Good morning! Four boxes of my Brimfield treasures all still in route, but I've got a few things to show you, in no particular order. I'll also answer a couple of questions I've had. If you have a Brimfield question - let me know!
This texture of this Irish linen bookbinder's thread grabbed me.
Gina asked how we managed to avoid getting crushed in the opening crowds.
Our strategy this year was to arrive early and stake a position on the edge of whichever group we were in, preferably next to the road, a garbage can or a fence. At the opening moment, we hung back for just a few seconds and then went in, again along the edge of the crowd. We'd head toward the back or outside edge of a field - the crowds disperse quickly throughout a field.
No one will be surprised that I couldn't leave without these.
I'm often asked if you can buy for resale at Brimfield. Yes. You have to work at it, but it can be done. You do need to be careful not to be caught up in the 'wonderfulness' of something unusual. When I'm out purchasing items, there's a continuous ticking in my head - I'm calculating cost,
expenses and potential profit.
Don't forget to consider expenses. (In the case of Brimfield, it's travel, hotels, meals, shipping....) I know what percentage I need to add to the item cost to find the
true cost. Experienced sellers know this, but I do meet a lot of young people just starting out.
This "Kate Greenaway Almanak for 1925" is not in great condition, but the illustrations are fabulous.
As much as I love
you, my fellow dealers, my customers, my merchandise, this IS a business. When I started, (part-time), in 1996, I decided I would always try to buy 'smart', never, ever use family money for my business, and always pay cash for merchandise. If I do choose to purchase with a credit card, the balance is paid in full when the bill comes in. ***This is what works for me - your situation may be different.*** At Brimfield, credit cards are not an option anyway, so be sure to bring plenty of cash. It would be no fun to be there for a week with no money to spend!
I love early books, (just for the look, mainly), and didn't find as many as I would have liked.
If you are fortunate enough to be at Brimfield 'just for fun', then have at it! I can promise you'll enjoy shopping just for yourself! I didn't initially buy this tote to keep...
...but it will probably stay with me, at least for awhile. :)
It may end up on my bench with a portion of the sea glass collection I purchased. (Thank you USPS for flat rate boxes!!)
I love the patina and original labels on these old dumbbells.
You knew I'd come home with some letters, right?
There are 10 - 12 pounds of these in various sizes. The largest are about 1 1/2" tall.
Margaret spotted a box of 12,000 'pearl-head' jewelry pins for me. Yes, 12,000. You know I like multiples!
And these...
...probably thousands of 'jewels', many still individually wrapped.
This old beauty is a wax seal...
...letter 'R'.
That's all for today! There are more pics to come, but I'll probably just post them on
my facebook page as time allows. Have yourselves a wonderful Tuesday.
Don't forget the Elkhorn Antique Market in Elkhorn, Wisconsin this Sunday, 7-3. We'll be in the Small Animal Building, Space 29!