Treasury tool by whalesharkwebsites
Showing posts with label yesterdayssilhouette. Show all posts
Showing posts with label yesterdayssilhouette. Show all posts
Aug 20, 2011
Fresh Picks: Freeze Frame
Vintage cameras and related paraphernalia have always been popular collectibles, and in the digital age, the trend is hotter than ever. These 20th Century icons make artful displays, or perhaps inspire you to rediscover the pleasures of film photography.
Mar 3, 2011
Welcome New Members: No Snow Supplies and Yesterday's Silhouette
No Snow Supplies is the Etsy shop of Zivile from Lithuania. It features a fascinating array of vintage beads, charms, cabochons, buttons and findings--all of which are new old stock! While much of her collection comes from Western Europe and Japan, Zivile also has crafting and jewelry supplies from the old Soviet Union, including these sweet teal blue buttons.
Yesterday's Silhouette welcomes "fellow lovers of the thingamajigs, doohickeys and whatnots of yesteryear." Laura is from just north of NYC and offers vintage jewelry, clothing, ephemera, collectibles and an oddity or two! She also has a wonderful selection of antiquarian books, including this amazing 1920s set of eight volumes in the "Honey Bunch" series. We're thrilled to have such variety in vintage goods and in geography represented on the Etsy Vintage Team. Welcome!
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.
Feb 15, 2011
Before and After: From Vintage to Handmade
In these days of repurposing and recycling vintage objects, the beauty of the newly created art is just an extension of the marvelous items that went into it. Vintage jewelry, buttons, books, furniture, china, and knick-knacks—marvelous in their own right—can take on a new, rich beauty when combined creatively.
Which is better? That’s like asking whether you like peaches or peach pie—both can be absolutely delicious. Just for fun, here are a few examples of Before and After.
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| Pot metal dress clips from GeneralWhimsy2 and Wedding hair pin from OhFaro |
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| Dragon ware teacup from ThreeChicksVintage and Soy candle in 1950s Seyei teacup from ReBopShop |
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| Computer circuit board from preciousplaytime and Recycled circuit board clock from DebbyAremDesigns |
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| 1938 Of Mice and Men book by YesterdaysSilhouette and Vintage book journal by TheFancyLamb |
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| Moonglow plastic buttons from TheVintageRecycler and Vintage button brooch by calloohcallay |
Two kids. Freelance writer and editor. Etsy shop. Love vintage. Love reading, art, music, hiking, travel. Political junkie. Big lazy lab.
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