A present for my 50th Birthday from my hubby!

Please Come In And Meet Me!

I Collect Stick Pins

I collect stick pins.  I have been lucky to find many beautiful ones for my collection. I collect mostly vintage and antique, signed stick pins, usually no longer than 3 1/2 inches long.  Stick pin is sometimes spelled as one word, stickpin.  A stick pin is also referred to as a hat pin or hatpin, but are usually longer than 3 1/2 inches.  I sometimes sell stick pins on Ebay that do not compliment my collection.  I currently have close to 300 stick pins.  I love all jewelry, especially antique and vintage, but I don't have space to collect it!!

I have written a basic guide for jewelry sellers from the buyer's point of view and a guide about displaying stick pins.

I Like Jewelry So Much I'm Learning To Make It

A friend introduced me to jewelry making about a year ago.  I have developed enough knowledge and skill that I started giving some of my pieces as gifts.  I was encouraged to start selling it, and though I was skeptical, I put some out at a garage sale.  It sold!  I then started selling a few pieces at a time here on Ebay.  I give anywhere from 50% to 100% of my sales from my handmade jewelry items to one of my favorite charities through Mission Fish.  I'm still learning the more difficult and intricate ways of making jewelry, but loving it.  I especially like using the Swarovski crystals.  They are beautiful and eye catching.

I Like Genealogy

I am the family genealogist, family historian, I need room for that, too.  :)  I keep a home library of resource books and many documents along with pictures, pictures and more pictures!  This hobby can be very addicting.  Finding one ancestor leads to another and another and, well, you get the idea.  Using a computer and software is very important and I have met many friends and found "lost" relatives through this hobby.  Ebay is a great place to find resources for genealogy.  On resource is a genealogy group that I belong to:

I have written a guide on genealogy that is very basic, aimed at the beginner, points out what is available on Ebay and might be helpful to those who have been using Ebay, but could use a refresher.  I've also written a reviews of the books, To Our Children's Children by Bob Greene & D. G. Fulford (1993) and Island of Hope, Iland of Tears by Douglass L. Brownstone, Frank Brownstone, Irene M. Franck (2002).  Another book I reviewed and recommend for those looking for insights and  into the historical mindset of the WWII generation is, Duty by Bob Greene

Family Names:

Mother's Line:  MUENCH or MUNCH with an umlaut, KNISPEL, from the area of Kolo, Poland circa 1888 and Evanston, IL circa 1900-1950,  STEIF or STEIFF, KLUGE, from Schremm or Srim, Poland circa 1870-1872, Evanston, Niles, Chicago, IL circa 1865-present, THIEL, WEIGT, NAVROTH Evanston, Niles, Chicago, IL 1872-present.

Father's Line:  ALBRECHT, LUTTER, HAUF, PAULIEN,  from Craam and Wischehenen, East Prussia circa 1900-1945 and Evanston, IL 1928-1955.  GLAUS, GRONAU, from Craam and Wischehenen, East Prussia circa 1900-1945.

AND oh, so many more related names!

One of many stick pins in my collection!

I think reviews can be very helpful when making purchasing decisions and I encourage everyone to read and write them.  I know I have found other people's reviews and guides to be helpful to me.

I've also written a few reviews of CDs, DVDs and VHS tapes. 

What Is LUPUS (SLE or DLE)?

I have a chronic illness, Lupus (SLE).  I know it can be a difficult illness to live with, but it doesn't have to stop you from living.  There is a lot of good information out there to help you if you have Lupus and for those who might be caregivers to people with Lupus.

I have written a guide to Lupus from someone living with it and I invite everyone, with it, caring for someone with it, or just interested in learning about it, to read my guide.  I have also written a review of, The Lupus Book; a guide for patients and their families (1999), by Daniel J. Wallace.  This book is often referred to simply as The Lupus Book.  I also wrote a review of a book that may be helpful to those with Lupus who are sun sensitive, Sun Protection For Life by John F. Barrow, Mary Mills Barrow (2005).

I invite you to join me on my blog titled, Lupus isn't fun, but life is still good.  I blog about Lupus and just about anything else!

Payment Policy  I Prefer PayPal.  I will accept Money Orders or Cashiers Checks, but hold items until they clear my bank.

Shipping Information  Shipping options are based on the type of item being sold.  I offer discounts for more than one item purchased within a 7 day period and shipped together.  I do my best to ship within 2 days of a cleared payment.  I recycle packing materials and boxes as much as possible, so I rarely have to charge any extra fees.  If I charge one, it is clearly marked and included in the shipping charge.  I offer insurance as an option at buyer's expense.  I ship Monday through Friday.  I ship weekends only at my convenience.

Return Policy  I sell AS IS, but I will accept a return if I make an error in description or there is some other error on my part. The buyer should contact me first.

Contact Information  Contact can be made through Ebay's message service.  I think good communication is important for a good transaction.  If a potential buyer should always ask questions BEFORE bidding/buying.

Feedback  Feedback is important for both buyers and sellers and I am both.  As a seller, I generally don't leave feedback until I know a transaction has been successfully completed. This gives me the opportunity to correct any problems before a buyer leaves negative feedback.   I usually leave feedback once I know the transaction has been successfully completed.  As a buyer, I leave feedback within a day or two of receiving an item and making sure it is as described and met the stated shipping agreement.

You Can Learn More About Me & Sign My Guest Book By Visiting

My World at:

http://myworld.ebay.com/wendelrae 

	Friends ME Page Site Ring established May 2003

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