Vintage Blue

October 5th, 2011

Antiques: The New Reality Television Craze

When Antiques Roadshow first debuted on PBS, the premise was simple—people with old items that they either found, purchased or inherited would ask an expert if what they had was worth anything or merely a piece of counterfeit junk. Many on the show were amazed to learn that their possessions were not just the real deal, but worth hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dollars. In rare cases, people had original works of art or antique pieces worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. The show quickly caught on like wildfire as viewers were amazed by the substantial amount of money people were getting from old and mediocre looking items. And so the stream of antique-inspired shows was born.

Today, there are dozens of shows similar in nature to Antiques Roadshow, but with a bit of a different spin. The A&E channel recently launched Storage Wars which focuses on a group of people who make their living bidding on abandoned storage units. The fun is watching what these buyers find in these units. Jewelry, sports memorabilia, art work, antiques and many one-of-a-kind items are just a few of the contents that these bidders have found and made profitable.

Pawn Stars on the History channel focuses on a family-owned pawn shop in Las Vegas where the owners buy low and sell high. While the show focuses on more on the behind the scenes drama of the store, it also provides a glimpse into the competitive world of buying and selling antiques and other valuables.

American Pickers, also on the History channel, is a show that focuses on the not so nice side of antiques. Mike and Frank, the show’s stars, are very cunning businessmen who use the ignorance of sellers to buy antiques at the lowest possible price and then sell them at maximum cost. American Pickers shows the more cutthroat side of antiquing.

Other shows that focus on antiques and collectibles include Pawn Queens (TLC), Cash in the Attic (BBC America and HGTV), Auction Hikers (Spike), Oddities (Discovery) and Hollywood Treasure (Syfy). The best part about these shows is not just the wow factor of finding out the worth of these items, but also getting an education on their history, origin and importance.

August 18th, 2011

Antique Dishes Inspections

No Comments, Inspections, by admin.

If you are relatively new to dealing in antique dishes then you are going to want to make sure that you are paying attention to a few different areas and concerns. There are often some areas that you are going to want to explore in great detail so that you are able to sell them and make the most amount of money off of them. Just remember that you are dealing with history. The buyer knows that, and they want their pieces to be in great shape.

Start by looking at each piece of dinnerware for any flaws. You do not want to try selling antique dishes that have a lot of different nicks and dings on it. This will definitely reduce the amount of money that you are going to be able to get out of your dishes. There are many different ways that you can check dishes for cracks and breaks that might not be visible. If you simply take the time to speak with a dealer, or to look on the internet, you will be able to find all of the information that you are going to need.

You will also need to spend a great deal of time looking for any crazing that might have taken place. This means that the glaze that was placed on the dishes may have started wearing off. This can affect the dishes and the porcelain itself. You will want to look at silverware in good light, and look for any discoloration or breaks that might be visible. It will be very important to note all of this information to a potential buyer if you are serious about doing well in this business.

June 17th, 2011

What You Should Know About Investing in Antiques

No Comments, Investment Tips, by admin.

If you have been thinking about investing in antiques then there are a few different things that you are going to want to keep in mind. Following these simple tips will help you find the best antiques and it will help you value what you have made investments in.

First off, you are going to need to make sure that that you are totally educated about the antiques that you are looking for. You should always take the time to read information on the product that you are considering purchasing. This is going to help you to determine a real product from a reproduction, something that is not going to be worth nearly as much. You need to educate yourself, and you can do this by looking online and contacting dealers. If you can learn about where the product was manufactured, you will be able to educate yourself a lot as well.

Next, it will be a great idea for you to make sure that you are continually buying what you like. Let’s face it, you might not be able to sell your antiques as quickly as you would like. Therefore, you want to know that you have something that you enjoy looking at and admiring. It will also increase the personal value to you as well. Never purchase items that you do not know anything about, or those that you cannot stand looking at.

Finally, you will want to search for antique dealers in your area. Doing so will give you an upper hand because you are going to have someone that you can go to when you have questions or concerns. They are going to be able to help educate, and they will also be able to sell you the items that you really like, or they can get them for you. It is always nice to have connections and the same is true with antiques.

March 29th, 2013

Market Warriors is a True Gen

No Comments, misc, by admin.

My husband and I are both Antiques Roadshow fans. If you ever saw the episode of Frasier when Frasier finds out that his dad is a Roadshow fan, my husband and I are something like that. He likes it for the antiques history and beauty, and I view it more like a game show where guessing the right price is a bit of a thrill for me. So we are fans of the show.

However, we have recently discovered a show on PBS called Market Warriors. There are four players who are professional antique and vintage treasure hunters. They compete at flea markets or antique markets for target items. They are given an allotted amount of money to spend, and the items will later be sold at an auction. The goal is to buy items at the lowest possible price and make a profit at the auction.

This show is great because it takes the vintage antiques from shows like Antiques Roadshow and the excitement of the competition that game shows have and melds them beautifully. I have a favorite player because he tends to be the most versed in all types of antiques. There is a player I dislike because she depends on charm rather than negotiation skills based on mutual buyer-dealer respect. The show is a just a great way t o appreciate the antiques that the players find, the thrill of the hunt, and the agony of defeat when a great item gets shafted at the auction. It really broadens your knowledge of what buyers are looking for, how the dealers work in their buying and selling, and how the whole community functions in different parts of the country.

June 1st, 2012

How To Find Good Deals on Antiques

No Comments, misc, by admin.

I think it is safe to blame Pinterest for dragging us all down a road of home craftiness that we would rather have not have entered simply for the pain it causes our wallets, but since we’re all here together now, might as well make the best of it. I am a sucker for antiques and vintage styles. So when I got hooked on Pinterest too, I needed to learn some good ways to save money on antiques. Here’s what I have come up with.

First, make yourself a list of things you are looking for. This way when you go to the dealers you can show it to them, and they can tell you quickly whether or not they have those items. This way you save a lot of time not roaming around the store. Things you had no intention of buying find their way to the purchase counter this way.

Next, do your homework. Check out some websites that might have the same items for sale, and get an idea of the price before you go. This way you will be able to tell whether or not the asking price at your local antique store is a fair price or not. This will also help you decide on a set budget before hand. Take cash with you, because you can get a deal cut this way. Also, don’t be afraid to barter with the dealers. They got the item at a good price, and frequently they would rather move the item than take a loss on it.

March 15th, 2012

Tips For Finding Vintage Treasures Online

No Comments, misc, by admin.

Everyone has seen the Antique Roadshow and wondered if they might find the next $100,000 prize at someone’s garage or yard sale. If you have been bitten by the antique bug there are some things to keep in mind to help you have a more successful trip the next time you head to a garage or yard sale, or even if you are looking for vintage treasures online.

Craigslist.org is a great way to find out about garage sales in your area. Sometimes an individual will list all of the items that they are trying to sell and even include pictures. If you are looking for a specific vintage item it is important that you do your research. Many popular items have been reproduced over the years, and you do not want to overpay for an item that is not even an original.

Seized property auctions are another option for finding vintage treasures online at bargain prices. Some seized property auctions are held entirely online, so you can search for items that you are interested in and then bid for and win them online. Some individuals who have estate sales also choose to sell off some of the items online, so this can often be a great way to find some excellent vintage pieces online.

Ebay is another great source for vintage treasures online, but using Ebay requires even more caution since some individuals look for gullible individuals to try and sell them vintage items that are fake. One of the positive aspect of Ebay is that many of their products have buyer protection so that you can get a refund if you are defrauded.

November 11th, 2011

3 Lessons from my Grandmother

No Comments, e-cig reviews, by admin.

I believe that our grandparents can offer a wealth of knowledge if we simply take the time to listen. As a child, I loved to crawl up in my grandmother’s lap and listen to her tell stories about what it was like growing up. She always had these fascinating little facts that she would share and she was superstitious to no end! I learned a lot from her while I was growing up, but there are three particular lessons she taught me that I will carry through my entire life. Here are the most important three things my grandmother ever told me.

1. Work Hard and Laugh Harder

My grandmother was never one to let someone get away with being lazy. She always insisted that we stay busy with something. Her prescription for a cold included getting off the couch and going outside to rake leaves or work in the garden. “There’s nothing that fresh air won’t cure!” she would say. If she caught you lying around when there was work to be done, you better run because she would grab her wooden spoon and start swatting! But as much as my grandmother believed in hard work, she believed in having some fun too. There was no one that I’ve ever met who laughed more than my grandmother. She made work fun and canning green beans with her was just as entertaining as a trip to the movies.

2. Always Tell the Truth

If you wanted to really get my grandmother riled up in a hurry, all it took was a little white lie. She expected total honesty at all times and there was no room for exceptions. If she asked you a question, you better tell the truth because she would KNOW if you were lying. She said she could smell it and by the time I was a teenager, I really thought it was a crazy sixth sense or something! As an adult, I’ve discovered that she was right. A lie never improves the situation. In fact, it always makes things worse.

3. Take Care of Your Body

My grandmother lived until she was 98 years old. She had her healthy lifestyle to thank for her many years of hard work and laughter. My grandmother taught me to care for my body from the time I was a little girl. She ate nothing except fresh, organic (home grown!) fruits and vegetables. She made her own juices and refused to touch animal meat. She also insisted that anyone who smoked do it off her property. In her last years, she learned about e-cigarettes and started buying them for everyone she knew who used tobacco. You could always count on Grandmother having a stack of e cigarette coupons in her pocketbook!

She always told my chain smoking dad that if he would at least use a Premium E Cigarette, he could cut the risk of cancer and live past 65. It turns out that she was right. My dad developed lung cancer at age 60 and he switched to using electronic cigarette cartridges and eating organic foods like my grandmother preached for years. Today, he is cancer free and healthy as a horse at age 67!

October 14th, 2011

The World’s Growing Fascination with Electric Cars

No Comments, green business, by admin.

Electric cars are gaining in popularity, with consumers wanting to purchase more Eco-friendly, green automobiles in the face of climate change. There are several things to consider when purchasing an electric car, from cost to model to type of battery power. The options can be tailored to fit the customer.

Electric vehicles have actually been around for some time. They were popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Then, due to advances in the internal combustion engine and ease of mass production, the traditional gasoline powered vehicle rose in popularity. There was renewed interest in the electric car during the 1970′s and 1980′s energy crises, but true resurgence of interest in electric cars came in the early part of the 21st century, as people became more energy conscious, and wanted to be more “green.”

Today’s market offers several choices for the buyer interested in hybrids. There are many benefits to owning an electric vehicle – here are just a few:

1. Less Air Pollution

One of the main electric cars concept principles is the that they don’t emit harmful pollutants from the tailpipe, so there is a reduction in urban air pollution in places where electric vehicles are driven.

2. Energy Efficiency

Since electric cars don’t use energy while coasting or sitting still, they are obviously more energy efficient than their gasoline powered counterparts. Additionally, energy lost while braking can be recovered somewhat through regenerative braking. When you follow the proper electric vehicle charging procedures, these cars are highly energy efficient.

3. Widespread Availability

As more and more people are turning to electric and hybrid vehicles and even electric bikes, they are becoming available in countries all over the world.

4. Less Demand for Foreign Oil

As electric cars don’t use traditional fuel, if the use of them increases, the demand for often pricey oil supplies from other countries would not be as great.

There are also some concerns surrounding the electric car – and they can often sway a potential buyer. These are just a handful of the drawbacks to owning an electric vehicle:

1. Cost and Comfort

Electric vehicles can cost more than traditional gasoline powered vehicles. This is often a deterrent, especially when the cost of the lithium-ion battery pack is figured in. However, the cost of the battery packs, especially in the United States. Space inside the electric car can also be minimal, due to the weight and bulk of the battery, and the car will need more braking distance due to it’s heavier structure.

2. Charging the Batteries

The lack of public and private locations to charge a battery is also something to consider. Most places just aren’t set up for charging electric cars. Also, the fear of the battery running out between destinations is a factor, too, for this very reason.

3. Safety

Though the electric car is often heavier than it’s gas consuming cousins, its body is often made of a lightweight, fragile body, with minimal safety precautions built it. The tires are often those of the low-profile variety – offering less traction on the roadway.

These are just a few of the things to bear into consideration when looking at electric vehicles. Only you know if it is the right choice for you, your family, and your lifestyle. They are certainly growing in popularity again, and what was once all the rage in the past may well be the wave of the future.

February 4th, 2011

Things to Consider When Buying a Second Home

No Comments, Real Estate, by homerenter.

Buying a second home is not something that everyone is able to afford. However, you might be surprised to learn how affordable it can be to own a second home! With a few careful changes to your finances, you can quickly allow for this kind of opportunity. For some people, renting out one property is the only way to afford a second home. If you are unsure that this would be a good decision for your situation, consider talking with your lawyer and hopefully get some great free legal advice and ask what you need to know to become a landlord.

If the issue you are up against is initial finances, consider what changes you could make to your current expenses to ensure that a second home would be a feasible option. If you have not looked into motor insurance lately, you may want to take the time to do that. There are many companies, both online and through agencies that are offering great deals to those that decide to switch services. Make sure also that you let them know of your great driving record which is another factor that could decrease the premium you currently pay.

If your current job is not offering you the best that you deserve consider a switch before you purchase a second home. Even if you love what you do, be sure that you are getting paid what you are worth, or consider looking elsewhere. Remember that it is always easier to find a job when you already have one. Keeping your work history and information updated is also important. Go online now and find a cv template download if you need some help getting started.

Once you decide that buying a second home is something that you can afford or want to at least research you will need to take some time to look at other costs associated with owning another home. Second home insurance is something that you will need to have when you own a home other than your primary home. And if you choose to use your new home as a rental, you will need to purchase special insurance. To save as much money as you can search out the cheapest landlord insurance you can find.

By taking these tips into consideration, you can make a wise decision about purchasing a second home. Whether you want to use the second property as a vacation home or a rental, it could be the perfect financial investment you have been looking for!

January 27th, 2011

Great Gift Ideas for any Occasion

No Comments, Online Reviews, by ecrevu.

Finding the right gift is not an easy task for everyone. Whether you are looking for the perfect anniversary, birthday or Christmas gift you are sure to find some great ideas from online retailers. Even if the person you are shopping for seems to already have everything, there is sure to be something they either want or need.

The first thing you need to think about is what this person spends much of their time doing. For example, if your wife loves to spend a lot of time sewing or doing other crafts, you may want to get her a new sewing machine or one of those fancy cutting machines used for scrapbooking. Another idea for her would be to take the kids away for a weekend so she can either have the house to herself, or invite the girls over, to work on her hobby.

The best thing you can do when looking for a gift is to really ask yourself what you know about this person. For those of you who have someone in their lives who is trying to quit smoking, you may want to check out e-cigarette reviews or an electronic cigarettes buyer’s guide. What better gift than something to help your loved one to become healthier. By getting rid of the harmful chemicals and additives that are found in traditional tobacco cigarettes, you are helping your loved one to smoke healthier.

If you are also trying to quit smoking, what better way to do it than with someone else? Go online to find out more about brands like the The Safe Cig from an e cigarette review or check out a Safe Cig vs. Green Smoke comparison to see if either of these brands may be a good option for you and the other special person in your life. These are just two of the more popular US electronic cigarette brands and many smokers have used these brands to greatly decrease or even quit smoking tobacco cigarettes. The greater gift you would be giving them would help them be rid of their dependency on traditional cigarettes.

By helping them kick cigarettes to the curb, you will also be helping them to save a great deal of money. It’s no secret that cigarettes are getting more expensive every year, but using the Green Smoke discount codes that I found online, I was able to buy a starter kit for even less than advertised.

Similarly if you know for sure that the person you are buying a gift for would love to lose some weight and you would too, think about a gift that would help you both achieve that goal. Though buying your wife or friend a gym membership or other exercise equipment may not get you the response you want, when you show them that you are willing to the work with them, they will know that your support in helping them is the real gift.

December 15th, 2010

Vintage is Cool Again

No Comments, Online Reviews, by vintagely.

The new trend for all things fashion is vintage. If you want to rock the runways, it is the time to put on a slick pair of vintage jeans and a silk blouse circa 1950. People are no longer interested in the futuristic techno look as much as they want to bring back the feminine curves and the masculine lines of the vintage fashion world. It seems that vintage style is also finding its way onto the internet with popular bingo sites that are taking a timeless old classic and making it cool all over again. It seems that everyone just loves to play bingo online these days!

Today people love to play bingo because it is reminiscent of one of their favorite childhood activities. They can enjoy playing a game that they used to play at Grandma’s kitchen table at any of the new bingo sites that populate the web everywhere you look. Something about the simple game of bingo brings back plenty of old memories as we think back on the times when we were first introduced to the game as children. Some of us played it in elementary school as we learned our multiplication tables and some of us played it at church to learn scripture memorization verses.

No matter what your previous experiences with bingo might have been, you will enjoy playing on sites like Cove Bingo where you can play bingo just like you did in the beginning. Some sites like Bingogiving.com even allow you to play for a chance to win cash prizes or big jackpots. You can’t beat that!

Whether we are looking at vintage in terms of fashion or in terms of games, we can be certain that the trend of old world style is sure to last for awhile. It is rapidly taking over everywhere you look as people are more and more interested in vintage clothes, vintage art, and even vintage home décor. Just watch one episode of Antiques Road Show and you will know what I mean! People love to give new life to old things and the game of bingo is certainly no exception. The internet takes our old favorite and brings a new style to it that accentuates the features of the game that we always loved in the first place.

December 13th, 2010

A Quick Look at Review Sites

No Comments, Online Reviews, by bluesreviews.

The internet is full of review sites and they are extremely useful to daily life. No matter what kind of product, service, or business you are interested in, using reviews can help you have a better experience. Reviews work in several ways. They give you information about a product, they inform you of other people’s experiences with the product, and they give you advice about which products are best.

If you are interested in playing online bingo games, reviews can help you decide which bingo sites are the best to use when you play. There are literally thousands of websites devoted to playing online bingo, so it can be hard to determine which no deposit bingo site is truly the best choice. By using reviews, you will know the differences between sites and find out which is truly the best choice for you.

When you start reading reviews, you might find that Tombola has a high rate of positive reviews. People might talk about Tombola’s awesome graphics or how easy the site is to navigate. If you are reading about Cheeky Bingo, you might hear that people love the great jackpots that are offered each week on this particular site. No matter which site you are interested in, a review will give you tips on the pros and cons.

Another thing reviews can do is keep you from experiencing a scam. While many bingo sites are great, reputable places to play games online, some of them are better left alone. You can know which ones to avoid by reading reviews and learning from the experiences of previous players who encountered scams while they were playing online.

When you use reviews to your advantage, they can be very helpful. Whether you are reading bingo reviews or looking for reviews on local restaurants, the internet is a great source for finding the reviews you need all in one easy to access location. Just type in what you are looking for and watch the search engines pull up multiple reviews to help you find out all of the important information you need.