What is it about a doorknob?

We were In Marion for the 4th of July specials and stopped at a store that had architectural salvage.  This store had a wonderful way of displaying door knobs in frames, boards and cupcake holders.  Come to find out the owner is enamored with doorknobs!  I start to share with him that I love doorknobs and the most unique one had a geisha girl surrounded by an umbrella and he knew the exact  set I was talking about.  Apparently I had (sold) the ever sought after Geisha Girl.   He then hands me an application for Antique Doorknob Collectors of America brochure.  Who knew!  I guess there is a collectors club of just about anything.

June  is for weddings and the Brides are looking for hobnail milk glass to use for table decor.  Look for the marked pieces of Fenton, Westmoreland Glass or Imperial Glass.  Still affordable and can be cheaper than new pieces.

What is this?

Watch this page for future pictures with research and appraisals on antiques that come across my table while publicly speaking at antique appraisal events.

Outdoor antique trends

What is the current trend in antiques?  Anything architectural.   If you can use it outside that is even better.  The trend for outdoor spaces has included vintage metal, industrial and wooden farm furniture.  Take a second look at a piece before you edit it.   Can you paint it to weather proof it?  Can your repurpose it?  Price out some of the outdoor decor for sale in todays marketplace and you will see the benefit of recycle, reuse and repurpose.

Repair or replace, that is the Question

We are off today to go antiquing and our first stop will be True Value Antiques  in Illinois to pick up a repair.  Walt has a true eye for repair or replacing antique jewelry.  It is the best investment you can make in the antique business if you can find an artist to identify and repair antique jewelry.  These fine craftsmen can help you understand if something can be fixed or if it's a lost cause.  They are also a good resource for parts to use in your own jewelry making endeavors for those of you who like to design your own jewelry.

Fairy trends effect value on this antique. A 1900's gold filled locket will fetch about $100 but add in the popularity of the fairy and you can double the value.

Antique Fairy Locket

Antique Jewelry and repair

Just had a customer in today to replace a 1930's Art Deco filigree diamond ring.  Be careful who you have work on your vintage jewelry and photograph it before the work is started.  She had a jeweler try to repair her grandmothers ring and he cracked the diamond.   He made it right by encasing it in a pendant, but now she can't wear her grandmothers ring on her finger.  Lucky for me she found one in my store.