| |
| |
|
Crafts & Hobbies Information |
|
|
|
Collecting Depression Glass - Where to Start
Okay, so you've been bitten by the Depression Glass bug, and those pretty patterns and pastel colors beckon you from the shelves of an antique dealer's shop, a friend's home, or maybe you've even discovered this special glassware on the Internet. How ever it's come about that you've developed a yen for Depression Glass, you need to know where and how to start collecting it - unless you're made of money, have oodles of time on your hands, and don't care whether you get the real thing or not. But if you're like most of us, and those things don't apply to you, here are a few tips to get you started on the road to what may very well become a fascinating and lifelong hobby. Step 1 - Buy the latest edition of the book, The Collector's Encyclopedia of Depression Glass by Gene Florence that boasts a recommendation from the National Depression Glass Association. Mr. Florence's comprehensive book covers all the known patterns with photographs and current price listings, short histories of the manufacturers, information on detecting fakes and reproduction pieces, along with the production dates and colors of each design. All this, including the author's own personal anecdotes about this addictive hobby, make this book not only one of the most useful tools from which to learn about Depression Glass, but turns learning about the subject into entertainment, as well. Step 2 - Go to glass shows and conventions, join Depression Glass clubs, and visit antique shops in your area that carry it. It's imperative to learn about this type of glass from hands-on knowledge in order to get a true feel of how it looks "in person." Soon you'll learn many, if not all, the colors and patterns, and be able to distinguish reproductions - most commonly made in Mexico and India - from the genuine article. Color, patterns, weight, mold markings - even the bubbles - of real Depression Glass hold a uniqueness all their own. Step 3 - Subscribe to magazines, newsletters, and other periodicals that focus on collecting Depression Glass. The National Depression Glass Association offers an online newsletter subscription on its site at www.ndga.net, and Collector's News, a print magazine, frequently features articles of interest to Depression Glass fans. Step 4 - Meet and make friends with an expert! There's nothing like having a mentor to guide you when you're in the process of learning something new - especially about Depression Glass. Such tips as learning to use your tactile sense of feel to detect chips and cracks, holding a piece up to the light to help determine its authenticity, and other helpful information usually come from personal relationships. Attending shows, joining clubs, and visiting antique shops all provide opportunities to make friends with people who've been involved in collecting Depression Glass - some for as long as 40 or 50 years. The most important thing to remember when you begin your Depression Glass hobby, however, is to have fun! Even if you do make a mistake, get occasionally "rooked" with a fake, or buy or sell something you later regret, you'll always have the experience of appreciating an interesting and fascinating hobby. And then, when you do make the find of your life - well, that's what it's all about! All those "mistakes" soon become laughable, fond memories when you proudly display your wonderful Depression Glass discovery! So get out there and make your start today or look for the next beautiful piece to add to your growing collection. Until next time, Murray Hughes http://www.depressionglasssecrets.com/DPweb-articles/collecting-depression-glass.htm If you enjoyed this article by Murray Hughes, then visit Depression Glass Identification now and enrol in the free Depression Glass course "The 5 Essential Steps To Becoming A Depression Glass Collector" For AOL users: Depression Glass Patterns
MORE RESOURCES:
Hobbies - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Capturing the Craft Show Market Finding the right product to sell at a craft show is extremely important in finding success on the craft show circuit. You may already have an excellent craft product or line of products you are creating or even selling, or you may be looking for a craft to produce in order to enter the business. Airbrushing Does Not Have to be All Disappointment, Heartache, and Bloody Hard Work! A smart, but irritating man once told me that Airbrushing did not have to be all blood, sweat and tears. If only I had someone guiding me back in those hard, frustrating and sick in the stomach days of airbrushing, I wouldn't have wasted all that time and money!So here you are. Tracing Your Family History Let me say straight away that tracing your family ancestry is a great hobby but very addictive, so unless you want to get well and truly hooked, don't start.When I travel around the country to Family History Fairs, I am amazed at the number of people who say quite cheerfully, "family history is so easy, I did mine in half an hour on the internet. Family Album In The Digital Age Back then it was simple - you take the picture, you print it and put it in your family album. But now you have a digital camera. How to Make Your Own Soap Favors for Weddings and Baby Showers Want to make soap as a gift for your party guests? Here are some simple tips for making soap gifts and favors:1. There are literally hundreds of different ingredients that can be used for soap making. The Choice Between Electric or Nitro Powered RC Cars Can be Overwhelming! The roar of the crowd as the cars rush by, the sense of excitement in the air. Is it the Indy 500? No, it is RC racing! RC racing, or remote control racing also known as radio control, is a quickly growing hobby segment that appeals to both young and old, and men and women. Organize That Stash! Do you control your stash or does it control you? I have become the master of my stash. When my husband found out that his sock drawer had become yet another place for cross stitch supplies, it was either get it under control or end up in divorce court. Comic Book Supplies, Necessities of the Serious Collector If you want to keep your comic book collection in tiptop shape, comic book supplies will become part of your collecting life. As soon as a magazine is printed there are natural environmental forces going to work to try and destroy the ink and the paper. My Greatest Stamp Find I have been involved with stamps nearly my entire life. My first collection was as a ten-year old boy collecting with my neighborhood buddies. Embroidery Machine Use by New Owners for Good Results Many new home embroidery machine owners have to learn on their own with little instructions and thus have to resort to the "trial and error" methods to get satisfactory results. One can certainly learn to embroidery this way but it takes time, money and patience. What Is An Un-circulated Coin? You may have heard the terms proof coin and un-circulated coin, but what's the difference between these two? To understand the difference between a proof and un-circulated coin, let's first answer the question, "What is an un-circulated coin?"Un-circulated means a coin has not had any wear, such as the wear a coin might experience when it is used in commerce. Handling a coin, as well as improperly storing a coin, can result in wear on the surface of the coin. Easy Origami Starting outOrigami is an art of paper folding, therefore all you should need is a piece of paper and you can start folding away without any problems, right? Well, almost. You might need a few other things that we will talk about in this chapter. Woodworking Tools: Right Selection And Care Will Save You Money, Part 2 Woodworking: Tools Of The Trade, Part 2 - Tools For CuttingA civilization's maturity and intelligence is judged, in part, by the diversity and sophistication of its tools. When it comes to woodworking, the human race is quite advanced. Money Making Hobbies - Which Ones? Which ones can be money making hobbies? A friend made a life-sized cow out of plywood once. He painted it, put it in the yard, and people started asing if he would sell it. Treasure Hunting - The Unusual Ways When you think of treasure hunting, maybe gold coins and precious stones come to mind, but it doesn't end there. You can start in your own attic to see what treasures you find. Working With Leather This can be as simple & basic Or advanced & professional.There are many books, booklets, pamphlets, reprints, even articles describing how to assemble a simple article cut from a basic design which is purchased as a kit from a supplier. Woodworking: Protection When Working With Wood - Ignoring Could Potentially Harm Your Health Or Kill Woodworking: Basic Safety TipsWoodworking can be a dangerous undertaking if you are not careful and choose to disregard safety guidelines. A circular saw, router, or other piece of power equipment can disfigure and even kill if not used properly. The Nuts and Bolts of Vintage Tin Toys Before Game Boy and Play Station, there were tin toys. During their heyday, these whimsical toys amused children for hours. Woodworking Tools: Right Selection And Care Will Save You Money, Part 3 Woodworking: Tools Of The Trade, Part 3 - Tools For Measuring & MarkingA civilization's maturity and intelligence is judged, in part, by the diversity and sophistication of its tools. When it comes to woodworking, the human race is quite advanced. Diet and Fitness - Help from Your Hobbies Everybody battles with their weight from time to time. It's either too much junk food or not enough exercise.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
