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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ClearSkies on January 28, 2008, at 11:41:02
Our antiques business just completed its first ever show. Two and a half days in the Florida (mostly) sunshine. All the old-timers - I guess that would be antique-antique dealers - all say that it's nothing like "the old days" were, when thousands of dollars every day were to be made at these shows. There certainly wasn't any kind of money like that exchanging hands at this show - things were rather slow. Lots of looking, and not too much buying.
But you know what? We did just fine. We did better than fine; I had a lot of fun. I made a very respectable amount of money, well in line with what the other dealers were trading. There's a wonderful sense of community amongst the dealers; I got an enormous amount of validation from them for our selection of inventory and our pricing; I got some great tips on displaying and storage; I had a lot of fun this first time out, and I'm really encouraged to keep this hobby going.
None of the dealers I met own a computer, use eBay or have any knowledge of the internet at all. These live shows are a different thing from the online stores, in the area that I live, at least. Illuminating. I handed out a lot of business cards to customers at our booth for the website, and I have several thank you notes to pen today for the encouragement that I received this weekend.
ClearSkies, indeed.
:-)
Posted by Poet on January 28, 2008, at 11:58:21
In reply to I did it!, posted by ClearSkies on January 28, 2008, at 11:41:02
Hi Clearskies,
Good for you. Not only did you do better than fine, you had fun doing it.
Remember if you run across any Ducan Miller candlesticks let me know.
Poet
Posted by zenhussy on January 28, 2008, at 13:44:22
In reply to I did it!, posted by ClearSkies on January 28, 2008, at 11:41:02
Posted by LlurpsieNoodle on January 28, 2008, at 15:02:19
In reply to I did it!, posted by ClearSkies on January 28, 2008, at 11:41:02
Clearskies, I know how anxious you were going into this, I'm so glad that you emerged victorious!
Hope business flourishes!
So happy for you :)
-Ll
Posted by jammerlich on January 28, 2008, at 15:52:03
In reply to I did it!, posted by ClearSkies on January 28, 2008, at 11:41:02
Posted by TexasChic on January 28, 2008, at 17:41:14
In reply to Re: I did it!, posted by LlurpsieNoodle on January 28, 2008, at 15:02:19
Sounds like a blast! I love watching the Antique Road Show. That may not correlate very well with what you do, but its the only exposure I have to antiques. Hey, I have a cedar chest made in the 1920's (it has the original label inside that says so), is that worth anything? :-)
-T
Posted by ClearSkies on January 28, 2008, at 18:02:24
In reply to OMG! That is so freaking cool!, posted by TexasChic on January 28, 2008, at 17:41:14
> Sounds like a blast! I love watching the Antique Road Show. That may not correlate very well with what you do, but its the only exposure I have to antiques. Hey, I have a cedar chest made in the 1920's (it has the original label inside that says so), is that worth anything? :-)
>
> -TCan you see me shrugging?? I dunno. If it's in good shape, it probably is worth something - try checking on tias.com (ahem, where my store is, BTW) - search by the manufacturer name. Also check Rubylane.com, they carry a lot of the same stuff there. That will give you an idea of the chest's retail value, though not necessarily what you might realize if you choose to sell it.
You know what, though? - this experience IS a blast! I heard a lot of family stories, and people asked me a lot of questions, to which I would honestly answer, "I don't know much about that, but it sounds interesting." I did have a couple of people approach me about looking at their house contents as they were facing downsizing (as they moved from a house to an apartment or assisted living), and I was honest there too when I advised them to consult an appraiser rather than a dealer like myself to get the fairest idea of the contents' worth. Otherwise, their homes are likely to be picked over and they'll never realize the best prices for their beloved belonging, with all those memories.
Those moments were kinda sad, but it is how merchandise enters into the antique market.
This weekend I felt like a giant sponge, just soaking up oodles of factoids and snippets of information, hopefully to be recalled at a later date! I've been keeping a blog about my experiences, and I'll send you the link, TC, to it. And to anybody else who is interested.
Having fun,
CS
Posted by TexasChic on January 28, 2008, at 18:30:43
In reply to Re: OMG! That is so freaking cool! » TexasChic, posted by ClearSkies on January 28, 2008, at 18:02:24
> Can you see me shrugging?? I dunno. If it's in good shape, it probably is worth something - try checking on tias.com (ahem, where my store is, BTW) - search by the manufacturer name. Also check Rubylane.com, they carry a lot of the same stuff there. That will give you an idea of the chest's retail value, though not necessarily what you might realize if you choose to sell it.
I really do have the cedar chest, but I was trying to be those annoying people who ask for free advice. Heh, heh! It actually needs some repair, but I will try looking up the manufacturer name though! I also have what I've found out is called a 'head vase' (no naughty responses, its a vase of a ladies head, the flowers go in the top of her hat). I found out its worth about $60-$100, but it was my Grandmother's which makes it priceless to me.
>I did have a couple of people approach me about looking at their house contents as they were facing downsizing (as they moved from a house to an apartment or assisted living), and I was honest there too when I advised them to consult an appraiser rather than a dealer like myself to get the fairest idea of the contents' worth. Otherwise, their homes are likely to be picked over and they'll never realize the best prices for their beloved belonging, with all those memories.
It sounds like its a good thing you were there to advise them! I'd make it a point to tell as many as you can!
> This weekend I felt like a giant sponge, just soaking up oodles of factoids and snippets of information, hopefully to be recalled at a later date! I've been keeping a blog about my experiences, and I'll send you the link, TC, to it. And to anybody else who is interested.
>
> Having fun,Man, that is so cool. I need to find my fun thing to do. I already have some ideas, its just a matter of taking the steps to begin. Why is that part so hard!
I'll be waiting for the link!
-T
Posted by gardenergirl on January 28, 2008, at 19:10:39
In reply to I did it!, posted by ClearSkies on January 28, 2008, at 11:41:02
It sounds like a blast. I'm so happy for you that it went well. I was this[]close to booking an airline ticket, renting a car, and trying to find the show just so I could casually stroll up to your booth. Alas, depression got the best of me, but I've got a lovely picture in my head of you chatting up the customers and dealers amid your fine stock. :)
You're one awesome chick. :)
gg
Posted by ClearSkies on January 28, 2008, at 19:57:39
In reply to Groovy! Way to go! » ClearSkies, posted by gardenergirl on January 28, 2008, at 19:10:39
I do love you, ya know that???
Crazy,
CS
Posted by Kath on January 28, 2008, at 20:02:50
In reply to I did it!, posted by ClearSkies on January 28, 2008, at 11:41:02
Congrats! That's wonderful!!!!!!
hugs, Kath
Posted by Phillipa on January 29, 2008, at 0:34:23
In reply to Re: I did it! » ClearSkies, posted by Kath on January 28, 2008, at 20:02:50
Good for you will you be coming our way as there was one here this summer we attended. Glad you had fun. Phillipa
Posted by ClearSkies on January 29, 2008, at 8:21:17
In reply to Re: I did it!, posted by Phillipa on January 29, 2008, at 0:34:23
> Good for you will you be coming our way as there was one here this summer we attended. Glad you had fun. Phillipa
We'll probably stay close to home as we travel back and forth each day with our van (instead of staying in a hotel somewhere). Plus we have to arrange our show schedule around my DH's "real job" work schedule. But we'll see. Maybe in the long term, when he's retired from his day job, we'll be able to travel with this business, and that would be fun!
CS
Posted by rskontos on January 29, 2008, at 12:28:25
In reply to I did it!, posted by ClearSkies on January 28, 2008, at 11:41:02
Clear Skies,
I am so thrilled for you!!!!
You should be so proud of yourself. You are also living in the moment, taking care of yourself, learning so much, it must feel really great!!!!
rsk
Posted by ClearSkies on January 29, 2008, at 13:28:40
In reply to Re: I did it! » ClearSkies, posted by rskontos on January 29, 2008, at 12:28:25
> Clear Skies,
>
> I am so thrilled for you!!!!
>
> You should be so proud of yourself. You are also living in the moment, taking care of yourself, learning so much, it must feel really great!!!!
>
> rskI actually feel like I'm rushing headlong at breakneck speed into life, after years of literally being able to do nothing more than wake up, putter (if I was being really ambitious), worry and ruminate, then fall into exhausted sleep. This is a bit like being woken up after a very long sleep. I'm scared. I like most bits of it. The sudden productivity is very welcome - again as if I've been awakened.
This push into the light of life, towards which I've been working for months and years, isn't so much exhilarating as dizzying - is this really me? Am I really that person smiling in that photo? Did I really talk to all those people last weekend without any evidence of anxiety? I just felt so comfortable in that particular element, that the conversations were actually effortless. Even the few curmudgeonly comments from people who made disparaging remarks about one or two items were easily fended off in the spirit of the day - I don't think they would have been able to say something nice about ANYTHING, so I didn't take their comments personally.
It sure does feel like a different ClearSkies than the one I was a year ago. (I just don't trust it yet!)
CS
Posted by rskontos on January 29, 2008, at 15:05:50
In reply to Re: I did it! » rskontos, posted by ClearSkies on January 29, 2008, at 13:28:40
That is truly awesome Clear Skies.. What a totally thrilling place to be!! I am so happy for you!
rsk
Posted by gardenergirl on January 29, 2008, at 21:49:31
In reply to Re: Groovy! Way to go! » gardenergirl, posted by ClearSkies on January 28, 2008, at 19:57:39
I love ya, too. It's good to say and to hear. :)
gg
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