Florida - We've covered this story in the past, but it would seem that our friend Keaton Patti is up to his old tricks again when it comes to spoofing the iconic Antiques Roadshow nameplate. As we're sure everyone is aware, the Roadshow has been responsible for handing out informative and on-air appraisals about rare and unusual antique and collectible items for many decades now. The show's incredible popularity has spanned the globe with various clones of itself popping up in Canada, Sweden, Australia, and of course the USA. However, it wasn't until an Internet meme artist started having some fun with the classic "valuation still-shot" at the end of each segment that the show finally hit its full Internet potential back in 2016. Fast-forward to 2019, and photoshop specialist and salient meme humorist, Keaton Patti, is at it again, as he takes legitimate freeze-frame photos from Roadshow appraisals (shown above), and turns them into fake one's for our viewing pleasure (shown below). So, without further ado, here are a few of what we think might be some of the funniest fake appraisals memes of the Antiques Roadshow that we've ever seen... Antiques Roadshow Memes: There are of course many more of these types of memes online (not all "G" rated however), but we thought these eight particularly represented the ethos of the Roadshow quite well, while simultaneously giving a wee chuckle. However, if you've managed to come across a few more you think should also be included, or have one yourself, please let us know, and we'll be happy to take a look for our next go around... - A.I.A. Staff Writer's NOTE: For readers seeking more information about the Asheford Institute Of Antiques distance-learning program on professional-level appraising, the study of antiques, collectibles, vintage and mid-century modern items, please click here to visit the school's Home Page. Should you have additional questions about the Asheford program, you can also write to the school at: [email protected] or call the Registrar's Office toll-free at: 1-877-444-4508. Florida - For many years now, antique dealers and vintage sellers have watched in amazement (and to a certain degree, dismay), as the styles and tastes of the buying public have seemingly turned on a dime. What were once stalwarts of the antique industry; Victorian, rustic, early American, and silver, have all given way to more futuristic constructs, from mid-century modern to the more recent vintage and retro infused themes of the 60s, 70s, and 80s. And yet, while many of these recent trends have sailed past the popularity barriers of niche collectors, and into the mainstream markets of such giants as Wayfair and Amazon, it is these old flavors from yesteryear that are now raising an eyebrow amongst some of the country's top decorative arts specialists - many who worry about the lack of new and original styles being created today, for the potential collectors of tomorrow. Or, as Terrence Henessy, a young furniture designer from Los Angeles put it, "Are we creating any new trends for our own generation, or are we simply rehashing familiar designs from the past?" For many, cultural motifs of the time such as post-war modernism and space-age futurism were once the impetus for change within popular styles of the decorative arts, but today there's a feeling we're simply recycling old ideas - while adding only marginally new twists onto variations of a theme, says Rocko Jacques, an interior designer from London who works both sides of the pond. "We copy the mid-century motif instead of creating a new one." Retailers such as Wayfair are not mirroring fresh new ideas and designs reflected in the social and technological advancements of the day, but instead are simply copying and producing what's popular with those in the vintage and retro marketplace. According to Jacques, websites such as Etsy, along with millions of other entrepreneurs selling their vintage wares online, have become the barometer for what's trending, "They're not just reflecting popular tastes and style, in so much as they're creating them," said Jacques. "This is where the new design trends are coming from - they're not really original - but rather just recast from years gone by." Henessy, who echo's many of Jacques thoughts, also noted that while some of the pieces in his LA design shop utilized the curvy plastic look from the seventies, he tries to keep the "borrowing" to a minimum. "The decorative arts style of the early 70s with it's modular design, egg-shaped chairs, and heavy use of wrap-around white plastic was completely new and based on the futuristic themes inspired by the space race," says Henessy, "To copy it too completely is not paying homage to those great original designers, but instead is really just ripping them off." For some, the trend-setting variance is simply a matter of degree. Where designers once took their cues from large changes in the social and political movements of a time, such as the space race, it seems that today we're left with a far different landscape. iPhones and the like can have an effect, but it's not as transformative in the way it once was. IBM gave way to the notion of real computers in the 1960's, and the public's imagination soon followed - all the way to the silver screen - with films like Space Odyssey 2001 and the nefarious HAL computer, which not only inspired a generation of tech geeks (think Bill Gates), but trickled down to fashion and décor with uniform style pant-suits, and modular spaceship furniture. The seventies became a generation inspired by its own time - not the other way round. For many in the decorative arts field, there's a strong sense of optimism that something fresh and new might be looming just over the horizon - a renaissance of spirit and original design. Whether this generation can salvage its own unique and iconic trend-setting style remains to be seen. "I wouldn't necessarily bet against it," said Jacques. However, when presented with a recent article from a top design school that showed seven out of ten students chose mid-century modern as the most influential trend of the time, Jacques responded, "Well, I guess we've got a way to go then..." - AIA Staff Writers NOTE: For readers seeking more information about the Asheford Institute Of Antiques distance-learning program on professional-level appraising, the study of antiques, collectibles, vintage and mid-century modern items, please click here to visit the school's Home Page. Should you have additional questions about the Asheford program, you can also write to the school at: [email protected] or call the Registrar's Office toll-free at: 1-877-444-4508. Florida - eBay is arguably one of the best known brands in existence. From their "mythical" start as a Pez dispensary and listing site for the founder's wife, to their position as one of the world's largest online sellers of antiques and vintage items, this company has managed to solidify its global reputation as the auction site that simply sells "everything." Over the decades, countless millions of people have sold antique and vintage items across eBay's online platform, and in the process, have provided eBay with a veritable treasure trove (or so it would seem), of data regarding the sale of such items as they've passed under the company's online hammer. Realizing the value of this information, eBay was quick to offer its buyers & sellers free access to the data as an enticement to return and put more items up for auction. As eBay's stature grew over the years, the notion of determining the value of one's antique and vintage items by comparing them to eBay's online listings became commonplace. The refrain, "Oh, I saw one on eBay for exactly the same price..." became the standard definition for evaluating literally anything. Unfortunately, as many people found out, this criteria simply didn't hold up when it came to bricks and mortar businesses, nor did eBay's "realized" prices necessarily reflect regional and geographic differences in taste, or the fact that clicking a mouse at an online auction didn't always mirror real world auctions or their prices. Over time, it became clear to many dealers and collectors that you'd not only have to take eBay prices with a grain of salt - but you might need the whole shaker too. Fast-forward to 2019, and dealers and collectors are once again questioning the value of some of eBay's public data sharing's. One such example, a recent listing showing the "most watched items" under eBay's heading of Popular Antiques, is of particular concern since many of the actual items aren't even antiques at all, or vintage for that matter - they're new. Now while most dealers and collectors and even astute punters can figure this out by simply reading the title, what's distressing is the rest of the buying public may not be as savvy to this clever wording as the pros. However, leaving the semantics aside, what's even more of a concern is that the listing is factually incorrect. If you use the example of the snapshot from the picture cited in Ilus. 1, it turns out that six of the top ten antique items reportedly "being watched" on eBay from that particular day, were in fact not even antique, nor were they vintage. Now we realize that you can probably refine the search on eBay, using filters to gain more accurate listings based on what you're searching for, but when the sites overall heading related to antiques, and the type of items people are "most watching" are not antiques, it should give one reason to pause - or at the very least - reconsider the information being presented. There are of course plenty of reliable stats that can likely be gleaned from using eBay's free data collection offerings, but the aforementioned case raises the spectre of exactly how much one should completely trust this information when it comes to making antique purchases of your own. If getting solid intel on what to buy for your business is paramount, then one should not only consider the source before making any sizable investments, but how that information was arrived at. As with literally all things in life, the proof is often in the pudding. So when it comes to the reliability of "free" information being listed by one of the biggest online retailers of antiques and collectibles in the world, perhaps a modified quote from Edgar Allen Poe might sum it up best, “Believe nothing you hear, and only half (or less) of what you read..." - Annie Smith, A.I.A., PACC (*Ms. Smith is a guest writer for the school, and syndicated antique & appraisal columnist who has been covering the decorative arts beat for over thirty years. Ms. Smith's views and opinions are her own, and do not necessarily reflect those of the Asheford Institute). NOTE: For readers seeking more information about the Asheford Institute Of Antiques distance-learning program on professional-level appraising, the study of antiques, collectibles, vintage and mid-century modern items, please click here to visit the school's Home Page. Should you have additional questions about the Asheford program, you can also write to the school at: [email protected] or call the Registrar's Office toll-free at: 1-877-444-4508. Florida - As we settle into a new season, one of the most commonly asked questions by antique dealers and vintage curators, often revolves around the theme of purchasing stock based on popular style and design choices for the upcoming year. Gone are the days when dealers could simply rest on their laurels and hope for the best when it came to moving inventory purchased on the fly, or collected over years of random picking. Today, there is a need for a symbiotic relationship not only between those selling antiques and vintage items, but also between others in the decorative arts field such as interior designers and style influencers. The past two decades have seen a strong move toward modernist elements in decorative design - from mid-century to retro - along with a number of related vintage infused styles in between. However, this year, not all emerging trends appear to be about the shiny and new. In fact, some of the anticipated upcoming styles seem to be shaking off the 50s futurist platform in favor of more woody and earth friendly tones. To help you make sense of where some of these decorative art trends are headed for this year, we checked in with a few top designers and industry tastemakers for some guidance. From rounded corners and shag carpets, to unique handmade steampunk pieces, these are the top five design trends to keep on your radar in 2019. Standout With Softer Wood The pendulum is once again swinging from the completely austere 1950s era cabinets with metal accents and vivid coloring, back to a more simple line with the use of natural wood and patina. The statement is far more reflective and subdued than in years past, with an emphasis on the natural grains showing through and softer corners on many of the cabinets and tables. Lower-contrast patterns and a mixing of like materials and scale is becoming more popular than ever. - V. Candice, interior designer Dark Oak (Oxidized) While we all know of the Golden Oak period from the Victorian era, the newest take on that trend appears to be the oxidization of such wood into a washed-out black. "Out with the old, in with the oxidized oak," seems to be the saying for 2019, at least according to style-influencer and designer Amanda Brown. Simple pieces washed dark, from the thirties and forties, with kitchen-style pulls to add to the modern flair are a great fit for almost any décor. Plus, there's a great selection of these types of cabinets at most second hand and vintage stores - perfect for an inexpensive wash. A. Brown, style influencer Steampunk Infused Design There seems to be no end in sight to the inferential movement towards a neo-Victorian rebirth, based largely on the growth of Steampunk, as not only a wearable fashion, but as a design concept too. Married pieces from the Victorian era with lush colored upholstery and hand wrought metal are especially sought after, and are in high demand with many top designers. The desire for a return to handcrafted authenticity, especially when it comes to furniture and the decorative arts, versus buying mass produced items (including even those made during the mid-century period), will continue to be popular in 2019, and likely beyond. J. Garner, interior designer Traditional Bedrooms For some antique dealers this might be the sign they've been waiting for... "Cozy warm bedrooms are making a return, says Jan Moyer from an upscale design firm on Manhattan's upper east side. "Bedrooms are definitely getting the warm-wood makeover from years past - we're having trouble just finding enough antique beds and accompanying suites to fill the needs of our clients." Moyer thinks that a return from the stark and linear designs of the 50s is likely to start in the bedroom, since it's where most people want to feel cozy and protected from the world outside. - J. Moyer, interior design firm 70's Style Returns And finally, for those of you that have been collecting and buying mid-century like madmen from the 60s, Geena Cole, a style influencer on multiple social media platforms says it might be time to drop everything, hit up your platform shoes, and head for the thrift store for anything rounded and 70-ish. "I see so many of my followers accounts just bursting at the seams with seventies design and fashion," says Cole. This will definitely be the year to get ahead of the crowd and start buying up that curvy design aesthetic - especially the 1970s-inspired rounded furniture which has become the poster child for items from this period. G. Cole, style influencer - A.I.A Staff Writers NOTE: For readers seeking more information about the Asheford Institute Of Antiques distance-learning program on professional-level appraising, the study of antiques, collectibles, vintage and mid-century modern items, please click here to visit the school's Home Page. Should you have additional questions about the Asheford program, you can also write to the school at: [email protected] or call the Registrar's Office toll-free at: 1-877-444-4508. Florida - The latest results from the Asheford Institute's yearly annual survey of top buying trends within the antiques, vintage and collectibles community was just released by the school this past week. The Institute, which has been conducting the industry related survey for over ten years now, uploaded its latest trending data on decorative arts sales for 2018 via a dedicated page on the school's web site. The survey, which focuses on compiling and grouping information related to customers buying habits over a twelve month period, came about as a result of strong interest from readers requesting updates from previous surveys, said current Director of the Institute, Charles Green. He went on to note that there were some interesting changes in the poll results this year. "Our questionnaire has become more detailed, resulting in answers that are more period and genre specific. We're really able to drill down now into the types of antiques and vintage items that are actually selling well within a 12 month period." Green also acknowledged that the increase in poll-participants (up 15% over last year), had led to more accurate survey numbers in regard to particular sales categories. "More data has simply given us better survey results," said Green. The school's lead Poll Researcher, Anthony Harper, echoed Mr. Green's sentiments and went on to say that the main goal of the Institute's survey was to provide meaningful analysis of measurable interest in current trends within the antiques and collectibles marketplace, based on actual sales results and requests for specific items from customers. Harper, who has worked on eight of the school's past polls, noted that while the survey was based on a general series of questions, and did not employ any standardized formulas, the overall results were still very revealing when looked at as a whole. “The shift in what's considered collectible is continuing to change, and at a more accelerated pace than before," said Harper. "For the last few years it's been Mid-century modern, but this year we're beginning to see some challenges to that dominance." Some of the other highlights from the poll included a resurgence of all things Western. "We're seeing a revitalized interest by the public in literally anything related to the American past and particularly the wild, wild west" said Harper. Other top sellers on the school's list include a few industry standards such as Star Wars items, space related toys from the 1960s and 70s, as well as automobilia and related mechanical items. Harper noted that just as in past polls, the most noticeable change in collecting genres was being reported by younger dealers, who indicated that consumer tastes seemed to be trending towards virtually anything related to the latter half of the twentieth-century. "The reality is the younger collectors are the one's moving the ball forward now," said Harper, "the rest of us just appear to be along for the ride." For readers wanting to view the full results of the Institute's 2018 survey, you can find them online at: https://www.asheford.com/2018-survey-results.html - A.I.A. Staff Writer's NOTE: For readers seeking more information about the Asheford Institute Of Antiques distance-learning program on professional-level appraising, the study of antiques, collectibles, vintage and mid-century modern items, please click here to visit the school's Home Page. Should you have additional questions about the Asheford program, you can also write to the school at: [email protected] or call the Registrar's Office toll-free at: 1-877-444-4508. Florida - Just in case you were wondering, sales of antique and vintage jewelry continue to remain hot - extremely hot - as this week will likely mark an extravaganza of bidding up and down the east coast at some of the world's leading auction houses. In addition to the heavyweights, a number of smaller online venders also plan to get in on the action by offering significant sales of their own. While not quite the Black Friday of general retail, this amalgamation of jewelry auctions occurring over a twelve day period in December is nevertheless an impressive event. Sotheby's, Bonham's, Christie's and Skinners are but a few of the major players who'll be moving a stunning collection of jewels and precious metals across the auction block this week. Collections from a number of prominent woman and early period pieces from notable antique dealers, will feature heavily in the sales. However, it's Skinner's "Important Jewelry Sale," that will likely garner the most attention from those interested in precious stones and settings from the past. Over the years, the Boston auction house has earned a reputation for locating rare and authentic period jewelry. Attendee's of Skinner's auctions are keenly aware of the house's ability to source some of the best historical jewelry out there, which is well reflected in their catalogs, and by the prices realized at their auctions. A major part of their sale this week will include 96 lots from the collection of Edith Weber - one of the country's top dealers in antique jewelry. Weber who started her company in 1960, quickly became one of Manhattan's most sought after dealers, and the person you called when looking for rare jewelry from the past. Aside from her spectacular overall inventory, Weber was also widely credited with being one of the country's top experts when it came to antique jewelry. Some of the items from the upcoming sale will include: Art Nouveau Plique-a-Jour Enamel and Diamond Dragonfly Brooch. The plique-a-jour wings are edged with rose-cut diamonds, and are set en-tremblant, body and green enamel head, set with old European, old mine and old single-cut diamond melee, engraved legs, silver and platinum-topped 18kt gold mount. Estimate: $7,000-10,000 However, it wasn't just Judith who had an eye for the bangles. Weber's son Barry, who joined the company in 1975, along with his wife Sonja, had learned the jewelry trade early on from his mother, and went on to become one of the most respected appraisers on the Antiques Roadshow for almost fifteen seasons. Edith's jewelry pieces were often seen at black-tie affairs such as the Academy Awards, and were also displayed prominently in national advertising campaigns across the nation - all of which furthered the image of the family's impressive influence over jewelry couture, and their reputation as some of the world's top antique jewelry evaluators. This month's auctions will no doubt garner wide attention from the mainstream media, which in itself is a testament to just how popular antique, and even vintage jewelry, currently is with the buying public. However, if one were examine the contents of each sale with a careful eye, as to style, grace, and overall beauty, then it's likely one auction would rise to the top. To that end, we thank Ms. Weber for being such a stalwart in the advancement of beautiful antique and period piece jewelry - collectors everywhere owe you a debt of gratitude. - A.I.A. Staff Writers NOTE: For readers seeking more information about the Asheford Institute Of Antiques distance-learning program on professional-level appraising, the study of antiques, collectibles, vintage and mid-century modern items, please click here to visit the school's Home Page. Should you have additional questions about the Asheford program, you can also write to the school at: [email protected] or call the Registrar's Office toll-free at: 1-877-444-4508. Florida - For many in the decorative arts community, one of the most common conundrums faced by business owners these days usually boils down to one simple concept; "What type of inventory should I be investing in so as to appeal to today's modern family?" The contemporary family home has changed dramatically over the last thirty years, and knowing what decorative items to fit into this changing lifestyle has become a challenge for many in the antiques and vintage trade. Pieces such as bureaus, or fall-front desks, which were used for writing and storing letters, and which were once staples in many homes, have now become virtually redundant, since they are no longer practical for today's wired devices (unless of course you're willing to drill holes into the back of them - ostensibly destroying their value in the process). In a recent study about modern families published by the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), it found that most family time was spent today around the kitchen table than in any other room, with the den being the second most used, whereas the living room and dinning room were almost non-existent when it came to usage. As a corollary to this data, many auction sites "realized prices" over the last ten years, tended to back up the university's assertion, by indicating a strong drop in price and demand for formalized dining room tables and sideboards. As one employee from an auction house in northern California noted, "We tend not to see people sitting down to traditional style meals anymore - so I guess the need for matching tables and serving stands isn't going to be there either." However, the news isn't all glum, as a number of auction houses reported that while sales of formalized furniture for specific rooms was down, pieces that could be adapted to more modern home motifs were up, way up. Terry Smith, an auctioneer from New Hampshire, who sells primarily to customers in New York, said that rustic pieces, such as harvest tables, that could be incorporated into the new larger more modern kitchen spaces were selling well. "Old pine and early American straight-legged tables in the five to six foot range were moving fast," said Smith. "I think it's probably because their clean and simple lines work well with contemporary styles." Other items that Smith said were selling well included, blanket boxes, pine benches, and other primitive items that were practical in nature. Of course for those in the business who are dealing in the mid-century theme, sales continue to be brisk for almost all items within the genre. Gail White, who owns a mid-century depot for kitchen wares from the 1950's, says that she sells almost exclusively to designers and decorators who are looking to compliment their clients new modern kitchens. "Five years ago, it was just the mid-century pieces, but today, I'm literally selling out of anything that has even the smallest modern vibe to it - all the way back to Art Deco." For many, such changing tastes within the decorative arts field can often be difficult to get a handle on, since they often seem to occur as minor shifts within an existing genre, rather than an overall change in market direction and taste. Or, as one antique mall manager from Texas noted, "One day we're selling old, and the next it's modern, but old!" For the majority of dealers out there however, such news is simply part of the evolving marketplace, "I've learned to adapt," said White of her mid-century kitchen emporium. "At one point I was selling wooden rolling pins from the Victorian era, now I'm selling space-aged blenders from the fifties." - A.I.A. Staff Writers NOTE: For readers seeking more information about the Asheford Institute Of Antiques distance-learning program on professional-level appraising, the study of antiques, collectibles, vintage and mid-century modern items, please click here to visit the school's Home Page. Should you have additional questions about the Asheford program, you can also write to the school at: [email protected] or call the Registrar's Office toll-free at: 1-877-444-4508. Florida - We've all heard the call to arms before, "Brown furniture is back!" Or, "Wood makes its return!" But the truth of the matter is that Mid-Century, and the overall modernist theme, is still very much in charge of today's decorative arts marketplace. Vintage is of course riding shotgun to this trend, while offering a wider scope of interest than simply adhering to the sensibilities of the modernist motif. And yet, as we've been reporting over the past twenty-four months, even with the market's Mid-Century dominance of the last few years, there are now fledgling signs that cracks may be beginning to form within this mantle. In April of last year, writer's at the Institute broke a story about how a substantial number of younger dealers were noticing a trend-shift towards modified brown furniture that had been absent up until this time. Many of these dealers commented on the fact that the trend seemed to focus on an adaption of old styles blended with new - a Duncan Phyfe style sofa for example - reupholstered in a modern theme. Or, the use of industrial pipes and fittings in the construction of old-wood style harvest tables. Recently, many of these same dealers (in a follow-up questionnaire sent out by the Institute), went a step further in their assessment of today's changing market tastes; commenting that since last year there had been an even greater move by customers towards buying heavily modified pieces, in what many dealers were simply calling the "Steampunk" effect. As Allen Johnson, a dealer from Maine, who also crafts his own creations noted, "It was simply crazy; any Victorian furniture that I could add some industrial effects onto sold almost immediately." Steampunk, which has often been described as a type of industrial design and fashion, combining Victorian elements and sensibilities, with a Jules Verne style steam-driven utopia, appears to have transitioned from merely being a decorative arts niche, into something far more mainstream. In what many perceive as a societal rebuff and revolt against the modernist themes currently associated with the Mid-Century ideal, Steampunk is a growing movement that seems to somehow capture both the old and the new into one fantastical genre. Denise Orland, a dealer from the south side of Baltimore, echoed this sentiment in her comments when she noted that her husband had gone from refinishing to recreating pieces. "Our business model has literally swung 180 degrees in the last year," said Orland, "We're not only building Steampunk bespoke pieces for clients, but we're attending Steampunk festivals all around the world that combine everything from fashion to furniture to handmade decorative items - often sourced from old Victorian pieces - it's a wonderful mish-mash of ideas and design." Another Canadian dealer, who curates a shop on Etsy, took her love for all things Victorian to the next level by literally enveloping her lifestyle within the Steampunk motif. As a lifelong collector, Debby Purdy says she originally went from antique show to antique show looking for strange and unusual Victorian era items which were no longer in demand, but could be upcycled into something new. When she realized she wasn't alone in her endeavor, the bells started going off. "Suddenly lots of strangely dressed people started showing up looking to buy the same items I was searching for... I didn't realize it at the time, but these were the early Steampunkers." Today, Purdy says she's fully embraced the genre, right down to her wardrobe choices. "I guess you could say I live the Neo-Victorian or Steampunk lifestyle, although I'm not sure how affordable it's going to be in the future, as prices for some of the cooler items are definitely beginning to rise." Whether Ms. Purdy is a precursor of things to come or what's already been, can be difficult to say, as changing tastes within the decorative arts community are usually influenced by similar changes within society first. These are then transferred down the cultural-highway, and, if all the stars are aligned just right, you'll often end up with the creation of a unique style or motif that manages to cross all societal boundaries, while simultaneously imbuing itself within the contemporary fashion, art, and furnishings of the day. The question as to whether or not Steampunk can truly make the leap into mainstream culture remains to be seen, but if the response to our recent questionnaire on the subject is any indication, then we'd say it's likely a good bet that top-hats and petticoats might well be making a return... - A.I.A. Staff Writers NOTE: For readers seeking more information about the Asheford Institute Of Antiques distance-learning program on professional-level appraising, the study of antiques, collectibles, vintage and mid-century modern items, please click here to visit the school's Home Page. Should you have additional questions about the Asheford program, you can also write to the school at: [email protected] or call the Registrar's Office toll-free at: 1-877-444-4508. Florida - What do you get when you cross Pinterest with Vintage? Apparently the answer is Vinterest. As our series on the changing landscape within the antiques and decorative arts community continues, we couldn't help but steer our attention over to the evolving world of the antique-mall, come vintage-mall, and more recently, the appearance of an oddity known as a Vinterest warehouse. For those who are perhaps a little social media shy, the Vinterest moniker is a catchy play on the DIY and home décor site Pinterest, and the word vintage. At first glance it may seem a strange pairing, but once you think about it for a moment, it quickly becomes apparent that it's anything but - I mean what fits more hand-in-glove than crafty-style home decorating and a fine selection of vintage goods? For one such entrepreneur on Chestnut Street in Chattanooga's Southside in Tennessee, the answer to this was simple; a refurbished old tool-and-design warehouse, with a sprinkle of 60 or so quality vendor/artists of the eclectic, and you'd have Vinterest! The brainchild of Katherine Schurer, a veteran business owner from Chattanooga's southside, Schurer felt that the concept of a funky retail space would add to the up-and-coming flavor of the revitalized neighborhood. "It came organically," she said, "Southside is just exploding, and we were able to snatch this building up." According to Schurer, what makes this experience different from your average antiques or vintage mall is that customers can find a lot more than just vintage items in the store, including handmade crafts, upcycled goods, refurbished and repurposed furniture, custom embroidery, one-off jewelry pieces, vintage clothes, leather bags, boutique soaps and oils, and a variety of other artisan inspired products. Schurer went on to say that one of the big changes she made, when comparing it to her first location and that of most antique malls, was in the sizing of the vendor spaces. The new booths at the Vinterest mall were designed to be much larger and resemble actual storefronts, she said. "It's almost like a miniature town within a warehouse - with vendors taking a lot of pride in their spaces." While Schurer is unlikely to be the only person on the dance floor adapting to today's changes in the decorative arts jig - especially as it relates to shared retail spaces and malls - there is no question that she is certainly one of the people leading the charge by actually giving it a name - even if it's just a play on words. Her ideas on booth size and appearances, along with transformative inventory models, are timely examples of the creative and evolving landscape occurring within the antiques and vintage marketplace. And, while handmade soap and locally sourced apothecary goods may not be every antique dealers cup of tea when it comes to inventory, it's worth noting that just few short years ago vintage items weren't either. If your curiosity has been peaked, and you'd like to learn more about Schurer and her Vinterest venture, you can head over to the company's web site at: http://vinterestantiques.com/index.html - A.I.A. Staff Writers NOTE: For readers seeking more information about the Asheford Institute Of Antiques distance-learning program on professional-level appraising, the study of antiques, collectibles, vintage and mid-century modern items, please click here to visit the school's Home Page. Should you have additional questions about the Asheford program, you can also write to the school at: [email protected] or call the Registrar's Office toll-free at: 1-877-444-4508. Florida - As we've talked about in the past, the move from antique, to vintage, to retro - to everything else in between - is now the new norm. Classifications, monikers, and item branding are constantly changing and morphing into one another - yesterday it was shabby chic - today it's upcycled and chalk paint. However, even in the midst of these evolving nameplate-changes, it remains clear that for the moment at least, the "vintage" moniker can generally be seen as holding court in the decorative arts marketplace, due in large part to its association with the online giant Etsy. While we've discussed the presence of online retail sites before in relation to vintage sales, Etsy holds a special sway over eBay, Facebook, Pinterest and virtually all other online sales sites that deal specifically in the genre of vintage and upcycled goods. Simply put, Etsy is the Internet's leader of vintage sales... by a long shot. So, when it comes to sourcing out what type of vintage items are selling well, it should be no surprise that there are a plethora of Etsy retailers with their own blogs, and web sites, devoted to discussing the top shelf-clearing items flying from their stores. This fact alone demonstrates the power of Etsy's value and stature within the vintage marketplace. One such seller, Florence, from Vintage Southern Picks, takes the blog concept a little further, and not only lists Etsy selling tips for newbie entrants, but her blog also showcases the store's top selling items on a monthly basis (including their purchase price), such as the little dresser box in the picture to the left, that she bought for $2.00 and later sold for $20. In addition to this, she also includes commentary on items that sold, when she wasn't expecting them to do so - such as four Copper Fish Molds that went for $15. "Copper Fish Molds are ver-r-ry slow sellers, or any copper molds for that matter. I wouldn’t recommend buying them, but selling for a friend. I was very surprised they sold." - Florence, from Vintage Southern Picks A few of her other sales included:
There are of course many sites out there devoted to flogging Top 10 Lists of what's selling on Etsy, but the usefulness of Florence's, Vintage Southern Picks, rises above this form of promotion because she actually provides readers with the prices of bought and sold items, rather than just the categories they belong to within their respective fields of collecting. In addition to this, Florence's picks literally give her readership the breakdown of the how and why of what sold as well. And, while her blog may only be one person's take on what's moving within the vintage industry, if you add up her sales collectively - month by month and year over year - it should provide most buyers and sellers with a pretty clear picture as to what's truly making it on Etsy, and by extension, the vintage market in general. We think this additional info shows that she's onto a pretty good thing... and her blog just might prove it. - A.I.A. Staff Writer's NOTE: For readers seeking more information about the Asheford Institute Of Antiques distance-learning program on professional-level appraising, the study of antiques, collectibles, vintage and mid-century modern items, please click here to visit the school's Home Page. Should you have additional questions about the Asheford program, you can also write to the school at: [email protected] or call the Registrar's Office toll-free at: 1-877-444-4508. |
A.I.A. Staff
We're providing our students and reader's with the latest breaking news on events and happenings that we think might be of interest to both collectors and dealers alike. Including changes within the world of antiques, vintage, collectibles and appraising that might just have an effect on your bottom line. We're also interested in hearing from you - so if you've got a great newsworthy story, let us know, and you just might find it here! Archives
December 2019
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