"A Day In The Life With Rob"

I’m really excited to bring this week’s “day in the life” to you.  I have to admit I had a little help with it.  But I’m sure that you will truly enjoy his story.  Rob Yarak has an incredible collection.  And he makes his own displays to show them off.  And once you see, I have a feeling some memories will come flooding through your minds:  memories from your childhood, teen years and adulthood.  So get your coffee and get ready to take a journey into the heart of a true collector ~ a PEZ collector!  Let’s go meet Rob.

AJC:  Rob, how long have you been collecting Pez?

Rob:  34 years, 6 months, 18 days.

ACJ:  (wow, that's a long time ~ AND great record keeping)  

What was your first dispenser?  Or what made you start collecting Pez?

Rob:  Croc, a gift from my girlfriend, now wife, for my 15th birthday.  It was placed on a cake she had made that was in the shape of an alligator.  Why an alligator, you say.  I had a baby pet alligator back then.  A gift from a crazy uncle. 

ACJ:  I know that first dispenser must be special to you, but do you have another favorite dispenser and why?

Rob:  Any Eerie Spectres.  Why?  I specifically remember purchasing them at the grocery store in the late 70's.  Good memories.  Nostalgic...why most people collect to begin with.

ACJ:  Where do you find dispensers?  Especially vintage ones?

Rob:  Mostly from hits on my website.  Finds in antique malls, for me, are as common as Hailey's comet.

ACJ:  If you come across a new collector, what advice would you give them?

Rob:  Buy the books.  David Welch's Collecting Pez is a wealth of information.  John LaSpina's price guide is also very helpful.  

ACJ:  Tell us about the conventions, mailing list etc. and include links and photos.

ROB:  The conventions can't be beat.  Place 500 crazy Pez collectors in a hotel and look out!  And a lot of good friendships have been made.  The best mailing list is the Yahoo Group, Pezheads.  It's got around 1,400 collectors that exchange e-mails.  Talk about a brain trust!

ACJ:  Do you have a special way to display your dispensers? 

Rob:  I enjoy woodworking so building my own displays was a natural.

ACJ:  How many dispensers do you have?  How do you keep track of all your dispensers? 

Rob:  Not sure exactly how many, but I'd guess around 8,000.  When I first started cataloging my collection, a bag that I had stashed away with dispensers collected from 1976 to 1991, I just used Microsoft Works.  Very simple.  Just list the dispenser's name, patent number, country of origin, IMC #, feet vs. no feet, stem color, etc...

ACJ:  Do you ever sell your Pez and how do you feel about parting with them?

Rob:  The only time I'll sell a dispenser is if I purchase a collection and I already have one EXACTLY like it.  Once it's in my collection, it stays, no matter what.  This holds true especially for the ones that I collected back in the day.

ACJ:  What is the most you ever spent on a dispenser or collection?

Rob:  I purchased a collection from Leland's Auction house for $32K.

ACJ:  Do you have a web site that you'd like to share with us? 

Rob:  www.pezcandydispenser.com  Catchy, huh?   

ACJ:  Is there anything else you'd like us to know?  Like maybe what the most expensive dispenser is that you have in your collection or anything else?  Facebook page?  Twitter?  Blog?  Shop?

Rob:  I've got some nice pieces in my collection, including Donald and Pluto softheads, Obelisk A, Asterix A, Lions Club Lion, Alpine Man, Sparefroh, to name a few.  But the ones I really enjoy most are the ones that remind me of my youth, Eerie Spectres, Kooky Zoo, Circus.  The new issues out nowadays are really well done but still don't compare to some of the older dispensers.  Again, it's the nostalgia.

Wow, I’ve got a whole new appreciation for Pez and collectors.  If only I had kept all those things when I was younger, who knows what I might have in hidden treasures! Don't forget to check out his website.  It's pretty amazing!!!

Thanks Rob for taking time from your busy schedule to share with us your amazing collection.  (and thanks to my little “bird” for assisting with this interview).  And remember, it’s never too late to start “a collection”.

Enjoy your weekend in whatever you do!  

And see ya next week.

~~~Duuude~~~ 

Recycle those toothbrushes!

 Make these:

Into These!

  Bracelets!  So easy and fun to make.

Here is how you do it:

1. Remove all the bristles from the toothbrush with tweezers or pliers.
2. Boil water.
3. Keep water boiling, put toothbrush in water for five minutes.
4. Remove toothbrush with tongs, bend to desired shape.
5. If toothbrush doesn't bend enough, submerge again in water.
6. Remove toothbrush and bend as much as possible.

Make sure you use potholders or oven mitts to bend the plastic!  Let cool.  If bracelet is too small, it will break, so make sure it's not to hard to put on wrist.  Not all toothbrushes will work, so you might have to try a few.  I found the cheap ones at the dollar stores do NOT work!   The ones used here are Reach and Gum toothbrushes.

Have fun!

RWS

Think Spring!

This free photo slideshow customized with Smilebox

ROSES AND BANANAS

What do roses and bananas have to do with each other? Let me show you some pictures of my roses before and after they dined on banana peels.

                                                                           Before

                                                                              After
When I closed escrow on my house, it had been neglected all summer and the plants were about to just give up. It was the end of October by the time I was able to move in and the best we could do was water and trim up everything.

As soon as the weather began to warm, we began giving each rose bush a banana peel. You simply dig a shallow hole beside the roots big enough to put the peel in, cover it up with the soil, and let nature do the rest. You see, banana peels are loaded with potassium and roses love potassium. It's the easiest and fastest way I know to revive rose bushes.

Now, I love to look at my yard! It's an oasis in the middle of the desert landscaping (which I hate!). I really love it when a plan comes together. Now, back my gardening.

P.S. Since I took these pictures, the rose bushes burst into bloom and now all but one (there are seven) are literally heavy with roses.

I just had to share this, I'm so excited! It's so nice to have a yard again and to be able to garden.

pepper/Helmet Head

CHEMISTRY GLASS....

 luckylittledot

No not Chemistry CLASS, I am talking about chemistry GLASS....something that anyone who ever took a chemistry lab is familiar with...
And vintage Chemistry glass is a hot collectible right now!

                                          scoutHOME

So what are collectors doing with their Chemistry glass?  Here are some great functional ideas for repurposing and reusing...

                                        VintageSoup

shavingkitsupplies  

   
                                                                                EarthSeaWarrior




Or if you love the look of Chemistry glass but aren't into vintage items, here are some other great ideas!

A fabulous tie for the man in your life...


toybreaker

    
A collection of marvelous miniatures                                         kivaford







Or an amazing work of Art!

                                            brianataylor
Any way you choose to look at it Chemistry Glass is here to stay :)

VE

Weekend promotions

Today I'd like promote my shop on Zibbet.

It's an antique and collectible shop and you can find me here:

One of my favorite items in that shop is this one:

It's a bon bon dish from Germany.

What would you like to promote today?  Feel free to show us in the comment section!

Have a great weekend!

RWS

Hey!  I have a Zibbet shop too :)

VintageEmbellishment2

It is a new shop, open less than a month....I know this shop will require patience since Zibbet does not yet have the following that other ecommerce sites have....I chose Zibbet because it is a friendly, easy site to navigate....hope everyone checks it out!

VE

Hey, I don't have a Zibbet shop!  But I do have an Etsy shop,

and that's what I wanted to share today.

Click here to stop on by

We love to personalize and customize your favorite cards.  Add a name, write your own greeting, whatever you need.  And coming very soon, our Graduation cards.
We can add the year, their name, school.  The sky is the limit! 

I'd like to introduce you to my Zibbet shop this week.  If you liked Etsy when it was new and young, you will probably feel right at home on Zibbet.

http://www.zibbet.com/Peppercorns

"A Day in the Life with Rocki"

This week, we're gonna take a look into the world of "supplies":  handmade jewelry supplies.  Original, unique designs, made to order.  I have to be honest here, I'm not much into jewelry myself, but I can sure appreciate the creativity and dedication of those that make it.  When I look at her metalwork, I am just amazed at what she can do.  So if you love jewelry, love to make jewelry or just love metalwork, you're gonna love spending ...

A Day in the Life with Rocki, Owner of

Rockis Supplies

Duuude:  How long have you been making metal work jewelry supplies?

Rocki:  I started creating my own handmade ear wires in 2007 and then in 2008 I opened my Etsy supply shop – which has since expanded into a wide variety of supply findings and metalwork jewelry, which has turned into my full-time career.    

Large Gold Artisan Aztec Clasp

Duuude:  What inspired you get into this area of crafting?

Rocki:  It all started when I was creating and selling beaded jewelry and got tired of commercial ear wires.  I wanted more of a variety, for starters.  From my old Etsy shop I was getting a lot of requests from other sellers inquiring where I got my ear wires from.  Well, short version, I started taking special supply requests from that shop and then realized that I was creating more metalwork than beaded jewelry – and loving it!  Next thing I knew, I picked up a torch and fell in love with fire and metal.  So, I closed the bead shop and opened my supply shop.      

Duuude:  Tell us a little bit about your creative process.  Can you supply us with a photo or two of your work area, and maybe a sample or two of your favorite items?

Rocki's Studio

Rocki:  Gosh, where to start with this one.  I’m quite busy every day, guess you could say it’s like going to work Mon-Fri, 8-5 (with overtime), but I don’t have to wear nylons!  I have a home studio that I create from, which used to be our meditation room so creating in my studio is inspiring in itself and very relaxing – even when I have hectic days.  All of my orders are scheduled, so everyday is a little different, but filled with creating a variety of metalwork jewelry, supplies, oxidizing, soldering, tumbling, etc.  Oh and excuse my studio pictures, it isn’t neat and tidy as the rest of my house.

Sterling Silver Earwires - Kite Series

I have several favorite supply findings, but my original designed Signature Kites are my favorite, along with my Aztec clasp, which was inspired by my Kite Series.

Duuude:  Where do you get your ideas for your items?

Rocki:  Of course with supply findings you have your basic staples, but many of my original designs have come from just playing around with wire and household items, drawing, accidents (yep), customer requests (love my customers!) and hubby has even come up with a couple designs (even though he refers to my metalwork as “car parts”, he’s my biggest fan!).  I already mentioned my Signature Kites, but just to go a little further, I was truly sitting at my bench one day long ago and out came my Kites!  I laughed because one of my mom’s favorite sayings was “go fly a kite” – so, I named them in her honor.  I have a whole Kite Series, all inspired by my original design that was born February 2009.   

Rocki's Studio

Duuude:  Where do you sell your items?

Rocki:  I sell in several online venues and a little here and there locally:

Supply Findings:

www.RockisSupplies.etsy.com

www.RockisArtisanFindings.artfire.com

Metalwork Jewelry:

www.RockisArtisanMetal.etsy.com

www.RockisArtisanMetalwork.artfire.com

Duuude:  Anything else you'd like us to know? 

Rocki:  I had NO idea that I had an artistic side.  I used to work the very hectic corporate life many years ago until one day the rug was pulled out from beneath me and my world came to a screeching halt due to health reasons - not life threatening, but life altering.   From beading for a hobby, in time I created a whole new career – and life - and I enjoy every precious moment.  The following is my own quote that I have posted on all my sites:

"Never give up - no matter if it is a goal to reach or one of many obstacles to overcome that life throws at you. With a positive attitude, strength, determination, faith, willpower and the love and support of family and friends, you will get through it - usually with a better outcome."

Elfaerie Ball Hoop Earwires

You can follow Rocki here:

 

Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/RockisArtisanMetalwork

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RockisMetalwork

Blog: www.rockisrocknbeads.blogspot.com

Tumblr: http://rockisartisanmetalwork.tumblr.com/

Thank you Rocki, for sharing a little corner of your world with us.  Great quote and motto to live by.  Never give up ~ keep moving forward and yes, we can overcome anything with the right attitude.    

Have a great weekend everyone and see you all next week!

"Duuude"