The business of building tall ship models is old and varied, dating back to the very reaches of time. Mesopotamia and it's early waters are the birthplace of shipbuilding. With the advancing technology of shipbuilding, builders made model ships they would use as blueprints. Tall ship models also helped clients to visualize the boat the shipbuilder was making, and adjustments could be made according to the client's taste. Accurate measurements could be provided by the model ship in a time where advanced mathematics was unavailable to aid shipbuilders.

The earliest record of model ships came from the tombs of ancient Egypt. Crafting model ships was a spiritual belief - ancient Egyptians believed the dead crossed over via boat. Ancient Egyptian pharaohs had entire ships buried with them, however, and the higher your rank, the bigger and more detailed the tall ship models were. Bronze Age model ships were found made from clay and were very crude. Today, archeologists believe that hollowed log canoes made up the majority of Bronze Age ships. The Greeks were more active in making tall ship models than their Roman cousins, and created wood and clay models. Greek model ships were mostly modeled after warships of the same era. Model ship building served burial, decorative, and entertainment purposes in these times.

How I Decorate With Tall Ship Models

In the early 1600's, tall ship models making began to blossom as an art. Sending out ships to explore during this era, Europe became enamored with sea travel. Sailors and maritime prisoners would carve model ships to pass time. These were sold for food or money, and many churches commissioned these artists to build more models so as to perform blessing rituals. The model ships would hang from the churches rafters as reminders to pray for the sailors, and were taken down when the ship was lost at sea. Model ships were also bought by artists and painters, and many of the nautical Dutch Golden Era paintings used models. The accuracy of these model ships used for painting when compared to the real ship were required to be flawless.Larger models were constructed by teams of craftsmen, and were accurate down to the last timber.

Why I Am Crazy For Tall Ship Models

Due to Britain's growing naval prowess in the 18th century, model ships enjoyed a boom in popularity. Using the waterways to trade, the sea was monopolized by British and Dutch trading companies. These trading expeditions brought ships to the far ports of China and India, and helped spread model ship making. Britain controlled most of the world's waters, and captured prisoners were prone to creating boats out of bits of wood. Patrons would frequent the ports, bestowing prisoners with ivory or ebony to carve on commission. Model ship building was transformed into an art form due to this interest. The model ship building scene was most prominent in England. The first model ship building club was formed in London.

Tall Ship Models From The Begining

During World War II, model ship building was made more accessible by kits that became available. In the modern day, all sizes of models are created for leisure and sale. The hobby has since become international, and draws enthusiasts from every corner of the globe.

People all over the world have various hobbies that include different items. There are collections that feature die cast cars, coins, trading cards and historic ship models. Hobby shops and the internet sell historic ship model kits to the public. Each kit has a different skill level and amount of pieces in the kit, which is what goes into the pricing of the kit. Historic ship models run anywhere from $35-$250 per kit. Model shipbuilding is a very popular hobby today because of the craftsmanship that has to go into the work and how rewarding it is to see the completed ship.

Model ships, when on display, can be mounted on walls, displayed on shelves, or built into small glass bottles. Surely you remember seeing a model ship encased in a glass bottle at your grandparent's house when you were a kid. Many model ship builders decide to sell their ships after building them in order to pay for their hobby and make a little extra money on the side. Trade shows, art shows, craft shows and fairs are excellent places for shipbuilders to sell their completed historic ship models.

Historic Ship Models Made Me The Man I Am Today

If you are looking for something new to get your hands dirty with, consider historic ship models. Model shipbuilding kits have plenty to offer for those looking for a new hobby. Patience is a major virtue when building model ships because of the very tiny parts. The talents needed for shipbuilding include an excellent eye for detail and extremely steady hands. Shipbuilding is a very expensive hobby because you need to purchase paint, paintbrushes, a magnifying glass and other tools aside from the kit alone.

Why I Collect Historic Ship Models

Craft tables are very important to the model shipbuilding procedure because the hobbyist should have a specific spot for their models and their work station. Keeping your work area clean and organized is very important when building model ships, which means you should be able to keep the paint, paintbrushes, tools and parts from the kit on the same craft table so you know where everything is. Lay old newspaper on the table so you do not get paint all over the table. Following the instructions that come with the kit is highly recommended so you do not build the ship incorrectly and have to start over or purchase a second kit for spare parts. Avoiding mistakes when building model ships is the goal for amateur and veteran hobbyists alike, which is why they use the directions.

Historic Ship Models Building From A To Z

If you are easily frustrated, a hobby with very tiny parts that takes up a good portion of your time is not the best option. This hobby requires plenty of patience and the ability to work under pressure with very tiny parts. Almost every single part in a historic ship model kit is extremely small, which means you should concentrate as much as possible while working on the model. To protect your hands from paint and glue you should wear latex gloves, which will also keep the ship from getting your greasy fingerprints all over it. For a hobby such as building historic ship models, make sure you put aside enough money to fund the hobby without hurting your financial situation.

If you are looking for a great way to decorate your home without spending too much money, model sailboats are an economical and fascinating accent to any home. Although well known, model sailboats are not usually found in most homes and therefore provide an eye catching focal point and unique decorative piece. Their compact size and affordable price is an added bonus and makes a welcome change from a large, space occupying painting.

Rather than buying a pre-made sailboat, invest the added time and energy into building your own and you surely won't be disappointed. Once you've finished your boat you can mount it on the wall or display it in a case in order to show off the fruits of your labor.

Any history buff will attest to the importance of model sailboats in learning about different cultures, making the ship an incredibly valuable piece of decor. Ship modeling is as old as sea travel and can be dated back to ancient times. Adding a significant amount of information to the historical record, model sailboats aren't just for history buffs and hobbyists; they can be and are enjoyed by everyone.

Archaeologists have reaped tremendous insight from model sailboats and they have provided a wealth of information to supplement the historical record. Model ships provide archaeologists with the necessary information that they need in order to gain a better understanding of ancient technologies and seafaring methods.

The Model sailboat's distinct feature is its sails, which add a distinct beauty. Historical models can boast up to fifteen small sails, whereas more modern ones tend to have one or two. Model sailboats are laden with historical significance and are more than just decorative adornments.

Depending on the model, assembly is usually pretty straight-forward and most pre-made models require minimum assembly of the mast and sails. Getting started on a model sailboat can be a great excuse to have some friends over and work on it as a collaborative project. You get to hang out with your friends, and what's more is you all create a beautiful piece of art together. In the end, you can use any of the finished model wooden boats as a fantastic sourvenir.

In addition to being a hobby, model sailboats are a means of getting together with friends, learning, and spending time with one another. Model sailboats are sold in as many varieties and styles as the ones that they replicate and they have a way of truly transforming a room. In addition, model sailboats don't have to be made just from plain wood, in fact they often come detailed with intricate designs that make them that much more impressive and appealing.

Offering a distinct style as well as a wealth of information about our past, it is easy to see why model sailboats are such a hit amongst hobbyists and simply those looking for a beautiful accent to their home. With a model sailboat in the home it is virtually impossible not to let your imagination run wild and dream up fantastical stories and adventures of captains gone missing, pirates attacking, or mermaids beneath the deep waters of your living room.

You can maintain your blog by logging in to your Bravenet account. Once you are logged in you can customize the layout, colors, and features. In addition, you can add your own links, edit your profile, add your friends, and change many other options to personalize your blog.

Once you begin using your blog, you can view statistics in your members area to see how many people are reading your blog as well as where they come from.

We hope you enjoy your Blog. Be sure to tell all your friends about this great new service from Bravenet!