Antique Lamps Are Conversation Pieces

There is nothing that adds more elegance and automatic ambience to a room's décor than an antique lamp. They are fantastic objects to have in a dining room or living room because they not only make a personal statement about you but because they are great conversation pieces. There is nothing
like a 1930s big chandelier with large drops of ice hanging from it to help break the ice with your dinner companions.

Original Lava Lamps

Perhaps the most popular of the antique lamps are the lava lamps. It is getting harder and harder nowadays to find a real lava lamp from the fifties or sixties. The knock offs that can be had for twenty dollars and be bought in a hardware store are simply not as nice as the ones you find on eBay or in antique shops. This is because the newer replicas tend to be a lot smaller then the original lava lamps that were sometimes tall enough to reach your knee. They also often contain glitter instead of the "lava" and their design is not as nice. If you manage to find a real lava lamp from the fifties then the design from the Atomic Age is certain to become a conversation starter.

Original Lava Lamps

One of the most interesting antique lamp fads that is around lately is the passion for chandeliers made out of deer antlers. These date back as far as the 1890s and straight through to today. They were standard lamp fixtures in medieval times in Europe (as they do have a bit of a pagan flair to them) but they are also considered to be part of American and Canadian furniture kitsch.

However keep in mind that when you buy one of these deer chandeliers that it is not always that politically correct. Some unscrupulous dealers are selling this type of thing on eBay as being made out of found antlers when what they have done is take the antlers off of live deer. This is a big
ecological no-no. You are safest to look in antique shops and for chandeliers that look like they have been found on the ground. These antlers will not have sawed off ends. If they do have sawed off ends you might start the wrong type of conversation at your dinner party especially if you have invited any animal lovers.

Yet another very popular type of kitsch antique lamp that is being manufactured right now is the "Sexy Leg Lamp." This is the lamp that was featured in the movie "The Christmas Story." It consists of a plastic molded ladies leg wearing a black high heel and it is topped with a shade that looks like a burlesque dancer's skirt. If you have one of these in your home, your guests are sure to point out that "you have the same lamp that Ralphie's Dad does."

A kind of lamp that is getting harder and harder to find but used to be a common sight on top of television sets all over the world is the classic ceramic black panther that is topped with a shade made from paper pressed with glitter.

Antique Lamps Are Conversation Pieces

Original Lava Lamps

Top 5 Funny Novelty Items

We all enjoy novelty items. There are many different products available that can assist individuals in their day to day work, be placed as decorative items, or simply bring joy to those that come in contact with them. Here, you will be introduced to five really funny things. You may or may not have seen these items, but you are sure to get a kick out of them!

Original Lava Lamps

USB Butt Cooler - Is your rear end just too hot to handle? Are you looking for the perfect gift for a boss that you feel needs to cool his butt down? Then, the USB Butt Cooler may be just right! This funny novelty item was created by the Japanese. It is basically a seat cushion with a built in fan that works to cool the buttocks and even the legs! While it is a practical product with some functionality, it can also be given as a funny gift to a friend, relative, neighbor, or coworker! Lava Lamp Shot Glasses - Are you the type that is fascinated with lava lamps? Do you enjoy taking shots of your favorite liquor? If so, you may enjoy our next funny novelty item - lava lamp shot glasses! When liquid is poured into the glasses, the LED's built into the product start to display colored lights. Blue, red, and green psychedelic colors can ultimately enhance the drinking experience! Spider Catcher - Do you really want to have some fun? Then give the gift of the ever-popular Spider Catcher. This is especially funny when given to someone who has a terrible fear of spiders. You should watch them trying to catch a wolf spider with this gadget! This is also a funny little item to give to kids and others who want to study insects but do not want to harm them! Gun Remote Control - Do you really want to freak someone out? Then this is a product that will provide a lot of laughs! It is the gun remote control! Imagine the surprise of your visitors when you whip out this item and point it at your television set! This product even makes a real gun sound when used! Just be sure to be extra careful toting this pistol - this is especially true if you answer the door with the remote in your hand!
Magic Remote Controls - We have all seen the movie "Click". If you are like me, you probably thought that the concept of controlling things other than electronic devices was quite appealing. Well, now, you can purchase a magic remote control that is designed to control a man or a woman. If they are talking too much, push a button in order to hear a voice command. If they are complaining about bills, simply push the appropriate button! You will have visitors laughing until they cry with this type of product!

Honorable Mention

Original Lava Lamps

There are a few funny items that I feel deserve honorable mention. There are as follows:

USB LED Beverage Cooler Electronic Bubble Wrap Keychain Screaming Monkey Slingshot

All of these items can be found online. The most popular websites for funny things are:

Think Geek Things You Never Knew Existed Spencer's

If you are in the market for funny things, you simply cannot go wrong with these websites. There are a number of novelty items available to those who are looking for a good laugh, or simply want to give the gift of laughter to another!

Top 5 Funny Novelty Items

Original Lava Lamps

Vintage Lighting: Action Lamps, Stained Glass Lighting and Lava Lamps Are Here to Stay!

Since the early part of the 20th century lighting designers have created lamps and fixtures to captivate our senses. Much like the tranquility one feels staring at a warming fire or the excitement one feels staring at the spectacle of a lightening storm, accent lamps - those with colorful stained glass patterns, mythical figures, pastoral scenes or action, evoke our emotions.

Original Lava Lamps

While illumination is a function of lighting, many of the lamps of the sensory ilk, including lava lamps of the 50's and 60's, and animated action lamps of the 20's and again in the 1950's, favor more the sense of accent, entertainment and decoration than the practical function of task lighting.

Original Lava Lamps

Static yet colorful stained glass lighting appeals as eye candy. Beautiful patterns of Wisteria, Iris, and nature captivate, whether lit or not. Not much has changed since pioneer Louis Comfort Tiffany introduced his first stained glass art lamps more than 100 years ago. Vintage original Tiffany fixtures can be bought for more than the cost of a down payment for a San Francisco home.

Motion lamps, like the animated lamps of the 1920's, feature popular scenes such as water cascading over Niagra Falls or flames burning around a log. It's no wonder why advertisers sought to reintroduce action lamps again in the 1950's. In the 50's these moving lamps were brought back to life featuring Cole Swimwear models or popular snacks and drinks such as popcorn or coke and would rest upon the counter of a bar for all to enjoy!

Lava lamps also captured our fascination with colorful lighting and movement. Today, these, and the above mentioned vintage lamps, continue to be popular. Collectors may seek higher valued originals, whereas the homeowner may be just as happy with a modern day reproduction. Adding to the feel of a place, these kinds of fixtures are here to stay!

Vintage Lighting: Action Lamps, Stained Glass Lighting and Lava Lamps Are Here to Stay!

Original Lava Lamps

Red Lava Lamp - The Red Lava in Clear Liquid Effect

If you want something retro but not the kind that you see in a fortune teller's cabin, the red lava lamp is exactly for you. Plug the lamp in and stay entertained for hours. A 10 inch lamp has a glazed silver finish and is small enough to fit anywhere whether it is your workplace or home. The model that has red lava floating in a clear liquid is one sight you do not want to miss. They are available for as low as US .99.

Original Lava Lamps

The lamp's working principle is pretty simple. The red wax and the clear liquid have the same density when they are unplugged. They do not mix. Once you heat the red wax, its density is lowered and it rises. When it rises, it is cooled and falls back down.

Original Lava Lamps

This rising and falling motion of the lamp is a sight so enigmatic, you find yourself staring at it even if you do not want to. Go out and buy yourself one of these lamps instead of trying to make one at home. They are cheap enough.

If you were there in the 70s, you would know why lava lamps are all the rage. It helps you relate to the pop, rock and roll revolution, the rapidly changing fashion, the designs and décor and how everything in that time had to do with feeling good. Music clubs and stores display them to create the same feel- good aura about their place. Not to mention, it gets nostalgic too. The fascinating movements of the lava, even has kids drooling all over them. Same goes for the adults. And for those did not know about the existence of the lava lamp, how about love at first sight eh?

The aluminum top and base give it a classy retro finish. Red lamps are all the rage because they mimic the original lava color. The lamp boasts typical lava lamp design and the same relaxing aura that comes with it. Some of the red lamps can be 16.3 inches tall and weigh around 58 0z which is roughly 6 pounds. Even after 40 years, the lava lamp is found to be just as fascinating as before. It has not lost its soothing, mood-altering touch.

However, most of the users complain that the wax loses its vigor after a few days and takes longer than necessary to warm up to do the dance. This certainly is a disappointment for the addicted user. Then, eventually it stops moving at all. Then the lamp is of no use. Most of them can not help but wonder that why haven't they perfected it after all those years. Most of the user reviews complain about the same thing.

Sometimes the light will not turn on, well then you can just forget about the lava coming to life. People have associated this problem with the red wax as the problem persisted with even the replacements they obtained. But the red lava lamp makes a very thoughtful present when it comes to birthday and Christmas presents. Everybody loves a lava lamp no matter what the flaws are.

Red Lava Lamp - The Red Lava in Clear Liquid Effect

Original Lava Lamps