Greetings fellow antiquarians and I welcome the
deltiologist in this new year as well as the
ephemorite - are you scratching your head yet? Well, those of you who collect "postcards" and a hodge-podge of discarded items of days gone by know to whom I speak - and the really inspirational thing is that we all met over a box of what some would call "junk". I however prefer the term " slightly used and eclectic".
Actually if the truth be-known, a local Estate Sale harbored several storied rooms of an old cir. 1830 Greek Revival home where the sale was held just prior to Christmas (
really kind of sad). In a room just off of the Conservatory, there were tables laid from one end to the other with boxes of odds-n-ends. Of course you would be bidding on the entire box, even if it were only one or two items you might be interested in. Alas, myself, and two other interested parties hovered over the same box; returning to it time and again, trying not to draw an inordinate amount of attention to any of our interest in it.
When finally after having passed by one another several times the deltiologist had the fortitude to speak up - saying "
I am only interested in the postcards from this box, so if any of you might delight in a friendly cooperative and mutual bid, we all may come out the better for it". The two ephemerites chimed in with "
well, we really had our eye on the antique drawer pulls, and maybe the quill pen-set". I listened, knowing that none of these items mentioned were of interest to me, and considered that I had never endeavored with such a business proposition, figured I had little to loose. My response to the three of them was "
I favored the tea cozies and the strainers so it looks like none of us are interested in the same things".
And there in lay the making of new associates and the sharing of unique ideas that each had for their spied items. I was able to share my blog and the Florida table (
May 2013 - Not Your Average End Table) repurposed last year using antique postcards and how the drawer pulls could adorn several items we'd previously completed. Lively conversation ensued with exchanges of business cards and invites to come visit our shops.
It was a truly unique and charming way to make bidding different - and I didn't feel quite so sad to remove the belongings of the former deceased residents personal possessions - I felt like they got three good homes.
Happy New Year to you all - and may 2014 bring more great antique finds and new associates to you all.
Winter Woes..., with Spring Hopes..., that is what we've been experiencing since we are now able to get into the Barn and move about. This winter did us NO favors. From Atlas to Maximus onto Titan and Zenia, the storms got the upper hand wreaking havoc on much of our paint, stain, and primer inventory. So sad, as many of these lovely colored hues were full cans. And even though they were stored in a thermal lined case, the constant sub-zero weather proved too much. AND SO..., we're taking a break for awhile - at least through spring and summer while we can reassess what may need repaired or replaced, and to let everything thaw in the warm sunshine - at least we HOPE we get some of THAT real soon.
