Buyers are Getting Younger Thanks Heavens

There is plenty to read about these days about the graying heads of antique buyers--and how in five-ish years no one will be buying antiques because there are no young buyers..  This gloom and doom is certainly depressing as I hope to have my toe in the business till I croak.

But our experience this year in particular indicates that the vintage and antiques market does have a heartbeat--and with folks who do not get AARP magazine each month.

Independently,  Dear Husbola and I came up with the observation after the August Elkhorn--"Gee-the crowd is skewing younger these days."  We noticed more and more folks with school age children and on many occasions parents were describing and talking to the kids about the items.  We saw many kids carrying things they had obviously purchased.  We saw many young women--obviously in their 20s and 30s buying things--good good good.  And young couples buying.

Our shops are seeing younger buyers.  No more is it only gray heads wandering through thinking about the old days and saying "I remember my mother had one of those."  BLAH!

Now--we are certainly stocking different things than we have in the past.  We still work hard to stock the quirky the unusual and the "don't see it everyday items" that we so love to sell.  The repurposed market has exploded--buying widgets and fashioning things from them that are decorative and vintage.  I think that dangerously borderline on crafts--and we have not moved into that phase.  Taking an old rake and turning it into coat rack or buying a brown brown brown 1940s dresser and painting it all over with chalkboard paint is NOT going to happen in our garage--but I appreciate the new wave of customers it brings to the market.

Sales this summer have been very strong in all our venues.  Those folks who are lucky enough to have some disposable income seem to be spending--even if the average purchase price is lower than it once was.

Gotta run now.  I am on the trail to tracking down some of that chalkboard paint...

Elkhorn Antique Flea Market August Report

Dear Husbola and I were worried that the August Elkhorn might be a hot hot venture and we would regret signing up to be dealers.  August shows can be so hot--that it is uncomfortable to be selling in an unairconditioned building and the customers are so hot and sweaty that they just slog past your booth--not interested in much of anything.

Nice nice surprise this last Sunday that we awakened to dry weather in the 50s not the 90s and actually had to wear jackets the first few hours of the day.  Shoppers were out in droves--and selling was brisk both during set up on Saturday and on Sunday.  Buying was good on our end too-that always has to be factored into a show--dealer sales are paramount--but if I can scoop around and get goodies for resale--all the better.

Here are some general pictures of the market--enjoy--and consider going to the next market on Sept. 25th.  The May and September markets are reported to be the biggest and the best.

What is next on our antique calendar?--auctions auctions and more auctions!  Our shows are over for the year--so now we have to amass the treasures to continue selling in three shops in the fall and winter and even get a head start on the spring shows.

Midwest Summer Antiquing Observations

While roaming the Midwest this summer-a few observations come to mind about the current antique climate.
My version of a Top Ten List--

1.  Auctions are well attended--and prices realized are very strong.  There are not as many auctions-probably because fewer people are able to move from their houses due to the housing market slump.  But every auction we have attended this summer has few "bargains".  Dealers have to "go to the wall" for good unusual items.

2.  More and more women "of a certain age" are getting tattoos.  Can't help but smile when I think of what that unicorn and trellis of flowers will look like on that skin on a nursing home resident in a few decades.

3.  While we are on the case--there are too many people who should not be wearing shorts. Really people--didn't your mother tell you to look in a mirror from all sides before you leave the house???

4.  Summer sales and longer days does not necessarily mean that a mediocre antique shop gets any better inventory than in the heart of darkest winter.  Poorly run shops that do no advertising stay mediocre.

5.  Rest in peace Sandwich and Kane County.

6.  Viva La Elkhorn!  Alive and well and thriving.  Good management and clean--always a winner. (next Elkhorn Aug. 14)

7. Stock market volatility storms are being weathered by antiquers better than they were in '08.  Those who have disposable income to buy antiques are continuing to do so.  Thank you America!

8.  Buyers are not afraid to make really low ball offers on items.  We always counter offer and sell 90% of items we give reduced prices on.  But buyers are getting more gutsy with their offers.

9. More antique shows should go to the one day format.  Any one day shows we attend are jammed-and buying has been vigorous.  Two and three day shows are a waste of time and cost dealers precious overhead.  Never underestimate the thrill of "buy it today or the show is over" mentality.  The only winners on two and three day shows are the promoters.  They can charge more in booth rent and the tire kickers still attend on subsequent days.  Ask a few dealers--have a 12 hours one day show and see what happens.

10.  Buyers are out and about this summer in the Midwest.  More shops are folding--but that is still the "market correction" that happens in any industry.  If a dealer's sales are down--the usual indicators should be reviewed--is your merchandise fresh? Accurately priced for 2011 and not 1992?  Same old same old still does not sell.

Gathering of Friends Antique Show Union Illinois Follow-up

This past weekend, we exhibited at the Gathering of Friends Antique Show in Union Ilinois.  The brainchild of my friend Lynne Eltrevoog, the sale took place on her fabulous farm outside this little "blink of an eye and you miss it town" in northern Illinois.
Illinois weather this summer has been challenging--and our first show day on Thursday was a doozey.  We were dodging raindrops most of the day--but the customers came-and came and CAME.  The weather improved on Friday and Saturday--and people kept coming in spite of very warm temperatures.  Please wander through the pictures--if you missed it--the show will be returning next year--date to be determined.

Farm Owner Lynne Eltrevoog and promoter of A Gathering of Friends Antique Sale

Just a note to all you antiquers--Lynne has barely BARELY scratched the surface--(did I say BARELY) on the farm finds in her barns and out buildings!

Gathering of Friends Antique Show and Sale Union IL July 28-30

Our next show is a doozy!!  Sponsored by our friend Lynne Eltrevoog on her fabulous farm in Union Illinois.  Here is an article that I submitted to the local papers.

Union Farmstead to Host "Gathering of Friends Antiques Sale" July 28-30

The Eltrevoog 1858 historical farmstead is the location for a new antiques show and sale July 28-30 in Union Illinois.  The antiques sale is an event held in conjunction with the Northern Illinois Quilt Fest sponsored by the McHenry County Historical Society.

Lynne Eltrevoog,  owner of the historic farm, is a lifelong collector and has sold antiques professionally for 18 years.  Known best as "The Hat Lady", Eltrevoog is currently manager of On the Square Antiques in Walworth Wisconsin.  Her business name is Cat's Meow Antiques and she formerly owned Main Street Antiques in Woodstock.

The farm is located at 15113 Marengo Road in Union and was homesteaded in 1858 by a family named Rugh.  Eltrevoog has owned the farm for 34 years and has been stuffing the barns full of antiques ever since.

I have been collecting since the age of 16 and don't think I've ever considered buying new furniture," said Eltrevoog.  "I used to spend every weekend attending local auctions," she added.  Eltrevoog admits she is a compulsive hoarder, but loves the joy of seeing someone else's face light up with a really great find.  "Sometimes it is hard to let things go--but I do it," she laughed.

As a member of the McHenry County Historical Society, Eltrevoog says she is participating in the Northern Illinois Quilt Fest and having an antiques sale as part of the summer long festival.  It is an opportunity to show off the three wooden barn quilts on the barn and open her property to several friends who are quality dealers, she said.

Joining Eltrevoog in the three day sale are veteran antiques dealers, Little Bohemia Antiques from Wayne Illinois, Kris and Mark Hutson from Harvard, Jim Konz from Sharon Wisconsin and Maryann and Lou Loennecke from Walworth.

The sale will be held in one barn and in a large barn courtyard.  Garden antiques and primitives will be spread throughout the yard that is peppered with historic buildings and perennial gardens.  There is a large mowed field for plenty of parking.  Items for sale will include garden things, farm primitives, jewlery, glassward and pottery, Victoriana, kitchen items, artwork, plants both fabric and newly painted wooden barn quilts and furniture.  "There will be plenty of barn finds in the sale," Eltrevoog said. "Who knows what we will drag out even after the first selling day?" she added.

The Gathering of Friends Antique Sale is free and open to the public.  Hours are 7am till people stop coming (probably 6pm) Thursday through Saturday July 28-30.  There are no early sales.

Our Own American Pickers Episode

This past weekend, Dear Husbola and I were eager to fill a warm July Saturday with a good estate or farm auction.  I check www.auctionzip.com a few times a week.  It is a great site and easy to navigate.  You insert your zip code and how many miles you want to travel from home--and all the auctions are listed--most with auction bills and pictures--a great way to pinpoint an auction near you.

Late last week--a good auction was listed--and only 40 minutes from home.  The description of the estate items and location were both winners for us.  We arrived a bit over an hour before the start of the auction--got a great up front parking space--and starting looking over the wagons.

It was one of those fooler auctions.  At first blush--you think there is nothing there--but at closer look--we found many items that were of interest.  Prices were all over the place--somethings very low and some things higher--but nothing was out of resale range--so we settled in for a good day.

As the auction was approaching the last wagon--the orginal auctioneer who was being relieved by another auctioneer walks by me--and starts talking.  He tells me that the items sold were owned by an old man now deceased--and his son has decided to sell.  He says that this was "just the tip of the iceberg" and there are buildings and buildings full to the brim. WHAT????????

Let me tell you--there are no words more sweet to an antique dealer than "there will be more of this and the nut has not even been shelled."  Then--even more interesting to my ears--the auctioneer asks, "Would you like to see in the big building??"

Yehaw!  Where is Dear Husbola?  In the porta potty?  Getting the car?  Dear Husbola located--we are let in by key to a huge building by a friend of the son owner--and that is where we stepped into the American Pickers episode.  The building was dark and a bit damp and cool and LOADED.  LOADED with you name it--a miniature town of pretend building storefronts--blacksmith-pharmacist-school room-grocery store--and each storefront jammed with the right kind of items for that shop.  JAMMED. And the coca cola memorabilia collection--the huge huge huge barbed wire collection.  Toys-indian items-Harley Davidson items--JAMMED.  The American Picker boys would trade in their nice white Sprinter van to get into this place.  We were joined now by the Son Owner.  Our next question was--"so when are THESE things going to be auctioned?"  "Well--I sold a few things and the wife and I took a trip to Alaska.  I'd like to go to the Panama Canal--so I will have to sell some more."  "Maybe in a year or two," he added.

The Son Owner and Friend of Son Owner were in no hurry to move us along.  We enjoyed 20 minutes with them--and wished the American Picker cameras were rolling.  This is a rarely seen piece of midwest dealer scene--and certainly never experienced by Dear Husbola and me.  This antique scene is grand!!!

Remembering Kane County Flea Market

It was 28 years ago this summer that I went to the Kane County Flea Market for the first time.  In 1983 and the pickings were fabulous. Primitives, pottery, great painted furniture--you name it.  

I went with several friends and we spent a full day trying to cover the entire fairgrounds that was chock-a-block with dealers and vendors from all over the country.  I bought a blue Hall China ball jug which graces our kitchen to this day.  I remember that the fairgrounds was a dizzying display of vintage and collectable and antique. One of my companions was looking to furnish his new home with antiques--I remember he had a good buying day. Great times.

Yesterday Dear Husbola and I decided to go to the Saturday opening of the market--we have not been in years.  The fairgrounds has seen many improvments in recent years--new buildings and footpaths and we wanted to check out the booths.  It is the Independence Day weekend--and the weather is dray and warm.  Estate auctions have been slim this summer--and we need inventory.

Gosh--let me tell you about the  booths we saw.  It might just be easier to make a list-sunglasses, juju bees and gummie bears in tubs, tee shirts, purfume, knockoff purses, furniture stripping supplies, small kitchen drawer gadgets, new metal garden ornaments, funnel cakes, dried flower displays, new painted metal garden widgets--my head is swimming.  Oh yes--bras and panties in three packs--big sale TODAY!!

We stayed 55 minutes.  I came home and looked at my blue hall pitcher on the shelf in the kitchen and remembered fondly that sunny day in the summer of 1983.