When trying to decide how to price your items , the new standard across the antiques and collectibles world is now at  3 times cost.  It was previously 2 times cost as the standard way to price an item, but last year most  antiques experts and newsletters changed the suggested formula. I have never had to make any item 3 times cost  and here is why.

A Collection of Sugars and Creamers from Various Makers...

How are the bunny and the hare linked to eggs?

The Monthly Finds is a fantastic way to get "free" advertising for your shop. Each month you can choose any item that is currently active in your shop and add it to the Monthly Finds, unless it sells it will stay in that months list of items. If it does happen to sell during the month, hopefully it does because that is the idea behind adding an item from your shop, you can simply add another item to replace it before the end of the current month.

A trip to NYC this weekend to visit one of the largest Antique shows in the country brought many questions to my mind, but first NYC itself. This was my second visit in the past 6 months to what I consider to be the greatest city in the world. It's like it's own country, it's own world. It alive and pulsating. The smell of street food, wondering where people are off and running to, the occasional celebrity getting out of a black car. There is so much to see, so much to do. Me? I focus on the streets of Chelsea. My favorite antiquing neighborhood.

I worked at a job I loved, a teachers aid for children with disabilities. The look in their eyes when I was able to somehow connect to their world and help them to find ways to accomplish something they thought they never could was priceless. Unfortunately I had to retire due to health reasons and was not able to work outside of the home due to the restrictions my health placed on me.

Over the years, I have been involved with flea Markets, antique malls and antiques Shows. I never really wanted a brick and mortar shop. In those early years, I was honored to have studied with the BEST in their field - men and women who had, in some cases, 50 years experience, in the areas I chose to deal in.

The joy of retailing is an odd way to make a living, and you have to love searching for wonderful items to give your clients the best possible quality and prices. I love it.

Perhaps you’ve seen free or low-cost “appraisals” advertised in conjunction with antique shows or at local shops. People line up with their latest rummage sale find, and hope to be told that they have something of great worth.

While this is an inexpensive and fun way to learn a bit about your item, be aware that the value you are given should be considered an “educated guess” rather than an appraisal.

I see a large number of Ruby Lane shop owners who don't want to publicly display their address or phone number. Some only include a first or last name. Perhaps they don't want their competitors at local auctions and estate sales knowing who they are. Perhaps they are afraid of having strangers show up on their doorstep. Perhaps they are hiding from the tax collector. I don't know.

I understand the need for privacy, I do. My shop is strictly online. My inventory is kept in my home. It is not a public place. When I first opened a shop on Ruby Lane, I also hid my contact information.