Is It Ever Going To End.... ARG....

We got moved out of the antique shop on Feb. 26th., a month ago. I am still buried in boxes (the photo is not an actual shot of my pile of boxes but close). My living room, dining room, garage, patio and  overflowing into the backyard, it is driving me bonkers and to make matters worse the weather has been horrible so I can't even get out and sort things.

If it isn't raining it is snowing therefore, I cannot take the tarp off the items stored outside and I can't work on the garage because I have to move those boxes to the driveway.

I have some really amazing new inventory to put on the website but I can't get to it. Also all of my books are packed up.

Some of the items will be going to the antique shop in Shawnee, quite a few of the items the consignor's have now decided they want their items back (not the way the boxes were originally packed) and the rest stays here at the house to be sold online.

Truckloads have already gone to auction and I have a feeling that when I am able to finally get to work on the boxes even more will be going to Sharp's auction.

All I can see are dollar signs sitting around in boxes making me crazy and costing me sales.

There is a season for everything.

My life changed in January of this year, sometimes life will just kick you square in the teeth to get your attention and that is what happened to me.

My mom passed away suddenly on Jan. 13 and this made me stop and analyze my life, my priorities and my purpose for being on this planet.

Several changes are underway but the big one was the closing of my live antique shop, my dream. My last day of business was Feb. 20 I then had 5 days to move out of a very large business with (now I find out) nowhere to go. My overhead was ridiculous and the lenders and landlords would not work with me. The economy of course sent the business over the edge.

The online shop will be bigger and better than ever once I get it moved over to the new site with loads of new inventory. This should happen toward the end of the month. At the moment I am so overwhelmed with all the "inventory" piled all over my house, patio and backyard. I am behind on getting orders shipped and as if this weren't enough I am sick as a dog.

What else will I be changing in my life? Spend time with my family; the shop sucked up all of my time and energy, start eating better and exercising again; both of which went by the wayside with the store, garden; oh my gosh how I have missed working in my garden, try and get through the mourning process; this was very hard to do with the shop.

I will miss all of the paranormal energy and spirits that kept me company in the store - www.mygrannysatticantiques.com/hauntedantiqueshop I felt a great attachment and fondness for  the spirits especially the little boy who was ever present. Who knew that I would ever feel a fondness for at least 10 ghosts but I spent more time with them than I did my family. I hope to be able to get back into the shop and investigate again soon while there are no antiques in place.

I will miss my many wonderful customer's I met some amazing people through the shop.

I got to live my dream for over a year and that is more than  many people get.

Be sure and visit the shop online 24/7 and come back often.

Thank you for the response to my last post

WOW, I didn't realize how many people really read my ramblings and rants. The comments were amazing and I only published a few. The support is equally as outstanding.

To those who took the time to leave a comment please know I am behind you rooting and pushing you all the way to success.

My biggest downfall was going into debt with bank loans, who would have thought those folks would have wanted their money back.... the fact that the bank would not restructure the loan was a bit unacceptable to me to put it mildly. Especially considering the fact that the bank CEO was in on meetings with our Prez discussing how to "help" small businesses. Downfall #2.... high rent in a very old drafty house which meant high utility bills. Despite what the SBA says in their mission statement and the reams of paperwork I had to complete in regards to working with "my" technical advisor... my TA was never available to help me along the way and help me navigate and negotiate in some of these areas.

What Community Do You Support?

I am watching my dream, my antique shop, die on the vine. I have come to a place of acceptance with it. I know that I have not done anything wrong. My business is well managed, we advertise as much as financially possible, we provide above excellent customer service, our books are in order, we do not pay ourselves... we work to pay the bills. We have fought the good fight but despite all of this people don't take the time to stop in and see the many wonderful, affordable items we have for sale.

The problem is the community mindset; "walmart charges less for a better quality item, they will make my life wonderful and worth living again." Of course the big box stores can afford TV commercials to brainwash the public that they have their best interest at heart, we are all in this together b***s***. They don't tell you how much of the money you spend in their big box stores goes off into another community probably in another state, they don't tell you that your hard earned money will give their CEO another million dollar raise, they don't tell you that they are getting tax subsidies in your community (they don't pay taxes on their property) and will move on to another area when it comes time for them to start paying their taxes.

My little shop can't afford television ads to let the community know that we, the owner's are struggling just like they are and will do anything in our power to provide them with a high quality item on whatever terms they can afford. When we make a purchase on inventory we buy from other American small businesses and try to buy from local businesses when possible. Several of my wholesaler's are in Johnson County.

I won't get into how my city, Lenexa, Kansas has one set of signage rules for businesses in my area and another set of rules for the rest of the city which boils down to I cannot have a sign on my shop that can be seen from the street. Or the fact that they have allowed the Lenexa Parks and Rec. to raise the facility rental rates at the community center which makes it impossible for the antique show promoter to have his antique show across the tracks from my shop (this show has been held for over 20 yrs.), I am sure it will also impact in a very negative way the other smaller shows that are held there year round which bring business into my shop. I think the city has cut its own balls off in spite of itself, they don't see the revenue that these shows bring into the community... but that is not the point of this post. We all know how I feel about this stinking city.

What can YOU do? Have you asked yourself what YOU can do about the current state of the economy? YOU are helpless, YOU can play a major role in the recovery of YOUR community. You might even save a small independent business or two while you're at it.
Pick 3. Spend 50. Save your local economy. . . . . .
(1) Pick 3 independently owned local businesses to actively support through purchases. Those transactions are what keep small business IN business, after all;
(2) If half the employed U.S. population spent just $50 each month with independently owned local businesses, more than $42.6 billion would be generated annually. Imagine what would be possible if 3/4 of the population did that;
(3) For every $100 spent in independently owned local businesses, $68 returns to the local economy, as opposed to only $43 from purchases made in chains, big boxes, and franchises. Purchases made online bring nothing home. . . . . .

The 3/50 Project is all about positive momentum, building consumer loyalty to independent, locally owned businesses through plain talk and voiced appreciation while simultaneously building their local economies. . . .
 
http://www.the350project.net/
 
YOU can make a community-changing decision the next time you pop out to do a little shopping. Drive or walk right past the big box stores and seek out a locally owned small business. You might be very surprised at the prices you find as well as the quality of wares they have for sale.
 
In the end we will all benefit.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays & The Merriest of Days

I hope that each of you has the very best Christmas or whatever holiday you celebrate.

Enjoy your family, friends and loved ones, tell them that you love them.

Be safe, happy and healthy.

From the staff and family at My Granny's Attic Antiques to you. We wish you the very best that life has to offer at this special time of year.

It Was A Good Day

It was a good day to be me.... an antique dealer that is. Tired, yes; weary, just a little, but it was just one of those days filled with good customer's, good friends, lots of laughter and a shop filled with boxes loaded with new and exciting incoming consignments.

Bruce Rodgers with Discover Mid-America came in to drop off the latest publication, it is always a pleasure to see him. Be sure to read their blog - http://www.discovermid-america.blogspot.com/

A customer came in to show me the beautiful brass National cash register that he purchased for next to nothing. I  simply love when people get excited about a purchase and are kind enough to share it with me.

A gentleman was in purchasing items for his lovely wife "because he knew that she would enjoy looking at them." The items are not a Christmas present they were a "just because" gift and those are the best kind.

A dad came in with a terrific idea for a collection of small gifts for his daughter and I am going to do the very best that I can to help him pull it all together.

Everyone was laughing or smiling today, good moods abounded. I love seeing customer's sitting in the living room sharing their antique and collecting stories it adds to the homey, comfortable feel of the shop.

One of the consignments I took in today contains a few items made by local artists from artifacts and finds from New Orleans post Katrina... they are pretty cool. There are also so shabby chic or country items in the lot.

Another consignment and one I cannot wait to start pricing and getting on the floor contains loads of wonderful Victorian items as well as antique kitchen ware, antique lighting, a National cash register (not brass) but pretty awesome anyway, and much more.

Yes, it was a good day.

The Holiday Season Is Here, Where Have I Been...

This year has flown by. I just can't believe that we are getting ready to decorate the antique shop for the holidays.

I think part of my problem is that we did not have a real summer. Oh sure the temp got up into the 90s for a week or so here and there but I LOVE a good hot summer that is what makes one look forward to the cooler days of fall and the approaching winter.

What ever the reason tis now the season and boy do we have some wonderful items coming into the shop for you.

Don't just think "new" this holiday season. Give a gift that has already stood the test of time and one that will have special meaning to the receipient. We are always willing to wiggle a little on prices and if you rush in and sign-up for our mailing list you will be invited to the holiday preview to get the goodies before everyone else.

The countdown begins.

What's Going On At The Antique Shop?

We have dealer space available for anyone in the area interested in renting space. Selling the antiques and collectibles, refurbished shabby chic or country cottage created pieces is a great way to generate some extra income. My rent is the best you will find in the area and I don't tack on any additional fees or percentages. Some of the shops charge anywhere from 5% to 20% on top of the monthly booth rental fee for a wide variety of things such as tags and labels, credit card fees, bags and protective wrappings, tape, cleaning, etc. I have heard of some pretty wild extra charges that shop owner's are placing on their dealer's.

Anyone who knows me or has been in the shop will tell you that I am very particular about what I allow to be sold in the antique shop. I want quality, ready to use items but I am open to anything. I believe that there is a buyer for just about everything we put out for sale. For the items that don't meet my "quality control" standards there is the option of placing your items in our monthly BASEMENT SALE.... that's right, we have moved our parking lot sale to the basement so that we can have special sales throughout the winter months.

The new antique shop website is finally just weeks away from going live. This has been a 2 year struggle for me to get the new site developed and functioning. I have given away quite a bit of money to people who claim to be able to give me what I want but in the end don't deliver.

Items from the store will be available for purchase on the website, this includes consignments and dealer stock. I am really excited about this and can't wait to get the new site up and running.

Don't forget, we take items on consignment and have the best prices you will find on quality antique furniture, vintage furniture, giftware and new items. If I don't have it in stock I can probably find it for you through our extensive network of dealer's and consignor's.

I am very excited about several items we have recently taken in on consignment; a 1920's bedroom set including a bachelor's chest, a coverlet dated 1852 from PA which includes the name of the weaver and the person it was made for, a beautiful antique chaise lounge chair that has been beautifully recovered, a 1800s girls sampler, vintage Hummel figurines and many more wonderful items.

We are holding a class in November on how to determine the value of your antiques and collectibles. The class will cover resources available and professional's that you can turn to. We still have our free antique reference library in the shop which is available for use during normal business hours.

Speaking of business hours, I will soon have the shop open on Sunday afternoons and our days off will switch to Monday and Tuesday. I have to be closed sometime to keep up with my online sales and shipping.

Please stop by or call if you are interested in renting space. I look forward to meeting you.

My Antique Shop and the Ghosts Within

I have come out of the closet about the "living history", spirits or ghosts that live in my wonderful, now 1 year-old antique shop.

If you would like to read a recent newspaper story, albeit not entirely accurate, you can do so on this website - http://sunpublications.com/200907222512/news/haunted-house-eery-things-are-happening-ghost-hunters-confirm.html and yes that is me in the pink shirt who looks like she is about to fly away.

If you would like to hear some of what they have to say you can do so on this site - www.mygrannysatticantiques.com/evps/ be sure to turn your computer speakers up loud and listen closely.

Soon to come to the shop, after we work out a few glitches, is a Victorian Dress-up Parlor for little girls and a tea room.

I would love to hear what you think about all of this. I was a healthy skeptic about these types of things until I opened the shop and started spending most of my waking hours there.

Have fun and please stop by whenever you are in the area.

Here is the group that has come out to the shop and performed 2 different investigations. They captured the EVPs or voices on tape that I have linked to as well as the most recent EVPs or voices on tape that I have yet to post. Paul, Michelle and their team are great people to work with, they have been sweet enough to allow me to stay on both investigations and I did rather well thank you very much. Link to Missouri Paranormal Research - facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/profile.php?id=100000141578156&ref=ts myspace: http://www.myspace.com/mopararesearch

Haunted Antique Shop, Cliche but Mine Is

It is official and I have gone public with the fact that my lovely, wonderful Lenexa, Kansas antique shop has what I refer to as "living history" aka ghosts or spirits. You can now read about some of my experiences in the shop  - Haunted Antique Shop Lenexa, Kansas

It was difficult for me to finally accept and admit what I had been seeing, hearing and feeling for almost a year now was real. I had too many people having experiences in the shop for me to simply ignore what I knew to be true.

There are not scary, jump out and say "boo" spirits they are gentle, playful and at times very noisy energies that for whatever reason have decided to stay in the shop (formerly a home built in the early 1900's) either because they lived there and love it or are just hanging around for the heck of it.

You see this type of thing on TV and never think that it will affect you, bully to that. Thank goodness I have been documenting almost everything that has happened from day one and now have hardcore evidence to prove it.

If you are interested in hearing some of the spirits that inhabit my shop you can do so at - www.mygrannysatticantiques.com/evps you need to turn your speakers up full blast or put on headphones to hear what is being said. I have new evps to post from a recent investigation by the same group that caught these.

I have never been afraid of the occurrences nor have I felt threatened. I have come to be fairly protective of the spirits that reside in my shop to the point of having a few toys out for the children to play with. I have learned what they like and dislike such as me vacuuming the floor is not a favorite activity especially for the children.

So if you are ever in my neck of the woods drop by and say hi to us all.

The location of my antique shop

In response to a comment I received concerning the location of my antique shop and where one might find other Kansas antique shop listings;

Mike, I look forward to seeing you. I am located in a suburb of Kansas City
our town is Lenexa aka Shawnee Mission. The address is 9230 Pflumm Rd Lenexa, Kansas 66215

As for a website with other antique shops in Kansas I am not aware of one but I have a free publication in the shop "Discover Mid-America" and it lists quite a few antique shops. Each region of
the U.S. should have a version of this newspaper which is free to the public and
can be found in most antique shops.

Thank you for visiting, Michelle

Neat-o Site I Found

I just came across a pair of Hall-Mack mermaid towel holders, they are wonderful in their goldtone glory.

Then I came across this website and highly recommend that you take a gander if you are into the 1950's retro movement - http://retrorenovation.com/

When I get some batteries I will post these towel holders for all to behold.... and yes they are for sale.

Parking Lot Sale Season Starts at the Antique Shop

We have started our parking lot sales at the shop. We have items from the store, furniture that needs some TLC as well as good usable furniture and much more.

Many of the dealer's and consignor's from the shop participate and it is also open to the community to bring their stuff and a table and set up shop. There is a $5 fee for setting up but it is well worth it. We get a lot of traffic and have a great time.

The June sale is on the 13th from 10 am to 4 pm. The sale is in the shop parking lot behind the building so you need to park across the street.

If you are interested please call and reserve a space or just come on down and find some great bargains.

You never know what you will find!

I still have room in the store for dealer booth rental. I am looking for antiques, collectibles and quality crafts.

We are in the process of opening up the basement where you can find bargains on items, mainly furniture that need a coat of paint or refinishing and other items that need small repairs or just don't meet my QC for wares in the shop.

Classes start this week at my antique shop in Lenexa, Kansas

This week we kick off our monthly classes at the antique shop.

Thursday January 22 at 7 pm. we will make an altered art valentines day card using vintage graphics that I have.

If you are interested in attending please call and let us know so that we know how many kits to make. The fee is $6.00 for supplies.

913-825-1938

All classes will be on the 4th Thursday of the month at 7 pm.

Next month we will make a memory pillow.

The antique shop address is 9230 Pflumm Road in Old Town Lenexa, Kansas. Parking is behind the store.

Happy Holidays To You All

Happy Holidays to all who take the time to visit and read my rambling blog.

May next year bring us jobs, a better economy, health and happiness.

From my family to yours,
Michelle

P.S. Starting tomorrow.... Dec. 22 all holidays items in the live antique shop are 10% off.

9230 Pflumm Rd. Lenexa, KS

We Have Been Open 5 Weeks and I Love the Feedback

The shop has been open for 5 weeks now and the feedback has been amazing.

"It looks like Grandma's house" and I guess it would since the house/shop was built in 1920 and still retains the original woodwork, pocket doors, inset glass front cabinets and hardwood floors. The kitchen, even though it has been redone in white formica still has the original pantry lined in bead board. I put shelves in the bead board lined broom closet and use it for display too.

We held our first free appraisal clinic last week and it was a huge success even though the weather was a bit nasty.

Our November class will be "How to sell online" I don't have date set as of yet but will get that decided on next week. Of course this is free to the public.

Yesterday I finished my candy counter with a few of the popular yummy candies and of course Double Bubble Bubble Gum. I will soon be adding a "fudge of the week" which will be a speciallty fudge made by a local candy maker. I will have only one pan of fudge and it will be available until sold out then you have to wait until the next week for a new flavor. I also have sunflower seeds, trail mix, chips and biscotti.

New inventory for last week includes Victorian antiques and English antiques. As soon as my new website is up I will be adding some of these items for purchase online.

Next week we will start bringing out the Christmas items and begin our holiday decorating. I can't wait to work on my windows for the holidays. The store will be amazing. We have a Dept. 56 Santa's Village which will be on display and also for sale. It will be stunning.

I promise to get photos of the shop uploaded next week, they are at the shop on the shop computer.

My Live Antique Shop is Now Open in Lenexa, Kansas

We are located at 9230 Pflumm Road in Lenexa, Kansas। I will post some photos soon, they are on my computer at the store. I still have dealer space available but it is going quickly, I accept consignments in the shop especially that of local artists, I would love to have some folk art pieces or handcrafted furniture pieces. Yet I am open to seeing what you have.

On Oct। 18 we are having a "community garage sale" in the shed behind the shop. Many people are bringing items to sell. We will also be recruiting members for FOOT or Friends of Old Town. On Oct. 23rd. I am doing a free appraisal clinic at the shop from 7-8:30 pm. Additional classes and community activities will be on a signboard in front of the store and here on my blog. We are working with a group of families who have kids and adult children with special needs and hopefully our first project will be creating beautiful Christmas ornaments that will be for sale in the shop.

I welcome any group who needs a place to meet in the evenings or Sunday to my shop। I want to give back to the community and this is just another way I can do that.

Oh my gosh what an adventure this has been। Many late nights getting inventory cleaned and priced. Obsessing over the way furniture and display fixtures were placed. Ironing aprons, doilies, table linens, cleaning windows, cleaning up from the road construction and the dust created from that, cleaning up from the leaking roof.... and on and on. I loved every moment of it and it has been very well worth the time spent.

I still have SO much more inventory to bring into the shop. My consignments have been wonderful from a Tom Seely sleigh bed to Bart the stuffed bear (he is pretty fabulous).
I kept somewhat of a journal about my experience of the month and a half it took for me to get to the point I was ready to open the doors and will work on getting that posted along with photos of the store।

My website is still being redesigned but I have found a terrific young man who is doing an amazing job and I hope to have the new site online in November with loads of new inventory.

We Are Opening A Live Store In the KC Metro Area

My Granny's Attic Antiques and Collectibles is going LIVE.... if you live in the Johnson County Kansas area and are looking to rent "booth" space please contact me.

This is not going to be your traditional antique mall with partitioned off sections, garage sale stuff and oodles of trashy crafts. Our shop will be set up much as a department store with your kitchen section, tableware, textiles, bathroom and vanity, etc.

I have a relatively new line of clothing Muze Clothes that we will carry as well as items from Funky People. Wonderful scented soaps and lotions and much more.

We will have a "recycle center" an area with used, not vintage, clothing, good used small electronics and furniture items.

There will be an antique resource library where you can come in and research you antiques and collectible using our resource books and once or twice a month we will hold classes on a particular topic relating to antiques and memorabilia.

I am also hoping that we will be able to lure unknown artist's in to sell their works especially outsider art or tramp art. I have always wanted an outsider art gallery.... this might be it.

I go into this with very mixed emotions. I am finally expanding my business and getting my inventory out of my home, I will be able to reclaim some of my space at home. But after working at home for 8 years it will be difficult to get up and go to work everyday.

The online shop will of course still be around.

If you are ever in this neck of the woods please drop by. The address will be here on the blog as well as the website.

Read an Interview That I Did....Interview With An Antique Dealer

Nancy has several great websites and blogs.

She recently interviewed me on what it is like being an antique dealer. As usual I tell it like it is and be sure to read some of the other interviews she has done.

I Will No Longer Make Referrals To Craigslist To Sell Items

The other day I was trying to post a few items to craigslist and as soon as I would get them posted they would get "flagged" taken off of the list. This continued, even after I changed wording, read all of the TOS, Terms of Use, etc.

I ran this through their forum and after being treated rather rudely, I started looking at some of the listing and noted that the same people tend to have numerous listings on the craisglist site.

There is no policing of who is flagged and who isn't. If your post is flagged it is removed... no questioned asked and it is the user's that do the flagging.

For many years I have recommended this as a site to sell your antiques, collectibles and memorabilia items but no longer. I do not recomment using this forum, it has a Gestapo feel and I think that the time has come for it to dissappear.

I am in the process of creating a venue for people to sell antiques, collectibles and memorabilia for a very small fee. I will be the only "monitor" and it will be a fair and respectable place to do business.

I expect to have it up and running in a couple of weeks.