Stress-Free Marbles Zone

tankgrrl29

In the spirit of making a fresh start, and to have a place where new folks can break the ice and introduce themselves, I thought I'd start an 'introductions' thread.

I know lots of us already know each other, but lots of us don't. And it's also helpful for new members to get an idea about who's name goes with which nick and all that good stuff. So, I hope everyone will share a little bit about themselves. Very Happy

Anyway, I'm Chris. I've been collecting marbles since 2001...been around the boards for all that time. I got interested in marbles after my neighbor found an old Marble King in the garden. I swiped it off the porch and had it sitting on my keyboard. For like a week, I couldn't stop from messin with it every time I got online. I remembered seeing something on ebay about marbles selling for all kinds of crazy money, so I went exploring. That night I thought I was an instant marble genius, and was really excited to find all the bargain Christensen Agates no one else had seen! ( Laughing

)

Then I stumbled on an auction with a link to MarbleAlan's ID pages, and learned that the civil war marbles I just bid on were fakes! :O I went to bed with a sick feeling in my stomach, but woke up itching to bid some more! Laughing

Shortly after that I found Bob Block's board, and learned that some marbles I had just won had been sold to me by a known scheister - remember 1030/Mike Pratt? That totally motivated me to learn every thing I could so that I wouldn't get taken again.

I think every day since then I've been on these boards, in the books, at the shows, and on the hunt! Lucky for me I live near Ottawa, IL so I have relatively good access to Peltiers in the wild. I've made lots of good friends in this hobby. It's pretty crazy, but I love it.

Lately my marble money has been going toward getting my granddaughter here for visits from TN, so spending has slowed a lot. But she's my dearest treasure, so I don't begrudge it one bit.

Okay, that's way more than anyone needed to know, so let's hear everyone else's stories! Very Happy

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orbboy · Joined: 05 Aug 2007 Posts: 164 Location: Ontario, Canada

I'm Dave. I also started in 2001 right along with Chris. Many nights IM'ing each other about marbles. I found my first group while on the road doing deliveries. I stopped at a sm antique market and there were dozens and dozens of bags for $2.00 each. I spent about $60.00 and grabbed ones that looked intresting. I was out of cash so I asked her to put the rest behind the counter and I would be back tomorrow. I came in the next day and there were even more there. I took them all. I was hooked. Most were crappy cats and stuff but out of the 1400 or so there were a number of nice ones.
I got the passion for Akro Corks about a year later. Not sure why? I think it was the colours. I have a real eye for colours having worked in the live tropical fish service for a long time. The range of colour combos Arko offered drew me in. I never thought I would get one of every kind, but I thought if sure would be fun to try. To me it's all about the Corks. I have had many nice marbles go through my hands in the quest for more. I'm a Corkscrew nut!

kris7047th · Joined: 04 Aug 2007 Posts: 689 Location: Monroe,Michigan

Hi, I am Kris,.. I got started two years ago when I found some old yellow cateyes from my childhood when cleaning out a storage for my Mom. Then I remembered a huge marble that my father in law gave to me for safe keeping to keep in the family. I barely remembered where I put that and then my curiosity got to me... Ebay have marbles?? I had already bought Shawnee wares and African Violets,.. so why not marbles?? I wasn't dissapointed.. LOL! I bought a Peltier Clear blue Rainbo from Lizzy and she told me about a board (remember that Lizzy?) and then.....eventually I am here Razz

happy as a lark
Kris

BobandPat · Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 9:31 pm Post subject:

Hello, we're Bill and Sue (just kiddin) We decided to start collecting last December, the kids had been gone for a couple years, and we chose marbles because I had kept mine since I was a kid. Don't ask me why, but I'm glad I did. Gave us someplace to start I guess. We joined Petes' board in Janruary, then Lous' shortly there after. I have'nt missed a day on either one since then, and Pat is on almost as much. Really haven't decided on one particular maker, but I'm leaning towards slags, and Pat is more of a contemparary lover. We are going to Madison in October, and hope to meet all who plan on attending.

Bob

P.S. where is the spell checker? Confused

browse4antiques · Joined: 06 Aug 2007 Posts: 239

Hi, I've collected a lot of different things over the years. Back in 1987, I bought a junk box at an auction (I can't remember what was in it that I was after). In the box there was a hollow clear glass desk lamp. The lamp came apart, and the idea, I guess, is to display something inside it (like dried flowers). I ran across my marble bag from when I was a kid, and I thought the marbles might look nice in the lamp base. But they only filled it about 3/4 of the way. So the next Sunday, I set out to the antique market to see if I could find some to fill it up. I did find some, but they were the old German handmades, that I had never seen before. I kept hunting for ones that matched up with mine for the lamp, and I kept finding and buying up lots of other kinds. Before I knew it I was sorting them out into different types, and developing a little collection. At the time, I had no idea that anyone else in the world collected marbles. After a couple of years of collecting marbles, I ran across a marble book - I think it was Baumann's. It was then I discovered that some actually had significant value. Now it is all too much about the value, and I feel fortunate that my collecting passion is rooted in those early days, when it was only about the beauty of the marbles, and the fun of the hunt. I don't get out to hunt much anymore (being a single parent), so thank heavens for eBay, but when I look through the marbles from the early days that were hunted out in the wild, I don't know if its the marbles that I am enjoying, or the memories of all the adventures that I was in to find them. I never did fill up the lamp. .. Roger

delkins · Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 9:56 pm Post subject:

Hey all. My dad and his friend started collecting marbles in about 1993 or so. Dad had a stroke in 1996 and, although it hasn't stopped him from anything(he took up clock and watch repair for Gods sake!), I think he got discouraged with all the Jabos and had a harder time keeping up with the reading.
I moved to WV in 1997 and started educating myself so I could mib hunt for Dad. Anyway, Dad's buddy who he used to collect with, started to sell off some of his stuff in around 2001, and I traded him some of my LP collection for some marbles. I later traded him more, for the rest of his collection. That got the ball rolling and I've been buying them off and on ever since. The boards really keep me interested, motivated, and learning and I sure wish I'd found them sooner. My wife loves antiques too, so spending the weekends treasure hunting is a favorite date activity. We have a ten year old Miniature Doberman Pincer too.
-Dave

coolbrezz · Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 10:01 pm Post subject:

Hi! My name is Windy. I live in Southern California. Where there are no marbles! I have been collecting for about 5 years. I played marbles in grade school and loved it! I found a few of my marbles from childhood that I had kept. And that was when I caught the marble bug. I went online to see if anybody else liked marbles. Boy was I surprised! I found ebay and the boards! But had no idea how hard it was to id these little glass balls! I was just amazed of all of the knowledge and how kind everyone was to help me learn! I think I have learned something everyday! I must say this has been the hardest thing in my life to learn. Just about the time I was going to throw in the towel. I started to see marbles, and I knew what they were. I collect a little bit of everything. But I really like Pelts the most!
_________________
Always Looking For Marbles!
coolbrezz

that1 · Joined: 15 Aug 2007 Posts: 186 Location: here

I've been into marbles since I was a kid, which doesn't nearly mean as much as most. Anyhow, love the forums and input, like water and a duck for the rest.

Not about to spill the bits, but glad to be here and thanks to all for making it happen.

ID'ing is a discussion, not argument. Laughing

orchids9 · Joined: 07 Sep 2007 Posts: 2

Hello, Name is Paul, I am also in SoCal the marble-LESS State unless Wal-mart counts. Have the name Orchids9, have had that since 96 or so. Was a time we grew Orchids commercially and never changed the e-mail and still have some Orchids even Smile

Always had marbles and still have my childhood bag my Aunt made me in 1977. Started actively Hunting them around 1999 and bought / sold on ebay until shortly after 9/11 Marbles were the perfect collectable for my oldest son (13 now) with ADHD. Now I and the Family mostly do rocks/gems and the occasional collector Marble for the kids. We try to add a new marble to each childs group each year that fit there tastes (Mike Petura and Ray Laubs are great hits) and each year the kids give contemporary marbles to there teachers

Paul

Rhonda · Joined: 07 Aug 2007 Posts: 79 Location: Earl Park, Indiana

Hi, My name is Rhonda (Gracie on the other boards). I started in on marbles when I saw how much money you could make on ebay. I started buying all I could so I could sell them and make the big bucks lol. Right after my father died I was out driving around looking for antique shops because I just couldn't bear to go to work. At one shop in Illinois the people there sent me to a gentleman's house that was a huge collector. That was just what I needed for my soul to heal. He is a wonderful man that welcomed me into his home and started my journey to actually collecting certain types. Now I only sell what I don't collect and what I collect is expanding everyday so now I hoard most of what I get lol. I love these boards and the people and it goes to show you how much a friendship means even if it's a virtual one. Thanks for letting me post here and I hope one day I can help others as much as they've helped me!
Rhonda
_________________
The sooner you realize you don't know everything, the better off you'll be and the learning can begin.

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZgracie_13QQfrppZ200QQfsopZ1QQfsooZ1QQrdZ0?

tankgrrl29 · Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2007 4:36 pm Post subject:

i don't know about anyone else, but i LOVE reading these.

i know there's more to be told...who's next? Very Happy

jkbemdavis · Joined: 07 Sep 2007 Posts: 1

I've been collecting since about 2000. Got into when I was asked to sell some marbles for a guy. Couldn't figure out why certain lots went for more than others, and that's all it took.... I was hooked. Unfortunately, although I've owned some fairly sweet stuff, I've sold a good deal of it over the years to keep the family finances intact.
Still love to buy, sell and collect though.
PS... I'm not the John Davis who makes marbles.
Regards, John

FIRE81 · Joined: 06 Sep 2007 Posts: 218 Location: Mancos Colorado

HI !
I've been collecting marbles ALL OF MY LIFE ! I just didn't
know it until I saw a friend's collection back in 2001.
She had some marbles I recognized that I HAD at my Parent's house.
Mom had to Fed-X my collection to me the NEXT DAY !!!!!

I use to buy marbles at the Flea Market that would be held during
the Spring and Summers that was located across from one of
the streets my Paper Route was on. This was back in Champaign IL
where I grew up..........uh........or was a kid.........uhmmm......let's
just say that's where lived with my Mom and Dad.

Once my Mom sent my marbles to me I HAD to learn more about them.
And HAD TO HAVE MORE OF THEM !!!!!!! I bought a few books....thought I'd be able to I.D. them ALL by the NEXT DAY......... Shocked

RRRRIIIIIIGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHTTT !!!! Rolling Eyes

I stumbled into the " BOARDS" via GOOGLE SEARCH as well as Leroy.
He ended up doing his MAGIC on some big Ol' 2 inch Handmades I
HAVE.......and also let me know about some guy named " BO " who
lived in Phoenix. I was in Tucson ( Marbleless City ) at the time and
wanted to talk " Marbles". I met Bo.....Mike Close and Pea-Wee (Steve)
when Bo was kind enough to invite me up to his place ( The NEVER ENDING MARBLE SHOW ) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Very Happy

HUH.....and I thought
those GUYS where gonna be beg'n for my un-identified W.V. SWIRLS !

SO............here I am. A true PELTHEAD thanx to the Flea Markets back
in Illinios where I got most of my 1st Childhood's marbles !!!!

RAR............. Cool

_________________
RAR.....Never eat anything bigger then your HEAD !

crappie_man_7 · Joined: 02 Sep 2007 Posts: 60 Location: Quincy, IL

Hello all!

My name is James and I live in Quincy, IL. I started collecting in 1999, buying everything I could, (big mistake). I met Guy Gregg at the marble show in Hannibal, and that got me started with the Peltier obsession. My collection is still pretty small, but I like them. I get just as much enjoyment out of trying to get a good picture of a marble as I do collecting them.

I'm also kinda hooked on a couple of contemporary makers. I LOVE all of Mike Bartons marbles, and also can't get enough of Mike Edmondsons fancy slags and shadow marbles.

I never have been happy with how I could display my marbles. A couple of years ago I started making Walnut display boxes so I could show off what I had. I sold a number of them on the boards and at ebay. I made the holes too small and the marbles were hard to remove even though you could really show the best side of a marble without it moving. I've since improved the design, making the holes larger, and making them all 60 - 40 boxes, (meaning 60% of the marble is in the bottom). Now all you have to do is turn the box upside down and the marble is easily removed.

This is getting pretty long so just one quick story. My sister and I love to camp and antique. In 2003 we took a 2 month road trip to Nevada, stopping at EVERY antique mall and store on the way. Total good marbles found, two Christensen Flames. In 2004 another 2 month road trip, this time to Florida. Total marbles found 0. I don't think there is anywhere in this country that is not marbleless.

Anyway, VERY happy to be here.

James

triker · Joined: 08 Sep 2007 Posts: 8 Location: hardy county,wv

Hi All,

Have been collecting mibs for about 5 years.
We enjoy riding our trike,i enjoy yardsales,fleamarkets and such.
We wheel and deal in all aspects of antigues,mostly toys.
Some of you will know me from the other board and some have met me at the last wvmcc show. Looking forward to posting and responding
to the threads on this board! Thanks for having me,
Bruce