My new club is ready for you - Vintage Crochet Pattern of the Week Club. Every week, you'll get a free vintage crochet pattern. These patterns come from a variety of sources, but they are all, to the best of myknowledge, in the public domain. So you are free to use them, sell what you make from them, etc.
Here's the link:
http://ecompass.info/crochet
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
How to Buy Vintage Gifts and Collectibles, Part Three
Ok - welcome to part three. By now, you have chosen a general gift or item you would like to find, and have done a little research to determine what would make that item collectible.
Now - where should you buy your item?
My favorite place to begin looking is eBay. You can, of course, find everything on eBay.
When you begin looking, try to make your search as narrow as possible. We talked about that last post. Also, browse the eBay categories to find the most likely category, and then search within that category.
For instance, under Jewelry/Watches, there is another category for Vintage/Antique, and then more categories for costume, fine, new vintage, and reproductions. If you click on costume, and then search for earrings, you will be able to narrow down the listings to a more manageable level.
Now that you have some items to consider, here's what to do next.
First, look at the auction listing. If the pictures are poor, or there is very little description, or the seller can't give you at least a little information about the age of the item, then leave. Don't buy from them - there are plenty of sellers who have similar items and know how to list them. The exception to this is if you are very familar with the market, and really know exactly what you're looking for.
Second, look at the feedback. If they do not have a high rating, they may be just starting out, or they may be selling only a few items. Click on the number by their name, look at their previous sales and the comments. If there are any comments that cause you concern, don't buy from them.
Third, ask any quesions you may have before you bid or buy. Where did the item come from? How did they determine its value? Or how did they identify the item as being collectible? You want to buy from someone who has done at least a little research. Not someone who picked this up at a garage sale because "it looked old and should be worth something."
If you find a specific item you like, I always search on google for that exact item. You will find more information about it, including what other sellers and sites are selling it for.
After all that (whew) you will have found a good, collectible, antique or vintage gift.
Now - where should you buy your item?
My favorite place to begin looking is eBay. You can, of course, find everything on eBay.
When you begin looking, try to make your search as narrow as possible. We talked about that last post. Also, browse the eBay categories to find the most likely category, and then search within that category.
For instance, under Jewelry/Watches, there is another category for Vintage/Antique, and then more categories for costume, fine, new vintage, and reproductions. If you click on costume, and then search for earrings, you will be able to narrow down the listings to a more manageable level.
Now that you have some items to consider, here's what to do next.
First, look at the auction listing. If the pictures are poor, or there is very little description, or the seller can't give you at least a little information about the age of the item, then leave. Don't buy from them - there are plenty of sellers who have similar items and know how to list them. The exception to this is if you are very familar with the market, and really know exactly what you're looking for.
Second, look at the feedback. If they do not have a high rating, they may be just starting out, or they may be selling only a few items. Click on the number by their name, look at their previous sales and the comments. If there are any comments that cause you concern, don't buy from them.
Third, ask any quesions you may have before you bid or buy. Where did the item come from? How did they determine its value? Or how did they identify the item as being collectible? You want to buy from someone who has done at least a little research. Not someone who picked this up at a garage sale because "it looked old and should be worth something."
If you find a specific item you like, I always search on google for that exact item. You will find more information about it, including what other sellers and sites are selling it for.
After all that (whew) you will have found a good, collectible, antique or vintage gift.
Saturday, April 22, 2006
How to Buy Vintage Gifts, Part Two
In the last post, I talked a little about narrowing your field when looking for vintge gifts. Today, let's talk a little about what makes something collectible.
When you are looking for vintage gifts, you need to know a little about value. Most of this is common sense. For instance, which has more vintage value: a 50 year old dresser, or a 50 year old piece of jewelry? Unless the dresser is unusual, the jewelry is probably more valuable. One reason for this is that the jewelry market began much later. There are many examples of furniture that is over 100 years old, even hundreds of years old. But finding jewelry from before 1900 is rare.
So, use common sense. Whatever item you are looking for, consider the market. Do a little research, and you will find very quickly what age you should be looking for.
Now, here's some tips for preforming searches. Be a specific as you can. Don't search for "vintage clothing" if what you really want is a dress from the 1920's. In that case, search for vintage 1920 dress.
If you end up with a lot of results that are reproductions, use this search phrase: vintage ITEM -reproduction. That will remove results that are reproductions.
Other search terms to use: vintage, antique, old, original, authentic.
In the final article, I'll talk about authenticity and how to decide who to buy from.
When you are looking for vintage gifts, you need to know a little about value. Most of this is common sense. For instance, which has more vintage value: a 50 year old dresser, or a 50 year old piece of jewelry? Unless the dresser is unusual, the jewelry is probably more valuable. One reason for this is that the jewelry market began much later. There are many examples of furniture that is over 100 years old, even hundreds of years old. But finding jewelry from before 1900 is rare.
So, use common sense. Whatever item you are looking for, consider the market. Do a little research, and you will find very quickly what age you should be looking for.
Now, here's some tips for preforming searches. Be a specific as you can. Don't search for "vintage clothing" if what you really want is a dress from the 1920's. In that case, search for vintage 1920 dress.
If you end up with a lot of results that are reproductions, use this search phrase: vintage ITEM -reproduction. That will remove results that are reproductions.
Other search terms to use: vintage, antique, old, original, authentic.
In the final article, I'll talk about authenticity and how to decide who to buy from.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
How to Buy Vintage Gifts, Part One
Vintage is big. Really big. It is frequently the number one searched for term on eBay, and it seems that everywhere you look everything is advertised as "vintage." But is it really vintage? And what if you don't know anything about vintage collectibles? Here's some suggestions on how to buy vintage collectibles, whether they are for you, or as gifts for friends or family.
First, determine what you are looking for.
Almost everything is collectible at some level. Do you want jewelry, books, figuirines, paper, toys, fabric? What does your friend like? Does the person you are buying for collect anything? Do they like to read? What about hobbies? Gardening? Tools? Computers? Just pick some general category - there will be some collectible available.
Second, consider likes and dislike. If you pick jewelry, do you want gold, silver, blue stones? Does the person you are buying for garden for flowers? Or do they like greenery? Do they read classics? Or only contemporary books?
By now, you have narrowed your focus. Now, you are going to look for something unique, and collectible in that category.
I'll have part two tomrrow, and we'll talk about authenticity and value.
First, determine what you are looking for.
Almost everything is collectible at some level. Do you want jewelry, books, figuirines, paper, toys, fabric? What does your friend like? Does the person you are buying for collect anything? Do they like to read? What about hobbies? Gardening? Tools? Computers? Just pick some general category - there will be some collectible available.
Second, consider likes and dislike. If you pick jewelry, do you want gold, silver, blue stones? Does the person you are buying for garden for flowers? Or do they like greenery? Do they read classics? Or only contemporary books?
By now, you have narrowed your focus. Now, you are going to look for something unique, and collectible in that category.
I'll have part two tomrrow, and we'll talk about authenticity and value.
Monday, April 17, 2006
More Woodworking Plans and Articles
Ebay Posting Day! There are many more woodworking plans and articles now in my ebay store. I am very careful collecting these plans, and they are all stored and shipped in archival quality heavy duty sleeves. Also, you can ship almost as many as you want for the same price - $4 priority shipping. Here's some pics of some of the new inventory listed today. Some of these will be listed lated tonight, some are there already. Happy hunting!
Monday, April 10, 2006
Vintage Advertising and Woodworking Plans
Well, today is listing day, and I finally got some vintage ads and woodworking plans up to ebay. I'm taking a break from jewelry for the moment, because I am working on my photography. It is really difficult to take really good, clear pics of jewelry. Every so often, I get the light just right and get a good picture, but mostly I have to work and work to get them well lit.
I'm also working on my set up for the ads and plans - I don't like it when the ad is tilted - so I am looking for a good light set up that I can be directly over the ads and plans. Hey - its been a while since I've had to do this... getting my skills back up.
So here's some of my current inventory.
A jewelry box/doll house plan.
A Latticework wall shelf plan.
A skilsaw ad.
You can find them all in my ebay store.
I'm also working on my set up for the ads and plans - I don't like it when the ad is tilted - so I am looking for a good light set up that I can be directly over the ads and plans. Hey - its been a while since I've had to do this... getting my skills back up.
So here's some of my current inventory.
A jewelry box/doll house plan.
A Latticework wall shelf plan.
A skilsaw ad.
You can find them all in my ebay store.
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
I love this picture
This was too funny - had to post it. I love this - it is the funniest thing I've seen in a long time.
It reminds me of my favorite joke:
How are a tricycle and a duck the same?
They both have handle bars.....
Except the duck.
I think its hilarious. Very few people think its funny - but if you get it, you'll understand me a lot more.
Ok. Back to business. And, Rachel, you better be reading this!
Monday, April 03, 2006
Top eBay Searches for Vintage Costume Jewelry
Here's what is hot on eBay today in the Vintage Costume Jewelry. According the eBay's Pulse, here are the most searched for terms in Vintage Costuem Jewelry categories:
Jewelry & Watches/Vintage, Antique Category
bakelite
boucher
bracelet
coro
earrings
eisenberg
haskell
hobe
juliana,
kramer
lot
necklace
parure
pins
rhinestone
rings
schiaparelli
trifari
weiss
Jewelry & Watches/Vintage, Antique Category
bakelite
boucher
bracelet
coro
earrings
eisenberg
haskell
hobe
juliana,
kramer
lot
necklace
parure
pins
rhinestone
rings
schiaparelli
trifari
weiss
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