Antiques

Pursuing a career in the exotic world of antiques can be a highly enriching and satisfying experience. To many people, dealing in antiques is an experience akin to nirvana. If you are considering pursuing a career in antique dealing, there are many different types of people you will come across and they will all have different roles to play.

Dealing in Antiques

Dealing in antiques is very simple in some ways, but on the other hand, it can be very tough. To become an antiques dealer you are required to have good knowledge in this field, in order to deal profitably. Before buying a particular item ask yourself whether it is authentic, is it too expensive, was it restored, will you be able to resell it at a profit? Working for an experienced dealer who can guide and instruct you properly is the only way to learn more.

However, jobs with antiques dealers are few if not extinct. Many dealers are struggling to sustain their practice and can hardly afford to take on a trainee. These days, dealers prefer to trade at antiques fairs and centers rather than to start their own shops. This helps reduce their overall expenses. Sometimes dealers who have shops advertise for an assistant in the Antiques Trade Gazette. But, they generally require people with relevant experience.

Other Related Careers

If you are clueless about antiquing, then here is the general idea about the professions related to this field:

-Collectors: professional collectors have vast knowledge about antiques and collectibles, but can be a very choosy lot to deal with. Most collectors look out for particular items in a certain condition. Collectors generally work within a budget. Most serious collectors do not run shops, as they prefer to keep these antique items for their own personal pleasure.
-Traders: traders do not have their own shops but prefer to trade at antiques fairs and markets that are open year round. In addition, some traders sell their items at flea markets. However, when you are dealing with these traders, ensure that you make a paper trail on the item to protect your customers as well as yourself.
-Exhibitors: those people who own shops that are open for a specific amount of hours are known as exhibitors. Sometimes they hold exhibitions for a short period of time. Exhibitions are generally held at large venues. These exhibitions generally display items that are rich in quality. Due to this reason, exhibitions are not held regularly because it takes time for these exhibitors to find suitable antiques.
-Runners: those people who purchase antiques on behalf of their dealers are known as runners. The name was given to them because that is precisely what they do; they are constantly on the run looking out for great pieces. The dealer gives the runner a fixed price and it is his job to get that particular item within his budget.
If you wish to pursue a career in antiques, you could consider taking up any of these professions or you could be dealing with any of these people. Most people start off by becoming a runner and then they move on to becoming an exhibitor or a market trader. This career can be both lucrative and exciting.

There are many things one can collect, including coins, stamps, posters, and other memorabilia. Another valid option is clock collecting. Since clocks are made all over the world, and a multitude of them are unique and beautiful, they are sought after as much as traditional collectibles. Although collectible clocks are often not functional anymore, there are a few that remain accurate in telling the time.

Clocks can fit in collections that are not exclusive to just clocks. For example, if one collects sport related items, they might find a football clock to be an appropriate addition to their collection. Of course, collections that are meant for a specific type of item may not be able to have a clock added to it, and that is perfectly okay. If one is creative enough, however, a way can be thought of to make a clock a part of nearly any collection.

Instead of collecting an item that is over saturated, like stamps, why not choose something that is less mainstream, more personalized, and unique. There is also a huge amount of variety in clock collecting, as not only are their different colors and styles, but sizes as well. You can get clocks that are as small as a pile of change, and others that are large enough to touch the ceiling of a room. One could fill a section of their house just with clocks, although being that space is limited for the average consumer, this is not suggested.

Being that all kinds of antiques accrue value over time, clocks can be the perfect investment. Often, especially when you purchase from another country, clocks can be worth much more than their selling price. Even if they are valued correctly, over time, as antiques become rarer, the clocks value will rise gradually.

If you are not an avid clock collector, you could still make a fair amount of profit by investing in clocks, as they are essentially guaranteed to rise in value. On the other hand, if you have some expertise and experience, you can find the most valuable clocks at the lowest prices, and reap higher profits
than if you did no prior research. A book written on the subject of clock investment, called Investing in Clocks and Watches, details information about clocks as well as how to invest in them.

For those who are serious about investing in clocks, the figures can become quite large. Some clocks that were made in the 15th to 17th centuries can run from thirty thousand to one hundred thousand dollars. Clocks that were made in later centuries can still be expensive, but not to the extent of the oldest clocks. If you have the money to buy an antique clock, there is still a lot you need to do. As with any large purchase, research needs to be done to make sure the item is authentic and valued properly.

Certain clocks are not only an investment, but a great addition to a home. Clocks are often regarded as working art, in that they serve a purpose and also simply look beautiful. No clock fits this description better than a grandfather clock, which is inherently elegant and majestic. Since grandfather clocks are not as common as they once were, seeing one nowadays is a nice and somewhat awing experience.

Adding antiques and collectibles to your decor offers a stylish, interesting, and often practical way to liven up a room. It can be affordable too when you shop wisely.

Group Like Objects Together:
Whether you’ve amassed a striking collection of Roseville pottery or an eclectic mix of antique teddy bears, grouping like objects together on a shelf, table or mantle can often make more of an impact than scattering them about a room. Vary the size and shape of objects in your collectible groupings to make them more interesting. This works well with holiday collectibles, too.

Use Common Items Uncommonly:
Have you ever considered using vintage aprons for kitchen window toppers? How about old pull-down schoolhouse maps as window shades in a study or boy’s bedroom? The field is wide open when it comes to finding a way to use common items in uncommon ways. Learning to look at thrift store bargains and flea market finds in a new light can save you lots of money as well.

Frame Your Ephemera:

Most collectors pick up a few antique postcards, hand fans or pieces of vintage sheet music that speak to them here and there over time. Ephemera, or paper collectibles, like these can easily be framed for wall or easel display. Just remember to ask your framer for acid free materials to preserve precious paper goods and display them away from sunlight to avoid fading.

Recreate an Era:
Recreating an era through decorating can be visually stimulating as well as an interesting challenge for your inner shopper. Consider how an art deco bathroom, Victorian guest room or mid-century modern living area might cleverly accent your home. Look at old home and garden magazines or decorating books for authentic ideas before setting out on a quest to fill that space with stylish collectibles reflecting your favorite decade.

Mix Old with New:
Adding interesting antiques and collectibles to modern décor provides an opportunity to embellish a room with a conversation piece that stands out. Architectural antiques and oversized advertising pieces are great options for this purpose, but anything old and unusual will do. Favorite family heirlooms can work well in this instance too.

Embrace Monotones in Glass:
Imagine a shelf filled with artfully arranged milk glass. Against a pastel wall it’s a fantastic look. Or perhaps you prefer the mirror finish of Mercury glass, which fits in well with crisp white furnishings. From vivid Blenko glass to Depression era hues, the spectrum of glass colors available offers a beautiful way to accent any decorating scheme.

Rotate Your Collectibles:
While they’re tons of fun, this idea goes beyond the usual holiday collectibles we all know and love. Perhaps you have a collection of Shawnee Pottery and a collection of Hall China, but you don’t have room to display both at the same time. Rotating them out a couple of times a year offers an opportunity to enjoy your collections while sprucing up your living space.