holding your kids hand, you begin to teach her that its important to walk slowly through a parking lot, to look for cars and to always look both ways before walking across a street.

This is how practically controlling the environment allows you to train your dog (and your child) while also keeping them safe.

3. Remember your dog is trying to avoid pain and gain pleasure!

Im a firm believer than we need to do more than just bribe and train our dogs with food and treats while training; however, they can certainly motivate a dog to learn a new skill.
So use treats and then fade them out later over time as your dog gets the hang of the new action.
Also keep in mind that different foods may motivate different behaviours. spelling
To a dog, a piece of kibble is like 10 cents.
Then a big dry biscuit is like a dollar to your dog.

And if you take it a step further, a piece of cheese or bacon is like $100 dollars.
And what your dog may do for $100, he may not do for 1o cents.
(Maybe we are not so different after all!)
For example, if your dog escapes and gets out of the house, a piece of kibble may not be enough to make him listen and come back to you. Yet, Im sure a shake of the tasty treat tin will grab his attention and motivate him to come back inside.

4. Start small and set your dog up to win.

We should always be looking for ways to set up our dogs to win when they are being trained.
For example, if youre trying to break the habit of your dog raiding your garbage bin, its no good leaving the leftover lamb chop bones in the trash.
Its just too tempting for your dog, especially when he has not learned that the trash is off limits for him.
Make it easy and keep it simple when you are starting out.

5. Finish on a high and exercise regularly!

Always end your training session on a high note.
This may even be as simple as ending your training session on a basic recall or finishing the walk with a treat when they come and jump up into the car. When you do this, you always leave a training session feeling happy, and the dog youre working with finishes a session feeling confident and willing to learn.

So, can you teach an old dog a new trick? Follow my 5-step method above, and the answer is YES!
But what about you?
Are you too old to learn a new skill or try out a new career path?
Listen to this
My amazing dad, alongside my nephew and me, just climbed Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK!
He climbed up and down in a single day! And hes 70!

You are never too old or too young to start something new! Age is simply a number. What really counts is what you believe and feel.

In the words of Henry Ford, Whether you think you can or whether you think you cant, youre right.

So if youve been reading some of the latest posts and have been thinking about becoming a dog trainer but arent sure if you can do itchoose the empowering belief that you can!

Whether its as a full-time or part-time job, as a hobby or as an extra income to supplement your current salary, believe, and it can come true.

And when it comes to your dog its trueold dogs can learn new tricks!

Dogs can change. The question is, can YOU?

Buy the Best Metal Detector for Your Bucks

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Choosing a metal detector is a tricky business. A lot of hobbyists and treasure hunters often find themselves replacing their detectors because they find that the units they own are not suitable for their needs. As such, they end up spending more and wasting equipment.

Don't fall into the same trap. Buy the best metal detector that suits you needs and budget. Just like buying any equipment for your own use. It does take some time and effort to determine the kind of equipment that you wanted.

With the advent of the internet, information of various kind are readily available for us. Take the time and study your options carefully and make sure you know what you wanted before venturing into any online store.

Here are some tips:

1. Set a budget or price range. Just because an equipment is expensive doesn't mean it's the best. You can find the best metal detector for your needs even at mid-range or lower-end of the price spectrum. You may even find that a used metal detector works just as well as a new one.

2. Do your homework. Metal detectors are varied. There are those with features for advanced treasure hunters and metal detectors that are ideal for hobbyists. Some detectors also work better on rocky soil or sand. Decide on the kind you like and find out what its basic features or functions should be.

3. Read reviews, join online forums, and post on discussion boards. If you are interested in a specific metal detector, read up on reviews it. You can also join online forums and discussion boards. Treasure hunters and hobbyists who populate these online sites are great sources of information especially on where to buy the best equipment or possible problems on your chosen model.

4. Decide if you want or need accessories. Accessories can make metal detecting more fun and exciting for you. The right additions to your gear can also make it easier for you to metal detect. Headphones are great for catching small beeps while a harness can help you carry your implement easily. Decide on what you want or need that can fit into your budget.

5. Search for a tried and tested, high quality producer of metal detectors. There are several legitimate and credible online stores in the internet as well as hobby stores all across the United States. You can find the best metal detector for yourself here along with choice accessories at reasonable prices.

Buy a Used Stained Glass Grinder Online

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Having a hobby of stained glass making can be very rewarding and sometimes even financially lucrative. Although most home hobbyist's in the stained glass area do not sell their work, it is possible to build a small home business with the hobby. In this article we will talk about one very important stained glass tool which makes the process of creating the art faster and easier.

One of the first tools that a serious stained glass hobbyist will purchase is a grinder. The stained glass grinder makes it much easier to shape the individual pieces of glass that are necessary for creating a complex work of art. Without the grinder, it becomes very tedious in shaping small pieces of glass. Those who do not have this tool have to painstakingly cut the pieces as close as possible with a simple diamond tipped cutting tool. These types of cuts are never completely or extremely accurate. This can leave gaps in between the pieces that must be filled with solder.

When the decision is made to purchase stained glass grinders, one must decide between buying a new one or a used grinder. Today, thanks to the Internet, hobbyists have a wide Friday of choices when shopping for any of these tools for their hobby. With a quick search in any of the major search engines one can find a large selection of sites that offer grinders for purchase online. If one is looking for a used grinder, one of the best places to shop is one of the online auction sites. In these sites other hobbyists who may be upgrading their glass grinders to newer or better versions often offer their used grinders for sale. Many times, these used glass grinders can be purchased for 1/3 to 1/2 the price of a new grinder. Always read the details carefully to make sure there are no issues with the grinder and find out when the last time it was used.

If a grinder sets for an extended amount of time, it may be extremely difficult to remove grinding head. These grinding parts are consumable and need to be replaced on a regular basis depending on how often you use the grinder. If they are not replaced on a regular basis, they may become frozen to the spindle and be all but impossible to remove. If this is the case, soak them with a lubricating agent for some length of time. Trying to force them off the spindle can damage your stained glass grinder. If the spindle becomes bent, it will become unusable.

Always check about the shipping costs if you buy a used grinder online. What seems like a really good deal at first may not turn out to be such once the shipping prices are added. You should expect to pay no more than $20 the $30 for shipping costs for your grinder. We have seen grinders priced very low but then the owner adds an extremely high cost to ship the item. On some of the auction sites you may see shipping costs to be $50 or more. That is totally unacceptable.

Also check with your local stained glass supply shop to see if they may know of local hobbyists who have grinders for sale. It would of course be safer to buy one locally were you can try it out beforehand, but it may not always be easy to locate used grinders in your area.

Build Wooden Works Clocks--A Piece Of American History

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Shelf clocks of the pillar and scroll type were made by a number of American clock makers in the early 1800s.Prior to that long case grandfather clocks were quite commonly made in the 1700s.The long case allowed for a greater drop distance for the weights which drove the clock movement.Shelf clock and wall clock with wooden works were also made and were more popular in the 1800s.

In the late 1700s and early 1800s there was a shortage of metals due to the British embargo.This led to the production of wood gear clocks by some makers.Wooden works clocks of this period are now prized antiques and command high prices when they come on the market.Several thousand dollars is commonly the asking price which is beyond the means of many clock fanciers.

The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago has on display a very fine wood gear clock which was made in the early 1800s.This clock is still in good running order after 200 years.Detailed drawings and plans have been made from this clock and these are available for those who would like to build a reproduction of this fine old time piece.

You can build your own version of this beautiful antique clock in your wood . working shop.With careful work you can turn out from,these wooden gear clock plans,a wonderful clock which will keep excellent time.To build a wooden works clock is not difficult but it does take time and careful workmanship.

Wooden clocks of more primitive design were made hundreds of years before this period.You can also build a fifteenth century wooden gear clock from available plans.This is a wall clock and is weight driven.It is a much simpler project with fewer moving parts.The clock will however keep time and looks great on your wall.

Building wooden works clocks is a wonderful hobby.It involves craftsmanship and wood working skills.You do not however need an array of power tools.The original makers of these clocks used only simple hand tools and the modern craftsman can do so also.The individual parts of the clock are of simple design and quite easy to make. The skill comes in finishing the parts accurately and fitting them together properly so that the clock will run smoothly and keep good time.

Today there are a few makers of wooden gear clocks which are mostly sold in the form of kits and plans.The average home workshopper can quite readily build a really beautiful wooden clock from a plan.With attention to detail and careful workmanship the end product is a fine time piece which will be a center of attention in any home.The tick tock of your own wooden gear clock which you yourself created is sweet music to the ears.

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