Antiques at Kimberton Recap

We had a theme of "General Store" at the Antiques at Kimberton show, inspired by my obsession with vintage price tags. You may have noticed that I like to buy cool stuff in bulk (like the lamp parts). So, we piled the bulk junk into planters, enamel bowls and wooden cheese boxes. I made tags for each group and sold them for one or two dollars each, with a discount if you bought in multiples. We were joking around with other dealers that we were the dollar store of antiques. 

We didn't have walls around our 9' by 13' space, so it is difficult to distinguish our stuff from our neighbors' in these photos. We're going to re-think the wall situation next time.

 

We had a dealer on one side who only sold glass and flow blue dishes. Erin and I pretty much neglected that side of our booth because we were afraid of knocking something over and causing a domino-effect throughout our neighbor's booth.

 

I decorated a little Christmas tree with all of the "dollar store" items that we were selling, like vintage price tags, stencils, chandelier crystals, tin christmas tree light reflectors and silver Shiny Brite balls.

 

Erin was really annoyed that I brought my homeless-lady dressform to the show. I dressed her up with various items throughout the show, including a religious sign and a fancy rhinestone pin. No one was able to appreciate her beauty, so she came home with me. Maybe if I tell people that she isn't for sale, then everyone will want to buy her.

 

I made bunting out of pages from a decrepit 1890 dictionary and black rick-rack. It took about 20 minutes to make, just using a hole punch and pinking shears. Try it! It was so easy. We used chenille bedspreads as the tablecloths.

 

I didn't even sell one of these cool old receipt books. I think they made great notepads. And they were only two bucks! Oh, well. Maybe next time I'll make a sign that says "They make great notepads!". Duh.

Here are some highlights of what sold well and what didn't.

What Sold Well

• Chandelier crystals ($2 each)

• Lamp parts ($2 each)

• Vintage price sign bundles (25 little signs for $3)

• Books (between $1 and $10)
  We sold all of our very old books with fancy covers (like the kind on Bricolage yesterday).

• Postcards ($2 each or 6 for $10)

• Green-lidded cracker jars ($12-$14 each)

• Ice cream scoops ($6-$10 each)
  I had four of these, and they all sold.

• Floral frogs ($4-$6 each)
  Especially the green ones.
   

What Didn't Sell

• Green shabby table/server ($165)
  I know - what the hell? How could that not sell?

• Country cupboard ($425)
  Erin is happy. She is going to keep it for herself.

• Suitcases ($18)

• Picnic Baskets ($18 - probably better for the spring show in March)

• Linens (also better for the spring show in March)

• Christmas balls ($2 each/6 for $10)
  This was a surprise - I thought everyone would be down with the balls at this time of year, but maybe they didn't like our selection of balls. The dealer across the aisle, Cathy, loved our balls and told us that she loved our balls. Loudly.

• Erin's primitive dovetailed toolboxes ($45-$50)
  I thought these would have been the first to go, especially since this show is known for country primitives. And everyone else was selling them for $100+.

Do you see a trend here? People were looking for small, inexpensive things. We're okay with that. As I've said in the past, we are all about volume. Mostly because it gives us an excuse to buy lots and lots of stuff.

Comments

[Abbie]

What?! I can't believe those things didn't sell. I would have bought the green table, cupboard, Christmas balls and probably some linens, too. Too bad I live in CO!

[flutterbygirls]

Colleen,
Retail...never have been able to figure it out. Too bad your not driving to Yakima.
Kim

[Tami B.]

Oooh, wish I would've been there. Everything looks stupendous!

[barbara]

Hey, Colleen - if you'd still like to sell some of those very cool old receipt books for $2, I'd be happy to buy a couple of the grocer ones and pay for the shipping to NY. Let me know if you're interested - thanks!

[Becky]

I recently did a craft show and the gals running it said that it was way different than usual. Almost everything that sold was under $20. Love that economy!

[shayne]

I just sometimes wish that I lived in the US - I love those picnic baskets that you show in your photos.

[Junk Sophisticate]

Your booth looks great...I'm sure way more interesting than some of the others'. I want to thank you for including the details (ie pricing, what did/did not sell). I will be selling at my first flea market in the spring and you have helped me tremendously! Even though I know each show is different you've really provided great information.

Thanks!
Candy

[Susan D.]

blame it on the economy!!!

i wish i was closer...or maybe not, i see one too many things that i'd add to my collection-including a few cool receipt books for scrapping!

[Debbie Krall]

Hi Colleen,
It was truly a pleasure to meet you & Erin in person at Saturday's Kimberton show.
Your space looked fabulous. The two of you are creative geniuses, what a team!
The Janet Evanovich title I couldn't for the life of me remember is; One For The Money. It's light reading but what a hoot! Reminds me of you & some of your personal escapades shared with us in your blog.
Tell Erin that if she gets up to Souderton, the Care & Share Shoppe on Rt 113 runs a 50% off sale once a month. The Mennonites donate everything imaginable. You can get some great deals. Maybe she knows about it already. I hope she got the covered bridge for herself to put in her red & black room.
Thanks again for being such a good sport & signing my magazine!
Debbie

[Yard Sale Mama]

I can't believe nobody wanted your dress form, I love her- she's grungy and perfectly time-worn! People at that sale must have been a little nutty.
~Rachel

[Wanda]

The booth looks good! And I love the bunting. Those long tables can look pretty boring with just a cloth, but the bunting did just the trick.

[annie]

wow, i can't believe no one bought the receipt books! i wish i could have bought one of those and the vintage books...

[Cheryl]

Your booth looks fantastic! If I'd been at the show, I would have spent all my money there! I am interested in the receipt books and vintage price tags. If you don't mind shipping them to Virginia, please shoot me an email!

[madjoy22]

Drool....I LOVE the pads of paper! I spend each night driving home from my shop thinking "Why didn't THAT sell, but the ugly chipped 70's platter of somebody ELSES did sell?". You just can't ever understand, but I am with you on small & inexpensive selling this year.
I am sitting on piles of balls here too. LOL....Looks GREAT. Your table was lovely.

[lauren]

hi colleen, LOVE your blog! if you still have it, can i buy the book "i want to be a storekeeper"? i can paypal the $$ to you. please let me know. thank you.

[Kim]

I *love* your booth! If I ever get back to having a booth at a show, I'll definitely be referring to photos of your booth for arrangement inspiration.

And, I would have snapped up some of your stuff...you had good stuff :)

[Paper Dolls for Boys]

Did that "abide in me" sign sell? It is divine.

If I had seen those vintage store pads for $2 I would have peed in my pants, run away embarrassed and then sent my friend back to but THEM ALL!
Incredible that not a one sold.

[Angie Tieman]

Everything looks fabulous, so wish I could have been there! I definitely would have bought those receipt books! Ugh! You should see if Jenni Bowlin or Scarlet Lime wants them, they include vintage paper things in their scrapbook kits! Thanks for sharing all the beautiful photos with us!

[blondiensc]

Hi! I would have bought those old receipt books too! Love those!! fun fun! I would also have bought all your suitcases, it is kind of an obession for me! Your booth looked fabulous, wish I could have been there...! And got to love the balls comments...to funny!

Happy Thanksgiving!

~ Tara ~

[jerusalem]

I love the "dollar store of the antique world" that is a great niche! How could everyone not have wanted your dressform? Love her!

[Mary]

I just found your blog after blog-hopping this evening. What a joy! I love seeing what others have bought and you certainly share my affinity for everything.
I know the post was a year ago, but did you ever make it to Ocean Grove, NJ? I live 15 minutes away and never miss it. Let me know if you want some info on it!

[Jessie]

AAAAHhhhhh!!! I NEED those receipt books for this project:

http://www.sweetjessie.com/2009/01/collate-paper-collaboration.html

are they still available?? Can I buy them?