The factors that can affect a shop's bottom line are many including the state of the economy or changes in consumer habits. These factors are generally beyond a shop owners control but there are simple and cost efficient steps a shop owner can take that can make a significant difference in the overall success of their shop.

Starting March 1, 2008, Notes from the Lane will feature a monthly column titled The Jewelry Diva by Cindy Amirkhan, shopowner of A Twinkle in Time, a Ruby Lane shop.

No one intentionally ruins an antique, right? But lots of people do make costly mistakes caring for antiques every day simply because they don't know any better. Read on for valuable information to keep you from making an error you'll live to regret, especially if you try to sell a treasured antique in the future.


1. Improper Cleaning

Complying with government trade and export regulations when dealing in endangered or protected species or items created from endangered or protected species is the responsibility of the individual e-commerce site owner dealing in these types of goods.

E-commerce shop owners need to be aware that the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-644) prohibits misrepresentation in the marketing of Indian arts and crafts products within the United States. A first time violation of the Act can incur individual civil or criminal penalties, including up to a $250,000 fine or a 5-year prison term, or both.

Porcelain marks are usually identified by naming the original manufacturer or maker and dating them to a certain period. In this fashion, if a pair of Urns are marked with a Sevres mark that dates ca 1800 – 1820s, we call them “A Pair of Sevres Porcelain Urns, ca 1800–1820s” and that’s it!

I'll admit wondering whether a celebrity has ever wandered in here looking for information on their favorite collectibles. Most of my visitors remain annonymous, so if anyone famous has stopped by they didn't sign the guest book (also known as blog comments!). Given my curiosity, it's not too surprising that I recently had no shopper's resistance when ran across a book titled What Celebrities Collect!

It's time for the Oscars again. The red carpet will be filled with dapper gents in starched tuxedos and dazzling ladies in what they hope is just the right gown. All that glamour (not to mention the borrowed jewels!), well, it's quite the spectacle. But there are folks who believe the product of today's Hollywood can't hold a candle to the stars of yesteryear.

Dating jewelry accurately can be quite a challenge. Many materials and techniques used today in production are the same basic methods used for at least 5000 years! Crafts people today take gold, silver, and other metals, and use the techniques of granulation, casting, engraving, chasing, and piercing to produce beautiful jewelry, just like the metal smiths of Ancient Egypt and Asia Minor did ages ago.

Quick Facts About Heisey Glass:

The Heisey factory was in business from 1896 through 1957.

Quality glass like that produced by Heisey has been nicknamed “elegant” glass by antiques dealers and collectors.