Art Nouveau furniture

As I was going through the boxes of Christie's and Sotheby's auction catalogs I recently snagged, I found this great ceramic fireplace. It was listed in Christie's London sale from Nov 1999 as "Celadon green overglazed with sang de boeuf red, decorated in relief with fronds and blossoms... Designed by Emile Mueller and signed in relief..." The estimated selling price was $20,000- 29,000.
This brought to mind the old tv show where the crew took an expensive decorator designed room and brought it to life for the customer at like $4,000.
Just my luck I like the expensive stuff!

These next photos were taken at the Musee d'Orsay in Paris from the art nouveau collection. I think they would look great with the fireplace!

Here's a photo of what I can afford: a pix of my booth at the Livingston Antique Outlet in Howell Mi exit 133 from I-96 on Burkhart Rd.

Citywide garage sale weekend

Last weekend was the citywide sale and I was exhausted after 2 full days! Sold more than have sold in the booth to date so that's a good thing. Got rid of at least 10 boxes of junque. Some unsold items went to curbside immediately--milk crate of old xmas records, a sled (no one seemed to want to repurpose and paint), cast iron cobbler stand and 2 cast iron sole pieces and boxes of smalsl never able to sell items; by the next afternoon it all disappeared. Completed re- packing boxes and stored away for next year. Took a few items up to booth such as a Federal photo enlarger most likely from the 1950's as that was when my brother had a darkroom.

This year the sale was a teaching experience: I don't know how many people picked up the wooden sock darner to shake it as a marraccas--had to explain what it was and how it was used. One teen asked about how a Minolta SLR camera worked and thought it was a neat design piece! The photo enlarger caught many eyes but they had no clue what it was either. I can understand the table top clamp food grinders being an unknown but the camera was surprising. Technology is so fast one forgets that those who are 30 and younger don't know how life used to be.

People were looking for: lawnmowers, fishing lures, hunting items, the canopy, jewelry and any hidden sterling or gold items.

I was tempted by a neighbor who just put out their trash and sale rejects to pick up some frames,

but I controlled the impulse and will hold off to an auction on Friday.

2 months of Retirement

Can't believe 2 months out of the rat race and I'm still trying to learn to relax. Of course I've been on the road to the market at Elkhorn WI, the Blue Water Yard Sale Trail, Springfield OH Sept extravaganza and TriState Market in Indiana.
For 2010 the spring extravaganza at Springfield was better that the fall. Blue Water was reduced in size and road construction didn't help. Elkhorn was forecast for 30% chance of afternoon thunderstorms--It rained for almost 3 straight hours in the morning so the majority of dealers were wrapped up!
TriState was small but good variety and some dealers were exceptionally reasonable--of course overcast and temp in low 50's after a full day's rain on Saturday made the browsing unpleasant especially for the dealers.
I did get some "good" stock and hit several new to me antique malls.
I happened upon Volo IL --prices so-so, interesting setup with park, retail bldgs and museum. I visited Miami Valley Antique Mall just off 275 near I-75 north of Cincinnati--lots of great small booths with pricing at all levels. Heart of Ohio off I-70 just near Springfield was an experience--lots of floor help and multi sales stations, also a snack bar!
Now I have to inventory, price, wrap and pack stuff to get my house into shape for Thanksgiving dinner in NOV. Yes it will take me that long. Just keeping the kitchen table clear is on going battle. I managed to get pantry door painted and all but 1 kitchen cupboard repainted with new knobs etc.
Have to keep busy so I don't regret retiring early.

New life!

Wow 2 months since my last post. It's been somewhat of a whirlwind as I have submitted my retirement application and will be a person of leisure as of August 1. What will I do with my time? Well to start: more time at the booth, more auctions to attend, more estate sales and right now planning on more yard sales and flea markets. The World's Longest Garage Sale starts August 5th and I plan to hit the road for part of that or hit a flea market. Can't let that grass grow while the travel weather is great.
The booth is doing better even with the tight times and I need fresh stock.
The glass half empty people are saying how could you retire in these times, the glass half-full people say isn't it great to be able to spend more time pursuing a dream.
I think life is too short to not move forward, the economy will always be unstable and wishing for investment growth just stifles mine. So adios, adieux, and goodbye to the regulated work world and HELLO to my time!

Winter can go says the groundhog

I hope that rodent is correct. Though as I look out the window those pesky white flakes are swirling down!

These photos are from January and today. Then we had a decent snow cover but the river was clear. Today very little snow but the river is jammed with ice flowing down.

January at the antiques mall was BAD! Another dealer confided to me that she was nowhere close to rent by the 19th. Our neighbor across the aisle moved out and on. A new dealer was moving in yesterday, busy constructing shelving units and bringing in tubs of stuff. Another dealer working yesterday was chatting about the unknown of what a customer wants. There's just no rhyme nor reason. Everyone has that special someone they are seeking whether they are articulate it or just know it when I see it. As I went over my inventory listing I realized we are in need of fresh stock. Of course this weekend's auction listings don't show much promise for the box lot bonanzas. I'll have to check out any estate sales nearby. Last weekend I attended 2 in the high real estate areas and was amazed at the firm prices half way though the 2nd sale day. Needless to say not much was brought home!

The last few auctions had many newcomers and as one of the dealers who's been around awhile noted: this is so high "I can't even get in the game!" A banjo went for $800 that was only worth $500 retail!

2010 may become the straw that broke the camel's back. Thinking of looking for space elsewhere, but this mall is clean, well lit and appears to have traffic. I've identified a few I will not go to and others have closed down or have reduced floor space.

All I Want for Christmas...

December already and I started thinking of the hours I use to spend pouring over the Sears christmas book.

What were my favorite presents as a kid?

probably a 1950's version of this superior toy printing press. I remember fighting with the small rubber pieces of type and the twezzers to set a line straight. I once visited the typesetters at a large newspaper and was impressed with their linotype machines. Of course those large papers still alive today do it all on computer.

A spiral bound book that had heads you could put onto the headless items in a toy store.

a plastic mickey mouse club belt from the 2nd year of the show.

my own tool box with a few simple tools like a hammer, screw driver, pliers and a small saw.

Color by number book of birds. These came with colored pencils and were a lot less messy than paint by number pictures.

a radio of my very own--I think it was an Emerson in a creamy tan plastic.

What did I hate: a standup walking doll and a cowgirl outfit. I wanted the cowboy outfit that came with a holster and cap gun.

Now I want books about antiques and collectibles, gift cards to the movies and a 1965 mustang convertible!

Happy Holidays to all!

Vacation was Great, here's some pix

Now what do I do with my photos? Use to be I scooped all the rolls out of the suitcase and dropped them off at the drugstore on way into work and in 2 days got great prints back. Then it became the 1 hour in store service with mixed results, then I tried the do-it yourself at the drugstore machines and waited for a free unit and stood forever. Next I would send off electonically to a drug store and just stopped by for prints--once again color is an issue. Now I can sit at my computer for HOURS tweaking each photo, cropping, sharpening, playing with color and then find there is not enough ink to PRINT!
I long for the good days when quality was better, and life less complicated and slower!
So here's some of the pix not yet printed!

ceiling from Bridge of glass in Tacoma--one of the great free sites
Jug from the Kerman Ceramics collection at the Univ of BC Museum of Anthropology
The Troll under the bridge in Fremont WA


Part of the wall in the glass bridge by Chihully!






I found a great antiques mall in Kent WA Mad Hatter Antiques.
Cloverdale Mall in Cloverdale BC was worth the stop
and 2 malls in the same parking lot in Snohomish WA

I found some bargains as did my travelling companion--thus the stop at several places!

Yardsaletrail.com

The bluewater area around the thumb of Michigan's lower peninsula hosts an annual miles long yard sale along M25/M29. This the prettiest sale in America. Even prettier than the World's Longest Garage sale. Heat is the same on either trek but the amount of cool blue water can't be beat!
visit teir website at yardsaletrail.com for 2010 dates and info.

July and summer really hasn't brought the heat!

Fortunately sales are up this July over the past 2 months at the mall booth. I've had 2 mini yard sales on Sundays and got rid of 2 box loads of misc stuff plus some other knick knacks. Weather is not cooperating for weekends.
Now family illnesses hamper gadding about.
I had a meeting in a park awhile back and was able to take a short nature trail and was surprised to come upon a fawn in a meadow nibbling all the wildflowers etc



This was in a park surrounded by a city--metropolitan area!

I also found this old gate post/hitchin' post. Made me think of the framed photos I saw at the art fair "craft booth" that was selling framed photos of images looking like letters so one could spell out a name or word

Balloon Fest is highlight of outside antiques sale

June was great weather wise but sales did not pick up. Had a yard sale at spur of moment--Live on a very busy street, but lookers only. Tried the dealers outside sale on the 27th--beautiful hot day, once again lookers and few buyers--this was the consensus of at least half of us. Setup early was the best treat of the day. The 25th annual balloon fest had just started their morning launch. Driving up the expressway was glorious to get the sneak peeks of one after another. Counted over 30 aloft at once. Then most changed direction and flew over the antiques mall. WOW!

Photo isn't so great but you get the idea. I used my iPhone and was surprised what I could get. Yep all those dots are hot air balloons!

My neighbor is planning a yard sale--I hope soon, as I was too tired to take all those boxes to the basement. This may become a blowout clear out sale. Or as one dealer did a FREEBIE. Just to get space and pass on those seemingly unsaleable items.

Beware the Ides of March!

Why should we worry? After all Alfred E Newman was famous (wasn't he) for What me worry?





From Wikipedia...


"The Ides of March (Latin: Idus Martias) is the name of the date 15 March in the Roman calendar. The term ides was used for the 15th day of the months of March, May, July, and October, and the 13th day of the other eight months.[1] In Roman times, the Ides of March was a festive day dedicated to the god Mars and a military parade was usually held. In modern times, the term Ides of March is best known as the date that Julius Caesar was assassinated, in 44 BC, the story of which was famously dramatized in William Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar.[2] "

....from FullMoon Graphics

We may want to look out for these little guys, beware the green beer too!

Can't really say if we started March like a lion--no violent weather the first few days, neither did we have warm springlike weather. More of the same old cold, a few flurries or showers, no great wind sweeping clean. I just hope we go out like a lamb with warm weather and sunshine to welcome April.


Just looked at the new ad "catalog" from Pier I. They must have been inspired by shabby chic and visits to antiques malls. It even tempted me to go out and spend! They had benches, shelves and of course wicker. Their cute tableware and oddities whet the appetite. Too bad some people think spanking new is better. I've seen better prices at the antiques booths to get the same look!
Some of the churches are beginning their rummage sales--always worth a look for a great bargain! I seldom see much priced over a $1.00. This weekend there are 2 estate sales nearby.



I'm itching for the yard/garage sales and trying to plan visits to various antiques extravaganzas and "markets". Aberfoyle Ontario caught my eye. It's just N of 401 and south of Guelph--anyone been there? I have a friend with a passport who likes casinos so I may be able to entice market attendance with a casino stop in Windsor or Niagara Falls.


Kane County markets look good. How are the prices? Several years ago I visited Wheaton at the Dupage Fairgrounds and saw lots of good deals.


Louisville use to have a big show or market? Do they still?


Then there's Brimfield--I have never been, though I stopped in some malls nearby and prices were rather high!


World's Longest Garage Sale had been good in past--haven't been in 5 years and that was just to experience it. Now I would be buying! It's a tight scheduling fit with my long term employment. Any thought on the Northern end versus the Southern?


Other experiences that might yield good stock?

Hearts and flowers

Now that the florists have increased prices for roses especially and other bouquets, too bad antiques malls can't have a time to artificially raise prices!
Over the weekend I visited 2 malls in Indiana. One was just outside of Indianapolis off s 65 and I can't remember the name. Nice multidealer shop with lots of different merchandise.--Oh yeah It was Southport. Nice people and most of it was easily accessible if one had a walker or wheelchair.
Attempted to visit Knighstown--after seeing all the advertisements and hearing them mentioned, unfortunately they are closed until weekend of Feb 28/Mar 1. this was a bummer as we maneuvered through town pulling a boat.
Then stopped at Webb's in Centreville off I-70 the billboards told the story of the market--1st sign over 500 dealers, next sign over 400 dealers within a matter of a few miles. Once there I'd say it may even be fewer that 400. Once again big ads that didn't live up to hype. All on 1 floor, lots of empty spots and water dripping so many places at one point I thought I was outside listening to a running brook! Good parking, great people! Some booths had deals though.
Almost partway through month and only half way to rent. Blast it!
Weather just has not cooperated this season, too cold, too snowy, too icy, too foggy!
I need to find better stock or I don't know what else. I move items around, i remove items and bring in fresh. I change prices, we tried a sale for January--not much results. Yes overall the traffic is down so shouldn't complain, but I want this to be a going profitable venture for a nearing retirement. How can one gross $1000 a month, I'm trying to start low to cover all expenses and take a profit monthly. I want to supplement future income at the very least. I try eBay but those shipping costs are getting too high for larger items! Come a nice warm April or May weekend a grand yard sale will be held. Even at yard sale we seldom make more than $300.
My thinking cap is on and I'm open to tips.

Super Sunday

Will it be a super sunday with plenty of bowl parties and large screen tvs.
If you believe Walmart all the goodies can be had at next to nothing. Of course if you've lost your home and or job recently nothing is affordable.

Are we spending to save the economy or saving what money we might have in order to survive this recession/depression? Yes new figures are out on the largest decline in home sales in 26 years, and more unemployment than we have seen since the 1980's. So who feels safe to go out and buy a refrigerator when the one is still working. Bad enough we have to spend more just to get "free" tv--though I heard a news comment that the DTV has been set back to June since over 6 million households are not ready for the move! As if people not being ready ever stopped industry or government.

On another topic--has anyone sensed or seen a decline of good items up for sale on ebay?
I've done some searching recently on favorite items and the hit list just gets shorter. Are people selling elsewhere because of the recent changes? Where can one get as large an audience? I've looked at Rubylane but you need to keep a good number of items up and refresh those regularily just like a booth at the mall.
I try to use ebay to sell items too small to be safe in an unmanned booth or maybe of a slightly lower quality than would put in the booth. Some of those odd items in the box lot I got because it had 2 good items for the booth. Selling on ebay hasn't been too bad for me--more of a time issue to get more items photographed and posted.

Im ready for the end of 2008

Finally this year is ending. The banks got their bailout with few strings attached, the Big 3 got a bridge loan with too many strings. Our roads can't get plowed because there is a deficit in the cash flow for that area because part of car sale taxes went into that coffer. We are totally caught in a Catch 22. Economists keep revising outlook for when the economy will swing up, maybe the new administration will sweep in with a positive change and people will feel optimistic. Of course if you can't get approved by the financial market for a car or home loan we will simply sit. Why in the world would GMAC get bank status when then are an arm of General Motors? Those sharks aren't even approving loans for GM cars!
I'm tired of the upbeat christmas card letters of all the wonderful things people and their families are doing. I thought about writing one about job losses, closing stores, cancellations of internet service, doing away with land phone lines since they have a cell, health issues, medical bills and people tapping into retirement savings to catch up on bills. Now I'm hearing of people who have received a letter from the credit card companies raising their interest rates, on top of increases in late payment fees etc. no wonder it is more of a bah humbug year than Happy Holidays!
On the brighter side having a 25% sale at the antique booth has increased sales tremendously. Thanks to the mall owners for allowing a sale in December.
eBay has been a good venue this year for increasing profits over last and overall a better profit for the antiques and collectible "business". People are buying the odd items not the traditional flow blue or transferware pieces. A Quinella Bet sign from a race track sold while a beautiful cut lead glass 1850's decanter awaits a good home. Variety is the spice of life.

Here's to elections and a renewal of hope

Finally the day to select a new president and a ton of other public officials as well as propositions. At 8:45AM I was number 82 in my precinct and had no line, but the other precinct in the same building was snaked across the gym to the doorway.
Whoever wins will bring changes and things can only get better. Let's face it manufacturing jobs are a thing of the past and knowledge workers and personal services are on the upswing. I'm reading a terrific book called Who's Your City by Richard Florida. This book should have required reading for all candidates. All this financial trouble did not happen overnight, it has been building for decades!
On my cynical side isn't it amazing how gas prices dropped rapidly leading up to the election? I saw a station this morning at $1.99 for regular.
Now we can spend that extra money at the grocery store. I know one thanksgiving that won't be quite as bountiful as in the past.
The stores seem to have forgotten thanksgiving--halloween is on discount and christmas has taken over the aisles and floorspace.
Did your family ever do much for special decorations for thanksgiving?
Not a ton of collectibles out there. We usually just had dried leaves and the mini pumpkins and gourds and maybe "indian" corn. Candles may have been orangish but the main distinction was the whole turkey, pumpkin and mincemeat pies.
Now christmas decorations inside the house are a whole range of collecting--special lights, candle holders, reindeer, elves, SANTAS, creches, wisemen, COOKIE CUTTERS, stockings, cards, feather trees, glass ornaments and on and on. This year I'm partial to the celluloid or plastic reindeer with antlers and painted noses and eyes. Variations of the wisemen and camels caught my eye at the summer yard sales!
Oh how I miss those sales once October ends. Even estate sales seem to have dwindled this past week.
A TOAST TO AN IMPROVING ECONOMY!

September sales fall like the leaves

Well September was a bummer too! Not as bad as August, but the whole antique mall had a sales decrease over last year.
On the positive side just saw gas as low as $2.97 a gallon if paying with cash and BP who always is higher here was posted $2.99 almost like a breath of fresh air. --
Kind of an oyxmoron using gas and fresh air combined!
Foot traffic must have picked up at the mall as I have had sales 5 out of 6 days!
You can tell times are tough--there have been more yard sales and estate listed in the local paper than normal for October and even more sales found by corner signs! Everyone is getting rid of VCR tapes, christmas decorations, lamps, and books!
Mapquest has been put to good use pretracking a circular route to get maximum locations out of least amount of gas.

Thank goodness we don't need ration coupons like in WWII where if you only had A coupons you could only buy enough gas to back and forth to work. B coupons got you 8 gallons. If you worked at night in factories for the war effort there were only a few stations open at night.

Price of gas during 1944 (about the age of the photo above): 21 cents and it was pumped for you as well as getting a clean windshield and probably an oil check and air in the tires all for free! Boy wouldn't those signs be great to have for sale today along with a vintage pump with an intact glass globe?

Antiques Roadshow Grand Rapids Michigan

Saturday, August 9th we hit the road making our way to DeVos Place in Grand Rapids for the Michigan stop on the roadshow for 2008. Great weather, clear roads and an unheard of minimal construction areas with no detours. They must of been expecting tons of traffic--1 traffic cop manning the crosswalk from the parking garage to the site. Special event parking only $7.50

Arrived early enough to walk a few near deserted streets to finally find a subway for lunch. Yes we could have eaten at the cafe in the Amway Grand Hotel, but that would have been too high class. Watch some people fishing in the river peeked across to the Gerald Ford Library/Museum.

Thought there might have been a line waiting outside as ticket info stated not to arrive in line before 2:30 for the 3:00 entry time.

Not much action

As we entered and located the door into the actual exhibit hall they were sending in people with tickets from 12:30 to 3:00

Aha a jump start--or so we thought

This pix was taken from the back of the hall where we were staged in at least 100 foot long lines and after 2 1/2 hours snaked our way up to the final waiting line looking at what others brought.At last into the real appraisal area only to wait in another line by category
and again snake our way up to the appraisers table. Almost there! As we waited we saw mark doing some voice over spiels and he came over to talk with everyone and sign autographs. The prints and posters line was so long that appraisers came along the line to us. Unfortunately no one could quit the day job and go home a millionaire. They were very good with the crowd and are human. One said these prints are so freaking cute!

I'm waiting to see if the WWII submarine flag makes the airing, and a man had 2 spears used in The Wizard of Oz movie and they were prepping the "stage" for that appraisal. No sign of the Keno's maybe they were in Rhode Island--they weren't even listed in the event guide. That was a downer!

Once out of the staging area, one can wait in another line for the feedback booth after signing a release. They even posted a sign board cueing people on what to say, keep it short and if you say the show name remember it is antiques with an s roadshow.

The sponsors had a small area behind the "stage" and a 1968 pristine subaru was quite a draw with an added chance to win a special edition Steiff bear or a Dale Tiffany lamp.

It's a long boring day for the most part and if you can manage your items and a chair, be sure to bring one!

Can't wait for the new season to air. The website has slide shows from each venue so it may be a sneak peek.

Surgery scheduled for this week and fingers crossed. No much business conducted these pass 7 weeks.

Break in posting

Due to a family medical emergency I will be taking a break in blogging, downsizing eBay listings and visits to antique mall.

Serious surgery needs to be scheduled and dealt with.

I hope the tickets for August Antiques Roadshow can be used. If it looks like we can't make I wonder if they can be passed on?

Keep surfing and buying your past.

We all need whatever business we can get. The economy is going bad throughout the USA not just here. Remember Rome was once the great empire and ruins are a big tourist attraction. Let's not get too greedy for our britches!

Think about it

Found this great little tagline on an email
---Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail. it had a nice little pix of a tree, which obviously did not copy over

As an antiques business we certainly are msters or reuse and recycling and therefore reducing landfills. We are helping air pollution with less vocs from the older wood and fabrics etc.

We are probably packrats and savers ourselves so we keep more than we trash. I think about these issues when I see the mounds of trash bags etc out for curbside pickup. Of course I'm also scanning for any treasures.

make a million in antiques part 2

Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Continuing with ideas from "Cracking the millionaire code" is the idea of enlightened wealth. What a self esteem builder to think of ourselves already millionaires based on enlightened wealth.
Would you sell an eye for a million dollars? a child, your faith in god, your education etc?
Just by living in the United States and having at least a high school education we are so much better off than millions of people in other parts of the world.
Each of us is unique and we each have a wide variety of skill sets, knowledge, talents etc, that can bring millions to us. Rah Rah Rah!
Some of the discussion sounds like the pyramid scheme now called multi level marketing.
We all need to get multiple income streams and things that will bring in residuals like entertainers do.
---I think of eBay sales as another stream of income added to the monthly sales from the booth at the antique mall.
What other streams could I/we develop? Would it be worthwhile to sell from a website like RubyLane? Could I do a presentation on antiques that an organization would pay to hear?--not likely right now. Could I teach a class in selling/buying on eBay--maybe, but who would pay for this? a library, the Tuesday Study Club?
What could be discovered in the next 101 days to bring income flowing to me/us?
Maybe I should play the lottery, after all if you don't have a ticket you have zero chance of winning and that 1 in a million chance is higher than zero!
I want to focus on antiques and collectibles and not veer off into multiple small ventures that takes me away from the passion of antiques.
Working a regular 9-5 job that includes some weekends cramps ability to find other streams without a terrific drain on stamina and time.