SilverLotus

Patti Smith is a poet, singer, songwriter, and visual artist. She has been called the "godmother of punk" and as far as I'm concerned, she was the most interesting character in the New York punk rock movement back in the 1970s. I consider myself lucky to be among those who actually saw her perform at CBGB. She was a powerful presence then, and she remains so to this day. You might know Patti Smith best as the co-writer (with Bruce Springsteen) of "Because the Night," but this is a woman and... Read Full Story

Rice is eaten more than any other food on our planet and is a staple food for about half of the world's population. Rice originated in Asia and about 95% of the rice grown in the world today is produced and consumed in Asia. However, rice is now grown in 112 countries, and among the grains, only corn has a higher worldwide production (but much of that corn is not grown for human consumption). The progenitors of rice as we know it today date back to the early Cretaceous period. As a result of... Read Full Story

Nielloware and Siam silver jewelry have become popular collectibles, as have other unique treasures from Old Siam. This lens will help explain why! To get a real feel for the fantastic range of Old Siam collectibles, click here. Read Full Story

There are many good reasons to buy fine antique or vintage jewelry. Chief among these are craftsmanship, uniqueness, and value. You can often find great deals on beautiful fine jewelry through estate sales, in the estate departments of jewelry stores, at auctions, and on eBay. When people are facing economic challenges, as is the case these days, you're likely to find even more fabulous pieces for sale: earrings, bracelets, brooches, necklaces, rings, cuff links, tie pins, and other items... Read Full Story

I'm an eBay store owner who spends a fair amount of time in eBay's discussion boards and groups. "Where can I buy wholesale products?" is one of the most frequently asked questions. People want to know where they can buy wholesale products to sell on eBay or Amazon or at flea markets or other venues. As is so often the case these days, scammers and fraudsters are waiting for these folks to make one ill-informed move. Or people tell you about so-called "fantastic" wholesale sources, but... Read Full Story

Unlike a wrist watch, which is meant to be worn on the wrist, pocket watches are intended to be carried in one's pocket and taken out whenever the owner wants to know the time. There's something special about a pocket watch. Using one makes us slow down just a bit -- we can't just grab a quick look at our wrist. Instead, we have to reach into our pocket, remove the watch, and if the watch has a cover, open it. We are perhaps reminded of earlier times, or of train conductors, who still use... Read Full Story

The days when full figured women were severely limited in their fashion choices are, fortunately, in the past. Designers and retailers now realize that offering fashionable plus size clothing is smart business. Full figured women know that who you are is not defined by what size you wear. You can look wonderful and feel great in the body you have. And with so many plus size women's clothing options now available at every price price point, there's no reason you can't look your best. Looking... Read Full Story

Bakelite is a brand name for thermosetting plastic, invented in 1907 by Leo Hendrik Baekland. It was used for everything from industrial products to decorative objects and costume jewelry (see Life magazine cover left). Bakelite was especially popular during the 1930s and into the early 1940s. In recent years vintage Bakelite products have become popular collectibles, and those who've been bitten by the Bakelite "bug" are usually seriously addicted. And why not? Bakelite is really cool stuff... Read Full Story

I have decided that I really want to write a much more focused blog, so this is my last post here. Please visit my new blog Affiliate Marketing Adventure , which is about affiliate marketing and other ways to earn money online. Thanks! Read Full Story

I'm happy to say that eBay sales have been keeping me busy as folks buy gifts for the holidays. As many sellers have found, traffic is down this year, but all things considered (recession/depression anyone?), I'm not going to complain. I have been working on a new BANS site called Full Figure Style - it's for teens and women who wear plus sizes and are looking for fashionable and/or sexy apparel. I like the way it looks and can't wait until it's ready to promote. I've also been developing a... Read Full Story