Newspaper Frames
Would I need a certificate of authenticity for someone to buy my autographed item?
I have a newspaper page thats framed and signed by all top 10 American Idols from season 7 (David Cook, David Archuleta, Syesha Mercado, Jason Castro, Brooke White, Carly Smithson, Kristy Lee Cook, Michael Johns, Ramiele Malubay, and Chikezie). To have someone buy it, would I need to get a certificate of authenticity? Or could it be sold without one? Also how much do you think I could make off of something like this?
You don’t have to have a certificate of authenticity for this, but you need to have some kind of proof that it’s a genuine autograph. Pictures of the Idols signing it, or a picture of you with the Idols, something like that. It’s called “provenance”, and will go a long way to building value. At least write down when/where/how you were able to get the autographs, and include that with the sale.
Newspaper Frames
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the stuff in your home, you’re not alone. Here are seven tried and true tips for cutting the clutter and getting your life back.
- Clean out the closets. Most people actually wear only 20% of the clothes they own. That means that 80% of what’s clogging up your closet and dresser is stuff you never wear anyway. Set aside 4 hours one weekend to take everything out of your closet, try it on, and toss anything that doesn’t fit well or flatter you, and stuff you haven’t worn in the last year. The only items that goes back in the closet are the ones you truly like. As for the rest of it, take it to Goodwill or the Salvation Army for a hefty tax deduction. Or if you’ve got anything with a designer label, try putting it up on eBay to recover some of your investment.
- Ditch the dailies. Do you really read that newspaper every day? Reduce your subscription to Sundays only, and just watch that pile of unread papers disappear. Switch to reading online and save a few bucks each week.
- Stop maxing out on magazines. It’s hard to say no to a 4-year subscription when it costs approximately 11 cents, but it’s only a good deal if you’re actually going to read the magazines when they come. Pick one or two mags you really love and cancel the rest. Then, gather up all of your back issues and drop them off at the local hospital. Their patients and visitors will thank you.
- Love your local library. While you’re on a roll with reducing your reading materials, paw through those paperbacks gathering dust on your bookshelf and donate them to your library. You’ll get back your shelf space while helping a chronically underfunded public institution — and bringing home another tax deduction.
- Nix the knickknacks. Think of it this way: The more stuff you have, the more stuff you have to dust. If you don’t like those candlesticks Aunt Maeve gave you, take them to Goodwill. Running out of space for picture frames? Pick just a few favorite photos to leave out, put the rest into albums, and Freecycle the leftover frames. Got a thing for porcelain figurines? Unless you have a nice china closet for them, probably best to pack them up for protection — and to clear some breathing room.
- Master your mail. I know you’re tired at the end of the day, but fight the urge to just drop the mail on the counter and sigh, “I’ll deal with it tomorrow.” That stuff piles up fast, and the bigger the pile, the harder to sit down and deal with it. From now on, as soon as you get through the door, sort the mail into three piles: Trash, Shredder, and Keep. Then, open all of the Keep items and toss the empty envelopes and inserts away with the Trash. When the tottering mound of junk turns into a neat little stack of paper, you’ll feel a lot better about what you find in your mailbox.
- Tame the toys. And don’t think you’re exempt from this one if you don’t have kids. Pet toys, electronics, and personal care products (do you really use those fancy hot rollers enough to leave them on the bathroom counter all the time?) take up a lot of space. Head over to Ikea for a couple of those snazzy woven baskets to stash Fido’s bone. Lose the dozen remote controls and get a universal remote that handles everything. Simplify by either storing, donating, or Freecycling stuff you just don’t use that often.
With a little bit of determination and just a few hours, you can turn your stressed-out space into a peaceful clutter-free zone. Ahh, now doesn’t that feel better?
Kristen King is a Virginia copywriter and consultant, and the editor/publisher of Richmond on the Cheap. For more cheap fun in Virginia, visit Kristen at Richmond OTC.
How to stop newspaper clippings fading?
I recently bought a lot of extracts from newspapers on Weather Report (dates raging from 1969 – 83). I am planning to frame them on a clip board (the front of which being perspex plastic). Is there anything I can do to stop the ink fading, or the clippings bleaching over time? Any ideas?
Many thanks
you can laminate your clippings and they will last till after you are gone
Stopping The Presses For Good
