bunch of blogs: Hobbies

Using antique appliances is a great addition to your country home and a splendid way to take a nostalgic trip to the past. Finding and restoring them to their old glory, however, is the hard part.
The most convenient way to find antique appliances is by searching the Internet. Since distance doesn’t mean anything online, you’ll immediately have access to stores worldwide. All you have to do is type in a suitable keyword and you’ll be immediately directed to the best websites for your needs.
Most, if not all, virtual stores will offer you product catalogs with photos and descriptions for easy perusal. They will most probably have a list of affiliates for you to visit just in case you don’t find what you need in their shop. Some of them might even have land-based warehouses that you can visit if you wish to view the antique appliance in person.
Another way for you to get antique appliances is by personally searching for them in antique shops in your area. While more troublesome than Internet shopping, paying actual visits to a shop is the safer method because you can verify the item’s condition with your own eyes unlike when buying online.
Antique appliances sold in antique shops may either be sold broken or repaired and restored by the shop. Either way, it’s important that you obtain proof of authenticity for the item prior to making any purchases.
If you have any friends working for museums, especially those that display vintage home and kitchen furniture and appliances, they’ll probably have resources for suppliers that most people wouldn’t have.
Always be on the lookout for garage sales in your area because there’s a chance that the grandparent of the house is willing to sell off an antique appliances. Although the chances of finding antique appliances are rare – most treat it as heirlooms and thus are unwilling to sell them. When you’re lucky enough to find one, consider asking if there’s any special stories behind the acquisition of the antique appliance. Stories from the past tend to give antique appliances their own life and character, making them even better additions to your collection.
Buying the appliance directly from its original owner is a good way of determining its authenticity as you’ll have a better chance of finding its manufacturing details.
Lastly, don’t forget the rest of your network. Tell your family, friends, and colleagues about your desire to have an antique appliance and one of them is sure to come up with something!

Got your heart set on buying an antique boat? Here are some tips to help you find a piece that’s not only beautiful but also good enough to sail:
Decide on the boat you want.
Antique boats come in all shapes and sizes, including kayaks, rafts, canoes, sailboats, etc. Choose which type of boat you want to buy so you can narrow down your choice. There’s nothing stopping you from buying any kind of antique boat that suits your fancy, but knowing what types are available will make your search that much easier.
Set your budget.
Buying an antique is almost always expensive, unless you happen to stumble upon a miracle. But these cases are extremely rare so if you have your eyes set on an antique vessel, be prepared to spend. Provide some extra cash for the boat’s transportation, docking fees and insurance.
Learn to look.
Educate yourself with the necessary information needed to help you identify authentic antique boats. There are many fake antique sellers out there who could be selling you a very good reproduction for the price of an antique. Learn from antique collectors, read books, magazines and other references and go to auctions, shops and club meetings. The more you expose yourself, the more you’ll learn.
Know your boat.
There are antique boats constructed with plywood, such as those that were made in 1918, that were either paneled or molded. You can also get an antique boat made with canvas. This type involves smaller-sized vessels covered with primed canvas, making it easy to carry and use.
Another type of antique boat you might want to look for are those made from aluminum. These boats became popular after the war and were often used for fishing. Other antique boats to look out for are those made from fiberglass and ferrocement.
Be ready to make repairs.
If you’re buying a well-maintained antique boat, count your blessings. You have a perfectly functional but extremely valuable piece of work you can be proud of for years to come. However, if your purchase is far from perfect, you’ll have to spend money on repairs not just to make the boat look good but also to restore it to its former glory.
Also good to know: if you spent a lot of money on restoration because you want to sell your boat later, make sure that there really is a market for it. Classic boats are often priced lower than what you have to spend for them, so it pays to be careful.

If you are a budding collector of antiques, you must know the basic steps in antique-hunting. Experience is one factor when looking for a genuine antique item because it helps you become more familiar and more critical of each piece you are looking for.
Antique pieces such as lamps add style and class to ones home. Authentic antique lamps are hard to find especially if you live in a city that sells reproduction antiques. You may find it hard to determine which piece is the real deal from the fake especially if you aren’t well-versed with finding antiques.
Below are some useful tips to help you in finding authentic antique lamps:
1. Know where to look. If your area has many antique stores, chances are they may be selling both authentic and reproduction antique pieces. If possible, antique shops around your area should be your last resort when looking for antique lamps.
Try looking for antique items in your friends’ and family’s storage or attics because you never know what they might have. Try looking for real deal antique lamps at garage sales and flea markets. You may also ask other antique collectors if they have particular pieces for sale, and if you are lucky you might find the antique lamp you’ve been looking for.
2. Know the difference between antique and vintage. An antique item’s age should be 100 years or older, while a vintage item is from 50 years to less than 100 years. If you’ve found an old lamp, make sure to ask for the age of the lamp or look for the manufacturing date. If it is from the 1800’s, then you have hit the jackpot.
3. Look for marks, stamped details and dates. When you are looking for an authentic antique lamp, it is important to know when and where it was made. You can’t always trust the seller, and don’t always take their word for it. If you can check the item for any marking, scribbling or any info that will tell you the background of the item, then look for it if you can. Remember that you are paying for the antique lamp you are looking for, so you should be the first to judge if it is worth every dollar.
4. Ask for an expert’s assistance. If you aren’t sure of where to look for authentic antique lamps, it is advisable to ask someone with experience to help you in your search. Make sure your expert companion has the reputation and know-how so you’ll get value for your money once you find the antique lamp of your choice.

Due to the increasing popularity of the television program Antique Roadshow, many people are now looking closely at the objects that are found in their attics and basements. Many are hoping that the heirloom that their great grandmother gave them is worth a lot of money. However, not everybody is given an opportunity to have his or her valuables appraised at the show. Thus, many people with old items on their lap would like to know when and how to have such items valued and appraised.
There is really no rule with regard to when you need to have an item or object appraised. Usually, an item is appraised because of personal reasons. Here are some of the reasons for appraising an item:
Curiosity
The number one reason why people want to appraise something is curiosity. They want to know if the item that is long hidden in their attic or the couch that they bought at a flea market is valuable or not. Aside from curiosity, people also want to know whether extreme care is necessary in maintaining such items.
However, if curiosity is the only reason you want to have an item or a collection appraised, then it would be more practical if you just ask fellow collectors, read books or seek alternatives to a formal appraisal. You don’t want to spend a lot just to realize that something you thought was valuable is really worth nothing.
Tax and inheritance matters
Another popular reason for appraisal is estate or tax matters. You can’t rely on ballpark figures or estimates when it comes to such legal matters. If you are appraising something for inheritance and tax purposes, you need to hire a specialist or an expert in the field because you need the price or value of the item, but also the description and other important matters about the object.
Insurance
Most people who seek appraisal for insurance purposes somehow have an idea that the item or items in their collection is really worth insuring. For such a purpose, you can have a formal appraisal if your value of your policy is high. However, if the policy isn’t that expensive, some insurance companies accept online appraisals.
Possible sale
The first rule in hiring an appraiser is that you should never sell the item to the person who is appraising it. You have to realize that antique dealers make money by buying things at a low price and selling them at exorbitant prices. Most professional appraisers won’t attempt to buy the item they are appraising. However, there are instances when people get tempted when they see a very valuable and rare item.
If you want to sell the item, you probably need to do some Internet research or ask around for an estimate of the value of the item. Some collectibles, even if they are 200 years old, may not be valuable so you don’t want to spend money hiring a specialist for a two-dollar vase. You should go to a specialist or appraiser if your collections are more valuable than the price for the appraisal.
Types of Appraisal
There are many ways in which you can have an object appraised or valued. Usually, the type of appraisal you will need is dependent on the reason for having an item or a collection appraised.
Formal Appraisal
If you need to know the value of an item due to legal purposes, then you need a formal appraisal. This type of appraisal is usually very expensive. Experts charge per piece and by the hour. Thus, the item you need to have formally appraised should be really precious.
Documents that are included in a formal appraisal usually include a detailed description of the object, information about the methods used to appraise the item, and the reason for the appraisal. The document should also include all the names of the people who handled the item or the collection. Of course, a formal appraisal document should contain the value or price of the object that was checked.
Professional Opinion of Value
This is an informal type of appraisal. This is probably what you need if you want to know if an item is valuable or not. Since this method of appraising is causal and doesn’t follow the rigorous methods of appraising, it can be considered as just an estimate and can’t be used in legal proceedings.
Online Appraisal
Some antique collectors frown upon the idea of having an item appraised via the Internet. They believe that an item, in order to be appraised correctly, should be scrutinized and checked in person. Sometimes, however, if you are just curious about the value of the heirloom or the grandfather clock that your mother or uncle gave you, it is ok to have it appraised online. Just make sure that you give the appraiser a detailed description, including marks, chips, color and material, so that he or she can have a reliable estimate of the item.

Antique Quilts are attractive to the eye because of the intricate stitches and the colorful fabrics. These qualities capture onlooker’s attention, some of them are even collectors. Therefore, it only makes sense that there are places where one can buy antique quilts.
By combining ancient traditions of patchwork and quilting, antique quilts have become quite popular to the modern day consumer. Some get one and reserve it in their family treasure, giving it as an heirloom to their children. Because of these, stores selling antique quilts are given the assurance that they will always have customers who can enjoy their products.
Check out the nearby bargain stores in your area. Sure enough, they have quilts for sale. Oftentimes, these bargain stores have antique quilts on display, making it easier for you to know which particular store you can find what you are looking for.
Whether the quilt is for you to use in your home or to give as a present to a friend, these stores have a variety of designs you can choose from. They are quite careful in presenting their quilts because artificial light and sunlight can cause the fabric to fade. Therefore, the rooms where these stores put the quilts they sell must have low light levels.
Go to a store that has this kind of lighting. You will be sure that the quilts they are selling don’t have faded fabrics.
If you are thinking of hanging the quilt that you buy in your home, then display it for six months. If you have another quilt, then you can rotate them one after the other so that fading fabric won’t be a problem you’ll face.
You can do what stores do with the quilts they sell. They distribute the quilt’s weight over its total width in order to prevent damages from occurring. They also sew four inches of wide tube on the fabric or the sleeve of the quilt. They stitch each inch together and take care to sew into the layers of the whole quilt. Then they attach it on the wall of their stores for display. This is done without damaging the fabric.
How the store takes care of the antique quilts they sell says something about the product. Since you are in the market to get an antique, you might as well get one that has been cared for.

Collectors are fond of collecting different items that aren’t ordinarily collected by ordinary people. Collecting items is more than a regular hobby. There are so much efforts and capital significant investment one must allot to the habit.
Collectors collect different items, from comics, to coins, to figurines, and to almost any type of objects. There is so much excitement and achievement a collector can attain simply by having and expanding his or her collection of items. If you are into collecting items, you will easily find contentment and happiness just by occasionally finding rare items to add to your ever expanding collection.
If you are into collecting antique items, you are headed into more challenging times. That is because collecting antique items is a very hard task that requires much effort and a significant amount of money. Finding antiques to expand an antique collection is also hard because the number of items available on the market is extremely limited.
That is the reason why antique materials are much more expensive compared to regular ones. Antique materials are also more durable, more stylish and are crafted more meticulously. You know how efficient and particular old people are when making products. During their time, technology wasn’t as advanced as it is today, so they had to be patient and meticulous when manufacturing them.
Collecting antique wares
Wares are among the most popular items for collections. That is because wares can be so useful. Aside from the items’ usual functions, collectors like to display and simply collect them. They take care of the wares in such a way that the items don’t get dirty or rusted.
Antique wares are so rare that finding some is similar to finding treasures. They can’t be easily bought on the market. They are rare finds that can be found and acquired at different places across different countries all over the world.
Thus, when you have a collection of wares, people will admire you. That means you have spent time, money and effort finding and buying the wares included in your vast and expanding collection.
There are many types of wares for collection. Fine China, porcelain and glassware are among the most popular selections of wares to collect. These wares were originally crafted and manufactured in China and in other Asian countries that were known in the past for the craftsmanship in such items.
Expect that fine China, porcelain and glassware to be of great and superior quality. That is because these items were made of the finest and most durable materials during the time they were made. Plus, the people who made the items spent considerably great amounts of time and effort to make them.
Thus, such wares are very beautiful and at the same time durable. The exteriors don’t easily corrode or exhibit fading colors. They are also found in different sizes and types, collectors like you will find really interesting and challenging to collect.
You can buy such antique wares at antique shops, or simply purchase them during your visit to China or to some other parts of the world. You could swap items with other collectors or trade them for some other valuable things that are collected by other people. You could also buy such wares online through your favorite and trusted online auctioneering Web site.
Appraising fine China, porcelain and other glassware
Fine China, porcelain and glassware are beautiful. They almost always look elegant like the wares available on the market today. That is why it isn’t hard determining the valuation of such wares.
You can easily tell anyone that your antique wares are expensive. But you won’t have the proof if you do that. You have to base your assertions and statements on facts. Thus, you need appropriate and expert valuation for your antique wares.
If you really want to determine the value of your antique ware collection, you will need to seek the professional service of an appraiser.
Appraisers do actual and expert valuation of different types of properties. Ask for their help immediately and determine the value of your fine China, porcelain and glassware. This will help you further get the motivation to collect more of the wares.

Generally, collectors share the same interest of preserving the heritage so they can study the development of antique items. As you uncover all the antique collections of the various club members, you’ll realize that sooner or later you will also be one of the owners of hundred year old antiques. If you really want to be an antique collector, one way of increasing your knowledge is to join an antique collector club. Here is a list of different antique clubs which might be of interest to you:
1. ACCCI or Antique Comb Collectors Club International. It is an American Club comprising of several members in Belgium, France, Netherlands and the UK. The club’s activities include publication of bi-monthly newsletter containing past issues and topics about comb collection and the roster of members. Members are also entitled to a free annual advertisement. The new service being offered by ACCI is the question and answer section which is generally handled by experts.
2. The Antique Metalware Society includes archaeologists, museum curators, dealers and metallurgists. It aims to increase the members’ appreciation and knowledge of objects comprised of alloys and the non-precious metals as well. The many facets of metalware are being studied together with their uses, history, styles, and methods of production. The activities also include 2 meetings annually and the publication of 2 newsletters and 1 journal. There are also books written by the members which have been cited as standard references.
3. Dorset Antique Bottle is a collector club with activities like annual shows, monthly meetings and publication of 6 newsletters per annum. Its purpose is to promote recovery and collection of antique bottles and related items.
4. AFCA or Antique Fan Collectors Association is devoted to the promotion and preservation of all kinds of mechanical and electrical fans. The society aims to form regional and local organization by giving members awareness and encouragement to exchange fans among different members. The organization also publishes “The Fan Collector, a bi-monthly magazine which includes stories of manufacturers, fans and their collectors; it also includes pictures of members and their activities.
Once you’ve been into antique collection it’s impossible that your next interest will be on meeting people with the same interest as yours. Once you’ve met them, you’ll discover that they have diverse backgrounds; such as such as professors, consultants, optometrists, publishers, museum curators, dealers or even executives. Even though these people are highly remarkable, there are also ordinary people who love collecting. You shouldn’t be intimidated by professional members because you all have the same aim of preserving the many artifacts. So join your preferred club and further your antique hobby!

Antique clothing and linens have grown in popularity as collectibles. Turn of the century fabrics may look antique, but the real deal antique clothing and fabrics come from the 17th and 18th centuries.
Early century textiles and fabrics can still be saved and restored with the proper technique and solutions. However, don’t attempt on just using everyday fabric detergents and softeners to clean dusty antique fabrics for they can turn brittle and become fragile over the years.
Here are some easy and useful tips to care for antique clothing:
1. Do-it-yourself cleaning and restoration. You can clean and restore your inherited antique clothing if you have the patience and the right tools. First, don’t just stick your antique clothing or fabric in the washing machine. Be gentle with the fabric at all times because the older it is, the more fragile it is.
If the antique clothing is dusty, use a handy vacuum cleaner to suck all the dust and dirt on the surface of the fabric. If there is beadwork, use fine-mesh screen or tulle to prevent loose beads from being sucked away.
Hand wash with natural-based detergents such as Orvus. Common detergents tend to yellow old fabrics because of the chemical reaction. Woolite is also a good
substitute.
Rinse your antique clothing thoroughly but gently. Use deionized water instead of regular tap water. Tap water may contain mineral deposits and high PH levels which may damage the antique clothing.
Don’t wring the antique clothing. Press the fabric gently on top of a flat surface or squeeze gently to remove most of the water. Don’t dry in a dryer or under direct sunlight. Let the excess water drip from the antique clothing while it is hanging to dry.
If you wish to iron your antique clothing, use parchment paper in between the iron and the fabric to prevent the fabric from getting burned. Use a lower temperature when ironing directly on to the fabric, but you need to be extra careful when doing so especially with very old antique clothing.
When storing your newly cleaned antique clothing, use parchment paper or clean white paper to wrap your fabrics before placing them in the cabinet. Wrapping your antique clothing before keeping them will prevent dirt and dust from accumulating.
2. Let the professionals do it. You may seek the help of museum restoration professionals to check on your antique clothing. You can also ask your local antique shop or needlework shop to recommend someone who knows how to restore antique clothing and textiles.

Collecting antique furniture is a very expensive hobby. However, if you love the finer things in life and have money to spend, there is no reason why you should prevent yourself from enjoying the fruits of your labor through buying antique furniture for your personal use. If you are an investor, antique furniture, when carefully preserved and cared for, can also be a good investment, especially if the items you have are extremely rare.
Whatever your purpose for collecting and buying antique furniture, it is important that you have an intensive knowledge of the object and things that you are planning to collect. If you are a new collector, it is advisable that you concentrate on one specific era or class of antique furniture so it will be easier for you to develop expertise in the field.
One field that you can concentrate on is English antique furniture. Although English furniture was largely influenced by European furniture design, you will still see subtle differences between the two. Below is a list of major English furniture styles and designs starting from the renaissance period to late Victorian.
Renaissance Period
The most popular furniture style during this era is the Tudor furniture, which was influenced by European style. Tudor furniture was usually made from oak and was greatly influenced by Medieval and Gothic designs. Most pieces of furniture produced during this period are beds, chests, tables, stools, benches and chairs. Carvings that can be found in Tudor furniture are usually Gothic-inspired designs.
Another furniture style that emerged during this era is the Elizabethan style. Furniture makers in England during the time of Queen Elizabeth were greatly influenced by their Italian counterparts. Aside from oak, the type of wood that was also commonly used during this period was walnut.
Furniture was still unadorned and somewhat bare during this period. Instead of ornate chairs and tables, people preferred to show their opulence and extravagance through their tapestries, carpets, fine linen, needlework, embroidered cushions, silk hangings and brass or pewter cups.
During the latter part of the Renaissance period (1602-1649), Jacobean style emerged. The design of furniture became simper and restrained in comparison to the Elizabethan period. In the US, this type of furniture is often called Pilgrim furniture. During the early part of the Jacobean era, wood dominated the furniture scene. However, during the time of Charles I, padded upholstery and more intricate embroidery became vogue. Some say that Moorish influence can also be seen in furniture styles during this period.
Furniture pieces during the renaissance period are very rare and valuable. Most of the pieces of furniture that are preserved nowadays can be seen only in museums.
Baroque
The English style of furniture during the early part of the baroque period was called Restoration or Carolean. This is the period when Charles II regained the throne. Instead of oak wood, people prefer mahogany and walnut for their furniture. French and Dutch art also greatly influenced this period. Canned seats, twisted legs, veneering and engraved scrolls are evident in the furniture pieces during this time.
The latter part of the Baroque period, during the rule of William and Mary, and Queen Anne, was considered as the golden era of English antique furniture. Ebony and walnut veneers and fine cabinetmaking became popular, as well as trumpet-shaped legs. This is also the time when foreign-studied English craftsmen began to experiment with their own styles and designs.
Rococo Style
Gregorian furniture design was developed during the Rococo period. Early Gregorian pieces were still influenced by Queen Anne’s design. However, the designs at the time were richer and more intense.
During mid-Gregorian era, mahogany completely outshined walnut as the wood of choice. Although the French and Gothic styles were evident during this period, English furniture makers were becoming more experimental with ornately designed mirrors and chairs with ribbon backs.
Late Gregorian design can be characterized back to the classical style. In fact, some call this period the neo-classical period. Columns, ovals, vertical designs, circles and urns were espoused by Adam and other famous designers, such as Chambers and Stuart.
Eclectic (Victorian Era)
So much revival of different styles took place during the Victorian period. As a result, you will find the combination of classic and contemporary styles in one piece of furniture. This is also a period when machines were started to be used to produce mass furniture.
During the late Victorian period, the Arts and Crafts Movement was founded to resist the increasing influence of mass produced furniture. As a result, classical designs were revived and fused with the avant-garde style. Furniture pieces during this period were dominated by stained green or black solid wood with straight lines.

A collecting hobby is always fun to have, and the fun can last for a long time depending on how fickle your taste. Either way, you’re sure to have fun collecting home ornaments if you love to see and collect objects that can make your home even more beautiful.
Anything can be considered a home ornament, but if you want your antique home ornament collection to be treated as an art collection, there are two types of home ornaments that you can collect: antique or historical pieces and handmade crafts.
Tips for Making Your Antique Home Ornament Collection Grow
Tip #1 Consider the size of your home ornaments. You must have special items of all possible sizes: those that easily fit the size of your hand and are portable, those that are moderate in size, and those that are life-sized.
Tip #2 Classify your home ornament collection according to their purpose. Do you have home ornaments for the bedroom, bathroom, living room, kitchen, dining room, office, and garden? If you lack any, purchase one immediately so it will make your home ornament collection complete.
Tip #3 Consider the color or design. Home ornaments may have solid colors or a combination; they can be printed or dyed. You can add anything as long as it’s a beautiful and unique piece.
Tip #4 Consider the materials. Most home ornaments are made from wood, plastic, glass, and metal. Find home ornaments that use different materials like cloth, seashells, volcanic ashes, or even semi-precious metals if you can afford them!
Tip #5 Read and be familiar with the world’s history to learn about typical home ornaments for each important period. Look for mosaics from Ancient Rome, religious ornaments from the Middle Ages, paintings from the Victorian and Regency era, and Art Deco items from the early 1900’s.
Tip #6 Know your geography. With the help of the Internet, you’ll be able to obtain access and competitive rates to traditional home ornaments of various countries all over the world.
Tip #7 Religious statues and other symbolic items can also serve as home ornaments, so see if you can find something interesting within the realms of Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and other religions.
Tip #8 Don’t forget about Hollywood and sports memorabilia as well as other famous pop symbols that have been turned into home ornaments.
Most, if not all, of these items can be purchased on the Internet. Choose wisely, and make sure that you check the authenticity of any antique you buy!