#i know sand found them at thrift stores but the prices??? this is too much. i agree with ray ahaha

[pamouche]

Sand and his iconic t-shirts

Guns N’Roses

The Who

Wild breed

The Wet Bandits Wanted

No doubt

You suck

Pink Floyd

The Rolling Stones

Peter Frampton

Kiss

[witchyphlossy]

Budget and Broom-Closeted Altar Ideas

So, as someone who is partially broom-closeted, and very much on a budget, let me share some tips I’ve learned with you. It’s sort of long, but I may come back and add more stuff to the list later. :)

1: Candles

White can be substituted for any color candle. Tea candles are super cheap and you can find them almost anywhere, and places like Walmart and the dollar store usually carry tea candles on various colors. My grocery store also carries white wax “emergency candles,” that have a long ass burn life. They’re more pricey but you have a logical reason to buy them (power outages) and you won’t have to buy them as often. Also, birthday candles can be used in a pinch as well. I especially like them for spells that require the candle to burn out entirely (I’m impatient), or for travel altars. You can also purchase candle making kits and claim you’ve developed a new hobby. Candle holders are super abundant at local thrift shops as well.

2: Incense

Not only does the dollar store typically carry some cheap incense and holders, but I noticed last night that my grocery store also carries incense and holders in their floral area! Also, in a pinch, a bowl or candle holder of pebbles or sand works really well for holding incense safely. If incense is too hard to explain, try scented candles, wax warmers, or oil diffusers. They’re all more expensive, but reasonably easy to explain. Also, something to think about: incense can also be found in gift sets with the holder, and sometimes boxes of incense (especially cone) will come with a holder. My box of Nag Champa cones came with a censor.

3: Crystals

So, this one really isn’t all that cheap or easily hidden to be honest (unless you buy a lot from Amazon). There’s some sellers on Amazon that sell bulk gemstone or crystal kits by the pound (either raw or tumbled), generally for less than $30 including shipping. It’s going to be a grab bag and you’re not going to be 100% sure what you’re getting, but it’s affordable as hell compared to buying crystals individually, and they work just as well. I managed to pass mine off as “just decoration,” by throwing them in a decorative glas bowl on my desk shelf. You can also explain having them by developing a new interest in jewelry making or geology, or by possibly putting them in the bottom of a vase of fake flowers. Bonus of keeping them in a bowl? Excellent impromptu incense holder!

4: Bowls, chalices, etc.

Again, this one can be sort of hard to explain. “Why do you have one wine glass?” “Real” chalices are fucking expensive (like I paid $16 for mine from a pagan website). The best place to purchase affordable glassware new is the dollar store. They also sometimes offer china/stoneware (like mugs, plates, etc) too, and usually in a variety of colors. Another place to look is local thrift stores. Frequently mismatched sets of things will be sold (like 5 wine glasses, or pairs). You can purchase the mismatched set and simply use four out of the five, or two out of three etc for kitchen ware, and the odd man out can become your chalice. The same goes for bowls. Single teacups are sold pretty often at thrift stores, and some of them are gorgeous. They can easily be used as offering bowls or chalices. Improvisation is one of the biggest gifts a witch can practice!

5: Bells.

Like chalices, bells can be pricey as hell. Thrift stores tend to carry decorative bells made of glass or porcelain, but..... breakage. Like those sorts of bells aren’t meant for daily ringing, if they’re meant to ring at all. I present to you an alternative: jingle bells. You can ge them extremely cheaply at craft stores, during Christmas in the form of ornaments, and my dollar store carries a children’s toy that’s essentially a Velcro band with jingle bells on it to be worn on the wrist. My first improv Bell was just a bunch of jingle bells wired together around a stick, like a handle. My current travel bell is just a Christmas jingle bell ornament on a ribbon loop. They make a gorgeous tinkling sound, and personally I find them more pleasing to the ear than “real” bells. I also have a friend who uses a triangle (like the instrument) rather than a bell, and I’ve heard of people using xylophones (like childrens toys), whistles, recorders/flutes, or wind chimes.

6: Cauldrons

Again, cauldrons are fucking expensive. Imo, you can’t beat a good cast iron cauldron with a lid. Unless you’re looking specifically for something small, a cast iron bean pot/dutch oven is the way to go. I found mine for $11 on Amazon, and it had prime shipping. Free shipping is great because cast iron is fucking expensive.

7: Color Magick

I can not recommend dyed hemp, yarn, ribbon, and embroidery floss enough. They’re reasonably priced (especially the floss), and so easy to find. I also keep a sewing kit with my travel altar for the thread and pins and such. Also, shop around your local thrift shops. Frequently you can find boxes of “sewing notions,” with thread and yarn and ribbon and such. I also use glass beads for color magick, and I’ve found some stuff like water buffalo teeth and gemstone and shell beads too. I’ve even found coral beads!

8: Herbs

You know what works just as well for magick as those herb packets you buy from pagan shops? Herbs from the grocery store. Not only do almost all stores carry an awesome selection of cooking herbs, but some carry more exotic spices in their international departments. I’ve also found some stuff in the tea aisle, like premixed herbs in herbal tea, straight chamomile, peppermint, etc. For travel altars or discreet storage, I purchased “pill towers,” which are essentially little plastic jars that screw together in a tower that are meant for medications. I bought mine at Walmart, but grocery stores usually also carry pill boxes and such.

[curious-minx]

Lost Treasures

Short story based around the recently shut down Fletcher, NC thrift store called Lost Treasures. 

Memorabilia store owner Trent Darcy is heaving himself ontop of his store’s rooftop all while carrying his plastic tortoise shell strapped to his back. Upon reaching the roof Trent begins lolling towards his store sign Lost Treasures snuggling up inside of the Old English script letter O, which for a man of Trent’s capacity proved a valiant challenge. Down below, a clearly plagiarized mascot from the Nintendo corporation appears  stenciled across the store’s feeble shopping display. This spritely maintenance man with a goatee and Medterrenan swarthiness  is  waving out while holding a large gold Button behind his back like a smoking gun. His eyes crossed out and replaced with large crude Xs. The city of Hendo pleaded with the memorabilia store owner that his store could be left empty wearing a graceful expanding sticker declaring Foreclosure, For Sale! A man wearing a typical outfit most associated with the death of the working class American’s ambitions, a full khaki suit and denim jacket,  is shouting through his cupped hands heavenwards,  his man is a walking ambonation declares Trent with all of his might, which considering the strains of his orthopedic shell his declarations are only audible to Trent’s own inner ear. Trent begins pacing.

“Mr. Trent Darcy, I beg of you to please come down! I am here on the behalf of te town of Hendo to let you know that you are well within your rights to resist this demolition.  A full on demolition crew is pricey business. I get that. Once they start demolishing your former building they are then likely to spread their bulldozing onwards and outwards  towards just anywhere. They are insatiable and unreasonable degenerates, but at least they’re not the government.. Put that samurai sword down Trent. You’re making me nervous!” as soon as  the khaki denim man mentions his nerves, Marfa Poonce wirls her rifle around and  fires off several rounds, all shots missing around Trent.

Officer Poonce wipes her gun down with an offensive cloth and keeps staring down up at Trent as she says as loudly as anyone would call across a cubicle,“I’m gonna go get me some okra fried donuts do you want anything?” Trent hears each word crystal clear.

“No Marfa! Get the fuck out of here you dirty rotten cop!” spittles the demolition Crew representative, a sinewy and scarred body wearing black out goggles with a tube running from his nose to a device inside his pocket. The rest of his clothes are the same color as his flesh, a gray and chalky. He sizes up the billowing armored cop wielding fetid destruction in all of her puffy and padded horror. Marfa Poonce turns her body camera off and scratches at her badge. She  evaporates into a bile and donut soaked pit of charred organs, billowing around the shopping center, the sound of one thunderhead clapping.

“You understand that I won’t back down. I’m putting the sword away it’s way too sentimental of a sword to be used against a  nobody like you. Now me, my enfeebled struggling botanist wife, and our clefted son are going to be gathered right here. Not inside this lettering but somewhere else nice inside the store, and then you’re going to demolish my store and only then” Trent waddles down from the rooftop and pokes inside the emptied out Lost Treasures, a lone copy of a VHS of that one movie that emotionally scarred you in your childhood that is different for everybody remains in a dust covered box. The demolition representative follows Trent inside, clicking on his head lamp calculating every movement to avoid accumulation of as much of the stench of failed capitalism as possible. The demolition representative  had to go home to his partner who said they could smell him before he’s even thinking about turning into the driveway. He will have to sleep in the underground isolation chamber and constantly hose himself off for hours, steam, rinse, eco-bleach, and then maybe even inject hair dye.

“This is ridiculous. Me and the wrecking crew can’t come swinging blaze a glory while you and your whole brood sit and munching on pocky sticks.”

“Then you’ll construct us an opera  box or some sort of observation deck  in which me and my brood can sit and watch the demolition safely and out of harms way. This is not a negotiation.” Trent begins the slow and careful descent into his car, shaped and designed after an electrical rodent that he always admired since birth but refused to say the name of the creature. The name held too much weight in Trent’s mouth.

“The demolition team build a structure?” The demolition expert is banging on the roof of Trent’s Pickachu car. The Pickachu car alarm begins off which is a recreation of the actual soundbite  of the electrical rat being hit with a rock type attack. Trent heaves himself out of the car, holding back the tears being produced from the shredding and the shocking of his muscles. The demolition representative immediately backs off of the vehicle and leans up against the storefront glass he turns around and then shouts, “Hey isn’t that a copy of Gremlins 3: Rude Awakenings? Christ alive that movie scared the shit out of me! My ma and pa got into so many fights over trying to remember who was the one to blame for exposing me to this curious nightmare. Looks like it's in pretty good condition. Can-can-I have it?” The demolition representative before spitting out the request was already tucking it away in his rubber flesh colored suit.

“Do we have a deal?” Trent scowls and turns his tough guy Doosan Bears baseball cap around and lets the folds of his face meld into one sour pucker.

“Sure sure sure, now get out of here! I will personally see to making sure that You’ll have your safety box,but I can’t say for sure it will be able to fit you and what is sure to be your beastly family. That said the Demolition Experts of Hendo are bonded to their word.” The demolition representative pushes Trent out of the store and locks him out. Trent stumbles backwards and catches himself  his flip flops sticking to the pavement releasing a squelching hiss with every heavy step taken back into his Pickachu car and then drives across the street to an opposite parking lot for a different shopping center and gets into his  actual vehicle of choice the Nerd Van. All of the action figures from franchises big and small,  bobble heads, hula hoopers, and even one Black Buddha all precariously cluttered in salute on his dashboard were shaking with anticipation for his return. Trent tried his best to ignore his icon gang whose only crime was thinking the world of him.

Trent drives the eight miles back to his unspectacular open faced neighborhood comprised with rambling shacks, mcmansions, anonymous trailer parlors and Trent’s squat one story home. The yard, much to the annoyance of his neighbors, was utterly barren rough silty clay and sand except for one proud purple cactus that towered above the Trent residence sharing a blooming bushel’s worth of shade.

Inside the house was devoid of Trent’s wife Delia and son Agnus “The Flex” were nowhere to be seen. Trent flings his shoes off his feet without bending down and collapses into his easy chair. Before allowing himself the grace of a hard earned slumber he made sure to program an alarm on his phone in the morning. He knew he wouldn’t need the alarm because Delia would wake him up anway tending to her screaming mottled plants in the master bathroom she turned into a greenhouse. Agnus would be sizzling up some kind of different egg, he made sure to have a different type of egg for every day of the week, Trent kept getting mysterious charges for parrot eggs and want to bruise Agnus’ ego black and rude, but he always managed to dodge Trent’s questioning. Sometimes he would just stuff money in Flint’s cup of chalky morning Jose.

Trent woke up to his phone’s alarm feebly wheezing as if the phone was mocking Trent’s condition. Trent plugs the phone in and blearily searches the house  for Delia and Agnus who remain elusive. They probably beat him there. Knowing how much they wanted to see all of his hopes and dreams get flattened out was the kind of bonding time each was hoping was going to fix all of their internal familial strife. How much longer was Agnus planning on sticking around? Will his mid life crisis be moving out of his parents house? Trent hoped not  and then he found himself openly weeping, calling out for Agnus and Delia resigning to their absent responses and getting himself dressed and ready for the big day. A triple XL tuxedo print t shirt and respectable camouflage khaki trousers with a lot of zippers and pockets, all mostly functioning. He puts on a pair of black dress socks and slips them into his black flip flops and goes outside and sighs at the sight of the Nerd Van missing. He reaches into his apps and summons up a ride share. The ride should only cost $5.99 plus a tip depending on the smell of the car. Trent was willing to pay any price for demolition day.

A ragtag ragoo racer pulls up the driver, a gaunt Mexican woman that looks like a stren vampiric  boarding school teacher in a telenovela with a touch of calibrated goth. Her pouting lips said “hop in and let’s ride,” but her smoky eyes said, “but you’ll not leave the same person.” Fine by Trent who sloshed himself into the back of her sleek and shiny new car that smelled like a Tuscan Leather gimp’s kiss. Trent begins calculating an exorbitant tip.

“You know you can ride in front if you like. Especially if you’re all beat up.” the driver says in a clear and distant voice, a gossamer transmission. How could someone with such striking features, whose expressive face takes up your eyeballs’ entire attention, could have such a feeble and creaky voice/ Trent remains silent and tries to stare out the window covered in pyramid stickers. She manages to get Trent to Lost Treasure in five less minutes than it takes Trent to drive. He wishes he could just get one good glimpse outside to figure out what her route looked like. Four stars, and he tips her five dollars. The powder iceberg blue bullet of a car peels out of the shopping center and drives up into the opposing side of traffic, thankfully there are no oncoming cars and disappears from view.

“Watchu you looking at Trent?” asks Agnus who is wearing a domed helmet and heavy goggles that make his eyes look depthless.

“I think the lady who drove me here may be some kind of famous person. I missed you this morning, and last night too. Where were you and mama bear?” Trent says as he begins the ascent up into the observatory box suspended from a crane. Trent and Agnus squeeze inside the box gasping with air with Delia. Agnus is desperately trying to avoid touching either of his parents by closing his eyes and shaking back and forth.

Lost Treasures is torn down, each pillar and column displaced into rubble, the ceiling scrapped and dismantled, glass raining down in sheets, the whole enterprise is now a dust cloud and debris. The demolition crew makes sure to go about the whole process as solemnly as possible. Turns out having spectators made the whole crew uneasy and where they normally would have triumphed and gone ahead and committed acts of inevitable far reaching destruction on other doomed businesses. The exposed wall of the connecting empty for sale building was covered up with a thick fresh wall of concrete and the demolition crew slinked away without even destroying the observation box. Trent tries calling out  “You’re forgetting  the platinum rule of demolition: Make some smash em’ up fun!”  the demolition representative shrugs and silently responds that they would come back for it some other time. With no one to operate the crane Flint, Agnus and Delia were left stranded and suspended, or they would have been if not for Delia being wise enough to bring along her pocket ivy tucked in her bra. Delia produces thick and stable roping strands of ivy that provide the trapped family with a means of returning to soil.

[oldnintendonerd]

Pickup Post #11 - Slim Pickins

It is officially that time of year. Off season.

Ugh.

Locked in to nothing but thrifting to find anything. Not necessarily a bad thing, the browsing can be done in a nice heated store, you’re out of the weather. But it does come with it’s limitations, you are sure to never come away with any real amazing deals. The chances of finding that giant box of goodies that says “$10 - Whole box” on it is zero, because it’s a retail location. You find a stack of 10 games you want, you are paying $2.99 times 10 plus tax. Granted the odds of finding a stack that big at one time that you like is also pretty close to nil. But, you can still find some stuff at thrift stores if you happen in at the right time.

Let’s get to it.

The first thing I ran across since the end of the last pickup post was, incredibly, a Dreamcast game. Unfortunately it was not complete, I’ll get that out of the way right now. The manual was not inside. Also missing was the second disc, which, fortunately is only a bonus soundtrack disc, it is not part of the game. At least that means the only game disc is there and it can be played in its entirety.

Grandia II - Found 2017.12.28 at Goodwill

It wasn’t even with the video games, or even with the CDs, it was tossed on the shelf over with the misc electronics. Typically where you’d see a console, or controllers or something. Unfortunately no console or controllers, but this is not a bad find. After grabbing this, I went back to the CD section and combed through it more carefully, just in case there were more that actually did make it into the CD section, and I did find two more games. But they were crappy sports titles that weren’t even worth a few bucks. I can’t stand most sports titles, so I left them. I was buying some CDs that day and had this in a stack of music. She counted down the stack, saw this as a double disc CD and charged me $0.99. Not a bad deal since it wasn’t complete. A buck though? I’ll take it. Great start.

Moving on.

Sealed Wii Fit Plus - Found 2017.12.29 at Goodwill

Sealed games are ALMOST always a good bet, especially if you find them at a Goodwill. This one seemed to be no different. Paid $3.21, and Pricecharting has new priced in at $19.97. More than six times the value. I honestly almost didn’t even check it figuring it would have to be nearly worthless. I mean, it’s WII FIT. Wii Fit. I recently sold a complete in box Wii Fit, with the board (very clean) and a mint copy of the game for $2. The person even had to think about it for a second too. So it is insanely hard to get rid of these in this area. I mean look at the shelf of another Goodwill.

Just thrown around like they are old bathroom scales (hah!). Those have been there for weeks. At $3.99 they don’t move. Apparently the Plus version is a little more valuable though. I’ll take it, it’s hunting money fodder there. Nothing special.

I did run across this guy the same day.

You can even see the Wii Fit Plus box where I set it down to snap a pic of the doll. Did a quick search on my phone, didn’t turn up anything spectacular, there was one on eBay that wasn’t selling, priced at $35 that had the sword and shield. This one, no sword, no shield, and had some significant wear on it. I passed. I’m not one to have a lot of figurines in my collection either. I’m about the games.

Moving on once again.

The holidays came and went. On January 9th I went into the Goodwill that is usually the most lucrative.

From afar I saw a nice stack of Wii games that were not there the last time I was in. Like 18 games. I got excited and hurried over to the shelf.

I was immediately let down.

I posted this on Instagram that day too. Terrible titles. All schlock. I couldn’t believe it. Either they had come in early that day or the day before and had been plucked clean of all the AAA titles (AKA anything First party, Mario, Donkey Kong, etc), or AA titles (AKA third party quality from Sega or Square, that kind of thing), so all that was left was what is in that picture, or the parents just had little kids AND a budget. I mean come on, iCarly? Rudolph? Smurfs? On and on.  Cmon, buy ONE good title.

Tucked behind them all though...

Gran Turismo 3 A-Spec - Found 2018.01.09 at Goodwill

In very good shape, the reason I bought it was not just that, but it was also complete. I have a copy of this already but it is just the disc and the case, I did not have the manual. The most ideal situation here would have been if this case happened to be empty, they would have given me the case and manual for free. Honestly, I could have taken the disc out, left it in the store, and gotten a free case, but I’m not like that. If I were I could have a crap load of free games. Take the discs out and either pocket them, or put them into other cases and double up the discs. Pay for half the games you buy, walk out of the store with the other half “free cases” and then pop the games back in once outside. They don’t ever check the cases I am buying. But again, I’m not like that. It’s charity, and $3 for a game, especially when you can get them in very good shape like this, is really a good price. Had I bought this game on eBay, a quick search turns up a recently sold copy for $5.97, complete, tested, and shipped. They don’t show the disc so you don’t even know if it would be as nice as the one I got, you just know it should work. I’d rather the hunt, and ultimately, the better price.

Anyway, back to my copy of the game. My current, incomplete copy disc is maybe a B, and this disc is an A-, much better condition. The other copy can be bundled or traded at a later time. Some people don’t care about the manuals. Me, for some reason, I just love handling a copy of a game, and it having that weight of being complete.

Call me weird. Moving on.  

Went back a couple days later on the 11th. Found the stack of schlock Wii games drastically reduced in size. Someone else must have had some little kids that could be into those types of games. Who knows. Maybe three remained from the 18. There were a couple added Wii games, including this next one.

I’d actually already found this one at another Goodwill in very mint condition, so I didn’t need a copy, but figured since this one was sealed, I might as well snag it. Sealed usually fetches anywhere from double, on up to quintuple or more of the normal CIB price. 

Sealed Wii Play - Found 2018.01.11 at Goodwill

I was right, couldn’t pass up a sealed copy. Pricecharting has it at $5.25 CIB, and $15.99 sealed at time of writing. So about triple price of CIB, and almost exactly quintuple what I paid, of $3.21. Not as good as the payback on Wii Fit Plus, but I’ll take it.

On top of Wii Play, there were several PS2 games that were not there before. Which was exciting at first. But that was quickly dashed when I realized what I was looking at. Probably the tail end of a lot that was brought in the day before, and been picked over already. A lot of the games were even OK (i.e. not Madden games, or other sports schlock), but were left because they were scratched. I mean looks like someone used them for a hockey puck on a sand paper rink scratched. Horrible. There were two Dragonball Z games, and couple others I don’t remember (I will try to start snapping more pics while I’m hunting), but do recall thinking “damn, why do they have to be so scratched!?” Because I probably would have picked them up otherwise.

You really do have to hit these stores daily so as not to miss anything. I just don’t have the time to do that.

I managed to find a copy of Star Wars Battlefront among what was left that was not too scratched, and was fairly confident that my PS2 would be able to play it.

Star Wars Battlefront - Found 2018.01.11 at Goodwill

I’m not a huge fan of the Star Wars franchise in general, but these are pretty well known, and well liked games, for $3, and black label, I figured why not add it to the collection. Case and manual were at least in good shape, and the disc... I’d give it a C+. It does play in my fat SCPH 39001. Also installed to the HDD just fine. So... Winning.

I do have SWBF II in the collection as well, but it isn’t complete, so it is hovering in the void between “in the collection” and “available for bundles or trade”. As I mentioned before, I really only like to have complete games in my disc based games collection, hence why I decided to buy a whole other copy for GT3, just to complete it. Cart based is a little bit too tall of an order to want complete games. The budget just doesn’t allow for it. If I happen to stumble across a decent priced copy of Super Metroid, or Link to the Past complete, and its in nice shape, I’d get it to display. But I’m not seeking them out, its just too much.

Anyway, that’s it for this round. Nothing stellar, but not complete crap either. Which is honestly what I thought these months would bring.

Hopefully get some hunting money back in the bank once I list a couple of these items along with a couple others I have that need to be sold.

Official business. We had $96.09 after I sold the PS2 at the end of the last post. The first find was Grandia II, that was $1.06 after tax taking the total to $95.03. Then Wii Fit Plus takes us down another $3.21 totaling $91.82. After that I picked up GT3 for another $3.21, takes us to $88.61. The sealed Wii Play and Star Wars Battlefront purchase came to another $6.42, which puts the total at still a respectable $82.19.

$82.19 game hunting money remaining.

2018.02.06

[sylvaetria]

Hi Hi! I've been interested in secular witchcraft for a long time, but i'm finally starting to stop just researching, and I want to try and start practicing! I've collected a bunch of resources, but what are some of the first things you'd suggest picking up from the store? Candles, herbs, oils, etc? Also, any beginner posts you could link me to would be wonderful. I'm all ears! Have a wonderful day

Hey, congrats on deciding to practice and doing your research! Are you excited? Nervous? Enjoying what you’ve seen so far? Is Tumblr your primary resource? :)

I wanna learn so much from new witches omg. (There’s irony in there.)

Well, it honestly depends on what you wanna do and use yourself. Because personally, I picked up a few of each - I got some tealights from WalMart, bought some cheap incense from somewhere else, picked up some dried herbs from the grocery store that I didn’t already have in the kitchen, and found like five or six crystals I liked from Green Earth. I spent maybe like twenty bucks. That was my beginner’s witch kit.

But, again, it all comes down to what you want to use. Are you more interested in working with candles in magic? Candle magic *is* a really easy but effective method of magic, and candles are everywhere, and really cheap. Most spells use candles in them, not necessarily as the focal point of the spell, but they also do wonders for boosting energies. A bag of 100 tea lights goes a long way in witchcraft. Color correspondences can help, but isn’t necessarily required.

Or maybe crystals are where you wanna go. Crystals have amazing energy, but are a bit more on the pricey side. It can also be hard for people who don’t know a lot about them to tell them apart - the “danger” in this is being swindled by people claiming their crystals are something they’re not. Doesn’t mean they won’t work for their “declared” intent, necessarily, but it means you just dropped a lot of money on something worth a tenth of that. 

That doesn’t mean it isn’t worthwhile to work with them, though. Because they’re an amazing tool, really - you just gotta do some more research, and be confident in where you’re buying from. Finding a reliable dealer with decent prices is where it’s at. But then, once you’ve got some crystals, they’re really versatile. They can be used on their own, or in conjunction with other spells, put them in jars and sachets, or in poppets, make grids, use them to charge other things, just stick like ten of them in your pockets - boom, witchcraft. 

Oils aren’t something I necessarily recommend, to be honest. Not because they aren’t useful, because they are, just like any other tool can be (just gotta know how to use them). I just don’t know a lot about essential oils. xD If that is the area you wanna go in, however, it’s worthwhile to know that you’re gonna want to do some more research on the topic, and be wary of any allergies you may have, and for the love of god don’t put a crapton of pure oil straight on your skin.

Herbs is a little bit of a tricky area too, especially when using them as medicine. It requires a lot of research and safety if you plan on ingesting herbs for actual remedial purposes. If you just want to use dried herbs in, like, jars and spell bags, it isn’t nearly as bad, but you still want to keep an eye out for any poisonous / toxic plants and allergies. The stuff you can get pre-dried from grocery stores and dollar stores are honestly enough in most cases, and there’s lots of substitutes for more expensive or exotic plants, depending on intent.

If you wanna grow your own herbs too, that’s an option, but another area I don’t know a lot about, so I can’t give you any more advice on that besides do some more research. (It seriously never ends, so I hope you like studying.)

I guess this sort of answers your questions, but not really in the way you wanted. So, long story short, what you pick up depends on what and how you want to practice. However, I’ll give you a list of items I would recommend, purely based on my own craft, but I feel they’re pretty good staples to have all around.

candles - versatile as all hell; can be used on their own or in any other spell; bags of white tea lights are super cheap and easy to find; worry about colors later; scents can be used as correspondences as well but don’t hinder in any way

also, if you can’t have open flames for whatever reason, they have LED / battery powered candles in some dollar stores now; not to mention, tech magic?!

matches - they smell nice, and can light candles; suuuper cheap, but in bulk; unless you’re allergic to sulphur, then just a lighter will work

herbs - dried herbs from the grocery store seriously do the trick just as well as fresh / organic stuff; Bulk Barn / Barrel has a lot of awesome stuff for super cheap too; start off with just a few general / all-purpose ones, and then add to your collection as you go along; it starts to build up over time, trust me

sea salt - cleansing and protection; can be used as a base for most herbal mixtures

rosemary - considered a substitute for most other herbs

basil - has like a shit ton of correspondences

cinnamon is useful to have too

if you wanna curse, pepper flakes, paprika, or cayanne pepper should do the trick

jars - do I even need to explain?; dollar store, man; even thrift stores have some pretty amazing and cool looking bottles and stuff

notebooks - not something necessarily overly witchy, but more so to write down what you learn; trust me, you’ll wanna do that, especially with correspondences; also, sigils

also, though, keeping a blog can be a great way to have a magical book; can be password detected / kept secret; tags are useful for organiazation; and then you have us assholes in the community to hang out with too xD

writing utensils are also kinda required to, you know, write in books; black Sharpies are useful for actually drawing on stuff - candles, sachets, etc.; good for sigil work

scrap fabric - but some cool patterns from thrift stores or whatever; useful for making sachets and poppets

sealable plastic bags can do in a pinch though, really; also can be drawn on with Sharpie for easy sigil application

string / thread - tie up bags, herb bundles; make sachets and poppets; also useful for bindings, and that’s a good skill to know

mini sewing kit - super useful to have in general, and all parts of it can be used for something, somewhere

tea bags - seriously, tea has magical properties too; super discreet; and easy as hell; play around with different flavors for intents

crystals - clear quartz is super cheap and all-purpose; buy like five of them and just use them over and over; again, another thing it might be useful to have like three or four basic ones and then build your collection over time; that’s how most of us get our arsenal of supplies

clear quartz - substitutes for any other crystal

amethyst - super cheap and easy to find; variant of quartz; good for sleep and peace and divination; also purple

tiger’s eye - I’m biased because this is my favorite crystal; good for protection and courage; did I mention it’s awesome to look at?

incense - not necessarily required, but I like to have it; smells nice, useful; so many scents; can be found pretty cheap all over too

again, if you can’t have open flames in your place, you can try those wax melters; definitely pricier, but versatile for magic as well; and I mean, they just smell, so, good; my mom has one with like sugar cookie wax cubes; and I come home and think she’s baking, and I get super excited; but it’s a lie

So, yeah, that’s my list, and reasons for what I wrote. That’s just some ideas to get you started. If you choose a path that doesn’t need those things in them, obviously don’t bother then. And depending on what “type of magic” you wanna do, your basic supply list might be very different. For instance, a sea witch probably won’t care so much about kitchen herbs, and stock up on sand and seaweed, sea shells and salt water. 

Since you asked for beginner’s posts, too, you can have my whole list:

Advice for Witchlings: [Part 01]; [Part 02]

[How to Start Being a Witch] (an ask)

[How to Begin to Do Magic, and Other Questions] (an ask)

[Advice to Baby Witches]

[Becoming a Witch] (an ask)

[For a Beginner] (an ask)

[Getting Started]

[How Do You Even Begin?] (tw: gif)

[“I’m Interested in Witchcraft, Where Do I Start?”]

[The Newbie Witch - What Others Often Don’t Tell You About Beginning the Practice]

[9 Practical Tips for New Witches]

[NSFW (Not Safe For Witches): Staying Safe in Magic]

[100 Tips for the Secret Witch]

[St.’s Short and Sweet Guide to (Not Asking Her) How to Get Started in Witchcraft and Magic]

[10 Common Misconceptions of Baby Witches]

[Things I Wish Somebody Had Told Me in the Beginning: Witch Edition]

[Tips for Beginner Witches] (an ask)

[Tips for Beginners] (an ask)

[Tips for Extremely New Witches] (an ask)

[Tips For Those Who Are Considering Witchcraft]

[Top Witch Tips]

[What I Wish I Knew Starting Out]

[“Where Do I Start?”]

[Where to Start] (an ask)

[Witchcraft, Where to Start?]

[Witchling Tips]

I did it! I made a post that wasn’t mostly links! :o Anyway, sorry for my smartass mouth, I was having fun with this. I hope you enjoyed reading, and I hope it gave you some ideas, and helped you out! Good luck! And if you need any more clarification or have more questions, you know where to find me. :D

[angry-old-asian-man]

The Adulting Tips Masterpost

A lot of you are newly adult or soon to be. This generally isn't what this blog is for, but I've come to realise it's sorely needed--apparently also Millennials, many kids of Boomers, but some kids of my generation--didn't really learn how to be an adult and try to avoid it? I'm part of the latchkey generation. That happened with a guardian when I was in high school anyway, but when my dad and granparents were still alive and I lived with them, I got taught stuff and learned stuff. Then some, I did figure out, either as a latchkey and abused kid, or just as I went once I was on my own. I've been on my own for this entire century. So lemme pass on a little bit of helpful tips to prepare you, whatever your situation. THIS IS THE ADULTING MASTERPOST! You know stuff like "you need to learn how to manage money," or "having a fridgerator is a good thing." This is a bit deeper. It aims to be comprehensive and there are multiple sections. The need for this is pretty Western. When I mention "X also exists in Japan," I mean that and America are all I ever lived in and I'm saying there's a chance this thing is nearly universal. Let's begin: Things every home should have: A wet-vac (shop-vac) A hand drill Hemostat clamp (trust me--they're a irreplaceable household tool) (not the veterinary ones) A tape measure A fire extinguisher Surge-protecting outlet extenders ALWAYS KNOW WHERE YOUR FUSE/BREAKER BOX IS A flashlight or two (yeah, you have a phone. Get dedicated flashlights) A pail or two a bit bigger than a sand pail A cold compress and a heating pad A well-stocked toolbox A well-stocked first aid kit A few extension cords, at least one outdoor-use grounded one Some all-metal pots and pans I would recommend a landline phone, but they now depend on electricity coming through a modem, so they're not a lifesaver as they once were. Speaking of which, a radio that can run on batteries. Even better if it has shortwave (SW) bands, in Japan and America, at least, meteorological stations exist on SW (短波[たんぱ]) Bug bait on reserve--whatever bug is the worst in your area. On that note, many spiders, such as daddy long legs, will actually eat bugs like gnats and ants. Don't panic if the spider isn't a poisonous variety--they're there to help. A strong cement. Not Krazy Glue, but actual cement Always know where is your nearest: Hardware store Urgent care and hospital Library City hall Thrift store (these may have different names such as Recycle shop, outside of America) Recycling/E-waste centre (but please donate to that thrift store if your old electronics are still functional!) Public transit, even if you drive. Cars break down. On a similar note, memorise one taxi company number. Pay phone (just trust me) Repair shop for your appliances/electronics. Sometimes you just can't do it at home, hopefully you can always afford it Learn to do as much as you can, though Learn the hours of your closest corner store in case you need some medicine for a sick baby or sick self, etc. Befriend at least one or two neighbours. You'll be a great help to each other. Have plans for whatever natural disaster is known to strike your area. Tips for the ones I know: The best tip for earthquakes are: You can't outrun them Door arches are way better shelters than flimsy modern tables Arrange your house for the least things falling on people--especially in bed For hurricane, the evacuation route will change, but have a plan if you don't have your own car on how to get out of town Learn basic repair of household items. Good pantry foods (always keep some of these, according to your diet/intolerances): Powdered milk or canned milk (evaporated is not sweetened and therefore more versitaile) Pickled vegetables Dried fruits, vegetables, and grains Canned meats Beans you like, canned or dried Dollar/100 yen/whatever-your-equivalent-is stores should have most of the above. Get whatever groceries you can here. Suggestions include dried cuttlefish and canned media crema, too Pan spray is totally your friend unless you want oily food LEARN TO COOK! I know today's young adults don't, and we men have been discouraged from it unless as a job, but that's bad for both your health and wallet. Yes, even if you don't gain weight. You don't have to be four-star caliber, just be able to make basic food that tastes as you like (having friends/family like your cooking is super-rewarding, though) On that note, keep something that is simple to prepare (nattou and insta-rice/can of soup) for "low spoon" days if applicable If at all possible, please regularly see your doctor. Not seeing one doesn't make you "superior"/"manly" / "strong" /"not part of the sheeple," it makes you an idiot. An idiot with bad health Shower daily if at all possible. People have been bathing since Ancient Greece/Stone-Age Japan. It literally reduces bacterial illness. People in equatorial climates like Haiti bathe twice daily--might need this in more places with global warming Simple destressing tips: Live in a warm costal area? Invest in a beach towel and a large cold thermos Cold rainy/snowy? A nice sweater (okay for me, I'd get a yukata if I did, this varies), keep around one nice canister of tea/coffee/bouillon/pipe tobacco/bottle of wine/whatever. Pull up a seat, enjoy the view Don't do this after ten PM and before ten AM, and take night working/chronically ill neighbours into consideration, but enjoy your records out loud once in a while. Multitasking is actually rapid task switching. Actual multitasking is non-extant Find an easily accessible/low cost hobby you enjoy. It could be productive, like hunting, fishing, repairing and upselling stuff you find at thrift shops, or it could be absolutely nothing to do with gathering resources, like hiking or reading Edwardian poetry. Do it regardless. Carve out a little time once a week. If you're a single parent, there are ways to make it bonding time for most ages Make your bed. Trust me People Stuff, Yourself and Others: Above all, be kind to yourself. There's a whole lot of people that will be hard on you, no need to add yourself to that number Do unto others as you'd have done to you. But don't worry about some bullshit moral high ground with people who demean, belittle, and attack you. They don't deserve you Don't fall into that "I have a partner, so now I'm not supposed to socialise with anyone else/without them." That is SO not healthy. That can destabilise your relationship. Rapunzel didn't do well in that tower--isolation, even if self imposed, is very bad for you Having a counsellor isn't a bad thing. There might be people you don't wanna tell, but trauma is real--ask a veteran or assault survivor. If you think you need one and you can get to one, go. It's okay. There are thresholds, but consider different opinions. Not "your people are inferior savages" --that's crossing a line. But one of my best friends, I found out, likes modern folk rock. I only like the original folk rock, like America (band). You might argue whether more business and job creation in your town or building a new public middle school is better for the poor in your community, and you might disagree. There are certain beliefs that are bad (these are most always a belief in inherent inferiority /servility/ primitive, dangerous, or mystic quality in a [non-dominant] demograph, also known as bigotry--this is that inexcusable line) but not everyone who disagrees on everything is bad. I also tend to stay away from "morally superior lifestyle" (moral vegan, moral "I only watch TV on the Web," moral "I only smoke expensive weed and not stuff poor people of colour do," (this is a very real dichotomy in California, USA), moral yoga-er which can apparently also seep into pricing Indians out of yoga, I've heard, the quinoa/pork belly/greens gentrification--a lot of this morality in being rich [and white] is very western and rooted in Victorian British culture) because that's pure classism, see bigotry, but your mileage may vary. Disagreements on "I like mayo, you like Miracle Whip" or "Jobs for the poor! No, library for the poor!" are pretty trivial. You still both seem like good people. (And there are totally times for Miracle Whip, L O L!) Growing up means being able to handle your own stuff--it doesn't mean having to hate cartoons (Thank Archie for that misconception. At the same time, note that was never absolute. See stuff like Fritz the Cat, City Hunter, Lupin III, Patsy Walker. Before Archie, think about Betty Boop and early Blondie in the actual context of the 1920s) It doesn't mean you have to hate puns and the music you liked in High School. I love both, and I'm making you this list. Don't be embarrassed about what you like. Life's too short. Don't worry now or ever. Like 50 Shades? As long as you know that in real life, you should stay safe from abuse, and you know real BDSM isn't that and don't treat people in that community shitty or put yourself in danger. Be critical of what you like but only dislike it if its shittiness ruined it for you, like how I feel about David Bowie after "China Girl." And people having limits is okay. White people frequently tell me I have no right to dislike David Bowie after that song because... I have no right to complain about the fetishisation/assault/other oppression of Asians because they want to keep oppressing me, I guess? I have a right even if I weren't attacked more times than I can count because of the treatment of Asians in America. They have no right to tell me what to enjoy or not to enjoy. Similarly, people might tell you your interest makes you immature or whatever ("O M G, you STILL listen to New Kids on the Block!? What are you, 13?") this is like the point about the person who likes Miracle Whip v the person who likes mayonnaise. What you like isn't impervious to criticism, but it doesn't make you morally anything. You might not want to tell your co-workers you write fic, but just know sometimes things aren't worth dealing with and still liking The Muppet Movies even when you turn 35 someday is no judgement on you. (I have a couple of those on VHS) I've been literally beaten for reading in my mother tongue and not only ever English. I buy/check out my books. I don't have to listen to them. And that's the thing about being an adult. You're in control. Yeah, you're responsible for you, and depending, you might not have anyone to fall back on. My dad died in my high school years. My grandparents had already died when he did. Some decided they really didn't want to fulfill the duties of parents because you turned out too different. That isn't fun. I know, as you see. But it would seem young people now are afraid to grow up? It's a good thing. As long as you do no harm, you're (supposed to be) free. You can bake a cake and have it for breakfast on Sunday morning. A la mode, even. Watch that movie--no one should be able to tell you no! ((They can tell you wait if they have to sleep or the TV is shared, but they shouldn't be able to disallow you--controlling shit like that for an adult happens, but that's the realm of abusive partners or staying at mum and dad's for the weekend) If I think of anything else, I'll edit this post. For now, that's it. (Remember to brush your teeth!)

[plutomeetsgenius]

Girl meets Magic Part 1

Hi Liz, I’m the nonnie that sent you the Fanfiction idea. It’s a work in progress but I would love your feedback.

Premise: Riley and Maya’s brush with a magical device sends them to 1920’s New York where Riley and Maya find themselves trapped in the bodies of Lenora Matchinski and Summer Hart respectively. Lenora is a journalist documenting the rising tensions between Wizards and No Majes and Summer is a Jazz Singer who loves to attend Ga. Will Riley and Maya be able to find a way home or will they lose themselves to the conflicts of the past?

Word Count: 783 (so far)

When she closes her eyes she feels an orchestra of noises wash over her. To her left the grating sounds of screeching wheels, and car horns. To her right the thud of footsteps on the pavement, and hurried chattering. When she opens her eyes all she can see are tall buildings, flashing billboards and streams of people and cars rushing by. It was easy to get lost here among the music of the city. Luckily she had her best friend to keep her focused.

“Riley, you’re doing it again,” Maya nudges her gently.

“Am I?”

“Seriously, why are you smiling?” Maya asks.

“How can I not? The city looks so beautiful today.”

“You always say that” Maya laughs. “C’mon Riley we’re here.”

“Amber’s Antiques,” Riley reads the sign aloud. The storefront is a dark mossy green color, and there is barely any light coming from the interior. It reminds Riley of a haunted house.

“Are you sure it’s open?” Riley whispers.

“Okay, so it’s a little shadier than your average thrift shop, but the prices are unbeatable.”

“Couldn’t we just go to Demolition?”

“No we can’t just go to Demolition!” Maya exclaims throwing her hands up in exasperation. “This store is way better. You’ll see.”

The door creaks open on rusted hinges, and Maya swiftly pulls Riley through. It takes Riley a second to get adjusted to her new surroundings. Riley is startled by how still everything around her seems to be. She walks among the antiques, a rusted sewing machine, a broken lamp, and a dusty cloche and she wonders if they have been sitting there for a hundred years. In the dull glow of the amber overhead lamps, everything loses its color.

“Isn’t this great?” Maya smiles, running her fingers around the mouth of a gramophone. Riley nods, although the musty smell of the shop is making her sick. She slumps down on a velvet ottoman, and looks listlessly at the floor. Beneath her feet a strange necklace twinkles. At the center of the necklace is an hourglass filled with crushed amethyst dust. Around the hourglass is a series of gold rings. A golden chain was attached to the outermost ring.

“Riley what did you find?” asks Maya.

“I believe it’s a necklace of some sort. It’s strange really, it looks so new. I don’t trust it.”

“I think it’d be a shame not to take it home,” retorts Maya, picking up the necklace. “Don’t you want to spin its little rings?”

“No, I think we should put it back down,” frowns Riley grabbing the jewelry from Maya. The two girls glare at each other, the necklace taught between them.

“I think you’ve gone too far Maya,” Riley whispers icily.

“I think you are being ridiculous. It’s just a necklace.” Suddenly, the purple hourglass shatters and Riley and Maya are blinded by a bright light.

“Are you alright?”

Riley looks up to find herself on a crowded subway train. She is surrounded by men and women dressed in heavy overcoats and hats. She finds the source of the voice to be a similarly disheveled young woman with wild blonde curls and a mink overcoat. Around the woman’s neck is the necklace. The hourglass center is shattered and amethyst dust is leaking out over the train floor.

“I’m a little disoriented. What happened?”

“Riley, it’s me Maya,” The woman whispers in Riley’s ear. “It seems we have traveled back to the 1920’s. I found this paper in my purse.”

Riley and Maya open the newspaper.

“March 27, 1926,” Riley reads the front cover. “Violence Against Wizards and Witches on the Rise, an article by Lenora Matchinski.” Next to the name is a photo of a young woman, probably in her early twenties. Her dark hair is tied back into a low bun, and she stares at the camera defiantly.

“That’s you,” whispers Maya.

“Well I see the resemblance, but I’m not really sure-”

“No, that’s literally who you are right now. You’ve occupied her body.”

“And who are you?”

“Flip to the entertainment section,” Maya instructs. Riley does as she’s told.

“Summer Hart to perform at the Bradbury Speakeasy,” Riley reads. Next to the interview is a picture of a young woman with wild blonde curls wearing a black beaded sheath. Riley looks back and forth from the picture to the woman next to her, sure enough they are identical.

“Approaching Prince Street,” announces the conductor.

“This is my stop!” exclaims Summer.

“How do you know?” asks Riley skeptically.

“I can access Summer’s memories. Her memories are telling me the Bradbury Speakeasy is a block away and she has to perform tonight. What do you say, Lenora, are you coming or staying?”

 ______________________

submitted by ‘Luna Rose’

I think there may be some issues with characterization... don’t you think that Riley would be thrilled with the purple hourglass? Rush forward without much caution? Sure Maya’s always going to be egging her on and leading her down the path of adventure, but I don’t think Riley ought to be so cautious, though a time jump might account for that, so if you made that more clear, it would make more sense.

Also, I don’t know why Riley wouldn’t trust it. 1) she’s very gullible, but 2) there’s nothing there to indicate a sinister nature, something off, the supernatural. Maybe hint at ‘a faint glimmer shone off the grains of sand, even though there was no direct light’ or something about the newness ‘everything in the little shop was worn with time and bore the marks of life lived... except for a little hourglass necklace that seemed to be as new as the day it was made’, some thing to make it seem *off*, enough that Riley would obviously notice.

And maybe consider revising the dialogue? It can be really hard to avoid your natural way of thinking or speaking when writing out dialogue for pre-established characters, but maybe go back and watch a few episodes to get a handle on how Riley uses contractions, the pauses in her speech and the colorful imagery that she uses. It will make the piece a whole lot more convincing.

I’m sorry if any of this feedback crossed a line, but when I get presented with an unfinished bit of fanic, I sort of go into beta mode. I’m sorry this is late, but let me know how it goes.

[onlineshopping-fan-blog]

How To Make Money Online making Use Of The Best Social Networking Site

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[robertbjonesus80]

Buyer’s Guide: Best Ukulele Review in 2017

With so many different brands and types of ukulele’s on the market, finding the perfect fit can seem impossible. There are many factors to consider when purchasing a new ukulele, including cost, durability, and style. Most of all, what works for one person, may not work for another; this makes finding the best ukulele a little difficult, especially if you’re a beginner player. However, with a great and well-researched guide, you can find the best ukulele fit for your playing.

Rating

Product

Our Rating

Price

Neewer YHTC-1 Finished 24-inch Sapele Soprano Uke

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2

Caramel CT102A Zebra Wood Tenor Acoustic Ukulele

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3

Lohanu Concert Size Bundle

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4

Kala Makala Shark Soprano Ukulele

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5

Mahalo U Smile Soprano Ukulele

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How To Choose The Best Ukulele

1: Test It Out

If you have the opportunity to test out a ukulele before you buy it, you definitely should try to. If you are beginner and don’t know anyone who owns ukuleles, this is an alternative option. Ukulele’s have become more popular in recent years and are often available to test out at music stores. Find a music store near you or test out a friend’s ukulele to try out different feels—every single uke feels differently.

2: What Should The Uke Be Made Of?

Many people find that solid wood ukuleles work better for them because they can add complexity to the tone of the music that makes chords sound rich and warm. Solid wood ukuleles also sound better as they age, which makes a great fit for someone looking to keep a ukulele for a very long time. However, if you do not live in a warm environment (for example, Pennsylvania) all year round, then a solid wood Uke could pose a problem. If there isn’t enough humidity in the air, the wood can crack and break. While there are tools to solve this problem, some people choose to go with a laminated wood uke to avoid any breakage. Laminated wood often sounds very similar, though the feel can be different as solid wood tends to vibrate more.

3: What Kind of Tuners Should I Get?

Ukuleles have special knobs on the end called tuners that allow you to tune the strings to the right amount of tension so that the uke sounds exactly the way you want it to. Many traditional ukuleles have friction tuners. While friction tuners are a great, affordable option, they are also known to go out of tune faster while you are playing. For a more solid choice, you can choose gear tuners which hold better and are often found on more complex instruments, such as the guitar. Gear tuners are often sturdier, but they are also harder to find on a uke and can be less affordable.

4: Is My Uke Well Aligned?

If you are buying your ukulele in a store, you’ll want to look at how well the nut and saddle are aligned with one another. The nut, the line that goes between the beginning of the fret board and the tuners, should be adjusted so that the strings lay very close to the fret. Similarly, the saddle, the piece that holds the opposite end of the strings, can also be poorly adjusted and cause the strings to be too high and far away from the fretboard. When this happens, it makes it more difficult for the player to push down on the string and can cause the uke player to make more mistakes or hurt their fingers. Even in higher quality uke’s, this can be a rather pertinent problem. However, if you buy your uke at a store, you can ask to have the nut worked on so that it is aligned exactly the way you want it. If you are buying your ukulele from the internet, you may need to take the uke to a music store or knowledgeable expert to re-align the pieces correctly.

5: What Type of Strings Should I Look For?

When buying a ukulele, you should also look at what type of strings the uke comes with. While strings can be changed, it can be a while before a beginner learns how to do this. If you are at a store when buying your ukulele, you may be able to choose what type of strings you want and have them put on by a store employee who knows how to do it correctly. There are generally two types of strings: nylon polymer and titanium. Nylon polymer strings are more popular because they are easier on the fingers and can last from 3-6 months. Titanium strings are generally sturdier than nylon polymer strings, but can be more difficult to learn how to play on and aren’t quite necessary for a smaller uke.

6: What Size Uke Should I Get?

When you walk into a music store (or start browsing online), you may notice that some ukuleles are bigger than others or different shapes than others. There are generally four different sizes of ukulele: soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone. The main difference between the sizes is how the size affects the tone and range of notes (i.e. they sound different). Most beginners (and many experts, too) choose the soprano ukulele because it is small, easier to maneuver, and easy to travel with.

7: Are There Different Shapes?

There are actually many different shapes of ukuleles. While the different shapes do not affect the sound quality much, they can be more comfortable to hold. Popular different shapes are Cutaway, Vita, Figure 8, Bell, and Pineapple. These shapes are a bit more rare to find, but can be found in unique music stores and thrift shops. However, keep in mind that different shaped ukuleles are often more expensive because of the style. Therefore, a pineapple shaped uke may not be an affordable option for a beginning player who doesn’t want to spend a lot of money to test out this beautiful instrument.

Rating

Product

Our Rating

Price

Neewer YHTC-1 Finished 24-inch Sapele Soprano Uke

Check Prices

2

Caramel CT102A Zebra Wood Tenor Acoustic Ukulele

Check Prices

3

Lohanu Concert Size Bundle

Check Prices

4

Kala Makala Shark Soprano Ukulele

Check Prices

5

Mahalo U Smile Soprano Ukulele

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Five Best Ukulele 

Kala Makala Shark Soprano Ukulele

This Kala Makala Shark Soprano Ukulele is pretty stylish. It comes in a pale green, blue, or black color and features a shark cutout bridge on the body. At a relatively inexpensive price of $46.99, this uke is affordable and would be a great option for someone who wants to play at gigs or places where style is key. Though this option is affordable, it’s not a cheap ukulele; it has a great quality and a great sound for an inexpensive price. Best of all, this one includes a nylon carrying bag within the cost so you can take it anywhere from family road trips to your next gig.

Pros

Affordable

Mahogany Neck w/Rosewood fingerboard

Base of uke is not wood (great for cold areas)

Cons

Takes a week or so until the uke can start keeping its tune

Base of uke is not wood (sound is different)

Some uke’s appear to be darker than the advertised picture

Check Current Prices

Lohanu Concert Size Bundle

This bundle comes with everything that a beginning uke player may need: a case, the uke, an electronic tuner, a uke strap, and three picks in varying colors. Best of all, this uke arrives with the strap pins installed to the uke for free, so there isn’t any need to worry about installing them yourself and affecting the sound of the instrument. Additionally, the ukulele arrives with DVD lessons and a lifetime warranty, so that if anything goes wrong, you can quickly and efficiently exchange your concert uke for a new one. At 89 bucks, this one is a steal.

Pros

All laminate body that looks like wood (great for changing temps)

Comes with everything a uke player might need at the beginning

Rarely needs to be tuned after being set

Cons

All laminate body that does not feel like wood

Not intended for high end use; doesn’t have the sound quality

Gig bag does not protect instrument very well, except from dust

Check Current Prices

Neewer YHTC-1 Finished 24-inch Sapele Soprano Uke

This Neewer uke is priced at $49.00, which seems fairly inexpensive for a uke that has a laser engraved sound hole and flower fretwork. The body and neck are made out of sapele and the fretboard is made out of Rosewood, creating a unique sound. Additionally, this uke just looks sharp. It comes pre-strung and accentuates a pretty flower pattern that is easily noticeable while playing.

Pros

Lazer engraved sound hole

Fantastic, unique, and rich sound

Buffalo bone nut and saddle

Cons

Doesn’t hold a tune as well as expected

Does not come with any perks (warranty, picks)

Flower and butterfly pattern isn’t for everyone

Check Current Prices

Mahalo U Smile Soprano Ukulele

This ukulele only costs $35.00 and comes in an array of different colors, including red, yellow, white, blue and pink. With a lazer-cut engraved sound hole in the shape of a smiley face, you can’t help but smile when you see this guy. As an added bonus, this uke also comes with a gig bag so that you can take this uke with you wherever you go. Additionally, this uke would be perfect for someone who needs to brighten up their day!

Pros

Aquila Strings

Includes a gig bag

Very affordable for beginners

Cons

Gig bag is not sturdy

Stand-out design isn’t for everyone

Doesn’t stay in tune very well

Check Current Prices

Caramel CT102A Zebra Wood Tenor Acoustic Ukulele

This uke features a zebra pattern on a wood body made from rosewood. This uke also comes with Aquila strings which are pre-installed for use. Additionally, a buffalo bone nut and saddle ensure an easy alignment for beginners. While this uke does not come with a case or picks (i.e. added perks), it does feature a wonderfully inexpensive price tag of forty dollars, which is affordable to many beginning uke players. Plus, this tenor has a great sound that is definitely worth learning the extra frets.

Pros

Arched back gives louder sound and better quality

Action at the nut comes well aligned

Rubber on tuners makes tuning easy

Cons

Must order online, which means added risk for breakage

Not sanded down well, causes splinters in fingers

Solid wood might crack in extreme temperatures

Check Current Prices

Conclusion

Finding the best ukulele isn’t easy. The sounds of Hawaii often come with a price tag that is unaffordable. And, if someone could afford the ukulele, it often has to be tuned and adjusted after it’s been shipped. However, it is possible to find a great ukulele that fits your needs. While every uke is different, there is one out there that is a perfect match for each individual. When looking for the best uke, remember to try and find a store where you can try one out before you buy it. If you cannot try one out, remember that you might need to get the nut and saddle aligned so that the strings lay close to the fret board for easy playing. Additionally, order nylon or titanium strings with your uke if you aren’t sure what strings yours might come with or what strings you prefer (though, get these put on by a professional if you aren’t experienced). Whether you are looking for a small and easy soprano, or a tenor with more frets, or even a differently tuned baritone, the best ukulele is out there and can be found with a great guide.

The post Buyer’s Guide: Best Ukulele Review in 2017 appeared first on Music Advisor.

from Music Advisor https://musicadvisor.com/2017/03/02/best-ukulele/ from Music Advisor https://musicadvisor.tumblr.com/post/157900392637

[amaradjohnson]

Buyer’s Guide: Best Ukulele Review in 2017

With so many different brands and types of ukulele's on the market, finding the perfect fit can seem impossible. There are many factors to consider when purchasing a new ukulele, including cost, durability, and style. Most of all, what works for one person, may not work for another; this makes finding the best ukulele a little difficult, especially if you're a beginner player. However, with a great and well-researched guide, you can find the best ukulele fit for your playing.

Rating

Product

Our Rating

Price

Neewer YHTC-1 Finished 24-inch Sapele Soprano Uke

Check Prices

2

Caramel CT102A Zebra Wood Tenor Acoustic Ukulele

Check Prices

3

Lohanu Concert Size Bundle

Check Prices

4

Kala Makala Shark Soprano Ukulele

Check Prices

5

Mahalo U Smile Soprano Ukulele

Check Prices

How To Choose The Best Ukulele

1: Test It Out

If you have the opportunity to test out a ukulele before you buy it, you definitely should try to. If you are beginner and don’t know anyone who owns ukuleles, this is an alternative option. Ukulele’s have become more popular in recent years and are often available to test out at music stores. Find a music store near you or test out a friend’s ukulele to try out different feels—every single uke feels differently.

2: What Should The Uke Be Made Of?

Many people find that solid wood ukuleles work better for them because they can add complexity to the tone of the music that makes chords sound rich and warm. Solid wood ukuleles also sound better as they age, which makes a great fit for someone looking to keep a ukulele for a very long time. However, if you do not live in a warm environment (for example, Pennsylvania) all year round, then a solid wood Uke could pose a problem. If there isn’t enough humidity in the air, the wood can crack and break. While there are tools to solve this problem, some people choose to go with a laminated wood uke to avoid any breakage. Laminated wood often sounds very similar, though the feel can be different as solid wood tends to vibrate more.

3: What Kind of Tuners Should I Get?

Ukuleles have special knobs on the end called tuners that allow you to tune the strings to the right amount of tension so that the uke sounds exactly the way you want it to. Many traditional ukuleles have friction tuners. While friction tuners are a great, affordable option, they are also known to go out of tune faster while you are playing. For a more solid choice, you can choose gear tuners which hold better and are often found on more complex instruments, such as the guitar. Gear tuners are often sturdier, but they are also harder to find on a uke and can be less affordable.

4: Is My Uke Well Aligned?

If you are buying your ukulele in a store, you’ll want to look at how well the nut and saddle are aligned with one another. The nut, the line that goes between the beginning of the fret board and the tuners, should be adjusted so that the strings lay very close to the fret. Similarly, the saddle, the piece that holds the opposite end of the strings, can also be poorly adjusted and cause the strings to be too high and far away from the fretboard. When this happens, it makes it more difficult for the player to push down on the string and can cause the uke player to make more mistakes or hurt their fingers. Even in higher quality uke’s, this can be a rather pertinent problem. However, if you buy your uke at a store, you can ask to have the nut worked on so that it is aligned exactly the way you want it. If you are buying your ukulele from the internet, you may need to take the uke to a music store or knowledgeable expert to re-align the pieces correctly.

5: What Type of Strings Should I Look For?

When buying a ukulele, you should also look at what type of strings the uke comes with. While strings can be changed, it can be a while before a beginner learns how to do this. If you are at a store when buying your ukulele, you may be able to choose what type of strings you want and have them put on by a store employee who knows how to do it correctly. There are generally two types of strings: nylon polymer and titanium. Nylon polymer strings are more popular because they are easier on the fingers and can last from 3-6 months. Titanium strings are generally sturdier than nylon polymer strings, but can be more difficult to learn how to play on and aren’t quite necessary for a smaller uke.

6: What Size Uke Should I Get?

When you walk into a music store (or start browsing online), you may notice that some ukuleles are bigger than others or different shapes than others. There are generally four different sizes of ukulele: soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone. The main difference between the sizes is how the size affects the tone and range of notes (i.e. they sound different). Most beginners (and many experts, too) choose the soprano ukulele because it is small, easier to maneuver, and easy to travel with.

7: Are There Different Shapes?

There are actually many different shapes of ukuleles. While the different shapes do not affect the sound quality much, they can be more comfortable to hold. Popular different shapes are Cutaway, Vita, Figure 8, Bell, and Pineapple. These shapes are a bit more rare to find, but can be found in unique music stores and thrift shops. However, keep in mind that different shaped ukuleles are often more expensive because of the style. Therefore, a pineapple shaped uke may not be an affordable option for a beginning player who doesn't want to spend a lot of money to test out this beautiful instrument.

Rating

Product

Our Rating

Price

Neewer YHTC-1 Finished 24-inch Sapele Soprano Uke

Check Prices

2

Caramel CT102A Zebra Wood Tenor Acoustic Ukulele

Check Prices

3

Lohanu Concert Size Bundle

Check Prices

4

Kala Makala Shark Soprano Ukulele

Check Prices

5

Mahalo U Smile Soprano Ukulele

Check Prices

Five Best Ukulele 

Kala Makala Shark Soprano Ukulele

This Kala Makala Shark Soprano Ukulele is pretty stylish. It comes in a pale green, blue, or black color and features a shark cutout bridge on the body. At a relatively inexpensive price of $46.99, this uke is affordable and would be a great option for someone who wants to play at gigs or places where style is key. Though this option is affordable, it's not a cheap ukulele; it has a great quality and a great sound for an inexpensive price. Best of all, this one includes a nylon carrying bag within the cost so you can take it anywhere from family road trips to your next gig.

Pros

Affordable

Mahogany Neck w/Rosewood fingerboard

Base of uke is not wood (great for cold areas)

Cons

Takes a week or so until the uke can start keeping its tune

Base of uke is not wood (sound is different)

Some uke's appear to be darker than the advertised picture

Check Current Prices

Lohanu Concert Size Bundle

This bundle comes with everything that a beginning uke player may need: a case, the uke, an electronic tuner, a uke strap, and three picks in varying colors. Best of all, this uke arrives with the strap pins installed to the uke for free, so there isn't any need to worry about installing them yourself and affecting the sound of the instrument. Additionally, the ukulele arrives with DVD lessons and a lifetime warranty, so that if anything goes wrong, you can quickly and efficiently exchange your concert uke for a new one. At 89 bucks, this one is a steal.

Pros

All laminate body that looks like wood (great for changing temps)

Comes with everything a uke player might need at the beginning

Rarely needs to be tuned after being set

Cons

All laminate body that does not feel like wood

Not intended for high end use; doesn't have the sound quality

Gig bag does not protect instrument very well, except from dust

Check Current Prices

Neewer YHTC-1 Finished 24-inch Sapele Soprano Uke

This Neewer uke is priced at $49.00, which seems fairly inexpensive for a uke that has a laser engraved sound hole and flower fretwork. The body and neck are made out of sapele and the fretboard is made out of Rosewood, creating a unique sound. Additionally, this uke just looks sharp. It comes pre-strung and accentuates a pretty flower pattern that is easily noticeable while playing.

Pros

Lazer engraved sound hole

Fantastic, unique, and rich sound

Buffalo bone nut and saddle

Cons

Doesn't hold a tune as well as expected

Does not come with any perks (warranty, picks)

Flower and butterfly pattern isn't for everyone

Check Current Prices

Mahalo U Smile Soprano Ukulele

This ukulele only costs $35.00 and comes in an array of different colors, including red, yellow, white, blue and pink. With a lazer-cut engraved sound hole in the shape of a smiley face, you can't help but smile when you see this guy. As an added bonus, this uke also comes with a gig bag so that you can take this uke with you wherever you go. Additionally, this uke would be perfect for someone who needs to brighten up their day!

Pros

Aquila Strings

Includes a gig bag

Very affordable for beginners

Cons

Gig bag is not sturdy

Stand-out design isn't for everyone

Doesn't stay in tune very well

Check Current Prices

Caramel CT102A Zebra Wood Tenor Acoustic Ukulele

This uke features a zebra pattern on a wood body made from rosewood. This uke also comes with Aquila strings which are pre-installed for use. Additionally, a buffalo bone nut and saddle ensure an easy alignment for beginners. While this uke does not come with a case or picks (i.e. added perks), it does feature a wonderfully inexpensive price tag of forty dollars, which is affordable to many beginning uke players. Plus, this tenor has a great sound that is definitely worth learning the extra frets.

Pros

Arched back gives louder sound and better quality

Action at the nut comes well aligned

Rubber on tuners makes tuning easy

Cons

Must order online, which means added risk for breakage

Not sanded down well, causes splinters in fingers

Solid wood might crack in extreme temperatures

Check Current Prices

Conclusion

Finding the best ukulele isn't easy. The sounds of Hawaii often come with a price tag that is unaffordable. And, if someone could afford the ukulele, it often has to be tuned and adjusted after it's been shipped. However, it is possible to find a great ukulele that fits your needs. While every uke is different, there is one out there that is a perfect match for each individual. When looking for the best uke, remember to try and find a store where you can try one out before you buy it. If you cannot try one out, remember that you might need to get the nut and saddle aligned so that the strings lay close to the fret board for easy playing. Additionally, order nylon or titanium strings with your uke if you aren't sure what strings yours might come with or what strings you prefer (though, get these put on by a professional if you aren't experienced). Whether you are looking for a small and easy soprano, or a tenor with more frets, or even a differently tuned baritone, the best ukulele is out there and can be found with a great guide.

The post Buyer’s Guide: Best Ukulele Review in 2017 appeared first on Music Advisor.

source https://musicadvisor.com/2017/03/02/best-ukulele/ from Music Advisor http://musicadvisorcom.blogspot.com/2017/03/buyers-guide-best-ukulele-review-in-2017.html

[musicadvisor]

Buyer’s Guide: Best Ukulele Review in 2017

With so many different brands and types of ukulele's on the market, finding the perfect fit can seem impossible. There are many factors to consider when purchasing a new ukulele, including cost, durability, and style. Most of all, what works for one person, may not work for another; this makes finding the best ukulele a little difficult, especially if you're a beginner player. However, with a great and well-researched guide, you can find the best ukulele fit for your playing.

Rating

Product

Our Rating

Price

Neewer YHTC-1 Finished 24-inch Sapele Soprano Uke

Check Prices

2

Caramel CT102A Zebra Wood Tenor Acoustic Ukulele

Check Prices

3

Lohanu Concert Size Bundle

Check Prices

4

Kala Makala Shark Soprano Ukulele

Check Prices

5

Mahalo U Smile Soprano Ukulele

Check Prices

How To Choose The Best Ukulele

1: Test It Out

If you have the opportunity to test out a ukulele before you buy it, you definitely should try to. If you are beginner and don’t know anyone who owns ukuleles, this is an alternative option. Ukulele’s have become more popular in recent years and are often available to test out at music stores. Find a music store near you or test out a friend’s ukulele to try out different feels—every single uke feels differently.

2: What Should The Uke Be Made Of?

Many people find that solid wood ukuleles work better for them because they can add complexity to the tone of the music that makes chords sound rich and warm. Solid wood ukuleles also sound better as they age, which makes a great fit for someone looking to keep a ukulele for a very long time. However, if you do not live in a warm environment (for example, Pennsylvania) all year round, then a solid wood Uke could pose a problem. If there isn’t enough humidity in the air, the wood can crack and break. While there are tools to solve this problem, some people choose to go with a laminated wood uke to avoid any breakage. Laminated wood often sounds very similar, though the feel can be different as solid wood tends to vibrate more.

3: What Kind of Tuners Should I Get?

Ukuleles have special knobs on the end called tuners that allow you to tune the strings to the right amount of tension so that the uke sounds exactly the way you want it to. Many traditional ukuleles have friction tuners. While friction tuners are a great, affordable option, they are also known to go out of tune faster while you are playing. For a more solid choice, you can choose gear tuners which hold better and are often found on more complex instruments, such as the guitar. Gear tuners are often sturdier, but they are also harder to find on a uke and can be less affordable.

4: Is My Uke Well Aligned?

If you are buying your ukulele in a store, you’ll want to look at how well the nut and saddle are aligned with one another. The nut, the line that goes between the beginning of the fret board and the tuners, should be adjusted so that the strings lay very close to the fret. Similarly, the saddle, the piece that holds the opposite end of the strings, can also be poorly adjusted and cause the strings to be too high and far away from the fretboard. When this happens, it makes it more difficult for the player to push down on the string and can cause the uke player to make more mistakes or hurt their fingers. Even in higher quality uke’s, this can be a rather pertinent problem. However, if you buy your uke at a store, you can ask to have the nut worked on so that it is aligned exactly the way you want it. If you are buying your ukulele from the internet, you may need to take the uke to a music store or knowledgeable expert to re-align the pieces correctly.

5: What Type of Strings Should I Look For?

When buying a ukulele, you should also look at what type of strings the uke comes with. While strings can be changed, it can be a while before a beginner learns how to do this. If you are at a store when buying your ukulele, you may be able to choose what type of strings you want and have them put on by a store employee who knows how to do it correctly. There are generally two types of strings: nylon polymer and titanium. Nylon polymer strings are more popular because they are easier on the fingers and can last from 3-6 months. Titanium strings are generally sturdier than nylon polymer strings, but can be more difficult to learn how to play on and aren’t quite necessary for a smaller uke.

6: What Size Uke Should I Get?

When you walk into a music store (or start browsing online), you may notice that some ukuleles are bigger than others or different shapes than others. There are generally four different sizes of ukulele: soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone. The main difference between the sizes is how the size affects the tone and range of notes (i.e. they sound different). Most beginners (and many experts, too) choose the soprano ukulele because it is small, easier to maneuver, and easy to travel with.

7: Are There Different Shapes?

There are actually many different shapes of ukuleles. While the different shapes do not affect the sound quality much, they can be more comfortable to hold. Popular different shapes are Cutaway, Vita, Figure 8, Bell, and Pineapple. These shapes are a bit more rare to find, but can be found in unique music stores and thrift shops. However, keep in mind that different shaped ukuleles are often more expensive because of the style. Therefore, a pineapple shaped uke may not be an affordable option for a beginning player who doesn't want to spend a lot of money to test out this beautiful instrument.

Rating

Product

Our Rating

Price

Neewer YHTC-1 Finished 24-inch Sapele Soprano Uke

Check Prices

2

Caramel CT102A Zebra Wood Tenor Acoustic Ukulele

Check Prices

3

Lohanu Concert Size Bundle

Check Prices

4

Kala Makala Shark Soprano Ukulele

Check Prices

5

Mahalo U Smile Soprano Ukulele

Check Prices

Five Best Ukulele 

Kala Makala Shark Soprano Ukulele

This Kala Makala Shark Soprano Ukulele is pretty stylish. It comes in a pale green, blue, or black color and features a shark cutout bridge on the body. At a relatively inexpensive price of $46.99, this uke is affordable and would be a great option for someone who wants to play at gigs or places where style is key. Though this option is affordable, it's not a cheap ukulele; it has a great quality and a great sound for an inexpensive price. Best of all, this one includes a nylon carrying bag within the cost so you can take it anywhere from family road trips to your next gig.

Pros

Affordable

Mahogany Neck w/Rosewood fingerboard

Base of uke is not wood (great for cold areas)

Cons

Takes a week or so until the uke can start keeping its tune

Base of uke is not wood (sound is different)

Some uke's appear to be darker than the advertised picture

Check Current Prices

Lohanu Concert Size Bundle

This bundle comes with everything that a beginning uke player may need: a case, the uke, an electronic tuner, a uke strap, and three picks in varying colors. Best of all, this uke arrives with the strap pins installed to the uke for free, so there isn't any need to worry about installing them yourself and affecting the sound of the instrument. Additionally, the ukulele arrives with DVD lessons and a lifetime warranty, so that if anything goes wrong, you can quickly and efficiently exchange your concert uke for a new one. At 89 bucks, this one is a steal.

Pros

All laminate body that looks like wood (great for changing temps)

Comes with everything a uke player might need at the beginning

Rarely needs to be tuned after being set

Cons

All laminate body that does not feel like wood

Not intended for high end use; doesn't have the sound quality

Gig bag does not protect instrument very well, except from dust

Check Current Prices

Neewer YHTC-1 Finished 24-inch Sapele Soprano Uke

This Neewer uke is priced at $49.00, which seems fairly inexpensive for a uke that has a laser engraved sound hole and flower fretwork. The body and neck are made out of sapele and the fretboard is made out of Rosewood, creating a unique sound. Additionally, this uke just looks sharp. It comes pre-strung and accentuates a pretty flower pattern that is easily noticeable while playing.

Pros

Lazer engraved sound hole

Fantastic, unique, and rich sound

Buffalo bone nut and saddle

Cons

Doesn't hold a tune as well as expected

Does not come with any perks (warranty, picks)

Flower and butterfly pattern isn't for everyone

Check Current Prices

Mahalo U Smile Soprano Ukulele

This ukulele only costs $35.00 and comes in an array of different colors, including red, yellow, white, blue and pink. With a lazer-cut engraved sound hole in the shape of a smiley face, you can't help but smile when you see this guy. As an added bonus, this uke also comes with a gig bag so that you can take this uke with you wherever you go. Additionally, this uke would be perfect for someone who needs to brighten up their day!

Pros

Aquila Strings

Includes a gig bag

Very affordable for beginners

Cons

Gig bag is not sturdy

Stand-out design isn't for everyone

Doesn't stay in tune very well

Check Current Prices

Caramel CT102A Zebra Wood Tenor Acoustic Ukulele

This uke features a zebra pattern on a wood body made from rosewood. This uke also comes with Aquila strings which are pre-installed for use. Additionally, a buffalo bone nut and saddle ensure an easy alignment for beginners. While this uke does not come with a case or picks (i.e. added perks), it does feature a wonderfully inexpensive price tag of forty dollars, which is affordable to many beginning uke players. Plus, this tenor has a great sound that is definitely worth learning the extra frets.

Pros

Arched back gives louder sound and better quality

Action at the nut comes well aligned

Rubber on tuners makes tuning easy

Cons

Must order online, which means added risk for breakage

Not sanded down well, causes splinters in fingers

Solid wood might crack in extreme temperatures

Check Current Prices

Conclusion

Finding the best ukulele isn't easy. The sounds of Hawaii often come with a price tag that is unaffordable. And, if someone could afford the ukulele, it often has to be tuned and adjusted after it's been shipped. However, it is possible to find a great ukulele that fits your needs. While every uke is different, there is one out there that is a perfect match for each individual. When looking for the best uke, remember to try and find a store where you can try one out before you buy it. If you cannot try one out, remember that you might need to get the nut and saddle aligned so that the strings lay close to the fret board for easy playing. Additionally, order nylon or titanium strings with your uke if you aren't sure what strings yours might come with or what strings you prefer (though, get these put on by a professional if you aren't experienced). Whether you are looking for a small and easy soprano, or a tenor with more frets, or even a differently tuned baritone, the best ukulele is out there and can be found with a great guide.

The post Buyer’s Guide: Best Ukulele Review in 2017 appeared first on Music Advisor.

from Music Advisor https://musicadvisor.com/2017/03/02/best-ukulele/