Nov
1
Filed Under Sports And Fitness | Leave a Comment
Himfr Mary asked:
China’s various national industries began to take shape after the May Fourth movement in the 1919. During that time, the semi-colonized China was constantly subjected to the divisions of the big powers. A group of patriots began manufacturing & developing national products. Amongst them were some toy manufacturers & publishers like Shanghai Commercial Press, China Can Company and The New Art Toy, who took the lead in the development of the toy industry in China.
However, many toy factories were forced to cease business during World War Two. By the time the war ended, only about 200 toy workers were left. The People’s Republic of China was established in 1949 and the Central Government re-defined the development of the toy industry, laying down the standards for the upgrading of technical expertise. In 1958, the toy industry started to formulate a standard system and compiling proper merchandise code for export.
Under the command from the headquarters to eliminate the capitalist class, however, China kickstarted the Cultural Revolution in 1966. Under the slogan to wipe out the Four Olds, many fine toy designers were unable to give full play to their talents. The toy industry became stagnant during this period. In the 70s, under the instruction of Premier Zhou Enlai to “adapt foreign things to Chinese needs”, electronic technology was introduce to produce high quality toys, thereby enabling the Chinese toy industry to enter a new domain.
The Museum of Shanghai Toys is the first museum of its kind in the world. My name is Marvin Chan and my collection originates from China.
In 1989, I came across a toy shop in Malaysia where I bought a few tin toys that I’ve played with when young. Who would have thought those few pieces would lead me to a new chapter in my life!
My enthusiasm for toys grew from there. In 1993, I visited a famous toy museum in Japan. I was impressed by the way they had held on to their cultural heritage - it reinforced my feelings for Chinese toys. Thus the seed to MoST was planted.
Setting up MoST marks my first major step towards my China Toys dream. I’m truly happy to be able to share my dream and passion with you through MoST and I hope you’ll enjoy your trip here too.
The Museum has an extensive toy collection - toys have been, and continue to be, central to the childhood experience. In the past, most children would have had home-made toys, made from materials commonly found around the home.In ancient times, Greek and Roman children are known to have played with marbles, spinning tops and clay dolls. It was not until the nineteenth and twentieth centuries that toys were mass produced.
Noah’s Arks
Noah and his Ark has always been a popular biblical story for children, and toy versions of the ark have been made since the 18th century. They were particularly popular during the Victorian period when children were restricted to play with biblical toys on Sundays.
It is believed that the Noah’s Ark toy originated from a small village in Germany, called Oberammergau, an area that is renowned for its wood craftsmanship. The industry started out as a cottage industry, with different families producing particular animals, which would then be collected together and assembled with an ark. Later on, as the industry expanded, new techniques we formed to speed up the process. A ring known as a Seiffen (named after the place where it was invented) would be carved out from wood and shaped with a lathe. The ring would then be sliced into sections, with each section forming the basic shape of an animal. Each animal would then be finished by hand, with tails and horns being added where needed.
The ark itself comes in two basic shapes; the first is a flat bottom ark which is a flat piece of wood in a raft shape with a hut on the top, the second is a boat ark, which has a deep hull with a large building on the top. The animals are stored inside, with access from a hinged roof. Some arks can have up to 400 animals which, when placed nose to tail, can extend for up to 30 metres. Like many toys, arks can vary in quality. Some of the most sought-after ones are decorated with inlaid straw which looks golden in the light, or inlaid with different types of wood.
Most arks have a dove carrying a olive branch painted onto the roof, a symbol of hope. Arks were very popular up until the 1920s and were exported from Germany to markets all over the world. Their decline came when export tax was imposed on them during the war. The tariff was based on size and weight, so many makers of arks switched to making toys which were smaller and lighter.
Toy Horses
Toys horses, in various forms and made from many materials, have been around for several thousand years. Often they closely resembled their real counterparts and the work that they performed, and they were usually for boys. Toy horses encouraged imitative play, teaching children adult skills for the future, riding being an essential skill for the male ***. Boys would mimic their fathers riding into war, or hunting, or driving. This is illustrated by the words James I of England wrote to his young son: ‘the honourablest and most commendable games that ye can use are games on horseback’.
The earliest type of ‘rideable’ horse was the hobby horse which has appeared in illustrations in Europe since the 15th century. In its simplest form the hobby horse could be a plain straight stick. However, more complex designs developed, with carved heads, wheels attached to the bottom of the stick, or even covers to hide the riders’ legs. They were generally toys for older children who could run around.
The rocking horse was a later development; no references have been found to this toy before the 17th century. The idea of the rocking horse evolved from three main sources: the traditional rocking cradle, the pull-along tilting seat used in the middle ages for jousting practice, and the wheeled hobby horse. The first rocking horse was very different in appearance from our usual notions of the toy. It consisted of two flat boat-shaped planks bridged by a seat, in front of which was a carved equine head and neck. A tail may have been attached and sometimes two foot rests were placed on the shoulder. The earliest surviving example is the horse thought to have belonged to King Charles I. This method of construction was simple as it avoided the difficulties of carving the horses’ legs, and because of its practicality it continued into the 19th century as a design for cheaper horses. Sometimes the solid sides were painted with the lower body and legs of the horse, or with folk patterns, or a scene as if viewed through the horses’ legs. This type of horse was usual in Germany, while the English preferred the fully carved type.
As the toy gained in popularity and advances were made in cabinet making, the legs of rocking horses began to be carved in round. The head and body were often made of pine and the legs of the stronger beech wood. At first these horses were rather heavy in structure, although gradually they became more elegant, standing on slender carved rockers with tapering ends. This reflected the changes in the real world as faster and lighter horses were needed for artillery, and in the mid-17th century Arabian stallions were imported into England and hunting became a popular pastime. Rocking horses had also evolved into spirited racing steeds with lowered heads and outstretched legs. These horses were effective training devices as the young rider could easily be thrown if not riding correctly.
The basic structure of the rocking horse was wood, carved in several pieces and then pegged together before being covered with a thin layer of plaster called gesso. The paintwork usually represented a dappled grey, although animal skins, often deer or calf, were also used as a covering. The rockers were often painted green to resemble grass, and the horses’ features were usually painted, although glass eyes were sometimes inserted into the heads. Saddles and bridles of leather had metal bits and stirrups so that the child could accustom himself to the riding position. Manes and tails were frequently made of real horse hair which was cheaper and more realistic than carving.
In the 19th century the increase in trade and traffic led to a greater demand for more horses to carry and distribute goods to and from towns and railway stations. As wealth increased, more horses were kept for pleasure and as a result, a greater diversity of horse breeds developed. Similarly, in the toy horse world there was an ever-growing range of models as the rapid expansion of the toy trade meant manufacturers were constantly looking for new ideas. In London in 1877 there were eleven different makers of rocking horses, for these had become standard items of nursery equipment. Photographic studios often posed children, rich and poor, with rocking horses, and illustrations of the toy abounded, for example, accompanying the nursery rhyme Ride a **** Horse, the original ‘horse’ having been an adult’s knee.
LAMAR
China’s various national industries began to take shape after the May Fourth movement in the 1919. During that time, the semi-colonized China was constantly subjected to the divisions of the big powers. A group of patriots began manufacturing & developing national products. Amongst them were some toy manufacturers & publishers like Shanghai Commercial Press, China Can Company and The New Art Toy, who took the lead in the development of the toy industry in China.
However, many toy factories were forced to cease business during World War Two. By the time the war ended, only about 200 toy workers were left. The People’s Republic of China was established in 1949 and the Central Government re-defined the development of the toy industry, laying down the standards for the upgrading of technical expertise. In 1958, the toy industry started to formulate a standard system and compiling proper merchandise code for export.
Under the command from the headquarters to eliminate the capitalist class, however, China kickstarted the Cultural Revolution in 1966. Under the slogan to wipe out the Four Olds, many fine toy designers were unable to give full play to their talents. The toy industry became stagnant during this period. In the 70s, under the instruction of Premier Zhou Enlai to “adapt foreign things to Chinese needs”, electronic technology was introduce to produce high quality toys, thereby enabling the Chinese toy industry to enter a new domain.
The Museum of Shanghai Toys is the first museum of its kind in the world. My name is Marvin Chan and my collection originates from China.
In 1989, I came across a toy shop in Malaysia where I bought a few tin toys that I’ve played with when young. Who would have thought those few pieces would lead me to a new chapter in my life!
My enthusiasm for toys grew from there. In 1993, I visited a famous toy museum in Japan. I was impressed by the way they had held on to their cultural heritage - it reinforced my feelings for Chinese toys. Thus the seed to MoST was planted.
Setting up MoST marks my first major step towards my China Toys dream. I’m truly happy to be able to share my dream and passion with you through MoST and I hope you’ll enjoy your trip here too.
The Museum has an extensive toy collection - toys have been, and continue to be, central to the childhood experience. In the past, most children would have had home-made toys, made from materials commonly found around the home.In ancient times, Greek and Roman children are known to have played with marbles, spinning tops and clay dolls. It was not until the nineteenth and twentieth centuries that toys were mass produced.
Noah’s Arks
Noah and his Ark has always been a popular biblical story for children, and toy versions of the ark have been made since the 18th century. They were particularly popular during the Victorian period when children were restricted to play with biblical toys on Sundays.
It is believed that the Noah’s Ark toy originated from a small village in Germany, called Oberammergau, an area that is renowned for its wood craftsmanship. The industry started out as a cottage industry, with different families producing particular animals, which would then be collected together and assembled with an ark. Later on, as the industry expanded, new techniques we formed to speed up the process. A ring known as a Seiffen (named after the place where it was invented) would be carved out from wood and shaped with a lathe. The ring would then be sliced into sections, with each section forming the basic shape of an animal. Each animal would then be finished by hand, with tails and horns being added where needed.
The ark itself comes in two basic shapes; the first is a flat bottom ark which is a flat piece of wood in a raft shape with a hut on the top, the second is a boat ark, which has a deep hull with a large building on the top. The animals are stored inside, with access from a hinged roof. Some arks can have up to 400 animals which, when placed nose to tail, can extend for up to 30 metres. Like many toys, arks can vary in quality. Some of the most sought-after ones are decorated with inlaid straw which looks golden in the light, or inlaid with different types of wood.
Most arks have a dove carrying a olive branch painted onto the roof, a symbol of hope. Arks were very popular up until the 1920s and were exported from Germany to markets all over the world. Their decline came when export tax was imposed on them during the war. The tariff was based on size and weight, so many makers of arks switched to making toys which were smaller and lighter.
Toy Horses
Toys horses, in various forms and made from many materials, have been around for several thousand years. Often they closely resembled their real counterparts and the work that they performed, and they were usually for boys. Toy horses encouraged imitative play, teaching children adult skills for the future, riding being an essential skill for the male ***. Boys would mimic their fathers riding into war, or hunting, or driving. This is illustrated by the words James I of England wrote to his young son: ‘the honourablest and most commendable games that ye can use are games on horseback’.
The earliest type of ‘rideable’ horse was the hobby horse which has appeared in illustrations in Europe since the 15th century. In its simplest form the hobby horse could be a plain straight stick. However, more complex designs developed, with carved heads, wheels attached to the bottom of the stick, or even covers to hide the riders’ legs. They were generally toys for older children who could run around.
The rocking horse was a later development; no references have been found to this toy before the 17th century. The idea of the rocking horse evolved from three main sources: the traditional rocking cradle, the pull-along tilting seat used in the middle ages for jousting practice, and the wheeled hobby horse. The first rocking horse was very different in appearance from our usual notions of the toy. It consisted of two flat boat-shaped planks bridged by a seat, in front of which was a carved equine head and neck. A tail may have been attached and sometimes two foot rests were placed on the shoulder. The earliest surviving example is the horse thought to have belonged to King Charles I. This method of construction was simple as it avoided the difficulties of carving the horses’ legs, and because of its practicality it continued into the 19th century as a design for cheaper horses. Sometimes the solid sides were painted with the lower body and legs of the horse, or with folk patterns, or a scene as if viewed through the horses’ legs. This type of horse was usual in Germany, while the English preferred the fully carved type.
As the toy gained in popularity and advances were made in cabinet making, the legs of rocking horses began to be carved in round. The head and body were often made of pine and the legs of the stronger beech wood. At first these horses were rather heavy in structure, although gradually they became more elegant, standing on slender carved rockers with tapering ends. This reflected the changes in the real world as faster and lighter horses were needed for artillery, and in the mid-17th century Arabian stallions were imported into England and hunting became a popular pastime. Rocking horses had also evolved into spirited racing steeds with lowered heads and outstretched legs. These horses were effective training devices as the young rider could easily be thrown if not riding correctly.
The basic structure of the rocking horse was wood, carved in several pieces and then pegged together before being covered with a thin layer of plaster called gesso. The paintwork usually represented a dappled grey, although animal skins, often deer or calf, were also used as a covering. The rockers were often painted green to resemble grass, and the horses’ features were usually painted, although glass eyes were sometimes inserted into the heads. Saddles and bridles of leather had metal bits and stirrups so that the child could accustom himself to the riding position. Manes and tails were frequently made of real horse hair which was cheaper and more realistic than carving.
In the 19th century the increase in trade and traffic led to a greater demand for more horses to carry and distribute goods to and from towns and railway stations. As wealth increased, more horses were kept for pleasure and as a result, a greater diversity of horse breeds developed. Similarly, in the toy horse world there was an ever-growing range of models as the rapid expansion of the toy trade meant manufacturers were constantly looking for new ideas. In London in 1877 there were eleven different makers of rocking horses, for these had become standard items of nursery equipment. Photographic studios often posed children, rich and poor, with rocking horses, and illustrations of the toy abounded, for example, accompanying the nursery rhyme Ride a **** Horse, the original ‘horse’ having been an adult’s knee.
LAMAR
Jul
1
Steve Gillman asked:
What do you need to make your own hand carved hiking sticks? A pocket knife and a walk in the woods. Be sure your knife is solidly built. You don’t need more than a three-inch blade, but it needs to be strong enough that it won’t snap on you when you hit a knot in the wood. A locking blade is a good idea too, if you value your fingers.
What type of wood should you use? Any type you want, but be aware of the differences. Many people like hardwood hiking sticks because they can be very beautiful once polished up. That’s fine if you don’t mind the extra work it takes to carve hardwoods. Also be aware that they are heavy, better suited for decorating the cabin than for using on long hikes.
One of my favorite trees for carved hiking sticks is poplar. It’s light, and one of the easiest woods to work with. Young poplars often grow in over-crowded stands, so cutting a few out won’t hurt the forest. If you cut it in the spring or early summer, you can almost peel the bark off by hand.
Northern White Cedar is a much tougher wood to carve, but it is beautiful, straight, and one of the lightest. In a cedar swamp, you can find many dead young cedars that have not begun to rot. Cedar lasts forever, it seems, even when used untreated as fence posts.
Making Your Carved Hiking Stick
What if you don’t know your trees? Find a straight young tree in any area that could use thinning, and cut it. A short saw is the easiest way to cut your stick. Otherwise, you can use your knife, by cutting deeper and deeper in a circle around the tree until you can snap it off. Cut the piece a bit longer than you want your finished hiking stick to be.
How long should it be? A general rule is to have the hiking stick come up to just below your armpit. This is a personal thing though. If you want a fancy seven-foot staff, go for it.
Cut away from yourself, removing all the bark. Narrow down the bottom end, but not to a sharp point. You can leave the top flat, round it off, or even carve a spiral design into it. Use you imagination. Almost any piece of sandpaper can be used to smooth it, and you can apply stain or a poly acrylic finish if you want, or just leave it natural.
If you start with green wood, it is best to let it dry for at least a few weeks. Carving it while green can be easier, but it will often twist or bend then as it dries. You might prevent this by tying it to something straight to dry. Each wood is a little different in how it cuts and drys.
I wrap the bottom end with leather (with a small nail to hold it) to keep the stick from splitting. I also usually put a handgrip on it. This can be a piece of cloth or leather. Glue it on or glue and staple it. You can also drill a hole throught the stick near the top, to add a wrist strap.
Get creative. Use a wood burner to add designs to your hiking stick. Drill a hole in the top and glue a glass ball in it. Mark inches on it, so you can measure with it. Some of my best sellers had pewter animals nailed to them. Experimenting is one of the best parts about making your own carved hiking stick.
MICHEAL
What do you need to make your own hand carved hiking sticks? A pocket knife and a walk in the woods. Be sure your knife is solidly built. You don’t need more than a three-inch blade, but it needs to be strong enough that it won’t snap on you when you hit a knot in the wood. A locking blade is a good idea too, if you value your fingers.
What type of wood should you use? Any type you want, but be aware of the differences. Many people like hardwood hiking sticks because they can be very beautiful once polished up. That’s fine if you don’t mind the extra work it takes to carve hardwoods. Also be aware that they are heavy, better suited for decorating the cabin than for using on long hikes.
One of my favorite trees for carved hiking sticks is poplar. It’s light, and one of the easiest woods to work with. Young poplars often grow in over-crowded stands, so cutting a few out won’t hurt the forest. If you cut it in the spring or early summer, you can almost peel the bark off by hand.
Northern White Cedar is a much tougher wood to carve, but it is beautiful, straight, and one of the lightest. In a cedar swamp, you can find many dead young cedars that have not begun to rot. Cedar lasts forever, it seems, even when used untreated as fence posts.
Making Your Carved Hiking Stick
What if you don’t know your trees? Find a straight young tree in any area that could use thinning, and cut it. A short saw is the easiest way to cut your stick. Otherwise, you can use your knife, by cutting deeper and deeper in a circle around the tree until you can snap it off. Cut the piece a bit longer than you want your finished hiking stick to be.
How long should it be? A general rule is to have the hiking stick come up to just below your armpit. This is a personal thing though. If you want a fancy seven-foot staff, go for it.
Cut away from yourself, removing all the bark. Narrow down the bottom end, but not to a sharp point. You can leave the top flat, round it off, or even carve a spiral design into it. Use you imagination. Almost any piece of sandpaper can be used to smooth it, and you can apply stain or a poly acrylic finish if you want, or just leave it natural.
If you start with green wood, it is best to let it dry for at least a few weeks. Carving it while green can be easier, but it will often twist or bend then as it dries. You might prevent this by tying it to something straight to dry. Each wood is a little different in how it cuts and drys.
I wrap the bottom end with leather (with a small nail to hold it) to keep the stick from splitting. I also usually put a handgrip on it. This can be a piece of cloth or leather. Glue it on or glue and staple it. You can also drill a hole throught the stick near the top, to add a wrist strap.
Get creative. Use a wood burner to add designs to your hiking stick. Drill a hole in the top and glue a glass ball in it. Mark inches on it, so you can measure with it. Some of my best sellers had pewter animals nailed to them. Experimenting is one of the best parts about making your own carved hiking stick.
MICHEAL
Mar
28
Are You the Next Tiger Woods? Look Into a Pro Golf Career
Filed Under Sports And Fitness | Leave a Comment
Andy West asked:
Mention that you’re looking at a pro golf career, and most people would assume that you fancied yourself in line to become the next Tiger Woods. What many people don’t know is that golf, a $76 billion worldwide industry, offers a vast range of job opportunities covering, at last PGA count, more than 2 million jobs. For those who have a formal education in golf, the potential for a professional career can open many opportunities.
There are more than 18,000 golf courses spread out across the country, and thousands of other businesses that are affiliated with the noble sport. These include manufacturers of equipment, training centers, coaches, event management companies that organize tournaments, retailers, including repairs of equipment. Add to these the huge number of opportunities in hotels and resorts that frequently partner with reputed tournament organizers, and you begin to see the endless opportunity for individuals who have a sound education in the sport.
Here’s just a run down of just some of the ways you can carve out a career for yourself.
Golf professionals are the most visible individuals in the sport. If you have a love for it that extends beyond following a player on the green, and cheering every time he makes the perfect shot, this could be the career for you. The road to becoming a professional player is long and tedious with most sportsmen beginning as assistants and working their way to the top of the game. It goes without saying that a love for the game must be combined with a high magnitude of skill.
Even experienced professionals at the top know that the game isn’t just about caddies and golf carts, but is a business that is run as such. There would be no golf without the well oiled machinery of marketing professionals working furiously behind the scenes to attract customers to the resorts. A basic college education in marketing, and experience organizing high profile events could have you moving into the field of promotion of tournaments.
The game offers plenty of opportunity for a professional job for those with an eye for designing the perfect engineering plan. Golf courses are almost celebrities in their own right, with the most beautifully designed greens attracting the most prestigious tournaments.
There is a reason why those endless expanses of green look the way they do. There is an entire grounds maintenance crew headed by a superintendent, which is responsible for maintaining the landscaping. There is an especially huge demand for people who are trained in eco friendly methods of landscape maintenance.
Like every good business, successful golf resorts are always in need of professional managers to look over operations.
Event management professionals who have an eye for planning corporate events, and marketing gurus who are looking for ways to brand their companies are also hugely in demand in the industry.
Because of the unique nuances of the industry, individuals with a strong education in the sport who not only get the sport, but are also familiar with the various kinds of facilities and other aspects of the business, are much in demand. Persons with an education in the field will find their skills and expertise to be highly in demand in tournament planning companies, travel companies, equipment companies, publishers of literature, golf associations, and a host of other companies that require people who not only have a passion for the game, but also the education to round off that passion.
A professional golf education can familiarize a novice with the various aspects of the sport, and give a more experienced player the business knowledge that he needs to round out his skills. In the past, pro golf careers did not demand a specific education, but these days, with cut throat competition in the field, golf related businesses are beginning to depend on individuals who come to the job with no need for additional training. It only makes sense right?
You don’t have to have a zero handicap to make a pro golf career for yourself, but you can augment your working knowledge of golf with professional education to create a career in the field that is lucrative and satisfying.
ARMAND
Mention that you’re looking at a pro golf career, and most people would assume that you fancied yourself in line to become the next Tiger Woods. What many people don’t know is that golf, a $76 billion worldwide industry, offers a vast range of job opportunities covering, at last PGA count, more than 2 million jobs. For those who have a formal education in golf, the potential for a professional career can open many opportunities.
There are more than 18,000 golf courses spread out across the country, and thousands of other businesses that are affiliated with the noble sport. These include manufacturers of equipment, training centers, coaches, event management companies that organize tournaments, retailers, including repairs of equipment. Add to these the huge number of opportunities in hotels and resorts that frequently partner with reputed tournament organizers, and you begin to see the endless opportunity for individuals who have a sound education in the sport.
Here’s just a run down of just some of the ways you can carve out a career for yourself.
Golf professionals are the most visible individuals in the sport. If you have a love for it that extends beyond following a player on the green, and cheering every time he makes the perfect shot, this could be the career for you. The road to becoming a professional player is long and tedious with most sportsmen beginning as assistants and working their way to the top of the game. It goes without saying that a love for the game must be combined with a high magnitude of skill.
Even experienced professionals at the top know that the game isn’t just about caddies and golf carts, but is a business that is run as such. There would be no golf without the well oiled machinery of marketing professionals working furiously behind the scenes to attract customers to the resorts. A basic college education in marketing, and experience organizing high profile events could have you moving into the field of promotion of tournaments.
The game offers plenty of opportunity for a professional job for those with an eye for designing the perfect engineering plan. Golf courses are almost celebrities in their own right, with the most beautifully designed greens attracting the most prestigious tournaments.
There is a reason why those endless expanses of green look the way they do. There is an entire grounds maintenance crew headed by a superintendent, which is responsible for maintaining the landscaping. There is an especially huge demand for people who are trained in eco friendly methods of landscape maintenance.
Like every good business, successful golf resorts are always in need of professional managers to look over operations.
Event management professionals who have an eye for planning corporate events, and marketing gurus who are looking for ways to brand their companies are also hugely in demand in the industry.
Because of the unique nuances of the industry, individuals with a strong education in the sport who not only get the sport, but are also familiar with the various kinds of facilities and other aspects of the business, are much in demand. Persons with an education in the field will find their skills and expertise to be highly in demand in tournament planning companies, travel companies, equipment companies, publishers of literature, golf associations, and a host of other companies that require people who not only have a passion for the game, but also the education to round off that passion.
A professional golf education can familiarize a novice with the various aspects of the sport, and give a more experienced player the business knowledge that he needs to round out his skills. In the past, pro golf careers did not demand a specific education, but these days, with cut throat competition in the field, golf related businesses are beginning to depend on individuals who come to the job with no need for additional training. It only makes sense right?
You don’t have to have a zero handicap to make a pro golf career for yourself, but you can augment your working knowledge of golf with professional education to create a career in the field that is lucrative and satisfying.
ARMAND