Vintage Indie

Small Business Saturday: Wooden Wonders' Hobbit Holes

Upon some research I was doing with my son on small "kids cottages" we came across Wooden Wonders and just had to share their Hobbit Holes with you. 

                     

Watch the video to take a tour of some of these fabulous buildings. 

Visit Wooden Wonders to find out more about their Hobbit Holes for kids, chickens, garden sheds and more. We love you're creativity Wooden Wonders! 

Shop the Vintage Indie Holiday Market 2011!

Vintage Indie would like to welcome you to shop the 2011 Vintage Indie Holiday Market. 

Vintage, Handmade and small business are what represent our market. 

Shop, sales, specials and exclusive disounts just for VI readers! 

 

Interested in getting your business published at our online market?

We've decided to keep the market open for interested businesses. If you're interested in placing an ad in our market please email us for further information. This is a great opportunity at a great price to advertise your business for the holiday shopping season! Our price will stay the same whether you get your space listed now or a month from now. (Of course you'll want to take advantage of this now for the most exposure)

Happy Shopping & Happy Holiday!

 

xoxo Vintage Indie Family  

 

 This is a STATIC post, please scroll down for our newest articles! 

Tasty Treats: Vintage Confections

Looking for some sweet treats for your next party? Vintage Confections may have just the thing for you. 

Vintage Confections is doing up sweets the old fashioned way. Handmade to order, you can get yummy flavors like honey coconut pudding, mint chocolate chip ice cream and more!  

Guest Reporter Malia at The Farm Chicks Antique Show 2010: Interview with Jo Packham of Where Women Create

Malia Karlinsky from Yesterday On Tuesday is back with another great Farm Chicks show highlight!

 The lovely Jo Packham was there, signing her book "Where Women Create" and copies of her "Where Women Create" Magazines.  Jo also has a beautiful "Where Women Create" Blog 

I was able to get a cute picture of Jo with Serena Thompson from Farm Chicks.  I also got to meet Jo and ask her about what advice she has for women who are inspired to create, but are having a hard time taking the next step:

Jo Packham Founder Where Women Create

Jo was so encouraging and kind.  She's a gorgeous person inside and out.

Malia Karlinsky is a wife and a Mom to two cute kids.  She enjoys elegant upcycling, finding vintage treasures, sewing, photography and writing.  Oh and tap dancing which she isn't good at but really loves.  In her previous career, Malia was a television writer and producer. Visit her on her blog Yesterday On Tuesday.

Small Business: "If you don't earn it, someone else will." by Mitzi Curi

Vintage Indie would like to welcome shop owner Mitzi Curi for her inside tips for making some cash this spring and summer with antiques, refurbished housewares and more.

Photo Copyright © JavaJaneDesigns

Now that spring is in the air, at least in this hemisphere, go outside and take a deep breath.  Can you smell something different in the air, besides the the perfume of spring flowers?  It's the smell of money, honey!  There is money out there, floating about with the pollen.  If you don't earn it, someone else will.  How can you earn it?  By buying and re-selling antiques and vintage goods.  You can get started pretty easily in a part-time antique business without much initial investment.  Today, I'd like to suggest three different ways to get your foot in the door of this fun and exciting world!

Photo Copyright © Blandy Snorhal

Becoming a Picker:

Just like in the natural world, there is a "food chain" of sorts in the antique selling world.  Close to the bottom of the chain are the "pickers".  Pickers are folks who comb the countryside looking for antiques.  This doesn't have to include cold-calling on residences, asking owners if they have things to sell.  Pickers can also acquire their goods from garage sales, Salvation Army or secondhand stores, Craig's List, or even eBay.  The trick is "flipping" your acquisitions quickly to antique dealers and making a profit.  Basically, if you are a picker you are a supplier, and you have total flexibility in terms of how much or how little time you put into your business., and you won't be tied down to a bricks-and-mortar shop waiting for customers to show up.

If you are able to "pick" a cache of goods, you need to call upon some antique dealers to show them your wares.  Contact an antique mall or antique store, preferably during a slow time such as a weekday morning.  You might want to call first, just to make sure you will be welcome.  Simply tell them you have a selection of goods to sell and show up with your treasures.  If you have very large items, such as a dining room suite, you might bring pictures instead, and maybe one part of the set as an example.  Be prepared to deliver the items when convenient for the buyer.  When a picker shows an antique dealer their wares, they should have an asking price ready for each item, leaving a bit of room for negotiation.  Don't be offended if the dealers don't bite.  There are many reasons why they might not be in a buying mode.  They might be strapped for cash, or simply uninterested in the items you brought.  Simply leave your business card and move on to another antique store.

I think it goes without saying that it helps to have some basic knowledge about the stuff you are trying to sell.  You don't want to make a costly mistake such as "flipping" a  piece of pottery you purchased for $4 at a garage sale to a dealer for $8, then later seeing the pottery priced at $125.  Even though you made a 100% markup on the piece, you want to avoid that sick feeling that a situation like this might elicit.  So do your research and learn as much as you can as you go.

Photo Copyright © DOTTO

Occasional Sales:

  If becoming a picker doesn't appeal to you, perhaps conducting "occasional sales" by yourself or with a group will be a better option.  This can be as simple as having a sale at your house, which you can advertise as you would a garage sale with an emphasis on antiques, or as elaborate as a group sale at a special venue such as someone's barn.  Be certain you obtain any necessary permits from the city for holding a sale such as this, and plan for the parking so customers can safely and easily visit your location. 

Refinishing and Rehabbing Furniture:

  Another business idea without investing a lot of money is to buy furniture in the rough, refinishing or painting it, and then selling it to dealers or directly to the public via occasional sales or shows.  I can think of one gal that rented a booth at an antique mall and sold her painted furniture quite briskly there. 

If you have some furniture repair skills, you can put them to use by purchasing furniture that needs "help", getting it back in shape, then giving it your special paint treatment.  You might need to learn how to re-glue rickety chairs, replace missing hardware, or find other solutions to bring old furniture back to life.  My suggestion would be to perfect a "Shabby & Chic" inspired paint treatment.  The shabby look is still quite popular, and painting furniture is easier than stripping off the old finish and staining and sealing it. 

Personally, I like colorful furniture, but in my experience white sells the best.  Consider adding special details such as glass drawer pulls on the dressers, or maybe painting floral designs on a headboard.  One invaluable resource for the furniture repair person is the Rockler Woodworking catalog.  They have everything you need to get furniture up to speed.  You can really feel good about "furniture rehab", because you are rescuing things that might have ended up in a landfill and are giving them a second life.

These three ideas should help get the wheels turning and maybe inspire you to get involved in a new small business.   Even if your dream is to someday own your own store, these are easy ways to dip you toe in the water without investing the large amount of money that starting up a store would require.  You will meet other dealers, learn something new every day, and be on your way to joining a group of folks that have already discovered a fulfilling hobby/business that can be enjoyed for a lifetime. 

My name is Mitzi Curi and I am striving to become the "New Face of Antique Dealers"!  I think the time is right for us to incorporate vintage goods into our modern lifestyle and appreciate things that have a history and story to tell.  Re-purposing antiques and crafting with vintage materials are my favorite pastimes, and I love to share my passion and enthusiasm with readers at my blog Mitzi Collectibles 

Business Series: An Inside Look at an Antique Co-op

Vintage Indie would like to welcome Karla the delightful proprietress of Polka Dot Rose. Karla also participates in a local antique co-op and has given us an inside look on what it means to be apart of the co-op.

Hi Karla, thank you for joining us here at Vintage Indie. Can you explain to us what an antique co-op is exactly?

An antique co-op is an antique store with many different dealers represented. Normally there is an owner that will have his or her own merchandise. Often an antique dealer will start with her own shop; it can be difficult to keep a large shop stocked with fresh and inviting inventory. Having other dealers bring in their own unique merchandise can really give a boost to an existing shop.

How did you get started in the co-op?

Since we could no longer meet the demands of full time shopkeeping, becoming part of a co-op was perfect for us. We started in a well established shop in a neighboring town. It was a small shop with a few select dealers and an established clientele. We were able to set up our portion of the shop (often referred to as a 'space' or 'booth') to reflect our personality and to highlight our particular type of vintage goods.

What is involved with a co-op?

Although there are many different ways to set up and maintain an antique co-op, the basic idea is that it is a cooperative effort between a few or many different dealers. The shop is divided into separate areas or spaces, often of varying size. Rent is established by the owner and will vary according to size and perhaps location within the shop. An agreement is set up in advance and will usually involve working in the shop a number of days per month. This time is considered part of the 'rent' and is therefore obviously, not a paid position. We are members of a co-op, rather than employees of the shop. A few of us in our current co-op formerly owned and operated our own antique or vintage shops. A few have only worked in a co-op situation, but have been involved for years. There are a few who are just starting out. After seeing their private collections grow beyond what they can store or display themselves, a co-op provided an outlet for that collecting hobby.

Do you have a set location?

We do have a set location. We have been in many different shops throughout our county. The location where we are currently located is fairly new for us, therefore we have joined a business with other dealers. Many of them have been with the shop since its inception.  Since we are relatively new in this particular co-op, we have a fairly small space and are located to the back of the shop. We hope eventually to be able to acquire a space closer to the front, we seem to be always wishing we had more room!

It can be daunting to get as much merchandise as we would like into a limited amount of space. It does teach one to be creative with display! There are many advantages to being in antique co-op. Many of the long established dealers have their own following and established customers who frequent the shop; this benefits all the dealers.  It is also a wonderful way to become educated in areas of collecting that may not be your particular niche. It is also informative to see what people are looking for and what they buy.  We are fortunate in our co-op to have a group of dealers who are respectful of one another and genuinely interested in each others success. A successful co-op enterprise is one where all dealers prosper and thrive plus we have a lot of fun!

Thank you so much Karla for sharing your co-op experiences with us. Please take a moment to visit Karla's online web-shop at Polka Dot Rose.

Business Series - Selling Your Vintage & Antiques Online Part Two with Bonanzle

We hope you've enjoyed our Business Series so far. If you need to catch up feel free to visit our archives. If you've been thinking of starting your own business selling your vintage or antique goods on-line we hope to show you a few options during the next few sections of our series.

It is important to note we are not associated with any of the sites that we'll be featuring in series but hope to offer informative details about each site so that you can decide which is best for your business.

We are all about real experience and for Part Two of our Bonanzle feature we'd like to introduce you to Julie of Orallo,Inc . Julie is fairly new to Bonanzle,  she has first hand experience on what it's like to be new and start from scratch selling on Bonanzle.

Why did you choose to set up a booth on Bonanzle?

As a former eBay store owner, I share the same frustrations as many other former sellers who have been actively searching for a VIABLE alternative. For months, I did my "due diligence" of sites that made sense for my product categories (i.e. antiques, vintage and collectibles) and settled on Bonanzle.

{Silver Plated Gravy Ladle}

Bonanzle makes two basic contentions: it offers a friendly site that's easy to use. While I value both of these things, I made my primary decision to sell on a variety of other factors including no listing fees, no listing renewals (listing is posted until you sell), a reasonable fee structure once you sell, and they had a reasonable amount of traffic in my product categories.

{Vintage Victorian Vanity Box}

I'll note that Bonanzle has delivered on its promises - the site is incredibly easy to use and the group of buyers and sellers on Bonanzle is very friendly and quite helpful. Additionally, I've been with the site since the end of November and I've only made one sale; however, I have not lost enthusiasm for the site or its long-term value for my business. It is experiencing phenomenal growth and it has a very proactive community promoting the site online so I believe it's worth the wait.

Thanks Julie for your helpful insight! Be sure to check out Julie's booth jules43035 on Bonanzle.com

As far as getting started on Bonanzle, you can visit their sell page here. A couple of noteworthy things to mention. One, you can start selling in one click. Two, you can import your eBay items. As with any site the you join, it's important to visit their Terms of Service page and Frequently Asked Questions. You should be sure you understand what their fees are, what costs you'll incur and things you can't sell there.

Thinking of joining? Let us know if you open a booth there becuase of our series.

Business Series - Selling Your Vintage & Antiques Online Part One with Bonanzle

We hope you've enjoyed our Business Series so far. If you need to catch up feel free to visit our archives. If you've been thinking of starting your own business selling your vintage or antique goods online we hope to show you a few options during the next few sections of our series.

Opening your own website with a shopping cart can seem daunting, so we are here to help with a few different options including opening your own website when you are ready to take that step.  First in our series is selling your wares on a website where you hold a "shop" or "booth". Similar to the Vintage Indie Market that we held in December. (Stay tuned for our announcement for the Spring Summer Market).

 We are starting with the fairly new site Bonanzle We've heard a lot of buzz surrounding this new site and think they hold their own when it comes to vintage and antiques. Although you can sell almost anything on Bonanzle, vintage and antiques plays a large role there. We've recently interviewed with Mark Dorsey, the Co-Founder of Bonanzle.com, on why he thinks Bonanzle is the place to set up shop and start selling.

It is important to note we are not associated with any of the sites that we'll be featuring in series but hope to offer informative details about each site so that you can decide which is best for your business.

Why Bonanzle?

How did Bonanzle come about?

Bonanzle had been designed and developed for a year and a half before it went online in beta form in June of 2008.  We officially launched to the public in September 2008.  The name "Bonanzle" is a derivation of the word "Bonanza," which is our site's signature event, as mentioned below.  We felt that there was an audience who would appreciate a buying and selling experience where the people mattered.  The seller paradigm established by eBay is one where the seller lists their items and checks back in a week to see if they sold.  From an interaction standpoint, this isn't much different than listing items in the news paper. 

We think the people on the site are just as important as the items.  On Bonanzle, the user's profile picture is shown alongside their items, as is a map of the user's general region (postal code).  You can chat with your buyer and sellers in real time to get questions answered or negotiate prices or get the story behind the item you're interested in.  You can host a "Bonanza," which is a sale of your items where you wheel and deal with buyers to quickly sell as many items as possible (Bonanzas are limited to 3 hours maximum).  Or you can add a personal endorsement of a user that you have had a particularly good experience with.  The theme of these and our many other Bonanzle-first features is that buyers and sellers are more than their user name. 

This feature focus reflects our core belief:  that a more human (and less anonymous) experience is a more satisfying one. 

What types of items can be sold at Bonanzle?
We have branded Bonanzle as the online marketplace where you can "Find Everything but the Ordinary."  We believe that Amazon already does a fine job with shiny new electronics and mass produced items.  However if you have a vintage "Atari Video Game" or something similar then you would probably fit in nicely at Bonanzle.  That is not to say that we do not allow ordinary items at Bonanzle. 

What makes Bonanzle stand out from eBay or other sites who seem to barely include vintage?
We involve our community.  Our community showcases the unique items via our "Tagging" system to highlight "Exceptional" items (Most Bizarre, Most Beautiful, Funniest, Coolest and Best Priced) at Bonanzle.   We also have "Hand Picked Lists" that our community creates in different themes.  They are creative and really fun to browse.

How is Bonanzle handling the new CPSIA law about to go into affect?
To be completely honest we have not really addressed this at all.  It seems that there are many misconceptions and overreactions to the new CPSIA law and given our time constraints we felt it was better to see where the chips fall and then take the necessary actions.

A special thanks to Mark Dorsey for his time.

We don't have a booth set up on Bonanzle, but we have joined and found it a very easy process.

Tomorrow we'll be back with a fairly newcomer to Bonanzle getting a first hand glimpse on creating a booth at Bonanzle.

Business Series Part 6 - Applying to Antique & Craft Shows an Exclusive Interview with The Farm Chicks Part Two

I'm very excited to bring you Part 6 of our Business Series. Today we are discussing the topic of applying to a juried antique show, which could also apply to craft shows. We have an exclusive interview with the wonderful Serena Thompson, part founder of The Farm Chicks Antique Show. She has provided us with a ton of valuable information, including all the details you need to apply to their show and some helpful tips for preparing and setting up.

There are so many wonderful photos from past years shows and helpful answers we've split this feature into two parts. (Click images to enlarge)

See Part One of the interview here.

Part Two:

 

“Nestting”.  Nice use of quilts to cover an otherwise very drab wall.

Upon arriving at the show how early should vendors arrive? What are some suggestions you have for set up times, display etc? 

We give the vendors a full day to set up their spaces.  If this is a vendor's first time, we recommend arriving right at 9am to get directed to their space and allow plenty of time to get set up.  Most vendors take all day to set up.  It's a lot of work and it shows.  Their displays are amazing.  As far as suggestions for displays, height is always good and lots of filler to add interest.  Tables should be avoided unless there is a good plan on how to make it look really planned out and not flea market-ish.  Allow plenty of room for foot traffic in your space.

 

Garden Girl’s lush display.

What suggestions do you have for a successful show for your vendors?

Bring a good inventory - plenty of items for re-stocking many times and bring lots of change.  Prepare yourself for an extremely busy Saturday. Have everything you need on hand because you won't really have time to think once the show starts.

Debbie Ward Kennedy’s really well edited space.  She actually had three full displays organized and ready to go in her trailer for re-stocking.  She went through all of them.

Do you have any other tips for vendor applicants? Future Vendors for the
2009 show?

The only other tip I can offer is that friendliness is key.  It's actually  the most important thing.  The vendors all end up being like one big family, which makes the show a very supportive, encouraging and happy environment. Maybe we should call it the happiest show on earth!?  : )

 

Adrienne Mineiro’s great use of materials for a beautiful backdrop

What is the application deadline for 2009?

We don't really have a deadline.  However, any contracts that come in after February 1st, are only accepted until we're filled up.

 

Nice use of a big piece of furniture for display.

A special thanks to Serena Thompson and Teri Edwards for sharing these gorgeous photographs with us and for the helpful information.
Please visit The Farm Chicks Website & Blog.

Business Series Part 6 - Applying to Antique & Craft Shows an Exclusive Interview with Serena Thompson of The Farm Chicks Antique Show Part One

I'm very excited to bring you Part 6 of our Business Series. Today we are discussing the topic of applying to a juried antique show, which could also apply to craft shows. We have an exclusive interview with the wonderful Serena Thompson, part founder of The Farm Chicks Antique Show. She has provided us with a ton of valuable information, including all the details you need to apply to their show and some helpful tips for preparing and setting up.

There are so many wonderful photos from past years shows and helpful answers we've split this feature into two parts. (Click images to enlarge)

Part One:

 

Jewelry in The Farm Chicks space

I understand The Farm Chicks Antique Show is juried. How does this
process work?

Serena - We receive several applications a day.  Teri and I sit down about once a
week and go over every one.  We work hard to make sure the vendors we accept
are a really good fit for the show.  Unfortunately, we have to turn down a
lot of vendors, and that doesn't mean that they don't offer wonderful
things.  It just means our show isn't the right fit for what they are
selling.

Vintage Goods

What should applicants do to make their application stand out? What do
you look for?

Serena - The most important thing is that there are good pictures.  We need to see
how the vendor would display their goods.  We stress that applicants don't
need to have any experience and that's really true.  If they haven't sold at
a show before or don't have any pictures, it's fine to set up a mock display
and take pictures of that.  We just really need to see that.  As far as what
we're looking for, we love to see someone who has really created their own
look and isn't exactly like everyone else.  Good edited collections are nice
too - when it's clear that their look is specific and it's not like the
vendor is trying to squeeze in every type of vintage good that's out there.

 

Forget Me Not

When vendors have been accepted what can they expect from you next?

Serena - When we accept a vendor, we send them an informational letter and a
contract.  They both contain a lot of information.  There's not really
anything else from us until it gets closer to show time, and then we start
sending out specific set-up information or if there are any new special show
details, we notify the vendors of that in advance as well.

(Pictured Left, Teresa Sheeley’s well edited display.  Nice display height for visual appeal.) (Pictured Right, “Tumbled Trinkets”.  She has a nice knack for displaying her handmade jewelry).

An elaborate display with a prebuilt, freestanding backdrop

A special thanks to Serena Thompson and Teri Edwards for sharing these gorgeous photographs with us and for the helpful information.
Please visit The Farm Chicks Website & Blog.

We'll be back with Part Two of this interview tomorrow.

Business Series Part 5 - Taking Your Business on the Road - Shows, Special Events & More

Starting your own business can seem like a daunting task, but what about taking your business on the road? Does the thought of this scare you back into your office? Well if so, we are here to help. Have you ever thought about taking your business on the road to places like The Farm Chicks Antique Show or the Bust Holiday Craftacular?

We've been working with small business owner Pamela Anthony of Beehind Thyme to give us an insiders look at taking your business on the road. She recently took her business on the road and has graciously shared with us her expertise and help. (Click images to enlarge)

(Beehind Thyme Display)

Can you tell us what you do to prepare for taking your business on the road.

 First of all, if you are fortunate enough to know a party that attends the show or actually has sold at the show, start by asking them questions such as; How is the crowd? What was their best seller, style wise? How where the sales? All of this helps in determining whether you are interested in participating.

 Then inquire with the individual that is in charge of organizing the show, usually is months in advance… so be searching ahead of time to be able to get in, get juried (if required) & to get your stock up to par for a show, especially if it is a 2 day one, for restocking. Ask about how they advertise & the amount of advertising they do, to see if pride is taken in the event. Normally if show has been in affect for awhile there is a round-about head count of attendance. Next, getting all the information on day, time & place… there is a time that is designated for set-up, you need to know this & make sure that you & party in charge are prompt on this, very important. Usually you are assigned a booth location, if available before show date, stress to the individual over the show it would be helpful to get that information & any other needed like is there electricity available, etc. 

 As a brick & mortar shop owner, I have to make preparation for the duty that is being left behind, whether that be scheduling someone to stay at the shop or would it be better to close the doors, if so; a sign with returning hours is good.  

What are some important items to remember to pack for a business road trip?

 Well, I start making my list weeks ahead, knowing if I don’t there will be something forgotten. Just as I think of things, I jot them down. My mind is racing & as time is running out, you get a little careless, and not to say… rushed. I have been known to write on my hand until I get to my list… Here are a few that you will find jotted down: receipt books, business cards, brochures, any advertising material that you may have for an up-coming event or gathering, tissue paper for wrapping, bags, cloth/material for covering boxes/crates when building up displays, etc. Now for set-up: cordless drill, screws, hammer, nails, glue gun/glue sticks, my paints & brushes… and something I always seem to leave behind… chair/stool for sitting in when needing a break.

 Now… my husband always has his list of things to pack… battery charger, tools, cables, flashlight, ropes/bungee cords, etc  

How much time do you allow getting everything ready to go?

 A least 2 days ~ 1 day to make a visual of what I will be taking, sometimes that includes actually drawing on paper how I want my layout to look like or do I have a theme. Second day we begin to load the truck & trailer. 

(This is the beginning of loading our trailer We start with the large items filling every hole and crannies. Pictured : Old Original Goat Cart.)

When you arrive at the show location what is to be expected of you?

 First off, we normally register; get badges, signs & location of our booth. I like to meet & greet old & new friends that are vendors while I find my way to the spot we will be spending the next few days.

 We then find the nearest entrance to unload. Of course, the furniture & all the big pieces come off the trailer first. After unloading, it is very kind & polite of you to pull your vehicle to a parking spot or a least give room for someone else to unload, “Do unto others as you would have them to do unto you”. Now is the time I start working my displays.

(Loaded and ready to hit the road. 2.5 hour drive to our destination)

Can you share with us a little about setting up, the time involved?

 Wow!!! This is the time that I get a wrench, tighten feeling in my stomach, no matter how many times… it is still there, probably due to the fact, I want the displays looking there best, I really fret about it. It normally takes me around… 4-5 hours for a 12 x 12 size booth to really do what I feel comfortable with for the customers.

(Arrived at the show. Larger pieces are unloaded first)

Is this an overnight multiple day show? If so, how do you prepare and plan for accommodations?

 Yes, this is a 2 day show, with us leaving out the day before, making it 3 days for us being gone. Of course, finding hotel accommodations ahead of time is the very smart thing to do. But with this show, we didn’t & we were blessed to find one about 10 minutes from the show location. I highly recommend that you do make reservations, a lot of times there are so many events going on in larger cities that hotels are filled.

 There is light packing when it comes to your personal needs. All the room is taken with merchandise & treasures, so we pack the bare necessities. It is needful to bring a cooler along for those days when it will be hard to get away from your booth & customers.

(Our space before organizing and completing set up)

Any advice you can give to businesses thinking of taking their business on the road for shows?

 Plan ~ do your planning, especially when going a distance. It is hard to turn back when you are on a strict schedule & time waits for no one.

 I say… go for it! It is an awesome tool for marketing your item or items & promoting your business. After EVERY show I have done… I always came back pumped up & excited about what is happening at Beehind Thyme.

(Everything is complete, we had pleanty of room and didn't bring our walls)

A Special thank you to Pamela and her husband for sharing this insiders look at taking your business on the road. Please take a moment to visit Beehind Thyme
Beehind Thyme Garden & Wares

353 Lone Valley Rd

Campbellsville, KY 42718

270-789-3143 / 270-469-0026

Web Site coming soon!
Shop & Garden Hours: Tuesday thru Friday 10am-5pm EST / Saturday 10am-4pm EST… Open by appointment OR by chance at other thymes.

Business Series Part Four - Selling Antiques & Vintage at Antique Malls & Rental Spaces

If you haven't been participating in our business series you can catch up starting with Part One Your Vision. Part Two we talked about What You Put Into It. Part Three we went straight to a Brick & Mortar store owner, and received some personal advice on opening your own store. 

Unlike your ordinary business series, focusing on start up (which is important) we wanted to bring you another level to the table. We wanted you to hear first hand from business owners themselves about the "real world" of owning your own business and being your own boss.  While researching start up and business plans are all very important, we feel an inside look is invaluable information for you.

Today we will be tackling part four of our business series Antique Malls & Rental Spaces. If you've been pondering the idea of maintaining a booth at an antique mall or similar rental space, we have first hand advice from The Eclectic Curio (click photos to enlarge)

                                        

Please help me welcome Sher Wikoff, owner of The Eclectic Curio.

First up, are you considered a vendor or a dealer?
I am considered a vendor at an antique & home decor mall.

For someone who has never had a booth or space in an antique mall, can you give us a little idea as to what to expect?
It is the best of both worlds!  I rent a room, which is kind of like having a shop, but with no overhead of owning it.  The room size is 14'x12', but many of the spaces in the mall are smaller with a couple being even larger than mine.

The rental agreement began with a six month lease and thereafter going to a month to month lease.

What types of items do you sell in your space?
I sell vintage and mid-century items and repurposed furniture pieces.  Our mall is very unique and diversified with there are also being many home decor and handmade purse and home items, and antique and vintage items for sale, also.














How do you determine pricing?

Usually my pricing is marked up three times from what I paid wholesale for it or I consider the price paid for a piece of furniture and the time I have invested in repurposing the piece.  When hunting for vintage and retro finds, I have to keep in mind what profit I will make from the piece.

How much rent and personal time go into maintaining your space?
I pay monthly rent and go into my room, as often as I am able to (usually weekly), and redecorate and add new finds to my room and then collect money for items that I sold.  My favorite time to goes is during the closing hours so that I can enjoy the solitude and inspiration that comes from being there.

Many of the women who rent rooms or booths, also work at the mall on a weekly or monthly basis to get the feel of ownership and to get a discount on their rent.

Do you need to have a business license to have a space?
You do need to have a vendor's license in order to sell your merchandise in the mall, which is very inexpensive to obtain.

Is there anything you wish someone would have told you before you got your first space at an antique mall?
The only thing I wish someone would have told me before obtaining my first mall space is that I need to get a computer spreadsheet to keep my sales and inventory organized.  Other than that, it has been a blast!

How do you market/advertise your space?
Marketing and networking are key to getting the word out about your business.  Some tools that have been helpful to me are:

• first of all, coming up with a business name that describes me, my personality and my business - the eclectic curio! 
• getting a business card printed up with the  mall's address, my business email, and blogspot on it and having them accessible to customers throughout the room
• setting up a business email account
• setting up a blog and getting the word out about it via email and facebook, and using it as a tool to be an inspiration to others and advertise new items in my room or sales that I may be holding there.
• gleaning from the experience of other people who are in the same business and not being afraid to ask questions of them
• surfing the Internet and etsy stores for inspiration, ideas, and marketing tools
• staying on top of home and decorating trends through magazines, blogs, websites, and books
• getting the word out to family, friends and acquaintances through email and word of mouth about my business and services.

Thank you Sher for a wonderful insight on maintaining rental space for selling antiques and collectibles. Please take a moment to visit Sher's Etsy shop The Eclectic Curio for a gathering of curious vintage & funky finds, jewelry, and inspiration.

To shop her gorgeous space visit Mercantile Mall 104 Main St. in quaint downtown Milford, OH
Tues. - Fri. 11:00-5:00
Sat. 11:00-6:00
Sun. 12:00-5:00
The Eclectic Curio room is located in the back of the mall.
Just look for the bright funky colors!

Business Series Part Three - Store Owner Business Advice

It's been a little while since we've visited our Business Series. Just to recap our Business Series started with your Vision. Part two we talked about What You Put Into It.

Unlike your ordinary business series, focusing on start up (which is important) we wanted to bring you another level to the table. We wanted you to hear first hand from business owners themselves about the "real world" of owning your own business and being your own boss.  While researching start up and business plans are all very important, we feel an inside look is invaluable information for you.

Thanks to Barb the designer and store owner behind Knack Studios for graciously sharing her experience with us.
            

Hi Barb,

Thanks again for answering a few questions about opening up your own store.

We are excited to hear from a business owner first hand about the aspects of starting, running and operating your own store.

If you could share the top five most important things you suggest doing before opening a store, what would they be?

1. do your homework .... find out what your point of difference is

2. know your target market

3. brand yourself!! This is worth every penny!! Hire a graphic designer to come up with your logo, website and print.  Plaster it everywhere and in everything you do!! ( my husband happens to be a graphic designer and has done all my branding for me, but I did realize a dream this year and paid for a letterpress business package!)

4. come up with a business plan ........ know where you are going and how you plan to get there. Use cash if you can , and grow small and smart instead of strapping yourself with a big loan.

5. make sure you have a good support system .... you will need them in the days to come:)

             

Many people may love the idea of being their own boss, but we want to know first hand the pro's and con's of being your own boss. Could you share some of those with us?

Pros for me , being able to schedule my work around my kids and their schedule is priceless. Freedom in direction and decision making and getting to do what you love everyday.

Cons,  Finding balance and keeping it,  You're it!! Lots of time involved !! The financial side of things ( non creative),taxes and discouragement

    

If you could have known one thing before opening up your own store that you know now, what would it be?

I wish I had a better sales and marketing background!! You really have to sell yourself and your product and that is a little awkward for me at times:)

How important are goals for a store owner?

HUGE. That saying "if you aim at nothing you'll hit it every time" ..... so true. Your goals will help keep you motivated and focused during the hard days:)

A special thanks to Barb for sharing this insightful look on owning and running your own business. I highly encourage you to check out Knack studios.

In person at 1207 Pendleton St
Greenville, SC 29611
Online - http://www.knackstudios.com/

    

Business Series Part Two - What You Put Into It

Once you've written your vision you have a personal insight as to what you would like to do. It's time to start thinking how to get your business off of the ground. Most of the time this part of your start up is all about your time and research. To be successful you'll want to be confident in your business decisions as well as comfortable. Depending on the type of business you are starting research is top priority. I suggest keeping your vision, research notes and  basic business plans in a single notebook. You'll want to keep track of all of your information in one place.

Step One - Your Vision
Step Two - Time & Research

Take the time to visit your local library and read up on small business start up. The information there is endless. A couple of book suggestions from my personal library are The Martha Rules and Mommy Millionaire by Kim Lavine. I read and enjoyed both of these books. Mommy Millionaire gives you step by step details on building a business. From start up, to pushing your products, to craft fairs and resources this book is a valuable tool. Depending on your ultimate goal of your business what you put into it is what you'll get out of it.

A few sites worth visiting:
U.S. Small Business Administration
Nolo - Great site for Patents, Copyright Art & Starting a Business
SCORE - Counselors to America's Small Businesses

Dive in with some serious research. It only takes your time and you'll feel confident with all of the knowledge you've gained which in turn will help your business flourish.

Your Homework:

Research

Research Tips

1. Start with the business category in which you fall. Information on starting a restaurant business isn't going to help you with starting a quilt shop.

2. Keep notes on valuable information you didn't know. Jotting down ideas will help you remember them.

Thinking of starting a vintage/handmade business? - Business Series - Part One, Vision

If you frequent Vintage Indie often you know that vintage and independent businesses are about 85% of the main content here. On our about page you'll learn that my goal is to give life to older things once disregarded. Bring them back into our world today as well as introduce you to the independent world of designers, crafters and artists.

I know first hand that starting a business can be somewhat intimidating and overwhelming but most importantly it's exciting. Do you find yourself in the midst of wanting to start your own business specializing in vintage or items you create? I hope this new series on starting and running a successful independent business will encourage you to keep moving with your goals for a successful outcome.

To begin thinking of starting your own business you need to set goals, a plan with some sort of direction. Whether you are thinking of starting a business for fun or for hobby it's good idea to have a vision.

Here are some important questions to ask yourself first and foremost before you begin. 

VISION - : the act or power of imagination (Merriam Webster)

Do you have a vision for your new venture? Vision can also be a statement to yourself of what you want to come of your ideas. At this point in the game, you don't have to necessarily have to have a business plan but your vision is a starting point in the right direction.

To get started, ask yourself a few questions and jot down a few important notes. I suggest keeping a single notebook all for jotting down ideas as they come.

1. What is my idea?  - What's the basis for your vision.

2. Do I really love this idea? One of the most important pieces of advice that I can give you is MAKE SURE YOU LOVE IT. Yes I'm shouting this. Make sure what you want to do is something you love or something you can vision yourself loving. Why go through all of this effort only to give up after all of your time, money and energy have gone into it.

What if you don't know if you love it? Then ask yourself, am I passionate about this subject? No matter what it is, there has to be initial spark and interest. Keep tabs on this, your happiness will keep your business successful.

If you love vintage toys, and your vision is to own a vintage toy store then the excitement of selling vintage toys, learning about them and sharing them with your future customers will give you the ambition that you need to help you grow. If you don't necessarily love vintage toys from the beginning, but see yourself enjoying researching them, selling and talking about them all of the time then go for it.

I have to say when I started my first business ( now sold, a bath and body company) I was so passionate and excited about it that I hardly slept. The thought of owning my own business was so exciting to me that all I could do was research every single aspect about that field.

Your Homework:

Write down your vision.

Have questions? Please feel free to leave me comments here and I'll do my best to answer them or if I don't know I'll try to find out for you.