Dunedin, Florida

Yesterday's Antique Fair went very well. A great turnout of people - the fair is located right beside the Pinellas Trail, so there were walkers, people on bicycles (not shopping), in addition to the antique hounds. We do feel that there more people walking around there than shopping - you really didn't see many folks with bags of purchases. I'll admit to having an uneasy feeling that people generally are not wanting to spend money at the moment; with a poor economic picture being painted every day in the news, real estate values in a reverse trend, and increasing prices at the gas pump and in the grocery stores. That said, we did just as well at this show as we have at the others we've done - they are all about the same. Dunedin had a far larger turnout than the previous ones, so we would have expected a larger number of sales, and that just didn't happen.

And, I'm only going to say this once, but there's always someone - just one person - who makes the point of stopping by the booth to spill their negative viewpoint about a show. "I don't see any antiques here," they'll say, or, "How can they call this an antique show? This is all just junk." It never fails - no matter what's on offer, there will be an Eeyore in the crowd, looking about at all the wonderful merchandise, and moaning that it's not Good Enough. (Here's the secret about that message: that customer will never be happy, no matter what you present them with! Smile and nod, and thank them for stopping by.)

So, more shopping this week - garage sales, rummage sales, and we'll see what crops up. We're looking forward to next Saturday's Anna Maria Island Privateers Thieves' Market again - on the beach! In Florida! In March! We're lucky, lucky people to be doing what we enjoy.

This item sold at the Dunedin show - another gem found at the auction house. Pink satin glass with a wisteria design painted on one side.