A blog friend mentioned she hasn't seen my booth at the antique mall, so better look away now if you scare easily. Here are some pics from yesterday before I started moving things around. It is full and thus, looks a mess. I am basically just moving things around. Sell a few things - add some new things. Aye yay yay.
I had an old floral hooked rug on the floor, but it was getting trashed so I took it out. The antique tulip quilt and the homespun twin bed sized fabric are the only textiles left in the booth. I've gone in several times to find them balled up on the floor. The quilt is from the 1800's and in good condition as is the homespun.
I thought they would have flown out the door, but they've been there from day one. The cradle did finally sell, but sat there for months.
Some booth owners paint their booths. I am not kidding. Yes, I would have liked another color than brown, but not going to happen. I love the spare and styled booths, but I figure, with the rent, the 10 - 15% commission and card fees, if it isn't in there, it's not going to sell.
I've got some nice old baskets, but haven't sold a one. Same with pottery. I have a Clarice Cliff plate and a Wade pottery pitcher and don't think I could give them away. In fact, I brought the Wade piece home as it is in perfect condition and they will break it.
The most expensive things in the booth are the fairy painting and the french trumeau mirror which you can't see very well. Pretty much, I am trying to get what I paid back, or even at a loss. But, some things, the rarest, I'm not going to budge on.
Aye yay yay. I've had several 25% off sales, but I didn't sell more, so I haven't had one in a couple of months.
There you have it. Almost everything in the booth is old. This mall is in an old supermarket and is huge. I realize that means the money is stretched out over 300 booths, but it also gets lots of traffic. From what I can tell, it is mostly the garage sale stuff that sells. Like I said earlier, it is a new day in the antique biz. I need a larger booth, but am not going to pay the higher cost. So, it is just going to have to look junky. And, I've had many items disappear and broken.
The only thing worse would be to have to take all of this back to the farm where there is more waiting.
23 comments:
That coverlet is overshot. Do you know if it is handwoven or on a Jacquard? I'm betting the former. These people would be interested and could even direct you to a place that would like to have it donated to them, in exchange for a deed of gift to apply to your taxes. http://www.coverletmuseum.org/
Thank you Joanne. It doesn't have a date or signature, but I think they called them Linsey Woolsies or something like that. I would have thought someone would have bought it to make pillows from, but I have some old tapestries too, but haven't had room to put those up yet and I know people make pillows out of them, though mine aren't for cutters.
Loving the look of your booth. I am a tad grateful we don't live closer. I fear your booth would move house if we did.
Donna, thank you very much for these photographs of your booth. It seems to my eye to be filled with treasures! Like the prior commenter, I wish I lived close enough to come and have a proper browse.
I have several of those Shaker baskets that I treasure. The china also looks tempting, and did I spy some darning eggs? Just asking.... xo
Oh, I wish you did live closer. As it is, I am having to wait for dealers to come through.
I have a pink one and a small blue one. Only ones there, but I don't know how you saw them. Must be psychic. I wish you could come too. A few people, and I am sure they are the same person, go through the booth with a fine toothed comb. I have more baskets and garden carriers/gathering ones, but I'm waiting for one to sale. Guess baskets aren't as popular as they were when I was gathering them;)
You have some excellent items in this booth. Have you considered ebay or etsy?
Duh....you have an etsy shop.....
I have always wanted a booth, and before my accident earlier this year, my daughter and myself had it all planned out. You have quite the selection there, my problem is, I like to hold onto stuff :)
~Jo
I am very intrigued at your booth. My eyes are not that great but I spied some wonderful items. I love your baskets and the chicken hanging from your drawer. Love the drawings of your sweet gud dugs.
I can not believe people treat your treasures with such carelessness.
cheers, parsnip
I love all those dainty teacups and hanging baskets in your booth, Donna.
I would love to pop into that booth of yours if I lived there.
Shel x
I love all those dainty teacups and hanging baskets in your booth, Donna.
I would love to pop into that booth of yours if I lived there.
Shel x
I do have an eclectic mix Michelle. Yes, I've done etsy, but do not enjoy packaging and going to the post office so often. Just too much to mail.
Pretty much on etsy, they can't destroy the items. I've not taken lots of things they will break.
Me too Jo. I have some cottage ware pieces that have been there since day one. Tea cups and saucers? Barely sell. It would be much easier to do it with someone else. The pricing etc. are hard too, plus moving it all by myself. I'm having an MRI and X-rays on my back in a week or so. Hope I don't have to have a 50% off sale to get rid of it all.
Me either Parsnip. They take stuff out and leave it in others' booths around the mall and they tell us to go look for it. I looked at another mall that was leftovers from decorators collections, etc. but they were a lot more on the rental part, but their store always looks perfect. But, they don't have the traffic either.
I would love it too. Lots to look at. And, thanks for stopping by my booth;)
You have some lovely old stuff Donna - perhaps you try another tactic, putting less on display but changing the stock more often.
It might work better, but it would be so much more work than it already is. Thank you Elaine. It'll go out one way or another.
I would love to visit also..thanks for showing us:)
I cannot see your prices:)
That little gourd bunting is adorable..and your whole booth looks like so much fun to visit!
Here we have our fab brocante from April till end October..
prices vary..
I hate bargaining I did enough being a realtor for my clients and honsetly sometimes they did not give me a leg to stand on..
"I don't want a pool"..LOL 5 yrs later they were still swimmimg in it..
Now..Facebook here has a sep. area called Varage Sale..all locals or close enough and everyone sells things..
tea cups and saucers vary..never more than $20..most $5-10..
what are prices like where you are for teacups and saucers..?
Curious:)
Hunters will be shot:) LOL.
Monique, for some reason, I couldn't reply, but only a new comment. Thank you. The cradle sold for $75. The teacups and saucers sets sell for about $6.00. I am basically just trying to get back what I paid, but will take a loss. I'm trying to think of other things to show the price. I have the old circus poster for $125. ( the frame was $30.00), but have had it on sale. Not sold. Most of it is old, not reproductions, so I had to pay more. That, and prices for things go up and down. What was popular years ago and sold for higher prices, will go out of favor and lose value. I thought the dishes and c & s would sell.
I KNOW i wrote a comment yesterday---I did, I did. It was all about the fabulous cradle, and the lady in the frame with the splash of colourful flower at her bosom, and the charming little coat and bonnet in that long-ago ashes-of-roses shade of pinky-gray, and that tempting turquoise bit of what IS that? tucked at the bottom. But I've been known to forget to hit SEND.
I'm so glad you chose to show your booth---I love looking at folks' collections (and YOU, my friend, have some of the most interesting arcanities and beautifuls of anybody on a blog). I've just looked my eyes full, seeing things of import to you, and of such lovely heritage and artistry. I especially love your little doggie paintings---I always think of them as between patchwork and cloisonne, and they're simply charming.
Thanks for the peek!
r
I had to go back and look who had a rose at her bosom. Above the old Stayin Alive Bee Gees album, it is painting on an oval piece of tin, around the art nouveau period as an advertising piece. Been there since day one and I haven't seen another one. That little dress came in about five different sizes, but I only bought the one. A bunch of sisters, same style and fabric. Very old. Little hat still has the original tag on it called Peggy. Yes, there is a little of everything in the booth. Glad you suggested to post pics of it, mess or not. Several times, I have thought I am taking something out and it sold the very day. I have taken stuff out anyway, that just took up too much room. I leave all the small stuff because it is what seems to sell most, but junks up the place too.
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