Friday, May 29, 2009

4 Things to Remember During a Classic Car or Muscle Car Restoration Project

Mike Marino offers the following royalty-free article for you to publish online or in print.
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Article Title: 4 Things to Remember During a Classic Car or Muscle Car Restoration Project
Author: Mike Marino
Category: Classics, Collecting, Recreation and Leisure
Word Count: 624
Keywords: Classic Car Restoration, Muscle Car Restoration, Car Restoration
Author's Email Address: PrecisionCarRestoration@gmail.com
Article Source: http://www.articlemarketer.com
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Car restoration can be a lengthy process. You have found the perfect car at the right price. You have found a shop that will do the job the right way at the right price. You should not let your guard down at this point. Here are a few measures you should take to assure that your classic or muscle car restoration project stays on track. No need for a train wreck at this point!

1 Establish a schedule to visit the shop. Even if the shop is out of town, make sure the shop knows when you are coming and what you expect to see when you are there. This should be a benefit to the shop as there are several points in the process that require decisions to be made, and there is nothing better than having the client stand right there discussing the project. You could schedule the visit around a local car show, for instance, and see if the owner will accompany you to the show. This could be a great way to establish your relationship and look at various aspects of the cars that can assist in final design decisions.

2 There should be a detailed deposit schedule that coincides with the production schedule. Be sure the project is on schedule and, if so, make those deposits on time and in full. Cash strapping your project is a sure way to cause a problem. A project should be self sufficient and your deposit should not fund other projects, nor should other clients fund your project. This is an important item to assure that your relationship with the shop is one that promotes good communication.

3 During the restoration process, use the shop's blog as a method to praise the shop, assuming everything is going well. You do not have to wait for the project to be completed to start letting other potential clients know that the shop is reputable and fulfills their contract. Additionally, establishing this positive feedback as early as possible will elevate the shop's desire to keep the positive feedback coming and continue to do a good job for you.

4 What if an issue develops? Maybe there is a surprise that was not anticipated, or an issue with a part or a technician is unable to complete the project or a snag in the schedule. These problems can be solved and can be more easily solved in person. If the shop has been upfront and communicative with you, then issues do not have to turn into problems. Car restoration is a business of trust and client service. A good shop will not jeopardize the client relationship, nor will a good shop loose money if the issue is legitimate and could not be anticipated. The correct way to deal with an issue is to talk it through and solve the issue as a team. If this means the cost of the project elevates, keep in mind this is far less expensive then ruining the relationship with the shop that is restoring your car.

In conclusion, the process of restoring a classic car is a shared responsibility. The client, the shop and the suppliers all play a role in the experience. One can only control what one can control, so be involved and be a positive part of the process. Don't be overbearing, but do establish the relationship and expectations ahead of time. Understand that this is a highly technical and difficult process that will have its challenges, so be prepared. A restoration is like a tattoo, it will stay with the car forever, so make sure that the design, quality and the relationship is exactly what you want. It will be with you as long as you own the car!

Mike Marino is the GM of Precision Restorations in St Louis MO. Known for the systematic approach taken to all aspects of car restoration, muscle car restoration and classic car restoration, Precision Restorations can be reached at 314-652-1966 or http://www.PrecisionCarRestorations.com.
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Thursday, May 28, 2009

Making The Most Of A London Art Gallery Tour

Dominic Donaldson offers the following royalty-free article for you to publish online or in print.
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Article Title: Making The Most Of A London Art Gallery Tour
Author: Dominic Donaldson
Category: Art, Collecting, Culture and Society
Word Count: 405
Keywords: London Art Gallery, fine art, paintings, art galleries
Author's Email Address: dominicdonaldson@gmail.com
Article Source: http://www.articlemarketer.com
------------------ ARTICLE START ------------------

London has lots to offer the visitor and the resident, from aquariums to oversized fairground rides, natural history and science museums to stunning theatres with world class shows. What most people do not know though is that the capital of England is home to nearly all the art in the country. Yes, the London art gallery experience encompasses around 85 per cent of the country's art in nearly 400 galleries. This is guide to what type of art to find where.

If your idea of art is along the lines of traditional fine art, then chances are that you'll be on the lookout for oil paintings and marble sculptures. For this, a visit to the National Portrait Gallery is highly recommended. It houses some of the finest examples of traditional portrait painting and has a healthy spattering of marble and bronze sculptures including Rodin's Kiss.

This London art gallery also offers a gentle introduction for some more challenging art works from the likes of Martin Creed. For people that believe that the old masters are the only type of art that counts, it is a chance to expose oneself and try to understand the concepts behind more conceptual based works. The annual BP awards are also a great opportunity to access works by new artists.

For a more challenging approach to looking at emerging artists, booking tickets to the Frieze art fair will give the enthusiast an insight into what is likely to be up and coming in the major London art galleries. It is also a perfect opportunity to invest in reasonably priced works, and as such attracts a vast array of celebrities in search of a beautiful bargain. The fair is made up of a number of representative galleries, and there is quite often a healthy spattering from established artists such as Sarah Lucas in amongst less well known artists.

If you are more interested in purchasing art that is of a more traditional ilk, the private London art galleries offer works from new artists and old masters, often their collections feature works from private owners around the world, so there is always a great variety. Expect to find names such as Picasso and Auerbach even in some of the smallest collections. Do not be fooled into thinking all masterpieces are in the big galleries; there are often delightful sketches tucked away in back rooms of some of the more prestigious yet unassuming London art galleries.

Dom Donaldson is an art expert.
Find out more about visiting a London Art Gallery at http://www.richard-green.com
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Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Collectors Turn to New Comic Book Software for Organization Help

Phoenix Delray offers the following royalty-free article for you to publish online or in print.
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Article Title: Collectors Turn to New Comic Book Software for Organization Help
Author: Phoenix Delray
Category: Collecting, Databases, Software
Word Count: 494
Keywords: Comic Book Software
Author's Email Address: pdelray@yahoo.com
Article Source: http://www.articlemarketer.com
------------------ ARTICLE START ------------------

One of the biggest problems of collectors can be solved with comic book software. There are millions of avid comics collectors that need an efficient and organized way to keep track of their issues without having to keep track of notes, papers, and tons of files. Some collectors have thousands of volumes in their collections, and there comes the time when trying to organize them all by hand just doesnt work well. Thanks to computers and the Internet, there is plenty of comic book software programs that are available to help collectors keep their collections organized, categorized, and easily searchable.

Comic book software can keep tabs on any collection of any size. This new and effective method creates a visual database of the comics that collectors have, and the programs can do so many different things to help make things easy on them. They can help organize them to make a searchable database for quick and easy reference when they need to look up one of their issues. Even if a collector has thousands of books, every single one can be categorized and tracked in an organized and sensible way. The programs can catalog the books almost automatically with little effort.

Some people opt to create a database of their comic collections using programs that they already own, and much of that software is nothing more than regular office programs. The most popular and useful programs however will let users do things like add data and pictures of covers of the issues automatically, they can let them easily browse through the entire collection, and they can even print the data in a neat and organized way. Sorting through categories, viewing data in different colorful skins, viewing different statistics about the books, enjoying data export options, and using network support are just some of the other dozens of benefits and useful tools that can be used with comic book software.

There is a wide variety of comic book software that is now available that will help collectors monitor and organize their favorites and others. Some of the programs that are available are free of charge to use, and some of them that are found online charge a nominal fee. It all depends on the particular program and the features that each one is capable of. There are programs that can be purchased at the traditional brick and mortar stores (you know, the CD programs in the boxes) and there are programs in digital format that you can just purchase online and use right away. Some of them are no more than simple tracking forms and lists to fill, but there are also others that have the ability to easily generate all kinds of different types of reports that are based on many different criteria, depending on what the user chooses. Some comic book software programs can do literally hundreds of different handy functions.

To know more about comic book software, please http://www.comicbase.com/mycb/products/products.aspx.
------------------ ARTICLE END ------------------

The Benefits of Using Comic Collection Software for Organization

Phoenix Delray offers the following royalty-free article for you to publish online or in print.
Feel free to use this article in your newsletter, website, ezine, blog, or forum.
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Article Title: The Benefits of Using Comic Collection Software for Organization
Author: Phoenix Delray
Category: Collecting, Databases
Word Count: 414
Keywords: Comic Collection Software
Author's Email Address: pdelray@yahoo.com
Article Source: http://www.articlemarketer.com
------------------ ARTICLE START ------------------

There are so many people that collect comic books that are in great need of an effective way to keep the books organized this is where the new comic collection software comes in. As people accumulate more and more books, there comes a time when organized piles just wont cut it anymore. There must be a better way to keep a count of the inventory of collectors, and now that the Internet is here, there is also a new and convenient way to keep track of everything in a comic collection.

Comic collection software can keep tabs on any collection of any size. The effective method creates a visual database of your books and organizes them to make a searchable database for easy locating. Even if a collector has thousands of books, every single one can be categorized and tracked in an organized and sensible way. The programs can catalog the books almost automatically.

There is a wide variety of comic collection software that is now available that will help you monitor and organize your books. Some of the programs that are available are free of charge to use, and some of them that are found online charge a nominal fee. There are programs that can be purchased at the traditional brick and mortar stores (you know, the CD programs in the boxes) and there are programs in digital format that you can just purchase online and use right away. Some of them are no more than simple tracking forms and lists to fill, but there are also others that have the ability to easily generate all kinds of different types of reports that are based on many different criteria, depending on what the user chooses.

Some people opt to create a database of their comic collections using software that they already own, and much of that software is nothing more than regular office programs. The most popular and useful programs however will let users do things like add data and pictures of covers of the issues automatically, they can let them easily browse through the entire collection, and they can even print the data in a neat and organized way. Sorting through categories, viewing data in different colorful skins, viewing different statistics about the books, enjoying data export options, and using network support are just some of the other dozens of benefits and useful tools that can be used with comic collection software.

To know more about comic collection software, please visit http://www.comicbase.com/product_info.asp.
------------------ ARTICLE END ------------------

Complete Guide for the Beginning Comic Collector

Phoenix Delray offers the following royalty-free article for you to publish online or in print.
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Article Title: Complete Guide for the Beginning Comic Collector
Author: Phoenix Delray
Category: Collecting
Word Count: 475
Keywords: Comic Collector
Author's Email Address: pdelray@yahoo.com
Article Source: http://www.articlemarketer.com
------------------ ARTICLE START ------------------

Through the years of different forms of entertainment, the comic collector has found a hobby in comic books that surpasses the longevity of other forms of entertainment. The thin little animated books continue to maintain an impressive share of the entertainment market and also holds a pretty large piece of the consumer spending pie. With the introduction of the Internet, the market for the books has grown incredibly as new generations of readers continue to enjoy the hobby.

There are a few different ways to becoming a comic collector. Some people are fans of a specific hero, group, storyline, or publisher, so they purchase the books that fit into that specific category. They purchase them for their own entertainment sometimes and dont concern themselves much with the after market value of the publications.

Another type of comic collector is one that concentrates on finding limited editions or older, rare comics for the purpose of gaining a return on their investment. This form of collecting usually requires a certain knowledge of the market, and the money to purchase those issues is also needed.

There are different eras that the books can be categorized into. The Platinum Age is the oldest, dating between the 1800s and 1937. The Golden Age comes next and includes the years from 1938 to 1955. The Silver Age includes those books that are dated between 1956 and 1969. Next follows the Bronze Age, dating from 1970 to 1979. Every comic book that was created from 1980 to present day is considered a Modern Age comic. Every period of time is unique and has distinct characteristics that define the way that they were distributed, written, and produced. The older the book is the more valuable it usually is, but there are also many rare books that a comic collector can find from the modern age.

Fortunately, there are many outlets that a comic collector can use to add to his or her collection. The Internet is the one that offers the widest market and the widest possibilities, which means that the potential market area that a collector can search to add to the collection is nothing less than the entire world. The auction websites and online comic book stores make it so much easier to find what fans are looking for. There are also still plenty of traditional book stores and comic shops that can be found all over the country, so be sure to keep your eyes open.

Youll also need to know that the books are graded according to their condition by a third party company that seals the books in protective sleeves to protect it. Every comic collector should always protect every issue that they own with at least a clear Mylar sleeve.

To learn more about comic collector, just visit http://www.comicbase.com/mycb/products/whatsnew.aspx.
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Monday, May 18, 2009

Collecting Silver Charm Jewelry

janet ashby offers the following royalty-free article for you to publish online or in print.
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Article Title: Collecting Silver Charm Jewelry
Author: janet ashby
Category: Jewelry, Collecting
Word Count: 424
Keywords: charm jewelry,charm bracelets,gold charm bracelets,silver charm bracelets,gold charm jewelry,silver
Author's Email Address: janetarticles@gmail.com
Article Source: http://www.articlemarketer.com
------------------ ARTICLE START ------------------

During the early days of Christianity men and women carried a charm shaped in the form of a fish to recognize one another. During the Dark Ages, they were used for religious identification and to designate the lineage of the bearer. In the Middle Ages, knights wore them to protect themselves during battle and the general populace also wore them. Through the Renaissance their use by the wealthier classes faded, as people became better educated and much less prone to believe in superstitions. Nevertheless the less educated poorer people continued to wear charms as a defense against evil and to give them luck.

The wearing of charms was revived in the UK by Queen Victoria who wore a gold bracelet with lockets containing pictures of her close family. This had a huge affect on the wearing of charm bracelets by the general population who started to wear them, not as amulets, but as decorative items. Glass beads, family crests and lockets became the fashion of the day. Following the end of World War 2 there was a huge upsurge of charm wearing as soldiers brought back gems and beads to their sweethearts from different countries of the world. Craftsmen in the US continued the trend and started to fashion silver charm jewelry. They have continued to be popular ever since.

Italian charm bracelets are becoming increasingly popular and are available in gold, silver or stainless steel. Unlike the tradition bracelet they lie flat and are usually cheaper than other types of charm bracelets. Base bracelets are composed of a series of interchangeable links, typically 18 for a woman's bracelet and 20 for a man's. Charms are attached to the bracelet by a jump ring or a clasp rather than dangling as in a traditional bracelet. They are very flexible and you can swap around the charms to suit the occasion. Many people prefer them to traditional bracelets as they will not snag on clothing.

Today an extensive selection of earrings, necklaces and charm bracelets are available with bracelets being the most well-liked. Gold and silver are mostly used although some people favor bracelets made from seed pearls or beads with silver or gold charms. There are numerous kinds of religious charms portraying saints and a vast array depicting objects and animals including dolphins, rabbits, cupids, ballerina shoes etc.

Whichever designs you choose you can add to your charm bracelet with symbols meaningful to your life to produce a bracelet that will be rich with memories and could be a lovely heirloom to pass down to your children.

For more about charms and charm bracelets and some good deals on silver charm jewelry visit http://charms-store.com/silver-charm-jewelry/ or http://charms-store.com/silver-charm-bracelets/
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Thursday, May 14, 2009

7 Things to do When Looking for a Project Car to Restore

Mike Marino offers the following royalty-free article for you to publish online or in print.
Feel free to use this article in your newsletter, website, ezine, blog, or forum.
-----------
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Article Title: 7 Things to do When Looking for a Project Car to Restore
Author: Mike Marino
Category: Classics, Collecting, Recreation and Leisure
Word Count: 627
Keywords: Car Restoration, Classic Car Restoration, Muscle Car Restoration
Author's Email Address: PrecisionCarRestoration@gmail.com
Article Source: http://www.articlemarketer.com
------------------ ARTICLE START ------------------

Locating that perfect project car could be like kayaking down a serene river with headphones on. If you are not careful you will get caught with your oars out of reach when the white water arrives. Ok that may be a bit dramatic, but there are plenty of cars for sale that to the untrained eye look great, but to the trained eye are full of rapidly increasing costs and surprises.

Keep these tips in mind when looking for a project for car restoration:

1 Develop a plan. One must have a clear plan regarding the budget for a car restoration and the level of customization and upgrades in the project scope. If you are going to upgrade all the mechanical systems there is no reason to buy a car that is in excellent mechanical condition.

2 Decide on the years, makes and models you are interested in. Go to a car show and check them out. Go to a classic car retailer and actually sit in a few cars. The old Corvettes are cool but they sure are tight for space. Are you going to haul stuff, well consider a classic station wagon, like a Chevy Nomad.

3 Knee jerking is the first 5 of the 7 deadliest sins when it comes to finding that perfect project car. Avoid this at all costs. Take your time and do the proper research. Hire a restoration technician to look at the car or at least talk to the owner of the vehicle to make sure you have asked all the right questions. Many classic cars have been in accidents, previously restored or require extensive frame repairs. These hidden issues will cost big bucks when you get into the car restoration and the secrets of the vehicle are uncovered.

4 Don't buy a car from a friend. This may seem like a good idea, but only if that friend bought the car new and knows the complete history of the vehicle. This is a great way to ruin a friendship.

5 Documentation is King. The car that you purchase ideally will have a paper trail available. This can include the original build sheet, title, service records and restoration history. Depending on the car this isn't necessarily a deal breaker if the original paper work is not available. If, however, the owner is claiming a specific pedigree the paperwork better be available.

6 Carefully pick who you will buy from. There are good reputable project car retailers. Request, expect and follow up on references. If something isn't right walk away. Ebay can be a great place to purchase some items but is it a good place to purchase a project vehicle? It can be if you use caution and follow the guidelines described above.

7 Contact an automobile appraiser to get values before you start. Did you know that there is a National Organization of Automobile Appraisers? These professionals know their business. If you have a list of the vehicles you are interested in and the scope of the project an appraiser can help establish the right price to pay for a car. The appaiser will also be familiar with some of the specific issues inherent to that make or model.

In conclusion, there are plenty of good reliable resources to assist in locating a project car. This is a good starting point as you can find a car that already meets some of the specifications of your project scope. There are several restoration shops that can lend assistance and even locate the car for you. The bottom line is slow down, have a plan and use the resources available. Follow the tips above and you will not only have a great experience you will have a restoration that you will be proud of.

Mike Marino is the GM of Precision Restorations in St Louis MO. Known for the systematic approach taken to all aspects of car restoration, muscle car restoration and classic car restoration, Precision Restorations can be reached at 314-652-1966 or http://www.PrecisionCarRestoration.com.
------------------ ARTICLE END ------------------

7 Things to do When Looking for a Project Car to Restore

Mike Marino offers the following royalty-free article for you to publish online or in print.
Feel free to use this article in your newsletter, website, ezine, blog, or forum.
-----------
PUBLICATION GUIDELINES
- You have permission to publish this article for free providing the "About the Author" box is included in its entirety.
- Do not post/reprint this article in any site or publication that contains hate, violence, porn, warez, or supports illegal activity.
- Do not use this article in violation of the US CAN-SPAM Act. If sent by email, this article must be delivered to opt-in subscribers only.
- If you publish this article in a format that supports linking, please ensure that all URLs and email addresses are active links.
- Please send a copy of the publication, or an email indicating the URL to PrecisionCarRestoration@gmail.com
- Article Marketer (www.ArticleMarketer.com) has distributed this article on behalf of the author. Article Marketer does not own this article, please respect the author's copyright and publication guidelines. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use this article.
-----------
Article Title: 7 Things to do When Looking for a Project Car to Restore
Author: Mike Marino
Category: Classics, Collecting, Recreation and Leisure
Word Count: 627
Keywords: Car Restoration, Classic Car Restoration, Muscle Car Restoration
Author's Email Address: PrecisionCarRestoration@gmail.com
Article Source: http://www.articlemarketer.com
------------------ ARTICLE START ------------------

Locating that perfect project car could be like kayaking down a serene river with headphones on. If you are not careful you will get caught with your oars out of reach when the white water arrives. Ok that may be a bit dramatic, but there are plenty of cars for sale that to the untrained eye look great, but to the trained eye are full of rapidly increasing costs and surprises.

Keep these tips in mind when looking for a project for car restoration:

1 Develop a plan. One must have a clear plan regarding the budget for a car restoration and the level of customization and upgrades in the project scope. If you are going to upgrade all the mechanical systems there is no reason to buy a car that is in excellent mechanical condition.

2 Decide on the years, makes and models you are interested in. Go to a car show and check them out. Go to a classic car retailer and actually sit in a few cars. The old Corvettes are cool but they sure are tight for space. Are you going to haul stuff, well consider a classic station wagon, like a Chevy Nomad.

3 Knee jerking is the first 5 of the 7 deadliest sins when it comes to finding that perfect project car. Avoid this at all costs. Take your time and do the proper research. Hire a restoration technician to look at the car or at least talk to the owner of the vehicle to make sure you have asked all the right questions. Many classic cars have been in accidents, previously restored or require extensive frame repairs. These hidden issues will cost big bucks when you get into the car restoration and the secrets of the vehicle are uncovered.

4 Don't buy a car from a friend. This may seem like a good idea, but only if that friend bought the car new and knows the complete history of the vehicle. This is a great way to ruin a friendship.

5 Documentation is King. The car that you purchase ideally will have a paper trail available. This can include the original build sheet, title, service records and restoration history. Depending on the car this isn't necessarily a deal breaker if the original paper work is not available. If, however, the owner is claiming a specific pedigree the paperwork better be available.

6 Carefully pick who you will buy from. There are good reputable project car retailers. Request, expect and follow up on references. If something isn't right walk away. Ebay can be a great place to purchase some items but is it a good place to purchase a project vehicle? It can be if you use caution and follow the guidelines described above.

7 Contact an automobile appraiser to get values before you start. Did you know that there is a National Organization of Automobile Appraisers? These professionals know their business. If you have a list of the vehicles you are interested in and the scope of the project an appraiser can help establish the right price to pay for a car. The appaiser will also be familiar with some of the specific issues inherent to that make or model.

In conclusion, there are plenty of good reliable resources to assist in locating a project car. This is a good starting point as you can find a car that already meets some of the specifications of your project scope. There are several restoration shops that can lend assistance and even locate the car for you. The bottom line is slow down, have a plan and use the resources available. Follow the tips above and you will not only have a great experience you will have a restoration that you will be proud of.

Mike Marino is the GM of Precision Restorations in St Louis MO. Known for the systematic approach taken to all aspects of car restoration, muscle car restoration and classic car restoration, Precision Restorations can be reached at 314-652-1966 or http://www.PrecisionCarRestoration.com.
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Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Demand for Gold Leads to Shortages and Rationing

Michael Zielinski offers the following royalty-free article for you to publish online or in print.
Feel free to use this article in your newsletter, website, ezine, blog, or forum.
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Article Title: Demand for Gold Leads to Shortages and Rationing
Author: Michael Zielinski
Category: Collecting, Hobbies, Investing
Word Count: 520
Keywords: gold eagle, gold bullion, gold investment, us mint
Author's Email Address: orange.coins@yahoo.com
Article Source: http://www.articlemarketer.com
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As the value of other asset classes has declined or become uncertain, people have increasing looked towards precious metals as a store of value and protection against economic calamity. This has had interesting impacts and repercussions on the market for gold bullion coins.

The United States Mint produces two different gold bullion coins for investors in precious metals. The first is the American Gold Eagle. This coin was introduced in 1986 as the first gold bullion coin with a weight and purity guaranteed by the United States government. The coins have traditionally been offered in one ounce, one-half ounce, one-quarter ounce, and one-tenth ounce sizes to accommodate different investment budgets. Proof coins are typically produced for coin collectors.

A second bullion coin offering was introduced in 2006. The new offering was called the American Gold Buffalo. This coin was struck in 24 karat gold, compared to the 22 karat gold of the former coin. The bullion coins have only been produced in one ounce size. Coins have been produced for collectors with an uncirculated finish, proof finish, and variations in fractional weights.

The US Mint competes with other world mints to supply gold bullion coins to investors. Recently, this competition has become a struggle as demand continues to migrate to gold and other protective assets. Mints of the world must compete for a finite supply of gold blanks to produce their bullion coins.

The first signal that the US Mint was having trouble dealing with the demand for its gold bullion coins came in August 2008. A suspension of all new orders was announced as the inventory of coins had been exhausted. This suspension lasted for less than two weeks, but sales were resumed under an allocation program. Instead of allowing dealers to order the coins in unrestricted quantities, coins were divided into two pools. The first pool was divided equally amongst dealers and the second was divided based on past sales performance. Later in the year, the decision was made to focus production on only the one ounce American Gold Eagle coin, in an effort to meet as much demand as possible.

In September 2008, a similar situation arose with the American Gold Buffalo coins. The US Mint was forced to suspend sales since its inventory was exhausted. More than one month later, sales were resumed under a similar allocation program. So far, the coins have not been produced in 2009, as the US Mint continues to focus its production on a single option.

How long can the struggle to meet demand continue? There are some possible signs that the tight supply of precious metals blanks may be abating. Recent sales trends suggest that more blanks have been available to produce coins. This in turn has satisfied a greater portion of demand and caused premiums for some offerings to decline.

Once full market demand can be met, things would presumably go back to normal. This would be great news for collectors who have been awaiting the proof version of the coins. It would also be welcome news for precious metals investors who may have a wider range of investment options available.

Michael Zielinski is an internet entrepreneur and coin collector. Find complete information on Gold Eagles at http://goldeagleguide.com/ or track the developing situation for this year's coins at http://goldeagleguide.com/2009-gold-eagle/
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Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Collecting Celtic Knot Jewelry

janet ashby offers the following royalty-free article for you to publish online or in print.
Feel free to use this article in your newsletter, website, ezine, blog, or forum.
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Article Title: Collecting Celtic Knot Jewelry
Author: janet ashby
Category: Jewelry, Collecting
Word Count: 522
Keywords: celtic knot silver jewelry,celtic knot history,celtic knot jewelry,celtic knot meanings,
Author's Email Address: janetarticles@gmail.com
Article Source: http://www.articlemarketer.com
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The symbols and meanings of Celtic knot designs are loved by people from all over the world. Many people find it fascinating to collect gold or silver Celtic knot jewelry with particular symbols, for instance the triquetra or trinity knot, while others collect sets with all types of Celtic designs. It can provide more significance to your collection if you understand something about the history and folklore of the Celtic nation who used these designs in their day by day life on their jewelry and everyday objects. Even though meanings of Celtic knot designs are, in general, lost to us, nonetheless a great deal is recognized about the history of the Celtic people.

The time of Celtic history dating from roughly 600 AD. in Great Britain after the Roman Era, identified as the Insular Art period, saw an explosion of jewelry design and crafting. Craftsmen used precious metals to assemble many intricately designed pieces adorned with the well known Celtic knots but also animals and spiral symbols. Besides jewelry, illustrated manuscripts were produced, the most illustrious of which is the Book of Kells. Stone crosses were carved with Celtic symbols and are seen all over the British Isles, in Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Designers of Celtic Knot jewelry in the present day are motivated by the things that were produced during this period, taking their ideas from the illustrated texts, relics and stone crosses still seen all over the land in our day. Irish designers are skillful in producing fine jewelry in gold and silver, bearing the convoluted designs so treasured by the Celts long ago. They embellish their jewelry with the intricate knots seen in these ancient relics.

The earliest meanings of a lot of of the designs have been lost to us and various meanings have been fabricated by modern people, so discovering the earliest meaning of many of the designs is tricky and in many cases unachievable. However historians can be of the same opinion on a small number of things about the Celtic knot designs. The elaborate knots signify the way in which all things are inter-connected and also epitomizes God's perpetual love. The Book of Kells is splendidly illustrated in bold colours with Celtic knots. The Celtic knot is conceivably, the most well known and most commonly prized Celtic representation and is a feature of a lot of pieces of fine Celtic knot jewelry including earrings, silver Celtic crosses, wedding bands and pendants.

Trinity knots, or triquetra, are repeatedly seen in objects from the Insular Art period especially in illuminated manuscripts, for example the book of Kells, and in metal work. It was as a rule used in combination with other knots and was time and again used as a space filler rather than a stand alone design. In recent times the triquetra has developed into a Christian symbol that represents the Holy Trinity or as a sign of particular threefold things such as mother, daughter and granddaughter.

Whichever designs of Celtic jewelry you decide to collect you will have a fascinating collection with a history that goes back through the centuries to the times of King Arthur and the early Britains.

For more information on Celtic knot designs and for some good deals on jewelry visit http://www.celticknotjewelry.biz/ or http://www.celticknotjewelry.biz/celtic-knot-silver-jewelry/
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Monday, May 11, 2009

Collecting and Displaying Your Lighthouse Collectibles

Taylor Martinerin offers the following royalty-free article for you to publish online or in print.
Feel free to use this article in your newsletter, website, ezine, blog, or forum.
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Article Title: Collecting and Displaying Your Lighthouse Collectibles
Author: Taylor Martinerin
Category:
Word Count: 500
Keywords: lighthouses, lighthouse collectibles, decoration, collectibles
Author's Email Address: TaylorMartinerin@market-signal-systems.com
Article Source: http://www.articlemarketer.com
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Many people enjoy collecting nautical themed pieces such as lighthouses. There are many ways to enhance your home's decor with these beautiful and charming pieces. Nautical themed pieces typically have a white and blue color scheme, so these pieces work best in homes with these colors already incorporated into the decorations. The easiest way to incorporate these beautiful pieces into your home is with lamps, pillows and throws, and lighthouse themed furniture.

Lighthouse Lamps

Lighthouse lamps are beautiful decorative pieces. These can be picked up at relatively inexpensive prices, usually under one hundred and fifty dollars, and these lamps will last for many years. These are usually best displayed on a nice end table with or without other decorative items nearby. Depending on how intricate your lamp may be, you might enjoy other decorative items nearby, such as other nautical pieces like shells from your favorite beach or little decorative bottles of sand to be used as an accent.

Lighthouses Arena Just for Lamps

If you love lighthouses and nautical scenes, you can get this feel in other pieces, not just lamps. Some places offer tables in beautiful woods with glass tops. These glass tops are etched with gorgeous scenes of lighthouses and ocean views. You can also pick up miniature lighthouses with glass tops. These little tables are great as decorative items, because you can really dress up the top with all sorts of beach inspired pieces.

Something else lighthouse lovers might enjoy collecting would be painted furniture. These pieces can be picked up in any size and style you need, such as a nice bench for your entryway with a charming lighthouse scene, or a dresser with lighthouses and a nautical drawer pull. There are even china cabinets and bookshelves to be had in this charming design.

Comfortable Lighthouse Decorations

In addition to great lamps and furniture pieces, you can even pick up nautical draperies and home fashions. There are tapestry throws for collection, wall tapestries, and lighthouse covered pillows. These are a great addition to a living room or den, to give it a cozy, beach type feel all year round. To display these pillows and throws in a pretty manner, they are best displayed on a similarly colored couch or any sort of wooden furniture.

If you are a true nautical fanatic, bathroom accessories can be purchased for your home. There is an endless supply of this decorative style in most stores especially during the summer season. You can find shower curtains with beautiful lighthouse scenery and lighthouse shower curtain hooks. There are large bath towels and hand towels to be found with lighthouses embroidered on them. If you cannot find these readily at your local store, ask an associate if these can be ordered through their company.

Creating a Lighthouse Themed Home is Easy

If you truly love lighthouses, creating a cozy home filled with these collectibles is easy. They are easily displayed with warm woods, soft blue and white decor, and are a beautiful accent to any home.

Discover a full range of unique collectibles at http://www.fine-decorative-collectibles.com.
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Sunday, May 10, 2009

Collection Perfection: 5 Tips To Keeping Your Toy & Collectible Shelf Up To Date

Ian Lurie offers the following royalty-free article for you to publish online or in print.
Feel free to use this article in your newsletter, website, ezine, blog, or forum.
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- You have permission to publish this article for free providing the "About the Author" box is included in its entirety.
- Do not post/reprint this article in any site or publication that contains hate, violence, porn, warez, or supports illegal activity.
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- Please send a copy of the publication, or an email indicating the URL to ian@portent.com
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Article Title: Collection Perfection: 5 Tips To Keeping Your Toy & Collectible Shelf Up To Date
Author: Ian Lurie
Category: Collecting
Word Count: 460
Keywords: collectibles
Author's Email Address: ian@portent.com
Article Source: http://www.articlemarketer.com
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As collectors, we live for getting our sweaty hands on the First Ever or Last Ever of one item or another. The retailer, though, has the final say in whether you attain collection nirvana. Here are a few tips that will help you work with your friendly online retailer:

1) Pre-order and pre-order early.

Many retailers base their purchase orders on their client orders. The sooner you order, the more likely you'll be to get in on that first purchase order placed with the manufacturer.

You can also find online retailers who don't bill you for items until they have them in stock. You can order them, have them delivered once they arrive, save yourself the hassle of scouring retail stores and keep your money in your pocket until delivery.

2) Set up email reminders for the types of items you're most interested in.

If you know you want to be kept up to date on every new available Star Trek or Star Wars item, set yourself up for retailer email reminders so you know when new collectibles become available. If you have the option to stay up to date on image or assortment changes, then take advantage of those as well so you always know what's available from the retailers you frequent most.

3) Don't cancel and re-order the same items repeatedly.

Going back to my earlier point about pre-ordering, you may also jeopardize your place in a retailer's ordering queue by canceling an order and then placing it later if you change your mind or if you're trying to get a deal on shipping or using a coupon.

Savings from a coupon are worth little if you miss out on a limited edition because you lost your place in line or missed the ordering window entirely.

4) Stay informed.

Collecting takes time and effort. Keeping up on the latest news will afford you premium chances to catch exclusive items. Join forums and read message boards for the little known secrets that fill out your collection. If you're not keeping up on the latest news, you may find yourself paying a premium on eBay or missing out entirely.

5) Be patient.

In the end, collecting is about patience and perseverance. Know your dealer's cancellation policy in case you luck into that one of a kind piece before your pre-order comes in.

But really, if you can store an item for ten years in your garage hoping for its value to triple, then you likely have the patience to wait an extra week or two for a collectable to ship from the retailer.

If your retailer offers a reasonable return policy and promises you a mint item, then the short bit of time spent waiting is more than worth the time and worry you save.

Hope it helps and happy hunting!

Ian Lurie and his team write articles for Entertainment Earth (http://www.entertainmentearth.com), a action figures, bobble heads and collectibles retailer online.
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Collection Perfection: 5 Tips To Keeping Your Toy & Collectible Shelf Up To Date

Ian Lurie offers the following royalty-free article for you to publish online or in print.
Feel free to use this article in your newsletter, website, ezine, blog, or forum.
-----------
PUBLICATION GUIDELINES
- You have permission to publish this article for free providing the "About the Author" box is included in its entirety.
- Do not post/reprint this article in any site or publication that contains hate, violence, porn, warez, or supports illegal activity.
- Do not use this article in violation of the US CAN-SPAM Act. If sent by email, this article must be delivered to opt-in subscribers only.
- If you publish this article in a format that supports linking, please ensure that all URLs and email addresses are active links.
- Please send a copy of the publication, or an email indicating the URL to ian@portent.com
- Article Marketer (www.ArticleMarketer.com) has distributed this article on behalf of the author. Article Marketer does not own this article, please respect the author's copyright and publication guidelines. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use this article.
-----------
Article Title: Collection Perfection: 5 Tips To Keeping Your Toy & Collectible Shelf Up To Date
Author: Ian Lurie
Category: Collecting
Word Count: 460
Keywords: collectibles
Author's Email Address: ian@portent.com
Article Source: http://www.articlemarketer.com
------------------ ARTICLE START ------------------

As collectors, we live for getting our sweaty hands on the First Ever or Last Ever of one item or another. The retailer, though, has the final say in whether you attain collection nirvana. Here are a few tips that will help you work with your friendly online retailer:

1) Pre-order and pre-order early.

Many retailers base their purchase orders on their client orders. The sooner you order, the more likely you'll be to get in on that first purchase order placed with the manufacturer.

You can also find online retailers who don't bill you for items until they have them in stock. You can order them, have them delivered once they arrive, save yourself the hassle of scouring retail stores and keep your money in your pocket until delivery.

2) Set up email reminders for the types of items you're most interested in.

If you know you want to be kept up to date on every new available Star Trek or Star Wars item, set yourself up for retailer email reminders so you know when new collectibles become available. If you have the option to stay up to date on image or assortment changes, then take advantage of those as well so you always know what's available from the retailers you frequent most.

3) Don't cancel and re-order the same items repeatedly.

Going back to my earlier point about pre-ordering, you may also jeopardize your place in a retailer's ordering queue by canceling an order and then placing it later if you change your mind or if you're trying to get a deal on shipping or using a coupon.

Savings from a coupon are worth little if you miss out on a limited edition because you lost your place in line or missed the ordering window entirely.

4) Stay informed.

Collecting takes time and effort. Keeping up on the latest news will afford you premium chances to catch exclusive items. Join forums and read message boards for the little known secrets that fill out your collection. If you're not keeping up on the latest news, you may find yourself paying a premium on eBay or missing out entirely.

5) Be patient.

In the end, collecting is about patience and perseverance. Know your dealer's cancellation policy in case you luck into that one of a kind piece before your pre-order comes in.

But really, if you can store an item for ten years in your garage hoping for its value to triple, then you likely have the patience to wait an extra week or two for a collectable to ship from the retailer.

If your retailer offers a reasonable return policy and promises you a mint item, then the short bit of time spent waiting is more than worth the time and worry you save.

Hope it helps and happy hunting!

Ian Lurie and his team write articles for Entertainment Earth (http://www.entertainmentearth.com), a action figures, bobble heads and collectibles retailer online.
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