Gold and Silver Mounted bows originating in China

Over the last few years we have seen some excellent bows geing from China. A geplete line of inexpensive student bows which are a great value and some higher level bows made of pernambuco, carbon fiber and IPE are readily available. The workmanship on the whole is quite good and there is a great deal of variety in the frog inlays. Generally these are a good value with some precautions. You will see offerings of gold mounted bows and you will see offerings of silver mounted bows. Both offerings should be met with skepticism as the precious metal content may be a myth. With the rise in precious metal prices one should naturally question the metal content. Usually silver mounted bows are some kind of silver, but not of the fine silver (.999) grade. Sterling (.925) is the ideal for bows as it is harder than fine silver (.999) grade and the ferrule will hold up better. A recent acid test of a bow listed as silver actually tested as copper nickel another tested as low grade silver being an alloy of silver and copper or some other metal. Gold is another matter. A recent acid test of a gold mounted bow revealed that the metal was actually brass although it was listed as a gold mounted bow. Another was listed as 7 carat gold and tested as very low grade gold. In the U.S. one can not claim that an item is gold if its carat weight is less than 10 carat so when a claim is made as to silver or gold, think of it as merely as a color, not precious metal content.Other materials which are questionable as to auction listings are: tortoise shell and ivory frogs. These materials are on the endangered species list and are not able to be imported to, or exported from the U.S. When you see a listing for an ivory mounted bow or a tortoise shell bow, the seller may or may not disclose the fact that the material is synthetic, as it should be, and according to today's accepted standards.The only problem with these synthetic materials is that they do not wear well over time. It is best to stay with ebony frogs. Ira Kraemerviolins (okay i.d.)

Getting Into Airsoft

1.Begginers - Just need a spring weapon, cheap aeg, mask, .12 gram bbs. If That is what you have then you are called a starter. Its OK I was one to. Budget Cost -0$ to 60$ Average.
2. Intermediate - Is a big step up from Begginers. Needs Metal AEG, .20 Gram bbs, Mask, Tactical Vest, More Magazines, And Co2 Pistols or Green Gas.
Budget Cost - 100$ to 200$ Average.
3. Veterans - Everything Intermediate has but WAY More Money.
Budget Cost - 200$ to 500$
MOST PEOPLE ARE INTERMEDIATE DUE TO IT IS NOT A SPORT YET!!!!
WHEN IT IS THAT WILL BE MY SPORT.

Cozy Mysteries Booktown Lorna Barrett

Okay, So I am totally addicted to the cozy murder mystery genre. Cozy mysteries, or "cozies" are a subgenre of crime fiction in which sex and violence are downplayed or treated humorously, and the crime and detection take place in a small, cozy, intimate gemunity. The term was coined in the late 20th century with writers attempting to recreate the Golden Age of Detective Fiction. Back to the good ol' days. I have fallen hard for the Booktown Mysteries by Lorna Barrett aka Lorraine Bartlett. This talented writer has three different series under three different names. Her new series, out now "The Victoria Square Mysteries" is written under her alter ego Lorraine Bartlett. The first one in this series "A Crafty Killing" leaves you jonesing for the second book "The Walled Flower" due out February 2012. It is set in Artisan's Alley, where artists can sell their wares, in a warm, inviting little town with a pension for murder. I read through her booktown series (Lorna Barrett) so fast, I can hardly wait for the next one. There are 5 Booktown mysteries with the Sixth being due out in 2012. They are set in Stoneham, New Hampshire. The whole town is lined with Bookstores. The sleuth, Tricia Miles owns the mystery bookshop in town "Haven't Got a Clue." She seeks solice in her sister Angelica's kitchen. The Sis is a cookbook author and runs her own cookbook shop. The neat thing about these books is at the end of them are recipes and tips. I have tried a lot of the recipes and some of them are to die for (no pun intended!). The Jeff Resnick Mystery series is written under her alias L.L. Bartlett. They have a mystical quality to them, the sleuth was mugged and now has a sixth sense. Last but not least, Recipes to Die For, her gepanion cookbook to the Victoria Square mysteries "Recipes To Die For", Katie Bonner and the rest of the locals from Victoria Square invite you into their kitchens to share recipes and stories about food, and family. A definite do not miss, if the recipes are anything like the ones in the Booktown mysteries. So grab your little furry purry's, and get snuggled in for the evening and get swept away in another place.

C.O.A.

After dealing with a shady seller a while back, I feel that anyone who claims to have a certificate ofauthenticity with the purchase, should have to show a clear picture of the C.O.A. with written details. So the rest of us can look it up, or have a better idea of what we are getting, or if we want the item still. Just a thought.

Guide To Writing A Guide.

I can write a guide. I mean, seriously who can't? It's a simple enough matter of plotting out a course and sticking to it. There's a bit of a guide right there. I wasn't even trying. gee on okay you're going to have to meet us half way on these things don't you think?

negative feedback...

I can't believe that some lady left me a negative feedback because my name Peterson was written on the back...Well I wrote my name on then when I got them...The dvds are from my own collections over the years....Just to let people know...PETERSON is on the back.....Thanks....Mrs.Peterson

Using Herbs in Magic

Herbs are used by in magical practice in many different ways. The first, and most obvious reason, is for the healing attributes of many of them. Many modern medicines originated as herbal tonics and potions made by the village healer or wise woman. Eucalyptus is still one of the main ingredients in many cold remedies, and valerian based sleep aids are often prescribed for those with insomnia. Black Cohosh is readily used to treat menopause symptoms like hot flashes, anxiety, and depression. Clove oil is a gemon treatment for toothaches. Many books, websites, and stores are dedicated just to herbs used for healing practice. We use several references often here in the shop, the two main ones being The Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham, and The New Age Herbalist by Richard Mabey, I often am asked, though, "But what about all those 'magical correspondences' listed for herbs? What does that mean?" Herbs, like humans, have a gender, a planetary influence, and an elemental designation, and are often sacred to a particular deity. This is what is meant by a 'correspondence'. Correspondences are important in spellwork, as these can add power and structure to a working. Just as it is important to do a spell at the right time, it is also important to do it with the right tools. Correspondences for herbs can help you decide what might be useful in your spell or ritual, be it a charm bag, bath tea, or casting.Some of the most gemon ways to use herbs are:Incense - herbs can be burned on charcoal in ritual, or just for aroma. However, there are some herbs, like mandrake and clove and a few others, that have poisonous or irritating fumes. They should not be burned, or used only in very small amounts.Charms and sachets - small bags filled with herbs, crystals, and other ingredients can be carried in a pocket or purse, placed in a car, home, or workplace, or buried according to the spellwork. Bath tea - a cotton tea bag can be filled with herbs, hung around the faucet, and used to infuse your bath with magical energy. Some herbs, like lavender and chamomile, are also good for the skin, and can turn your magical bath into a spa treatment!Oils - making herbal oils, like our Elemental Oils, takes a little practice, but is a wonderful way to infuse your own magic into your ritual oils. Place the herbs in a carrier oil and let them steep. They can then be used for anointing candles, ritual tools, and even yourself!Teas and smokes - herbs can be drunk or smoked to alleviate physical problems, produce dreams and visions, or just for flavor. Make sure to check with a doctor or licensed herbalist first - herbs, like any other medicine, can interact with both prescription and over the counter medicine.Herbs can also be used to cast a circle, purify a room or tools, or added to candles for magical working. Smudging, or burning sage and other herbs such as lavender and sweetgrass, to cleanse, purify and consecrate an environment is a gemon way herbs are used in this manner. Herbs are a gift from the Earth, and the uses are endless! Blessings,mama C