my hobby : EVERYONE can DO it!

Ken Evoy, internationally acclaimed Internet marketer, developed a system - SiteBuildIt! (SBI!) - that helps anyone to create professional web sites about his/her hobbies, interests and passions. Hundreds (maybe even thousends) of SBI! users have already quit their jobs and now are making a living from the comfort of their own homes, doing what they love - creating web content about their hobbies.

Each web site built by SBI! is search engine optimized. It means that when you build your own web site with the SBI! tools, the traffic to your web pages is guaranteed through search engines.

And it doesn't matter what your hobby is - Ken takes you by hand and explains how you can make money from the traffic received to your web site. What matters is - you create information-rich content pages about what you know and love - about your hobby!

If you think that you cannot write web content - forget it, you can! - SBI! will guide you step-by-step from developing your web site's concept to brainstorming hundreds of profitable related keywords; building a themed web site; generating motivated, targeted search engine traffic that wants to click on your recommendations, links to the related products sold by merchants that you will represent.

Note that this is not a "get rich quick" scheme. It will require lots of your energy, work and time. The bottom line is that you will have a hobby that makes money for you!

So, if you don't have a money making hobby yet, sell what you already know and love (your hobby), find a niche that you feel passionate about, and achieve increadible results driving targeted search engine traffic to your web site and earning big checks from affiliate marketing. For more information visit:

By Gerardas Norkus

my hobby : Build Your Own Musical Instrument

Have you ever wanted to build your own musical instrument? If so, you are not alone. You have many options when building an instrument. You can build a traditional instrument using parts you've purchased or scrapped from existing instruments. You can take a traditional concept for an instrument and add your own take. Then, of course, you could also take a whole different approach and create an original instrument. This guide is not intended to tell you what to build, it will simply offer some advice on how to go about it.

Getting Started

The very first thing you should do is decide what type of instrument you plan to build. You can choose a woodwind, brass, string, percussion, or electronic instrument. Either way, making that decision is the best first step because that will limit the types of supplies you will need. After deciding what you want to build, you should get a tool kit that matches your preferences. Then, you should look for the types of parts you think you will need.

If you are going to make a simple instrument like a drum, then you won't need to buy many things. However, if you are going for something more complex, like a new style of guitar, you should buy a low cost used guitar to scrap it for parts. Additionally, you should look for low-cost parts in the classifieds section of a newspaper or at a used instrument shop.

Finally, think of this as a learning instrument or starter instrument: a high quality instrument is not as important as a high quality concept. Once you have experience in instrument building, then you can consider using more expensive parts.

Building an Inexpensive Musical Instrument

It is crucial to keep this hobby as affordable as possible. You do not want to commit yourself to too much financially because you may regret it. Additionally, if the instrument you create doesn't work right, then you will lose money on the deal. The cheaper the instrument is that you build, the more money you will have to build a better version of it when you know what you're doing.

Tips and Advice

Here are some general things to keep in mind when designing your instrument. First, make sure your instrument has tuning capabilities; that way you can make true notes without any serious conversion. Second, it might be a good idea to have a keyboard on-hand so you can compare the notes your instrument creates to real musical notes. Third, make sure that your instrument has a practical application - don't build an instrument that you couldn't use in a band or solo performance.

Finally, have a great time. When you take on a hobby like this, your intention should be to have fun and create something that you can call your own. Do not take on instrument building as a hobby if you have any reason to believe that you might not like it, because there are plenty of other things you can do for a hobby. Keep your options, and your mind, open every step of the way.

By Mike Jerry

my hobby : Coin Collecting

There are many terms used in coin collecting. Information on coin collecting terms is widely available on the internet and in many books that deal with coin collecting. The field of coin collecting is so expansive that there are numerous terms that are coined. Many internet sites offer glossaries and other resources to assist the novice coin collector in increasing there knowledge base. These sites may not contain all the terms but are sufficient to be an introduction to the field and its terms.

Coin collecting terms are found in many books authored by coin collector experts. In addition to guidance on terminology these books also provide valuable information on the do and don’ts of coin collecting. There are many books on the market that also target the veteran coin collector as this hobby continues to grow and there is always new information that can be valuable to these individuals.

Another way to learn about coin collecting terms is by the use of the many magazines available on this field. These magazines always have up to date information and are great resources for those wishing to learn about the field of coin collecting. Some of these magazines are Coin World, Coin Connoisseur and Coin Value. There are several others as well that offer great features that include up to date guides on prices as well as discounts for subscribers on coin collecting supplies.

Another way to familiarize one’s self with coin collecting terms is to associate with clubs or associations that are involved in the hobby of coin collecting. This is perhaps the simplest way to familiarize one’s self with the field and gain valuable knowledge. These associations often have training sessions and other activities that are geared towards improving the skill of its members in the field of coin collecting. It is vital when in getting involved in any hobby to ensure that you increase your knowledge base as this is the key to success. Coin collecting terms are not a short list by any means and will indeed take a long time to become totally familiar with. Even experts in the field may not know all the terms and acronyms that are associated with coin collecting.

Some of the most important coin collecting terms are related to the very basic concepts of coin collecting. One of these is in fact the term for coin collecting itself. This term is numismatist and is the complex term for the coin collector. Another set of basic terms are those that relate to the description of the sides of a coin. Most people refer to these as either heads or tails but serious collectors call these the obverse and the reverse. Terms associated with the actual coin are the legend, inscription, rim and field as well as the motto, mint mark, edge, portrait, date and many other terms related to coin anatomy.

By Charles Roman

my hobby : Sell Hobby Items step2

Your next step is to look for merchandise in your own community.Here are some suggestions:

Start by attending flea markets and antique shoes. Don't be afraid to make inquiries of dealers. They often have what they consider "junk" stashed away, assuming that it isn't of muchvalue to anyone. I once discovered a fabulous stamp collectionthat way!

Browse around through Thrift Shops.

Study the garage sale ads in your local newspaper. Visit any that sound promising. (Sometimes, it pays to telephone first. Also, by telling people what kind of merchandise you are looking for, they may be able to direct you to others who have exactlywhat you need!)

Place "Wanted to Buy" ads in your local newspaper. Be sure to list your phone number.

It is amazing what you can find in your local community if you work at it. However, if you can't find enough merchandiselocally, run ads in the Collector's Magazines listed above. Their rates are very, very low. And you will soon discover that they are widely read!

Once you have accumulated a decent stock of merchandise, you are ready to begin selling it. If there are publicationsspecializing in your field, by all means advertise there. Youhave a ready-made audience! Also run ads in the big hobbymagazines.

Type up a list of what you have and have an Instant Printer make a hundred or so copies for you. Hobbyists don't mind typewritten, mimeographed, or xerox copies . . . it's half thefund of collecting. Then run your ad. Your ad can merely offeryour list to interested collectors free (or for a stamp, to weedout coupon clippers). Or you can offer to make a sale straightfrom the ad. If you do the latter, stick in your price listwith the merchandise. It will be read . . . eagerly!

Here are a few sample ads run by hobby dealers for your
consideration:

"Railroad Timetables, 1940's
Four different - $4.00 postpaid..

"Old Children's Books and Texts. Stamp for List."

"85,000 Comic Books, Movie Magazines, Funnies, etc.
1900-1957. Catalog $1.00 (Refundable)."

"Original Movie Poster, Pressbooks,
Stills, 1919-1975. Catalog - 50 cents"

"Sleigh Bells! Stamp for list."

"Sheet Music. SASE for list."

Just in case you are not familiar with the phrase, "SASE" means "Self-addressed, stamped envelope". As you progress, you will learn continually. Most hobby dealers will tell you that they learn more from the collectors who buy from them than they could ever learn from any other source.

By DeAnna Spencer

my hobby : Sell Hobby Items step1

You can, if you are ambitious, start a Mail Order Business selling collectables to hobbiest by mail. To begin, you must first find a hobby that appeals to YOU. Next, you must spend several weeks researching that hobby. You must learn what collectors want and how much they are willing to pay for it. You should also know what other dealers are willing to pay forthe merchandise which they sell. And you must be willing to pay the same amounts.

Perhaps you already know exactly what you want to sell. If youhave been collecting old Valentines, then start a Mail Orderbusiness buying and selling old Valentines. Or Stamps. Or Comic Books. The first rule of Mail Order selling is to sell what you yourself would buy.

To give you an idea of what collectors buy and sell by mail, here is a partial list of today's collectables:

Phonograph Records, Cigar Label, License Plates,Beer Labels, Circus Posters, Music Boxes,Salt/Pepper Shakers, Greeting Cards, Old Pencils,Atlases, Military Medals, Sheet Music,Doll Clothes, Menus, Cigar Boxes,Train Photos, Old Calendars, MapsStreet, Car Tokens, Buttons, Postcards,Fruit, Car Tokens, Fruit Jar Labels, Old Magazines,Gun Catalogs, Paper Currency, Cartoon Books, Theatre Programs, Political Buttons, Baseball Cards,Children's Books, Stock Certificates, Old Toys,Gems, Minerals, Belt Buckles, Airplane Photos,FBI Posters, Newspapers, Coins,Arrowheads, Old Jewelry, Boat Photographs, Advertising Cards, Dog Pictures, Movie Magazines, Autographs, Dolls, Hunting Licenses,Valentines, Cookbooks, Beatle Items,Stamps, Indian Relics, Railroad Books, Fishing Licenses, Comic Books, Thimbles, Automobile Manuals, Diaries, Railroad Passes, Antique Barbed Wire

Once you have selected your field, start a file. Keep copies ofall the ads selling your kind of merchandise. Also keep adsshowing the dealer's buying prices. If price lists ar offeredin ads, send for them and STUDY them. MAKE YOURSELF AN EXPERTIN YOUR FIELD.

Try to locate any publications that deal with your field. Often, you can locate small mimeographed publications andnewsletters which will give you all kinds of useful information.

By DeAnna Spencer

my hobby : Money Making Hobby

Everyone has a hobby. We love all kinds of music, sports, movies, books... We have pets, we grow flowers, we build houses, buy cars... Some of us even love our jobs (boy, those are the lucky ones)...

Dale Carnegie said:

"Today is life - the only life you are sure of. Make the most of today. Get interested in something. Shake yourself awake. Develop a hobby. Let the winds of enthusiasm sweep through you. Live today with gusto."

Our hobbies help us to relax and forget our everyday problems and troubles.

We are all experts in one or more fields of our lives.

But I am sure that not everyone has a hobby that makes money for him/her (except, of course, if you love your job).

Just imagine, wouldn't it be great if you could have a money making hobby? You could get involved even more with what you already love to do, you could treat your family and friends with the extra cash, or... even quit your current job that you probably hate.

You see, everyone can make money with his/her hobby, and I am going to reveal it to you in a minute...

There are millions of people who have the same hobbies and interests just like you. Everyone is searching for more information about their hobbies and passions. Take a guess - what is the best place to find the information today? I think you will agree that the World Wide Web (the Internet) is one of the best places on the Earth to look for information related to your hobby. Millions of people use the Internet to find the answers to the questions they have, to solve the problems they encounter every day.

So, how could you make money with your hobby? It's simple - build your own web site (online business) about your hobby.

EVERYONE can DO it!

Ken Evoy, internationally acclaimed Internet marketer, developed a system - SiteBuildIt! (SBI!) - that helps anyone to create professional web sites about his/her hobbies, interests and passions. Hundreds (maybe even thousends) of SBI! users have already quit their jobs and now are making a living from the comfort of their own homes, doing what they love - creating web content about their hobbies.

Each web site built by SBI! is search engine optimized. It means that when you build your own web site with the SBI! tools, the traffic to your web pages is guaranteed through search engines.

And it doesn't matter what your hobby is - Ken takes you by hand and explains how you can make money from the traffic received to your web site. What matters is - you create information-rich content pages about what you know and love - about your hobby!

If you think that you cannot write web content - forget it, you can! - SBI! will guide you step-by-step from developing your web site's concept to brainstorming hundreds of profitable related keywords; building a themed web site; generating motivated, targeted search engine traffic that wants to click on your recommendations, links to the related products sold by merchants that you will represent.

Note that this is not a "get rich quick" scheme. It will require lots of your energy, work and time. The bottom line is that you will have a hobby that makes money for you!

So, if you don't have a money making hobby yet, sell what you already know and love (your hobby), find a niche that you feel passionate about, and achieve increadible results driving targeted search engine traffic to your web site and earning big checks from affiliate marketing.

By Gerardas Norkus

my hobby : Autograph Collecting

My hobby of autograph collecting is gaining speed but is still a little known hobby. What is less known than the hobby itself is the way to start your collection online using just your PC. That’s right, no investment at all. How? Email. Yes, not only do many celebrities have public email accounts, but many times they’ll send autographs if you ask and provide a mailing address. The celebrities pay for everything! And as for feeling guilty about sticking celebs with the bill, don’t. They will write it all of when tax-time rolls around. It’s a business expense for them! Free for everyone!

Now, let’s keep this little secret somewhat hush, hush, ok? You see, the more people who write to the celebrities the more that celebrity has to sign (some stars hate to autograph), they have been known to just stop signing when they get too many requests. It scares them off. I have seen numerous stars change their emails because a magazine or e-zine published their email address and too many people emailed them.

The hardest part of this method of collecting is finding legitimate star email addys online. You will need to put Google to work. However, when you find a site that has them, you usually strike gold. There are a number of websites that post a bunch of email address online free, so don’t ever pay anyone for them. Also remember not to be afraid of ‘daemon,’ you will see his ‘failed email’ messages repeatedly. As I said before, celebrities will change their emails addresses at times.

Also, you might be surprised at how many people I’ve heard emailing stars a really kind, well-written email and forgetting to put down their own snail mail address. I know of one guy who emailed Howard Stern with an autograph request but didn’t tell Howard where to send it. What did Mr. Stern do? He emailed the guy back a .jpeg photo with a caption under the pic reading “drool over this, dumbass.” Granted, many stars are not quite so rude, but the least you can do is proofread your email.

I have given you some know-how on the subject of beating the postage and supply costs of autograph collecting, now get out there and land some ‘graphs. Let me know how it goes! I always enjoy hearing how the stars are treating us “commoners.” Happy collecting!

By Jimmy Cloward

my hobby : How to Start An Art Collection On a Shoestring Budget

Collecting is a hobby enjoyed by many. Some collectors enjoy collecting all kinds of collectibles such as music boxes and other mechanical music, cars, jewelry, figurines, and many other types of items. Then there are those who enjoy collecting art. As a matter of fact, many individuals are inclined to forgo reprints and posters and start collecting their own unique art pieces for their homes and offices. If you are one of these people, here are some tips on starting your own unique art collection.

Before beginning an art collection, ask yourself if you interested in starting your own collection of original art. Keep in mind that if you, like most people, do not have thousands of dollars to spend on famous original artwork, then it's time to consider alternative creative sources.

For those who are short on time and are not particularly interested in cultivating their own tastes, an option you have to rent from a local gallery in your city or town. This way, you can get original art from local artists at a fraction of the cost. Once you tire of a particular piece, you can trade it in for a new art collectible piece. These also works very well for a business environment or even to update a personal space in your home if you are not sure what pieces will suit you in the long term.

Students also do great artwork. Therefore, another option you have is to go to local art schools or check your paper for shows by student artists. At the art schools or art shows by students, you can purchase original pieces by local artists for a very small investment when compared to the going rates for established artists. This unique art collectible strategy allows you to invest in the growth of local talent, and possibly make an investment that will appreciate enormously in value should the artist truly excel in their field.

Some communities have thriving art communities. If there are studios that are rented by local artists in your area, you may also find that they hold open houses during the year. This is a great way to find artwork on sale as many artists promote themselves through this avenue. This also provides you an opportunity to speak with the artist and get a real history on the work you select.

Many art collectibles experts like to find out about the career of an artist as well as what influences their work. If you find an artist that you click with and whose work moves you, you may need to consider collecting from a single artist rather than creating a diverse collection. Following the career of a new artist may give you a more valuable, as well as meaningful, collection in the future.

Antiques and collectibles shops, markets, and consignment stores are also great places to search for art pieces. Always keep your eyes open for artwork that appeals to you. Art is always subject to individual interpretation anyway. So while value may be important, if you find a piece you can afford and love, go for it!

Fall in love and immerse yourself in your art collecting. Whether it is a simple hobby or part of an overall love of collectibles such as music boxes and mechanical music, cars, jewelry, figurines, or more, follow the above strategies and develop an art collection worthy of the master collectors!

Copyright 2006 Monique Hawkins

my hobby : Collecting Postcards– Private Mailing Cards

The inventor of the first private postcard in the United States was J. P. Carlton of Philadelphia, who applied for a patent on Dec. 17, 1861. He then sold his patent to H. L. Lipman, who printed postcards with a decorated border and marked "Lipman's Postal Cards".

In America the United States Postal Service published and printed its first postal cards in 1873. They were sold for 1 cent, while privately produced cards needed a two cent stamp, the same as a letter. For that reason, few postcards were produced privately because the privately printed postcards cost more to mail.

However, on May 19, 1898, Congress passed the Private Mailing Card Act which allowed private printers and publishers to produce postcards. The Act required that private publishers print the message Private Mailing Cards, Authorized by Act of Congress on May 19, 1898 on the backs of their cards. Postage required was now a 1 cent stamp.

Like Postal Cards, the Private Mailing Cards allowed only address information on the backs of the card. Many pictorial private mailing cards compensated by leaving a small blank area along an edge for the sender to write a few words to the recipient. Pictorial "Private Mailing Cards" are very rare today.

Postal Card quickly became a term reserved to cards printed by the Post Office. Privately printed cards which required stamps for posting were called "Private Mailing Cards" and later called a "Post Card". Postal Card or Postal is still a term most appropriately applied to official United States postal stationery.

In 1901 the practice of "Private Mailing Cards" was rescinded and all privately produced cards were printed using the words "Post Card" printed on the undivided backs.

Glyn Farber has published a catalog of all known Hickey Brother Cigar Store Tokens and co-authored a book about Louisiana Trade Tokens. In addition he wrote several articles for The Token and Medal Society (TAMS) and The National Token Collectors Association (NTCA). Glyn has been a devoted collector of Louisiana Trade Tokens as a hobby, Louisiana collectibles and Lake Charles, LA postcards for almost 40 years.


By Glyn Farber

my hobby : Collecting Ephemera

Do you collect Ephemera (e phem er a)? You just might and don’t even know it, because Ephemera refers to hundreds of hand written or printed paper items published with a short intended life span or something short-lived and without lasting significance. The word Ephemera derives from the Greek meaning of things lasting no more than a day.

Some of the most popular items that collectors classify as Ephemera are bank checks, baseball cards, billheads, bonds, brochures, business cards, calendars, cigar box labels & bands, greeting cards, invitations, labels, letters, magazines, maps, newspapers, pamphlets, paper dolls, passes, photographs, postcards, posters, stamps, posters, programs, sheet music, stocks, tickets, timetables, trade cards, trade catalogs and vintage valentines.

Some types of Ephemera such as billheads, postcards and trade cards have been appreciated for years. In fact vintage postcard collecting has been around for a very long time and is still very popular today. Some of the other items mentioned above were generally thrown out over the years. Fortunately, there has been a few collectors with the insight to put a value on things that others did not.

So take a close look at that box of old paper items found at Grandma’s house. You just might find postcards sent to her by Aunt Lucy decades ago, letters your grandfather wrote overseas defending the United States, newspapers with headlines about the death of JFK, photographs she took while on vacation, and maybe even a copy of her wedding invitation.

Twenty Five years ago antique and flea market dealers could hardly give away large boxes of paper ephemera. The very best and rarest old paper items will soon disappear from the marketplace. However, new ephemera is constantly being made. So do not miss out on this small part of Americana. Don’t have any Ephemera of your own? Check out our favorite place – eBay!
my hobby

By Glyn Farber

my hobby : Collecting Diecast Vehicles Is A Fun Hobby For Folks Of All Ages

Almost everyone has played with diecast vehicles when they were a young child. When I went to grade school my friends and I collected ' Hot Wheels ' cars. We would make race tracks and construction zones in the dirt piles out back of our school and play with the vehicles at recess time. I remember having a holder that looked like a suitcase only smaller, it would open and inside I had probably 20 different vehicles, ranging from cars, to trucks and a few other things. We would play in the dirt with our diecast vehicles, racing them, or pretending we were construction crews, and we would dig tunnels in the dirt, and make hills and bridges to push are little cars and trucks around on. Probably most folks like myself lost or threw away them diecast vehicles we had as young children, or they got lost like all of the other toys we had when we were young. Some folks saved there's and now days some of them are probably quite rare and valuable to diecast collectors.

It seems that when I was a young boy, we only heard of ' Hot Wheels ', at least that is the brand that my friends and I bought, my hobby collected and played with. Now days there are tons of different companies and they make diecast vehicles of every kind, there are cars, airplanes, construction vehicles, boats, military vehicles, and more. When first starting to collect diecast vehicles, you must decide which types you really want because there are a lot of choices, you can collect a certain make and model of car, such as a Chevrolet Nova, or you may wish to just collect yellow diecast construction vehicles, or military vehicles, the choice is up to you.

Diecast vehicles are pretty inexpensive for a lot of the new ones in stores and for some of the older ones that are common. You can often find them in the local drugstore or any Kmart or Walmart, and even a lot of grocery stores have a rack or area where you can find diecast vehicles, they often sell new for under $3.00 each, and sometimes you can find them in a bargain bin or on sale for ' 2 for $2.00 ', or even less.

Probably one of the best places to find a rare or missing diecast vehicle for your collection is on eBay. Another great place to often find rare and unique diecast vehicles at very low prices is yard sales. I went to a few yard sales, last summer with my daughter and I saw a lot of diecast vehicles, and many were 25 cents each and some were less. If you look you can usually find a pile or box of assorted toys at a yard sale, these often have numerous plastic soldiers, trucks and cars, and some old non-clothed dolls, and if you dig or search through these piles or boxes of old junk toys, you can often find diecast vehicles at the bottom. The diecast vehicles are smaller and heavier then the plastic toys, so they tend to drop down to the bottom of the piles like gold nuggets in a stream.

Back around 9 years ago when I was still married, my wife and I bought one of them cheap metal detectors, the ones you can get at discount stores for around $50 or so. We went outside and in our yard where we lived at that time, we found 7 old diecast vehicles. Once we took them inside and cleaned them up, they were all in great condition, despite being buried for a few years. The vehicles were all made by ' TOOTSIE ', I looked on ebay at the time and discovered that the vehicles were worth around $15 or more, so if you have a metal detector, you can probably find some nice diecast vehicles for free, by searching yards and old school grounds.

Once you start building up your diecast vehicle collection, you should consider getting a display case to show it off. If you have some talent and a few tools, you can easily build a display case in your garage or workshop, or if you look on ebay they always have a large amount of diecast vehicle display cases.

There is computer software that is made just for collecting diecast vehicles. Anyone who has a small or large diecast vehicle collection can easily keep track of what vehicle they have, the color, condition, cost, value, scale and lots of other info for each record (vehicle). This is the most easiest to use software of it's kind, and it is made 100% for diecast collecting. The software is described in detail and you can download a free demo version of it at this website address:

By Robert W. Benjamin