Share Your Halloween Memories With Us

My mom always spent months crafting Halloween costumes for my brother and I but one year something went terribly wrong. We ended up looking something like this photo, except he had a tie around his neck.

It was all good. We had a great time as usual.

I would love to see your Halloween costumes both past and present so please be sure to share photos or stories.

Enjoy my Halloween article for WorthPoint.com

BOO

A Great Gift Idea or Extra Income

Jewelry Candles, yes there is an actual piece of jewelry inside each candle and the neat thing is that when you order your candle you specify the ring size that you want. 

The candles smell amazing and you get the added bonus of a beautiful piece of jewelry.

If you are looking for an extra source of income I highly recommend the Jewelry Candle Co. I am not one that gets involved in selling items through companies such as this. 

The main reason I joined the Jewelry Candle Co. is because I LOVE quality candles and IT COSTS YOU NOTHING TO BECOME A DISTRIBUTOR. Let me repeat that, there is no start-up costs to you. You get your own website, free of charge and there is no out-of -pocket expense.

I am an antique dealer and have family obligations. Money is tight too but I saw this as the perfect opportunity to earn some extra income... at no cost to me and enjoy wonderful candles in the process.

If you are looking for a great gift or need extra income I highly recommend these guys.

An Opportunity For YOU To Be On an Antique Hunt Reality TV Show

To all collectors and antiquers on the West Coast ** I was contacted by phone last night and asked to spread the word about a great opportunity to participate on a new Reality TV show. Here is the link for additional details - The Big Deal

Please pass this on to anyone you know on the Western side of the US who might be interested.

They are moving quickly with casting so time is of the essence.

This is not a hoax, I, Michelle, actually spoke with someone on the phone and received an email with the details.

Here is the casting blurb that was sent to me:

**THE BIG DEAL**

Teams of 2 scour the country for the highest valued rare finds, antiques, and collectibles for a shot at a major cash prize.

TREASURE HUNTERS, BARGAIN SPOTTERS, FLEA MARKET LOVERS, SAVVY PICKERS, and CASUAL COLLECTORS – if you love the thrill of the chase to find a hidden treasure, if you spend weekends meandering through flea markets, if you have a sixth sense for worthy collectibles or can sniff out a bargain or a hidden Gem from miles away, we want to meet you!  We are currently searching for teams near or in California.

A major cable network has launched a search for pairs of treasure hunting enthusiasts to participate in a fun new series. Couples, friends, colleagues, siblings – any duo that shares a passion for their hobby and knows how to do it better than anyone else – is who we’re looking for.

Remember, this is MORE than being able to find the best bargain for a dress at a thrift shop.  We want people with a good eye for rare finds, those hidden gems, and people that often find valuable stuff and buy it at great prices! Have you found an old $5 candle stick that is actually worth way more???  We want to know about your finds!

Candidates may be any combination of men or women of any age who have fervor for finding and an undeniable will to win! Sorry, professional buyers/sellers are not eligible – this opportunity is for weekend warriors who do it purely for the love of the hunt.
 

Keep me posted if any of you who read my blog make the show. GOOD LUCK!!

How To Sell Your Antiques, Collectibles and Memorabilia

Are you interested in information on the various ways to sell your antiques and collectibles? 

Read my latest article on Worthpoint.com 

http://www.worthpoint.com/article/sell-antiques-collectibles-vintage-items

Something that I did not include in the article is to peruse Craigslist "Wanted" ads. You might just find people who are looking for the item you have for sale. I have sold a number of items this way.

Feel free to post your favorite suggestions on selling your items. What venues have worked well for you?

My Interview With Steve Santini of "Deals From the Darkside"

Steve Santini

Finger Vise - OUCH

If you watched "Deals From the Darkside" you are going to love my recent article for WorthPoint.com where I interviewed Steve Santini. Steve is a collector of ancient devices of restraint and torture as well as an extreme escape artist and curator of RMS Titanic artifacts. 

http://www.worthpoint.com/blog-entry/steve-santini-collector-dark-side

A few photos of items in Steve's collection -

Fingerscrews

German Witch's Gown

* All images were provided by Steve Santini and are his property. Use of these images without his expressed written consent is prohibited.

Latest Article on WorthPoint.com - Architectural Salvage

Jeff's Architectural Salvage in Weston, MO.

Not only is Jeff's business great but the historic location, including the town of Weston, Missouri, is worth a visit.

http://www.worthpoint.com/blog-entry/michelles-antique-road-trip-shopping-gem-missouri-river

I love architectural salvage and when you can purchase it at wholesale prices it just ups the ante a big.

Here are a few other photos I took on my recent visit to Weston.

One of many Antibellum Homes in town

Paper press

An etched glass sign on a store front

Yes, I am still alive and kicking

Gosh I didn't realize it has been so long since I posted to my blog. Shame on me.

So many things have been going on the past few months that it is hard to keep up with everything. I am still trying to get inventory sorted for the newly redesigned website. What type of smalls are people buying these days? It would help if I had some input as to what you are looking for.

I do have another Hermes Jr. typewriter and a blue Royal typewriter, sterling silver picture frames, a Tiffany sterling award bowl that is precious, loads of ephemera such as old bills (scrapbookers would love it), a beautiful set of blue glasses and ice bucket. The list is never ending.

I am really excited about a new opportunity. I will be writing the Q&A column for Discover Vintage America  and soon I will post details on how to get your questions to me. They are also creating a page where, for a nominal fee, you can ask me your antique, collectible or vintage questions and I will respond within a max of 48 hours.

I am finally making great progress on my Pixie, Elf and Gnome Price and Reference Guide. It will be available as a download, e-book or old fashion book format. My book about my haunted antique shop experience is in the early stages.

I have a load of photos that I want to share from my travels the past year and hope to get those loaded before next year.

That is my life in the past couple of months in a nutshell. Oh, we just had kittens too.

I'll be back soon with more information on the new opportunity that came my way.

Thank you for reading, Michelle aka Granny

I Am in Shock

I simply cannot process the evil that hit Connecticut yesterday.

Remember how Bush Jr. sprang in to action and declared war after Sept. 11 and the 'terrorist' attacks on our country? What do you do when the terrorists are living in your neighborhood, are American's and are only 20-years old?

My prayers, love, thoughts, tears and comfort are with all those impacted by the heinous evil act.

What Christmas Traditions Does Your Family Have?

My family has a few Christmas traditions that go back generations and we have almost an equal number of new traditions.

Since we moved to the Kansas City area going to the Country Club Plaza and taking a carriage ride has become a tradition. All of us girls get dressed in our finest and go see the Nutcracker ballet

A few traditions passed on when my mother passed away 3 years ago.


Here is my newest article for WorthPoint.com - Baking Cookies, Making Paper Chains, Family Traditions .

I would love to hear your holiday traditions.

As always, thank you for visiting.

Is Your First Edition Book Worth Money?

"The Great Gatsby" is one of my all time favorite books and a first edition, first printing, 1925 published by Scribner's, with the original dust jacket and in excellent condition can bring up to 6 figures.

Did you know that there are a few things you can look for in the text of the book to determine if what you have is a true first?

You want to look for "chatter" on p. 60, line 16, "northern" on p. 119, line 22, "it’s" on p. 165, line 16, "away" on p. 165, line 29, "sick in tired" on p. 205, lines 9-10, and "Union Street station" on p. 211, lines 7-8. The dust jacket will have a lowercase "j" in "jay Gatsby" on the back panel that has been hand-corrected in ink.

The art on the jacket was designed by artist Francis Cugat and is called "Celestial Eyes". Fitzgerald fell in love with the cover design and liked it so much that he incorporated parts of it in to the story.

Here is my WorthPoint.com article on First Edition Books.

As always I appreciate your feedback and comments.

I Love This Funny - The Antiques Roadshow in 1540

You Aren't Going To Believe This - YOU Need To Take Action

March 25, 2013 - UPDATE - Yes, the little people can fight city hall and win. When you read the article below about Bright's Antique World and the injustice or abuse of power they experienced there is a silver lining. The law was changed and they are pursuing civil action. See the below link to read the article http://www.franklinfavorite.com/articles/2013/03/15/news/doc5141e8c1debd5862179835.txt


A Call To Action


There are a couple of items that I recently became aware of which could seriously impact all of us who deal and dabble in antiques, collectibles and vintage wares. I am asking for your help to see that these wrongs are righted and that our voices are heard loud and clear.

While on my recent excursion, you will hear more about that shortly, I picked up one of those free publications that advertises area antique shops “The Busy Bee Trader”. I came across an article that blew my skirt over my head.

Riley Bright and his wife Linda have owned Bright's Antique World in Franklin, Ky for ten years. For ten years they have sold a variety of animal mounts all of which are professionally taxidermied and manufactured or crafted by licensed professionals. Not one of the mounts that they have sold or currently have for sale is an endangered or protected animal.

The Bright's business was raided this past February by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife for illegally selling 'protected' wildlife. They were charged with 31 felony counts under a law written in 1942. So far this has cost Mr. Bright $2,000 and the case has been deferred for 24 months. Please read the full article.

I felt compelled to call Mr. Bright to hear the story firsthand and he assured me that the mounts they sell are no different than those you find in any antique shop or flea market around the country.  The Ky. 1942 law says nothing about selling or transporting animal mounts that are not on the protected or endangered species list.

The manner in which this law is being interpreted does not affect only businesses it impacts anyone who owns an animal mount whether it is Grandpa's trophy fish or your Dad's prize buck. Under this interpretation you cannot take the piece across state lines if you are moving or sell it if downsizing. You would have to donate it or burn it.

The Brights are asking for our help. They have a petition in their shop and one online that we all need to sign to show our support. Here is the online petition.

I am also being published on storagetreasures.com

Yep, I have hit the big time. Due to my work with WorthPoint.com I have had an article published on another website they are affiliated with, storagetreasures.com.

You can read that article here - http://www.storagetreasures.com/profile/blog/5a2b4f4c67ee6dba3fd5b1f75d2fed96/1335 it is an article that should interest anyone who buys and sells antiques and collectibles because it deals with those dreaded reproductions. Items that come up often and unless you know what to look for it is easy to get duped.

As always I welcome your feedback and suggestions for future articles.

A recent comment indicated an interest in knowing how and where to research antiques and collectibles. This is certainly a topic that needs to be covered. My first suggestion on this topic is to sign-up with WorthPoint.com, they offer a trial subscription, and it is a great place to find information and descriptions. I will get to work on an article that covers this very topic.

Thank you, Michelle

My Most Excellent Road Trip through Texas and Oklahoma

My Grandchild and one of my dogs

Are you ready for another one of my travel articles for WorthPoint? Here is the latest on my Texas trip. Enjoy! http://www.worthpoint.com/article/michelles-antiquing-road-trip-tour-texas-oklahoma

I have quite a few photos from this trip that I am working on getting uploaded. It was a fabulous trip with many sights to see and antique shops to visit.

I Am in Travel Mode for the Summer

Here is my latest article for WorthPoint.com - http://www.worthpoint.com/article/michelles-antique-roadtrip-cruising-antiquing-southeast-iowa

A friend and I took a trip to Iowa and I just returned from a seven day trip to Texas. That story will be along shortly.

Please be sure to read the above article and check back here for photos that did not get posted in the story.

The Need to Cultivate Young Collectors To Keep the Antique Market Alive, Latest WorthPoint Article

I love the comments that are coming in on WorthPoint.com on this particular article. I just goes to show that many people are reluctant to change and that is why antique shops are closing left and right.

Enjoy and as usual I welcome your comments.

http://www.worthpoint.com/article/antiques-businesses-survive-cultivate-younger-customer-base

I have been very surprised by the comments that this article has garnered. You can see the comments just below the article on the above link.

Working on a New Article About Where to Sell Antiques and Collectibles

Hee Hee, I can peek in and see what article most people are reading and it appears that everyone is interested in where and how to sell your antiques and collectibles.

I am working on updating my post on this very topic. It changes quickly these days.

Stay tuned.

Take Advantage of Slow Winter Months to Reconsider how you Run Your Antique Shop | WorthPoint

For all of the antique shop owners both storefront and online. Here is my latest article on WorthPoint.com with a few tips on what you can do to pump up the sales.

Take Advantage of Slow Winter Months to Reconsider how you Run Your Antique Shop | WorthPoint:

As always, I welcome your input.

'via Blog this'

Looking For Antique Shopping In Springfield, MO ?

Here is my latest WorthPoint.com article about an antique mall that got started in an unusual manner. Actually it is more about doing what you have to do in this economy to make a living even if it involves stepping off in to uncharted territory.

Enjoy and as always I appreciate your feedback and suggestions for future articles.

Making it Work: Mike’s Unique Collectible & Antique Flea Market | WorthPoint:

'via Blog this'

A Few Words of Caution About Antique Appraisers

** DISCLAIMER - This post by no means relates to ALL antique and personal property appraisers. It is based on observations and conversations with numerous people who are 'certified appraisers' and TV personalities related to the antiques field.  **

I am not a certified appraiser nor a member of an appraisal related association or group, all of my knowledge comes from 'field' work, I am out in the shops, reading publications, doing research for myself and others pretty much on a daily basis. I was raised around antique dealers and have been an active dealer for 30 years. While I do get paid for doing appraisals and my appraisals have been recognized by insurance companies, moving companies, courts of law, etc.

With that said, I want to warn folks about antique and personal property appraisers and how not all of them know jack about what they are seeing or saying. Due to my professional affiliations, job and interactions I have found a substantial amount of mis-information being given to people by "certified" appraisers.

I frequently do paid appraisals for people and also free appraisal services for non-profit groups and some non-profit thrift stores. The reason I felt the need to write this post is based on a recent experience I had assisting a group preparing to have a big boutique sale of donated item. I have worked with this group for about 20 years in helping them price items for their sales but this one in particular floored me.