Shopping for Antiques: You Never Know What You Will Find
Ah, the joys of shopping for antiques! I’m often asked why I like to “antique”?
First, I better put it into context – what exactly is “Antiquing?”
For me it’s visiting antique shops, antique malls (multiple little shops), outdoor stalls, and special event antique shows. When I say antique, I also mean vintage. If you are wondering what’s difference is – an antique is usually over 100 years old, something that is vintage is younger, often over 50 years. The 50 years is not set in stone – I often hear people refer to the 80’s as vintage!!
What do I do at an antique mall or shop? Well, like everyone around me, I wander through the stalls, rows, or store seeing what they have. Am I looking for something in particular? Not necessarily – I find when I go with an open mind I usually find the most interesting items.
So, Why would you go Shopping for Antiques?
Why do I – and many others – do it? For me it’s a form of relaxation – a chance to re-connect, even for a brief moment – with the person or parts of me that I once imagined being. Lost hopes and dreams. Maybe it’s the same for you?
When I come home with a $10 brooch or silver platter it’s because the me I dreamed of being when I was younger wanted me to buy it and wear it or use it.
Indulging my Inner Child
Is this wrong or silly? Some might say so. I think it helps us become whole. It helps bring some of those lost parts of us together. After all, I’m not spending thousands of dollars. I make a deal with myself never to spend more than $15 on one item unless it’s very special. This way I indulge my inner child and feel abundant.
Sometimes it’s not even purchasing an item. It’s looking at it, acknowledging the (sometimes forgotten) desire to have it and then letting it (or the idea of it) go because the person I am now no longer has that desire or needs that item. I’ve written more on this topic HERE.
A Love of Pretty Things
I’ve always been drawn to small, beautiful objects — brooches, costume jewellery, little pieces of rocks, pretty shoes – things that catch the light, or my eye. I don’t collect them to wear, but simply to enjoy. They live together in a display cabinet, where they can be admired much like a miniature museum of colour, texture, and sparkle.
Display as a Collection
Items like these below are the kinds of things that often stop me in my tracks while antiquing. They aren’t practical, they don’t take up much space, and they don’t ask much of me — except to be noticed. I like to display them together so I can see them, not have them sit in a drawer. Do you have any items you could liberate from the dark and enjoy on a daily basis?
You Never Know What You Are Going to Find….the Adventure!
One of the joys of antique shopping is that I’ve found books from the early 1900’s detailing maps of the ancient world. Beautiful rocks. Jewellery. Odds and ends. It’s the exploration, the adventure of discovery, the joy of finding something that makes your heart beat a little faster. One of my latest finds? A book on Cabinet Makers – early furniture craftspeople and furniture designers – a perfect compliment to the other book I antiqued on French Cabinetmakers of the 18th Century. (Ok, I’m part of the weird niche market for design geeks that enjoy this sort of book. After all, someone has to!)
So, do you go on the hunt alone?
Solo or Shared Adventure?
If you choose to go with someone else respect their choices. You don’t know what their inner child wants or why. Sometimes it’s fun because you never know what they will find and it opens up a discussion and you learn a bit more about your friend by sharing your memories, past aspirations and dreams. Better than talking about the weather – that does get so dreary! There are antiques and vintage pieces for everyone – I’ve gone out with friends where one is interested in cats, the other cars. We all found what we were looking for. That’s where the antique malls are great because there is a lot of variety in what’s being offered.
You don’t have to keep it but you do need to make it yours.
Always wash, dust, or vacuum your finds when you get them home – to make them your own
If, after a few days/weeks/months you don’t wish/need to have that item then pass it on. If I don’t want to send it to a charity shop I sometimes package up a few items and take them to an antique store or antique mall. If they don’t want to buy them from me I gift it to them for re-selling. That way the items will be taken care of and appreciated as an antique or vintage piece.
Not Burdening the Next Generation
My collection is for me. I haven’t spent a fortune on it. I’ve bought what appeals to me. I don’t want the next generation to be burdened by it so it’s easy to pack up and drop off at an antique mall if they don’t want it (when the time comes of course!). I have documented which pieces of silver have value – most is silver plate and mostly vintage but there are one or two pieces that have a bit more value. Those are keepers or ones to take to an auction house – the rest, choose keepers, drop off discards.
Let the Adventuring Continue...
I hope I’ve convinced you that spending time meandering the halls of an antique malls, wandering through an antique or vintage store is a good way to spend and enjoy an afternoon re-discovering yourself and perhaps even finding that special something. Please share your favorite find!
Excuse me, I’m off – to continue on my quest and continue the joy of shopping for antiques!
