Copper is a beautiful and highly functional metal. While it can be used to make hammered sinks,tiles,mirrors and other functional household objects; artists also utilize copper’s unique qualities to create beautiful decorative pieces.

Labor and expertise factor much more strongly into art prices than tiles,sinks,and other appliances that have prices dictated primarily by the cost of raw materials. In other words,copper is usually not significantly more expensive than other metal art forms,making it a cost-conscious way to add copper’s unique aesthetic into your home design scheme.

Copper is pliable metal,allowing artists to carve intricate designs into its surface in the form of a vase or sculpture. Hammered copper,which literally looks like a copper sheet that was struck with the rounded side of a hammer,has a unique texture that reflects light in disparate directions. When this hammered texture is applied to Mexican mirrors,they have a very unique appealing looking.

Hammered copper,commonly seen in vases,mirrors,bathtubs and tiles,must go through a process of annealing in which it is heated up to a red hot temperature before it can be properly hammered. Copper can be hammered when it is cold but it is much more brittle at lower temperatures and is prone to cracking.

The unique way textured copper interacts with light makes it an appealing metal to form earrings,sculptures,and other types of art that utilize sweeping,angular lines to further accentuate the light effect.

Copper art is often hand crafted in Mexico as it has been made for thousands of years. Copper art is edgy and contemporary and at the same time it connects to a profound human tradition.

The best artisans will be able to make a hammered copper mirror from a single sheet of copper. This is an impressive skill that creates a product with no visible cut or welding marks.

While the gift of flowers will last for a week,giving a loved one flowers in a copper vase will leave behind a beautiful piece of art that will maintain its integrity for decades.

There are a lot of different ways that you can show that you are a fan of your favorite sports teams. From jerseys,to collectables,to even tattoos,fans have shown their appreciation for the teams that they love in a variety of ways. Perhaps no other thing proves your fandom than having some exclusive memorabilia from your team or its players. Owning a piece of sports memorabiliahistory can be invaluable to someone who cherishes it,and a lot of people will go to great lengths just to get it. Maybe you have a signed baseball,a game used hockey stick,the gloves from your favorite wide receiver,or even a signed pair of shoes from your favorite basketball player. No matter what it is,you want to display it proudly,and let the world know exactly what it means to you.

Securing Your Items

In times past,it was difficult to make sure that memorabilia was stored in a way that kept its integrity. It’s no secret that things can deteriorate over time,especially if it isn’t cared for. Now,people have display cases,or sometimes entire rooms,dedicated to displaying memorabilia. It’s important to understand how lighting,dust,and excessive handling can compromise the integrity of your items. We all remember the scene in the movie The Sandlot,where a child decided that a Babe Ruth autographed baseball was ok to play with. Make sure to avoid these circumstances and have your prized possession secured properly.

Lighting and Dust

It doesn’t matter if you have a “man-cave” or just a dedicated display case,take the time to make sure that the conditions are right for storage. Have soft lighting around the items,and refrain from direct sunlight. Also,consider plastic casing around your items to prevent dust,and acting as a barrier between the items and people’s hands. The oils and dirt that are on our hands can severely damage fragile items and will cause lettering and fragile materials to deteriorate over time. With a solid casing,you are eliminating these possibilities.

Check Its Authenticity

The last thing you need to worry about,or maybe the first thing depending on how you look at it,is how to make sure that the item you own is authentic. If you got the item directly from the athlete,or the sports organization,then you 100% know that it is legit. If you go through a vendor though,it can be different. Unfortunately,there are a number of people looking to make a quick buck through fake items. Make sure you are getting a certificate of authenticity with your items if you are planning to buy them from a store,or if you have the means,get it appraised yourself. Getting an authentic piece of memorabilia from your favorite team or athlete is amazing,just make sure you are getting the real deal,and are storing it in the best way possible.

Riding a motorcycle can be great fun. However,this doesn’t come without the risk of motorcycle accidents. Since motorcycles offer almost no protection to you on the road,it would be in your best interest to go and buy some of the best safety gear. I know living on the wild side at times can make experiences more fun,but in regards to this,it’s not worth it. No one wants to get hit by a multi-ton vehicle going 60 mph let alone getting hit by one,with almost no protection. Unless you are Superman,investing in some protection can save your life.

One of the best examples that prove this is Florida. Florida used to have some strict helmet laws but then repealed those laws. Before the repeal,Florida averaged around 160 motorcycle-related deaths per year. In 2012,the death toll was 457. That’s almost 300 extra deaths per year because people don’t like wearing helmets. This alone should show you why you need to gear up before getting on the road. Many motorcycle deaths were caused by cars not seeing them. Anyone who has been in a motorcycle accident should consult an injury lawyer.

I don’t want you to think that every accident that involves a motorcycle means certain death. Some people get really lucky and walk away just fine or only suffered a couple of scrapes. What you will notice in a lot of these situations though is that the motorcyclist most likely had on a helmet and some pads. Think about this for a second. Think back to the time when you were a little kid riding a bike but fell off and injured your knee. You were in pain,bleeding,and probably wanting your parents to come and help you. This is just from falling off your bicycle as a kid. Imagine what would happen to your body if it was sliding down the road at 60 mph without any protection. You would be in a world of pain as well as having to go to the hospital.

This is why it’s never worth it to go riding on your motorcycle without some protection. I know we all like to think we are invincible and when we hear these horror stories about what happened to other people,we believe that it won’t happen to us. But the truth is,is that we are not invincible. Yes,the human body is pretty durable. But it’s not durable enough to withstand running into a vehicle or sliding across the road. Do yourself a favor and invest in some equipment. Your body will thank you later.