Archive for December, 2009
by Michael Hixtons
Digging through the old bags and boxes in your attic could be worth some money on that huge online garage sale we know as eBay. Whether you like eBay or not, there is no denying that a lot of money changes hands every day on the site.
If you have things sitting around your house that get moved about but never used, they might be good candidates for selling on eBay. It is amazing the amount of stuff we keep sitting around for no good reason. These are often items we didn’t (and wouldn’t) buy for ourselves.
Certainly you shouldn’t start out by selling anything with strong sentimental value. You will have to pick and choose as you select your inventory. The midst of a cleaning frenzy is not always the best time to choose what you will sell.
Head on over to eBay once you have your garage sale items put together. Look to see if anyone else is selling what you have. You can gauge the competition and see how popular an item is by doing this first.
Your next step is to check out the completed items. Registered users can click on the button to the left of the screen to choose “completed items” and a listing of finished auctions will appear. Here you can see what final selling prices were for items similar to yours and if they sold at all.
By this point you should have an idea of a reasonable asking price for your items. Now, by following the step by step selling instructions, you can get your old stuff actively up for sale in this huge online garage sale we call eBay. The listing process is pretty simple and once you have gotten used to it, you will be able to list several items inside of an hour.
It all comes down to buy low and sell high. If you are selling items you already own and just want to get rid of, then it is like it’s all profit. With just bit of research you can start pulling in some extra cash every week.
With a little bit of practice, you can make some nice money every week off of this giant online garage sale. Better still, you can turn your Spring cleaning into a way to get a few extra bucks without having to drag a ton of your belongings into the driveway.
December 22 2009 | Collectibles | No Comments »
by Daryl Clayton Kennedy
Before electronics hit the scene in the late 19th Century modelers had to rely on more subtle modalities of propulsion for their locomotives. Even as electricity dazzled the early train antsiest, and electrical mastery was becoming more evident, it was still a grand challenge to operate two locomotives on one layout.
In the 1940s’ Lionel introduced a truly unique two channel system that had the ability to change frequencies by oscillating electrons and transmitting signals through relays leading to the rails.
The operator could control the locomotive through the use of a toggle switch or dial to manipulate train direction and speed. Unfortunately Lionel’s system was unnecessarily bulky and cumbersome.
Lionel’s lack of electronic savvy held the hall of fame company back in the development of command control. GE hit a home run when they stepped up to the plate and belted out a winning 5 channel system, capable of controlling more the one train on a single block!
GE called this system ASTRAC (Automatic Simultaneous Train Control). This new system from GE utilized a silicon based rectifier that Incorporated a receiver in each cab. The receiver responded to signals within the tracks sent by a transmitter mounted elsewhere.
Systems such as Dynotrols Carrier Control and the CTC-16 which was a must have in the seventies. These early Carrier Control Systems had a common flaw which would lead to their demise. The systems of the sixties and seventies where not compatible. You stood a good chance of shorting out your system when interchanging transmitters and receivers.
Due to these inconsistencies, Lenz, a prominent European DCC innovator, suggested to the industry leaders that they device a system in which compatibility of decoders, transmitters and power stations be mandatory. So in honer of this decree we now enjoy uniform electronics as far a s basic DCC is concerned.
As long as your decoders and power stations follow NMRA standards you’re good to go! Be sure to check your decoder before operation to assure positive results.
December 16 2009 | Collectibles | No Comments »
by Nikki Davis
As a collector of the famously stunning Precious Moments Ornaments, you need to grasp the history how and who created these spellbinding decors, however to people who don’t grasp how this lovely concept started, below is the story about its creation.
Led by his love of individuals, Samuel Butcher formed the Precious Moments ornaments. At a very youthful age, he was inspired by his mother to pursue his dreams and study more to boost his inventive aptitude. With such support, he attended Art Training when finishing high school and finally got a scholarship at Berkeley’s Arts and Crafts College.
While growing up, he met individuals who influenced him to become a loyal man to the Lord. Ultimately, he joined ministries and fellowships that allowed him to apply his experience by creating posters, motivating cards and stationery, that additionally led him to his business partner Bill Biel. Sam didn’t think of bringing the tear-drop eyed shape kids into play, but it became an immediate hit that is why Sam’s art was brought to life in a form of figurine and gave birth to Precious Moments ornaments.
In’78, twenty one strikingly lovely Precious Moments figurines came out in the market and became an enormous success. People who bought the figurines felt joy and were touched by his concept therefore they wrote Sam thousands of moving letters.
In 2005, Precious Moments Inc. was born and finally Precious Moments figurines found their new home. Ever since then, new figurines are brought in for the public to always collect and give away as gifts. Because it had been such a great triumph, you wouldn’t even believe that a Precious Moment Park was designed with a Precious Moment Chapel on the land of Carthage, MO in’89 and over three hundred,000 enthusiasts visit it yearly.
At the moment, thousands of Precious Moments ornaments are obtainable in the market that continuously enlightens and touches many lives by its superbly drawn tear-dropped eyes.
About the Author:
Want to find out more? If you are interested in more information on the
Precious Moments Ornaments that are available this year as well as more about how they are created and where to find them,
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December 06 2009 | Collectibles | No Comments »
by Ledley Withenshaw
If you are a little kid then it’s the hamster craze. If you are a teenager, then it’s the Twilight series. What, you haven’t heard of the Twilight series ? Some have even described it as a cultural phenomenon because of the extent that it has moved people. In short, it is a tale of love and romance between a girl and a boy that turns out to be a vampire. And with the new release of the second movie, New moon, all sorts of accompanying merchandise has been produced to tie in.
One such item that ties in is the Twilight Doll and action figures. They are bound to be a best selling toy, giving Twilight fans a chance to make their own romantic scenes with Bella and Edward. Or many people will prefer to leave them in the packaging as a collectible.
At present there are two varieties of Twilight dolls. There are the dolls made by Mattel and those made by NECA.
The Mattel dolls are the famous Barbie dolls - Yes, Twilight has been given the Barbie treatment. If there was ever any doubts that the Twilight story was a phenomenon, then being turned into Barbie dolls must be the clincher.
At present the Twilight Barbie dolls only feature Edward and Bella, but there are reports that Jacob will soon be made. Bella looks like a Barbie, with changes to the face to look more like Kirsten Stewart. And the outfit looks like one that may have been worn by Bella in the movies. The Edward doll bears a resemblance to actor Robert Pattinson who plays Edward in the movie (or rather the face does). Other than that, the doll is basically a Ken doll. The doll’s clothing is similar to how the character might have dressed in the movies. These are authentic merchandise, which include a tag on the clothing and a logo on the stand from Summit Entertainment to vouch for this fact.
Looking for your own Twilight Barbie Doll ? Then check out the latest Barbie Twilight Edward Doll. It’s sure to be a best seller over the Christmas holiday season. Collect it and all the others.
The NECA dolls are also described as action figures. They are a bit smaller than the Barbie dolls. They are also cheaper but there are more characters to choose from. This includes Jacob Black, Alice Cullen and the star struck lovers. They are a fun little toy or can be collected if that is your thing. If you get one of these action figures, you will want all of them.
December 05 2009 | Collectibles | No Comments »
by Petro Beens
“I must have a Lego Darth Vader!” I heard my nephew proclaim “What?”, I asked. I had the pleasant job of watching him for a bit while my sister worked. I do not keep up with all the “in” toys. But, my little angel was going to give me the “down low”.
“Darn, Auntie Felicia, do you not know anything about toys?” I was starting to feel ignorant. “I have wanted them for a very long time!” A long time? He was just five years old. What did he know about a long time? But, he knows what he wants. He was going to share his knowledge with me.
“Have you seen any of the Star Wars movies?”, he questioned. Yes, I had seen a few of them. But, I did not know anything about the desires of a little boy. I have no children of my own and he is the only one I can rely upon.
“I have a ship that started my collection. Momma got it for me as a birthday present. I keep it in my room and have waited and waited to get what goes with it.” I remember the ship. I thought he was too young to have it.
“I have been hoping Santa would bring a few of the action figures for me for Christmas! I have tried to be a very good boy and momma told me I have been good!” My mind was thinking of when I could purchase these for him.
Here I am trying to figure out what to do. My niece tells me that this item costs quite a bit of money. I guess I might have to dip into my savings and see if “Santa” will deliver the item.
I will have to talk to Santa and hear what he has to say.
December 03 2009 | Collectibles | No Comments »