Save Money with a First Generation Karaoke Machine

By Javier Redfearn  |  2012/01/08 23:53 Posted in Uncategorized  |  Comments Off

Antiques can come in many shapes and sizes, and some more valuable than others. In the world of music, people still appreciate old phonograph players and original audio devices. We live in an interesting time with things have expanded exponentially in terms of musical technology. What some people might consider old might be absolutely ancient for the current generation. Thanks to things like iPods and a YouTube, elements like old record players and long-play albums are now considered antiques. This is good news for anyone who happens to own this type of equipment and wants to unload it for a profit.

If you are old enough to have owned a first generation karaoke machine, you might also have an antique on your hands. You have to remember these devices came out over two decades ago, and it’s extremely rare to find them in regular circulation. Fans of karaoke will remember what it was like to use these devices to sing songs in their own home. They serve their purpose wonderfully, although they would be considered obsolete by today’s standards.

The great thing about these devices is they can still be used in your home for personal singing. There’s no reason why you have to upgrade to an expensive machine that costs over $1000. If you want to reclaim your past and rediscover how fun it was when you first started, an antique karaoke machine will do the job nicely. As long as you understand that you’ll probably be dealing with a cassette-based system with simple stereo features, you’ll know what to expect.

karaoke machine

Finding these machines might be a bit of a challenge but any treasure hunters should be able to get their hands on a decent model. There are use machines in all categories that you can find online these days. Some modern karaoke machine makers might also have older models in stock that you can purchase online. And of course there are sites like Craigslist or eBay where you can find perfectly preserved machines that are still usable today. It’s also a good idea to network with other karaoke fans to see if they are willing to share their old equipment.

It’s important to remember the exact trade-off you’re making when you purchase an antique karaoke device. You’ll be saving money but at the same time, it will be difficult to find music or compatible accessories. That’s why you should always look for something that comes in a complete package with a variety of songs and an extra microphone. Even if you don’t end up using it, you can make a nifty addition to your home entertainment room that will serve as a nice centerpiece for your antique music collection.

It IS Hard To Tell Who Will Be The Next Big Celebrity

By Saundra Zuckerman  |  2011/11/25 12:12 Posted in Celebrity Collectibles  |  Comments Off

How can you tell which of today’s celebrities are still going to be famous in ten or twenty years time? There is no real answer to this, if there was then we would all be able to buy some of the memorabilia that is around today, and keep it until it had gone up in value in the future.

The New Elvis?

Take Elvis, I suspect at the time when he was at the height of his career that even those around him could not have foreseen quite how long he has endured in peoples hearts and minds. How could they have known just how many collectible items there are, from mugs and plates to pictures and his old vinyl records.

Is there anyone now that will have that star quality that has made Elvis so enduringly popular? The late Michael Jackson is probably the closest, but only time will tell if all the gift sets, posters and DVD’s will stand a true test of time. Will our grandchildren still know his name, will there still be people wanting to collect his memorabilia? It would be nice to think that we have seen such a career, and who knows who the next huge celebrity will be. Some one from the movies, rock star or even internet star?

 

 

No Antiques just my Zapf Creation Baby Annabell Doll

By Tia Garr  |  2011/11/16 03:23 Posted in Uncategorized  |  Comments Off

We were recently clearing our house out because we were moving and we had to go into the loft and help mum and dad clear it. It was an absolutely huge task, a mammoth excavation just like an architects dig. It was like going back in time looking at all the things that were up there, real journey in a time machine stuff.

We found some amazing artefacts and even some old vinyl records that we thought might be worth something because of the cover art. Another thing that we found that sparked my interest was my mother’s old doll collection. Nothing like the baby Annabell doll I had downstairs in my room, but it was very interesting. My doll you have to feed and change and comfort but with mums the best thing available to them at the time was maybe some rolling eyes that were closed if you tilted the baby back into a lying down position, funny really how things change and move on and improve and progress.

There were some really scary looking dolls that they used to make, quite scary for a child to have in their room I should think, but maybe the craftsman back then, well certainly some of them could’nt have been as skilled as others because some of them were just ghastly.

That reminds me I keep meaning to look into when exactly the first dolls were brought out and if there are any companies that started back then that are still running today, my zapf creation baby Annabell doll version 5 had to start somewhere. I wonder how long that companies be running for?  I bought mine through Gifts UK!

Well we kept on looking and hunting and searching for any items that we thought could be considered antiques and even worth some money, but all is not lost because there is another half to to search through at a later date.

Barbie Doll Collecting

By Saundra Zuckerman  |  2011/11/15 13:35 Posted in Celebrity Collectibles  |  Comments Off

Barbie was designed by a mom – Ruth Handler – after she saw how much her own daughters enjoyed playing with paper dolls. She couldn’t find a more durable alternative so as necessity if the mother of invention, so the first Barbie was created.

Mattel picked up the license for Barbie and introduced to moms and daughters by Mattel in 1959. The toy critics were unimpressed, but the kids loved her – being won over not just by her attractive good looks, but her winning personality too.

Even more than 50 years later, little girls still ask for Barbie toys for Christmas.

 
But while modern Barbie dolls may just be for fun, collecting the vintage models is a much more serious business. With more than 100,000 collectors spending around $1,000 each year, Barbie doll collecting is a serious business.
For more information, and to chat with like-minded Barbie fans, check out barbiecollector.com.
If you are looking for dolls to collect, look out for bargains at flea markets and yard sales. Collector’s conventions and eBay will be commanding much higher prices as the seller will be more aware of the value of the doll they have. If you want to make a profit from trading Barbies, you will only be able to do this by buying cheap, so keep that in mind when you decide where to shop.

New collectible Barbie’s are still being launched, but before you buy be sure to do your research into how many editions of that doll will be sold – the fewer the better.

Retire Early with Antiques

By Mathew Spade  |  2011/11/07 02:12 Posted in World Famous  |  Comments Off

You can make a lot of money with antiques if you know what you’re doing. If you’re just simply into collection items from all over the world, wouldn’t it be great to have the money and time freedom to travel around the world and do just that? Well, if you can figure out how to retire early, then you can. It used to be that starting a business took a lot of money. Many people save up for years in order to finance their business. These days, with the help of the internet, things have gotten a bit easier.

You can start a business selling items online to help supplement your current working income. You can use that money to buy more items and sell them for more profit. If retiring to you means being able to spend time doing what You Love, then once you set up your online business buying and selling antiques, you’ll be set. However, if you want to be in the position to not really have to work, then you will need a business that can run without you. You can hire people to do the shipping of the products for you for example. Or you can just use various methods of marketing such as using affiliate programs so you won’t have to deal with products at all. Once you can do this, you can travel, buy antiques, and just enjoy life.

Are Modern Toys Really Collectible?

By Saundra Zuckerman  |  2011/10/30 05:48 Posted in Uncategorized  |  Comments Off

We are the generation of people stung by the knowledge that we once help a fortune in our hands but never realized its potential.

Why is that?

Because we are the generation that played with the original Transformers, the original Star Wars toys, maybe even some of the first ever Barbie toys (although I’m not that old I hasten to add).

But the problem is, we played with them. We didn’t just leave them safe in their boxes, up high on a shelf and admire them from a distance.

As children no-one ever told us these were collectibles, and that’s because at the time they weren’t really considered to be collectible. Besides, if everyone had left their original Millenium Falcon or Luke Skywalker carefully bubble wrapped in the attic, then they wouldn’t be rare and they wouldn’t be so valuable today.

But the concern that we missed the opportunity to make a bit of money seems to haunt so many parents who remain on the look out for collectible toys today.

Many toys are marketed as collectible. Take for example the Lalaloopsy Collector’s Doll – Suzette La Sweet. From her launch she was marketed as a limited edition collector’s item. But the only thing that differentiates her from the rest of the Lalaloopsy clan is shiny hair.

So can a toy that is marketed from the beginning as ‘collectible’ every really gain in value? I would wager that it is not possible, since many people will buy the toy and keep it in boxed condition in the hope to sell it at a big profit at some point in the future. But because so many people will be doing this, there will be plentiful supply of this toy, maybe even more supply than there is demand, and this logically will keep the price down.

So perhaps if you are looking for collector opportunities, you should spend more time reading antiques and collector’s guides and less time looking at marketing pitches and product details.

Cat Figurine Collectibles

By Javier Redfearn  |  2011/10/05 07:32 Posted in Uncategorized  |  Comments Off

I admit it I’m a cat lover through and through. And if you are as well, then you’ll love having one of these adorable and playful cat figurines in your home decor. Cat figurines capture the cat antics that we can all spend hours watching as our cats entertain us.

You’ll find both big cat and little cat figurines to love. From Siamese cats and tabby cats to lions and tigers to include in your home accents and accessories. All of the major figurine brands include cat figurines in them. It’s also common for figurine designers to show children playing with their cats and kittens.

While porcelain cat figurines are very common, you’ll also find beautiful blown glass cat figurines. More exotic cat figurine materials include beautiful red jasper.

Cats love to celebrate the holidays. Cats dressed up as Santa Claus are very easy to find. During the Halloween season cats love their costumes and dress up as witches, ghosts, and even vampires. For Valentines Day they’ll wear big and bright red hearts to show their affection.

So as you can see, you’ll find a myriad of ways to enjoy your love of cats in your home decor. You’ll also love giving fellow cat lovers a figurine as a gift.

Halloween Ghost Candles

By Tia Garr  |  2011/09/07 06:33 Posted in Retro Clothing  |  Comments Off

For many of us Halloween is all about creating an eerie and spooky night out, that is filled with fun, festivity and lots of candy. Halloween candles are the best way that I know to cast an eerie glow. The shape of a ghost makes it particularly suited to a burning candle. When the candle melts it enhances the ghost.

For the most part, Halloween ghost candles contain pictures of smiling friendly ghosts. There are also ghosts dancing (or maybe flying) around pumpkins or jack-o-lanterns. If you don’t want to burn up the ghost, then all you have to do is buy a Halloween ghost candle holder and place a plain candle in it. That way you get the haunting glow, but don’t melt your decoration. This also makes your Halloween decorations cost less each year, because buying plain candles is much cheaper than decorative candles. And it’s easier, you can just run out to the local mall and easily pick up dozens.

How do Halloween candles make effective decorations? Well I place mine on the fireplace mantle. This keeps them safe from the small children that visit this time of year. I also serve a Halloween dinner after the kids are finished trick-or-treating and I love to have a Halloween centerpiece with Halloween candles on each side.

American Recipes: Party Meatballs

By Kelly Cheeseman  |  2011/08/02 21:57 Posted in World Famous  |  Comments Off

Some of the tastiest American recipes of all are for appetizers – the kind you’d serve as party foods and hors d’oeuvres. I love hosting parties, and over the years, I’m thrown a lot of parties in my home and have helped with parties at other locations. Since most people who know me really enjoy my cooking, I’m often asked to help with the food.

By hosting and helping with so many get-togethers, I’ve learned a thing or two about what most party guests like, and I’ve found that party meatballs are very popular. I use a pretty wide variety of meatball recipes, ranging from sweet and sour to spicy. The meatballs made with this recipe are on the spicy end.

Spicy Meatball Appetizers

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 ½ cups crushed cornflakes cereal
  • ½ cup minced onion
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne
  • 2 tablespoons bottled barbecue sauce
  • 1 beaten egg
  • 1 can tomato sauce
  • ½ cup prepared mustard
  • ½ cup brown sugar

Directions: Break up meat and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

In a small bowl, combine cereal, onion, garlic, cayenne, barbecue sauce, and egg. When well mixed, add the ground beef. Blend the ingredients together with your hands and form into small balls. Place balls in a single layer in a baking pan lined with quick-release foil. Cook at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes.

When meatballs are done, transfer them to a chafing dish or slow cooker. Combine remaining ingredients and pour over meatballs. Simmer for at least 20-30 minutes before serving. Serve with toothpicks.

 

Vintage Lladro Figurine

By Clinton Stehle  |  2011/07/15 20:31 Posted in Uncategorized  |  Comments Off

I love homes that look like they’ve been lived in for decades. It gives them that comfortable and known ambience. But when you move into a home and furnish it all at once, it is difficult to create instant collections. That’s where buying antique and vintage items come in. A vintage figurine often will have a different color because of its age. That subtle difference can add a real depth to your curio cabinet collection or visual interest to your fireplace mantle.

Then there’s the design of the vintage fugurine as well. The lines will be different and if it’s a person, you can bet that the clothing will be a different style. While folks might not say wow, there’s a vintage Lladro figurine, their subconscious minds will pick up the subtle difference and they’ll know that they’re looking at an older object. These often bring a sense of comfort to a room.

LLadro figurines were first designed and handcrafted in the 1950′s, so the early figurines have the long flowing modern lines that is currently called mid-century retro or mid-century modern. If You Love that vibe and would like to add more to it, then be sure to take a look at these vintage Lladro Figurines