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Antique Shops in Texas That are Sure to Please

admin — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

In true Texas fashion, the list of antique shops worth your time is a big one! Going antiquing is a fun and meaningful activity for the whole family. You never know what special gems you can discover as you walk through shops filled with history. Each piece seems to have its own life story to tell and is looking for a new home! Find vintage furniture pieces that will make a statement in your home, heirloom quilts made with love and full of memories, wooden toys and trinkets for the kids, and even more one of a kind treasures. In the capital city of Austin, be sure to visit the Antique MarketPlace and Antiqueland Austin. Dallas has even more to choose from including Lovers Land Antique Market, at least 5 antique malls, and Snider Plaza Antique Shops. Galveston is the home of Big House Antiques and Hendley Market. But if those aren’t the right cities for you, don’t worry because most cities in Texas have plenty to offer. So be sure to ask around town when you visit Texas. The locals will surely know the best spots! Have a blast spotting art, collectibles, and more as you shop for antiques!

Knowing a Good Buy: An Antique Shopper’s Rule of Thumb

admin — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

We’ve all seen them: those people on television who, when their antique is appraised, can only respond, “Wow!” Chances are, they had that same response when they first laid eyes on the item. For this is the Number One Rule of Antique Shopping: Buy only what you like and are sincerely interested in. Anything else will likely collect more dust than value and is almost sure to be sold for a song by some unimpressed family member.

Now, once an antique has caught your eye and you’re experiencing that initial infatuation, there are steps you can take to make sure your love will last. Especially if you’re new at this, do some quick research either online or in the library so you know some of the backstory, like how such items were produced 100-plus years ago. You should handle the antique at length, looking at it from every angle so flaws don’t surprise you later. Always ask if there has been any restoration work done because this can lower its value. And when you’re ready to commit, make sure you get a receipt that lists the antique’s age, material, any damage or restoration, and price.

Wow! That wasn’t so hard!

Hidden Treasures in the Most Unusual Places

admin — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Treasure hunting can be fun and finding a long lost treasure is always exciting. You may come across an unusual piece of furniture or other artifact at a local flea market. You may even find a valuable piece of jewelry by going to an estate sale.
Treasure hunters know that you will find something when you least expect to. Maybe in an attic of your grandmother’s home or by stopping at a yard sale or clearance sale in your neighborhood. Sometimes you can go to an auction, bid on an item and once you research it’s history, you will find out that you have purchased a treasure worth more than you paid for it.
Antique shops always have a wide variety of items from furniture to vintage clothing and this is another place to go for bargains galore. Some even find hidden treasures in such places as an online bidding site. When a homeowner is selling a property you may find treasures in any items that are left behind.
As you can see there are many places to find hidden treasures for all to enjoy. Keeping your eyes open to the possibilities will mean that next “treasure” is waiting just around the next corner.

Five Characteristics of a Reputable Antique Dealer

admin — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

When searching for an antique dealer because you are searching for an item of choice or considering selling one of your own belongings, make sure you choose a reputable dealer. There are many fine qualities of a reputable individual but there are five characteristics of a reputable antique dealer that can be considered a rule of thumb. A good antique dealer will have a in-depth knowledge of antiques with many references on hand. You should do your own research ahead of time before contacting a particular dealer; a top-notch dealer should have a reputation that proceeds him or her at trade shows and other area shops. In addition, you should do comparison shopping before you contact a dealer. If the dealer is within the proper price range, your dealer is honest and quoting reasonable costs. If the dealer has a positive rating with the Better Business Bureau, that is a good direction to go. Finally, an antique dealer you can count on will have a pleasant manner, never forcing a sale or being rude. It is the mark of a fine dealer to create a welcoming atmosphere that will make you want to shop with this dealer in the future.