http://www.inc.com/news/articles/2011/01/family-pledges-to-buy-only-from-small-businesses-for-year.html
http://onelocalfamily.com/
I often talk about and promote buying local with Independently owned businesses in your communities wherever you live. I work at doing that myself by eating one meal a day at a local restaurant 7 days a week. I also consider and try to shop that way on occasion for other things. In other words I try to practice what I preach. I have included links for a story about 1 family who pledged to only buy local for a year and to their blog where they inform us of the experience. WOW
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Commercial Targets--Young Adults
I hear complaints in the field that we need more young adults interested in and buying Antiques&Collectibles. I am blessed with a younger following and the ole standbyes of the past like myself, and welcome them whole heartedly. I have found websites where the younger collectors of today are sounding off as to the reasons they collect,what they experience, and what they are looking for. They are also sounding off against todays commercialism directed at them and their pocket books. Here is just some of what they have said, which I agree with and have added my own opinion to the mix. After reading this I hope you encourage other young adults into the world of Antiques&Collectibles.
IKEA Commercial---Shows a number of rooms decorated in the Ikea Style (which includes knock-offs styled after Antiques) and the end catch phrase is "Ikea-Life Improvement Store".
Really??!! Okay some of their items are priced reasonably,claims convenience,and looks good up front. To some it may be an improvement over grandma's 1970's paisley upholstered chair (then again some would find that cool).
But!!! Have you considered how cheaply made this stuff is and Eco irresponsiblely made at that, you have to assemble the stuff when it arrives (stress,stress,stress), and its value is absolutely nothing once put together.
Being Harsh!!! Don't think so, just factual. They are attracting and robbing potential young collectors interested in classic styles. I am simply saying--why throw your money away when Antiques&Collectibles are as Eco friendly as it gets,have quality,style,value and sometimes just as low priced and lower.
Pottery Barn---Catalogs full of bad reproductions (an Example:Printers Chests), and other items clearly based on Antiques.
They must study Auction catalogs or buy a few pieces at flea markets and then send to China to cheaply manufacture these knock-offs.
Restoration Hardware catalogs---Great source for hardware replacements etc when all else fails, but now they have delved into a new place that I have been offended by. The CEO states "No longer mere retailers of home furnishings,we are Curators of the Best Historical Designs the world has to offer."
OK I'm offended once again after typing that. Curator --watch out museums you have competition and claim to your title. Best Historical designs--claims their designs are better than the originals his company so poorly imitated? Here again you would be better off buying an original, having better design,quality,and worth something 10 years from now.
I will finish with, share this train of thought with the young adults in your life if you agree with us. Some may not be interested in the history of Antiques&Collectibles,or they may assume they can't afford them,but I know they are not getting the best value for their money buying from these establishments and others.
IKEA Commercial---Shows a number of rooms decorated in the Ikea Style (which includes knock-offs styled after Antiques) and the end catch phrase is "Ikea-Life Improvement Store".
Really??!! Okay some of their items are priced reasonably,claims convenience,and looks good up front. To some it may be an improvement over grandma's 1970's paisley upholstered chair (then again some would find that cool).
But!!! Have you considered how cheaply made this stuff is and Eco irresponsiblely made at that, you have to assemble the stuff when it arrives (stress,stress,stress), and its value is absolutely nothing once put together.
Being Harsh!!! Don't think so, just factual. They are attracting and robbing potential young collectors interested in classic styles. I am simply saying--why throw your money away when Antiques&Collectibles are as Eco friendly as it gets,have quality,style,value and sometimes just as low priced and lower.
Pottery Barn---Catalogs full of bad reproductions (an Example:Printers Chests), and other items clearly based on Antiques.
They must study Auction catalogs or buy a few pieces at flea markets and then send to China to cheaply manufacture these knock-offs.
Restoration Hardware catalogs---Great source for hardware replacements etc when all else fails, but now they have delved into a new place that I have been offended by. The CEO states "No longer mere retailers of home furnishings,we are Curators of the Best Historical Designs the world has to offer."
OK I'm offended once again after typing that. Curator --watch out museums you have competition and claim to your title. Best Historical designs--claims their designs are better than the originals his company so poorly imitated? Here again you would be better off buying an original, having better design,quality,and worth something 10 years from now.
I will finish with, share this train of thought with the young adults in your life if you agree with us. Some may not be interested in the history of Antiques&Collectibles,or they may assume they can't afford them,but I know they are not getting the best value for their money buying from these establishments and others.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
What the Heck is this ?
Shadowboxed Victorian Hair Art
Hair is at once the most delicate and lasting of our materials, and survives us, like love. It is so light, so gentle, so escaping from the idea of death, that with a lock of hair belonging to a child or friend, we may almost look up to heaven and compare notes with the angelic nature-may almost say, "I have a piece of thee here, not unworthy of thy being now."
The Godey's Lady's Book of May 1855
Appealing to the tendency among Victorian women to incorporate the importance of friends and family into their work, hair served as a tangible remembrance of someone. Often, close companions exchanged hair as tokens of friendship. Hair was also sometimes taken after a person’s death as a means of honor and remembrance.
Hair art was common throughout the Victorian era. Complex wreaths, simple lockets, elaborate bracelets, toothpick holders, earrings and every other manner of decoration were made from hair. Hair art was used for a variety of functions from recording family history to tokens of affection exchanged between lovers. Naturally, hair art also became a popular means to memorialize loved ones who had passed on. Mourning jewelry created with hair was intensely popular because it did not violate the strict code of conduct Victorian society imposed upon the conduct and dress of grieving persons. In this capacity hair art is best remembered. The hair of individuals and sometimes entire families can still be found intricately crafted and solemnly tucked behind glass frames or behind jeweler's cases at antique stores.
There is a museum Leila's Hair Museum in Independance MO
Hair is at once the most delicate and lasting of our materials, and survives us, like love. It is so light, so gentle, so escaping from the idea of death, that with a lock of hair belonging to a child or friend, we may almost look up to heaven and compare notes with the angelic nature-may almost say, "I have a piece of thee here, not unworthy of thy being now."
The Godey's Lady's Book of May 1855
Appealing to the tendency among Victorian women to incorporate the importance of friends and family into their work, hair served as a tangible remembrance of someone. Often, close companions exchanged hair as tokens of friendship. Hair was also sometimes taken after a person’s death as a means of honor and remembrance.
Hair art was common throughout the Victorian era. Complex wreaths, simple lockets, elaborate bracelets, toothpick holders, earrings and every other manner of decoration were made from hair. Hair art was used for a variety of functions from recording family history to tokens of affection exchanged between lovers. Naturally, hair art also became a popular means to memorialize loved ones who had passed on. Mourning jewelry created with hair was intensely popular because it did not violate the strict code of conduct Victorian society imposed upon the conduct and dress of grieving persons. In this capacity hair art is best remembered. The hair of individuals and sometimes entire families can still be found intricately crafted and solemnly tucked behind glass frames or behind jeweler's cases at antique stores.
There is a museum Leila's Hair Museum in Independance MO
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
National Movement
Local businesses across the country now have a new champion in the form of Independent We Stand, a national movement of independent business owners educating their communities on the benefits of shopping at local stores.
“This project began as a way to inform friends and neighbors on one of the best ways to revive our economy: buy local,” said Bill Brunelle, Independent We Stand spokesperson. “Buying products and services from people who work and live in your town means more money goes back to your local area. Through taxes, payrolls, and the business owner’s own local purchases, that reinvestment stays where you live, making your own community a better place.”
Independently owned businesses provide numerous benefits to their local economies that most people might not be aware of. According to recent studies*:
When you spend $100 at an independent business, $68 returns to the local community. Spend that same amount at a national chain and it drops to $43.
Small business accounts for 75% of all new jobs.
Locally owned businesses reinvest in the local economy at a 60% higher rate than chains and internet retailers.
Small businesses create more than half the non-farm private gross domestic product (GDP).
Locally owned and operated businesses create higher-paying jobs for you and your neighbors.
More of your tax dollars are reinvested in your community to fund local schools, hire more police officers and improve roads.
The Independent We Stand website also provides tools for businesses and consumers to further the cause. The newly launched site, IndependentWeStand.org, features a database of locally owned businesses across the country, a resource center for business owners to share news and statistics on the importance of buying local, and posters and flyers to help promote the message.
“All socially responsible businesses, big or small, help our economy remain vibrant,” said Brunelle.“Our goal with Independent We Stand, however, is to give locally owned, independent businesses a bigger voice to talk about the important contributions they make.”
Independent We Stand is sponsored by STIHL Inc., a manufacturer of outdoor power equipment that has never sold its products through mass merchants, but instead sells through thousands of independently owned servicing dealers across the country. For more information, to pledge your support for locally owned businesses, or to register your own business in the database, visit http://www.IndependentWeStand.org.
“This project began as a way to inform friends and neighbors on one of the best ways to revive our economy: buy local,” said Bill Brunelle, Independent We Stand spokesperson. “Buying products and services from people who work and live in your town means more money goes back to your local area. Through taxes, payrolls, and the business owner’s own local purchases, that reinvestment stays where you live, making your own community a better place.”
Independently owned businesses provide numerous benefits to their local economies that most people might not be aware of. According to recent studies*:
When you spend $100 at an independent business, $68 returns to the local community. Spend that same amount at a national chain and it drops to $43.
Small business accounts for 75% of all new jobs.
Locally owned businesses reinvest in the local economy at a 60% higher rate than chains and internet retailers.
Small businesses create more than half the non-farm private gross domestic product (GDP).
Locally owned and operated businesses create higher-paying jobs for you and your neighbors.
More of your tax dollars are reinvested in your community to fund local schools, hire more police officers and improve roads.
The Independent We Stand website also provides tools for businesses and consumers to further the cause. The newly launched site, IndependentWeStand.org, features a database of locally owned businesses across the country, a resource center for business owners to share news and statistics on the importance of buying local, and posters and flyers to help promote the message.
“All socially responsible businesses, big or small, help our economy remain vibrant,” said Brunelle.“Our goal with Independent We Stand, however, is to give locally owned, independent businesses a bigger voice to talk about the important contributions they make.”
Independent We Stand is sponsored by STIHL Inc., a manufacturer of outdoor power equipment that has never sold its products through mass merchants, but instead sells through thousands of independently owned servicing dealers across the country. For more information, to pledge your support for locally owned businesses, or to register your own business in the database, visit http://www.IndependentWeStand.org.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Start of the New Year
Well this is how I spent the beginning of the New Year: went to an auction on New Years day,went on a house call sunday and then again this morning. The picture is just a tease and doesn't show all that I got. Just like American Pickers, I was giddy and doing what I love most. On the Hunt and Wheeling and Dealing. Will be adding this to the inventory all during the month so come by and hunt yourself for the new goodies. Everything will be looking back at you hoping for a new home and some appreciation.
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