After looking over my Quickbooks data from last year one final time before sending it to my accountant, I can't help but wonder, “Why am I doing this?” Sure, I've made some money. Perhaps I could have made the same or more by going to a “job” every day. But it's not JUST about money. There is something else that drives me to have a Ruby Lane shop. It all boils down to three basic things: the thrill of the hunt, the joy of learning, and the interaction with customers.

Contemporary dolls - those plastic and vinyl made since around 1950 - are growing in popularity among collectors.

It started out so innocently, you bought a few old postcards because they were so pretty, then you wanted MORE postcards, so you had to sell some of your collection online. The next thing you knew, you had stacks of postcards all over the house, boxes overflowing, postcards were everywhere, and you had a little extra money in your pocket to boot. Did you start your own business, or do you just have a hobby?

Growing up in Wisconsin my family stayed pretty close to home, traveling only as far as to Illinois to see extended family. My parents enjoyed going to little shops of "goodies" sometimes known as junk stores, flea markets and antique stores. Each of them had something they loved and searched for. Mom and Dad spent their time picking through hundreds of items to find just the right treasure to buy on that trip. As the years passed the prices of their treasures went up. I loved those trips and also enjoyed looking.

I use printed price guides sparingly these days. Some may consider this an odd statement coming from a person who authored or edited over forty price guides in his professional career.

People seem to have an inborn fortitude to get through tough times. And it’s been the tough times that increase our creativity and determination to keep on going and persevere. Recently things around us appear to be crumbling. But I see a lot of potential for renewal and innovation. It’s how we react that determines how we get through. I would urge people to take a fresh look at their web based businesses and think about ways to make improve.

I sat at the auction every Monday morning. I showed up early, scouring through the endless box lots and show cases for the pieces that would quickly find their way to eBay. I always had my eye on the prize—the silver covered powder dish that someone had hidden away in a box of bath towels, the sparkling Eisenberg brooch in the bottom drawer of a jewelry box, the Art Deco dress clip that matched the one I already had at home, and the list goes on. I hardly ever took a potty break and lunch was always a quick trip to the snack bar.