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Desmond Guilfoyle in an award winning commentator on influence, persuasion and charisma. He has written three books on those subjects and his book ‘The Charisma Effect’ has been published in seven languages around the globe. He can be contacted at mondodec@tpg.com.au For further articles, tips and information visit his blog at http://charismacom.blogspot.com/ He also collects vintage Omega watches to remain sane and his blog on Omega Constellations can be found at http://omega-constellation-collectors.blogspot.com/
January 5, 2008
The Omega calibre 750 movement was the first calibre to feature date and day of the week. The Constellation version, calibre 751 with 24 jewels and official chronometer certification, came out in the late nineteen-sixties.
The 751 has the same heritage as the legendary calibre 551 and has inherited the staying power of its famous cousin. It’s certainly not like some of the very recent Omega calibres that spend so much time in the workshop you’re lucky to get visiting rights for them on a weekend!
You’ll not have to cosset or pamper this old workhorse much, and it will amble along indefinitely at its comfortable 19,800 oscillations an hour if you have it serviced at intervals of four to five years.
Parts are usually not a problem for this movement if, on the rare occasion, they need replaced. Tens and tens of thousands of them were produced, and most savvy watch makers have one or two around from which they raid for spares.
Why, then, are they so relatively cheap? The answer is complex, but one of the answers is that the earlier constellation calibres 551, 561 and 564 have not yet reached prices that would require a second mortgage on the family home to pay for them. And so, the demand for calibre 751, while steady, is not overwhelming.
Calibre 751 Omega Constellations can be purchased for as little as 400 US dollars in on-line auctions. They represent excellent value, particularly if they come with an integrated bracelet or an original C Case bracelet, as do many of the examples available.
So, what do you do if you net one for such a price? The first thing you do is take it to your horologist/watchmaker and have it dissembled, cleaned and oiled. Make sure your watchmaker actually dissembles the watch and isn’t one of the Short-Cut Charlies who throw it in a cleaning machine without taking it apart first.
While there are some quite cheeky operators about, you shouldn’t really have to pay much more than $US 120.00 for a traditional clean and oil and it should be a bit less, still making your acquisition an extremely good buy.
If you’re buying from a bricks and mortar dealer, make sure you ask if, and when, the watch was serviced. Sometimes vintage watch dealers have a watch serviced, stick it in the window under lights and there it stays for quite some time. If the watch hasn’t been serviced in the preceding twelve months, chances are a combination of window light heat and immobility has dried out the lubrication and the watch will need servicing again.
So, how much should you pay for a good quality 751 at a bricks and mortar outlet? Using a base of US $400.00 which is about average for on-line auctions, add $40.00 for rent and services, $120.00 for a service (If indeed it has been serviced) an additional $100.00 for orthodontist bills for the dealer’s children, and you arrive at a figure of around $660.00. Take $60.00 off the dealer’s margin (This is your haggling bonus) and you arrive at around the $US600.00 mark. If you pay more than $650.00 for a stainless steel calibre 751 at a vintage watch outlet, you’re edging towards paying too much.
(c) Desmond Guilfoyle
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Desmond Guilfoyle in an award winning commentator on influence, persuasion and charisma. He has written three books on those subjects and his book ‘The Charisma Effect’ has been published in seven languages around the globe. He can be contacted at mondodec@tpg.com.au For further articles, tips and information visit his blog at http://charismacom.blogspot.com/ He also collects vintage Omega Constellations to remain sane, and his comprehensive blog on Constellations can be found at http://omega-constellation-collectors.blogspot.com/
December 25, 2007
A fun and exciting holiday project using old coat hangers! All you need is 6 metal coat hangers, some old green holiday trimming garland, a string of small holiday lights, and some decorations (you can use ornaments, candy canes, ribbons and bows, pine cones, or anything else that comes to mind!) Read through the entire instructions first, they will become clear after one complete read-through.
Take your coat hangers and set them into three groups of two. Tie one corner of each group together. You can use string or bread ties.
Now, take one of the tied pairs of coat hangers and place it on your left thigh with the hooks pointing to your right, and the tied corner toward your knee. Take another pair and position it on your right thigh, but with opposite orientation, so that the hooks point to the left and the tied corner is pointing to your knee. Now take the corners of the two sets that are tied (and pointing towards your knees), and tie them together.
Next, orient the hangers so that corners with the hooks meet together. Tie the set of four together just above the hooks. Have the originally tied corners on top, with the corners with the hooks on bottom. The the third corners will be pointing outwards. In this orientation, bend the hooks upwards so that the top of the hook is above the lower wire of the hook corner (this will make more sense by telling you that you will eventually be securing the hooks to the lower wire). The hook side will be the floor side, the other tied side will be the side pointing to the ceiling. If you are confused, keep reading this will make sense in a minute.
So at this point you have a total of four hangers tied together, keep them grouped into two pairs, as these are two of the legs of your tree. You are making a tripod. Now, attach the third pair in the same manner. After securing the third pair to the set, bend the hooks upwards as before, but ensure that this set sticks out lower than the other two sets of hooks.
You will now have a complete tripod, with three legs emanating from the center radius, each leg made of two coat hangers.
Place the tripod on the floor or a table. Begin with a pair of hooks facing you. Spread them apart, and secure the hook on your left to the wire of the hanger to the left of the hook. Secure the hook on the right to the wire of the hanger to the right of the hook. Do this again for the other two sets of hooks. This will provide added stability to the Christmas tree, and is an important step.
Now it is time to attach the lights! At the corner which is the top of the tree, place the first light after the wall socket plug, and secure it with string or a tie. Allow the length of cord from that light to the socket to come down along the middle of the tree. Secure it again at the bottom, making the cord always coming out from the center of the tree bottom. Then, wrap the lights around the tripod, circling it, and securing as needed to maintain the structure of the lights.
Now, take your green garland and drop it down the center of the tree to hide the middle support. Secure at the top and bottom with a tie. Now wrap your tree tight in the garland so that there are no gaps and it looks solid. Secure as needed throughout the process.
Add any decorations, plug it in, and you’re ready to go!
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Ron Maier is the owner of OnlyHangers, a leading online vendor of coat hangers for a variety of needs. For more information, please visit http://www.onlyhangers.com
December 23, 2007
This is an excellent way to let your child participate in the decoration of his or her room while at the same time having fun working on a creative crafts project!
All you will need for this project is probably already laying around your house. Find a wire coat hanger, some yarn, some colorful construction paper, glue, and decorating materials, such as paint, markers, crayons, stickers, glitter, etcetera.
Cut 6 diamond shapes out of the construction paper, it is fun to make them different colors, because each diamond represents a kite…and we want several different kites. You can make them different sizes as well to add variety, a good rule of thumb for the average size is five or six inches tall and three or four inches wide. Make them big enough to give your child room to create a masterpiece on each one!
Have your child spend time decorating each of the kites. To add variety, it is fun to have varying media used for the decoration, for example some might use crayons, a couple with paint, and one or two with glitter or stickers.
Once all the masterpieces are done, affix yarn to the bottom of each kite to represent its tail. Six inches or so will do, again it is fun to add some variety in lengths and colors. Stapling works just fine, although glue or tape will do as well.
Now, cut six bow shapes out of the construction paper to attach to the end of the tails. This can be made easier by cutting the shapes into a tuxedo bow-tie shape of two opposing triangles. Of course you can always spend the time to make them curvy and add as much detail as you want. Attach them to the end of the tails using staples, glue, or tape.
Now you can have your child attach the kites to the hanger. Again, varying lengths of yarn can be used for this purpose, however try to encourage your little one to space them along the hanger in a relatively even manner to ensure balance. This is not rocket science, it doesn’t have to be exact, just roughly balanced.
Now you are almost ready to hang the work of art. Have your child participate in the selection process of where to hang the mobile in his or her room. Once a suitable location has been agreed to (away from ceiling fans and the like), tie a piece of yarn to the hook of the hanger. This will allow the hanger to rotate freely and be a true mobile. Then, attach the top of the yarn to the ceiling, either by tying it to a hook, or using a stapler, thumb tack or push pin.
You now have a kite mobile! Add to the fun by spending time with your child making up stories about flying kites, or which make believe character each kite belongs to, or anything else that will stimulate the imagination. The possibilities are endless!
About the Author: Ron Maier is the owner of OnlyHangers, an online specialty store offering a variety of styles and types of coat hangers. For more information, please visit www.onlyhangers.com.
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About the Author: Ron Maier is the owner of OnlyHangers, an online specialty store offering a variety of styles and types of coat hangers.
November 26, 2007
It is now considered that collecting antique furniture is one of the most expensive hobbies that people can get involved in today. Because of this, it is important that any antique collector should take the necessary steps to ensure that they maintain and protect the pieces that they have invested in. Some of the most important steps that any antique collector should take is how to clean and handle their antique furniture, but not just knowing how to clean and handle the furniture is not just limited to them keeping it dirt or scratch free, it also involves them understanding the factors which can cause the damage and ways of ensuring how the furniture can be protected from such damage.
Certainly there are a number of factors which must be taken into consideration which could cause damage to antique furniture and any good collector needs to know what these are so that they can take the necessary steps or precautions to help protect their collection from these. One real problem is the alteration in a places humidity where the furniture is kept. This is dangerous for antique furniture as the change in weather and temperature will cause the furniture to expand and shrink will cause cracking and splitting and one way of preventing this is to use a humidifier which will keep the room where the collection is at a constant temperature.
Another problem that will cause damage to antique furniture is exposure to sunlight as this can alter the colour and finish of a particular item. A way of stopping this sort of damage is either to remove the item from where it has been placed in direct sunlight or by the placement of UV filters on windows.
Then there is the problem of insect infestation into a piece of furniture such as termites. The only way that this problem can be remedied is by arranging for outside help as the only effective way of treating this problem is by fumigation.
Finally, a collector will need to look at the way they handle the furniture and the types of cleaning products and materials that they use.
However, given that as stated previously collecting antique furniture can be expensive all collectors need to take the necessary steps in order to help preserve the value of their collection and just knowing how to clean or remove scratches from the furniture is just part of it. A collector also needs to know and understand the many risks involved that can cause damage to the collection and the ways of preventing these risks happening.
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Allison Thompson a work from home mum now living in Spain who has become interested in collecting antiques and has produced a site called Antique Adventures providing information on this subject. If you would like to learn more please go to http://www.antiqueadventures.info
November 25, 2007
For decades people have been using maps as sophisticated, high-class decorations. An ancient world map can be placed inside a beautiful wood frame and hung on the wall, or put on an office desk depending on its size. It tells people you are a knowledgeable man of refined taste.
Many people collect all types of maps as a pastime, and since every demand creates its own supply, this has led retailers to start printing them on all sorts of products imaginable. You can buy a necktie that depicts an ancient world map, as well as footstools depicting the same image. Other products featuring images of an ancient world map include calendars, desk mats, wall hangings, blankets, rugs, framed art, clocks, watches, wallpaper, stationary, you name it.
There are many auction houses, as well as online auction sites that specifically target those interested in owning an ancient world map. At a recent online auction, $11,000 was paid for an ancient world map dating back to 1640. This particular map showed the Seven Wonders of the World, the sun and moon, the five known planets of that time period, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Pyramids, and the lighthouse at Alexandria. The text of the map was in the German language.
While some people are happy enough to just own a little something having to do with an ancient world map, there are others who consider themselves full-time collectors, who do not hesitate to splurge thousands of dollars at auctions to purchase one-of-its-kind maps dated hundreds of years ago.
Although most of us don?t have the resources to purchase such a treasure you can find a perfectly decent replica of an ancient world map in several places. I?d suggest forgetting about the world class auction houses and heading right for the local antique shop just around the corner. Although they aren?t likely to have an original ancient world map (not that you have enough money or are crazy enough to pay for one anyway), they may have several likenesses which will look just as great in either your home or office.
The Internet seems to be one of the best places to locate hard to find items and this isn?t an exception to the rule. After doing a quick search on Google or Yahoo! you?ll find yourself bombarded with information and end up considering several choices. If the company is reputable and shipping charges aren?t monstrous this can be a wonderful approach to finding an ancient world map.
If you are looking for a way to add some life to a dull room, why not try an ancient world map? Not only will it bring a bit of life to an otherwise lifeless space, but you may also be amazed just how much you can learn by studying it. You?ll also be sowing an interest in history in your children. When one of these maps is displayed proudly in your home, sooner or later your children will ask you to explain it to them. And make sure you know what to tell them.
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Linda E. Joy is a writer for The Arts Magazine. The site provides readers with the latest insights and write-ups on all things home and family oriented, and much more.
Whether you already enjoy playing princess and making jewelry, or just want to learn how, your first stop should be at a bead store. You can visit a local bead store just a few blocks away or easily find one online. Just make sure you have plenty of time to browse.
Beads come in hundreds of shapes, sizes and colors that will certainly satisfy your desire for artistic freedom. Beads can be made of glass, metal, bone, plastic and even paper. Some beads are made from expensive gemstones, while others are common wood. Seeds, shells and trivial objects are also items that bead store might make into beads. Glass and acrylic beads can be found next to luxurious Swarovski crystal and Czech crystal. A collection that is designed to wow with the world of possibilities.
Along with beads, one of these stores usually sells findings, clasps, watch faces and other components for creating beautiful jewelry. If you are lucky, your bead store will also offer regular classes in jewelry making, beading on a loom, and beading on cloth. You may learn to bead for fun or even profit.
You should look through your supplies and make a list of items that you need, or want before visiting a bead store. That makes things considerably easier and you will never miss one tiny but crucial item again. If you are looking for a particular bead, it helps to take a sample along to the bead store so from the first glance the staff can tell you exactly whether the store carries it. Also, think carefully about what projects you have planned. Write down the components you definitely need as well as optional deco that you?re considering. Carry a backpack purse so that both of your hands have the freedom to pick, examine and count the beads.
When you?re at the store, it is never redundant to ask the sales clerk if there are any specials or sales going on. Also ask if they give discounts to members of bead societies. It may be worth joining if you enjoy beads and buy them on a regular basis. If you bead, or make jewelry for profit, and have a tax ID number let the salesperson know before they key in the price from the cashier. Remember to bring a copy of your tax certificate if you have one. This allows you to purchase beads and other supplies from a bead store at wholesale instead of retail cost.
After you get home sort your beads. A good desk lamp will help you identify patterns and colors more easily. Most people sort by color, shape and size. Similarity may also be a factor to consider. If you are like most people that visit a bead store, you end up with more beads than you initially planned, just because so many caught your eye and you could envision a particular occasion when such beads come in handy.
Follow designs in books, online, or that you have previously made. Come up with new designs of your own. Use up the beads that you bought. Part of the fun is coming up with new projects to use up the beads that you?ve accumulated from the bead store. Then it is time for another visit to the bead store. And a whole journey of creation begins all over again.
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Linda E. Joy is a writer for The Arts Magazine. The site provides readers with the latest insights and write-ups on all things home and family oriented, and much more.
November 18, 2007
You may have your favorite childhood toy. Like your favorite toy train that you kept near your bed. These items nowadays can bring back the old memories of your childhood and the happy moments when you were still a kid playing your favorite toy.
These days, you will find antique toy collectors converting his entire basement, room, garage or a part of the living room into a miniature train set with complete resemblance of trees, bridges, and streams. However, this hobby could be expensive because of the set up you will need.
Fortunately, an expensive train set can offer lucrative profits in return. Because of its antiqueness and the memory it evokes, it can be sold at a more expensive price for toy train collectors. In fact, a pre-World War 2 Mickey Mouse collection set was auctioned for the amount of $1500.00.
Usually, a person may purchase a toy because he wants his children to play with toys. Another reason could be collecting and preserving a particular time manufactured only for a limited time.
Enthusiasm is one key element when you are collecting antique toys. You may come to a point where you are more than willing to pay any amount for the last piece needed to complete your toy collection. Others also opt to purchase a particular antique toy that has defined its formative years of existence. For example, the first ever Batman comic book has an auctioned price of approximately $10,000.00.
Factors that you have to look at when you prefer collecting antique toys is the condition and years of existence of the toy you will purchase. A particular antique toy that is still in good condition will certainly become scarce and may have a high asking price in some point in time.
Toys that are still sealed in their original boxes are the most expensive. These are called toys which are in their mint condition. Toys that were already opened and used could be less valuable because they may have lost their quality. Storing toys in a dust free environment is highly recommended.
But if you prefer to handle, clean and display them outside their storage area. Make sure that you use cotton gloves in transferring your toys. This is to prevent any dirt or oil from your hands to tarnish or damage the surface portion of the toys.
Toys that are widely popular and well recognized are safer purchases compared to the items that are only recognized for a limited time. The shortages and fads that made the toys appealing and popular for short periods may not have the same appeal and attraction when you talk about long term.
Those popular Tickle Me Elmo Dolls that were really in demand were selling with an added thousand dollars of its original selling price right before Christmas. The best way to invest on toys, such as in cases like this, is to purchase directly to the manufacturer of these toys.
If you are really into antique toy collecting, you may search web sites for informative guides on the current auction prices of the more widely popular antique toys. The internet is also a great place for sellers and buyers in this kind of market.
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Dave Poon is an accomplished writer who specializes in
the latest in Antique Collection. For more information
regarding Antique Toys please drop by at http://www.antiquesinformer.com/
November 17, 2007
Knitting wool is created by first shearing the wool off the animal. There are different types of wool including lambs wool, sheep wool, alpaca wool, and llama wool. Shearing means that the animal?s hair is shaved back and collected to use for clothing, towels, and other cloth items. Shearing does not hurt the animals and in very hot regions it has to be done to keep the animal from overheating. This is where using the hair from animals was first considered. Once the hair is removed it must be washed before it can be spun. Before the days of running water, people would fill porous bags with hair and put the bags into rivers or creeks to get out all of the dirt and other particles that were left behind. This process is similar today except that some people use their washing machines. The hair is washed in very hot water two or three times and then dried. Fine or dirty hairs are taken out.
Wool hairs can be purchased in most craft stores or bought from farms. The hair is not yet knitting wool. After the hair has dried, it will need to be spun. Some people use spinners which consist of a big wheel that is fed the hair. Spinning is what creates the knitting wool. Hairs are spun together to form a tight yarn. This yarn can then be used to knit. If a person cannot fit a spinning wheel into their home, smaller hand spinning wheels can be used. These are traditional spinning wheels that are two or three inches wide. Spinning the wheel that is attached to a stick and adding hair will begin to create the knitting wool. This can be a laborious process, but one that will be worth it.
After the knitting wool has been spun, people will begin to knit, which is another process by which yarn is interwoven to create clothing and other fabrics that people use everyday. Traditional knitting can take weeks or months to finish one or two items. Wool sweaters, blankets, shirts, and other clothing made from wool will last a long time because the wool is very strong material. Knitting wool is a renewable resource. Many people will combine different kinds of wool to create blends that may feel a little softer. These blends are also used to create different patterns. Dying the wool allows for more color choices.
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For vital information on all things concerned with wool, fabrics, tips and techniques and visit Wool
November 1, 2007
Scrapbooking is a wonderfully enjoyable hobby but sometimes scrapbook block can cause even the most dedicated scrapper to ?freeze up? on ideas. This can be worrisome if you have never had it happen before, and frustrating as well. Your photos can starting stacking up causing you even more stress about getting behind on your scrapbooking projects. Here are some ideas to help get your scrapbook pages jump started again.
Try a scrapbook kit. You can purchase these at your local scrapbook or craft store. It is a great way to quickly put together some fabulous pages and all the work is practically done for you. The coordinating colors, die cuts, and papers are included. Usually they have a few layout ideas as well. Keep your journaling simple, just stick to the main facts like dates and names. You can always go back and fill in more later if necessary. The idea here is to get a few scrapbook pages actually completed.
Join an online scrapbook forum or community. Having online friends who enjoy scrapbooking as much as you can really help carry you through a slump. Sometimes just having someone else encourage you can get you back on track with your scrapbook projects. These communities usually have some type of online challenge or project they are working on so you can join in and participate too. During times when I have just felt stuck, an online scrap challenge has helped me tremendously.
Visit online galleries for new ideas. There are many wonderful scrapbook galleries online where you can see scrapbook pages and albums. Some of these even list the materials used which makes it very easy to make a similar page for your own album.
Browse through Ebay listings. You do not have to buy anything on Ebay just to see what people are selling. There are some very talented scrapbook artists who sell their premade scrapbook pages and albums online. You can get some wonderful and unique ideas on scrapbook layouts.
Go through your scrapbook supplies and create a page using scrap pieces only. Set the timer and make yourself complete something, even if it is only a card. I have found the best way to get out of scrapbooking block is just to do something, even if it is only small. This helps give me the energy to do bigger projects and stimulate my creativity once again.
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