I sold just ONE item all morning. Then 3 more by mid afternoon, but I haven't covered my outgoings yet. February is not a good month for a Fair, and the weather didn't help either. I was talking to another dealer friend today and saying people used to know about antiques and knew what they were looking at - now they haven't the foggiest and it's all about "the look". What happened to those people who DID know about antiques - they can't have ALL died off during Covid.
Here's my rubbish . . .
At one time, the little wooden horse and cart (c. 1900 or so) would have flown out. Likewise the little drum shaped seed measure behind the repro pistol. Many "old friends" on these two tables, and newer friends rapidly turning into newer old friends . . .
The chimney is now done anyway, and new ridge tiles in place and a muddy track across the lawn, but can't be helped. They cleared the guttering on the stable block too and put my other roll of hedgehog anti-leaf stuff in it. The attic should hopefully soon dry out now.
Right, an hour in front of the tv and it will be bed. I was awake from 2.10 a.m. last night till nearly 6 a.m. Alarm went off at 6.40 . . .
I hope you got some socializing in and a few nice cups of tea from your flask. I would have bought all the turquoise things on your table. I'm surprised the bread boards didn't sell, they seem to be all the rage now. What do you think the average age of the crowd was? Do you think young people aren't interested in antiques? I have some really old china and another stash of art deco. My immediate descendants aren't interested in them at all. Perhaps when my grandchildren set up their homes it will be in again, who knows. I've just had a mad idea, I have absolutely no idea how one becomes an influencer but maybe I should have a go and influence on old, beautiful and storied objects. Laughing at myself here.
ReplyDeleteThe water was piping hot. I will use the rest to go into my hot water bottle in a moment. Gabby loves the turquoise dishes too. I have offered her them but she says she has no room! Price on breadboards I expect. They sell at Builth. Some young people love antiques. My Tam does and her partner Jon. Smiling at the thought of you becoming an Influencer, and no - I don't know how you set about it either! On Instagram plenty of people DO love and collect things. They just don't come to the Antiques Fair I am at this weekend!
ReplyDeleteI will have to start listing the non-breakable things on Fleabay, as it is NOT cheap to have a stand at a Fair. Next one will cost £225 . . .
You do have some lovely things. I'm surprised more didn't sell. Finances may be tight for everyone. I hope you stay dry now!
ReplyDeleteWell, I like what I have too!! Money is tight for everyone and groceries are always going up, never down. Nice dry feet yesterday, thank heavens.
DeleteThere are no places to sell like you do, over here. And the Auction Houses are selling stuff for a pittance, an absolute pittance. Beautiful chests of drawers going for less than £50 and tables for similar. The young people seem to want plastic, Chinese rubbish rather than solid, natural material artisan work. Such a shame. And people who paid £££ for antiques 20+ years ago are seeing those pieces fetching nothing. Well, it's a problem for the beneficiaries of my will...
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame that young people don't realize the benefit of having properly made wooden furniture rather than the cheap plastic Chinese rubbish. I am guessing high end furniture is now gracing letting apartments and being trashed. Our kids got taken to auctions and car boot sales and got to value old things.
DeleteOh I see many treasures! The tiny china head doll, the turquoise pieces, the turquoise graniteware slop jar behind them and then the metal, aluminum? bowl or cake tin? with the punched star. And yes the round breadboard. I loved antiques since childhood. My best friend's dad was a antique arms dealer and he'd take us along to the fairs. We were maybe 7 or 8 to start. I yearned for a German bisque doll or Civil war era ''earbobs''/ dangly earrings, tiny fanciful rings, quilts. None of my younger friends want antiques or eew, yuck: heirlooms.
ReplyDeleteMany of your pieces are unfamiliar to my US eyes, so maybe I called them the wrong names, sorry. I find it interesting to learn about doing markets from the vendors' POVs. I only have sold online.
lizzy
You live the wrong side of the Atlantic Lizzy!! The doll sold - had her probably 10 years and found her in a box in the attic last week. The little jar on the left is a cup and saucer (no handle intended) which came from the International Aberystwyth ceramics fair, which is held annually. An interesting glaze and design on it. The punched tin bowl looked quite American to me and appealed.
DeleteI think I see lace bobbins too? And what are the two black hearts, left of the elephant, on a little miniature wooden settle? Could you lower prices just too move inventory? Do buyers haggle at this type of show? I do think even the IG antiques influencers go for simple vintage these days? Your items are so fine and esoteric, you need just the right buyer to be there, as opposed to a ''looking/ finding'' shopper.
Delete[my two cents].
I had a lovely chat to a lace-maker yesterday, and she said people in her group didn't want the old ones like that any more. I always tell people that my prices aren't set in stone and rarely do I get someone happily paying full price without haggling a bit. Then you get the ones who think they know it all and when you have £50 on something, offer £20. Do they really think I will happily accept that offer?! The things which have taken my eye recently are so different to what used to sell pre-Covid. I like the unusual. I research things and any pricing has to take account of value, and there is always a mark up to cover the costs of having a stand, travel, and buying in the first place. If you were to factor your time into the equation, nothing would sell! This is not a Fair where people come to buy, just be entertained. At Builth it is different.
DeleteYou have some interesting and lovely things there, sorry it wasn't a good day for selling.
ReplyDeletePerhaps because modern homes are so small they don't have room for things that can't be used or maybe there is just no spare money for decorative.
The clientele for this Fair has changed and not so many people coming up from Cardiff for the day. You certainly can't sell big bits of furniture any more as people in small houses, but a decorative piece or two isn't going to make much difference. Money is tight, but then other folk come and spend a LOT on jewellery, so it's there for some folk when they want something.
DeleteWell as a once miniaturist I love the little carved settle, which I think it is, might be mistaken though. Also have a little china miniature doll with similar face. Selling may have been a bit of a disappointment but your house is dry and mended, always a good thing. Also loved the turquoise plate, it reminded me of fondue plates, though it is probably a pretty snack plate.
ReplyDeleteFor many years that was on our hall table at Ynyswen. My hall here has coats, my big food cupboard and shelving which houses all the go-to tools for DIY/repairs.
DeleteThe little doll sold - found her up in the attic in a box last week. As you say, at least the house is dry and mended. Nearly sold the little divided plate yesterday, but the lady changed her mind.
I think that the problem today is everybody wants new things. I have one cousin who spends hundreds of £££ every year changing her look to whatever's on trend. Rugs, pictures, ornaments, cushions and so on the old ones barely a year old go to the charity shop and she goes to Next. When her mother passed away the house was full of what I would term family heirlooms by way of china, brass and copper, paintings and so on; they went to the charity shops. Another example when a friend passed away the daughter sent in a house clearance company and they took the lot. I think it's a combination of people wanting new things to their own taste, with no interest in family history, and dare I say it with the present economic climate there is still disposable income to spend. during the pandemic people seem to clear everything out, you could go to our local tip and there were cardboard boxes upon cardboard boxes of tea sets and dinner services Many complete many collectables and many in very good condition All just piling up to go in the crusher because nobody wanted them anymore.
ReplyDeleteI think your cousin is very short-sighted - WHAT a waste of money trying to keep up with the current trends. The house clearance people just put the stuff in auction (or go to Fleamarkets with it!) and it ends up being sold to dealers who take it to other Fleamarkets and Fairs. I've had some brilliant finds amongst house clearance things in the past.
DeleteThe weather hasn't been kind and I for one would not be venturing out if I didn't have to. I think any market or fayre is a bit early yet.
ReplyDeleteThe weather on Saturday didn't help - it was really chucking it down. This Fair is all under cover - I was in the vast glasshouse there, others in the Theatre, and the big House, and a few opting for marquees (not the weather for that). Not out in a field like at Malvern, although there are lots of regulars in the big livestock sheds.
DeleteI agree with the above comment, it's like we live in a throwaway society, if something breaks you just buy a new one, it's sad, people just need to do alot more of reusing and recycling. I like the little medieval house in your photos.
ReplyDeleteHello Amypie, it is sadly a throw-away society, but there are still people out there who love antiques. The little medieval house is the old market building in Ledbury.
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