Ancient Coins: An Amazing History Lesson

Lots of different cultures have been making coins for millennia. Ancient coins are made of different materials and using different processes than modern coins. Reflecting the culture they came from, ancient coins, just like modern ones teaches you a lot of pretty cool stuff about the history of that culture.

Ancient Roman Coins

About 290 BC Rome began making coins. The value was determined by the weight of the coin as they were made out of whatever metal was handy. Coins at that time were really just a standardized form of barter.

When people began putting images on ancient coins, they initially chose the images of gods. Various world conquerors saw themselves as gods, and began to put their images on ancient coins, as well. Julius Caesar was the first emperor of Rome, and Roman coinage from his time bears his image.

The story of the Roman Empire is told through ancient coins from Rome. They tell you who the emperor was, what was going on, and would be made to commemorate events that were important.

Roman coins are fun to collect because of the history, but also because there are lots of them. Wherever the Roman Empire reached, coins from Rome can be found. Just like today, whenever the empire needed cash to fund a new coliseum or war, they minted more money. Ancient coins from Rome are an inexpensive way to begin collecting ancient coins and are relatively easy to find.

Ancient Chinese Coins

As with everything else, China was minting coins while the Western world was still using pretty rocks for money. Rome used coins as early as 290 BC, but China was minting coins as early as 350 BC. In 250 BC they started using a round, minted coin with a square hole in the middle, and that's what Chinese coins looked like for 2,100 years.

With each dynasty memorialized in its coinage, Chinese coins tell history also.

Other Ancient Coins

The other ancient empires had their coins, too. There are Scythian coins, Parthian coins, Greek coins, and Babylonian coins. The oldest known coin is the Daric, used in the Persian Empire prior to 500 BC when it was conquered by Alexander the Great, who replaced it with his own coins that had his portrait on them. There may be coins older than that, but we don't know about them yet. If and when more ancient coins are found, however, they will tell us more about the history of the people who made them.

Ancient Coins, just like modern ones, reflect the culture they came from, and learning about these coins teaches you a lot of pretty cool stuff about the history of that culture. To browse more articles on coins visit, http://www.coins.jsgenterprises.com

Paper Dolls Retain Timeless Appeal

Diamonds are a woman’s best friend, but a little girl’s best friend is definitely her doll. While dolls are usually associated with girls, paper dolls are made and collected by young and old alike irrespective of their sex.

 

France is the place where paper dolls first appeared. Their origin can be traced to the reign of Louis XV when paper dolls were very popular among the French royals. Paper dolls emerged in England at about the same time, and they were used to convey moral stories in an attractive manner. In America, paper was initially very expensive so paper dolls were a luxury item that children took very good care of. Once paper became cheaper and more readily available, paper dolls were created on cardboard on a mass scale. 

 

Paper dolls were hand-painted and wore different types of clothes. Some were smartly dressed like European film stars, while others came only with underwear on! As early paper doll clothes came without tabs, people used sealing wax to stick clothes on to them. Patterned cloth, lace, and tissue paper were used to create clothes for paper dolls. Lots of girls and women earned a living by selling paper dolls.     

 

Men, women, kids, and animals are commonly employed in advertisement campaigns, but imagine dolls being used to advertise various products! Paper dolls were used to advertise new types of clothes and designs in various popular women’s magazines, and their appeal was so great that they began to find place in newspaper supplements too.

 

Paper dolls depicted clowns, animals, ordinary people and, most importantly, celebrities from the world of films and music. Obtaining these dolls is every modern day paper doll collector’s dream. If you thought only kids collect paper dolls, think again! Adults collect paper dolls just as they do coins and stamps. Paper dolls represent fashion, celebrities, inanimate objects, and animals and are great fun to collect. They are also inexpensive. Adults who collect paper dolls say it reminds them of their childhood days. You can collect on the basis of a particular subject, for example, movie stars.   

 

As paper dolls grew in popularity they came to be sold in books. Many companies specialized in the making of these dolls. People who bought the books had to cut out the dolls, cloths, and accessories. Today, among paper dolls collectors, old books containing dolls and their clothes are a rage. They often fetch higher prices than dolls that have been cut.

 

If you wish to start a paper doll collection buy from local artists and conventions. You can get in touch with other collectors via the Internet or placing ads in newspapers. Lots of greeting cards contain paper dolls. Keep a look out for them. 

 

 

Paper dolls are a great way to maintain peace at home and encourage creativity when your kids have a school vacation! These days lots of paper doll templates can be downloaded from the Net. Encourage your kids to dress up dolls with crayons, bits of colored paper, and fabric. You can also ask them to make paper dolls resembling themselves! Let collecting paper dolls become a family affair!

Collect Coins for Fun

"Work, work, and more work" is the global mantra these days. As you get caught up in the rat race for power and pelf stop awhile to think whether too much work is making you a dull boy! If you are constantly jittery or anxious, its time you had some time just for your self. A hobby like coin collecting could become an exciting and a competitive sport and do you a lot of good by diverting attention from mundane tasks. So hoard interesting coins instead of dollars for a change!

 

A coin collection usually starts from modest beginnings. For example, you may have coins in your wallet from a trip to another country or you may come across old coins while rummaging about in an antique shop. You can base your collection on country, year, period, or subject. If you or a friend or family member travels a great deal globally, you would find it easy to collect coins of different countries. You may also choose a particular foreign country that interests you, say France or India, and collect coins of that country. In contrast, collect your nation’s coins if you want to know more about it!  

 

Collecting by year involves collecting a particular coin every year of its manufacture. For example, if a certain coin was produced first in 1900 you collect from that year to the present. If a certain monarch’s reign interests you, collect coins from that period. Alternatively, you could collect ancient or medieval period Roman, Indian, or Greek coins. Subject collection would include coins on a particular subject, for example, maps, flowers, or ships.

 

Some coin collectors collect by error! I mean they collect faulty coins. These include clipped coins, off center coins, and coins with over dates. These coins are very rare as automation has reduced the possibility of errors. This makes them even more interesting and desirable. You can also collect by material, say gold or silver.

 

Apart from picking up interesting coins during international travel, you can get them at local antique shops, flea markets, coin shows, and auctions. Some coin collectors say that rummaging through charity boxes kept at local stores also leads to interesting discoveries. But, don’t forget to inform the shop owner before embarking on such activities.

 

Coin collecting is great, but where are you going to store them?  Many people keep their coin collection in a box, but keeping coins all together can lead to scratches on their surface. It’s also difficult to locate a particular coin when required. To begin with, you can consider storing coins in separate paper envelopes, label the envelopes and, then, keep them inside a box. You can also opt for small plastic bags to store your coin collection. This way, in contrast to paper envelopes, you will be able to see your coins without touching them directly. However, ensure that the plastic bag is not made of PVC, which could harm the coins inside. When you develop a large collection you can choose a cardboard or plastic coin album. All these storage devices can be purchased from hobby shops, coin shops, or online stores.

 

Before you start buying expensive coins for your collection invest in a price guide, magnifying glass, and desk lamp. You can also join local coin collection clubs and read up books on this hobby.

 

     

 

 

Candle Making: Create Your Own Home Décor with This Fun Hobby!

Candles bring an air of elegance and softness to any room in which they are used.  They serve many purposes from simple illumination to creating a centerpiece for a table.  Candles have been around for centuries.  No one knows just how long they have been around.  Egyptians were some of the first to use beeswax candles dating back to 3000 B.C.  There are artifacts that show that the first candles with wicks were created during the Roman period in history.  Our love for candles and the art of candle making is always developing. This is apparent in the styles of the candles that we use. 

So, you want to make candles? 

There are many types of candles to choose from when you consider candle making.  The key is to choose one type of candle to make and get that one down pat before starting another.  Start slow and build your craft.  This will give you a feel for working with wax and the equipment necessary for making candles.  With so many methods and types of candles that you can make it can get very confusing and frustrating. 

Start by working with the basic poured candle.  For this type of candle you will need the following; a dedicated pot that will be used only for melting your wax, a candy thermometer so that you can check the wax temperature, a wooden spoon or two to work with, wax, dye, and wick supplies which you can buy at your local craft store.  You may also want to purchase additives such as vybar or steric acid because these can increase the burn time of your candle. Paraffin is the most commonly used wax for candle making today and the best for a beginner to start with. 

Find containers that are functional, decorative, and safe.  Some of the best places to find containers are from thrift stores, yard sales, and your own kitchen.  Examples of containers are things such as old teacups, funny coffee mugs, good heavy glasses, and of course the Mason jar.

You have what you need, now what?

After gathering all the supplies and equipment in one place you are ready to get started. A word of caution here is to be sure that all your equipment is clean and dry.  Test your container prior to pouring hot wax into it to be sure that it will not break and can be used safely. Place a small drop of hot glue on the metal bottom of the wick then place it into the center of the container making sure to press down well. The wick can be kept in the center by wrapping a small portion of the wick around a pencil that lies on top of the container.  Make sure to secure the pencil before pouring the wax. 

Safety is important when working with heat and wax so keep a fire extinguisher handy.  And never throw water on a fire caused by wax!

Use a large pan that is approximately 1/3 full of water and bring the temperature of the water to 212° Fahrenheit. Place your pot with wax into the water. Keep the water at the same temperature while melting the wax.  Do not let the water boil away; add water as needed. Use the thermometer to test the temperature of the wax.  Follow the manufacturer's suggested temperature for melting wax because it varies with different waxes.  Typically the best temperature for container wax is 170 - 175 degrees.  Never let the wax exceed 250 degrees! 

Once the wax has melted add the vybar or steric acid to the wax and mix well. The final step before pouring is adding color to your melted wax making sure to mix well.  You are now ready to pour your melted candle wax into your container.  Fill the container leaving approximately ¼ of headroom for the wick.  Once the candle wax has set you may then remove the pencil.  Trim the wick ¼ inch from the wax.

You have done it! You’ve made your first decorative candle and are now hooked.  You have so much to explore and lots of ideas.  As with all projects, have fun and be safe!

A Birdwatching Caribbean Cruise Is An Ideal Way To Relax And Enjoy Your Hobby

If you are an avid bird watcher and decide to take a Caribbean cruise, then you can enjoy two pleasures at the same time. This is because not only are there many types of bird species for you to see in the Caribbean , there are also many very rare types of bird species, that you will never have chance to see anywhere else in the world.

Here are some of the places you may wish to visit on your cruise.

The Trinidad Asa Wright Nature Center. Is situated ten miles north of the town of Arima on Blanchisseuse Road. It is a wonderful location for birdwatching, with over 200 acres of rain forest. You can take a walk here on the many forest trials and you will be able to observe many different bird species. If you can make the time, i would try to spend at least 2 to 3 days here as it is an ideal place to enjoy your passion for birds.

The Bubali Pond in Aruba. Is on the north side of eagle beach and just south of De Olde Molen. You can expect to see brown pelicans here in large groups as well as the Black crowned Night Herons. It is best to do your birdwatching here at dusk or dawn.

In Aruba’s Spanish Lagoon. You will have the chance to observe many different species of birds, such as, brown pelicans, egrets, herons and frigates. Do not be at all surprised if you also see large green and yellow parakeets that are twice the size of those you would see in a pet store at home. These birds are mostly seen at sunset.

The Barbuda Frigate Bird Sanctuary. Is a secluded location, this is because the only way to get there is by boat. The use of a birdwatching guide is recommended here. When you get to this location you will be able to see thousands of Fregata Magnificens or man of war birds. The best time to visit here is during the breeding season as you will get to see over 170 species of birds living together.

If your birdwatching Caribbean cruise makes a stop in Jamaica, you should take the time to visit the Rockland’s Bird Sanctuary. Here is a once in a lifetime opportunity for any bird watcher to observe 289 different bird species of which 28 are endemic and 6 have just been introduced. There are also 10 bird species on the endangered list which includes the Black billed and Yellow billed parrots.

There is an entrance fee charged at this sanctuary and you can also pay extra for a guided tour, which is recommended that you do so. Here, you will get to see hummingbirds, Red billed Streamertails, Jamaican Mango, Black and Yellow faced Grassquits as well as their relative the Orangequits. All these species of birds you will be able to hand feed, if you wish to.

These places are just a few that you can visit while you are on a Caribbean cruise. There are many more locations available to you and all you need to do is search the internet to fine them.

The Caribbean cruise packages that are being offered do not come with birdwatching tours, but once your cruise liner docks at port, you can sign up for one as they are readily available to you at many locations. So who said you can not enjoy two pleasures at the same time?

For further information visit Birdwatching Tips or Basic Birdwatching Apparel

If You're Interested in Woodworking as a Hobby, Read This

by Paul Cameron

Woodworking covers a variety of processes, such as cabinetmaking, joinery, marquetry, turning, and woodcarving. Nevertheless, all expert craftspeople have had to learn the fundamental techniques of marking, measuring, dimensioning, assembling and finishing. These skills are the fundamentals of woodworking and are the nitty-gritty of woodworking, be it hobby or profession.

The capability to conceptualize three dimensionally is necessary to mark up the wood and to envisage how one piece fits with another and in what order. As well, you'll have to learn which tools will bring about the best outcome, considering the degree of accuracy called for and the attributes of the wood you're working with.

The procedure of cutting down the wood precisely to size is known as dimensioning - a process that's straightforward in theory but takes much repetition to hone. All except the most basic of woodworking projects call for cutting and putting together an assortment of joints. Long considered to be a test of a woodworker's skill, joinery requires unwavering hand-eye coordination. However, practice will help you discover the most effective means to secure one section of wood to another appealingly and inconspicuously without giving up durability.

Knowing how wood actually performs is a key component of these basic abilities. It's a one of a kind, living object that swells and shrinks with shifts in humidity, an issue that a woodworker has to address in the planning and building of each item. Some woods are simpler to work with than others, and each piece, irrespective of the type, is unique in the way the grain twists and turns.

When it comes to woodworking, there isn't any one perfect means of going about it. The most effective method is the one that you're most comfortable with, and balances all the variables such as how much time is required to finish the project, what tools you have available, how important it is that your project is of the highest quality, and how much enjoyment you get from the process.

Consider both the pros and cons of machines and hand tools when used in woodworking projects. There are those who will insist that hand tools help you to learn how to cut and form wood while keeping the grain intact. Other woodworking experts claim that it's often possible to finish a project in less time using hand tools due to the preparation involved in using mechanical tools. And there are those who think the complete opposite.

With some patience, the right tools and techniques, and a good plan, you might just end up creating a treasure that will be enjoyed for many years to come.

Think Bird Houses to Attract Aviary Friends to Your Home & Garden

Bird houses add charm, whimsy, and beauty as well as a place for birds to nest.  It is no wonder that the bird house and bird feeder industry is growing.  There are safety factors to consider when buying or building a bird house.  There are some birds that will use a bird house and others that are not attracted to them. 

 

Types of Bird Houses

 

The type of bird house you will use depends on the type of bird or birds that you want to attract to your home.  Bird houses come in many shapes, sizes, colors and materials.  One of the best types of bird houses is the wooden one.  There are several reasons to choose this type of bird house.  Wooden bird houses can breath for ventilation, are durable and have a good insulation quality to them.  Gourds are another good material for bird houses.  They are functional, breathable, and pretty as well.  Properly designed pottery, concrete, and plastic houses will breathe and are also durable. When choosing the bird house that you will use for your feathered friends always check for proper ventilation, drainage, and easy access for maintenance and monitoring.  When considering the type of bird house that you want another thing to think about are safety and maintenance.

 

Safety and Proper Maintenance

 

Items to consider once you have chosen the type of bird house that you want are ventilation, drainage, ease of access for maintenance and protection from predators.

You should also make sure that no harmful chemicals where used on the materials used for the building of your bird house.  You would not want your new friends to become sick.  Part of proper maintenance of your new bird house is to check them for unwanted critters, such as fleas, wasp, or flies.  Sometimes mice and others will want to take up residence in your bird house. The main thing to remember if this happens is to remove them.  If insects are the problem, use only pesticides that are not harmful to your feathered friends.  “If wasps are a problem, coat the inside top of the box with bar soap” (US Fish & Wildlife Service "Homes for Birds”).  One of the problems that you may encounter while cleaning the nest and parasites or insects are present, baby birds may also be present.  If one of the baby birds gets out of the nest you can pick it up and put it back where it was.  Birds have a lousy sense of smell and they will not reject the babies because you helped them. 

 

Don’t let the care and safety be a deterrent in deciding whether you want a bird house or not.  The upkeep and maintenance is part of the joy and can be a wonderful way to learn more about your new birds. You will quickly become a backyard birder with your new bird house or houses. The joy of watching beautiful bird is an immeasurable pleasure. 

 

 

Dollhouse Miniatures- Small Scale Home Marvels

Miniature models of houses are created as dollhouses. These are usually meant for children who use them as toys. However, adults too are developing a fascination for the dollhouse miniatures and building, decorating and maintaining it has become a favorite pastime for children and adults alike. These miniatures have a unique appeal and never fail to please visitors who glance upon them. Indeed, these small-scale home marvels can win many praises for the person, young or old, setting them up. 

 

Historical background of the dollhouse miniatures

 

The history of creation of things akin to the dollhouse miniatures can be dated back to four hundred years or so when there were the ‘baby houses’ in Europe. The ‘baby houses’ being cabinet display cases made up of rooms built with architectural details and filled with miniature household items were particularly treasured by the select wealthy matrons in the cities of Holland, England and Germany. Quite strangely, these ‘baby houses’ were kept out of reach of children and was exclusively for adult usage. Owing to their immense value and treasured nature because of which these were considered to be safer when out-of-bounds of children. It has been known that the fully furnished ‘baby houses’ could have been worth the cost of a modest full size home’s construction.

 

Going about with setting up special dollhouse miniatures

 

The great thing about dollhouses is that they can come in just anyway you may need/want them. While a dollhouse can be made expensively using the choicest decorations, furniture etc. it can also be set up attractively in an inexpensive manner and decorated beautifully by incurring only the minimum costs.

 

By deciding upon the style of home to be adopted in the dollhouse miniature a modern contemporary or traditional classic architectural effect can be brought about in the dollhouse too. Famous homes of great people or those of historical significance can also be recreated in dollhouse miniatures by making a judicious selection of dollhouse miniature kits.

 

You can get started with acquiring a dollhouse miniature of the day in several ways. You may conveniently opt for the readymade and decorated varieties available. You may also buy the dollhouse miniature kits that are on offer or you may proceed to design and make your own dollhouse miniature. It is perhaps best to make use of some suitable dollhouse miniature kit. This can help provide a wider scope for innovative designs to be created. 

 

After readying the dollhouse miniature the miniature objects that are to go inside the dollhouses are to be decided upon. Furniture, interior decorations and dolls- all can be placed appropriately inside the dollhouse miniatures to give a livable feel to the interiors of the dollhouse. Books, clocks etc. may also be placed inside keeping in with taste of the person concerned.

Doll Carriages - Fascinating Objects to Play with or Display

Doll carriages are a dollhouse accessory. These are carriages for dolls that can be pushed around quite like a baby carriage or perambulator. These are good things for children to play with. They can move around their dolls on the carriages. Sometimes, the doll carriage can even be big enough to carry a child on it. So, children can playfully carry each other on these carriages quite like dolls.

Doll carriage types

The doll carriages can come in a variety of styles and designs and can make use of different materials. There are the popular wooden doll carriages which resemble pushcarts and are strong enough to carry children too. So, children can push around each other on the doll carriage just like they do with the dolls. There are many providers of doll carriages who make the carriages extra wide to ensure stability. Children can turn the wooden doll carriage into a multi use vehicle using their imagination too. So, the doll carriage can become a tractor, a stroller and a lawn mower also during play. Thus, the single toy, the doll carriage, can take over the roles of several toys.

Some doll carriages are there that make pleasant sounds when moved around. These are much in demand. There may be plastic or wooden horses attached to the doll carriages to give a real carriage feel. Floral prints may also be used for decorating the carriage beautifully. Special doll carriages that resemble Cinderella’s carriage can be obtained to accompany dolls representing characters of the Cinderella tale. There are also on offer a variety of doll carriage accessories like the doll carriage cushions, curtains etc. which seek to spruce up the doll carriages and make them look all the more true to the fairy tales.

Resistance to tipping- important doll carriage safety feature

Just like in case of baby carriages it is important for doll carriages to also be resistant to tipping. A durable construction of the doll carriage is important too in order to ascertain that it can withstand years of intense and varied play and can resist the strains of both indoor and outdoor usage.

It can be said that the beautiful dollhouses- castles, palaces etc. seem quite incomplete without the elegant doll carriages accompanying them. So, dollhouse owners need to try and secure suitable doll carriages from the wide variety of designer doll carriages on offer. These will not only make the dollhouses look complete in all respects but also provide an item of great fascination for children to play with.

Birdwatching Or Birding Which One Is A Hobby With A Cause?

Birder's have long contested birdwatching as a hobby, by saying the two are completely different. Birdwatching  is a hobby that is done as an activity during recreation,  but birder's are more intense  and dedicated to there cause.

The Birder's

Whether it be in the United States or any where else in the world, what birder's are saying is what they do so is far removed from just a pastime or a relaxation thing. For them they do it to study not only the species of birds but also their patterns of migration. they do not base there research on just observations, and they always invest in the most modern up to date optical equipment to strengthen their claims.

They no not normally visit popular birdwatching sites, what birder's are looking for is new and unexplored sites, this way they hope to find more new information. They budget for there travel and it does matter how far it may take them to gain fresh new knowledge about there passion birds.

The Birdwatchers

These people go birdwatching only to observe with there eyes or a pair of binoculars and are not normally in to the technology side of things. It would not bother them if the equipment they use is the most modern or up to date available to them on the market. What is important to birdwatchers is the sense of fulfillment they get from what they are doing. There main aim is to relax, see the birds and enjoy the sights.

For birdwatchers it will not matter to them where they observe birds. To them there own garden is good enough for them, or they even may travel to a nature reserve close to them. These people have a love for birds but do not wish to go any further with there study of birds than just watching them

The Right Time

Birdwatching in country's that have four season is normally most active in the spring and fall migrations. During this time, there are a large amount of birds to be seen. This is because the birds are relocating northbound or southbound in trying to find nesting sites.

The best time to do any observing is early morning when the birds are looking for food. Starting early in the morning also gives you a longer day to do to any observing.

Sea watching

Birdwatching of this type is all about people who go near coastal areas to do there observing. It can also be done when one is aboard a seagoing vessel.  The birds that can be observed from such are called the pelagic kind. The pelagic species of birds are normally just observed in coastal areas.

The Proper Etiquette

Wether you be a bird watcher or a birder, it should always be your main priority to look out for the wellbeing of the birds, also it is good practice to take some form of notes on your observations. You you always protect the environment so any natural habitat will not be harmed. Also when you use any of the latest technology that is available too you, then you will need to make sure it will not affect the birds in a negative manner.

Birdwatching may just be a hobby to some people,  but to most it is a hobby that must be done with passion and concern about the birds and their welfare.

Learn How To Make Candles

candle glass

The use of candles for light and heat is known to have existed in ancient times. The remains of candles have been found in the caves of France. It is believed that cavemen used them while painting and etching on the walls. It was said that those candles were manufactured out of animal fat. The Egyptians used candles as well by dripping beeswax onto leave stems. The burning process of a candle involves the four basic elements of matter which are solids, liquids, gas, and plasma.

Today candle wax making is a fun hobby or craft. For some, it is a very profitable business venture. Candle making allows you to create some great designs from your candles. There is no limit to the shapes, sizes, and colors you can make your candles in. Candles are usually used to provide fragrance and light. Candles have become very popular for the wonderful aromas more than for their ability to produce light. Some candles give off a popular smell such as vanilla or jasmine. Others smell like a chocolate cake or cinnamon rolls.

The body of a candle is generally made of paraffin wax. It can also be made out of beeswax. Paraffin wax is a natural wax that comes from plants. This wax can be purchased from Petroleum Refinery or the Specialty Wax Processor. Beeswax is also considered a natural wax, and is taken from honeybees. This is the substance the bees use to construct their honeycombs. A wick is placed in the center of the wax before it dries. The wick is made of cotton fibers that have been braided together. The wick is powerful, yet very thin. Sometimes candle makers will use a wick that is wider than normal to increase the size of the flame.

Safety is a very important part of candle making. The temperature of the hot wax can result in severe burns. There is also the risk of fire. Make sure your candle making area is set up properly and that you have a fire extinguisher in the area. Clean up spills quickly as they will become very slick, leading to falls if you walk across them.

To make candle sconces making fun instead of frustrating, start will making simple candles. This is a great opportunity for you to discover what works well with your set up and gives you the chance to make necessary changes. Initially, work at implementing good safety habits and melting your wax at the proper temperatures. You will also want to experiment with your cooling process. The process will become second nature to you once you have mastered the process. This is the right time to start experimenting with dyes, scents, and shapes for your candles.

The candle making process is easy to follow if you take your time and learn from your mistakes. Those who are impatient and take multitasking to an extreme will most likely not enjoy the art of candle making. However, it is very enjoyable by those who have plenty of time to take with the process and who enjoy creating things. Candle making supplies aren’t expensive so use the best you can. This will also help ensure your candles form well and burn properly.

How To Landscape A Model Railroad

One of the more fun aspects of model railroading is planning and executing the scenery and landscaping that your track and engines will meander through " for some it is almost like playing God in that you can decide and create on any scene you desire.

From fanciful hobbit themes, alien worlds or realistic recreations there is nothing that you cannot create and display, all it takes is a plan, some materials, a little skill and some time.

First and foremost you need a plan or at least a concept.

- Do you want to duplicate an existing landscape? - Do you want a faithful historical recreation of a place now lost in time? - Are you more inclined to creating a never-before seen or unlikely scenario to wow the masses?

Making a choice on one theme for your layout and staying true to that theme is perhaps the most important keys to success. If you change your methods and style in the middle of your landscape the result will be inconsistencies that will detract from the overall impression you are trying to form.

Ideally those you invite to view your work will see a delightful scene and the harder they look the more detail enforcing that scene they will find. Nothing is more enjoyable then hearing those delighted squeals as a viewer notices ever more subtle details as they come closer and closer and the key to that is consistency.

Once you have a plan for the theme you need to decide on track placement and terrain. Many modelers create the terrain and then try to force the track to follow through that, just as occurs in real life " but one of the advantages of modeling vs. real life is that you can consider all aspects and requirements up front. If you know you will have a bend or a switch at certain points why design rough terrain that you will then try to overcome with 'grading' in your models at those points?

Next you should collect your materials " some items you can find around the house, others you may wish to purchase from dealers such as www.oakridgehobbies.com and www.jttmicroscale.com or your local hobby shop but always stay true to your plan. Just because you find an amazing little miniature you long to use doesn't mean it belongs in this model! Common materials you will need include:

1. Tables or Stands

2. Plywood (preferably outdoor grade) for base if using stands or building model train tables

3. Glues

4. Twigs, 'dirt' gravel, crushed or powdered stones, herbs etc. for plants and groundcover

5. Paints of various kinds for touch-up, covering the base and backgrounds, creating model railroad water areas, etc.

6. Poster board, wax paper, aluminum foil, tissues etc. for texturing and shaping

7. Styrofoam blocks and sheets for shaping

Optional items you may wish to use include:

8. Plaster of Paris and / or fiberglass

9. Talcum powder, pepper and salt, cayenne pepper " for texturing and colorants

10. Corkboard and cork 'paper'

11. Roof repair tar (for road surfaces etc.)

12. Paintable caulks and adhesives for securing items in place

model railway layout