October 19, 2012

YOUR OFFICIAL GUIDE TO VANCOUVER ISLAND’S MOST AMAZING COLLECTABLES SHOW

Collectables VICTORIA

HOBBIES & CRAFTS

V.I.M.A.C.S. III OCT. 27 & 28, 2012 PEARKES REC CENTRE FIELD HOUSE SEE MAP PAGE 8-9

PROUDLY SPONSORED VICTORIA COLLECTABLES, HOBBIES &BY CRAFTS • October 2012 |

1

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2 | VICTORIA COLLECTABLES, HOBBIES & CRAFTS • October 2012

Welcome to Vancouver Island’s most amazing Collectables Show SATURDAY AND SUNDAY OCT. 27, 28 PEARKES FIELD HOUSE Collectors and hobbyists of all ages are stepping through the doors of Pearkes Recreation Centre into the place of their dreams this weekend.

With dozens of vendors selling everything from coins, watches, comics, toys, books, cameras, dolls, stamps, bottles, miniatures, cards, maps, military paraphernalia, Lego, model kits and more, Vancouver Island’s Most Amazing Collectables Show has something to intrigue all members of the family.

Now in its third year, organizer Michael Tarantino says, the event just keeps getting bigger and better. This year he hopes it will break 200 vendors and tantalize over 2,000 visitors.

VIMACS is partnered for the second year with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Victoria, meaning part of admission Buying & Selling at Competitive Prices All Canada, USA and World coins Gold, Silver and Platinum in any form Medals, Mititaria, Tokens, Banknotes Numismatic Appraisals and Consultations

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will benefit the local charity.

“It seemed like a perfect fit,” said Tarantino. ‘They get weird stuff donated to them every day.”

A lot of that “weird stuff” includes collectables such as china, antiques, toys and comic books, which will be sold at the BBBS tables. The charity is also holding a silent auction, with big ticket items such as a super heroes gift basket (21 action figures from superman classics to Harry Potter); a 28-inch tall, threestorey doll house (decorated and furnished with miniatures); and the complete run of Dr. Strange all 81 issues.

Other items include a signed, authenticated picture of the Big Bang Theory cast, a Duncan Phyte table and chairs, a Madame Alexander Nurse Joanie Doll, and a first edition set ›› Continued on Page 5 of the Watchmen mini series.

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VICTORIA COLLECTABLES, HOBBIES & CRAFTS • October 2012 | 3

Michael Tarentino with his minted coins and tickets to his upcoming show in his AAA Stamp Coin Jewellry Store on Fort Street. Sharon Tiffin/News staff

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›› Continued from Page 3

BBSB is also hosting a concession, which Tarantino describes as “pretty fancy,” especially when compared to typical “hot-dogonly” fare at many collectable shows.

As Tarantino stresses, VIMACS is an event the entire family will enjoy — there are items of interest for men, women, children and teens.

“We’ve really aimed to make it a family event,” he said, adding, “There’s some really cool looking stuff this year.”

A list of vendors indicates that in addition to collectables mentioned above, the show will include items such as foreign paper money, sports cards, antiques, photos, wrestling and sports items, and ephmera — a class of collectables not originally intended to last more than a short time, such as tickets, posters, postcards or labels.

Organizers are also excited about this year’s guests artists. Top of the list for many is Ian Boothby, an award-winning comic book creator, best known as one of the main writers on Simpsons and Futurama comics. He has written more Simpsons comics than any other writer.

Other guests artists include Pia Guerra (Y: The last Man), Keith Pinel (fantasy art), Nevin Arnold (Bombshell Apparel and Honour of the Damned); Ken Steacy (Joe Shuster Awards Hall of Fame comic book creator), Nelson Dewey (everything from illustration and concept art, to animation, diection, photography and writing), Janine Johnson (comics, fantasy illustration and role playing games).

“There are some really cool artists showing up,” said Tarantino.

All the artists will be accessible to everyone, setting up at their own tables, creating artwork, selling originals and signing books, etc.

Summing it all up, Tarantino said, “It’s going to be a great show.”

Tarantino, who runs AAA Stamp Coin Jewellery Inc., says he initially came up with the idea for a collectables show as a means of “giving back to a hobby that given so much” to him.

He found, however, that no single collectable is strong enough on its own to draw the sort of numbers he envisioned.

So he came up with the idea for a “one stop shop” show for everyone.

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Ken Steacy

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VICTORIA TOY SHOW Sunday, October 28, 2012 10am to 4pm • Mary Winspear Centre 2243 Beacon Ave, Sidney, BC Antique and collectible toys for sale and trade. Robots, Dolls, Dinky, Corgi, Matchbox, Action Figures, Trains, Games, Barbies, Wind-ups and tons more! Experts available for evaluation of your items. A lot of fun and lots to see and do. 100+ tables available.

Entry $3 - kids with adult - FREE Info: 250-727-2403 • www.victoriatoyshow.ca VICTORIA COLLECTABLES, HOBBIES & CRAFTS • October 2012 | 5

Fine scale model-building – a lifelong Will Hendriks has been building fine scale models since he was eight years old — hundreds of them, in fact.

Now as vice president of the Victoria Scale Modellers Club, he has a forum to share his passion with some 60 other members also involved in the art of constructing fine scale models.

Fine scale model-building differs from other forms of model-building, he explains, in the importance of accuracy, including historical, which is the “overriding goal.” Builders create everything from Roden Bristol F2B Fighter historically accurate airplanes, to military vehicles, cars and figures.

Members of VSM meet once a month, photography demonstration, which showed members how keeping the business portion short and then getting on with to use lighting et cetera to produce the best photographs the fun. of their work. They also talk about upcoming events — both “It’s a venue for ‘show and tell,’” explains Hendriks. “We locally and beyond — and participate in displays, like the bring stuff out and it gives us an opportunity to compare one held this past summer at Victoria’s aviation museum. notes.”

“It’s a great way to meet in what is otherwise a solitary Meetings also include demos, such as the recently-held hobby,” says Hendriks.

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6 | VICTORIA COLLECTABLES, HOBBIES & CRAFTS • October 2012

Unique & long lasting! The Saanich Fair’s Craft Fair is in its 39th year. There is a variety of high end crafts to lower priced items for children wishing to buy gifts. Amidst the crafters in the Barn are animals on display, food, music and children’s play area. The main hall has two side rooms offering a wide variety of gifts, household items, clothing and home made knitted items, jewelry, metalwork, woodwork, preserves, body stuff, candles, etc - we have it all for you at one convenient location.

Free parking. $2.00 admission. Saanich Fairground 1528 Stelly X Road, Saanichton For more info call Gloria at 250-652-3314

g hobby About 90 per cent of members are men between the ages of 25 and 70, mostly due to the nature of hobby, which takes time and money. Teens and young adults often have neither.

Members of VSM built all types of fine scale models, but Hendriks said the most common are model airplanes, military vehicles (tanks, jeeps), ships and cars. Figures — typically of historical people, soldiers and movie entities, such as Frankenstein — are also popular.

Hendriks, who started building models at age eight and is now 54, says he has created several hundred over the course of his life.

“Defining the ‘most difficult,’ really depends on how much effort you put into,” he says. “Ships are so intricate, with all the riggings, they can be agonizingly difficult — I know, I’ve done them!”

Airplanes can also be tough, depending on the size and detail.

Some fine scale models can take days to build — but others, years. And these, says Hendriks, are “masterpieces.”

Anyone interested in VSM, can look up at the club online at www.vsm.bc.ca

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V.I.M.A.C.S. III – OCT. 27 & 28, 2012 26

25

24

23

22

PEARKES REC CENTRE FIELD HOUSE 20

21

19

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Fire Exits 27

79

55 28

29

135

54

56

78

80

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57

77

81

52

58

76

82

59

104

137

15

101

105

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14

100

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94 71

69

140

141

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70 47

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83

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48 72

68

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91 43

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99

123

122

121

109

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111

33

39

86

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34 38

40

85

63

61

87

Silent 112

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Auction 41 60

88

84

64

89

65

35

115

114

113

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Information

37

Entrance

2

Books

of Victoria and Area

3

4

5

6

7

8

Entrance Charity Partner

SPONSORED BY:

9

Big Brother & Big Sisters of Greater Victoria 1

Staff Cards

Mike Tarentino Nicholas Aleksenko Adrien McBurney Ron Richardson Dawn Partridge-Woods Jim Reid Jamie Netley Jack & Nancy Noble Louis Lamontagne Barry Bunce George Koolery Bruce Wonder Clay Elmquist Dave Shelton John Cheramy

Charity Partner Concession Silent Auction Artist Auction Appraisals Canadianna Club Tables Coins, Stamps Coins, Stamps, Paper Money Comics, Royal Doulton Foreign paper money Home Décor Mantiques Miscellaneous Miscellaneous Miscellaneous Miscellaneous Miscellaneous Miscellaneous Miscellaneous Miscellaneous Stamps and post cards

CATEGORY

NAME

BOOTH #

Artist Artist Artist Artist Artist Book & Stamp Buyer Books and Comics Books and Comics Books, Comics, and LPs Books, paper Books, Paper, Photos, Comics Coins, Sports Cards Comics Comics Comics and Toys Comics, Books Comics, Non-Sports Cards Displays - Stamps and Seals Ephemera Ephemera, Books Ephemera, Records Fantasy Artist Jewellery, Clothing Jewelry, Paper Militaria, Jewellery Military Miscellaneous Miscellaneous Miscellaneous Postcards, Ephemera Postcards, Stamps Postcards, Toys Smalls, Ephemera Sports Cards Sports Cards, Emphera Sports Cards, Toys Stamps Stamps and post cards Stamps and post cards Stamps, Books Wrestling & Sports Items

Nelson Dewey Janine Johnston Ken Stacey Pia Guerra Ian Boothby Michael Nels Myrhoj Hugh Carter Dave Hutchcroft Alwen Rambo Marcus Pollard Al Stonehouse Glenn Jack Chad Stewart Paul Delima Gary Louis Al Coccola Al Wisely Rick Coleman Cathy Sorensen Rein Stamm Keith Pinel Sarah Rempel Kjell Johansen David & Olivia Banks Casey & Teina Walker Sue Hansen Mavis Heerwagen Josie & Woody Wellwood Michael Rice Val Bryon Croakman Roger Porter Bill Rice David Blake Mark Peters Firmin Wyndels Robin & Ian Mowat Bill Foot Alex Apouchtine Verne Siebert

58 117 118 - 119 140 141 107 (Sat Only) 4-6 72 (Sat Only) 10 - 12 96 91 57 76, 82, 83 90, 98, 99 7-9 120 - 121 116, 122, 123 21 - 22 94, 95 92 60 - 65 112 59 35 - 37 78 - 79 103 (Sat Only) 72 (Sun Only) 77 105 (Sat Only) 129 - 131 106 (Sat Only) 100, 101 (Sat Only) 137 - 139 108 70 - 71 29 125 - 127 13 17 - 18 53 132

Nevin Arnold Ginger Reid

127

96

92

31

CATEGORY

1, 2, 3 20 84 - 89 167 113 - 114 27 - 28 42 - 51 115 40 66, 74, 75 48 104 (Sat Only) 25 - 26 30 - 31 32 - 33 34 38 - 39 41 43 49 50 14 - 15

128

131

30

BOOTH#

Big Brothers/Big Sisters Big Brothers/Big Sisters Big Brothers/Big Sisters Hangman Comics Kilshaw’s Auction Ginger’s Antiques Victoria Numastic Society AAA Coin and Stamp Victoria Numastic Society Maybelles Generations Columbia Notes Above the House Home Accents On Line Auctions Victoria Victoria Numastic Society Victoria Numastic Society Victoria Numastic Society Victoria Numastic Society Victoria Numastic Society Victoria Numastic Society Victoria Numastic Society Victoria Numastic Society Victoria Numastic Society

95 124

44

BUSINESS NAME

Comics

Coins

Miscellaneous

Toys

Stamps & Post Cards

Mixed Paper Watches & Jewellery

* Map updated October 5. Subject to change.

8 | VICTORIA COLLECTABLES, HOBBIES & CRAFTS • October 2012

VICTORIA COLLECTABLES, HOBBIES & CRAFTS • October 2012 | 9

V.I.M.A.C.S. III – OCT. 27 & 28, 2012 26

25

24

23

22

PEARKES REC CENTRE FIELD HOUSE 20

21

19

18

17

16

Fire Exits 27

79

55 28

29

135

54

56

78

80

53

57

77

81

52

58

76

82

59

104

137

15

101

105

138

14

100

106

139 13

125

94 71

69

140

141

107

70 47

45

102

83

46

136

126

93

48 72

68

130

12

129

11

91 43

49

67

93

42

50

66

74

97

118

119 10

32

98

90

75

51

120

116

99

123

122

121

109

110

111

33

39

86

62

34 38

40

85

63

61

87

Silent 112

108

Auction 41 60

88

84

64

89

65

35

115

114

113

36

Information

37

Entrance

2

Books

of Victoria and Area

3

4

5

6

7

8

Entrance Charity Partner

SPONSORED BY:

9

Big Brother & Big Sisters of Greater Victoria 1

Staff Cards

Mike Tarentino Nicholas Aleksenko Adrien McBurney Ron Richardson Dawn Partridge-Woods Jim Reid Jamie Netley Jack & Nancy Noble Louis Lamontagne Barry Bunce George Koolery Bruce Wonder Clay Elmquist Dave Shelton John Cheramy

Charity Partner Concession Silent Auction Artist Auction Appraisals Canadianna Club Tables Coins, Stamps Coins, Stamps, Paper Money Comics, Royal Doulton Foreign paper money Home Décor Mantiques Miscellaneous Miscellaneous Miscellaneous Miscellaneous Miscellaneous Miscellaneous Miscellaneous Miscellaneous Stamps and post cards

CATEGORY

NAME

BOOTH #

Artist Artist Artist Artist Artist Book & Stamp Buyer Books and Comics Books and Comics Books, Comics, and LPs Books, paper Books, Paper, Photos, Comics Coins, Sports Cards Comics Comics Comics and Toys Comics, Books Comics, Non-Sports Cards Displays - Stamps and Seals Ephemera Ephemera, Books Ephemera, Records Fantasy Artist Jewellery, Clothing Jewelry, Paper Militaria, Jewellery Military Miscellaneous Miscellaneous Miscellaneous Postcards, Ephemera Postcards, Stamps Postcards, Toys Smalls, Ephemera Sports Cards Sports Cards, Emphera Sports Cards, Toys Stamps Stamps and post cards Stamps and post cards Stamps, Books Wrestling & Sports Items

Nelson Dewey Janine Johnston Ken Stacey Pia Guerra Ian Boothby Michael Nels Myrhoj Hugh Carter Dave Hutchcroft Alwen Rambo Marcus Pollard Al Stonehouse Glenn Jack Chad Stewart Paul Delima Gary Louis Al Coccola Al Wisely Rick Coleman Cathy Sorensen Rein Stamm Keith Pinel Sarah Rempel Kjell Johansen David & Olivia Banks Casey & Teina Walker Sue Hansen Mavis Heerwagen Josie & Woody Wellwood Michael Rice Val Bryon Croakman Roger Porter Bill Rice David Blake Mark Peters Firmin Wyndels Robin & Ian Mowat Bill Foot Alex Apouchtine Verne Siebert

58 117 118 - 119 140 141 107 (Sat Only) 4-6 72 (Sat Only) 10 - 12 96 91 57 76, 82, 83 90, 98, 99 7-9 120 - 121 116, 122, 123 21 - 22 94, 95 92 60 - 65 112 59 35 - 37 78 - 79 103 (Sat Only) 72 (Sun Only) 77 105 (Sat Only) 129 - 131 106 (Sat Only) 100, 101 (Sat Only) 137 - 139 108 70 - 71 29 125 - 127 13 17 - 18 53 132

Nevin Arnold Ginger Reid

127

96

92

31

CATEGORY

1, 2, 3 20 84 - 89 167 113 - 114 27 - 28 42 - 51 115 40 66, 74, 75 48 104 (Sat Only) 25 - 26 30 - 31 32 - 33 34 38 - 39 41 43 49 50 14 - 15

128

131

30

BOOTH#

Big Brothers/Big Sisters Big Brothers/Big Sisters Big Brothers/Big Sisters Hangman Comics Kilshaw’s Auction Ginger’s Antiques Victoria Numastic Society AAA Coin and Stamp Victoria Numastic Society Maybelles Generations Columbia Notes Above the House Home Accents On Line Auctions Victoria Victoria Numastic Society Victoria Numastic Society Victoria Numastic Society Victoria Numastic Society Victoria Numastic Society Victoria Numastic Society Victoria Numastic Society Victoria Numastic Society Victoria Numastic Society

95 124

44

BUSINESS NAME

Comics

Coins

Miscellaneous

Toys

Stamps & Post Cards

Mixed Paper Watches & Jewellery

* Map updated October 5. Subject to change.

8 | VICTORIA COLLECTABLES, HOBBIES & CRAFTS • October 2012

VICTORIA COLLECTABLES, HOBBIES & CRAFTS • October 2012 | 9

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• The hobby of collecting includes seeking, locating, acquiring, organizing, cataloging, displaying, storing, and maintaining whatever items are of interest to the individual collector. Some collectors are generalists, accumulating merchandise, or stamps from all countries of the world.

Others focus on a subtopic within their area of interest, perhaps 19th century postage stamps, milk bottle labels from Sussex, or Mongolian harnesses and tack.

• The items collectors collect may be antique, or simply collectable. Antiques are collectable items at least 100 years old; collectables are less than antique, and may even be new. Collectors and dealers may use the word vintage to describe older collectables. Most collectables are manmade commercial items, but some private collectors collect natural objects such as birds’ eggs, butterflies, rocks, and seashells.

• Collecting is a practice with a very old cultural history.

The Egyptian Ptolemaic dynasty collected books from all over the known world at the Library of Alexandria. The Medici family, in Renaissance Florence, made the first effort to collect art by private patronage • The collecting hobby is a modern descendant of the “cabinet of curiosities” which was common among scholars with the means and opportunities to acquire unusual items from the 16th century onwards.

• Some novice collectors start purchasing items that appeal to them, and then slowly work at acquiring knowledge about how to build a collection. Others (more cautious or studious types) want to develop some background in the field before starting to buy items.

• Many collectors enjoy making a plan for their collections, combining education, stimulation and experimentation to develop a personal collecting style; and even those who reject the notion of “planned collecting” can refine their “selection skills” with some background information on the methods of collecting.

BIZZARE COLLECTIONS Collections can be as varied as the people acquiring them, but a quick search of the Internet, indicates some collections are impressive . . . and many are just plain bizzare: • Navel fluff (or bellybutton lint): Graham Barker, who has been collecting navel fluff since 1984, now has the world’s largest collection, according to the Guiness World Book of Records. www.feargod.net/fluff.html • Asphalt: Scott Gordon and Marie Vans founded the Asphalt Museum in Sacramento, California in 1991. It apparently contains samples from both famous and unknown roads, plus a recipe on how to make your own asphalt. http://ecs.csus.edu/~gordonvs/asphalt/asphalt.html • Fish posters: poster collections may not be unusual, but Bob Toelle only collects posters about fish. According to his website, he has more than 755 of them. www. fishposters.com/index.html • Chocolate wrappers: Martin Mihal began collecting chocolate wrappers from around the world when he was nine, in 1989. He reached 1,000 in 1997, and had over 40,000 by 2006. www.chocolatewrappers.info • Toothpaste: In 2002, Dr. Val Kolpakov began collecting toothpaste from around the world. Currently he has about

1,800 tubes of toothpaste and toothpowder. www.toothpasteworld.com/about.php • Napkins: Helena Vnouckova has over 16,000 napkins from around the world. http://napkins.czi.cz/ • Banana labels: Becky Martz collects banana labels (she has over 12,000 of them) and is now branching out to collect broccoli and asparagus labels as well. http://www. beckymartz.com • Lottery Scratch cards: As a collector of scratch cards, Victor Taylor called himself a “lotologist.” His collection, which sold in 2008, could have been worth millions, but he wouldn’t have known, because the cards were never scratched. http://homepage.ntlworld.com/victaylor/ ScratchIndex.html • Sugar Packets: Phil Miller has been a collector of sugar packets and sugar cube wrappers since 1978.

The collection features US presidents, places and hotel sugar packets from all around the world. http://the. millerfamily.name/sugar/

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A PASSION FOR KNITTING

BY SUSAN LUNDY Regretfully, I turned down the life of a knitter in 30 seconds.

My mother — a knitter like her mother — offered to show me the ropes (er, wool) when I was in my teens. I made one attempt to bend the needles in an impossible rotation and decided, “I can’t knit.”

From that time on, knitters appeared everywhere in my life. Knitting needles flew through the air at the fingertips of my mother and grandmother, producing everything from socks to sweaters. Fellow soccer moms sat on the sidelines, knitting. Knitters found their way to school board meetings, even pubs. One-by-one my daughters learned to knit; even my ex-husband could knit.

Now I discover Victoria has a knitters club called Bitchy Bees and the members have beer nights! I want to be a Bitchy Bee. As it turns out, Victoria is home to hundreds of knitters and lots of different groups that meet (and knit) regularly.

Here’s three of them: • Bitchy Bees: “We invade the serenity of the Cornerstone Cafe on Tuesdays and Serious Coffee on Fridays. We love knitting almost as much as we love being obnoxious!

Come sit, stitch, socialize and swap stories and ideas with us. It’s as simple as that, nothing pretentious at all. We are a boisterous and passionate group of knitters, and despite the name, we’re really nice. Women and men, beginners

and experts, bohemians and professionals, young and old, knitters, crocheters and other textile crafters — all are welcome!”

Bitchy Bees’ “pub knit night” occurs twice a months and dates, times and places of all their activities can be found at http:// bitchybees.livejournal.com or at ravelry.com (an online knit and crochet community).

• YYJ Stitchers: “Originally a group of knitters who ran into each other at Tweetups (twitter meetups), we started knitting at conferences, meetings, camps, coffee shops . . . .Our group welcomes anyone with an interest in yarny things — be it knitting, crochet, needlepoint, spinning . . .or even to learn from one of us!”

The group meets on the last Thursday of each month at Cabin 12 restaurant. More about the group can be found online at www.meetup.com/yyjstitchers/.

• Victoria Knitters’ Guild: Members come with a range of experience and knitting styles and even have a message for non-knitters: “Come along to a meeting as we are a really friendly bunch willing to show you how!”

Meetings are held once a week on Wednesday mornings, and the benefits to belonging to the club are: education, networking, events, newsletter, yarn exchange, help with projects; field trips, discounts on yarn and the “congenial company of other knitters.”

More information can be found at victoriaknittersguild. blogspot.ca.

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Hobbies on the unique side

MEETUPS

Looking for ways to meet fellow hobbyists in Victoria?

Grab your computer and check out Victoria’s Meetup site at http://friends.meetup.com/cities/ca/bc/victoria.

Meetup is the world’s largest network of local groups: more than 9,000 groups get together in local communities each day via this site. Just log-in to the Victoria page, check out the different offerings, and click to get to the sites of groups that interest you.

Here’s a sampling of various hobbyists already gathering via Meetup in Victoria, and what they have to say about themselves: • Meetup art group of Victoria BC: “For artists, craftpersons, inventors, or simply art appreciators and learners. Casual meetups to paint together, draw, knit, craft, talk art, visit galleries, share portfolios, learn from others, etc!”

• Dog walking social group: “This group is for people, age 24-40, who have a dog or like to be around dogs and who like to go to parks or for long walks with furry friends.”

• Reading in Victoria book club: “If you are interested in reading new books, discovering new genres, meeting new friends and chatting over drinks then please join us — membership is open and we’re always glad to get new members.”

• The Victoria Photography Meetup Group: “We are a group of people from all walks of life who share a passion for the art of photography. We wish to share our knowledge, learn together and in the process make friends, have fun, and help each other realize our creative potential. All levels of experience welcome!”

• MEC Victoria Road Ride Cycling Meetup: “Weekly road ride for cyclists looking to learn about group riding and to meet other friendly roadies. We meet and finish at Mountain Equipment Co-op in Victoria. Rides will be around 1.5 - 2 hours long, at an easy to decent pace.”

• YYJ Stitchers: mentioned elsewhere in this magazine.

• Victoria Nature Walks for Couples: “We would like to meet other couples who enjoy exploring Victoria’s wilderness parks, lakes and coastline. We enjoy about one hour to an hour and a half easy to moderate grade walks. Please join us if you enjoy the same types of walks.”

14 | VICTORIA COLLECTABLES, HOBBIES & CRAFTS • October 2012

Many would agree with author Phyllis McGinley, when she says, “A hobby a day keeps the doldrums away.” And while any hobby fits the bill of making life more interesting, it’s unlikely she had any of the following hobbies in mind.

Here’s a look at some of weird hobbies found online: • Playing dead: Chuck Lamb likes to play dead. He also takes photos and videos of himself playing dead and posts them on his website, which now has over 50 million hits. www.deadbodyguy.com/ • Appearing on television: London’s Paul Yarrow has a hobby that made him somewhat famous: he likes to appear on television. He has appeared in the background of live news reports on BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Sky News at random locations and at random times. knowyourmeme.com/memes/paul-yarrow • Making dogs look like other animals: A growing hobby in China involves trimming and dying dogs’ hair so they look like different animals. It’s not unusual for owners to take their dogs to grooming parlours where they are transformed to look like tigers or panda bears . www. dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1284646/Meet-Tiger-DogChinese-owners-dye-pets-look-like-wild-animals.html • More than just knitting: Audrey Horncastle knits woolen breasts. In three years, she knitted more than 100 breasts, which she gave to her daughter, a community nurse, to help teach new mothers how to breastfeed.

• Growing trees into shapes: Peter Cook and Becky Northey of Queensland, Australia have a hobby they call “Pooktre Art.” They take trees and grow them into shapes: chairs, tables, human figures. http://pooktre.com • Tape art: This hobby, started a few years ago, is quite popular now. It involves pulling out all the magnetic tape from inside a musical cassette tape and using it to create the artist. www.wherecoolthingshappen.com/cassettetape-art • Extreme ironing: People find weird or unusual ways to set up their ironing board, do so and then iron their clothes. According to the website toptenz.com, “extreme ironers are not entirely serious about their hobby: it’s as much about exploration, hiking, climbing — and other physical activities normal people get a hobby to avoid — as it is about actually pressing a shirt. Even so, they did have a world championship . . . .”

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