Details About the Collection of the Pens

Pens have been out of date in the computer era. However, the collection of pens has generated a new trend. Due to its long history, pens are regarded as the symbol of memory and culture. More and more people start to pay attention to the pens' cultural value and show interest in the collection of them.

Take Parker pens as an example, as the world's second oldest pen manufacturing company, its history has been over a hundred years. They contain the essence of modern and contemporary culture, which makes Parker pens extraordinarily solemn. It's not only a writing instrument but also an inheritor witness the past hundred years.

The brand pen and golden pen have high return. For pen collection lovers, it's better to select the brand pens and the golden pens based on the investment objective. If he only has interest in pens, he would follow his interest and ignore the brands and materials. The collection value and the investment value of the fountain pen are closely related to circulation quantity, survive quantity and the production standard. At present, lots of consumers buying the Park pen as an antique.

We appreciate the pens in four parts: the cap, the penholder, the nib and the pen pouch.

We need see clearly that whether there is damage or cracking on the cap, if the texture is matched with the pen of the line, whether distorted and so on. The appearance of the penholder should be beautiful and its hardy feeling should be comfortable. It's necessary for pens' collection.

To the point of the pen, firstly, you should see its water releasing level and mellow and full level; secondly, the attrition grade of the point and its gold content is also important. The higher the gold content in it and the less the attrition of it, the higher the collection value of it. Finally, examine whether the pen's cap, penholder, nib are originals. The value of originals is the most.

Steps to Produce Gel Candles

There different types of candles and some of them are unique like the gel candles that we have. They are actually popular in places these days. Gel candles also light up just the same as the common paraffin candles that we are accustomed to seeing, but evidently created in another aspect.

We commonly form waxes with oils. So, this also applies with gel candles though they composed mostly with 95% mineral oil content and 5% resin content. As resin is mainly powder, it is regularly mixed with mineral oils to be changed into solid material that candles are. High dense gel though able to carry scents that are heavy ten to be hard to pour because it is thicker takes time to meld. While the medium dense gel have the smooth denseness and tend to carry just the right amount of scent in them compared to the low dense gel candles which softer easily poured but minimal amount of scent could be carried in them.

Similar to the common paraffin candle we have gel candles have the same production process like melting the wax and drying the container it will settle on. It should be a deep fryer that is needed to melt these candles against the well-known double boiler candles need to melt. Sam as a multi-cooker the deep fryer needs to non-stick with the correct temperature to melt the candles. This is why deep fryers have a temperature dial though it is still advisable to make use a thermometer. It also important for you to use hard plastic or metal spoons to stir or mix the wax since wooden spoons make bubbles on your candles. Also, always keep a fire extinguisher near your kitchen or work area to avoid having accidental fires since gel are prone to burning.

You can change any time the colors or shades of gel candles through dyes. Ideally use liquid dyes since they maintain the gel waxes translucency. Watch out carefully to measure a small amount of dye to your candles since one tiny drop maybe too much. Don't use food coring soap dyes, crayons or clothing dyes since they may do the opposite effect. Another thing is that these candles together with those following materials won't burn exactly right.

Whenever you're ready to learn the art of candle craft, you're going to learn very fast. The candle industry is always calling for more fresh ideas to enliven the candles of this generation. In addition, for gel candles are they could actually float. You could easily personalize your gift giving treats by these rare candles. Another give away for these type of candles are their ability to burn really slow, hence lasting longer the the common ones we have.

Safety in Wooden Toy Crafts

Building handmade toys is a very rewarding and interesting hobby to get into. The possibilities are really endless. You can build classic pull toys, make handmade blocks, or even create unique dolls. Making toys is a fun way to get into woodworking or to expand a woodworking hobby. There are just a few things to know before you get started. Here we will discuss common safety concerns with wooden toys so that you can safely enjoy your new craft.

-Choking Hazards: In general, toys and toy parts should not be able to fit down a toilet paper tube. Consider this especially if the toy is going to go to a small child or baby. Keep in mind that decorations or broken parts can become choking hazards later.

-Impalement Hazards: Avoid creating toys that could impale a child if they fell on it. Sharp ends, long thin pieces, and other slender objects could be dangerous if a child fell on them and punctured part of their body.

-Toxic Finishes: Be careful about what types of finishes and glues you use on toys. Some paints, glues and stains can contain harmful chemicals, heavy metals, and volatile organic compounds (VOC's). Toxic gas fumes can cause illnesses and allergies that are not healthy for children or adults. Look for all natural, non-toxic or natural paints and glues for finishing toys.

-Sharp Edges: Children's toys should be free of sharp edges and points. Watch out for exposed nails, screw heads or threads, and staples. Smooth out corners with sandpaper. Not only will your toys have a more professional look, they will feel better to touch and play with as well.

-Strings and Other Decorations: Remember that strings and decorations could pose strangulation or choking hazards. Never give a toy with a string to a small child. Consider using a thick, wood dowel for a handle instead of a string for pull toys.

-Consider Breakage: Toys that are large enough to ride or climb on should be able to hold the weight of an adult.

-Holes: Think about the size of the holes in toys that you make. Children can get their fingers trapped in holes of the right size. Think "bigger than a dime or smaller than a pea" when creating toys with holes.

-Tipping Hazards: Anything that weighs more than ten pounds could be a hazard if it lands on a child. If it weighs more than ten pounds and is also taller than two feet, it may need to be anchored to the wall to avoid tipping, crushing and entrapment.

-Suffocation Hazards: Make sure that if you make something that a child could fit into that it has a wide, unobstructed vent so that children cannot suffocate if trapped inside.

Crafting the Unique Wedding Stationery

Could a wedding stationery become unique and affordable at the same time? Could you leave your visitors in awe without hurting your pocket? Is it ever possible for a wedding to save on wedding stationery? Do you really need a stationery?

A wedding stationery is a neophyte in the field of weddings. It is newly introduced in the industry and it was well received by the playing people in the field. The wedding planners and organizers love the effect that a wedding stationery has on the weddings that they are planning and organizing. In this way, the guests would be guided accordingly and that they don't have to ask and bother the wedding organizers on different question about how the wedding should go, its program, how long would it last and the likes.

The stationery would be the most sought-after piece in your wedding. More than the mouthwatering dishes that you would be preparing, the people would want to have a copy of the wedding stationery. It would not only guide them all throughout the ceremony but it can also be a good souvenir for the wedding. Because of this, the wedding stationery should be something that is very beautiful and unique. We understand that times are really hard nowadays and in as much that you wanted to have that grand and beautiful wedding, we have to consider our budget still and do everything within our capability to lessen our expenses. This is why we are giving you smart tips on how you, yourself, could come up with a unique wedding invitation.

There are three main things that you should consider in designing your wedding stationery, the material to be used, the font and font color that would be used and the overall design of your wedding stationery. Remember, everything in your wedding says a thing or two about the couple so you have to personalize everything in such a way that it would reflect your personality combined. And if you are also taking into major consideration the budget, you have to limit your design and be as minimalist as possible.

The less design, the less pricey it would be. You could have a stationery wherein the paper says everything. We already have different specialty papers available in the market and each of them are professionally designed that you don't have to look for an artist to make a design for you or even spend an extra for the printing cost of the card. And finally, it could also be that the font and the color that you will be choosing for it could do the trick.

Sir Isaac Newton's Rare 'Principia' Book Sells For $191,200

Sir Isaac Newton is often called one of the most influential people in human history. His writings formed the foundation of classical mechanics and helped explain gravity and planetary motion. His "Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica," Latin for "Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy," was published in 1687 and has come to be known as the greatest work in the history of science.

When the first edition was printed in 1687, it's believed 250 to 300 copies were produced before the printer swapped out a title page to incorporate the name of bookseller Samuel Smith. Experts believe roughly 50 copies of this second issue were printed.

Although scholars believe the two issues were printed simultaneously, first-issue copies remain more popular with collectors, with some fetching more than $300,000. The highest price realized for a second issue was $125,000. But at a February 2010 rare book auction by Dallas-based Heritage Auction Galleries, a second issue from a private collection realized nearly $200,000. It's believed to be a world record price for a second issue.

"This sale certainly makes the second issue of 'Principia' nearly as desirable as the first issue," says Heritage Auctions rare book director James Gannon. "Demand remains strong for landmark works in the history of printing, 'foundation books' such as Charles Darwin's 'On the Origin of Species' or Andreas Vesalius' 'De Humani Corporis Fabrica.'"

Newton's famous encounter with an apple is among science's most celebrated anecdotes. It was upon seeing an apple fall in his orchard that Newton conceived that the same force governed the motion of the moon and the apple. He calculated the force needed to hold the moon in its orbit, as compared with the force pulling an object to the ground. His subsequent work contributed groundbreaking theories and discoveries to many early fields of study -- including an early design for telescopes that is still utilized today.

3 Great Reasons to Invest in Archival-Quality Coin Albums

Coin albums have been a coin collecting staple for generations. Crafted from high-quality, wear-resistant materials, coin albums are designed to last and provide ongoing value to both novice and experienced collectors alike. In fact, if you are new to the world of collecting coins, there are several great reasons why you should consider investing in at least one of these popular storage options before you get started.

Here are 3 Great Reasons to Invest in Archival-Quality Coin Albums:

1. Create Treasured Memories. Coin collecting does not have to be a solitary endeavor. In fact, it is something you can do with your spouse, children or other loved ones. Popular coin series, like the United States Quarters or the newly launched National Park Quarters, provide a great starting point for new collectors and offer years of potential enjoyment. Fortunately, custom coin albums exist for these and other popular collectable coin series. You can even make a game out of filling these special albums by developing contests or finding other fun ways to encourage a little healthy competition among your fellow coin collectors.

2. Organize and Display Your Coin Collection. Of course, a group of coins randomly tossed in a drawer isn't very appealing and can hardly be classified as a true collection. This approach also makes it a lot more difficult to determine the total value of your collection or to share it with others. Coin albums make it easy to store your treasured finds in a neat, logical fashion that adds to their overall value. By providing a clear-cut method of organizing individual coins, these albums allow you to quickly see what you already have and highlight which coins you still need to collect. Beyond providing coin storage, most archival-quality coin albums also provide space to include important details, such as series history, where individual coins were minted, and mintage figures.

3. Enhance the Lifetime Value of Your Collection. Often, a random assortment of individual coins is only worth the combined face value of each coin. However, part of the fun of collecting is the prospect of assembling something of much greater value than just the sum of its parts. Of course, the future value of your coin collection will depend on a number of variables, including the rarity and age of the coins in it. However, accumulating a number of unique coins in an archival-quality coin album provides more weight to your efforts as it lends a stronger tangible presence to your finds.

Finally, coin albums can enhance the value of your coin collection by making it a lot harder to accidentally spend that valuable 1909-S Indian Head penny! Although this may seem silly, leaving loose (and valuable) coins lying around is a recipe for disaster, especially if other members of your household are unaware of the true value of your treasures.

Whether you plan to bequeath your coin collection to future generations or hope to sell it for a profit down the road, using quality coin albums will help protect and preserve your investment for years to come.

Sports Cards - Still Popular Amongst People

Containing the photo of sports personalities which also mentions their career statistics on a small card made of good quality paper are called as sports cards. These are a craze for sports lovers from football to basketball to hockey to baseball; everyone wants to have a good collection of these specially having the ones of their favourite player.

It all started in the beginning of the 20th century in the year of 1901 when small pieces of cloth were traded bearing the name of the baseball players on them. These were are extremely rare and have a worth over $800 today. Usually cards are given along with some products, like with a chewing gum or with a pack of potato chips or with a box of cereals. The different manufacturers had their own distinctive way of circulating these pieces. The value of these depends on the quality and the availability. A card which was circulated by the manufacturers just twenty times will have more worth than one circulated fifty times.

These have been among the earliest ones to be collected for a personal collection. Baseball was the first sport to get cards depicting different players and their career statistics and a little about their personal profile. These first appeared with cigarette boxes as the manufacturers were also the producers of tobacco.

Personally autographed ones became more of a sensation than a normal pack as they were exclusive and very less in number, and hence cost more. The craze of these cards continued with more and more sports had their cards of their players printed.

With the arrival of internet, trading and buying these has become easier. One can now upload the pictures of cards he has and can browse through ones owned by others. Trading can also be done along with buying and selling of these.

Although the craze of collection of these may have lessened over the years with more and more trading sports cards online rather than actually making a collection. But nonetheless there are still old folk out there looking to pay an arm and leg for rare sports cards of their favourite sports personality.

There is also competition seen among the manufacturers of the sports cards as they are looking not only to sell the sports cards but are also looking forward to sell their products through the channel of sports cards.