Have you ever admired a beautiful garment and thought how wonderful it would be in a certain color or print? Does your search for the perfect dress or outfit lead to frustration when shopping? It did for me. I have vivid memories of schlepping from store to store in search of just the right garment - a certain style, fit, color or design, and could never find exactly what I had in mind. This was the catalyst that led to my pastime of creating my own clothing fashions from sewing patterns.

Recently I was talking to another shop owner, trying to figure out what the next hot collectible would be. She lamented “The younger generation just isn't into collecting like we were as kids”. I thought about that statement for a few days. If there isn't a new generation of collectors coming on board, who is responsible? We all are!

I just love it when I have the time to leisurely snoop about the local antique market, free of husband , child and dogs. I leave the cell phone at home too.

For me it is an escape into a world where everything old is new. The linens are real linen, the furniture is hand made, the clothing hand stitched, the hand written goods are ethereal and the people are generally a bit odd.

Take for example the stunning woman in her early 60's who sells antique clothing and linen.

Water lilies are a symbol of peace and tranquility. They appear in many paintings and works of art from ancient cultures as well as modern times, suggesting that they have been prized for their beauty for thousands of years ago, just as they are today.

We asked Harry Rinker to give us his opinion on exactly who is collecting these days. Here is his response:

Today there are three major buying groups in the antiques and collectibles market: (1) collectors, (2) amateur and professional decorators, and (3) reusers, many of whom are environmentally conscious. So... who are the collectors?

I guess, I am like a lot of you. You don't have a brick & mortar store, just a hobby gone wild. I would love to have a cute little store in the middle of a quaint little area of USA, that I can display my antiques and collectables. Chat with the locals, watch the kids ride bikes down the street. But instead I have a country house that stores my treasures. There is one time of the year that I get to take my "treasures" to town. It is the annual Wyoming State Fair! Luckily I live in the town that holds this event. I dust off the furniture and shine up the dishes, even buff the silver.

Hot Spring/Summer Trends Part 2: Avian Chic

QUESTION: My grandmother bought a candy dish during her honeymoon trip to Washington, DC from her home in North Carolina sometime around 1910. She could not have paid more than fifty cents for it. After poking around on eBay and the Internet, I identified the glass type as opalescent blue pressed glass. It is in beautiful condition with French opal frosting at the top fading to a clear, translucent blue glass at the bottom. The top edge of the round bowl is scalloped. There is a single handle. The pattern in the bottom appears to be a swirl of six fern fronds.

"That price is just too high." "I can find a coat like that in a thrift shop for $5." "I'll find a dress like that myself and pay a lot less."

These are things I've heard in conversations all over the Internet about vintage clothing. I've heard the wails of people saying sellers are pricing things too high. I've heard people saying they can find the same things themselves for $5. So here's my honest opinion about buying vintage clothing and pricing. Remember this represents my opinion and no one else's.

Hi. My names Helen and I'm a self confessed hoarder. For 30 years now I have clung to every cherished possession and memento that reminds me of good times past. Movie ticket stubs, cuddly toys, books, magazines, pictures, postcards videos, Cd's, cassette tapes, school books, figurines.... the list is endless. And in my twenties the collecting began, the lust for glass, the shelves full of Blenko, Jeannette's pink Doric depression glass, Fostoria's elegantly etched Romance crystal.