ARE YOU A COLLECTOR?
If you have ever thought about that question and told yourself that you just "had" a few things that you liked and didn't think of yourself as a "collector", click on the link below and take the quiz. You might be surprised.
What a great time of year with the weather getting warmer, leaves and flower buds popping out and the sun shining in the windows highlighting some of my collections and the dust they have accumulated over the winter. I've found some great tips to share on taking care of your collectibles and your antiques; but today is Sunday and I am not in a Spring Cleaning mood. I'd rather take a fun quiz. Enjoy.
http://collectibles.about.com/library/weekly/aa022199.htm
Stay collected!
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Monday, April 17, 2006
How to Share Your Collectibles by Giving Them Away!
Around any holiday, I always think of family; especially my grandchildren. Living a long distance away from all of them, I think about what I would be doing if we could share the holiday together. This Easter I found a set of candy holders that I had made in a ceramics class many, many years ago. I never use them, but have moved them with me every move. I decided that it made sense to give them to a family member who would appreciate my making and saving them. I decided that that is how I will celebrate holidays in the future; start "gifting" any of my pieces of collections that I want to pass on to family and friends.
After finding those holiday candy holders and making the decision to give them away, I found the following article which is about doing the same thing for Christmas. I realize that Christmas is a long way away; but perhaps looking at your collections of collectibles early on will start this process of sharing.
I would love to hear from some of you about what you think of this very clever idea. Please leave a comment.
Sharing Your Love of Collecting by Giving Collectibles Away
From Barbara Crews,Your Guide to Collectibles.FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!
I love to share my collections. Both online and by having people over to see it. But one way I decided to share it a few years ago is by giving things away.
Like many collectors, when I first started, and was most passionate, I collected everything. It didn't take long for my collections to take over our house and life, so I started packing parts of it away. For years I've also rotated the seasonal items and although that helped, I still had lots of pieces that never saw the light of day. Cookie jars tucked into boxes, glass ornaments that only sparkled in the dark recesses of a closet and snowdomes that were never shaken.
That's why at Christmas time I share my jars and ornaments with others by giving them away. It was probably three or four years ago that I first gave away over two dozen cookie jars at our annual open house and when I still hear from non-collectors how much they still love and use their jars, I realized I made the right decision.
So over the years I will usually have a tree of ornaments to pick from and sometimes, like I did again this year, give away quite a few cookie jars.
The items I give away are usually extras or ones that I just don't display for one reason or another. Like any gift you might give, I would never give away anything damaged in any way. The rules are simple. It must be something that I once loved, but no longer cherish. And it must be in excellent condition. For the recipients -- once they open their wrapped jar, they have to take it! Yes they can trade or give it away later on, but if they don't like it, they still have to take it away.
This year several dozen cookie jars were adopted. All the jars were wrapped in gift sacks, with tissue paper hiding the actual contents. Each party-goer family or couple were invited to pick a sack to take with them. Of course they had the option to not participate, but no one turned down the chance to take a prize home. I'm not sure how many might have been disappointed in what they actually got, but I know quite a few folks were really delighted with their new Christmas jars.
Perhaps this is something you can adapt for holiday get-togethers, make it game by drawing numbers, or disguising the contents of a package. You'll be sharing your love of collecting and maybe even get someone started on the adventure of collecting.
Stay collected and connected.
http://aboutcollectibledeals.com
Around any holiday, I always think of family; especially my grandchildren. Living a long distance away from all of them, I think about what I would be doing if we could share the holiday together. This Easter I found a set of candy holders that I had made in a ceramics class many, many years ago. I never use them, but have moved them with me every move. I decided that it made sense to give them to a family member who would appreciate my making and saving them. I decided that that is how I will celebrate holidays in the future; start "gifting" any of my pieces of collections that I want to pass on to family and friends.
After finding those holiday candy holders and making the decision to give them away, I found the following article which is about doing the same thing for Christmas. I realize that Christmas is a long way away; but perhaps looking at your collections of collectibles early on will start this process of sharing.
I would love to hear from some of you about what you think of this very clever idea. Please leave a comment.
Sharing Your Love of Collecting by Giving Collectibles Away
From Barbara Crews,Your Guide to Collectibles.FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!
I love to share my collections. Both online and by having people over to see it. But one way I decided to share it a few years ago is by giving things away.
Like many collectors, when I first started, and was most passionate, I collected everything. It didn't take long for my collections to take over our house and life, so I started packing parts of it away. For years I've also rotated the seasonal items and although that helped, I still had lots of pieces that never saw the light of day. Cookie jars tucked into boxes, glass ornaments that only sparkled in the dark recesses of a closet and snowdomes that were never shaken.
That's why at Christmas time I share my jars and ornaments with others by giving them away. It was probably three or four years ago that I first gave away over two dozen cookie jars at our annual open house and when I still hear from non-collectors how much they still love and use their jars, I realized I made the right decision.
So over the years I will usually have a tree of ornaments to pick from and sometimes, like I did again this year, give away quite a few cookie jars.
The items I give away are usually extras or ones that I just don't display for one reason or another. Like any gift you might give, I would never give away anything damaged in any way. The rules are simple. It must be something that I once loved, but no longer cherish. And it must be in excellent condition. For the recipients -- once they open their wrapped jar, they have to take it! Yes they can trade or give it away later on, but if they don't like it, they still have to take it away.
This year several dozen cookie jars were adopted. All the jars were wrapped in gift sacks, with tissue paper hiding the actual contents. Each party-goer family or couple were invited to pick a sack to take with them. Of course they had the option to not participate, but no one turned down the chance to take a prize home. I'm not sure how many might have been disappointed in what they actually got, but I know quite a few folks were really delighted with their new Christmas jars.
Perhaps this is something you can adapt for holiday get-togethers, make it game by drawing numbers, or disguising the contents of a package. You'll be sharing your love of collecting and maybe even get someone started on the adventure of collecting.
Stay collected and connected.
http://aboutcollectibledeals.com
Monday, April 10, 2006
After being unable once again to attend the Giant Flea Market in Pasadena with my friend, I took to the old standby of looking for collectibles/antiques at local garage sales near me. Afterwards I was pleased to see the following article at www.about.com about doing just that. Sometimes you find what you are looking for and sometimes, unfortunately, you find what you weren't looking for. Ah, yes, the start of another collection.
GARAGE SALE SHOPPING
From Pamela Wiggins,Your Guide to Antiques.
A Day in the Life of a "Saler"
Tips for Antique Hunting at Garage Sales
Remember, the early bird gets the best bargains, but swinging back by late in a sale may get you a better discount on an item that was priced way too high to begin with.
To get the most bang for your buck time-wise, consider frequenting neighborhood garage sales where a number of homes are having sales at the same time. This way, you can park at the end of a block and walk from house to house.
When you see something you even THINK you might want, pick it up and hold it. You can always put it back if you change your mind.
Carry books on favorite collectibles in your car. If you need to look something up, ask the sale's proprietor to hold the item while you "go get your wallet." If the item is not what you thought it was, you can always tell the seller you've changed your mind.
Don’t be afraid to ask for a discount, but be realistic.
No one wants to go half price on an item during the first few hours of a sale. Anger the seller and you may end up with no discount at all.
A Day in the Life of a “Saler”
Many antique hounds believe you can't find anything worthwhile at garage sales anymore. And I'll admit it, I've fallen into that rut a time or two myself. But just when I think I'll never find another old or collectible item at a garage sale, something pops up to change my mind.
Yes, I did have good luck at a series of garage sales taking place in a neighborhood that, quite frankly, didn't hold much potential for collectibles as far as I was concerned. The first sale I stopped at proved me wrong with a box of antique linens, and a nice vintage snakeskin purse. I didn't buy either, because they were priced a little high, but I began to hope for more.
The next street, through a series of sales, offered a porcelain souvenir shoe from the '40s, a multi-colored set of '50s mixing bowls and a snakeskin bag from the '70s. This time I walked away with the purse for $1. My mother politely yelled at me later for not getting the mixing bowls for her too. Live and learn.
Onward and Upward
By this time, I was gaining momentum. I set out for my next destination: a nice corner lot house with a garage brimming with “stuff.” Sure enough, the proprietor was offering several older kitchen items including a shiny aluminum two-piece cake carrier with a black plastic handle in excellent condition.
I knew this carrier was from the '50s because my mom had one when I was growing up. I've also seen Martha Stewart flaunting similar styles on television in the past, so it was mine for $3. I would have paid in the range of $20-30 to purchase one like it in a local antique mall. I was very pleased with my find.
At the same sale, another shopper just beat me to a nice glass refrigerator dish. I also left behind some really pretty pieces of vintage fabric. Sometimes you just have to know when to say no.
I was about to feel as if I'd used up all my luck for the day, but decided to move on to another block. Good thing I did, because my favorite finds were waiting ahead.
The Finds of the Day
I wandered up a steep driveway and my heart skipped a beat when I saw a 1920s beaded handbag lying on a table. Unfortunately, I realized that it was in pretty bad shape after giving it the once over. I still considered purchasing it for $1, but realized, like I did with the old fabric a little while earlier, that it was a repair project I'd probably never get around to completing.
I made my way next door and things looked pretty picked over. I was about to turn and go when I spotted some Christmas decorations in the back of the garage. I moved in to take a closer look and noticed some glassware, one of my weaknesses, on a table nearby.
There, waiting just for me, was a cute set of six small Fostoria American oyster cocktail goblets, and another set of eight tulip shaped fountain glasses with the Jeanette Glass Company mark on the base. I meekly asked how much the owner wanted for both sets, secretly thinking they were still there because the price was antique shop high.
Much to my surprise, she said $2 a set! These normally sell for about $5-15 per piece. Secretly pleased, I bought the set of fountain glasses to serve homemade ice cream in during the summer months and the Fostoria set to sell.
Last But Not Least
You'd think that would be about all I'd come up with for the morning, but I hit another sale or two and found a 1960s ceramic Santa Claus planter for $1.50. He looks so much like a bank my mom has had for years, I couldn't resist taking him home. There was also an older couple offering several nice Fenton Silvercrest baskets and vases at prices reasonable enough for a collector, but I decided to leave those behind for someone else.
So, after spending a couple of fun hours browsing secondhand wares and spending less than $10, I came home feeling pretty good about my finds.
Will this happen again the next time I venture out to a neighborhood garage sale? One can only hope!
GARAGE SALE SHOPPING
From Pamela Wiggins,Your Guide to Antiques.
A Day in the Life of a "Saler"
Tips for Antique Hunting at Garage Sales
Remember, the early bird gets the best bargains, but swinging back by late in a sale may get you a better discount on an item that was priced way too high to begin with.
To get the most bang for your buck time-wise, consider frequenting neighborhood garage sales where a number of homes are having sales at the same time. This way, you can park at the end of a block and walk from house to house.
When you see something you even THINK you might want, pick it up and hold it. You can always put it back if you change your mind.
Carry books on favorite collectibles in your car. If you need to look something up, ask the sale's proprietor to hold the item while you "go get your wallet." If the item is not what you thought it was, you can always tell the seller you've changed your mind.
Don’t be afraid to ask for a discount, but be realistic.
No one wants to go half price on an item during the first few hours of a sale. Anger the seller and you may end up with no discount at all.
A Day in the Life of a “Saler”
Many antique hounds believe you can't find anything worthwhile at garage sales anymore. And I'll admit it, I've fallen into that rut a time or two myself. But just when I think I'll never find another old or collectible item at a garage sale, something pops up to change my mind.
Yes, I did have good luck at a series of garage sales taking place in a neighborhood that, quite frankly, didn't hold much potential for collectibles as far as I was concerned. The first sale I stopped at proved me wrong with a box of antique linens, and a nice vintage snakeskin purse. I didn't buy either, because they were priced a little high, but I began to hope for more.
The next street, through a series of sales, offered a porcelain souvenir shoe from the '40s, a multi-colored set of '50s mixing bowls and a snakeskin bag from the '70s. This time I walked away with the purse for $1. My mother politely yelled at me later for not getting the mixing bowls for her too. Live and learn.
Onward and Upward
By this time, I was gaining momentum. I set out for my next destination: a nice corner lot house with a garage brimming with “stuff.” Sure enough, the proprietor was offering several older kitchen items including a shiny aluminum two-piece cake carrier with a black plastic handle in excellent condition.
I knew this carrier was from the '50s because my mom had one when I was growing up. I've also seen Martha Stewart flaunting similar styles on television in the past, so it was mine for $3. I would have paid in the range of $20-30 to purchase one like it in a local antique mall. I was very pleased with my find.
At the same sale, another shopper just beat me to a nice glass refrigerator dish. I also left behind some really pretty pieces of vintage fabric. Sometimes you just have to know when to say no.
I was about to feel as if I'd used up all my luck for the day, but decided to move on to another block. Good thing I did, because my favorite finds were waiting ahead.
The Finds of the Day
I wandered up a steep driveway and my heart skipped a beat when I saw a 1920s beaded handbag lying on a table. Unfortunately, I realized that it was in pretty bad shape after giving it the once over. I still considered purchasing it for $1, but realized, like I did with the old fabric a little while earlier, that it was a repair project I'd probably never get around to completing.
I made my way next door and things looked pretty picked over. I was about to turn and go when I spotted some Christmas decorations in the back of the garage. I moved in to take a closer look and noticed some glassware, one of my weaknesses, on a table nearby.
There, waiting just for me, was a cute set of six small Fostoria American oyster cocktail goblets, and another set of eight tulip shaped fountain glasses with the Jeanette Glass Company mark on the base. I meekly asked how much the owner wanted for both sets, secretly thinking they were still there because the price was antique shop high.
Much to my surprise, she said $2 a set! These normally sell for about $5-15 per piece. Secretly pleased, I bought the set of fountain glasses to serve homemade ice cream in during the summer months and the Fostoria set to sell.
Last But Not Least
You'd think that would be about all I'd come up with for the morning, but I hit another sale or two and found a 1960s ceramic Santa Claus planter for $1.50. He looks so much like a bank my mom has had for years, I couldn't resist taking him home. There was also an older couple offering several nice Fenton Silvercrest baskets and vases at prices reasonable enough for a collector, but I decided to leave those behind for someone else.
So, after spending a couple of fun hours browsing secondhand wares and spending less than $10, I came home feeling pretty good about my finds.
Will this happen again the next time I venture out to a neighborhood garage sale? One can only hope!
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