Showing posts with label fascinatinghobbies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fascinatinghobbies. Show all posts
May 19, 2012
Fresh Picks: For the Love of Pansies
A welcome cool weather joy, pansies have been celebrated in poetry and art since Shakespeare. Enjoy these pansy-inspired vintage finds!
Nov 12, 2011
Fresh Picks: Eclectic Ephemera
Vintage cards, photos and advertisements can make your holiday projects one-of-a-kind fabulous! There’s so much you can do with vintage ephemera--frame it as a focal point for your holiday décor, create fun ornaments or unique table placecards, decorate your precious packages? Start with these quirky finds and let your imagination run wild!
Feb 23, 2011
What's Trivial to You May Be Vital To Your Customer
When you have an item right in front of you, it's often easy to overlook the obvious. That's why it's always important to pretend you're looking at your item from your computer screen. If you only had a 2 dimensional view, what kinds of questions would you want answered about it?
Take for example sterling and gold. Most listings I see think about these objects in terms of color and condition. I suggest you consider weight as well. With silver hovering around $30 an ounce and gold around $1400, it's worth mentioning what these items weigh. I use a digital kitchen scale to measure ounces.
If you're not sure if your item is gold, I suggest testing it. For what gold is currently selling for, it's worth that little bit of effort. eHow has suggestions on how to test for gold. If you're listing items that are made of precious metals, I suggest checking that days price per ounce, just so you price accordingly. I'm not suggesting you judge a vintage item just on the per ounce value! Certainly not. But knowing the baseline is always good information to have.
Another piece of information to provide is the makers mark. If you can, always provide a photograph of it. Always. I know five photos often doesn't seem like enough for some vintage items, but that makers mark is critical. Even if you describe it, most people just want the visual confirmation. Think of how much info you glean from a makers mark-provide that same data to your potential customers.
Along with that, try to show an interior shot of the entire inside. I have had some nasty experiences with partial shots. I invested in a Dansk cooking pot last year and trusted the sellers "good condition" and partial photo. The hidden corner was badly rusted out. Again, let your customers trust their eyes. Give them the same amount of information they would have if they were holding the item in their hands.
When describing items, be very specific. Don't just say "great condition". Condition is variable with too many definitions. One thing I now try to remember is be very clear. I'm wary of customers who just skim the page. I used to say "there are no chips, cracks, crazing, etc". Now I say: "there are no chips, no cracks, no crazing, blah, blah, blah." That extra no makes a difference.
Lastly, try to mention the potential flaws that are NOT present.
For metal: there are no dents, no cracks, no repairs.
For ceramic & glass: there are no chips, no cracks, no crazing and no hidden repairs. (this will require black light testing-something I highly recommend)
For paper items: there are no wrinkles, no fading, no writing, etc.
Providing this level of detail will build confidence in your potential buyer. It will also cause you to examine your items even more closely, which can help with hidden flaws you might have missed. A little extra time spent when listing, means no wasted time & money after the sale.
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| 1960s Sterling Modernist Dove by mascarajones |
Take for example sterling and gold. Most listings I see think about these objects in terms of color and condition. I suggest you consider weight as well. With silver hovering around $30 an ounce and gold around $1400, it's worth mentioning what these items weigh. I use a digital kitchen scale to measure ounces.
 |
| 1904 US Coin Gold Quarter by FascinatingHobbies |
If you're not sure if your item is gold, I suggest testing it. For what gold is currently selling for, it's worth that little bit of effort. eHow has suggestions on how to test for gold. If you're listing items that are made of precious metals, I suggest checking that days price per ounce, just so you price accordingly. I'm not suggesting you judge a vintage item just on the per ounce value! Certainly not. But knowing the baseline is always good information to have.
 |
| Taxco Inlaid Silver Earrings by YesterdaysSilhouette |
Another piece of information to provide is the makers mark. If you can, always provide a photograph of it. Always. I know five photos often doesn't seem like enough for some vintage items, but that makers mark is critical. Even if you describe it, most people just want the visual confirmation. Think of how much info you glean from a makers mark-provide that same data to your potential customers.
 |
| Chadburns Engine Telegraph CheekyChicVintage |
Along with that, try to show an interior shot of the entire inside. I have had some nasty experiences with partial shots. I invested in a Dansk cooking pot last year and trusted the sellers "good condition" and partial photo. The hidden corner was badly rusted out. Again, let your customers trust their eyes. Give them the same amount of information they would have if they were holding the item in their hands.
 |
| Dansk Paella Pan by bitofbutter |
When describing items, be very specific. Don't just say "great condition". Condition is variable with too many definitions. One thing I now try to remember is be very clear. I'm wary of customers who just skim the page. I used to say "there are no chips, cracks, crazing, etc". Now I say: "there are no chips, no cracks, no crazing, blah, blah, blah." That extra no makes a difference.
 |
| Federal Eagle Wall Mirror by moxiethrift |
Lastly, try to mention the potential flaws that are NOT present.
For metal: there are no dents, no cracks, no repairs.
For ceramic & glass: there are no chips, no cracks, no crazing and no hidden repairs. (this will require black light testing-something I highly recommend)
For paper items: there are no wrinkles, no fading, no writing, etc.
Providing this level of detail will build confidence in your potential buyer. It will also cause you to examine your items even more closely, which can help with hidden flaws you might have missed. A little extra time spent when listing, means no wasted time & money after the sale.
My name is Heidi and I live in beautiful Northern California gold country. I am an estate liquidator. I love antiques! I am married to my high school hunk and have 3 amazing daughters, all under the age of 8.
Oct 24, 2010
Welcome New Member: Fascinating Hobbies
One of the joys of shopping for vintage on Etsy is the chance to collect treasures from around the world with the click of a mouse! For antiques and vintage with a French accent, you must visit Fascinating Hobbies from Paris.With a surprising range of Victorian to Mid 20th Century delights, you will find jewelry, cameos, dolls and textiles. But it is their unique ephemera that awaits your discovery, including photos, artwork, souvenirs and postcards. This 1902 original, embossed Joyeux Noel postcard would be lovely framed for the holidays, make a great gift, or the perfect focal point for an art project, perhaps?
We are thrilled to have Fascinating Hobbies join the Etsy Vintage Team. Nous sommes heureux de vous accueillir!
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