Hobbies And Interests
Stamp Collecting
Stamp collecting is a simple yet fulfilling hobby for adults of all ages or for students to learn history and geography. There are two sizes of stamps, definitive and commemorative postage stamps. Commemorative stamps are the larger of the two and are used to commemorate notable events and people. These are great for learning about different cultures and histories of states and countries. When collecting, look for prized stamps—such as princess stamps, which are stamps that look great but have no real value—or error stamps, which are stamps that have printing errors. These errors set the stamp apart as being unique from the “correct” print and can actually make them quite expensive and hard to find.
Scrapbooking
Scrapbooking is a great way to use older or decorative stamps creatively. You can use older stamps along with aged or black and white photos to add an antique feel to the page. Craft stores also frequently carry craft stamps with no monetary value if you don't have any stamps or don't want to use those from your collection. Some websites and local printing stores can make stamps from personal photos, which provides another creative option for scrapbooking projects.
Stamp Care
Instead of keeping your stamps in a stamp book, look for creative ways to display them. Mount on the fireplace or on a display shelf. Be careful when handling your stamps as the paper is very thin and can be easily torn, especially with older stamps. Collectors may want to invest in a pair of stamp tongs. These will allow you to handle the stamps without exposing them to the oils and dirt from your fingers, which, over time, can cause damage to the stamps. Standard tweezers are a quick fix if you don't have stamp tongs. For large collections, consider stock pages; these stamp pages fit a standard three- or four-ring notebook. Another option is to purchase or make your own stamp book which can be set out on coffee tables or other prominent areas of the home.