Scoop

ROFL!!! Steph, I'm SOOO glad that you can't take back that first question!!! OK, I know that it makes you feel foolish and some people might be rolling their (goddess) eyes.... But, they say, for every question that a person who dares, asks... There's 10 people, who were afraid to ask, that appreciate the answer!! It started some good info and gave me a great chuckle!!!

Felicia, if your patient and watch, they are possible to buy. Some artists do great work for not a lot of money.... Some are just starting out and need to get their names out there before they can get "The Big Bucks!!" It's easy to get fabulous work for under $100... Not difficult to get great stuff under $50... Possible to get wonderful stuff under $25 and if your persistant and diligent, there's good buys under $15... One of the coolest feelings is buying from an upstart artist, who really needs support at the same time that they are selling in a range that you can afford.... Then, watching that artists work climb up the ladder!! It's kinda sad when they get to a point where you can't buy as much from them. But, it gives you tremendous satisfaction to know that you were there when they most needed you. AND, you now have their work, which has appreciated in value..... Here's an example of one of our "Home Boys." Mike Petura was a regular here, when he started out... It was possible to buy a bunch of his early marbles for $10-15. I think he got the feeling that his auction posts weren't appreciated in the chat.... I don't know about Lou, but I sure appreciated them.... I always watched them and bid as often as I could. (C'mon back, Mike!!! )

Here's a link to his current auctions, Carole Anakins Glass Eye I love the vortex he's got on.... At 2", it's large for him, too... His work is so precise, it's almost sterile... But, it has a very stark beauty... Very "nature-like." Oh Dani........................ I drooooooooooooooooool!!! Here's the front of my "Sampler Shirt"..... When I took the picture, I had just started the second dragonfly.... Now, the sixth is almost finished!! Giving up my driving job is gonna slow it down a LOT!!

WOW John!!! Those were your first digital pictures??? Great Job!!! Once you get it down, it will move faster... But, you've got a great start!!

Those are awesome!! And again, both Chris' and Raz'... with Jackie & Sheryl, 4 of the greatest people you could ever wanna know!! My latest addition (shhhhh, don't tell Wally... I'm not supposed to be buying..... ) is one of Brad Bandolino's... Brad was at Wheaton in 2006.... I really regreted not buying one of his marbles then. His precision is unreal!! He was on the top of my list for this year, but he didn't make it I've been watching his auctions ever since.... this one combines his Anemone with a vortex... The back is nice, too.... I tried to steal the rest of the pics, but they're gone.... Someday, when I catch up (My eternal dream....) I'll see if I can get pics of it.

Ro was tellin' me at Wheaton that they have a cottage nearby that they plan on renting out for tourists to the island.... I'm smellin' a definite future vacation spot!!!! LOL

Keep me posted!!!

If the Stankard bee in a 1¾" size runs at $1200..... I wonder what the tag is on this one!!! LOL Paul Stankard 5" Sphere I wish Bert's pictures could be enlarged... Here's one from another gallery.... With Paul's signature "Root People"

She's cute!! Will you be able to come up to the NE show??

I think we can revive ourselves, Carole.... Not everyone who collects marbles enjoys constant ridicule about everything from speech impediments, to people who hold their marbles with their (OMG!!!) fingers in an auction picture..... This whole thing has really wakened me to why I had become so distant from the board and now I really seem to enjoy being here, for the first time, in a longggggg time. It's just gonna take time. Our board has taken a LOT of ridicule in the past for it's petty attitude (wayyyyy beyond the Steph issue) and we've lost a lot of good collectors on account of it. I'm hoping, in time, we can draw them back. If not, that's OK too.... Alan, another wonderful aspect of collecting contemps is the "People Factor." Going to Wheaton is like a religious experience for me!! So many talented people, who are just a blast to be around!! When you purchase a marble from an artist that you've become friends with, having them around you on a daily basis is like being surrounded by friends. Not only can you enjoy it's own beauty, but it's connection to a person that you care about brings out a different beauty!! Yeah, I'd like to see more contemporary action here, too.... HEY!!! Remember, we've got vintage handmade collectors here, too!!!! ROFL!!!

Ditto what Alan said!!

Yep, my first encounter was similar.... Not so many different colors... mostly dark blue, with a couple of aquas... Maybe they were part of a game like fox & geese?? (or, they had been separated by color)

Roger that's so cool!!! I really love the "look" of these marbles... Yeah, they can be common, but not nearly as common as many more "hyped" types... I think they're very under rated by a lot of collectors. It's great to see some info on them.... Maybe it will give them the boost they deserve!!! Thanks!!

When those auctions were on ebay, I kinda got the vibe that they weren't that old, either... It seemed like suddenly, they were showing up more....

LOL

Hey John, those look like they're from the series of auctions run on ebay a short while ago... The seller ran a few auctions a couple of weeks apart?? ( , I won't tell.....) I kept watching for one to slip through the cracks, but it never happened... Come to think of it..... I have 2 really BIG beads that I bought at a marble show a long time ago... I've gotta see if I can find them. They might be related to these... I think they had that matte-ish finish...

I've been patiently waiting my turn, too, Steve.... Someday..........

Nice site, J!! Nope, I haven't gotten into Myspace yet......

Here's a caged tri-level with a latt core...........

I was working on these while sitting on the "Front Porch" Saturday night at Wheaton.... Bo's first 9 are almost done... Just need the drawstrings run through.

Here's a link for you Jane!! Jane Walker's Mini Marbles

There's always a way to make every situation a "win / win." Thanks to Chris for the idea and Lou for saying, "Hey, that can work!!!" I look forward to visiting, Steph!! And, based on the responses I personally received after my "There used to be a day...." post, I think there will be more visits and posts here than you may think... I apologize for the frustration I vented upon you last week.... I just wanted to stop the madness and I didn't know how...

Jim has been struggling for such a long time... I know this peace will be welcomed by him... Rest well. But, his family has lost such an icon!! I never knew Jim personally, but I have the hugest respect for a couple who can raise such a wonderful family and also have such an impact on their community, both local and in marbles. Andy, Andrea and all other extended family, my heart goes out to you.... Share a toast for a life well lived!!

Also, the Kuwait Dinar features children playing marbles!!

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