Ms Dow Antiques Tique Talk by Marianne Dow: 2/1/08

Costume Jewelry Most Watched List

I just found this blog, NOTES FROM THE LANE, from the virtual antiques mall RUBY LANE.

Ruby Lane is an online antiques website with many different sellers. You know I prefer to source my treasures at auctions and shows because I like a good bargain, but fixed-price online shopping is another option you might like.

The blog, however, is a "Good Thing", as Martha says. It has articles on all kinds of antiques and collectibles, as well as on e-commerce. I noticed many articles on vintage costume jewelry, another thing I sort of collect.

Here's a lovely Trifari pin, with dangling rhinestones, that I picked up recently at an auction. It's my new favorite!

So, on that note, here's the "Ebay MOST-WATCHED" list of the day:

Top 10 List - "Most Watched" Items In COSTUME JEWELRY

Lions Antique Show Report

I had a fantastic time at the recent Lions
Antique Show, which was held at the Allen County Fairgrounds in Lima (Ohio).

I think this show is a perfect example of how shows are on the comeback. This little local show has had its ups and downs as far as dealer participation and attendance goes. But the last few shows have shown a turn for the better. It could still use some more antiques dealers, and less crafts/new stuff, but the number of shoppers has gone up considerably. I was in the building for about 4 hours on Saturday, and another 2 hours on Sunday, and there was a good crowd the entire time I was there. And what is more important, the vibe was great. Everyone I talked to had a smile, and a positive attitude, whether they were selling or buying.

Here's Sue & Sandy, with Jerry. Jerry owns the Family
Flea Market in Elida.

I have so many friends who were set up there, and I really enjoyed a good long chatty visit with everyone. It was like a big club meeting. It's so nice to be among people who are into the same things as I am, and who understand my passion for antiquing, and collecting.

Here's Carol, who says she's retiring, but we'll see about that... how can she stop the madness, er, I mean the FUN?! She always has a super variety, and creative display style. Check out her ebay auctions.

Here's the Maxson family, who prove the family who collects, and sells together is happier! Check out their ebay listings.

Here's Dennis, a guy who LOVES paper almost as much as I do! You can check out his ebay listings, too. That's Andy who's too engrossed in shopping to turn for a pic.

Now, you're probably wondering what goodies did I buy? Let's see...

I among other things, I bought lots of knick-knacks, some 'Evening in Paris' gold perfume bottles, an ornate silver-plated serving tray (very shabby-chic), and some pretty antique tradecards:

I bought this vintage cool cone-top can of "MOON SHINE Auto Polish", which has great graphics on a paper label. It's a bit of local memorabilia, as it is from Wapakoneta, Ohio, the home of astronaut Neil Armstrong, the 1st Man to Walk on the Moon.

Another cool advertising piece that I bought was this AEROLENE OIL glass sign, with a great reverse-applied decal. I've seen this sign reproduced in metal, but this looks to be the real thing-- nice thick glass, super graphics, and in fabulous condition. Gotta love it!

I had so much fun I went back on Sunday for more, but that's all the pix I took.

Now this coming weekend is the Urbana Antique Show. I'll report on that show next week. Can't wait , cuz you never know what I'll find!

Canine Companions at Lions Antique Show

This last weekend was the Lions Antique Show in Lima. I had a fantastic time. I'll be posting pix of all the friendly dealers, and some treasures that I found. First, I want to show you these gorgeous puppies...

They were the most popular display at the show! These guys are from Canine Companions for Independence. Canine Companions for Independence® is a national nonprofit organization that enhances the lives of children and adults with disabilities by providing highly-trained assistance dogs and ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships.

The 73rd Westside Lions Club, who put on this antique show, use their earnings to give to several good causes, and they made a generous donation to Canine Companions. If you want to donate, as well, here's the LINK.

I think it's great that the Lions give their time and effort to help others. They also give to Equestrian Therapy, but there weren't any horses at this show. If you have ever been a part of putting on a show, you know how much work is involved. It's not easy, and they do it with volunteers. KUDOS all around, LIONS Club members!

Stay tuned for my upcoming report on this show.

The next Lions Antique Show will be in October 2008, and I'll be sure to post the info about a week before.

ANTIQUE BOTTLES MOST WATCHED LIST

Here's the TOP 10+ list of the most-watched bottles currently on ebay in just the BOTTLES category. Not the highest bids, or necessarily the best, but the ones that have been put in the most ebay/items watched folders. There are some amazing bottles here:
TOP TEN + LIST: "Most Watched" Items In BOTTLES

Marmotinto: Sand Art in Bottles

These antique glass bottles are filled with colored sand-- amazing, right?!

The sand is tightly packed, but not glued. They could take the artist 3 weeks, 3 months, sometimes a year to complete. Today I learned that the craft is called MARMOTINTO.

The latest Antique Trader newsletter has a great article about the artist, Andrew Clemens, who created these beautiful bottles in the late 1800's.

Tabblo photo layout page test

I was experimenting with TABBLO's layout -- kinda fun. It's just the same post I wrote yesterday, but formatted differently. They host the pix for you, and host the final page, too. This is just part of the page. You can click on the red tabblo link to see the whole layout.

Columbus Bottle Show 2008

It was great to see so many happy collectors. The weather was sunny and brisk, a really nice day. So often the weather has been bad for this show, sometimes even causing it to be cancelled. But Mother Nature was smiling on us this time.

The Columbus Bottle Show was held at the Ohio State Fairgrounds, in a large building. There must have been well over 100 dealers set up, with all kinds of bottles, fruit jars, advertising, and more.

It's always great to visit with our collector and dealer friends, many of whom we only see at shows. Most of our fellow Findlay Bottle Club members were there, so that was nice, too. It'll be interesting to see what everyone brings to the next meeting for Show-n-Tell.

I visited with a really nice couple (who are BOTTLE WIZARD on ebay). They are transplanted Californians, too. Besides bottles, we talked about what we miss from SoCal, and agreed it's our friends, and then the Mexican restaurants. And we also agreed that you just can't find antiques the way you can back here.

I always look forward to seeing the wares of my favorite dealers and to seeing the high-end wares of the dealers who are known for bringing "The Really Good $tuff". That's how I learn more about what's good, and hopefully will then know what to buy when I come across it at an auction or antiques show.

There was also a lot of advertising, tins, and other go-withs -- a little something for all tastes. I especially liked this Brotherhood Tobacco poster, which had amazing lithographed graphics of a train.

You just never know what you'll find. That's a big part of the fun. And fun is what I had!

I wonder what I'll find this weekend when I go to our local little twice-a-year Lions Club Flea Market? It's this Saturday and Sunday at the Allen County Fairgrounds in Lima Ohio-- so if you're in the neighborhood, check it out.

FULL STEAM AHEAD, BABY!

I wonder how many ebay sellers will "hear" what I'm writing? It seems that so many are locked into whiner mode, following along with the other bleating sheep.
But I say: NO EBAY BOYCOTT FOR ME!

I read a lot of ebay and online selling/marketing newsletters, and today I received an email update from Cindy Shebley announcing a NON-boycott movement, calling itself SUPPORT THE BUYERS, NOT THE BOYCOTT and suggesting that successful sellers will load up lots of listings this week, and reap the benefits of fewer sellers/listings/competition.

They mentioned that the buyers are either unaware of the changes, or really don't care, and are bothered by sellers who get on their soapboxes in their ebay ads. The buyers just want to shop and buy. The biz problems aren't theirs, and they don't want to hear it. Makes sense.

Read Janelle Elm's original post here.

They are also suggesting that successful sellers will promote themselves as giving "5 Star Service", and of course, then live up to that credo. You can mention your commitment to exceptional customer service in your ebay ads, and in a card you put in your packages when you ship your ebay items.

So that's what I'm going to do. Which is to actually to continue doing what I've been doing all along. So, I'd better get back to writing up those listings.

Full steam ahead, baby!

Leap Year Postcards

I might have mentioned I'm an antique-postcard collector -- a DELTIOLOGIST. I just love the amazing artwork on what I call "The Pretties". Art that has stayed vibrant and colorful due to the old printing and lithography methods.

And I like that there were postcards for just about every taste, theme, subject, and holiday.

Even the odd holiday-- such as Leap Year, which is this year, and month. The Antique Trader ran an interesting article on LEAP YEAR POSTCARDS on their website.

Leap Year is the chance for single women to grab themselves a husband, and he can't say no. There are many comical postcards for this tradition. Some show pretty modern women being

assertive, and others show less attractive "Old Maids" using whatever means they can to catch themselves a feller.

You can sign up for the Antique Trader's free email-newsletter if you are interested in more postcard articles, and of course articles on all other kinds of antiques as well. I always learn something new and interesting when I read it.

Good-bye Dali ... Hello World

WELL, GOOD-BYE DALI

Well, my ebay auction of the Ballet Russe program with the Salvador Dali ad in it closed a few minutes ago. I'm a little bummed, as it brought much less than just the ad alone brought recently. But, gotta stay positive -- I "bought it right", so I still did more than okay. I guess it was just the other seller's turn last time. And that's the beauty of ebay -- sometimes you hit it out of the park! I try not to get sucked into feeling robbed just because I didn't get as much as someone else got once, and try to remember all the times that I got so much more than I had seen previous items go for. You know, win a few, lose hopefully fewer. I didn't want to slice the ad out of the program, but that probably would have generated more $$ in the long run. I never use reserves because I hate them when I'm bidding. They are such a turn-off. Think how glad the winner must be with what he wound up having to pay for my excellent program.

HELLO WORLD -- WORLD'S FAIR, THAT IS

A while back I posted about a frog specimen in a

Whittall-Tatum fruit jar. I was flipping through a book I bought at the auction I went to yesterday, and I found these photos of displays at the 1893 World's Fair with shelf upon shelf of produce displayed in Whittal-Tatum

jars of all

sizes. You can also see some of those lovely SHOW GLOBES, the big candy jars that used to be displayed in drugstores.

That's it for today. Hope you have a Happy Valentine's Day tomorrow. And remember the Columbus Bottle Show is Saturday!

Auction Day Wrap-up

I spent the day at an antique auction today. I'm a little (actually alot) tired, but it was tons'o'fun. Saw lots of neat stuff, and did lots and lots of visiting. My 13-yr old niece joined me for part of the day, and it was her 1st time at an auction. She seemd to have fun, and got a fun junk-box of funky costume jewelry for .50cents. I hope she's hooked, and will want to go to more auctions with me-- I can use an assistant!

The weather was b-a-d -- my car was coated with ice when I went to leave, and I had to use 4-wheel drive to get home. But I got my carload of treasures home safely.

This was a long-time antique dealer's auction, so there was a quite a mix of goodies. So many dish sets, but that's too much work for my taste. And some nice furniture, again, too much work. I like "smalls" - things I can carry by myself, and pack up easily when I sell them.

Like postcards and costume jewelry, as in the many flat display cases they had today.

I almost bought this pair of funky lamps, but again, too much work to ship.

I think I'll start a new abbreviation here -- TMW for, yep, Too Much Work.

There were some nice pieces of glass and art pottery. Here's a shot of when they auctioned off a tall Roseville vase. Not TMW, but TMM, Too Much Moolah$.

I did buy these cute vintage Black Americana nodder figurines -- she has no clothes on, and is shaking her head "NO", while he looks excited, and is shaking his head "YES". Hilarious.

Well that wraps up today. I'm still really looking forward to the Columbus Bottle Show this weekend. Hope to see you there!

Twice the Love!

Oh my! I hate to choose just one Valentine postcard.

There are just too many pretty and cute and sweet and romantice ones to choose just one.

I have a definite fondness for the cute costumed children, so here are 2 that I wanted to share.

Have a Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day, and Easter Postcard Art

I just eeked out a little time to put some new images up in my Scrapbook Art Antiques store. I just love this crying egg boy!

I really don't have enough time to play with all my postcards, and put them in the store. I am trying to get lots of Ebay Listings on now, as winter is the best time to sell.

I love all kinds of "old paper", not just postcards. Last night I listed it a lovely Ballet Russe program. And what do you think I found printed inside? The coolest Surreal-Art advertisement by Salvador Dali!

I hope it will help this be a "home-run" sale for me. We'll see...

2 Antique Shows for the Price of One!

By the way, if you do go to the Springfield Show on 2-16-08, be sure to stop into The Heart of Ohio Mall and see my booth (#7135).

Now, I know I just said go to the Springfield Show, BUT... I looked at the calendar, and the same weekend is the Columbus (Ohio) Bottle Show. So, that's where I'll be going. They don't have a website, but here's the info I got from the Glasswork Auction website's SHOW CALENDAR:

FEBRUARY 16 COLUMBUS, OHIO -- The 2008 Columbus Ohio Bottle Show & Sale, (9 AM to 2:30 PM, early buyers 7 AM) at the Ohio State Fairgrounds, 17th Ave. & I-71, Columbus, OH. Info: ADAM KOCH, 763 Jolson Ave., Akron, OH. 44319, PH: (330) 644-0274.

The added bonus to going to this great bottle show, is that you get to go to the SCOTT ANTIQUE MARKET/SHOW, which is right across the street at the fairgrounds, too. So you pay to park at the bottle show, and take a short walk over to the Scott show (or else pay a 2nd parking fee ... ).

I have gotten some of my favorite treasures at the Scott Show. Last time, I bought the most amazing GIANT-sized antique scrapbooks filled with nature prints from a private 1880's Natural History Museum. The artwork of these prints is so beautiful, the lithographed colors so bright and fresh. Just one example is this Butterflies Plate. Wow!

I can't wait to see what I find -- remember I told you at a recent bottle show I picked up that Lone Ranger radio? So I'll post what I find this time. It's going to be a long week. Fortunately I'm going to what looks to be a great antique auction next week, to tide me over. Stay tuned for my report on that event. It's a good friend's auction, and I know he's got good taste, and there will be lots of goodies up for grabs. I better bring my big wallet!

Springfield Antique Show & Flea Market

The Springfield Antique Show &Flea Market is coming up on February 16 & 17, 2008, at the Clark County Fairgrounds (Ohio). Shop from over 200 dealers in one of America's greatest antique experiences. Here's the show information, and if you print it out, it's a $1.00-off-admission coupon. Happy 'Tiquin'!!

On the Other Hand

I want to give equal time to another great new fruit jar guide book that just came out at the Muncie Show, also. It is Jerry McCann's latest 2008 FRUIT JAR ANNUAL - THE GUIDE TO COLLECTING FRUIT JARS.

This spiral bound book is 223 pages of current prices. It includes comments on important jars sold privately and at auction in 2007. There's also articles by Tom Caniff and Barry Bernas, and a listing of jar collectors by State.

He doesn't have a website for it, but Randy Taylor sells it on ebay. Or you can get it directly from Jerry, for $35.00.
Send your check to:
Jerry McCann
5003 West Berwyn Ave.
Chicago, IL 60630-1501
(773)777-0443
Fjar@aol.com

Attention: Fruit Jar Collectors

The Redbooks are here... The Redbooks are here... at long last!

Last month, at the Muncie jar show, Doug Leybourne put his long-anticipated Redbook #10, into the waiting arms of fruit jar collectors. Now you can buy the book on his new website.

What is Red Book No. 10?

Red Book No. 10 is a 456 page collector's guide to old fruit jars, and includes over 10,000 prices for jars and closures as well as descriptions and essential information.

Anatomy of a Bottle Show

I am the webmaster for the Findlay Antique Bottle Club, and just updated the club's website with the pix from our last FAB-ulous bottle show. There was Shirlee's auction on Friday, then dealer set-up on Saturday, our famous FREE SUPPER, and the show was on Sunday. So here's the pix of the FAB-Club 2007 - 31st Annual Show !!

Fred Curtis, Show Chairman -- a round of applause, please, for a job well done!