Wednesday 13 January 2010

Making handmade soap and spa products

Making handmade soap and spa products

Author: Andrew

Making handmade soaps is one of the fastest growing hobby's at the moment you dont need exspensive equipment or a chemist degree to make your own beautiful unique handmade soaps which are great for your own use and makes a wondiful gift for family and friends, or start your own small home based business, and the best thing is that it is a lot of fun.

Once you start making your handmade soap you won't go back to store bought soap which is full of harsh chemicals, your soap will be gentle and moisturising and will leave your skin feeling refreshed and clean, and it is more healthy for your skin.

Not only will you be able to make your own unique soaps that everyone will love, you will be able to make a range of your own unique spa products to compliment your soap, with the stressful pace of life these days people are looking for ways to relax and unwind with your range of unique handmade spa products people will be able to create a relaxing atmosphere where ever they are and when ever they feel stressed and need to unwine or just feal like pamperng themselves

You can learn how to make a range of spa products that you can change the recipe to suite your own taste and make your own unique spa products, change essential oils, add fragrant herbs or other ingredients to make your own unique exclusive spa products line or use the recipes as they are it is entirely up to you.

You will find recipes to make, handcrafted soaps- from classic to your own creations that family and friends will adore Bath teas-additives and soaks-great to relax in a hot bath and soak away your worries. Bubble baths and bath bombs- sit back and imerge yourselth in bubbles. Butters, balms, lotions and creams- keep your skin soft and moisturised with luxuary creams and lotions. scrubs, polishes, salts and masques- refresh your skin and make it glow. Home fragrance products- potpourri and sachets, aromatherapy blends, and more.

That's right you will be making your own range of aromatherapy blends, soaps, bath teas, bubble baths, butters, lotions and creams, professional quality treatments, and change the ingredance to suit your mood and taste with unlimited posibilitys for years to come. The unique products that you will be making will be all natural so they are excelent for your skin plus they are good for the environment.

You will have a lot of fun with this creative hobby, your family and friends will want to buy your unique handcrafted spa products and you will find that evrey one will want them. Now you have to think about marketing your unique range. we can show you how to lable products, create your brand image, make packaging work for you, calculate your cost, and promotional ideas so you can watch your income grow. You will also recieve a list of industrie suppliers to source raw materials, packaging, lables, every thing you need to get your new unique handcrafted spa product business up and running.

The spa industrie has a low start up cost, high profit margins and is the fourth largest leisure industrie in the united states and continues to grow. So start having fun with this step-by-step guide to creating your own unique exclusive handcrafted spa products for fun and profit today.

About the Author:

Andrew Bray is a online product reviewer. Learn more about how you can make handmade soap for profit, by visiting. makinghandmadesoap.weebly.com. or MAKING HANDMADE SOAP.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Making handmade soap and spa products

Mouse Trap Car - How Mouse Trap Car works

Mouse Trap Car - How Mouse Trap Car works?

Author: SANJAY KAK

Mouse trap cars represent marvelous contraptions that can be constructed with things you can find in any home. All you need is a basic understanding of Physics and just use the tools that you have.

The great thing about the mouse trap cars is that is has its own propulsion source. The energy is stored and then released using a spring. The snapper converts the kinetic energy and moves the wheels. This will trigger a chain reaction in the device. The energy is transformed and the car will move. You do not need electricity or any kind of fuel to move this car. You will be amazed to see what this little car can do.

You should know that the device needs 4 wheels, a solid base, two axles, a mouse trap and a string. These can be made up of multiple materials, which you can easily find in your home. But make sure the components you are using are light weight. After figuring out the materials you need, you have to assemble them in the shape of the car, and also make them work. At the base you will have the mouse trap and at the ends you will place the axles. You will place the axles after drilling two holes, parallel, at the end of the basis. After putting the axles together you will easily add the wheels.

Then secure the strings by tying them. After that you will release the snappers and the strong will move the car. This is the way in which the car is going to be moved. You must understand that the energy in the spring is released and then moves the arm. This is how the energy is released and movement is made. The pulling force of the string will make the axle turn and the wheels will move. After getting enough traction, the wheels will start to move in the direction of the car’s rotational force. The axle applies a pushing force onto the base of the mousetrap and in this way the whole vehicle is displaced.

This is one simple gadget that people are very enthusiastic about. Besides the fact that it is simple to build, it does not consume fuel. There are many forces that work to move this car and they are cost free. You can even turn building these cars into a real hobby. There are many people that do that. Also, this type of device allows you to do countless modifications and improve the car each day, depending on your skills and imagination.

You can even design one that can go for larger distance. You can improve the car substantially and exercise your skills. It will be a delight constructing a magnificent car. It will allow you be creative, it will stimulate your intellect and use your knowledge of Physics and natural sciences. It is a great relaxing hobby also and it can take up many hours of your time. So enjoy and have a good time!

About the Author:

Read more about mouse trap car and other designs, ..... Mouse Trap Car

Freelance consultant with interest in many subjects.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Mouse Trap Car - How Mouse Trap Car works?

Mouse Trap Car - How To Build A Mouse Trap Car

Mouse Trap Car - How To Build A Mouse Trap Car

Author: SANJAY KAK

One of the nicest cars that can be built by anyone is the mouse trap car. This kind of car uses a spring to harness the power and move the wheels. In order to construct the mouse trap car, you need 2 metal rods, 4 eyehole screws, mouse trap, plywood, washer, rubber bands and string.

Making a mouse trap car:

1. on the mouse trap you can locate the wires. Make sure to keep the mouse trap wide opened.

2. get the wires out of the trap using the pliers. Take away the bait holder as you will not require it. Hold the parts you removed using the staples.

3. drill a nice and small hole on one trap, at the end. It is good to set the holes 8mm away from the edges.

4. you can now put together the axle and wheel. Use the compass to create 4 circles of 75mm onto the plywood. Smoothen the edges using a file.

5. cut the metal rods and make sure they are the same length.

6. cut through one rod and fit the wires on to the groove. After that you have to glue the wire to the axle’s slot.

7. the final step is to create the engine of the mouse trap car. Some people say this is the most complicated thing to do but it is not like that at all if you pay attention to all the indications. First take the string and then firmly tie it onto the middle of the trap jaws. Make sure to tie a strong loop in the trap’s end. After doing that you should see that the loop is at the rear axle. Nicely take 2 rubber bands and then glue them all around the rear wheels. In this way you will provide the traction.

About the Author:

Read more on how to build Mouse Trap Car,.... Mouse Trap Car

Freelance consultant with interest in many subjects.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Mouse Trap Car - How To Build A Mouse Trap Car

Learn How To Make Soy Candles At Home

Learn How To Make Soy Candles At Home

Author: Shonta Taylor

Learn How To Make Soy Candles At Home

Are you a candle lover? Well so am I. Recently I decided to take up a new hobby of making my own candles at home. I figured I may as well do something I would enjoy and benefit from. To my surprise, there was a lot of info out there about candles. I not only learned how simple and easy candle making could be, but also what type of candles to make and buy.

Did you know that the type of candles you burn really makes a difference? Candles are made from different types of oils, which really makes a difference in burn time, chemical output and potency. With that being said, soy candles are the best type of candles to buy and/or make. Soy candles are made from all natural soybean vegetable oil, therefore they produce less smoke and soot. If you love to burn candles, this is really good, especially if you have children. Not only that, soy wax candles burn on average, 30 percent longer than other candles and the fragrance is more potent. Also, because they are made from all natural ingredients, soy candles are eco-friendly and any spills can easily be cleaned with soap and water.

Now, ready for some fun?! Making your own soy candles can be very fun and simple. The best part is, you can turn your hobby into extra cash in your wallet. There are plenty of people out there making money by selling soy candles. Learn how to make soy candles at home and start your own candle business. Why not make money while doing something you love? For more information on making soy candles and starting your own candle business please visit, www.squidoo.com/Learn-How-To-Make-Soy-Candles-At-Home

About the Author:

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Learn How To Make Soy Candles At Home

Sunday 10 January 2010

Free Online Addicting Games

Free Online Addicting Games

Author: addicting-games

(1) ONLINE GAMING
Play is an important contributor to human development, maturation and learning. That is why games are an essential ingredient in the curriculum of every school and college and also a popular pastime for adults. However, today’s busy lifestyle and living in matchboxes leave neither time nor room for outdoor games. This is when the internet comes in as a saviour to all those sports freaks who lack the opportunity.


Yes, online gaming is here to stay! Though computer games have been around for as long as there have been personal computers, online gaming is an increasing pastime and is popular due to the convergence of virtual worlds, games and social networking spiced up with Rich Internet Applications. Thousands of players from all over the world come together in one massive web that knows no team, nationality or boundaries. It is just a one to one challenge in a click’s notice!


Online gaming is a multi-million dollar industry today and thousands of websites have mushroomed in cyber-space that vie for the clicks of eager online gamers. Some have their link on another website but many are a separate entity. One such site is


addicting-games.org.uk which is solely dedicated to passionate gaming. Want to set the racing track on fire? Or be the sharp detective and break a coded message? Feel like helping Mario rescue the helpless girl? Then head for addicting-games.org.uk. From racing games to puzzles to board games to Harry Potter, this fantastic site offers a plethora of options to pacify gamers of all ages, likes and abilities.


As the name suggests one might get addicted to the site and never want to pull out of it! Besides giving the gamer the opportunity to learn new games and the pleasure of sharpening existing skills, online gaming also promotes social interaction. A player could have an opponent from the other side of the world who could be many years younger and from a completely different educational background. But all that matters here is skill. Interspersed with play is a chance to interact socially too. Best of all, online gaming follows a 24 x 7 calendar which is convenient for everyone living in any time zone on earth.


So, what are you waiting for? Grab the mouse! Surf the cyber space to enter the mesmerizing world of addicting-games.org.uk and addict yourself…..forever!


(2) BEST GAMES WEBSITE


It’s the weekend and you are bored stiff with too much TV. You are wondering what to do! Chances are you will hit the internet and logon to some social networking site to join an ever increasing web of online gamers!


The online gaming community is growing. At a fast and furious pace! And why not? There is no need of joining expensive clubs to play some golf or football. You can hit those fantastic fours and sixes against a Bret Lee delivery with a deft click of your mouse. Or blaze past Raikkonen on the winding tracks at a Grand Prix from your chair! Or, easier still, you can opt for a more intellectual challenge with games that test your skills at solving puzzles, words and other popular games like chess.


The expansion of online games is largely an outcome of easy internet access and ever growing social communities on the net. Endless possibilities have also arisen after the integration of software like Flash and Java to the internet browsers. This has enabled streaming audio and video on websites and also made user interaction easy. Ranging from simple text-based games to those with complex graphics, online games have come a long way from single user to Massively Multiplayer Online Games.


One of the resultant effects of this is the growth of websites with links to playing online games or those that are completely dedicated to the games itself. One such popular site is


addicting-games.org.uk. It is mainly a community driven online gaming website whose main focus is online games but also provides for meeting up with new people and chatting with online buddies. With 578 games categorized under various genres of action/adventure, sports, puzzles, racing, shooting etc, the site boasts of a more than 390 members and still counting! All you have to do is to log on, register and start playing. It is that simple. You can create your own profile and strike up some good online buddies as you play. The best thing is that all of it is for free and anyone can join!


So, look no further, log on to addicting-games.org.uk and discover a whole new world of challenges and fun. All from the comfort of your home!


(3) GAMES AND FRIENDS IN ONE WEB!


Are you an online gaming freak who cant wait to log on to the net to play? Then join the ever increasing web of online game addicts who pursue their gaming interests passionately. The world wide web has indeed shrunk the world by many degrees and one of the most popular gathering places are online gaming communities.


While there are many websites that offer various kinds of games for enthusiasts,


addicting-games.org.uk is one that offers its members a unique cocktail of variety and spice! With a collection of 578 games and more than 390 members, it is slated to grow with popularity. It has a simple system of registering and then, logging on to start playing.


The website addicting-games.org.uk is solely dedicated to games. In a mood for action or adventure? There are 32 different games to choose ranging from Exreme Racing to Lord of the Rings battle! There are a still more under various genres like Puzzles (like Code Breaker and Jigsaw Puzzles) Shooting (like Asteroid Attack and Liner Assault) Retro, Sports (like Billiards, Mini Golf and Football) and Racing( like 3D Motorbike racing and MotoRush). Apart from this is a collection of miscellaneous games to suit the needs of gamers who like to try out different games. For new users, there are trial lessons along with clearly mentioned rules. Some games offer the user the choice of continuing the game the next time he or she logs on. This eliminates the nuisance of starting from the easier levels all over again the next time. Statistics of games played, points won and highest ever score etc make it more interesting and meaningful. You can climb up in the rank charts as you are rated according to your playing ability and in comparison to other players.


While playing, the user can also strike up some buddies online as there is room for social interaction also here. Creating an interesting profile will definitely be an attraction to other members with similar interests and could be the beginning of a long lasting friendship for you. Facilities to chat while playing adds spice to the game because one could be interacting with a person from the other side of the world which provides a good, healthy opportunity to exchange information about the countries, culture etc.


So, enter this virtual world of online games and get hooked forever!


(4) AN ADDICTING GAMES SITE


Are you an online games freak in search of a website that offers you a variety of games to choose from? Then, addicting-games.org.uk should be a permanent bookmark on your browser.


This unique website unfolds before you a collection of fascinating games to satisfy players of all ages and with different likes and abilities. A simple registration makes you a member and then starts the fun. Each game has a brief description to guide newcomers through the game and of course, trial lessons can give you the feel of it before you plunge into the actual game itself. Once you’ve challenged yourself many times and mastered the game you can try your skills out against an opponent from the ever-growing list of members registered on the site.


The games are sifted into genres according to the fare they offer. Under Action/Adventure, you can choose from a variety of games. There is the Ninja Hunter where you can wield your samurai against the toughest of enemies. Never learnt Karate or Kung Fu? No problems. You can try it out here at IK, and that too without the risk of breaking your back!!! The sky is the limit they say. In the real world, that’s a tough one you will agree. But in Reach the Sky, all you need is a few deft clicks of the mouse and some well-timed keyboard moves! Feel like being Harry Potter? Well, get ready to use your charms and spells to escape from Knock-Turn Alley.


Feel like playing some real sports? Then, click on Sports link and enter the virtually real world of sports! Realize your unfinished childhood dream of being the star of the sprinting track here as you take the 100m Dash challenge. You could be living in the hot tropics but you can still have a go at Ice Hockey from your keyboard! Feel like doing a Ronaldinho stunt? Then, Kicker it is.


On those days when you are in the mood to tickle your intellectual skills, hit the Puzzles link at addicting-games.org.uk for a variety of brain tickling challenges. You can play Robert Langdon and crack the encrypted codes to get the Da Vinci Code feeling. Or try worming out of tough Labyrinths. Or piece together intricate jigsaws.


All this and a lot more under the Shooting, Racing and Miscellaneous sections awaits you. The website also offers you a profile page where you can post details about yourself which you would like to tell others. You too can browse through hundreds of other profiles to find friends with similar interests.


Shouldn’t be long before you to get addicted to this wonderful gaming site which is perfect mix of pleasure and entertainment!


(5) CALLING ALL ONLINE GAMING ADDICTS


Does the very mention of Games pump up your adrenaline and make you want to pick up the sports gear and dash off to the nearest club or gym? What do you do if there is no gym or club around? Well, you don’t have to get depressed because this is the cyber age where everything and anything is always a possibility. Including games and sports! It is a virtual explosion of play out there in cyber space where virtually all sports fields, courts and boards are created and becoming a champ is only a matter of dexterous clicks of the mouse!


The world of internet is experiencing a new high in the arena of online gaming especially after the induction of Flash and Java into browsers. While online gaming started with subscription rates for members, today it has become so popular that many sites have offers for free, though a paid member has access to more and better services.


This has given rise to many gaming links and websites wooing surfers to try out their skills. Many sites have well planned gaming choices that are attractive and also safe to use. For instance, addicting-games.org.uk is a site where a plethora of games that cater to a variety of age groups and ability levels are available. What is more, it offers a wonderful chance to mingle with other members as well through chat windows and discuss game strategies besides striking up a lasting friendship.


Though online games have been frowned upon for its addictive side effects, it is touted as one of the best ways of improving your game skills coupled with social skills. An online gamer often starts with a challenge against a programmed computer. This not only enables the gamer to sharpen his own skills but also to learn new tactics in the game. Later, when the gamer is pitched against another gamer, there is further opportunity to try out these skills, learn more and compare oneself to others, and all this from the comfort of your home. It is an arena where every player has no nationality or boundary or age limit or physical ability. All that is required is deftness with the mouse and keyboard and a zest to play!


Online gaming has become so popular that it is an essential part of many social networking sites where meeting people and making friends over a board of chess or a game of football has become a favourite pastime. Playing against an experienced, champion in the game can be a valuable lesson in picking up expert advice to improve strategies of the game. Playing against another person from another part of the world can initiate a sort of “mouse-pal ship” with meaningful exchanges of cultural information as well!!!


Online gaming is a global phenomenon and is here to stay. It is perhaps, the key to bringing about a universal union of human beings and wean people away from differences of caste, creed or religion, uniting them into peaceful earthlings.

About the Author:

Marko is a gaming specialist and he is creating Addicting games for the last several years for making the web a fun place. Free addicting games is having a large number of followers on the web. Hope this article will go a long way in understanding and enjoying online games in a better way.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Free Online Addicting Games

How to Start Video Game Collecting

How to Start Video Game Collecting

Author: JJ Hendricks

How to Start Video Game Collecting





You have played video games since you were a kid and now you want to start collecting some of those games you remember so fondly. How do you start collecting video games? Where do you look to find the best deals? And how do you know how much your collection is worth? This article will answer these questions for you and you will be ready to start your very own video game collection.





It doesn't take very much at all to start collecting video games, you probably already have some games around your house. Those are the first additions to your collection. Congratulations. I'm sure you will want to expand it to other games too so you have to decide what you want to collect. Many gamers decide they want to start with their favorite video game system when they were younger, maybe the NES or Super Nintendo or even Atari 2600. Others focus on the more obscure consoles with lots of rare games like the Sega Saturn or Atari Jaguar. It doesn't even have to be one console. Maybe you want to collect role playing video games or some other genre. There are tens of thousands of video games to choose from though, so it is important to have some direction when you first start off.





Now you have chosen what types of video games you want to collect. So you will need to know where to find them. One of the best places to get specific video games is eBay. They have a very wide selection of video games available so if you know specific games you are looking for it is a great place to start. Many people don't like the bidding process though so you can also use Amazon or Half to buy online.





Physical locations might be the best shopping for your video game collection though. Garage sales, pawn shops. swap meets, flea markets, rental stores, and clearance racks all have some video games available. The prices will usually be much better than online because the sellers don't realize they have a diamond in the rough. Look through the selections to see if they have anything available that you want. You will have to be patient to get results sometimes, but that one rare game for $3 at a garage sale makes it all worth while.





How do you know you have found a good deal though and how do you know how much your video games are worth? One of the easiest ways is to use an online video game price site like VideoGamePriceCharts.com or even Amazon can be used to find the price other people are selling the game for. You can look up the game you want online and if the store is selling it for less than the online listing, you probably found a good deal. After you have started a video game collection these sites are helpful in knowing how much everything is worth too.





You should have a pretty good idea how to start your video game collection, where to find the games, and how to price your video games too. Now go out and start your collecting. Good luck!





About the Author:

Owner of JJGames.com, a seller of used video games, consoles, and accessories for Nintendo 64, Playstation 2, Xbox, Gamecube, and many more systems. We have low video game prices on a wide selection.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - How to Start Video Game Collecting

Coin Collection Values

Coin Collection Values

Author: Borge Nielsen

In the art of collecting coins, it’s an exciting feeling to find out just how valuable your current collection actually is. For novice coin collectors, it’s quite understandable if you still are not able to ascertain the different values to be found in coins. However for veteran hobbyists, the guidelines for properly determining the true value of a coin should pose not much of a problem in understanding, as expert collectors mostly have been oriented by dealers and numismatic experts on the basics of evaluating coin collection values.

First-time coin collection hobbyists need to know that each type of coin differs, and all coin values are different depending on the coin's rarity and the coin's grade. If you’re not sure what the exact values are, the next best thing to do is to have an expert evaluate your coin existing collection. If you wish, you may also have a number of experts conduct an appraisal on your collection. These individuals will surely have the experience and knowledge to help beginners appraise the right values of their coin collection. It’s worth knowing that the value of your coin should be approximately what you expect to pay when you sell them. First, before you head straight for an expert appraiser, you need to gather adequate data about the types of coins that you are inclined to add to your current collection. While you could get info from a wide array of sources, such as the Internet, just ensure that you are acquiring information from reputable and knowledgeable sources. The local public library could serve as a vital information hub, where you can get good-quality data regarding coin collecting values, as well as tips on the coin grading process. Once you immerse yourself on the required amount of information for properly appraising the values of a coin collection, you will then be able to fully understand the otherwise technical information that would be given by most expert coin appraisers. The good thing is that, you may even find an expert who would be more than happy to share with you his or her knowledge, and educate you further regarding the tricks of finding out a coin collection’s value, as well as share other stuff about coin grading and coin pricing. In getting advice from expert coin value appraisers, don’t be afraid, or be hesitant, to ask questions. Apart from asking questions, you also need to fully listen to his or her advice as well, because in the world of coin collecting, your coin’s value is always constantly changing. It would also be helpful if you read more about the intricacies of coin collecting, and sharpen your skills as well on the process of coin grading and other vital aspects.

A coin collector’s life is an evolutionary process of sorts, and each day comes with it a new breadth of experience, which surely will widen your horizons and sharpen your skills. After learning all the aspects of determining coin collection values, you will find it easy determining which coin is valuable, and which ones are not. You could try honing your skills by hopping from one coin shop to another, and try appraising each coin with the help of other collectors and expert dealers.

About the Author:

HERMAN KLEIN is a coin collecting expert. For more information on coin collection values be sure to visit http://www.coincollectingstartshere.com.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Coin Collection Values

Get Started With Coin Collecting: A Fun & Educational

Get Started With Coin Collecting: A Fun & Educational Hobby

Author: James Pswarai

Coin collecting has grown to be a great hobby over the years for everyone regardless of their age. Many coin collectors started off their collection of coins when they were young and now have large numbers of them. In this article I will explain why coin collecting has become a good hobby and how you can get yourself started with it.

Why Is It So Popular
There are many reasons to collect coins. One of the reasons is because of the coins value; this could be the historical value, metal value or perceived value. Another reason people collect coins is because of the pleasure received from it. Collecting coins from any country and inspecting them can give people a sense of pleasure and some people pay thousands for a single coin that could complete their collection.

How To Get Started
Firstly you want to find someone who already has started their coin collection. If you can’t find anyone then join a group there are a lot out there (if this is still undoable then find a book or ebook). The reason for doing this is because you want to be able to learn some basics of coin collecting and with that basic knowledge you can learn how to find a good coin dealer to start of your coin collection.

Once you have some coins the next thing you want to do is investigate them. To do this you get a magnifying glass (a larger one) and look at your coin in a bright area. When examining the coin you are looking for things like errors, dates, markings and more. By examining the coin you will learn there value of it and you can consider selling it to a coin dealer or keeping it for your collection. Within time and training you will find it easier to investigate coins and sometimes without the magnifying glass.
Finally the last thing you need to do is get storage for your coins. This can come in the form of a folder where you can put a specific type of coins and if you have duplicates you can buy a tube to store them in or you can make a bit of money by selling them.

There you have it, three easy steps to start your own coin collection. Whether you are doing it for fun or profit coin collecting is a great thing to do and if you get into it you can buy magazines that will contain information and tips on coin collecting and you may find some useful.

About the Author:

Interested in Coin Collecting? Discover more useful information and products on coin collecting http://www.squidoo.com/coincollectinginfo/

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Get Started With Coin Collecting: A Fun & Educational Hobby

Coin Collecting- Tips For Beginners

Coin Collecting- Tips For Beginners

Author: Abhishek Agarwal

Are you interested in pursuing the hobby of coin collecting? If so, then you are not the only one. There are many reasons as to why coin collecting is such a popular hobby and one is because it is not a very easy task. So, if you wish to make your own collection of coins as a hobby or if you wish to do so in order to reap profits at a later date, there are many factors that you must keep in mind.



Research is the foremost factor that you should take into consideration while coin collecting. There is no end to the amount of research you can do and you can never do enough research. The most successful collectors of coins in the world are the people who took the time out to research and explore the entire arena of coin collection. The different subjects related to coin collecting that you should research on include types of coins, history of coins, recommended supplies for coin collection, coin values and more.



If you are a beginner, the best thing for you to do is collect as many coins as you possibly can. Try saving all the coins that you come across so that you can examine them in detail later on. This approach works for most beginners as many of them are not aware of the value of their coins, especially if the coin has not been examined thoroughly. While following this method, it will not take a long time to develop a rather large collection of such coins. At this point, all coin collectors should conduct an examination of their coins and separate out the valuable ones from the others. From this point, with some experience, coin collectors should slowly change their collecting habits.



Once a sufficiently large collection has been gathered, with the first set of coins closely examined and sorted, the important thing to consider is storage. Unfortunately, there are many beginners who commit big mistakes while storing their coins. Many collectors simply put their coins into a box or jar. Although such a casing is enough for storage of coins, it can also result in irreparable damage. If you own coins that are rare or high in value, chances are their value will increase with time, and so it is important to take proper care of them. Normally, it is not recommended to store coins in coin holders for a long time. They are alright for display but should not be used for storing. For storage, it is best to use a coin album or a coin folder.



Another important factor for developing a coin collection is knowing what you are buying. Whether you are collecting as a hobbyists for as an investment, it is always good to have enough information regarding your purchase. All coin collectors wish to gather valuable or rare coins and the only way to get your hands on such coins is through purchase. Almost all professional coin dealers will have a good understanding and view of the worth of their coins. Therefore, there is not much danger of scamming, although it is always better to examine the value and condition of a coin before making any decision. If a coin costs more than twenty dollars, research it.



Apart from coin dealers, the internet is a viable source from which to purchase coins, especially through auction websites. If you are a beginner, you could not ask for a better facility. You will be surprised by what you find. There are a number of renowned coin collectors who sold their entire collection online. As stated before, caution is of utmost necessity while purchasing. There are many people who, unlike dealers, do not know the full value of the coin they are selling. This could result in the over estimation of the worth of a coin. If you have not done enough research and do not have sufficient information, you could end up paying more than you should.

About the Author:

Abhishek is an avid Coin Collecting enthusiast and he has got some great Coin Collecting Secrets up his sleeve! Download his FREE 58 Pages Ebook, "Understanding And Mastering The Art Of Coin Collecting!" from his website http://www.Fun-Galore.com/92/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Coin Collecting- Tips For Beginners

Coin Collecting Introduction - What's the Best Way to Get Started

Coin Collecting Introduction - What's the Best Way to Get Started?

Author: Borge Nielsen
Buy the book before you buy the coin is frequently offered and sage advice.
If you make the effort to study the hobby and the market you will be rewarded. Someone who does not make that effort is more likely to waste money on overgraded, problem or counterfeit coins. Before spending a lot of money on coins, you should invest in your knowledge of the hobby. For your own protection you should have at least one reference book covering your area(s) of interest. Reading a few issues of periodicals is another good idea.
A great place to start collecting coins is from circulation. The risk is negligible (you can always spend the coins), examining your coins carefully and see what your reference book says about them, will teach you a lot.
Join a club!
Local coin clubs are usually great for learning more about the hobby, getting material for your collection, and you just might make some good friends, too.
Often new collectors aren't sure where to begin, and they may have many questions. Do I start with one type of coin, or should I collect a variety? Should I stick to easy-to-find coins, or should I try to collect rarer ones? How much money do I want to spend? Coin collecting doesn't have to be an expensive hobby. In fact, it is probably one of the easiest objects to collect. You also don't have to be very knowledgeable to start a coin collection.
If you are considering beginning a coin collection, you have probably asked yourself one or more of these questions. The answers really depend on your own personal preferences, and you may not discover what those preferences are until you begin. The most important step you can take when beginning, however, is to invest in a good coin collecting book. Once you've bought the book, take some time to read at least excerpts from it concerning different coins. You may discover that certain coins interest you more than others.
Sort your coin collection!
The next step you might take is to buy a few coin folders. You can buy coin folders that have dates under each slot, or you can buy folders that are blank. The coin folders that have dates will help you determine what coins you need to complete your collection. Often these folders will cover a specific number of years and will be designed for specific coins.
Keep in mind, however, it is not easy to completely fill up a folder. If the folder covers older coins, many of those coins are considered quite valuable. You will have to be willing to invest a significant amount of money to complete a folder for older coins. If you are not trying to complete a set, but you do want to keep up with the dates that you find, you might enjoy using a blank coin folder. This way you don't have to leave any of the slots empty.
Internet provides many opportunities!
The Internet provides many opportunities for coin collectors to enlarge their collections, once they have decided what type of coin or coins they want to collect. Of course, you may be able to get some of your coins simply by checking your spare change. If you are going to build your collection, however, you will need to expand your search. There are online auction sites that give collectors just like you an opportunity to buy and sell. Most neophyte coin collectors begin collecting coins that are already in circulation, and usually these coins that are in circulation are more likely to get damaged, and only would be worth whenever you hold onto them for a long period of time. Once you go up the coin-collecting ladder, you move on by collecting coins from other sources, such as antique coin shops, coin shows, internet auctions, flea markets, and from other collectors as well. The art of coin collecting can also be seen as an investment, as the prices of the coins you store and preserve may rise should they become rare, or drop when these coins are in surplus supply.
You will need to consult your coin collecting book to understand the different values and grades of coins. Once you have become more familiar with the specific terms, you will probably want to start off buying inexpensive coins. As you become more experienced in judging the value of coins yourself, you can start to purchase more expensive coins.
Save money, buy sets!
As you continue to buy coins, you may find that you get more for your money if you buy sets of coins. This doesn't mean the sets will be complete. You would likely spend an exorbitant amount of money for a complete set. Instead, the sets you buy will probably be close to complete, but they won't have the most expensive and rarer coins. As you buy sets, you can keep the coins you need, and then you can put duplicates back up for auction. This is an excellent way to build your collections.
Coin collectors have different themes and goals in mind, with some trying to obtain generally rare coins, whilst others seek samples of coins that were issued from every country or 'world coins.' Some collectors also opt to collect coins that were only issued from one country, most likely their own. There are other coin collectors who also store coins that were issued during historically-important periods, such as the Roman, Greek, and Byzantine or the Middle Ages as well as of the Indian, Celtic and Persian empires, and the 18th or 19th centuries. The purpose of collecting coins from different periods may vary, depending on whether the collector wants these coins to serve as a mirror or reflection of the events that happened during the era in which they were produced, or for some other purpose as well.
How much you money and time you spend on your coin collections is completely up to you. The beauty of collecting coins, however, is that you are also investing your money. Coin collecting is a great hobby for any age, and the art of coin collecting will never die.
Herman Klein is a coin collecting expert. For more great information on collecting coins be sure to visit http://www.coincollectingstartshere.com/.
About the Author:

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Coin Collecting Introduction - What's the Best Way to Get Started?

Saturday 9 January 2010

Make Money Now Using Just Your Digital Camera

Make Money Now Using Just Your Digital Camera

Author: Lady Money Bags
Making money using your digital images has never been easier. Microstock photography sites have now made it possible for just about anyone to earn money from their digital images.

Microstock photography allows users to sell their digital images for free. Users are encouraged to upload their digital images to a microstock site. Every time your image is downloaded by a registered user, you receive money. The amount you take home depends on the size and resolution of the image downloaded. iStockphoto, Dreamstime, Fotolia and Shutterstock are popular microstock sites.

Although the payout per picture is not that high, your earnings do add up. In fact, you can make thousands of dollars a month from selling many of their digital images.

Below are a few tips to get you on your way to making money through microstock photography.

Note 1: Image Quality is Important

A high end camera is not required to produce acceptable images. Any high resolution digital camera can do the job.

Note 2: Your Photos Will Be Reviewed

Each individual image submitted to microstock sites will be reviewed. Therefore, it is important to analyze your own images before submission. Also, make sure to read all the image terms and requirements before submission. Images are sometimes rejected. Today, many of the prominent microstock photography sites have tutorials that you can follow to help you take fantastic images.

Note 3: Subject matter is important

Content does matter. Certain subject matters, such as business and food images are popular. However, images of family and flowers may not make the cut. Do some research and see what image types are downloaded the most. This will give you an idea of what sells and potentially what to focus on.

Also, images containing people may require you to complete a model release form. Please read the terms and conditions of the microstock site before making such submissions.

Note 4: Portfolio Development Takes Time

To make a serious income from microstock sites, it is important to develop a portfolio containing a many high quality images. Also, make your images keyword rich. Relevant keywords will allow your images to appear more frequently in customer searches.

Also, submit your images to numerous microstock sites. This increases the probability of your images being downloaded.

With these notes in mind, you can be on your way to making serious money using only your digital camera!
About the Author:
Lady Money Bags is your online resource dedicated to helping you make money! Visit Lady Money Bagsto help you get started on Making Money Now! www.ladymoneybags.com
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Make Money Now Using Just Your Digital Camera

How To Make Money With Photography

Author: Kathy Burns-millyard
There are many ways to make money online with photography, but a popular and fairly new way is through Micro Stock Photography websites.



Micro stock photography is simply stock photography that's sold at deep discounts. Clients are able to license stock photos for just $1 or $2, and photographers earn money each time a client chooses one of their photos.



Micro stock photography is considered to be still in it's infancy, and some people feel it's wrong to sell photography at such low prices. Particularly since many professional photographers invest a lot of time and money on equipment, learning, and photo shoots.



For the beginning photographer though, micro stock photography agencies can be ideal places to start. Since entry requirements are not overly restrictive, many hobby photographers with inexpensive cameras have already started making a nice second income from their pictures.



How Does It Work?



The process of making money from your photography through micro stock agencies is fairly simple.



1. Research popular micro stock photography agencies online. There are quite a few of them, but you'll want to start with just one or two until you get the hang of things.



2. Choose your absolute best pictures to submit. Some agencies require you to submit 10 pictures for review when you apply for an account with them, while others only require three the first time. Most don't have minimum requirements though, and you can start by submitting just one.



3. Your pictures will be reviewed by humans, and accepted or rejected into the micro stock photography site. If they're accepted, they'll be available for clients to "buy".



Technically they're not fully buying your pictures though. They're simply licensing the pictures for specific use. Usually micro stock photography is used in websites, though sometimes it's used in advertisements, brochures and other marketing materials. The photographer always retains full copyrights to their photos though, and is normally able to sell the same photos over and over again to additional clients.



And this is the beauty of stock photography. Once you've taken a great picture and had it accepted into a stock photography portfolio, that one picture can continue earning you money month after month... sometimes year after year.



Most micro stock photography agencies pay $0.20 - $0.50 per picture license, or download. This may not seem like much, however a good photographer with several hundred pictures for sale could make a nice second income over time, because it all adds up!



There's a lot more to the stock photography business, which we don't have room to cover in just one article. You'll find expanded details about making money with stock photography in this article though: "Can Photographers Make Money With Stock Photography?" found at: http://www.stocktography.com/Making-Money.php

About the Author:
© 2006, Kathy Burns-Millyard. Stocktography.com is a new, free online guide to Royalty Free Stock Photography. New articles are being added frequently so please visit, bookmark and enjoy.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - How To Make Money With Photography

Make Money From Photography

Make Money From Photography

Author: Aidan James
This article will look at some important aspects of how to make money from photography. Learning to make money with a camera and becoming a professional photographer, whether full time or part time, is both personally rewarding and lucrative. There are freelance photographers pulling in big bucks for doing something they love. What better a way to make a living than at something you love and are good at?



The days of needing a darkroom and loads of equipment are gone, today's digital cameras don't need darkrooms at all, you will however need a home office or suitable place to work with a PC and some good graphics software like say Photoshop, which is pretty much the industry standard. Knowing how to use Photoshop effectively can greatly add to the range of services you can provide. Techniques such as altering color balance can make for some really striking imagery that could be used in local firms advertising materials. Black & white pictures with just one color can make for stunning shots and of course there are a myriad effects that can be achieved.



Other things you will need are patience and a desire to learn. Photographers must take their business seriously if they want to succeed. They all want to stand out as being a little different in style from each other, you too will need to develop your own style to set yourself apart. Part of this will come from the decision you'll make as to what niche areas to specialize in. Do you want to be a portrait photographer or one who specializes in pets for instance?



The skills you need to be successful are constantly changing as both the technology and the market itself continues to evolve. You will certainly need to stay aware of the changes and continually educate yourself in new techniques and equipment developments. In some ways the value of photos has dropped as more stock photography became available online however numerous specialty areas have opened up and niche always spells opportunity. Niches from specialised sports photography to pet photography have boomed in recent years. If you think for a moment how people spend ridiculous amounts of money on pets you will see the potential income opportunity in that niche area of photography.



Having organized your office and thought about your specialty areas to focus on you really should now crystallize your business idea into a business plan. A business plan may sound a little scary but really its just a document to set ut what your business is all about, who its customers are and how the profit is made. The plan should also incorporate your pricing model as well as set out some key milestones to target for your business. By having these targets you will be able to review your progress and work out which aspects of your business need to change.



Your plan should also set out how you intend marketing your service, that is how you will get clients to use you and not the competition, this may involve some element of price structures as well as advertising methods. The plan should be written as if persuading someone else to invest in the business as indeed you might someday wish to get a business loan or persuade a venture partner to join you.



So got the ideas and know how to use a camera? You're just about ready for this rewarding pursuit - good luck!
About the Author:
Get a whole bunch of photography income ideas and tips: Income from Photography Learn other ways to make money at home, Click for Home Business Ideas at WorkAtHomeFiles.com, a free site helping you get started in home business.Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Make Money From Photography

3 Easy Ways of Making Money With Photography Online You Can Start Doing Today

3 Easy Ways of Making Money With Photography Online You Can Start Doing Today

Author: Terry Edwards
Photographs are often taken for posterity reasons. The preservation of moments captured by the camera lens in these photographs are very much loved by all people for years to come. In fact, many families around the world have a camera or two in their household in order for them to take pictures of treasured times. There are also those people who take professional courses in photography and upon completing the course, sets up a professional studio to meet the needs of the society for really outstanding pictures.





But if you are just a simple person that has the talent for taking extremely good photographs, and want to make a living out of it, you definitely can. There are several ways of making money with photography. It has even gone beyond the traditional freelancing opportunity that it was years back when the use of the Internet was still limited to a lucky few. Nowadays, people like you have found a good way in making money with photography online. Here are the three ways that you can earn money from the photographs you take.





1. Selling your photos at stock photography websites is one way for you to earn money online. Stock photography websites stores photos that can be licensed for different purposes. Many magazines, publishers, ad agencies, artists, and designers go to these websites to get the photos that they need instead of hiring a photographer, which entail more costs. As the photographer, the photos you shoot exclusively become your stock and are copyrighted to you. This just means that if a particular person is interested in a photograph, he will have to pay you for it and since you hold the copyright to your photos. The big advantage, and asset here is, you can sell them over and over again, reaping for yourself more profits each time you do so.





2. Another way to earn money from your photos is by selling them through your very own website. Before you complain about all the technicalities of putting up a website, think of the advantages it can bring you. First, having a website will definitely establish you as a photographer. Plus, you can sell directly to your clients without having another entity to get a cut from your sales. And it won't really cost you much to have a company host and maintain your website. In fact, you are looking at about $10 a month for hosting.





3. The third way in getting income from your photographs is through photo-sharing sites. Marketing your photos in these sites will get you the attention that you need to make money with your photographs since many people visit these sites frequently. And though you really can't sell your photos through these sites, you can subtly imply to the users that licenses to your photos are for sale so they can further contact you.





These are just some of the ways to making money with photography online. If you take any of these steps to create a flourishing online business for something that you love doing, surely you will get the profits that are right for your talents. And it won't even feel like work because it is something you enjoy in the first place.
About the Author:
You can find out more about Making Money With Photography as well as much more information on everything to do with making money with photography and DigiCamCash at http://www.DigiCamCashReview.com
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - 3 Easy Ways of Making Money With Photography Online You Can Start Doing Today

Make Money With Photography - Ever Thought of That

Make Money With Photography - Ever Thought of That?

Author: michael wong
Most people who are making money with photography started the business as a hobby. If you like photography, isn't it nice that you can earn money with your interest?


Then, the question is, how to start a photography business?


Business plan


Like any business, you need a plan to excel in your photography business. A proper plan provides the guidelines to build your business. You will need to know what to do at various stages of your business and let's start with the necessary equipments to build your photography business.


Equipments


Of course the first thing you need is a camera. Then you will need a computer equip with photo editing software, printer and accessories like lenses. So, be prepared to put in some investments when you are starting your photography business. After that, you need to decide on the subject for your work.


Subject


What kind of subject you like to photograph? People, nature or animals? Choose your subject and focus on it. Another tip for you is to capture your subject in as many angles as possible. If you want to make money with photography, it is best that give more choices to your customers.


Practice


Do you still remember "Practice makes perfect"? Although it might be difficult to get the perfect picture, but as you sharpen your skills, you will know how to get the ideal picture that most of your customers will be interested to buy.


Learn more


Even though you are making money with photography, you should continue learning. It is to your benefit that you know more techniques to capture a picture. Who knows, you might develop new skills to capture raindrop and that is what makes you a unique photographer in the market.


Expand your horizon


When you have accumulated enough experience, consider putting your knowledge into books or workshops. With your reputation in the market, making money with these photography books and workshops will be easy.
About the Author:
Do you enjoy taking photos? Do you want more digital photography tips and techniques? Just visit



=>www.Learn-DigitalPhotography.blogspot.com



Michael Wong is happy to share his knowledge about digital photography with you and hope you enjoy them.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Make Money With Photography - Ever Thought of That?

Great photo tips for the Winter Weather

Great photo tips for the Winter Weather

Winter weather offers great opportunities for great photography.
Let it snow

Snowy landscapes make beautiful photos. When you're surrounded by snow though you'll find it reflects loads of light, making getting the right exposure a little tricky. Cameras tend to overcompensate giving rather grey images. Solve this by setting a slightly longer exposure time than your auto exposure recommends.

Send in the clouds

Most of us love the sunshine but photographically speaking cloudy weather is often easier to work with, as clouds help to diffuse the light. It's also worth watching for sun starting to break through cloud and provide wonderful shafts of light for stunning landscape photo shots.

Misty mornings

A scene can be totally transformed by a touch of mist or fog. Catch it first thing in the morning, when the earliest rays of sunshine appear, and you could be in for an award-winning photo. Avoid just thick blankets of fog without any interesting details at all.

Touch of frost

There's plenty of photo inspiration for frost filled images on cold winter mornings; the key is to get out there early enough to catch them! Try taking a wide angle landscape shot of a frosty scene, then go to the other extreme with a really tight close up. Look for examples of frost strengthening the outline of whatever it's clinging to. Capture both the heavy frost and later as it starts to melt for different photo effects.

Windy weather

Windy weather is one of the most troublesome conditions to work with. It can provide really dramatic images but it's a good idea to find a sheltered position to take your photos from if you can. If you're using a tripod make sure it's a heavy one that is unlikely to get blown over. Many tripods enable you to attach your camera bag as extra ballast against the elements, which can be really useful. You’ll be glad you made the extra effort when it comes to creating a great photo gift for family & friends this Christmas.

Rainy days

Yes you want to keep your camera dry, but that doesn't mean putting it away the moment you sense a downpour. Work undercover and you can capture plenty of great photos. Ideally you want a combination of sun and rain for high contrast images, rather than dull rainy days. It's also great if you can point your camera towards the sun to highlight the raindrops. After the rain has gone take close ups of water droplets and look for interesting reflections in puddles.

That photo gift

Once you’ve built up a selection of photos across all weather conditions upload your photos to Photobox show off your photos in style. Create a great personalised gifts showing your favourite weather photo or make a photo mug to keep you warm while you look out at the snow.
About the Author:
Julian writes great articles about how you can make the most of your personalised photo gift from Photobox
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Great photo tips for the Winter Weather

Friday 8 January 2010

Stamp Collecting: a Great Hobby for Kids

Stamp Collecting: a Great Hobby for Kids

Author: Joseph Then
You know what it is like when the kids have time off from school and the weather is playing up. They always sit about moping and saying they are bored, even though they have endless video games and toys at their disposal. What they needs is a past-time that has been around for generations, is cheap and easy to get started in and won't make much mess for the parents to tidy up. Stamp collecting for kids may not sound like the answer to parent's dreams but with so many possibilities on offer, this is one hobby that is sure to be a hit.





Stamp collecting for kids is a great hobby because it doesn't cost a lot of money to get started. Every kid will start with a few stamps. Later the kid can develop their collection based on what he likes. The hobby may look dull and boring but if the kids see the wide variety of stamps the kids will get to like it right away. There are countless stamps featuring their favorite comic book heroes, singers, TV shows and sporting stars which means that stamp collecting for kids can follow on from their existing likes. Stamps are being issued all the time and some of them feature kid's favorite. The means that they can have a collection without knowing that they are already collecting stamps.





Another great benefit of stamp collecting for kids is what the child buys today can be a great investment for their future. There are a number of investors putting money into stamps to guarantee a return in the future and even on a child's pocket money, a decent collection built in their youth can provide a return when they are older. It may not be enough to put them through college but it can certainly provide a return to allow them to have some fun when they get there. So stamp collecting for kid can be really fun. And in the future, their stamp collection can bring them money too!





One thing that most parents like about stamp collecting is that it is a hobby that will keep them buzy. It is also a hobby that will teach their kids about value and learning how to take care of their things. The kids may think that they are not learning much in this hobby. However, they may not realized that they are cultivating the responsibility of taking care of a collection. This trait will serve them well in the future. That is one reason why many parents like to see their children to take up stamp collecting. It is even better if they have some friends with the same hobby as it will allow them even more interaction as they can swap and collect together.





Stamp collecting for kids may not be the most exciting hobby in the world. Most kids would rather play video games. However, it is a hobby that will still provide fun, instill reponsibility and allows interaction with other people. This should be a great hobby that all parents should encourage their kids to adopt.
About the Author:
Stamp collecting is a great hobby! You can learn more about stamp collecting, the history and the fun of this hobby. Find out more about stamp collecting at this website ==> http://www.stampcollectinghobby.net
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Stamp Collecting: a Great Hobby for Kids

An Introduction to Postage Stamp Collecting


An Introduction to Postage Stamp Collecting

Author: Jérôme Dufresnes
Stamps are used by millions of people daily yet few of us give them any thought. We take them for granted, seeing them as mere functional objects. It is true that they are functional objects but not only. Ask any stamp collector and he or she will tell you that a stamp is a lot more than that. In the case of used stamps, a lot of them tell a story and reflect the period and mood of the country in which they were issued.


Let us backtrack for a while and talk about the history of stamps and how they came about. It is commonly accepted that stamps were first introduced in the United Kingdom in 1840 with the penny black stamp. It was a revolution of sorts since it meant that the sender had to pay the postage fee and not the recipient like before. Shortly after the two pence blue stamp was issued. On thing to note is that the United Kingdom is to this day the only country whose name does not appear on its stamps.


As you know, stamp collecting is a very popular hobby throughout the world. Some people prefer to collect brand new stamps while others prefer to collect used stamps that actually served their purpose. Some of course do not discriminate and collect both. There are a lot of different types of stamps. Some stamps are issued for collecting rather than postal use. Let us have a quick look at the type of stamps available and their characteristics.


First is the definitive stamp. This is simply your regular stamp in any denomination that you can buy at the post office. These stamps often feature symbols of the country of issuance. They usually begin at the smallest unit of currency and can go up to fifty to a hundred times the usual postage rate. Collectors are looking to collect every denomination of a definitive series.


The commemorative stamp, like its name suggests, is a stamp issued to commemorate an important event, person or location. A few of these are usually issued each year, the first day of issues normally taking place where in the location associated with the person or event.
Pictorial stamps, also referred to as simply pictorials, are stamps depicting a representative landscape of the country of issuance.


Revenue stamps are stamps that were not intended for mail (although some stamps could be used both for revenue and postage) but for collecting taxes and fees. These stamps actually predate the postage stamps. Revenue stamps are issued by the finance ministry.
About the Author:
Mathieu Deprez is the webmaster of DeciDeca.com, an online store specializing in used French stamps, french postage stamps or timbres oblitérés as they are known in French.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - An Introduction to Postage Stamp Collecting

How to Start and Profit From Stamp Collecting as a Hobby


How to Start and Profit From Stamp Collecting as a Hobby

Author: moses zaccheaus



If you are thinking about starting stamp collecting/philately as a hobby, you may be wondering if the hobby is not expensive. You may even ask whether you can enjoy it with limited financial resources. What if you have no money at all for the hobby?. It is not expensive but rather very educative and rewarding to make stamp collecting/philately your hobby.What you start as a hobby may eventualy turn up to be a veritable source of income for you.

One of the biggest questions any stamp collector faces is where to find inexpensive stamps. If you intend to collect the postage stamps of Nigeria and the World and wish to collect both USED and MINT/UNUSED, the opportunities are really great. Not all collections consist mainly of unused stamps that you buy in the Post Office.

Used stamps are worth collecting, They have value and may cost you nothing. Many stamp collectors collect only used stamps. Others collect both Used and Unused ones. Others collect postage stamps from One Country or one part of the World. Some collect stamps by Topics like Sports, Olympics, Flora and Fauna etc. There are many different types of collecting interests available to the genuine collectors.

All postally used stamps started out being received on someone's letters/parcels, at no cost to the person receiving them. The first place to look for stamps, then, is your own letters/parcels. Don't be discouraged when you notice that some of your letters may have on them postage meters or the imprint "Bulk Rate Postage Paid" on their envelopes or parcels in order to enjoy a better postal rate or keep away from affixing postage stamps.

Also, when some people affix real stamps, they often use the

same common ones. You may try ask people who write to you to use topical/thematic/commemorative stamps on their mails. These are normally the stamps issued to honour famous people, places, or events. These special stamps are printed in lesser quantities than the common stamps(definitive) and usually are of much more interest to collectors.

Many people will remember to ask for commemorative/topical/thematic stamps at the post office

when mailing letters to you or your family members if you let them know you are a stamp collector. Also, if you write for offers that require postage or a self addressed, stamped envelope, you can put topical/thematic/commemoratives on your return envelope, knowing that they will come back to you later.

Neighbors, friends, and relatives are another good Sources of stamps. The majority of people just throw away stamps when they receive them on will be nore than too happy to save them for someone who appreciates them. You may even know someone who gets letters from other countries who can give these stamps o you too.

Always be on the lookout for potentially good stamp contacts, and don't be afraid to ask them to go through their mails for you before they throw away all the envelopes. Office mail may be even better. You may know someone who works in an office that gets a lot of mail. Out of 100 or more letters a day, there may be a lot of good stamps that are being thrown away.

Many businesses get a lot of foreign mail and regularly throw

away stamps that have interest and/or value to a collector.

You may even have penpals worldwide with whom you can exchange stamps. Also ask your parents/relations/friends if they have any old letters, which may have stamps on the envelopes. With these sources for stamps.you have started a very rewarding and lucrative hobby.

... to be continued

Moses Zaccheaus



http://moseszee.blogspot.com//http://www.freewebs.com/moseszee2/myblogtm">http://www.freewebs.com/moseszee2/myblogtm">http://moseszee.blogspot.com//http://www.freewebs.com/moseszee2/myblogtm

















About the Author:
Article Source: ArticlesBase.comHow to Start and Profit From Stamp Collecting as a Hobby" How to Start and Profit From Stamp Collecting as a Hobby

Stamp Collecting – not Just for Kids


Stamp Collecting – not Just for Kids

Author: Paul

Stamp Collecting – Not Just for Kids


Starting a stamp collection can be a rewarding and fun hobby. Not just for kids anymore, stamp collecting – or philately – has become one of the world’s oldest and most popular forms of collecting. The advantages of stamp collecting include:





•    Learning about stamps which have been issued by other countries of the world over the years


•     Appreciating stamps as works of art – colourful, well-printed, and well-designed


•    Understanding the purpose of the stamp – whether it is to commemorate famous people or events, flowers, railways, flags, or space and sport





Stamp Collection





Stamp collections can provide both entertainment and education. By learning about all the stamps which have been issued by the countries of the world, you can begin to understand another country’s geography and history. Stamps collection is also a practical way to learn the politics, religion, and everyday way of life in different parts of the world. Stamps also open a world of education in a country’s postal services and postal history, transport systems, and the significance of postmarks.





Want to Start Collecting?





Many stamp collectors have advice for those looking to get into the stamp collecting scene, however, the best advice to the novice is to buy the largest packet of whole-world stamps you can afford. Also, consider buying with this purchase, a medium-priced album and some ‘hinges’ to mount the stamps. By buying a large amount of stamps at first, you can then go through most of the stamps, identifying those which you don’t believe you can find in the stamp collectors catalogue for identifying purposes.   





Sources of Stamps





To keep your stamp collection moving along, there are several different types of stamps and locations to pursue:





•    Persuade your friends to save your stamps from those letters mailed to them from abroad


•    You can buy stamps from the UK Post – several times a year, the UK Post will issue special stamps for those interested in collecting


•    There are several stamp magazines where you can see and meet other collectors


•    Review the online stamp collecting websites for forums and discussion on where to get the latest stamp collection tips





Stamp Collecting and Increasing Worth





Over the years, as stamps age and their rarity increase, the worth of the stamp can increase tenfold. The condition of the stamp is vitally important to its worth. Nothing detracts more from the value of a stamp than a crease, tear, or heavy postmark. Damaged stamps are generally considered useless and worthless, so be wary of your collection when adding stamps.





If you are looking to make the most of your stamp collection, have unused stamps in their original gum as issued by the post office. Also, the ideal postmark is light and clear, as heavy postmarks decrease the value of the stamp by large amounts.





If you are already realizing that there is much more to stamp collecting then first thought, you are right! Stamp collecting can be extremely rewarding if you take the time to pursue it as a serious hobby. Consider learning more about your planet and start your stamp collection today.


About the Author:
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Coin And Stamp Collecting- The 3 Point Formula!

Coin And Stamp Collecting- The 3 Point Formula!

Author: Abhishek Agarwal
provide humans with a kind of contentment that other activities cannot provide. It is by indulging in such activities, that humans find a vent for their creative frustrations.



Today, coin and stamp collection are two extremely popular hobbies in today’s world. These two activities have a value that no other hobby can compare to.



Why?



This is due to the fact that stamp and coin collecting, in addition to embodying the act of collecting different types of stamps and coins, also help in the preservation and personification of the world’s history. Both coin and stamp collecting help highlight different images used to visually record significant events in history.



In terms of appeal and value, both stamp and coin collecting are indistinguishable. People who want to collect stamps, coins or both need to follow a few guidelines before starting on the hobby.



1. Conduct a research



In addition to being interested in the hobby of coin and stamp collecting, it is important to do homework before starting the activity. This will help you gather enough information and knowledge before getting into the activity.





2. Exercise caution before buying anything



Do not purchase any coin or stamp before knowing how to identify and classify them. When it comes to coins, knowing how to grade is extremely important. When it comes to stamps, it is important to know the procedure of identifying the slight disparities that creeps into the type of paper used and other distinguishable features like colour, perforations or watermarks.





3. Identify the correct product

You should never purchase coins or stamps without having full knowledge on how to identify or classify them. When it comes to coins, knowledge on grading is important. When it comes to stamps, you need to be able to distinguish between slight disparities in features such as perforations, color and watermarks.



These are few of the various pointers that need to be considered by every coin and stamp collector should know. Following these tips will help you overcome all the difficulties that come in the hobby of coin and stamp collection with confidence.

About the Author:
Abhishek is an avid Coin Collecting enthusiast and he has got some great Coin Collecting Secrets up his sleeve! Download his FREE 58 Pages Ebook, "Understanding And Mastering The Art Of Coin Collecting!" from his website http://www.Fun-Galore.com/92/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com Coin And Stamp Collecting- The 3 Point Formula!

Stamp Collecting as Hobby and for Profit


Stamp Collecting as Hobby and for Profit?

Author: Joseph Then
Stamp collecting is a hobby enjoyed by millions of people worldwide. However, what you may not know is that it is not just collecting of stamps, it's more than that





It's seems to be a fact that stamp collecting is a very fulfilling experience for all people around the world.  The excitement of acquiring a valuable postage stamp, coupled with the thrill of witnessing its rarity soar throughout the years, is truly an exhilarating feeling.  Even with the advancement of emails and digital age, it's should not be a surprise that the hobby of stamp collecting still lives on among the people.





But stamp collecting can be more than just a hobby.





Stamp collecting can actually be a profitable venture, a hobby that can be transformed into a business, and for many entrepreneurs, a dream come true.





Welcome to the business of stamp collecting, where there are many ways to earn substantial income while enjoying the joys of one of the most wonderful and fulfilling pastimes in the world.





The Game Of Speculation





The number one way by which a stamp collector can earn some income from his hobby is, of course, by buying and selling postage stamps.





Just like any investment model, the stamp collector is supposed to sell stamps when they're hot, and but them when they're not.  It's just a business of knowing which postage stamp that have the highest chance of appreciation.  When there is an appreciation of the value of the stamps, that is where the collector can sell them for a profit.





Speculative stamp collecting is an investment model that requires a small financial investment - currently circulated stamps cost less than $0.50 each - yet yields significant earnings as a normally-priced stamp today can cost as much as $40 in a matter of 2 or 3 years.





Philatelic Investing





Philatelic investing is similar to simple stamp inventing in so far as they both involve the buying and selling of postage stamps.  However, whereas the latter is about speculating on currently circulated postage stamps, the former is all about the purchase and eventual disposition of postage stamps that already command significant prices.





Philatelic investing usually involve stamp collecting that are themed.  Philatelic investors usually concentrate on specific types of postage stamps, as the variety of published stamps may be too overwhelming for any businessman in this field.





Philatelic investing will need more research.  Unlike simple stamp speculation where investments can be bought for mere cents, the subjects of philatelic investing cost hundreds of dollars, and sometimes, thousands of dollar even.  Hence, a critical study of market forces, postal history and other relevant information is necessary in order to make sound investments that have the greatest chances of garnering fantastic profit.





Philatelic Brokering





Some people who are deeply involved with this hobby think that speculative postage stamp collecting is not as high-yielding as they'd like to fancy.  The problem with philatelic investing is that it does require an amount of investment, which can be pretty tough.





The next best way to capitalize on the prevailing passion for postage stamps is through philatelic brokering.





Philatelic brokering involves offering one's services to find the postage stamps that particular collectors are looking for.  It involves the usage of one's knowledge about postage stamps and about postal history as well as the industry to provide for the needs of other collectors... for a fee of course.





A collector may be looking for a 19th century half-penny British stamp of Queen Victoria, for example.   If you know where to find one for, say, $850, you can offer your services to the collector.  Ask for $1,000 for the said stamp, which will immediately net a profit of $150 for a single transaction.


About the Author:
Find out more about stamp collecing today! It's a fun hobby and it can have the possibility of bring in money! Check out my website for more information ==> http://www.stampcollectinghobby.net
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