Punchy

Went to the Springfield Extravaganza last Friday. The weather was gorgeous! You can tell by the background in these pix -- sunny, dry, nice!

Not a big crowd though -- fewer dealers every Extravaganza, so fewer buyers the next time, it's a vicious downward cycle. I overheard some disappointed shoppers, some disappointed sellers, and some sellers said they were doing okay cuz they were selling lots of cheap $1-5 dollar stuff.

I think the biz is in a kind of limbo, what with the economy and gas, and also all the flapdoodle with ebay. I can't wait to see what it's like a year or 2 from now.



I fell in love with this colorful pottery PUNCH bank. You can see the price was steep though (click the pix), so I settled for a photo. I'd guess that was the M.O. of lots of "shoppers", now that everyone's got a mini digital camera, or cell phone w/camera.

I don't think this beautifully detailed character bank is an antique though. It's obviously in the style of Staffordshire Pottery, but it is not marked. I found one that recently closed on on ebay, and they called it "early 20th century". But it would have some kind of mark, so I think it's mid to late 20th century, but a nice quality decorator piece. I'll be looking out for one in my price range.



And here's the back -- which reminds me -- gotta get back to work!

Don't forget, the Indy Ad Show is this weekend.

To ebay, or Not... That is the Question

I received an interesting email the other day, from a fellow ebayer who is struggling with the decision about whether or not to stay with ebay, in light of all the "disruptive innovation" they are throwing at us lately, with the promise of more to come.

It is a subject I have spent way too much time reading about, obsessing about, and worrying about.

The emailer, Mike, found me by reading a comment post I had made on another blog back in Jan. 08., which I also posted here on my blog, if you want to read it. Mike wondered if my recent absense from selling on ebay was a sign of my having changed my mind, that perhaps ebay had gone too far.

Below is his email to me, and my reply to him.

========= ========= =======

Mike wrote: I was browsing an old forum on eBay where you talked about how well you were doing on eBay and couldn't wait for other sellers to leave to have more business yourself – you were perfectly happy with eBay. I guess that didn't work, since you now have no items for sale on eBay and have only sold 5 in the past month.

At the time someone seemed to make a threat they were going to screw up your feedback (totally ignorant, in my opinion), but apparently they didn't. So what finally drove you to ecrater? Also, I see that for a time you were responding to feedback for a time with the name of your new web site. How did eBay react to that? I guess they made some threat, because you stopped doing it. Any other fallout?

I'm just curious because I find myself, once again, at that point of "Should I stay or should I go?" Ebay just keeps tightening the noose. I'm especially interested in your experience because it seemed as though not so long ago you were still upbeat on eBay and now, for all intents and purposes, you're gone. Some of these folks I read on forums are professional whiners, but you weren't and have left anyway – I'm curious why?

Best of luck with your new store. Kind Regards, Mike
====== ========== ======

Here's what I wrote back to Mike.

Hi Mike --

Thanks for your interesting note. I am still very much alive as far as ebay goes, though definitely not as upbeat -- sadly.

I usually take some time off from selling in Aug. and Sept., as those are the slowest times on ebay (historically, for me). I go to a lot of auctions, and just enjoy the time off. I will be back selling very soon-- probably this Monday night.

[my note: I have had over 500 ebay transactions in the last year, still with a 100% feedback rating.]

As of when I stopped in July, sales were still strong, with my sell through average about 75% with a $25.00 average. That's right where it's been for several years now. When I first started with ebay, it was closer to 85%, but the market's cooled off alot since then.

I am concerned about the changes that ebay is/has made/decreed, and will have to adjust my business model. I have spent a LOT of time lately researching alternative selling venues.

I am all about keeping my costs as low as possible, so I am not going with TIAS or RubyLane at this time. I like the way my ecrater shop looks, and works, so I will be putting more items in there. But the free sites, such as ecrater, blujay, bonanzle, etc. just don't have the traffic that ebay has, and there is NO one who is doing auctions a fraction as well as ebay.

[my note, Sunday 10-06-08: I have also started a BONANZLE shop. Bonanzle has been getting a lot of BUZZ, and I hope it really takes off. Will keep you updated.]

I love auctions, because that is where the potential is for the higest prices. With the fixed price, you are putting a cap on any upward potential, and you don't get the benefit of auction fever driving the bids to heights you'd never have dreamed of pricing an item at.

So, that means I have to suck up the fee hikes, and the added cost of paypal (which I have never taken in 9 years of selling!), and stick with ebay. You can watch my listings, and I'm sure you'll be able to see how it goes for me.

I will also be trying the new 30-day ebay but-it-now dealio, but I'm still not sure how I like that. I did sell a couple of higher-end (for me) items that way this spring, and since ebay has significantly lowered the front end cost on BIN listings, I will experiment. At least anything I write up for fixed price can also be put into my ecrater shop.

As for the feedback comments with my website link, I plan to continue doing it. I never heard anything from ebay about it. If you look at my "feedback left for others", you'll see that I only stopped because I stopped listing.

As for the meany who made those comments, he did narc me out for having links to my cafepress shop on my me page, so I took that off, but my ebay ME PAGE was due for a facelift anyway, so he kinda did me a favor.

I will confess that the traffic to my website is not too much yet. I believe that people who shop on ebay have tunnel vision. They enter their search query, and are focused on going through that list, and on to the next search, and don't really care about my (or anybodie's) off-ebay activity. One needs to get traffic to one's website, or other shops, by other promotional means. Let me know if you come up with the magic formula, please.

I appreciate you're giving me this chance to rant a little (a lot?), and I hope that I have answered your questions. I probably raised more questions, as there is no easy answer. Ebay has us by the #$%&$# -- but they are still the best game in town. Now, they have said that more changes are coming, and I am worried about that. So I guess I'd better sign off, and get some stuff ready to list, while ebay is still kinda-sorta happening.

Best regards, Marianne
=============================

I know that many many people are concerned about the new ebay. This is one thoughtful post on the subject, from TheBrewsNews, titled: Opting Out of the eBay Experiment is Possible when a Seller Takes Back Control.

I still think selling on ebay is a viable option, but I definitely think it is a good idea to diversify, too. I am tired of worrying about it, though, so I am going to try to just get back to listing items, and try to make it work for me. I don't want to be a quitter, and I definitely don't want to be a whiner.

So-- on we go...

Scooter the Pig

I went to an auction out in the country today. It was a beautiful breezy sunny fall day. The house was a lovely Victorian-ish farmhouse, with lots of gingerbread corbels. Sweet kittens running around. Lots of folks visiting, and lots of treasures.

I didn't buy anything, but saw a gorgeous newer Limoges dish set go for $35.00 -- a steal. There were other deals, but I am full up with inventory. I really enjoyed getting out and talking antiques with my auction friends.

You just never know what you'll see at a country auction. Today, one of the neighbors mosied over with his pet pig, Scooter. What a face on that guy! I mean the pig. Scooter sure loves his p-nuts.



Trying to keep up with antiques as my theme, so here's an ebay search-widget for itmes with ANTIQUE PIG in their titles.

And don't forget, to-marrr-ow's Talk Like A Pirate Day -- aarrr!

Aaarr, Matey! Talk Like a Pirate Day

This Friday, Sept. 19th, is TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY!

Like National Tequila Day, this is another "holiday" we can't blame on Hallmark.

This one's the fault of a couple of guys... read more on the official Talk Like A Pirate Day Web site.

Here's an excerpt:

"Once upon a time -- on June 6, 1995, to be precise -- we were playing racquetball...

Anyway, whoever let out the first "Arrr!" started something. One thing led to another. "That be a fine cannonade," one said, to be followed by "Now watch as I fire a broadside straight into your yardarm!" and other such helpful phrases.

By the time our hour on the court was over, we realized that lapsing into pirate lingo had made the game more fun and the time pass more quickly. We decided then and there that what the world really needed was a new national holiday, Talk Like A Pirate Day.

In the six years since Dave Barry mentioned us in his blog, what once was a goofy idea celebrated by a handful of friends has turned into an international phenomenon ..."

Aarr, sounds like fun to me, matey! I'll be talkin' the pirate lingo come this Friday, when I head out to the Springfield Extravaganza.

I wanted to tie this into antiques, that being the nature of this blog, so I thought, hhmmm... could I possibly find an image of a pirate holding a jar? Lo and behold, I did. Ya gotta love the google!

I found a pic of Johnny Depp as Pirate Cap'n. Jack Sparrow -- and he's holding a big jar of dirt, that represents land. Eureka!

It's from a scene in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006) --

• Tia Dalma: Land is where you are safe, Jack Sparrow, and so you will carry land with you.



• Jack Sparrow: ...This is a jar of dirt.

So, I played with the pic a little, and here's what I came up with, in honor of Fruit Jar collectors, and Talk Like a Pirate Day -- this fun coffee mug, which you can get in my ANTIQUE FRUIT JAR COLLECTOR SHOP.

• "Aarr, Matey! Aye, even pirates love Jaarrrs!"
  



• Avast, ye scurvy dog -- this be the link ye click to get your very own Pirate Holds Ball Jar FRUIT JARS Collector Mug.

Country Living Fair

I went to the Country Living Fair in Columbus last Friday. Despite the rain, they had a huge crowd. "The Economy" didn't keep anyone home.



You can "Click the Pix" if you want to see them bigger.

I saw so many great vintage-look treasures, some old, some new that look old, some new incorporating vintage bits and pieces.
My inner "Artsy-Craftsy-Girl" is so inspired. I could spend months making the goodies that I have ideas for now.

But my real life persona, "Ms. Dow, Antiques Dealer", saw all kinds of "stuff" that I have in inventory and need to sell (shhh...don't tell Artsy-Craftsy-Girl).
Everything from old photos, buttons, "cutter" textiles, broken figurines & dolls, to ... well .. these artisans and craftspeople use a little of everything.


These 2 pix are of one of my favorite artist, Debbee Thibault's sculptures that look like antique candy containers. I love her Boy King, below. I have a few of her pieces, which I picked up at a local auction for a bargain price.



Below is a pic of some redware pieces. I fell in love with the Giant Rabbit, on the left.



Below is a display of new-look-old Frakturs. The colors were so vivid, and the artist, Susan Daul, style is wonderful. The pix don't do them justice. Check out her website, http://www.susandaulfolkart.com/about.htm



I love the collage-diorama-mixed-media pieces below. Now I wish I hadn't sold my empty clock case auction...




There were a few dealers who made super-fun colorful pottery pieces.
So many country crafts that were represented at this fair are dark and (to me) drab. I just love to see all the colors.



Colorful paintings... on trays, boxes...



On pillows, and of course framed.



This is a group of adorable colorful toys -- too cute.



If you want to see lots more pix, and hear other stories from folks who attended, check out these blogs:

• Country Living Mag. - Jane's Blog
• Anne Reeves Moments of Delight
• ivillage garden web
• Dolls by Bec
• Sleepy Hollow Craft Company

I hope they have it at the Ohio State Fairgrounds again next year.

This Country Living Fair was fun, and got everyone's creative juices going. I do wish they had more actual vintage/antiques dealers, instead of mostly crafts and food. If they could combine this fair with the Scott Antiques Show (which is held across the street, but only in the winter, so...), then they'd really have something!

I think that is what Country Home magazine is trying to do at the Springfield Extravaganza (which is this weekend, Sept. 19-21). But I don't think they are succeeding... yet... I sure do hope some of the Ctry.Home organisers attended this Country Living Fair, and got some ideas, and vendors. Guess I'll see on Friday.

Findlay Bottle Club Show is Almost Here!

And don't forget about this great bottle show in October:

• The 2008 FAB-Club BOTTLE SHOW and SALE weekend is almost here!

• Sunday October 19th, 2008 will be here before you know it.

• This is our 32nd annual BOTTLE SHOW AND SALE!

• The show is held at the Old Barn Auction House
• 10040 St. Rt. 224 West / Findlay, OH.
• Directions: Go WEST on SR-224 from I-75 (exit 159)

• The show is open to the public on Sunday October 19th at 9am.

• "Dealer-only" set-up is the day before, Sat. Oct. 18th (from 1pm till 9pm), and includes our FAB-ulous Free Dealer Supper! It's a great chance to get in a visit with your bottle collecting friends before the hectic sale day.
  
  
• Contact show chairman Fred Curtis (419-424-0486) NOW to reserve sales tables -- better hurry!
  

======================================

PS

All you devoted Ball Jar collectors will have to decide where to go on Sunday October 19th. The aforementioned absolutely FAB-ulous Findlay Bottle Show (which is where I will be!), or to the auction of a huge part of Phil Robinson's Jar Museum... all the way in Indiana??? Oh what will you do???
Link to Phil's Jars auction: http://www.auctionzip.com/Listings/499751.html

Lakeland Bottle Show This Sunday

Also on the calendar for September is the 2008 Lakeland Bottle Show

• The 40th Annual Lakeland Show will be held on Sunday, September 14, 2008
• Lakeland Community College in Kirtland, Ohio.
• Admission is only a donation of $3.00 for regular hours of 9 A.M. to 2 P.M. on Sunday.
• More info on their website.

=================================

Also...

Here's the link to the July issue of the MAFJBC Glass Chatter newsletter PDF, with lots of pix and info about this summer's Muncie Jar Show (that I blogged about in July).

Touchdown!

I went to some garage sales over Labor Day weekend. Pretty slim pickings around my area, except for one "guy" sale. But I was desperate for an antiquing fix, so I checked it out...

I am not a sports fan, but I did buy this vintage pennant because I've watched enough Road Shows to know that vintage sports memorabilia is hot.

I realize that 1973 may not qualify as "vintage" enough for some, but as it is the year I graduated from high school, this one caught my attention. I decided to roll the dice, and bought it.



As you can see, it's for the Washington Redskins 1973 Super Bowl Game.

And it says they were the "Champs". I didn't know any differently, until I googled the game, and discovered that the Redskins lost to the Miami Dolphins!


Super Bowl VII -- From Wikipedia -- says:

• The American Football Conference (AFC) champion Miami Dolphins (17-0) defeated the National Football Conference (NFC) champion Washington Redskins (13-4), 14–7, and became the first, and presently the only team in the NFL to complete a perfect, undefeated season.

So-- does this mean my pennant is -- dare I say it -- rare?

I searched game pennants on ebay, and did not find one like mine. So I take that as a good sign.

I googled it, too, and couldn't find anything about my pennant. I don't know if it is scarce, possibly an error, or maybe not even interesting to collectors and sports fans.

I am betting that it is "something", that someone will want it. I'll let you know how it goes. Think I'll list around Super Bowl time next year. That gives me time to watch for the pennant category.

Here are some related Redskins and Dolphins pennants that sold on ebay recently:

• This one brought $19, including shipping.

• This one brought $24, including shipping.

• This one brought $35, including shipping.
  

• This one brought $94, including shipping. Notice it doesn't say "Champs".

• This one brought $94, including shipping.

• This one brought $96, including shipping. This one has the same wording as mine does, only the Dolphins actually won.
• I suppose they made pennants up with both teams as winners, to sell right after the game. I wonder what is normally done with the loser's pennants? Destroyed, so only mine has survived????

• Here's another look at mine...

And here's the ebay search widget for Super Bowl Pennants:

And here's the Top 10 List of Most Watched Items in the 'Sports Pennants' Category:

All Signs Point to September Antiques Shows

(Note: The dates of the shows change each year, but the links are still good, so you can get current info.)


OK, it's September now. That means summer's over, and it's time to get back to work. Even with all the changes that ebay is throwing at us, and "the economy, stupid", we still have to sell our treasures. There will still be a Christmas Shopping Season.

And just in case you want to buy some goodies, September's calendar is full of antique shows.
And check out Auction Zip to find an auction near you.




First up, this weekend:
The annual TV44-Lima Charity Auction is Saturday, September 6th.
My favorite monthly antique show, Urbana (Ohio) Antique Show is Sat., 6th and Sun., Sept. 7th





Next:

• Country Living Fair in Columbus at the historic Ohio Village, September 12-13-14, 2008
• Ohio Village - Columbus, OHIO A charming 19th century village conveniently located just off I-71
• Presented by County Living magazine, the Fair offers visitors the opportunity to fully experience the "Country Living" lifestyle.
• Their website says:
• "The pages of Country Living Magazine come to life! A Fun, Folksy & Fabulous Show & Sale of Folk Art, Antiques, "Made in America" Crafts, Art, Furniture, Home Decor & More. Meet the editors of Country Living Magazine. Plus Free Seminars & How-to's, Artisan Demonstrations, Harvest & Gourmet Market, Childrens' Activities & Fall Festivities.
  I'm planning on going to this, so I'll let you know what I think...

And, YAY! It's Extravaganza Time again! I love the Extravs, even if they aren't as extravagant as they used to be...

• Springfield Antique Show EXTRAVAGANZA/Country Home Magazine Antiquing Festival
• Friday, Sept. 19-21, 2008
• The Springfield (Ohio) Antique Show is held at the Clark County Fairgrounds, located off of Interstate 70 at exit 59.

And at the end of the month is the excellent Indy Ad Show, where the good stuff shows up!

• Indy Antique Advertising Show
• Held along with the Indy Antique Toy Show
• Sept 27-28, 2008 Indiana State Fairgrounds Champions Pavilion Indianapolis Indiana

So follow the signs, and Happy Hunting!

My Dental Ordeal

Well, let me tell you my story about my recent trip to the dentist...


Like the sign says, I thought I'd "feel spiffy in a jiffy"...



But let me tell you, it was no joke! So NOT painless!



I had a tooth pulled. And I mean PULLED-- Twisted, Yanked -- and Forcefully!

I mean, look at these pages from a 1917 dental manual. The "tools of the trade" have hardly changed. A century later, and pliers are still pliers. Yikes!



This was me, before I begged for that extra shot of novacaine. I guess I should be grateful for that-- they might not have used any in 1917!



But I am finally recovering, there's less throbbing pain, and I can get back to my antiquing!

So I'll end with a pretty picture...