Four Tips to Start A Valuable Music Box Collection, Part II
Copyright 2006 Monique Hawkins
Many music box and antique collectors enjoy collecting inlaid music boxes, wooden keepsake boxes, musical jewelry boxes, and other mechanical music and musical gifts. In part two of this two article series, we will take a look at additional tips to consider when seeking to develop a valuable music box collection.
1. While music box collecting can be expensive, its important to remember to make sure the item that is being purchased does not have inflated value. So, take your time and develop a systematic appraisal, which can be used for all music box purchases. For example, some things to look for are loose, damaged, and missing veneer; looking to see if the design on the lid is an inlay and not a transfer. It is also necessary to check to make sure the musical movement is not damaged, no corrosion is present which can lead to lead leaks, and listen to make sure the tune on the music box is perfect. Plus, take your time when making a decision
2. If you find a music box that you fall in love with, but it has defects, go ahead and buy it! Usually, everything is capable of being replaced if you have the time, money, and know someone who is skilled in this area.
3. When buying a music box at an auction, always look at the piece prior to the auction. Make sure you examine the box carefully and decide how valuable it truly it is for you, no matter the cost. This will also ensure that you remain within your budget!
4. Music boxes can be delicate. Therefore, when it comes to transporting them you must be careful. There are precautions to take to ensure that your valuable collectible is not damaged in any way. Transpiration suggestions include putting the piece on the floor in the car, and remembering to never stand a music box on its end. Also, carry a cylinder music box in a level position to keep the cylinder from bouncing up and down. Additional tips include using a high density plastic foam to wrap your valuable in, using large strong crates for large musical boxes (best to let the professionals pack it) and putting "breakable" or "handle like glass" if it has to be shipped a long distance.
Collecting music boxes such as inlaid music boxes, wooden keepsake boxes, musical jewelry boxes, and other mechanical music and musical gifts, and many other mechanical instruments and movements are hobby loved by many a music box and antique collector. Following the above tips can greatly assist collectors in forming a valuable music box collection.
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Established in May of 2005, http://www.My-Music-Box.com is a music box gift store specializing in products such as inlaid ballerina music boxes for ballerina rooms décor, whimsical carousel music boxes, and musical jewelry boxes. The company provides interesting information for music lovers of all ages. Owner Monique Hawkins is also the author of the blog "What You Never Knew About Music" http://whatyouneverknewaboutmusic.blogspot.com , and owner of the eBay store "Monique's Music Box" at: http://stores.ebay.com/Moniques-Music-Box Monique can be contacted at (540) 858-2885.
Media Rooms For In-Home Entertaining
Copyright 2006 Melissa Galt
With life as busy and overloaded as it can be these days, more and more often people are making their homes the center of entertainment. They are forsaking going out to places in favor of staying in. Media rooms are an important component in this decision. While frequently this is created in a windowless room in the basement, I have also had a client consider transforming a dining room, used virtually never, into this most sought after space. Whatever your vision consider these points before embarking on your own media place.
Family Style or Theatre Style? The trend seems somewhat split on this, and the choice is yours. There is a wealth of well designed theatre style seating for the home on the market. These can come complete with full reclining, tilt front concealed cup holders, leather or fabric upholstery, and even massage motion. Or you can create another great room with sofas and chairs instead. To gain a true theatre like experience and allow everyone their own space, the individual chairs are typically the best way to go. They can be independent or ganged (attached in rows). What mood do you want?
Drape it or Open? It isn't often I come across a client wanting a traditional theatrical drapery covering the screen, but depending on the size of the screen and the drama desired it can be a really elegant effect. If the room is used at all for any other functions (seating must be flexible in this case), it does a good job of concealing the large black hole of a screen.
Storage Open or Concealed? When you are designing your home theatre (do get a professional involved early if possible), don't forget storage. You are bound to have a growing collection of DVD's and likely videos still and these need to be kept convenient and preferably concealed. Often in locating the screen it is a good idea to consider building a cabinet around it to house not only the electronic components but also your tapes and disks.
Electronic Componentry. This is usually the reason a media room is created to start with, it is a fascination with technology! Whether you install a top end custom system, a mid-range Bose, or a Best Buys consider all the options. Establish important critical dimensions such as how many feet is optimal viewing from the size screen you are considering. Know how many and the best placement of speakers (wall or ceiling). Determine if additional insulation will be needed to avoid the rooms upstairs shaking and rolling from an intense action sequence! Don't necessarily get the latest and alleged greatest, get the most appropriate for your space and best for your investment.
Movie Theme? Have some fun in this room with posters from favorite films. Don't frame in traditional glass; the glare will make them unviewable. Instead opt for board mount and sealed, akin to a plaque. These are readily available online in a wide variety. Let everyone in the house pick a favorite film or two and commemorate them.
Food or Not? Half the fun in going to the movies is getting popcorn, obscenely sized sodas, and ridiculously expensive candy. Are you going to allow eating and drinking in the theatre room? If so, what about adding a corner popcorn cart, or ensuring there is room in the built-in for a small refrigerator. Make it easy, make it convenient.
Lights! Lights! Lights! Yes, you do want complete darkness (that pitch black, inky kind for viewing), but you also need flexible and dramatic lighting for the room in general. Definitely use dimmers for everything and likely a remote to enable you to control it all from the comfort of your recliner. Consider sconces for the perimeter walls, a few recessed lights, and possibly cabinet lighting flanking the screen. Don't forget for drama you may want to add a row in front of the screen particularly if you do a drapery with your family crest, logo, or name of your home theatre!
Have fun! Invite friends over for special viewings. Plan the kid's parties around the latest DVD release they have been clamoring for. If you have a home office, consider using the room for a presentation to clients.
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Melissa Galt is a Lifestyle Designer and Speaker based in Atlanta, GA. She hosts a series of blogs on design tips and trends and produces a monthly ezine dedicated to helping subscribers design their signature life. For the latest teleclasses, seminars, and ebooks on designing your life check out http://www.melissagalt.com .
Mens' Rings Hit The Style Spot
Copyright 2006 Tatstar
When does a ring stop being a man's ring? There seems to be a cross-fertilisation of style when it comes to jewellery. Unisex styles in clothing seem to have given licence for jewellery to go unisex too. Now you can buy anything from gemstone, diamond set in gold and titanium rings for men. Before you would only see men's rings limited to classic wedding bands.
Now mens' rings come in all shapes, sizes and different styles. Needless to say, men's rings vary from the ostentatious bling of the MTV generation to the more subtle, sophisticated silver titanium rings. Pop stars like P Diddy have put diamond-encrusted jewellery on the map. Celebrities and actors have become walking billboards for jewellery retailers falling over themselves in the race to get any exposure for any of their precious jewellery items.
Mens' watches, mens' rings in fact anything a man can put on show is the key to nifty accessorising. According to new research out by Verdict, British men and women now spend Ł2.1billion a year on accessories, one fifth of that is spent on jewellery and watches. So as far as men are concerned, mens' rings could be just as important an accessory as wearing a watch or carrying the latest mobile phone. The same trend is seen in India, where young men appear more open about revealing a more feminine side. Jewellery retailers in major Indian cities have seen a boom in sales of mens' rings, bracelets and earrings.
I asked a number of men how they felt about rings. The answers varied greatly, there were opinions of causal indifference to more cagey, measured responses. Well I'd like it to look classy said one. Another one shuddered at the thought of mens' rings when I asked him and said "well it's like putting ten tonne weights on your fingers – not good when it comes to typing on your laptop." Oh well. Perhaps for some men it's a fierce choice between technology and fashion. For the most part though, the generation of urban metrosexuals all over the world are entertained by the idea that looking cool just doesn't stop at a pair of trendy jeans and a t-shirt.
For decades women have mastered the art of accessorising. Anything from hairslides, handbags, rings and costume jewellery have been mixed and matched to revitalise ageing ballgowns, dresses, suits and tracksuit bottoms relegated to the dark recesses of a woman's wardrobe. Now there is a chance for men to get in on the accessorising act too. And what better way for a man to make a statement than wearing a couple of mens' rings with a causal pair of jeans and a t-shirt.
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Taroon Shah is based in the UK and can be contacted via:
http://jewellery-bracelets-rings.com/mensindex.shtml
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