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titleChoosing Athletic Shoes – Tips and Tricks/titlepNo matter what your sport is, your athletic shoes are one of the most important pieces of equipment. From tennis to running, basketball to soccer, choosing the right athletic shoes for the right reasons can make a huge difference in keeping your feet and body healthy. Below you will find some of the things you need to consider when choosing shoes for your sport./ppbStyle Is Not Everything/b/ppJust about every day, someone asks me about their shoes. Questions vary from sport to sport, but the fact remains that the majority of people choose athletic shoes based on brand names and styles, rather than what is best for their own feet./ppI know that it can be hard to pass up those awesome looking shoes that match your uniform perfectly, but in the long run, the most important thing is that the athletic shoe serves its function…to support and protect your feet. So, lets take a closer look at what makes a good athletic shoe./ppbThe Heel Box/b/ppWhen I explain shoes to my patients, I always start with the heel box. This is where most people are similar in their needs. A sturdy heel box is essential to help control your rear-foot during athletic activities. The heel box is essentially the back third of the shoe, that surrounds your heel. Most athletic shoes have a heel box made up of leather, and some type of plastic or rubber reinforcement. However, not all athletic shoes are created equal. To test the heel box, try bending it over, or squeezing it in, and see how much resistance you encounter. If you can easily fold over the heel box, then chances are you will not get much support./ppbThe Upper/b/ppThis is the area where most people make the mistake that causes injury. The Upper is the portion of the shoe that surrounds the foot. It is the upper portion of the shoe, from the heel box to the toe box. Uppers can be fashioned from all kinds of different materials, from mesh to leather, and other types of fabrics. Depending on your foot type, you may need more or less support from the upper./ppThis portion of the shoe helps to control the mid and forefoot. Too much motion in these areas will allow for excessive stress through the meta-tarsals and tarsals, and can result in stress fractures, tendonitis, and other problems. To determine what type of foot you have, grab ahold of your foot with both hands, and move it around. Try moving individual bones around…do you find lots of motion, with little resistance, or is your foot very rigid, with little movement. You do not have to be an expert to tell if you have a flexible or rigid foot. Your athletic shoe should be opposite of your foot type. For rigid feet, you can get by with mesh or other light materials for the upper, as you need less support for your foot. For a flexible foot, you should lean more toward a rigid upper, that will control excessive motion and reduce stress./ppbThe Arch/b/ppArch support is essential for good athletic shoes. Even people with good arches, or great feet mechanics should have sufficient arch support. But, arch support is more than just the arch. It is the way that the sole of the athletic shoe is created and constructed that determines the overall characteristics of the arch. And as far as those cushy insoles that they try to upsell you at the shoe store – pass on those as they just add comfort, not support./ppWhen choosing shoes, look closely at the sole of the shoe. A good arch support will be evident by the shape of the shoe. Notice the outline of the sole. There should be a minimal amount of change in width between the toe and the heel. The wider the athletic shoe is at the middle (where your arch is), the more surface area there is to support your foot. So, avoid shoes that start out wide at the toe, narrow way down in the middle, and then flare out again at the heel./ppbChange is Good/b/ppEven the perfect athletic shoe will wear out over time. I have seen quite a few injuries due to old or worn out shoes. Just like any other equipment, you should monitor your shoes, and replace them when they wear out. If you are a runner, monitor your mileage, and replace them as appropriate./ppHow do you know when to buy new shoes? Well, holes, or pieces falling off are generally good indicators…But if it is not that obvious, look for all of the qualities that you used to choose the athletic shoe in the first place. Is the heel box still sturdy? Is the upper as rigid as it needs to be to control your foot? Is the arch still in good shape, or have you worn down one side of the sole? Answer these questions, and inspect your shoes often to keep them protecting your feet./ppbSummary/b/ppGood athletic shoes do not have to be flashy, or expensive to serve their intended purpose. There are lots of shoes out there that will fit both your needs and your budget. Look for all of the right qualities to fit your foot, and you are sure to make a wise decision. And when in doubt? Discuss shoe wear with other athletes, and the sales person at the shoe store. Chances are they have some good insight./ppBarton Anderson is a certified athletic trainer for St. Johns Sports Medicine. He is the creator of a target=_new href=http://www.sports-injury-info.com/ezshoesSports Injury Info/a, and is dedicated to providing sports injury information to his athletes and the public. Barton holds a Masters of Science Degree in Sports Health Care, and is certified by the National Athletic Trainers Association./pbrbr

titleA Survey of Western Saddle Types/titlepstrongTrail Saddles/strong/ppThe most popular type of saddle, trail saddles are designed for comfort over rough terrain and many miles. Designed for comfort they are lighter than ranch or roping saddles which are designed for heavier work. New materials and features often appear in trail saddles first due to their popularity. Some features include an easy to hold thin horn, a higher fork for stability, a deeply recessed cantle for comfort, wider stirrups treads and padded seats. Rounded or cut out skirts may also be present to further reduce the weight./ppstrongRanch Saddles/strong/ppRanch saddles, also called buckaroo, cowboy or old time are heavy weight saddles designed for heavy work. Made for long hours in the saddle and for functionality around the ranch they may include comfortable deep seats, low swells to be out of the way when working and thick horns. Other features include plate rigging for better strength, a high cantle, double rigging and rope straps./ppstrongRoping Saddles/strong/ppDesigned for freedom of movement these saddles are made for heavy duty. Maximum freedom while roping and chasing cows is ensured by the saddle tree design and the strong horn. A wooden saddle tree covered with bull hide, a rounded low fork, double rigging and a deep suede or rough leather covered saddle all contribute to the ease of use while working. High cantles allow easy mounting and dismounting and the stirrups are forward hung to help the balance./ppstrongCutting saddles/strong/ppFor cutting out single cows from the heard, cutting saddles were developed. A cutting saddle needs to endure good balance for the rider during extreme turning, starting and stopping maneuvers. Features include easy gripping with a tall thin horn, long flat seats, slim stirrups, low cantles and forward hanging fenders for extra balance./ppstrongReining Saddles/strong/ppFor reining sporting events a purpose designed reining saddle is ideal. These saddles need very close contact between horse and rider for ease of execution of circling, spinning and sliding stop maneuvers. Subtle communication between horse and rider is ensured by the close contact which, if properly carried out will not be seen by the spectators. Because of the close contact reining saddles are also popular as training saddles./ppstrongEndurance Saddles/strong/ppFor competitions involving long rides of up to 100 miles, endurance saddles are needed. They must be light weight and well made to stand up to the long miles of riding. Bulk must be minimised while at the same time maximising close contact. In addition for the long hours in the saddle they must be comfortable for both rider and horse. Because they are designed for comfort they are also becoming popular for trail riding. They feature comfortable padded seats, no horns, lower weight short skirts, deep stirrups and multiple saddle strings for your gear./ppstrongShow Saddles/strong/ppShow saddles, unlike the other types are designed primarily for their looks in the horse show arena. Fashion is important and designs change frequently. Ornate and deep tooling and decorative silver ornamentation are used extensively on show saddles. Designed for good looks rather than work these saddles follow fashions and change accordingly. For show saddles the latest fashion is important! Other features include deep skirts for more decoration turned stirrups with silver trims, and padded seats./ppFor more information and some good deals in new and used saddles check out a TARGET=_NEW href=http://www.usedsaddlesale.com/Used Saddle Sale/a or a TARGET=_NEW href=http://www.usedsaddlesale.com/Store/Used-Western-SaddlesUsed Western Saddles/a/pbrbr

By definition, IP or intellectual property is a legal field that refers to creations of the mind; such as musical, literary, and artistic works; inventions and symbols, names, images, and designs used in commerce, including copyrights, trademarks, patents etc. The purpose of the IP is to give exclusive rights to its owner.

What is the need for doing research on any intellectual property? Whenever a mark has to be cleared for adoption, use or federal registration it has to be researched. Specifically if one wants to use a trademark in commerce or wants to register a trademark with the USPTO (United States Patents and Trademark Organization) must conduct a search for the trademark to ensure that there is no other trademark that is identical with or similar to the trademark. On must confirm that no such trademark has already been registered or filed in the Federal Register or in any of the State Registers. Besides this, a common law search is also required to avoid a potential conflict with unregistered marks which have been already used in commerce.

There are many online tools that are made available for doing IP research like LEXIS-NEXIS and MICROPATENT. Another tool called DIALOG provides federal and state registration and common law databases for research. The most common services provided by the IP service providers include,

Valuation of patents, trademarks/ copyrights etc

Royalty rate consultation

Infringement damages

Expert testimony

There are many IP research service providers to whom the research work can be outsourced. In the developed countries like US, UK and Canada IP study has become an academic discipline. There are many postgraduate law programs in law schools that focus only on intellectual property related law.

The author of this article is John Kessel of Managed Outsource Solutions, a US based company that offers legal outsourcing services in Legal Outsourcing, Legal Transcription for clients across the US.

A wedding would not be completely possible and, most of all, successful if not for some ardent supporters. One of them will be your bridesmaids. They are more than just a bunch of girls who will walk down the aisle with you. They are there to offer you support during your wedding ceremony. That is why, it is only right that you think about getting bridesmaid gifts.

1. Bridesmaid bags. What kind of lady does not easily fall in love with a bag? Surely, whether you are having a tote, handbag, shoulder bag, or even a traveling one as your bridesmaid presents, it will surely be appreciated by the girls. You can also add some personal touch to your bridesmaid gifts by perhaps using their names as brand tags.
2. Bridesmaid jewelry. Diamonds will always be a girl’s best friend. If you have a very small number of bridesmaids and they are all special to you, you can purchase even just a small-carat diamond earring or necklace. However, if you are on a tight budget, any funky or lady jewelry will still be suitable.
3. Bridesmaid apparel and shirts. It would be fun seeing “Maid of Honor” all across the tees and blouses of your girlfriends. Your bridesmaid apparel does not have to be costly. You can just purchase plain-colored shirts and ask someone to print the words all across them. It does not only make a very unique gift, but it is also extremely useful to your bridesmaids.

Nevertheless, if you want to be on the safe side, you can simply ask them about their ideal bridesmaid gifts. This way, you are sure that your presents will be appreciated and suit their personality and preference. You can also have a good idea on how much you would likely spend for presents to your bridesmaids.

Regina Watson is the owner of Elegant Wedding Impressions She sells a variety of wedding favors at affordable prices. Elegant Wedding Favors carries cheap wedding favors and unique wedding favors. At Elegant Wedding Impressions you will be able to find a variety of quality wedding accessories such as guest books, Unity Candles, toasting flutes, wedding decorations, ring pillows, bridesmaid gifts and groomsmen gifts.

We see it every political season. Every TV, radio, print, web, and now cell phone bogged down with political advertisements. It’s nearly impossible to go anywhere without something telling you who to vote for this fall. Here is the real kicker… Even with the extreme overkill in political advertising – we often see businesses attempt to make the marketing pieces for their own businesses resemble political advertisements. With slogans such as “I’m X-name and I approved this message”, or marketing brochures that resemble political flyers. To anything and everything in between.

Is it really a good idea to take a business’s marketing theme, and mold it to resemble one of the most publicly hated types of marketing? Probably not. While there is nothing wrong with marketing that pokes fun at pop culture and the issues of the day, there can be backlash, or simply “block-out” of a message that is delivered in a style the general public has been conditioned to tune-out for years. The result of molding a business marketing campaign to resemble a political campaign is quite simple… marketing money lost. Not because your commercials or marketing pieces were not creative, entertaining, or compelling. They simply resembled something that the public is very prone to block, and that just doesn’t translate in to ROI.

In a time frame when 60-70% of all marketing is political, it is more important than ever to make your marketing stand out on its own merit. Not blending into the river of politics that grows deeper every day. So when you begin to think up and put together your fall marketing theme’s, ideas and strategies. Keep in mind the importance of standing out, and showcasing what your business is really all about. And if your business is not about getting someone into an elected office, your marketing shouldn’t be either.

Tony Brueski is president of V Marketing & Media Inc. He strives to help business effectively reach their target customers through compelling & creative marketing. For more information or to contact Tony Directly email tony@bestradiocommercials.com

Or visit

http://www.bestradiocommercials.com
http://www.bestmediaplacement.com

Having a husband in prison is a stigma in our society. However it is possible to cope and get through this difficult time in your life. Let me help you along the way and give you a few tips.

I myself am a “Prison Wife.” My husband has been in the prison system for the past 22 months. He was first in a minimum security unit, a place called “THE FARM, ” with open doors, and no barbed wire. Now, he is in a half-way house, hoping to come back home the summer of 2005.

The “Prison Wife” is the forgotten one, as she waits at home for her husband. Our society takes care of the sick, the dyimg, the homeless, but the prisoner’s wife is alone and forgotten.

She is faced with insurmountable problems….financial,emotional, psychological, social, stigmatization, health problems to face alone, children to take care of. She keeps the household “together,” until her husband comes home. She works, pays the bills, pays the mortgage or rent, the car payments, insurances. She takes care of the children, repairs for the house, and just about everything else under the sun. Holidays and birthdays come and go. She is alone and lonely, most often faced with depression.
Most find it difficult to even face another day. She lives in hiding because she is afraid the neighbors may find out. So she lies and says he is on a “business” trip, to protect herself…after all, the neighbors would be shocked to know a criminal’s wife lives next door to them. And, what does she tell the children? No one wants to let their child play with a criminal’s child.

When her husband leaves for prison, the wife goes through a period of “grieving.” She goes through the same “grieving process” that a widow goes through. The only difference is that the widow can eventually move on, while the prison wife cannot. The Prison Wife is a “wife,” without a husband. She cannot go out and socialize, and it is difficult to make new friends, as she feels she is being “unfaithful” to her husband.

After a certain amount of time (months or even years), it is acceptable in our socity for the widow to step out, and start dating and even re-marry. The Prison Wife who is faithful and dedicated to her husband does not have this option….some women wait years for their man to return…10 , even 20 or more years.

There are close to 2 million prisoners in our country….that makes me wonder just how many wives and loved ones are left behind and forgotten. We think about the prisoner, but never, ever, think about those left behind…..the wives, the children, the mothers, the girlfriends, to name a few. Those loved ones, who did not commit a crime, except the crime of “loving a criminal.” They did not commit a crime, and yet they are punished.

When their husband goes to prison, they are not notified by the prison system where their husbamnd is. I believe there should be some notification system in this country. The wife must sit and wait, until her husband is able to place a collect call to her.

There should be support systems in this country for prison wives. There should be follow-up programs for families of the incarcerated, to see how they are coping.

I will now give you some tips on how to get through this period of your life. It is from my own personal experience, and I hope it can help you………..after all, just remember, you are not alone……….there are so many of us out there experiencing the same feelings and emotions…the same problems.

“Ways To Cope”

1. Take one day at a time……..Do not think too far in advance. Try to get “through one more day.”

2. Plan small projects for each day, and try to reach a goal. For instance, I put all our photos in photo albums, during the first few weeks of my husband’s incarceration. When that project was complete, I started cleaning out drawers and closets.

3. Organize tour life…………I re-organized bills and mail, using folders and envelopes, and I kept logs, writing everything down.

4. Keep pictures of your husband around the house….I had pictures in every room. I even had one posted on the refridgerator door.

5. Join a church group. I started baking cakes for the monthly cake sale. I enjoyed doing it, and felt I was contributing something to society.

6. Get involved…acquire hobbies. Knitting, needle-point, gardening, writing, keeping a diary….anything. just do something, even if you force yourself to do it. As time goes on, it will get easier, and you will begin to enjoy it. I planted an “Angel Garden,” outside in the yard, with angel statues, and flowers. I also began writing poetry, stories and letters to the editor. I also began writing a journal, which became a very important part of my life.

7. Keep in close contact with your husband….Accept phone calls (if you can afford it, as prison phone calls are extrememly expensive), send your husband letters, cards,magazine and newspaper clippings, and computer print-outs of thingd that interest him. Send him pictures (old and new)…Men in prison love to look at pictures from home. It helps them from becoming homesick. My husband has almost 100 pictures that he keeps in photo albums, and loves to share with the inmates, and show them our family and home. If I change something around in the household,or buy anything new, iI take a picture and send it to him, so he always feels connected to our home. I also tkae pictures of the pets, the garden, and the cars.

8. Keep a notebook near the phone at all times. Jot down things you want to discuss with your husband when he calls. Remember, those are 15 minute calls, and there is a lot to say in a short period of time, so get organized beforehand.

9. Cry when you have to, but also try to stay focused. Do not be torn apart by the prison system. You are still a person, and a wife…and you need to be supportive to your husband.

10. Try to stay healthy. Eat right, avoid junk food and alcohol. Exercise. Try walking. After all, you want to be physically fit when your husband comes home!

I hope this article will be of some help to the wives and loved ones of prisoners, as they await their loved one while he is in prison.

My name is Frances Russo,RN,BSN,MA. I am a retired Registered Nurse,who is now legally- blind , and does free-lance writing, as a hobby. I enjoy writing short stories for magazines and poetry. During my life, I enjoyed education, and international travel, having travelled to 28 countries. I’ve lived in Manhattan, California, Las Vegas, and New Jersey. My husband is currently within the prison system, and I enjoy writing a journal, which has become quite popular. It is called “Reflections Of A Prison Wife.” Please visit my web-site! http://journals.aol.com/crystalmoon222/reflectionsofaprisonwife/

Over 5800 have read my journal, leaving comments and identifying with it. They find strength in my journal. I have recently been interviewed by 2 newspapers, and my story will soon be published , along with photos (ASBURY PARK PRESS AND THE PRESS OF ATLANTIC CITY). My journal is the basis of a book I am writing.

If you are a rock , or metal fan chances are you have heard of the rock gods Metallica. This band set fourth a steady stream of fans for years, even after the band had stopped playing. Metallica fans tend to be one of the most dedicated, and extreme fans out there. Chances are, if you are reading this article you are one and the same. Now the question of what you should do, you have your own band tees, and other Metallica paraphernalia. However, you are becoming a parent. It is time to start shopping!

Metallica onesies, and toddler tee’s tend to be one of the most readily accessible band logo clothing for children. You can find these items anywhere from your local wholesale retailer, to even the farthest depths of the internet. Chances are, the moment you type in “Metallica onesies” into your browser, you are bombarded with thousands of sites begging for your business. However, it is important to keep quality in mind. Not all companies will provide you with a long life, fade resistant logo on your child’s onesie or tee. If you are a parent, you know the importance of durability in your child’s clothing.

Now that we have that covered, we will spend some time on the pricing of a onesie. As in articles past, I have told you that you can expect to pay anywhere from fifteen to fifty dollars on a band logo item. This of course, doesn’t necessarily breed truth in the world of Metallica. They seem to populate nearly every store in America, that provides clothing for infants and toddlers. Since this is the case, you may be able to find a onesie as cheap as five dollars from your local store. Just keep in mind, that you will need to keep an eye on the quality of the item, if you intend it to last over a week with your rambunctious child.

A few selections that you may have to choose from would be :

* A fashionable black onesie sporting a rock god mouse, which resembles your standard skull and crossbones, and the band name “Metallica” in vibrant colors.

* A tattoo parlor picture, sporting a parent under the machine and his daughter standing by. This also includes the “Metallica” logo.

* Cd cover simulator onesies, that bear the beautiful artwork from the CD covers.

Of course you aren’t limited to these few, as you are likely to find many others. Metallica shirts and onesies, unlike a lot of band logo fashions. Are available in many different colors, ranging from your standard black, grays, and whites all the way to vibrant pinks, blues, and purples depending on the store you shop at. Chances are, is that you will find a onesie or toddler sized tee, to fit both your needs and your child’s personality.

Shopping for organic baby apparel and childrens apparel? Add style to your baby with a designer t-shirt, a black onesie or a funky diaper bag. We carry black baby clothes, rock toddler t-shirts, maternity apparel, punk baby onesies and Metallica onesie. Find the perfect maternity tees or matching mom and baby set for a new mother.

Scientists in India have shown how curcumin (a compound derived from turmeric) and capsaicin (a compound found in chilies) work to prevent gallstone formation.

80 % of all gall stones are known as cholesterol stones. As their name implies they consist primarily of cholesterol crystals. The other 20% are known as pigmented stones. The two different types arise from different underlying pathologies.

Cholesterol stones are formed when cholesterol crystallizes in the gall bladder. They then either continue to grow or, if small enough, are flushed into the intestines with the bile. The initiation or inhibition of the crystallization process concerns the concentration of cholesterol as well as the presence or absence of certain types of protein in the bile.

A number of factors increase the risk of gall stone formation:

• Diet: A diet high in saturated fat (particularly animal fat) increases cholesterol in the bile while a diet low in dietary fiber reduces gall bladder emptying. These two dietary factors increase the risk of gallstone development.
• Gender: Women are twice as likely to develop gall stones as men. This is because estrogen increases the amount of cholesterol in the bile and inhibits gall bladder emptying.
• Genetics: Gallstones run in families and certain ethnic groups such as Native Americans have a higher than normal incidence of gallstones.
• Weight: Overweight and obesity increase the risk of gall stone formation, especially in women.
• Weight loss: Rapid weight loss that occurs in crash dieting increases the amount of cholesterol in the bile and slows gall bladder emptying.
• Age: People over the age of 60 are more likely to develop gall stones.
• Diabetes: The high circulating levels of fatty acids that occur in diabetic individuals makes them more susceptible to gallstone formation.

Researchers have found that adding curcumin (from turmeric) and capsaicin (from chilies) to the diet can help prevent the development of gall stones in these high risk groups. These two spice-derived compounds work by reducing the amount of cholesterol in the bile and inhibiting the crystallization process that is the first step in gallstone development.

By this means they can reduce the risk of gallstone development fourfold – even in high risk individuals.

Thus far, chilies and turmeric are the only two spices that have been tested in relation to gallstone formation. However other spices such as fenugreek, garlic, ginger, cinnamon and coriander have been shown to reduce several of the other factors that contribute to gallstone development.

Scientists have already shown that spices can help to prevent conditions such as heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes.

Now, not only can we add gallstones to that steadily growing list but, we have even more incentive to include many more of these tasty foods in our diet.

Keith Scott is a medical doctor who has a special interest in nutritional medicine. He has written several books on health related topics including Medicinal Seasonings, The Healing Power Of Spices and Natural Home Pharmacy. For more information about the books and health enhancing and disease fighting properties of spices go to: http://medspice.com/

Interested in learning how to lose inches off your waist fast… to the point of losing 2-3 inches in less than a month? What I’m going to do is skip the “diet talk” and focus on some really unique exercises that you probably never heard of. So if you want the “non-diet“ way to lose a few inches while reducing the amount of time you workout, then read on.

How to Lose Inches Off Your Waist Fast

The first thing I’ll talk about is an over-looked exercise that helps to burn pounds and inches off your waist. This exercise is the incline walk.

Now before you stop reading what I have to say, I want you to know that this is totally different than the typical walking to lose weight. The 1 big difference (the incline) changes everything.

I could give you the details on why, but I think it’d be much better for you to just try it out once the next time you can go for a walk on a treadmill or hill.

Here’s what you do. Get on a treadmill and set it up so that there’s an incline of 15 degrees (10 degrees is fine also). Then walk… walk for 20 minutes. You’ll learn more from that 20 minute walk than anything I talk about here.

Briefly though, walking on an incline creates a BIG oxygen deficit… as compared to normal flat surface walking. That’s oyxgen deficit is what causes you to burn off fat really fast.

Next, hula hooping…

This is more a “toner” exercise for the waist and hips. When you start losing inches and pounds, start adding in 10 minutes of hula hooping to your exercise program 3-4 days a week. To get the most out of hula hooping, choose a hula hoop that is bigger than the kid’s size and make sure it’s weighted so you have an easier time twirling it around your waist.

Finally, vacuum up your belly fat with the “vacuum pose“

This is purely an exercise that reduces inches from the waist. It doesn’t help much in losing weight, but who cares. Do this exercise for 5-10 minutes a day and you’ll lose 2-2.5 inches from the waist in a month.

So if you’re concerned more about how you look than the scale, focus on this exercise.

This is simply sucking in your belly, BUT WITH A TWIST. Suck in the lower abs. That’s the key. Suck it in and hold. How long to hold it? Well, the longer the better. I do it for at least 30 seconds at a time… and sometimes up to 1 minute.

But if you’re having problems with doing it that long, do it for 15 seconds each time. Just be sure to do it for a total of at least 5 minutes a day to get outstanding results.

That’s how to lose inches off your waist fast without having to spend hours in the gym on the treadmill, stairstepper, or stationary bike.

Want to learn more about how to lose inches off your waist fast? Then… Click http://www.weightlossguide4women.com for your FREE 19-PAGE report “How SPINNING Around Like a Child Skyrockets your Weight Loss”.

WHY get it? BECAUSE your body and future health are serious concerns that require immediate attention. Reading this article shows you’re NOT 100% HAPPY with your body. Fix it starting today. My report will help you lose 10+ pounds, balance your hormones, and give you tons of energy.

I think you’re committed to losing weight BECAUSE you read this article. That’s an important 1st step. ARE you serious about losing weight? If yes, then it’s time to take action now. If weight loss truly is a PRIORITY for you, then click http://www.weightlossguide4women.com to get the free report. 12,000+ women are using the report to lose weight… why not you?

Jennifer Jolan

PS. Click my name at the top of this article to view my author profile and 420 articles I wrote.

With the internet making it easier than ever to source artworks, it’s relatively simple these days to build up a great-looking collection.

While prices for unique works are increasingly beyond the reach of many, limited editions of, say, 150 plus are financially and widely accessible, making it possible to acquire pieces by major artists for reasonable prices.

There can be a downside, however. While little beats the pleasure a signed work can bring, generally speaking, the larger an edition, the less likely it is to appreciate in value quickly – or even substantially.

Nevertheless, the contemporary art market is full of contradictions, and with growing demand at all levels, recent trends have often seen this assumption overturned.

As an obvious example, Damien Hirst’s early prints for Eyestorm consistently fetch $10000-$16000 at re-sale, a very substantial profit on their original price. More recently, prints by Banksy and other urban artists have proved equally lucrative.

In other words, it’s becoming increasingly possible – although by no means a certainty – to make profits quickly with relatively little outlay; although the trick, as always, is knowing what to buy and when to sell.

Buying for fast profit

The art world has a curious attitude to speculation. Buying and selling purely for profit is still regarded as just a little unsavory, even though the entire art market is dedicated to this pursuit. Perhaps it’s because art has such a curiously dual nature, combining aesthetic and cultural worth with a commercial value that can reach very high sums indeed.

Whatever the case, it would be difficult to consistently make money from art without some genuine appreciation and an insight into what will stand the test of time. And many dealers are themselves collectors, at least partly funding their own acquisitions through trading.

Yet it’s certainly true that, with contemporary art consistently showing remarkable returns on investment, it’s also become an attractive proposition to a very wide range of buyers.

In general, non-specialist speculators often trade in the work of artists whose frequent media coverage makes them well known to the public. And as shown by the two examples mentioned above – Hirst and Banksy – this can certainly reap substantial rewards.

But it’s also important to remember that, in an increasingly novelty-driven world, the next big thing is usually just around the corner. ‘Celebrity’ artists often take on the nature of a trend, and fads can become outdated with dramatic speed. Knowing when to sell such work is vitally important.

Ups and downs in the market aren’t just related to artists with familiar public profiles, of course. The art world itself frequently generates its own, ‘flavor of the month’ buzz. A few years ago, Martin Kippenberger’s prices rose dramatically, then leveled just as quickly. Chinese and now Indian contemporary art have been subject to the same kind of intensely fashion-led markets.

Clearly, money can be made through quickly identifying and speculating on trends, but you’ll need to have your finger firmly on the pulse. Knowing what’s considered exciting is essential, but you’ll also have to determine how long this excitement is actually going to last.

Long-term investment – knowing your artists

When it comes to collecting art, you’ll often read the following: the safest way to build a collection is simply to buy work you really like.

Such advice seems tailor-made to shield less knowledgeable collectors from potential disappointment, and perhaps even encourage sales of less desirable work. Buy a piece you love and if the value falls no harm has been done. If it gains in price, that’s a bonus.

I prefer to look at buying art a little differently.

Of course it’s important to purchase work you want to own and view.

But since contemporary art presents real investment opportunities, it makes sense to think carefully about what to add to your collection. After all, look at almost any online art site, and you’ll see that prices for fairly standard pieces are often equivalent to what you’d pay for work with far greater investment potential.

Although there’s obviously no way of predicting future value for sure, the key is to familiarize yourself as much as possible with the background of artists you’re drawn to.

How long have they been practicing? Is there a theme or thought process behind their work? Has this evolved coherently over the years?

Artists with at least some degree of complexity and persistent ‘vision’ are generally more likely to gain steadily in appreciation and price.

You’ll also want to know if the artist has achieved some kind of recognition. Is their work held by collections, galleries or museums? Has it been exhibited consistently?

Professional opinion is yet another important factor in trying to determine an artist’s long-term prospects. If a large number of critics and academics coincide in their high opinion of an artist, this is another good sign that they will retain or even gain value.

Mid-career artists can be judged much more easily in relation to their existing work; and after all, good art isn’t just about something that happens to look nice on a wall.

It’s about a certain kind of commitment and an obvious path of development. If all these factors are present, buying probably makes sense. Limited editions by Jeff Koons, for example, were relatively inexpensive 5 or 6 years ago, but with recent record-breaking prices for major works, have also shot up in value.

Even artists who disappear temporarily from the art market radar are much more likely to re-emerge at a later point if they show the ‘right’ kind of commitment and passion.

Emerging artists and the schlock of the new

New young artists are often fizzing with ideas, many of which can seem ground-breaking or even radical, but the problem is that they have yet to prove their long-term worth.

This said, you can certainly gain an insight into potential by applying the criteria above. It’s especially important to determine if they have something genuine to express or are simply employing methods that could, over time, increasingly be seen as just a gimmick.

Of course, if you’re looking to make a high return on investment, rapidly emerging artists can prove highly lucrative.

In such cases, it’s probably a good idea to invest in as substantial a piece as possible, although as we’ve seen, editions and multiples can also prove money-earners.

But keep a close eye on auction prices and signs of market fatigue. Such artists might be the talk of the town right now, but will they fulfill their early promise?

If, after a few years, their work appears stuck in a rut and prices seem to be leveling or even dropping, it’s time to think twice about their long-term appeal. On the other hand, if they do continue to create great work, any pieces bought for relatively low sums at the start of their careers should steadily rise in value.

Spreading your bets

If you’re lucky enough to have substantial sums of money to spend on art, newer artists, as we’ve just seen, can produce significant return on investment.

But perhaps the best way to offset the risks that they may never fulfill expectation is to ‘spread your bets’ across a selection of up and coming names.

Buying the work of several different artists might mean settling for less significant works, but with the right kind of knowledge – and luck – hitting a jackpot is still potentially viable.

If you’ve done your research, the chances are fairly good that at least one – and hopefully more – of your chosen artists will gain in recognition.

And given the phenomenal increase in prices for contemporary art, if that happens, eventual profits could far outweigh the costs of initial purchases, even if other works fail to make the grade.

It’s worth remembering that many well-known collectors buy huge amounts of work by new, ‘promising’ artists.

Charles Saatchi is a particularly good example, and although he is famous for the apparent strength of his collection, a sizable proportion consists of artists who have now faded into obscurity (you won’t see these listed on the website).

However, the phenomenal rise in value of those who became major names – Peter Doig, for example – have reaped him many millions of dollars in profit at auction.

And if those are the rewards, you can probably afford to make the odd mistake.

Mike writes for modernedition.com, a resource providing articles and news on contemporary art, as well as limited edition prints and multiples by leading contemporary artists.