Where's the best place to sell an antique?

Now that I'm an antique appraiser as well as an antique dealer, I'm often approached by people looking to sell antiques.  Someone may be downsizing a household in preparation for moving, helping a family member sell a collection, or just looking for some extra cash!  There are many wonderful avenues for selling antiques, and I would like to take sometime to explain the various options.

If you have all the time in the world, obviously you can be a bit more selective in your options.  Logic would tell you, that if you can sell to the final owner, you will make more money.  So how do you find that final owner? 
Today's blog entry will focus on:

1.  Selling on Craig's List:

Craig Newmark began the service in 1995 as an email distribution list to friends, featuring local events in the San Francisco Bay Area, before becoming a web-based service in 1996 and expanding into other classified categories. It started expanding to other U.S. cities in 2000, and currently covers 50 countries.

Many larger communities have Craig's List Hubs, and you can find just about anything for sale!

+ for selling on Craig's List:
-Relatively Easy
-No Fees
-Minimal Computer experience needed
-Large Local Audience to see your items
-Don't have to ship, can arrange pick up of items
-Able to negotiate the best price and don't have to sell if offer is too low!

- for selling on Craig's List:
Where there's a positive, there's always a negative!

-You have to be careful when selling...there are more and more scammers and frauds out there!
-Some effort is needed to have a successful listing...research for pricing, photographs are a must as is an accurate description
-You have to be willing to meet your prospective buyer and this can mean dealing with disappointment when they don't show up...it does happen!

The internet is full of tips and techniques for selling on Craig's List...here is one such link!
Craig's List Tips

Next Blog Entry...selling on ebay!

My First Decoupage Project!

 I found this great table at a tag sale...the top was in poor condition, but I loved the carvings on the legs!  What could I do to fix it!  Just painting solid black, just seemed to blah...so I saw a jar of Mod Podge at my local craft store and thought...let's give it a try!

1)  Painted the top black, let dry.
2)  Found a cool old piece of sheet music that was missing pages anyway, thought the colors would really pop!
3)  Applied Mod Podge to table and back of music, centered on table top.  Used straight edge to smooth out bubbles.  Let dry!
4)  Applied several coats of Mod Podge to top surface, being careful with consistent brush strokes, letting dry between coats...and I did sand a bit between coats as well.  (This is an important step to give a smooth finish)
5)  Final coat was a glossy Polyurethane, as Mod Podge is not water resistant!  (Also an important step)
6)  Wallah!  Not bad for first attempt!  What do you think??

Woodruff Place Flea Market 2013

We had the privilege of attending the Woodruff Place Flea Market this past weekend!  I'm hooked!  This yearly event is held in a quaint neighborhood near downtown Indianapolis.  Strolling around this old neighborhood is worth the trip in itself.  Almost every house is different and all have such character. Home owners take pride in their homes and landscaping.  So many of the homes have large porches, and this was needed this weekend, as rain almost dampened their parade on Saturday, with early morning showers.  But the covered porches, gave a needed escape from the drizzles and protected the treasures that abounded!  Live music and food vendors added to this well organized event!

Our favorite vendors were the ones that had architectural elements, and of course we loaded up our car with goodies!  But had to make room for the puppies that made the trip with us!

Crosby and Conner, 9 week old puppies, loved all the attention they received from new found 2 and 4 legged friends.  Fellow flea market attendees, helped the puppies learn important new skills that will help them become good canine citizens! 

We loved some creative ideas we found at the market as well!  Pictured below are 2 examples.

 So after 2 great days, we decided this is an event we don't want to miss!  If you are in the area, be sure to check it out next year!

Lovely Vintage Glassware

The glassware market offers great deals for buyers!  Vintage glassware not only looks pretty and makes any table setting look at bit more elegant, it is made to be used!  So, make a romantic dinner for your special someone and dress up the table with pretty candlesticks, fancy drink glasses or lovely serving dishes!

See some of my current ebay listings!  Lots of great deals to be found.
Cherirtoys Ebay Listings

Table Setting Etiquette

In my research for a new ebay listing, I came across a wonderful website that tells all about setting a proper table!  Something we all need to know, right??  I learned a lot when viewing this site.  Did you know that cups come in 7 different sizes?

"The cup is made in seven sizes, each with a different volume capacity:

1. Breakfast cup;
2. Mug;
3. Teacup;
4. Coffee cup;
5. Chocolate cup;
6. After-dinner coffee cup; and
7. Demitasse cup."

See their website for more great information!  www.eitquettescholar.com

Below is a photo of the wonderful cup and saucer I currently have listed on ebay!  While this cup is called a breakfast cup and saucer, I think its uses are endless...I could see this cup holding a steaming cup of oatmeal or even soup!

Here is the link to my ebay listing, in case you would love this great cup!
Old Castles C&S

Where is spring?

I usually really like living in Wisconsin.  The Midwest offers a pleasant change of all 4 seasons.  But its Springs like this one, that make me want to rethink where I call home! Its April 13th and today is the, I stopped counting gloomy day in a row.  Temperatures have struggled to get anywhere near 40 or 50 and I actually saw snow flurries this AM.  The photo below shows the Fox River running fast and high.  The riverwalk is closed and the bears will soon have to swim!

Merry Christmas to my wonderful customers!

Before the Holidays greet us full force...I wanted to take the time to thank all my great customers!  Whether our paths crossed at a Flea Market, in an Antique Mall or through an ebay transaction...each and every one of you is important to what I do everyday!

Make this Holiday special, share it with loved ones; your friends and family.  Even spread some kindness and holiday cheer to a stranger...the world could use a bit more of that this year and in the years to come.

Merry Christmas to you and yours!  See you in 2012!