Scoop

I didn't move that topic... I was kinda surprised to see it moved. I suspect... just by the sequence of communication, that it might have been Lou that moved it... At any rate... Why? Well, if it had been me... My reasons would be that there are a lot of people who just aren't interested in continuing a squabble... Those who care can go on with it without having it take over the whole atmosphere of the board. It's sort of an, "OK Folks, let's take this outside" kinda thing... Those who want to follow, will....

I buy a lot of great resale stuff (and most of my clothes!!) at our local Goodwill... Which is a satellite store of the Portland Maine "Mother Ship." So, I try to "give back" to them whenever I can... Here's one of their ebay auctions that needs a "plug" in the marble world!!! LOL There MUST be a marble collector out there that can see the "wonder" of this thing!!! LOL Yup... It needs some work and maybe a little creative modification. But it has the potential to be awesome!!! (Why can't I stop laughing??? ) Cool Light Fixture!!! I love the description..... They sure know how to seal a sale!!!!

As much as I love animals, I've never been able to be comfortable with PETA.... I guess, maybe because they are just so rabid in a "Superior to Thou" way. And then do really STUPID things to totally contradict their entire platform... Like the guys who broke into a rare mink farm.... OK, the animals were being raised for their fur.... And, I'm sure if you look hard enough, you'll find ways to show that they are abused... This doesn't make sense to me... I've seen a lot of truly abused animals in the past 3 years and none of them have nice thick perfect coats... Nice enough to want to make a coat out of!! Soooo, how terribly abused can these animals be?? OK yeah.... They are not allowed to live in their natural habitat, where they are considered a "food product" and live in constant terror... They are euthanized, rather than being torn apart and eaten alive!!! Poor things.... So, these guys break into the mink farm and release all these rare minks into the wild where they died of starvation, predators or were killed running across the nearby highway.... All of this is just dumb to me.... BUT..... From the viewpoint of someone who works for a shelter where heartworm is treated at great expense, senior dogs are given a focus for adoption and no animal is put down unless they are terminal and suffering (We have hospice fosters for those who are terminal, but not suffering) or have gone through MONTHS of behavioral work and are still found to be a serious danger to the public.... This hypocrisy BURNS MY BUTT!!!! PETA Policy Yes... I understand there are FAR too many abandon pets out there to ever find homes for and the "ethical" means to this end may be euthanasia for SOOOO many!!! If there has to be shelters that handle this, at least let's be honest about it!!! But, for these people to be acting in the "High and Mighty" way they do... Making public spectacles of people for idiotic reasons... Then, to find out this is what they quietly do... The REAL people for ethical treatment of animals are way too busy feeding, grooming, cleaning crapped up cages, transporting and loving animals that just need a bright spot in their lives, to spend a moment picketing the Olympics, or threatening Johnny Weir's life for a teeny piece of fur on his shoulder!!! 'Sorry for the rant.... ;-)

Hi Barbara!! Would it be possible for you to take some pictures?? That would make this a lot easier... It would be awesome to see yours, too!!!

You got it, Hon!!!

Hey Bill!!!! Awesome to see you!!! Hmmmm, my guess was close to that.... On another note.... Yeah... But, I don't think he saw it that way. I said "mean things." Some people don't realize that their best supporters might be the ones who are honest with you.

ROFLMAO!!!! Don't let that sound like something it's not intended to sound like!!! We even voted in Gay marriage up here!!! (Though that may be threatened with a petition being voted on today!!! )

There's a good possibility.....

This is such a cool show that really needs a boost in attendance!! If anyone has even a shot at going, please try...

I can't imagine why anything.... No matter the expense... Would be packaged in such a case for a single move or delivery... It looks like it was intended to be mobile... Something that would be moved from place to place... What about an early Kaliedoscope?? Are there any designs that might have an arm below the scope for screwing in the different marble holders? Anyway.... Here's an Arts & Crafts style hand-hammered copper ashtray with marble feet....

That's what I keep getting stuck on..... They are very cool!!! I wonder if it's all original?? It's very odd.... I'm gonna be diggin' through things pretty soon... I'll try to get some pics up... In fact... I have one I can take right now... I'll be back!!

After I posted my thanks to David, I was wondering why the California Sulphide incident was SOOOO dreadfully tragic and tramatic... I think I've come up with an answer.... Whenever any underhanded incident comes up, the comment is often made, "Too bad this has to happen to something as innocent as collecting a toy..." For the newer collectors (within the past ???? 15? 20? years??) One of the first things you hear / learn is.... BE CAREFUL!!!! The whole deal about fakes and frauds is impressed upon you from the "get-go." It wasn't always that way... The older collectors enjoyed a long stretch of time where you could have faith and wonder in everything you came across.... Well.... MOST everything. Sure, there was some polishing of the bigger, more desirable marbles... But, it wasn't too common, cuz the cost didn't balance the value... If we found a definite "Home-made" job, we could have faith in saying, "Wow, somebody made that for a kid...Isn't it cool!!" There were no cloaks and daggers... It really WAS an innocent hobby. Then, little infractions started happening... Skirmish incidents, here & there.... They weren't pretty and they planted the seed of doubt. Still... They were isolated and didn't do too much damage. Then, the BOMB hit.... The California Sulphides were the ultimate rape... The final, TOTAL loss of innocence in this hobby... Just about every single major dealer and most respected "experts" were effected... It was our first "World War." It caste doubt on EVERYTHING and created rifts between friends that could never be repaired..... Life would never be the same again....

David, I'm really glad you replied to this, Thank you!! I never really got involved with the CA Sulphides... Not only do I share your opinion of sulphides in general, but that whole controversy was WAYYYY over my financial head... I can sympathize with the same emotion as I do with the investors in the Bernie Madoff case. But, I'm NOT in their league!!! (Sometimes there are perks to that!!) But, I was Bev's "vent" through it... I think I've sub-consciously "forgotten" a lot of it, because it was just such a terrible time!! Of all the people still on most of the chat boards, I think you, Lloyd & I are probably the only ones who were "there" enough to be able to comment on it... And, like I said, I've blocked a lot of it out... I have to admit... I would love to come across one that I could afford... Just to "have" one... I think that's why they may be selling for a lot of money. Because the whole incident had such an impact, they have become "historical" in themselves!! There was a short window of time when I probably could have gotten one for nothing (If I could catch it before it hit me!! LOL) But now... They may have created their own market.

So far, Crystal seems to be the clear front runner... I do really like her... I just wonder if she can break out of the "Subway Singer" mold... We'll see. She's one of those artists that I love to see there... But, I realize she's not gonna want to bend into the mainstream pop-py kind of crap that AI will push her towards. I expect she'll go far, but we can only hope she gets the exposure she needs, then won't win, so she can stay true to herself... It definitely looks like a "Woman's Year" this year... The last 2 years have been strong for the men... I'm REALLY hoping Siobhan Magnus pulls through to top 12... She's a diamond in the rough... I like Lilly Scott, so far... But, she may get really annoying after a while... Or, not.... Katie Stevens has an AMAZING voice... Maybe even the BEST voice... But, she's so damned YOUNG!!! I think they should up the age to 18... If kids like Katie & Haeley can get this far and then get kicked because they just don't "Know who they are" yet... I worry that it's too much too soon and might break their spirit... Or, force them into a mold that isn't natural for them. It KILLS me to see Simon tell a 16 year old kid something to the effect of, "You have to decide who you want to be as an artist and you have to do it soon, to stay in this competition!!" Heck, a guy at 16 hasn't even gotten used to his voice yet!!! LOL

Steph, you read my mind!!!! ROFL (PS.. You can catch a lot of it online...) I didn't have a TV for years and I wouldn't miss one now!!! LOL But, living within a family does require compromises and it's hard not to get sucked in.... So far........ I'm pretty disappointed in Idol this year... I usually have a couple of very clear favorites by now. I have a couple that I'd be dissappointed to see kicked this early (Two already have been) but no clear "killer" choices, this year... It seems the best voices are so terribly inexperienced that they haven't got a clue as to what to do with it... I really wish I could have seen what both Tyler Grady and Jermaine Sellers could have done with more coaching... ANYWAY... I was just curious to see how many were into it... If it's going to be an annoying thread, let's let it go......

'Have a blast, Paula!!!!

Damn... I missed it, too!!! 'Glad you both had fun!!!!

I've never missed a Wheaton show.... Until 2009 when they decided to cancel it.... All that Alan says is true... If your into contemporary, it's Mecca!! Although, there is a glass museum on grounds that is always a great walk-through of antique glass... They've been working on a marble exhibit, but it has a long way to go... There are a lot of issues with the way it's run... Those who care to keep it going well aren't in control of the funding... Those in control of the funding apparently don't see marbles as important to the workings of the museum... It seems as if the management communication is lacking in a HUGE way ... Wheaton Arts also hosts a paperweight gathering in May, every 2 years... I think the paperweight group is more "club organized" and handles a lot of the planning on their own... We may need to start thinking about getting a "core group" together to work in that direction, if this is going to continue. It's also very true that this would be an AMAZING place to run a show that could showcase both contemporary and vintage marbles... BUT, the country Inn is way too small for that... There are things growing in the area that make me wonder if they will ever consider expanding?? This year, the Marble Weekend will be June 18-20 (Father's Day ) It will be the first year of the Marble Weekend since the opening of the New Jersey Motorsports Park... The last time I was there, the hotel seemed to think that would make getting reservations even more difficult than before... This will be the second season for the park. I wonder how it's working out? Could that lead to the need for more space?? That would be cool!! There is a Quality Inn and a Holiday Inn not too far away... Certainly not walking distance... But, not far by car... I would recommend... Anyone even remotely thinking about going... Book a room NOW!! (Be sure to mention the Marble Weekend, as a "block" of rooms are put aside... It's best to talk directly to the Millville Desk, rather than the general "reservations center" for Country Inns) And, if they are booked, get on a waiting list. There usually are some cancellations as plans change for those who do book early... I've had my reservations for over a month!! I believe there is also a change in cancelling reservations... It always used to be, no charge for cancellations made 24 hours before arrival... I think that has changed to 72 hours... So, if you should happen to have to cancel... Do it early!! In all past shows, there has been a "Featured Artist." Since the museum funded the entire trip for the artist to be there, this was considered one of the big expenses for running the show... It's been suggested that they stop doing that... The Marble Weekend Page on the website doesn't mention a featured artist.... yet.... So, we'll see how this year plays out....

LOL... That may be good quality over skeleton and bobsleigh!!! I'm pretty proud we got silver in hockey..... Considering we had to give all our best players back to their birth countries!!! (And, some may now be headless!!!..... LOL)

Hey..... It ain't always about quantity... Quality matters!! And... Canada dun Gud!!!

Hey... Ya never know..... LOL

OH!!! AND...... There are a TON of very attractive, hollow Chinese "Decorator Balls" being imported!! I forget to even mention these, because their age should be obvious.... But, to a newbie.... Maybe not... Anyone who wants to buy carpet balls can easily tell "in hand." But, online, that's tougher!! If in question, ask the seller if they are hollow... It's a good idea to become familiar with the designs... They have expanded their "pallet!!" OTOH, just as decor... They ARE very cool!!! If anyone just likes them for that reason, let me know... I used to be able to get them for a buck each at the Christmas Tree Shoppes. But, I think they may be up to $2.99, now.... I'd be happy to pick some up for those who don't have an outlet nearby...

I've been pretty active with carpet balls as long as I've been collecting marbles.... First off.... What do you mean by "attached?" Are they really "attached?" or were they just together for sale? Even for those who have been collecting since the remakes started, it's not always easy to tell old from new... At one point, I had a connection to the woman who reopened her families business of making the originals (so.... Like Homer Laughlin's Fiesta, I don't consider them reproductions.) But, that was a LONG time ago... And, I've let it slip. I've tried a few times to reconnect, without much luck... Also, I don't know if she was the ONLY maker of the new balls... Soooo, back to these.... The size of the picture is GOOD!!! One of the very few ways of trying to tell (and, even at that, it's spotty....) is the condition of the glaze... If the glaze is perfectly clear, clean and uncrazed, maybe just a few "hit marks" to give it character, I'd bet on new.... It's pretty tough to synthesize the old deep crazing and I really doubt there's an antique ball out there without it... But then.... The newer balls have been around, now, for ??? 20 years?? Could they have developed grazing in that time?? Would burying them outside for a year do it?? The reason I wonder is... The colors of these balls cause me to question their age... Pardon the snicker when I say, "I've seen a LOT of balls!!" and these are not typical antique colors... But then.... I've seen enough that I KNOW are antique to say, there are a good number of antique balls that are not typical... So... Hmmmm In Paul Bauman's Third??? Edition of Collecting Antique Marbles, he explains using density to determine... Honestly.... I haven't experimented with that... I really think that Paul is probably the very MOST studied person on the topic... We've been in touch in the past. This might be a good excuse to see if I can reach him again... I can't do it right now... I'm "out the door"... If I can, I'll try to look up the technique of doing this test.. Or, if someone else has the time...?? Stepping out of the "Is it Old or Is it New?" box.... I think it's safe to assume that these are not being churned out at a rapid rate... If they are even being churned out at all, anymore... So, as much as the new have effected the cost of the old... Prices haven't really altered all that much in 30 or so years... Without the re-issues, I think they may have gone much higher. Instead, they seem to have dropped because of this very uncertainty... BUT, if there isn't much more production, the new will be absorbed as even they get older and the prices will go up again.... maybe... Soooo again, back to these.... Unless you paid more than $150-200 dollars for all three... And, if you really like them. (The bottom one is cool!! I wonder what it is?? Bocci ball??) I think your OK and I wouldn't worry too much about it, unless your going to resell them...

Gee Delbert.... How does that one work out for you????? ROFLMAO Honest!!! There have been auctions with both misspellings... (Not sure about Delbert's... But, I wouldn't doubt it!!)