Crazy4Me specializes in Vintage, Antique, and Retro Housewares, Kitchenware, Gifts, Whimsies, Home Décor and More!
Here is a really cute and fun crocheted Pumpkin Pie Brooch that is totally guilt-free!! A fun craft project for sure that you can use your vintage yarns for and it is sure to be a “hit” year after year. Visit Craftzine to get the pattern and insturctions.
Admit it, you love them, I love them, we all LOVE them…. Holiday Craft Fairs!! Weather you are a crafty crafter who is a vendor at the fair or just a shopper looking for gifts or just “ideas”, craft fairs are a lot of fun.
Who couldn’t use some extra money around the holidays and what a better way to generate some then by selling the items you craft all year. 2011’s “Hot” selling craft items are below and if you can still secure a booth at your local fairs then you might want to consider selling your crafts. Booths can go from $50+ so do a bit of research so you learn if the fair is a one-day, two-day or multiple weekend event as well as find out how much advertising the fair has done and what their “general” attendance has been in the past so you can plan accordingly with your booth setup and product inventory.
Gift Items or Uniques? This is what you need to decide so you know what category your item(s) belong in as research shows that craft fair attendees are looking for either Unique items or Gift items.
iPad, iPod, iPhone and electronics holders, cases and carriers: In today’s electronics gadget crazy universe, accessories that are “unique” will sell. Knitted cases and holders, recycled and up-cycled carries made from sweaters, vintage tablecloths and materials, natural fiber made carries and cases and of course the more bling and blinged out the carrier the more you will sell.
How are you all doing this time of year with vintage finds? Seems to especially be “hit or miss” in my area. Nonetheless, the “search” the “hunt” is the usually the best part for us vintage and thrift store addicts and for me I found some amazing stuff!! Here is a pic of the latest finds and it includes a vintage Norcrest Mermaid sitting in her shell, a pair of cute Lefton Miss Priss kitty cat salt and pepper shakers, a pair of vintage made in England poodle dog collector plates, a pair of rare embroidered & appliqued vintage Black Americana towels and lovely shabby chic turquoise dish with scenes of a loving couple. Not too bad I should say! Visit us at Crazy4Me
Some call it a hobby and others call it earning a living; being a “Picker” is exciting and can really be rewarding! Pickers are constantly researching and learning about antiques and collectibles and honing their skills. I have written many articles right here on my crazy4me blog sharing tips with my readers about selling online, selling at antique malls, buying and selling at flea markets, antiques and collectibles shops, thrift stores and today I am sharing tips on being a Picker. An exceptional resource that is equally good for the novice picker or experienced picker is the Picker’s Bible: How To Pick Antiques Like the Pros by Joe Willard. The Picker’s Bible teaches all you dumpster divers, estate sale addicts and modern archaeologists tips and tricks to succeed as a Picker and it is a fun easy read that will get your “Picker’s” juices flowing!!
I would like to share with you all my top 5 tips for the novice Picker.
1. Research. If you follow my blog then you know I am always touting the term “Research” as the more you know about a variety of items the better Picker you will be and the better Seller your will be. You need to know what items are collectible, what items no one really want and what items to specialize in.
2. Getting Dirty. Don’t be afraid to get dirty. Sometimes you have to crawl around in an attic, basement, or out-buildings to Pick the treasure. No one said Picking was easy. Heck, even at flea markets and garage sales you will find dirty or grimy items, items in need of TLC. Also, don’t overlook dumpster diving especially when you see someone is moving or being evicted (good idea is to check to make sure you have permission from the people or landlord to go through the dumpster).
3. Learn to Negotiate. You must be respectful of other people’s stuff….they are attached to their stuff so if you want their stuff you need to learn how to negotiate. Remember “He Who Speaks First Looses” so you need to learn to get the owner of the stuff to first let you know if its for sale and then how much they want for it.
4. ReSelling. Pickers pick as a business and must have a way to off-load the merchandise. Make contacts with thrift shops, antiques shops, decorators, designers, dealers (jewelry, coin and stamp), flea market vendors, online sellers etc. You can re-sell to these folks and charge a commission. Once you develop a reputation for sourcing or Picking great merchandise you can certainly make a steady and very profitable income being a picker, re-seller or personal shopper.
5. Business. Make sure you talk to a lawyer, CPA or account to get setup as a legal business with your state and learn all you need to learn about running a business as being a Picker is very hard work, demands many hours, and you don’t want to over-look any legalities.
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I discovered a little thrift store in an older little strip mall recently. The thrift store is run by the hospice folks and sales help support hospice and they have the sweetest little old ladies running the shop. Prices are outrageously LOW! I stopped in yesterday and found a set of 8 vintage Christmas candy cane mugs that could be used for eggnog or cocoa or even in little Christmas vignettes and 4 pairs of Made in Italy Majolica hand painted Salt shakers. So, keep your eyes open and look for those “hidden” thrift stores and thrift stores that support worth while causes that you support and believe in as they have amazing items that are donated and your shopping there supports a good cause. Hope you are all having a great weekend.
I am so excited to have come across these totally “WoW” goodies!! This is the time of year when you have an opportunity to find those “rare” and “hard-to-find” items as collectors and dealers are going over their inventory and selling off items before the end of the year. I came across these adorable vintage 1950s Lefton bluebird salt and pepper shakers with rhinestone eyes, vintage Norcrest bluebird shakers with sparkly eyes too, a super sweet Lefton Mr. Toodles mug, a pair of vintage 1950s Luzianne Coffee Mammy Salt and Pepper Shakers and a pair of Anthropomorphic Pead Pod salt and pepper shakers along with this Anthropomorphic Napco Apple salt and pepper shaker. Yes, as many of you know, I am totally obsessed with Anthropomorphic items and salt and pepper shakers and did you know for the past several years, salt and pepper shaker collecting has really been growing as it is fun, easy item to collect and you can find all sorts of deals on them once you learn your “niche” of collecting. All these goodies are available HERE and Over Here.
