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Saturday, June 26, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
It's all change again
Nothing remains the same except for change, correct?
I'm no longer working at the antique store.
Bob and I will shortly be leaving there as dealers and have no current plans to go elsewhere. (Which swiftly led us to the "where are we going to PUT all of this stuff??" quiet panic, but not to worry - bins have been purchased and so have puppy training pads.)
We're going to concentrate on doing shows this next season, and I will ramp up the website, offering a wider selection of items. I also added the shipping option to include the United Kingdom, as our present inventory consists of items that were produced and distributed there. So now we're shipping to the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK. Woo-hoo!
We're entertaining the possibility of becoming pickers for a few other dealers - I'll be starting out with one for now, and will see how the relationship develops.
I'm not at all put off retail for the future - but for now, I have some personal issues that take precedence.
I'm no longer working at the antique store.
Bob and I will shortly be leaving there as dealers and have no current plans to go elsewhere. (Which swiftly led us to the "where are we going to PUT all of this stuff??" quiet panic, but not to worry - bins have been purchased and so have puppy training pads.)
We're going to concentrate on doing shows this next season, and I will ramp up the website, offering a wider selection of items. I also added the shipping option to include the United Kingdom, as our present inventory consists of items that were produced and distributed there. So now we're shipping to the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK. Woo-hoo!
We're entertaining the possibility of becoming pickers for a few other dealers - I'll be starting out with one for now, and will see how the relationship develops.
I'm not at all put off retail for the future - but for now, I have some personal issues that take precedence.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
A most amazing day
I'm pretty sure things like this don't happen very often in the world of antique shops. I'm certain of it, as a matter of fact. I'm rather bewildered at what transpired; pleased that I got to take part in it and happy, so happy, that it happened successfully with all parties pleased with the results.
(Now that I've got you wondering....)
Saturday at the shop a whirlwind arrived, in the persona of a shopper with the energy of a tornado, the passion of a woman in love with life, and the eye that knew exactly what she wanted.
Which was - the entire contents of a jewelry dealer's case.
Now, I can relate to falling in love with a beautiful piece of jewelry; a certain designer's collection; and even the way a particular dealer has merchandised their space to maximize the beauty and eye appeal of their offerings. I can totally relate to being presented with a lovingly prepared case and thinking to myself, "Wow, I would love to have *anything* from here - it all looks so good!" And then I would do a double take, pare down my expectations to one or maybe two pieces out of that case, sigh heavily, and say my tender goodbyes to the remainder of the contents as being beyond my reach, reasonably speaking.
But this force of nature was someone different. This passionate, exuberant individual just about threw her arms around the case (as best she could), and announced, "I want it all! I love every single piece that's in here, and I could never decide on one piece or another; I have to have it all!" I took in her enthusiasm, and said, "Really?" (pause.) "Are you interested in buying everything in here?"
"Absolutely." was the prompt reply.
And so started the odyssey of negotiating the sale of the entire contents of a jewelry dealer's case, minus the props and non-jewelry items. It was a hair-raising process for me; my blood pressure medication was tested for its effectiveness. There were times when the buyer had to be soothed at the magnitude of what we were going through - this was extraordinary for all of us involved.
Certainly there are times when dealers are known to sell off their inventory when they have decided to get out of the business or retire; this transaction, though, where a single, non-dealer purchaser has decided to acquire such an inventory, is not a common occurrence, if it ever happens at all.
But truly, it went rather smoothly. My anxiety-induced hysterics (hidden from most, especially on the job!) might have been necessary in the process for ME, but the transaction was completed within two days, leaving a very, very happy customer; a dealer who sees this as an opportunity to rebuild a collection with an almost clean slate; and a shop owner who is happy to have a significant sale during a time of year when such sales are certainly not expected.
I have also made a lovely new friend in this excited customer. Her enthusiasm is infectious; her spouse is charming and bemused, and they are, it turns out, neighbors of ours.
You simply never know what's going to happen when someone walks in the door of the shop, and that's what I love about it.
(Now that I've got you wondering....)
Saturday at the shop a whirlwind arrived, in the persona of a shopper with the energy of a tornado, the passion of a woman in love with life, and the eye that knew exactly what she wanted.
Which was - the entire contents of a jewelry dealer's case.
Now, I can relate to falling in love with a beautiful piece of jewelry; a certain designer's collection; and even the way a particular dealer has merchandised their space to maximize the beauty and eye appeal of their offerings. I can totally relate to being presented with a lovingly prepared case and thinking to myself, "Wow, I would love to have *anything* from here - it all looks so good!" And then I would do a double take, pare down my expectations to one or maybe two pieces out of that case, sigh heavily, and say my tender goodbyes to the remainder of the contents as being beyond my reach, reasonably speaking.
But this force of nature was someone different. This passionate, exuberant individual just about threw her arms around the case (as best she could), and announced, "I want it all! I love every single piece that's in here, and I could never decide on one piece or another; I have to have it all!" I took in her enthusiasm, and said, "Really?" (pause.) "Are you interested in buying everything in here?"
"Absolutely." was the prompt reply.
And so started the odyssey of negotiating the sale of the entire contents of a jewelry dealer's case, minus the props and non-jewelry items. It was a hair-raising process for me; my blood pressure medication was tested for its effectiveness. There were times when the buyer had to be soothed at the magnitude of what we were going through - this was extraordinary for all of us involved.
Certainly there are times when dealers are known to sell off their inventory when they have decided to get out of the business or retire; this transaction, though, where a single, non-dealer purchaser has decided to acquire such an inventory, is not a common occurrence, if it ever happens at all.
But truly, it went rather smoothly. My anxiety-induced hysterics (hidden from most, especially on the job!) might have been necessary in the process for ME, but the transaction was completed within two days, leaving a very, very happy customer; a dealer who sees this as an opportunity to rebuild a collection with an almost clean slate; and a shop owner who is happy to have a significant sale during a time of year when such sales are certainly not expected.
I have also made a lovely new friend in this excited customer. Her enthusiasm is infectious; her spouse is charming and bemused, and they are, it turns out, neighbors of ours.
You simply never know what's going to happen when someone walks in the door of the shop, and that's what I love about it.
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