Antiques
Prized collectibles are found at flea markets
On hot summer days, it’s easy to remember to jump into the cab of a pickup truck and head to the nearest flea market. Collecting antiques is a family affair, and the hottest season in Ohio is the best time to hunt. For example, places like the Chippewa Lake Flea Market appeal to any collector of antiques. The first Sunday of every month is the time to bring in some cash and channel your inner collector. The sellers are motivated to sell at fair prices and have brought in some great items that are hard to find. When looking for antiques near you, here are some things to know about collecting.
Vintage vs. Antique
Any avid collector will tell you that there are differences between a vintage item and antique items.
- Vintage: Items that are not new, but have retained their value and appeal. Vintage items can technically be any age within a timeline, i.e. 50’s, 60’s, 70’s. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), if an item is labeled “vintage collectible,” this item must be at least 50 years old.
- Antique: The FTC states that any item labeled antique must be at least 100 years old. Some newer vendors may not label an item as vintage, so it’s important to do your research on the items you want to collect.
how to buy antiques
Understand your style and find a stylish way to accent your home with the items you collect. If you envy others with neat trinkets and would like to make the same sort of thing, start by exploring the items you already own. Dusting off the old storage chest you’ve been leaving in the attic might rekindle feelings of nostalgia. These are the types of items that tug at your heart and create the need to expand your collection. Once you find items worth assembling, do some research on the items. If you are unsure of the sale price of the treasures you want to collect, check online.
Why do people collect antiques?
For many people collecting is more than just a hobby; it’s therapeutic. The pleasure of collecting antiques comes from these reasons:
- An opportunity to learn about the history involved with the collectible.
- Possible financial gain
- Share finds with other collectors
- Get in touch with your past
- Have something to pass on to children
Flea markets are full of gems
Flea markets are notoriously the best places to find collectibles. However, it is very important to know what you are looking for before going to a Flea Market. Having a good idea of what you’re trying to collect sounds simple, but it’s often overlooked. For example, if you were collecting antique china, it would be a good idea to start researching the ins and outs of what other china collectors do. Know what you are buying and never be afraid to ask for advice. An experienced shopper would tell you that between the 1950s and 1980s patterns were popular, but some are rarer than others. Being well versed in what you are collecting is part of the fun. It’s fashionable to have conversation pieces when you have guests over.
Know what you’re collecting
Once you feel like you have a good understanding of what you need to look for when shopping for collectibles, it’s time to get started! Now a good thing to keep in mind when going to a flea market is that you may or may not find what you are looking for the first few times you go. Finding treasures isn’t easy, it can take you months to find exactly what you’re looking for, but it’s well worth your time once you do. Don’t stop going to a Flea Market because you didn’t find what you were looking for the first time. The example that a good collector usually gives is that it is like going to the beach to look for snails. If you go to the beach just after high tide brings you a variety of shells, you have more options than if you go to the beach a few hours after low tide. You also can’t go to the beach and expect to see an intact shell every time you go to the beach. The vendors at Flea Markets change often and this means that each week they have a different variety of goods.