Time to act

Antiques and collectibles auctions are strange beasts. I might see some of the same people at auctions through various auctioneers but the tone of each auction is unique. The personality of the auctioneer comes through loud and clear in most cases. The conduct of the floor help adds to the tone of the event.
A well trained crew lends credibility to items being sold and I feel to the honesty of the whole affair. I attended two auctions this weekend and they were at opposite ends of goods quality and audience. Both were in nondescript bare buildings with cement floors, fluorescent lights, bare restrooms and limited food options. One had great items, not necessarily clean and dusted, but well described by auctioneer and I was clearly able to know what was up for bids. The other used video cameras and hand held items, but the noise was often so loud it was hard to know if the item on screen or the hand held item was up. The movement of the cameras could cause dizziness.
Some auctions hand items to the buyer, others move to a "secure" area and you show your paid receipt before collecting your treasures.
some mark the bidder clearly on large furniture items, others don't mark the furniture.
Websites for these auctions are often helpful if there is some description, proper naming and at least a ruler to know sizes.
Some auctioneers call all defects, others figure you had time to examine/touch each item yourself so you should know about repairs, hairlines, rough or smooth points on cut crystal etc.
I have not had time to handle every item I am interested in. I wonder if everyone in the business can spend a couple of hours pre-auction to inspect?
Is anyone in the antiques business out there who would comment on the hows to be successful? There does not seem to be an programs on this, more of an osmosis, seat of the pants, learning. I have subscribed to Antiques Week and the Journal of Antiques. I look at Antiques and Collectibles and the magazine Antiques from the library. I look at price guides and the colorful collectors books. I walk thru any antique mall store I find. What things can I do to become successful income wise? I'm jumping in an taking a booth with about 100 items including some chairs, small tables, a few lamps and wide variety of smalls.

Second Life SL

Can anyone explain to me the hows of Second Life? I just read about it and went in and created an avatar-- right, as if I understand all that, though not the image I wanted. Now I need to figure out how to get off orientation island. I am not into role playing games and have missed most of the computer game experience. I also don't do chat or IM so this a stretch. Starting a blog was a new project for this year.
I thought this SL might be an interesting way to create a virtual world of antiques and collectibles business.
Is there an idiot's guide to SL?

Snow day!

A snow day for most schools once again. Roads were terrible, but the commercial sites had cleared lots. Several closed schools had cleared lots and sidewalks. I guess though teachers may not have to report the grounds crew, janitors etc still do. The court workforce has plenty of jobs today shovelling snow from public buildings and senior homes.
Will people go out once the roads clear even if they didn't have to go to work? Will they venture forth to an antiques mall or shop? Would it be valuable to stay open when bad weather shuts schools? I don't think I would want to take on a stand-alone shop. There just seems to be so much overhead. I do want to be able to set up booths at more than 1 mall location. The idea would be to rotate inventory between sites to keep a fresh look.

the business of antiques

Unable to attend an auction since the 4th and I feel like I'm in withdrawal. Can't wait to get home and read the newspaper to see what's scheduled for the weekend. I've started viewing auctionzip.com and wish I lived elsewhere. The grass always looks greener.
What type of start up costs should I look at to open a booth at a mall? Should I just dive in and start once I have some stock to fill a booth? Should I look at a showcase rental? I usually don't spend much time looking at a looked cabinet, but that might be my hangup not that of a buyer. I like to freely look closely and touch. Anyone had experience selling from a showcase? Can one make more from a yard sale than a flea market? At least with a yard sale I don't have to move everything in and out of a vehicle.

A few pleasant snaps

Two snaps that are favorites--
English cameo glass at Corning Museum of glass

quiet corner in an antiques booth

Books and more books

I'm amazed at the variety of books out there on collectibles and antiques. There's one just on Housekeeping toys--those tin pots and pans, irons, stoves so many had. That time period of teaching girls the art of keeping a house correctly. After all no respectable woman worked outside the home. What a lot of rot! I don't know why these would have created a fond memory for women. It just ties one to the drudge of housework.
On a more interesting note I'm trying to obtain a copy of cabinet of curiosities through the library. Inter Library Loan can be wonderful when it works. If I really want to own a copy then I can pursue the used book circuit.
For pricing guides I think they are high. I want to be able to purchase items at auction an turn around and use as inventory for an antiques/collectible booth in a mall location. What's a good rule of thumb? Sell at 2/3rds the list "value" or some point where I would actually make a profit and the sale. How long should items sit on a shelf?
Advice on operating a booth would be greatly appreciated.

Cool Stuff

This website certainly is as labelled.
www.coolstuffiscoolstuff.com

Check it out!

SWAPATORIUM: Smile!

SWAPATORIUM: Smile!

Attended an auction today an it amazes me the variety of items the crowd will buy. Some stuff was clearly junk, other was decent. One woman who had been buying items clearly for a shop or such, bought 3 pyrex style dishes. When asked by a row mate why? She said they are great to put a casserole in and take to someone and not worry about the dish return. I need to change my buying position--be on the lookout for re-saleable items and also items for personal use. I try to figure out who might be dealers, who are collectors and who are the eBay sellers. One thing I am quickly learning is that you can't trust what the auctioneer says. Oftentimes he--I've only been to ones with a male auctioneer, just doesn't know what he has to sell and is ad-libbing to move along the sale.
I am searching for stock that will make a profit. Do I go for an immediate profit or items that may take some time to sell. If will would be a sitter do I need to nake a larger profit on it? Is anyone out there able to give your opinion?
A new month and another round of auctions to visit. It does make the weekend fly.