Kids' shoes and boots on Ebay

(Edited on October 25th) I firmly advise against buying any shoes or boots for a child on Ebay, particularly used ones, so as not to damage the growing bones of the feet. Children's feet grow at different rates, sometimes fast and sometimes slow, and in addition, unlike adults, the bones are not yet actually joined together ("fused") properly. You could severely damage your child's feet by putting them in shoes or boots which you have not actually had fitted by a trained fitter. but even more damaging, is buying shoes or boots which another child has worn in, even if they have only been worn for a few weeks, as the shoes/boots will have moulded to the shape of that child's feet. This is particularly true of leather, suede and especially sheepskin which "gives" very easily. Sheepskin boots are a good choice for children for this exact reason: they can be worn without socks, thus keeping the feet perspiration-free and therefore healthier, and within a short space of time they are worn in, moulded to your child's foot shape and therefore fit "like a glove". If this has already been done, however, by a previous child, it is worse than buying new boots or shoes which you have not had fitted, because the indents made by that child's toes, heels etc. will not match your own child's feet, and this will not only cause discomfort, it can cause your child's toe bones to fuse in a disfigured way, and can also prevent your child from walking comfortably.This may sound odd, but if your child is wearing an ill-fitting shoe or boot, they are going to hold their feet awkwardly to prevent it slipping about, or to prevent it hurting, and this can cause them to develop abnormal walking ; at worst this can affect the spine.Children who are not yet walking alone should never wear shoes or boots with hard soles; for the same reasons outlined just above, it can damage their feet. Children who are learning to walk need to be able to feel the ground properly under their feet, and be bale to balance properly, and they cannot do this if they have a stiff sole under their feet. By stiff, i mean any kind of sole normally found on a shoe, other than very soft leather, sheepskin or cloth. Many types of shoe are available like that; the soft leather or sheepskin ones are ideal for if your child goes out in the garden a lot, as they will protect the feet from small stones and thorns etc., but without the hindering effect of stiffer soles.When you think about it, people have walked with bare feet for millions of years and only in the past few hundred years or so have we worn shoes; this is mainly true in the West with people who live in cities and towns and who walk on hard ground. If you allow your child to play in the garden with bare feet a lot, they will develop tough feet and will be comfortable enough in bare feet. but for walking on pavement, the soft-soled shoes I have suggested are sufficient right up until the child is able to walk and run comfortably.There are a number of listings on Ebay for fashion shoes and boots for kids. Names like Ugg are popular, and it really isn't worth paying through the nose for someone else's child's old boots just so you can see your child with that label on their boots. This may make you feel a sense of satisfaction at allowing your child to have "the best", but in the long run it is not fair on your child. Even if the shoes are unworn, and even if they are the size of your child's current shoes, don't forget that children's feet grow fast, and in the time since your last visit to the shoe shop, your child may have grown as many as 3 half sizes in as many months, since children's growth is in spurts. Even if you have the right size, ther is the width to consider, and the depth. The shoe should fit snugly, but not tightly, around the widest part of the arch of the foot; there should be slight clearance round the toes, because when a child walks the toes spread out (as adults' do too if they are not damaged by years of ill-fitting shoes; it is unusual to see a Western child get to age 18 still with spreading toes). Having said that, there is a common misconception that it is OK to have "plenty of room for growth"; this is only partly true, because although you should allow a small amount of room, it isn't really for the convenience of the parents and their finances, but to make sure that the child has a small amount of room in case of a sudden growth spurt over a few weeks, which the parents may not expect or notice. So, only about 1 to 1.5 cms should be allowed at the smallest toe end, with no more than 1 cm at the big toe, otherwise, the shoes are much longer than the child can allow for and s/he will end up tripping, lierally, over their own feet. Even if you allow for the width, some children have long toes, which means the front of their foot is "shallow" compared with the middle where the arch is. This doesn't matter so much with children whose toes are not so long in relation to the rest of their feet, or children with chubby feet. If a child's foot is shallow at the front, and the shoe is too deep, you get a pronounced crease where the shoe bends when the child walks. this crease can end up causing discomfort, and again cause the child to hold their foot awkwardly as they walk.The best thing you can do for your child is to take them to a shop which has trained fitters, particulalry when they are still toddling, but also if posible right through their childhood, and have them properly fitted for width as well as length. You should take them every couple of months, but in between do check by squeezing the front of the shoe. If you can feel the big toe right at the very front, against the leather, then the shoes are too small. Never allow a child to stay in shoes which have become too smal because they will stop their feet growing properly, as well as rubbing painfully against the skin of the toe.Leave the fashion brand names until they are much bigger. Perhaps you could buy boots like the ugg style ones from somewhere like Celtic Sheepskin, then take your child to the Clark's shop, and say, I think it may be time to buy some new shoes, and have them check to see if the boots (you have just bought!) fit properly. If not, well, they haven't actually worn them so you can return them, no questions, for a refund.Celtic Sheepskin were making THE Ugg trademarked boots first anyway, years ago, named after the generic "ugg" or "ugly" boots worn by the australian surfers in Cornwall. Celtic Sheepskin later sold the trademark and it is now owned by Decker of the USA, who ironically use the name Ugg Australia (because the original style is aussie as is the sheepskin.) The original Ugg trademarked boots are now Celt boots. They also make very beautiful and inexpensive bootees for babies and toddlers, and their children's boots come in the same range of colours and gorgeous style as the adults' ones.Regardless of what people say, no child is yet truly fashion-concious, unless their taste has been moulded by fashion victim parents. Is it fair for children's feet to suffer for the sake of their parents' fashion taste? Children are not just accessory-holders for parents who cannot live without designer clothing.So...to recommend a few types of shoes for kids:For babies and toddlers who can't yet walk PROPERLY: Bobobobs or similar, or corduroy Padders etc. Or, make your own.Buy a sheepskin bootees set to stitch yourself.Soft cloth or leather shoes with soft soles, such as lambskin boottees from Celtic Sheepskin, ONCE THE CHILD CAN WALKFor older infants and children get sheepskin for the winter if you can because they can wear them without socks, and this prevents sweatiness. Even in winter their feet will be really warm, without socks, if they wear real sheepskin boots. they should be snug around the foot but not tight, and there should be some growing room for the toes, but not so much that the child's walking is affected. Not getting sweaty feet means no bacterial or yeast infections such as Athlete's foot, which, yes, kids certainly can get.If you send Celtic Sheepskin a drawn-around foot of your child they can send the right size to be worn without needing socks. At the moment (Autumn 07) the children's boots are all half price if you send for a catalogue and get the code number to quote from the "welcome" letter. This makes them around 20, which is a really good price for a child's winter boot and the best thing of all is: THEY ARE MACHINE WASHABLE For fitted shoes and boots, go to somewhere like Clark's or Charles Clinkard, or any shop which sells a good range of children's shoes which come in a range of fittings. In general, the high street chain stores, even the ones like Marks and Next, only sell shoes in one width. John Lewis however, or any quality department store such as Fenwick, Jenner, Harrods, De Bijenkorff (in holland) have children's shoe departments with trained shoe fitters. Brands to go for are Clarks, Startrite and Elefantenfor tiny feet, once your child is walking properly for a while, then bigger children can go for things like Doc Martin (which at least will last as long as they fit!), Kicker's, Timberland etc. These are not suitable for toddlers as all have thick soles.At home, in the house, your child should go bare-footed as much as possible; no slippers etc. are necessary.If you put foot-shaped shoes on your child's feet they won't end up being shoe-shaped feet.

Solar Power Guide

1. I keep hearing about renewable energy. What is it?Renewable Energy is energy created from resources that cannot be depleted e.g. solar power.Fossil fuels are non-renewable energy since coal or oil will at some point run out.Renewable energy does not produce as many greenhouse gases and other pollutants as fossil fuels.

Renewable energy accounts for about 14% of the world's energy consumption, but the technical potential is large enough to cover many times current and several times projected energy consumption in 2100. Technologies such as solar power are substantially more expensive, although future costs may decline to a fraction of current levels.Source: wikipedia 2. I've heard there are many types of solar power available. What are they?Solar energy can be applied in many ways, including:Generate electricity using photovoltaic solar cells.Generate electricity by heating trapped air which rotates turbines in a Solar updraft tower.Heat buildings, directly, through passive solar design.Heat foodstuffs, through solar ovens.Heat water or air for domestic hot water and space heating needs using solar-thermal panels.Heat and cool air through use of solar chimneys.Source: wikipedia 3. I live in a very cloudy country with a poor amount of sunlight (the UK!). Surely solar power doesn't work?Once again this depends upon the type of solar that is being utilised.If you use sunlight to heat pipes on your roof for hot water for your house, then this process is less dependent on the actual amount of direct sunshine but more on the ambient temperature of the environment.If you are using solar energy to create electricity, then a lack of actual sunlight will affect the amount of energy produced. A cloudy day will definitely produce less electricity than a sunny day.Also, the position or latitude of the part of the UK you live in will make a difference.We all know that Glasgow is colder than Cornwall. This is because of the position of those places on the earth with regard to the sun (see the MET Office website).

In summary the UK receives between 600 and 800 hours of sunshine during the summer months and 100 to 250 during the winter months. Probably more than you would think.If we take the assumption that we get about 1300 hours per year!Based on that very rough estimate, you could say that a standard 65 Watt solar panel would generate 1300 x 65 = 84500 Watts and that's just the sunny days!Electricity generating solar panels will generate electricity based on light and not just sunshine.There are a number of different solar panels manufactured with different tolerances and light wavelength conversion. SunnyTronic recommends Suntech solar panels for best light to electricity conversion in the UK. 4. I want to reduce my electricity bill or "carbon footprint". Does solar power help?Well this is a difficult one.If you use electricity to power your home, then the chances are it is fuelled by coal or oil from the power station. If you have hot water in your house, then you will more than likely use gas to heat the water.Oil, gas and coal are not renewable energy sources and cause carbon dioxide gas (the un-burnt dark smoke) to be put into the atmosphere when they are used to fuel our lives.Solar power, along with other renewable energy sources all help to reduce the amount of carbon released into the air.Of course there are issues with solar power because we must manufacture the solar cells in the first place, which requires energy. That is why we must measure the benefits of solar power for the life of the solar cells (the square blue bits on the solar panels). This solar cell life is usually long enough for the solar cell to produce more renewable energy than the non-renewable energy it took to produce the solar cell in first place. This means you will have helped reduce the carbon output.

As for reducing your electricity bill. It depends upon:- How much electricity you use.- How many daylight hours you get where you live.- How much power your solar panels can output.

Your electricity bill is measured in UNITS. One UNIT is one kWh (kilowatt-hour).One kWh = one Watt of electricity used over one hour.The term watt (symbol: W) is the SI derived unit of power, equal to one joule per second. (source wikipedia).

To calculate any useful savings you need to know how many UNITs you use in one year.In the UK we have an average of 4 hours sunshine every day. We will use this as the basis of our calculations since it is not as much as it would be so we don't give you too much optimism but you should expect a higher output than this.Basically, one 65 Watt solar panel if it worked at optimum performance for 365 days of the year would produce 65 x (365 x 4 (hours sunshine)) = 94900 Watt-hours per year.Therefore 94900 Wh / 1000 = 94.9 kWh or 94.9 UNITs.Based on my current electricity bill average, I pay 8 pence per UNIT. Thus I would save 94.9 x 0.08 = 7.50. This is a very very under estimated value to ensure we don't give you the wrong impression! 5. How do I calculate my electricity usage?Your electricity bill is measured in UNITs.1 UNIT = 1 kilowatt-hour of electricity (kWh).I normally pay about 8p per UNIT on my electricity bill.If I use 800 kWh (or UNITs) it will cost 800 x 0.08 = 64.00I run my computer which uses 100 Watts of electricity (it says so on the bottom of the power supply).If I run my computer for 24 hours a day every day of the year I would pay:

100 Watts x 24 hours x 365 days = 876000 Watt-hours or 876 kWh (876000 / 1000) or 876 UNITs.Thus 876 UNITs x 0.08 = 70.08 ex VAT.

Now you need to do this for real for all your appliances based on the real Wattages and the amount of hours you use them each day and use the real amount you pay per UNIT on your bill. 6. Now I know how much electricity I use, how can I calculate the size or power of the solar panel or device I need?This is your personal preference.How much energy would you like to save? or how much can you afford to spend up-front?Investing in solar power is exactly that. Investing.The only returns you get straight away is that less CO2 is being released because you are using solar.Gradually over time, you will have reduced your energy bill and as the years go by you will at some point have saved more than the cost of the solar panels.Your electricity bill gives you all the information you need to see how much electricity you use over one year. Don't forget that 1 UNIT = 1 kWh of electricity.

If I use 2000 UNITS of electricity in one year, I am using 2000 kWh.So I need to generate 2000 kWh via solar panels if I don't want an electricity bill.This would mean I need 21 x 65 Watt solar panels (see answer to question 4). That's a lot of roof space and about 5,000 to pay for the panels.

As you can see, the amount you need is down to you but it's nice to know you are doing something. 7. But solar power seems so expensive, surely it's a scam?This is because solar panels are expensive to produce.The techniques used require a very specific manufacturing process to ensure that the crystals within the panels are of the best quality.Until this cost is reduced, they will remain expensive.Various companies are experimenting in trying to use new materials or combinations of materials that will produce a more efficient conversion of sun light to electricity.At the moment the most efficient ever produced has been in a science lab. They managed 40% efficiency. This is more than double that of today's existing methods.The more efficient the panels, the smaller the area required and the less material. This will then hopefully make them cheaper to produce. 8. OK so I like the idea of "free" power, what's next?There are various different ways that you can have your solar power.From small devices like our Solar Charger that can provide power for electronic gadgets, to gadgets that actually incorporate their own solar panels.Even something like a solar security light can be saving 100Watts of power.For your home you can have a grid-connected system that feeds any extra electricity you don't use back onto the electricity grid. The electricity company will then give you credits that will reduce your own bill.You could set-up an off-grid system that is connected to an array of large batteries.This will store the electricity which can be used in the evening (when the sun is not shining).Both of these types of systems require careful planning to ensure that you are going to meet your expectations for the system that you want.

Contact us for further information: info @ sunnytronic.co.uk

WARNING FROM MAXIMUSCLE LIMITED

WARNING FROM MAXIMUSCLE REGARDING POSSIBLE FRAUDULENT TRADING ON EBAY

Maximuscle want to warn eBay buyers about a scam involving some Maximuscle goods.

This scam works by the eBay seller setting up an account directly with Maximuscle in the name of the eBay buyer, using false contact details and a false credit card, The goods are then ordered directly from Maximuscle by the eBay seller, through this false account and delivered directly to the eBay buyer. Because these goods are bought with a false credit card, they are not paid for and will need to be returned to Maximuscle.

Goods bought in this way will be accompanied by an original Maximuscle invoice dated in the last few days and will be sent to the buyer directly by Maximuscle. Maximuscle are working closely with the Police and will not hesitate to take legal action against anyone trading in this manner.

If you are concerned about buying Maximuscle goods on eBay or you think that you may have been affected by this scam, please call Maximuscle directly on 09123 650 600, option 1 and ask for the Fraud Team.

TANZANITE

IntroductionDisplaying an aurora of stunning royal blues, violets, indigos, lilacs, periwinkles, and ultramarines, Tanzanite's popularity is well deserved. Demand for Tanzanite has rocketed in recent years, outstripping sales of all other coloured gemstones, with the exception of Sapphire. A thousand times rarer than Diamonds and with a little over a decade of mine life remaining, Tanzanite is the fashion gem of the millennium.Legends

small guide on Toby jugs

Hi I would like to start by saying how much I love collecting Toby jugs. For me walking into a charity or Antique shop and finding a toby sitting proudly on a shelf or hiding away in a box gives me such a Buzz I gess it is the hunt that i really like, Searching for that Toby of your dreams, That Toby that will enhance your collection. How rewarding it is when you get it home and put it next to all the others.

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Now some things to look for when buying Toby jugs a Toby with a ugly warty face, a toby with a pipe in his mouth,a toby with detachable hat,(early Tobys had a hollow cap that completed the hat of the figure)a Toby with overlapping feet to the base. A Toby with decoration to the small jug he is holding, A Toby with buckled shoes,A Toby with a unpainted face.(My first ever Toby jug the snuff Taker 19th century)

Now it is down to you my friend.Trust your own judgementthis is just a small guide. there are hundreds of Tobies

(Picture 1) yorkshire type toby mid 19th century

(Picture 2) hunch back Toby c1900

(Picture 3) Brown salt glace stoneware toby

c1830

(Picture 4) TIT BITS Toby c1917 commissioned by George newnes of the TIT BITS Paper estimated 100 were ever produced. worth investing in if you find one

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(A TIP WHEN STARTING COLLECTING) When you first start out dont spend big money on something you dont really no much about. You coiud end up wasting your money, start small and work your way up. Always go for good condition it will pay of in the future. If a Toby is very rare or 18th centurymake a exception you can expect that for the age. if it is missing a handle or a arm you may waste your money. Here is a ordinary type toby he hasbeen brokenbut he looks amazing in my cabnit with his stunningenamel colours. but he is no investment and he is for display only.

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(NAMESOF TOBYSTO LOOK OUT FOR)

1 The squire 2 John bull 3 The snuff Taker 4 Cross legged Toby

(NAMES OF MAKERS)

john astbury (1688 1743)

Ralph wood I (1715 72)

Whieldon

cliff adkins

Beswick

Burlington ware

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(MATERIELS USED WHEN MAKING TOBY JUGS)

Brass

Glass

plaster (poorly made)

silver

tin

wood

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(FEMALE TOBYIES)martha gunn

gin woman

drunken sal

lady snuff Taker

lady with fan

Early female Tobies were not made as much as the male Toby. so if you find a early one you are on to a winner.

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(CHARACTER JUGS)

To me a character jug is not really a toby jug, I like to call it the little bro of the toby jug.To be a real toby jug you must have the full figure. The most common character jugs were made by beswick and royal doulton and dont fetch as much money as the toby jugs. Here are some royal doulton chareter jugs to take a look at. The small onein the middle iscalled mephistopheles,the lady is calledsairey gamp, and old charley, They are all now out of production. They all have the A stamp to the base thats something to look out for thats as much as i know really on character jugs

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(ADVERTISING TOBIES)

Advertising tobies are getting very sought after, so they can only be a good investment here are some names to lookout for when you are on the hunt

1 Charrington toby jugs

2 Barkes Green lable whiskey

3 Bells whiskey

4 urn toby

here is a example of one of my advertising tobies, i will let you decide if you woiud class it as a real toby this is a skill you will need to develop as a collector.

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(TWENTIETH CENTURY TOBY JUGS)

As we get into the 20th century there seems to be less quality tobies then say the 18th and mid 19th century. Thats not to say that they are bad. they are still highly collectable. The best qualty period for the 20th century tobies was 1920`s 1930`s shorter and son made some lovely tobies and are nice to start a collection, as to burlington tobies.Here is a ordinary toby made by burlington They are common but i like him

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(FAKE TOBIES)

I do not think there is fake tobiesasin trying to confuse and deceive people. There are modern replacers. Here is a reproduction of the standing man note spounge effect on socks. c1980!

Be careful when you are looking for the squire Toby jug, they were made in burslem in the 1970s, they have confused experts and top dealers so be careful !

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(LUSTER TOBIES)

Luster tobies were very popular in the early 19th centery. the most common were

gold ,copper,silver, always look out for the pink luster as it is less commen hear are a few names of the toby and the luster.

cross legged toby gold all over c1850

yorkshire ordinary silver all over (rare jug)

snuff taker silver/copper all over c1860

ordinary toby pink luster coat(rare....very rare)

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(BROWN TREACLE GLACE)

you must go for the early ones when collecting this type of ware. The early ones have different tones in the glace, were as the later ones tend to have the same tone of brown.

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(RARE TOBIES)

i love looking for rare tobies. when i find one to me its like finding the holy grail. Here are some names of some very rare, and just rare un commentobies.

Rodney jug

no base toby

drunken sal

negro slave toby

punch toby

man on barrel

open mouth toby

Here is the less common punch jug. c1840 he is not the punch from punch and judy, but the punch from the newspaper punch,sorry mine has no hand, but we all have are problems .

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(Final message)

Hope you found my guide on tobies a help, ican only wish my love of them gives you the spark to start collecting. They are a fun thing to collect so dont let value spoil it ,They give me so much joy and i hope they do the same for you. Toby jugs have stood the test of time and will have there day to shine i am sure of that, And when they do i want to be a part of it.

Adrian (and the tobies) :)

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The best Mobility Scooter

These scooters are often inordinately expensive new. Why this is so is not clear but there must be some huge mark ups occuring. Or maybe the disabled are fair game. This is all shown in second hand values - a small fraction of the new price.
But beware - second hand scooters may need new and expensive batteries, it is often better to buy new on Ebay. I bought an Altea 4 scooter by Shoprider. It was very inexpensive in relation to RRP. I have used it a lot - it is well engineered, very lightweight so easily stored in even a small car boot, comfortable, and highly practical. It handles hills well, and was a good purchase. Only two minor things are it has no key and the seat does not swivel. The three wheel Altea 3 model is almost the same but a little cheaper. They are all built in Taiwan but to a good standard and cleverly engineered. I think the more general situation with new mobility scooters is similar to a view an NHS nurse once said to me. She said about those supplying the NHS say with a roll of toilet paper. From Tesco that roll may be 50p. - from specialist medical suppliers that same roll of toilet paper but marked "medical supplies" would be 1.30 ......

Lunge: Lungeing,Schooling,Exercising,

Lungeing: Schooling, Exercising,