What I'm Doing This Summer

This post is titled "What I'm Doing This Summer". And the pix will explain it even better -- this is just PART of the mess in my garage and storage room.

So I am going to spend the next few weeks sorting, and pricing for one heck of a big garage sale!

I'm telling the world now -- I've been putting it off for 2 years. This time it gets done!






I'll post some pix later when it's close to being done. Meanwhile, if you don't see me much here, you'll know why!

Have a great summer!

[Update 9/23/09 -- Well, I really did get a lot of that mess sorted out - probably about half, but it filled up the garage. I wound up getting rained-out on the big day, Labor Day, but I did have a few "pre-sales". While I was sorting and pricing, had a few dealer friends over and let them pick -- so I sold about 3/4 of what I had out. I'd say that's pretty good. I am going to just box up the rest for next year. I do feel like I made a dent in my mess, and have some breathing room. Now, to spend the fall and winter months hitting ebay hard - that should put a noticable dent in the rest.]

Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

Captain Nathan Harlan’s first edition Volume 1 of The Federalist Papers sold for a staggering $80,000 hammer price in Heritage auction

I'm a big fan of heritage Auctions, and just wanted to chime in and tell them that I thought they did a pretty nice thing recently.

One of our U.S. soldiers consigned an important historic document to Heritage, and Heritage honored his serving us all in the military by waiving the 20% seller's fee.

Read more about U.S. Captain Harlan, and his consignment of The Federalist Papers which sold for a staggering $80,000 hammer price on Heritage's blog.

Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

Collecting Susie Cooper Art Deco Pottery

Rachael, of Whitlow Unique Collectibles posted recently (on AVCOSA) about how much she likes the art deco pottery designs of Susie Cooper. Her comment inspired me to do a little research on Susie Cooper, and find out about her life, and her art deco designs.


Here's a biography article about Susie Cooper from a wonderful website devoted to her and her designs, The Susie Cooper Information Site.

Excerpt:

"... Susie Cooper was one of the United Kingdom's most prolific and successful ceramic designers. Her career spanned over seven decades and encompassed some of the iconic periods of the Twentieth Century. The Susie Cooper Information Site is only intended as an introduction and tribute to her work. Our aim is to provide background information for collectors and scholars. ..."

The site covers many aspects: her career, her designs, and collecting her wares, and much more, including showing some of her marks, and lots of photos.


Check out the photo galleries for close ups of these Susie Cooper items:






The site also links to several more articles about Susie Cooper.


Here are some pix from one of the other articles:< Elegance with Utility The work of Susie Cooper (1902-1995) by Andrew Casey.





A Google Search for Susie Cooper Pottery turns up many other interesting sites.


Susie Cooper had a long successful career, and her works are still greatly admired, desired, and collected.

Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

Save the Public Library in Ohio!

Lima Public Library.

June 1, 2009…..Lima Public Library director Scott Shafer today announced additional cuts to library staffing, hours and materials that will take place effective July 1, 2009. “Our funding has taken a $590,000 hit this year, resulting in a $366,861.25 shortfall that we need to remedy” said Shafer. “We have no choice but to cut staff and materials in order to survive as an institution.” Nearly all part-time staff will be laid-off.

URGENT-Save Ohio Libraries

Governor Strickland has proposed slashing library funding by 50%, effective July 1, 2009. To SAVE library service, we need YOU to call or email you elected officials and tell them to save your library:

• Governor Ted Strickland 614-466-3555
• Sen. Keith Faber 614-466-7584
• Rep. Matt Huffman 614-466-9624
• Senator Bill Harris, President of the Senate 614-466-8086
• Sen. John Carey, Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee 614-466-8156
• Rep. Armond Budish, Speaker of the House 614-466-5441
• Rep. Vernon Sykes, Chairman of the House Finance Committee 614-466-3100

Save the Libraries! What does the library have to do with antiquing?

Well, I love getting a good deal, and the library is definitely the best antiquing deal in town.

Where else can you get so much good current timely information and news about the antiques business; the trends, the auctions and shows, be alerted to repros, read about record prices, read many price guides and reference books, and even use their computer to go online.
Here's a few of the periodicals I read at my library:

• Antique Week

• Antique Trader



• 'The Magazine Antiques'




• ANTIQUES & COLLECTING MAGAZINE




• Kovel's Newsletter

If you're not using your library, you are really missing out. Think of all the money you don't have to invest, and all the knowledge you gain -- for free -- that will help you to make better acquisitions, improve your collection, help you identify and sell your item. It's like they are giving you money. Like I said, it's the best deal in town!

Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

Social Mention Evaluates Passion Too

There are probably more since this wheel was created!

The Samba blog reports:

• It seems like there is a new social media tool popping up everyday...


• [there are] ...different uses for social media.


• They are: listening, talking, energizing, helping and embracing.
  


• [there are] ...several tools that can help you listen.


• Instead of visiting the 1,000's of social media sites, you can use a free aggregator such as [search engine] Social Mention


• that monitors conversations on 80+ social media properties such as Twitter, Facebook, FriendFeed, YouTube, Digg, Google etc.
  


• In addition to listening to what people are saying about your brand, also listen [to]what they are saying about your competition. It is not sneaky, but smart!
  


• After you have monitored the conversations about your brand (and competitors) you should have more information to support your conversation of what the goals of your social media strategy should be.
  

Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

4th of July is Coming - Patriotic Postcards - New to Send

I've been having fun going through my Patriotic postcards, and getting some of them into my Ms Dow Antiques Gift Shop, since the 4th of July is right around the calendar's corner.

I thought I'd share a few of them today:

• Gibson Girl and Flag Postcards
  

• Lady Washington Postcards

• Patriotic Boy #2 Note Cards
  

• Lady Liberty Glam Postcards

I'll finish of today's post with the TOP 10 LIST of ebay's Most-Watched Patriotic Postcards:

Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

Breweriana - Vintage Beer Advertising Trays

One category of advertising that I absolutely love is "ADVERTISING TRAYS".

They just have the most beautiful lithographed images!

Check out Collectors Weekly's BEER TRAYS page - lots of info and pix.

Here's a snapshot of their page - click to enlarge:

And here's this week's TOP 10 LIST: THE CURRENT MOST-WATCHED EBAY AUCTIONS of ADVERTISING TRAYS...

Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

Collecting Vintage Cookie Cutters

I just saw a short post about vintage cookie cutters over on AVCOSA, and thought I'd share the quick reply I wrote:

Cookie cutters are lots of fun. They come in so many fun themes. Holiday cookie cutters are my favorite. Love to use Christmas ones as tree decorations, and to add to the bow on gifts.

The ones pictured here are from a very informative article on Collectorsweekly.com -- Folk Art in Pennsylvania Dutch Cooky Cutters.

There's a really active COOKIE CUTTER COLLECTORS CLUB -- they just had their convention. Check out their website. There's even a Cookie Cutter Museum! in Knightstown Indiana. Gotta check that out next time I hit the big antique mall they have in town.

Here's a couple of articles about collecting cookie cutters:

1 -- Collecting Vintage Cookie Cutters by Marye Audet - shows some current eBay cookie cutter listings, too.

2 -- Cookie Cutters by Wayne Mattox

Excerpt:

"... Most sought-after, however, are the large grey-patined solder- splashed, tinsmith-made cookie cutters from years ago. A large rabbit can fetch hundreds of dollars if its shape is rabbit-like. Even more if he's comical. A good bear cutter would be valuable because few bears were made compared with hens or trees. An "Uncle Sam" cookie cutter brought $3,000 at auction way back in 1989. At the same sale, a beautifully formed "Running Slave" cutter brought a world record price of $7,400! The buyer stated after the sale, he was prepared to pay as much as $15,000, to get such an excellent piece for his collection. Keep in mind that most old cookie cutters sell for less than twenty bucks. ..."

Boy, I will be paying more attention to those rows of box lots at the next farm sale -- you know the boxes where they literally dump the kitchen drawers -- thar's gold in them drawers!

Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

Antiques Biz Thoughts

Recently a discussion was started on the AVCOSA site, about an article on the DOUBLE X blog, which talks about the Etsy site. They say Etsy "peddles false feminist fantasy". They definitelly riled up their readers, and Etsy's devotees. my resonse is not to the Etsy article, but to the question how does this translate or apply to the antiques selling biz.
Be sure to read all the comments to the Etsy article on Double X's blog -- some very good points are made.

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

I think it's a case of apples and oranges. We antique dealers are in a completely different line of business than crafters and artists, as we can only sell what we find. We can't make antiques.

Sure, there may be some "oran-pples" in the conversation -- similarities in that you have a small percentage of full-time "successful" dealers, and lots of part-timers at all levels of financial "success".

Also the web has commoditized arts and crafts, because you can buy from anyone anywhere anytime. That holds true also for antiques -- so it's very difficult to be special, to differentiate yourself.

I do not agree that the antiques biz is all older folks. There are dealers from all age groups. Look at the AVCOSA members. Look at the apprasisers on the Roadshow. Look around at any antiques show -- you'll see all ages, and all types of merch - from junk to "foo-foo". Certain CATEGORIES skew older, just as some categories skew young. I see young shoppers all the time at shows and malls. When you're selling online, it's hard to know the age of your buyers.

People have collected antiques for a very long time. New collectors always show up. The dealers who are worried that there will be no one to buy their stuff aren't looking around, and staying in touch with the market, and trends. So it may be a self-fulfilling prophesy for them.

I do believe that a lot of the recent changes to the antiques industry (ebay, the economy, etc) are going to help put the emphasis back on in-person selling. Shows especially, where shoppers can see, touch, and be spontaneous in their purchases. Where dealers can interact, and show their knowledge, and create a relationship with their customers.

Does this mean don't sell online? Of course not. The internet is not going away, only getting bigger. You should have a presence online. Does it mean you have to sell off-line? No, you can certainly do well online. But it does mean that it is a lot of work, as I said, to differentiate yourself. To be seen/found, on or off line.

This is not news. If you dig out some old antiques-biz magazines or tradepapers, you will find articles asking the same questions -- where are the new buyers? -- young people don't like antiques - - how can the small shop compete with the new-fangled multi-dealer antique mall? -- woe is me, no one likes my merchandise any more. And so on.

It's nothing new to the world. Just new to us living it now. But you're in it - you've got piles of inventory. You've got to figure out the best way to sell it. And it might just be a mix of ways. Good luck to us all!

Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

Collecting Vintage Tablecloths

I love vintage printed tablecloths. And so do members of the Vintage Tablecloth Lovers Club.

The club had a nice write-up in this week's Antique Week trade paper - too bad it's not featured on either of their websites, too.

Anywho, check out these links from the club's website --


Virtual Galleries of Delightful Vintage Tablecloths (take a peek!)
Gallery
More Gallery Pages
LINEN LOVERS ARTICLES
Collecting Whimsical Broderie 1930's Tablecloths
Hunting for Vintage Linens
Crafting with Vintage Linens
Starting a Collection
Wilendur - A Collector's Favorite
Collecting State Tablecloths
Collecting Whimsical Children tablecloths
Valuable Vintage Tablecloths

'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

Vintage Cigarette Lighter Show

More really cool vintage cigarette lighter pix on their website - otls.com

On The LIGHTER Side to hold 23rd Convention - June 18 - 21, 2009 - CLEVELAND OHIO - more info here.

Be sure to check out Collectors weekly's informative Tobacciana/Cigarette Lighters page -- lots of pix, too!

'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

Fostoria Glass Show Features American Pattern

Fostoria Glass Society of America has their show this weekend:

The 29th. annual F.G.S.A. Convention, Elegant Glass Show and Sale will be held June 12, 13, 14, 2009.

Collectors from across the United States will gather in Moundsville, WV to visit the museum, attend the glass show and auction.

This year the convention will feature the "American Pattern" - the most popular pattern ever produced by the Fostoria Glass Co.

More show info here.

See lots of Fostoria Glass on the wonderfully informative Collectors Weekly Fostoria Glass pages.

'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

Pork Rind Festival in Harrod This Weekend

Big doin's in Harrod this weekend! It's the PORK RIND FESTIVAL -- you heard correctly - Harrod is the Pork Rind capital of the World!



June 12–13th in Harrod, Ohio (east of Lima). Lots of entertainment. Check out the schedule here.

'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

Country Living Fair - 2009 - Country Living Magazine Fair

Save the date -- the Country Living Magazine's "Country Living Fair" will be at the State Fairgrounds in Ohio again -- yay!

It'll be on September 18,19,20 - 2009.

From the Country Living Magazine website:

"... Join us in Columbus, Ohio as we bring the pages of the magazine to life with the fourth annual Country Living Fair. Shop the more than 100 exhibitor booths for antiques, vintage furnishings, crafts, gifts and collectibles. Enjoy food tastings, cooking demonstrations and the harvest/gourmet market. Attend decorating and crafting seminars and meet and mingle with the editors and contributors of Country Living for a weekend of fun family activities. ..."

• DATES: September 18–20
• Friday, Saturday, Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• ADMISSION: One day $12 door/$10 advance
• Weekend Pass $20 door/$15 advance
• Early Bird Weekend Pass $30 advance onlyEnter any or all days at 9 a.m. and beat the crowds!
• Tickets go on sale June 1st
• LOCATION: Ohio Village
  A charming 19th century village conveniently located just off I-71 @ Exit 11, across from Ohio State Fairgrounds, Columbus, Ohio
• TICKETS & INFO: Stella Show Management
  1-866-500-FAIR
  www.stellashows.com
  
  

***********************************************


Here's the post I wrote after last year's event:

Country Living Fair 2008 was Great!

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.

'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

Want To See Into eBay's Future? Sort Of...

Here's the headline of an older post on the eBay Developers Blog:

• What Does The Future Hold?
  

Don't we all wish we knew what eBay's plans are? An exerpt from the post reads:

• "You may have noticed that there's a lot of change happening on the eBay site. "

That's an understatement if ever I heard one! There has been increasing rumbling about what's coming up in 2009 on eBay. Remember, they said last January 2008, "A year from now you won't even recognize us!"... that came true. And they're still changing.

Well, here's a little window into their future, and perhaps it will help us to at least have some dates when things actually "go live" on the site.

• To quote the post some more:
• "Stay informed about what is happening and when by checking out the eBay API Release Schedule calendar."

The post's author, Laurel Kline, says:

• "Dates are subject to change. But the benefit of the dynamic calendar is that you find out immediately after I do."
• "Where possible, exact dates are given. Otherwise, a window is given. And yes, sometimes that window is very big. As I get more information, I make the window narrower."

I checked it out, and you can click back, and ahead into the year, and see the entries. Backwards in the year - you can see many entries - but they might give you flashback-nightmares. Going forward, there aren't any after June.

Does that mean no more changes? It probably means they're waiting till after eBay's eBay Developers Conference, aka DEVCON 2009, which is coming up this month.

In a post about DEVCON, anandg writes:

"... I expect to learn more about the triumphs and travails of our dear customers building on the eBay Platform. I am sure to be energized by the ideas and enthusiasm that clever entrepreneurs bring with them to serve the needs of our mutual customers. ..."

Is he serious? Or naive? Or posing for our benefit? I wish I knew - where's my crystal ball when I need it!

'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

1st Dibs Antiques Shopping Site: I Love It

Here's my comment in participating in a recent discussion about 1st Dibs on the AVCOSA site:

I love love love 1st Dibs site -- maybe not as a buyer, but as a looky-loo. The merchandise is definitely geared to interior designers and is high priced. But who knows what the items actually sell for - those high-end dealers may come down on their prices just like we do.

I don't feel it's exclusionary, other than by price. Like you said, sign-up simply requires your email address. And I enjoy getting their weekly email -- they upload their new listings once a week, so you can stay current with everything listed.

The best thing about getting the email, is that when you click the link in the email to go view the site, it automatically activates your account, so you never have to sign in -- that's wonderfully convenient, and super-smart of them. I wish more sites would do that.

There is more to 1st Dibs than just pricey merchandise. They have several columnists and regularly feature designers. Many of these articles and features are presented in a beautiful online-magazine format. Very stylish and well done. Check out this article on MARQUETRY - gorgeous and informative.

Just recently they are starting to list their "Sold" items -- not with prices, though. But it could give you an idea of what's selling, and current trends. April was the first "sold" batch, and as you might expect from an interior designer focused site, lighting, tables, chairs seem to have been the top sellers (by quantity).

No matter what type of merchandise you sell, if you are selling online, you should sign up with 1st Dibs, and investigate their site. It is a great website - clean lay out, great navigation, and interesting articles -- an example of a well-done website, with lessons and inspiration for other online sellers and website designers.

And maybe, by surfing their site regularly, your brain will tune into "a higher plane" of merchandise, and you will gravitate to better items in your future purchases. You can never learn too much in this business.

'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com