Tips of the Trade

Minimalism and Antiques Are Not Enemies 1100 867 Gaslight Square Shoppes

Minimalism and Antiques Are Not Enemies

  Do you love antiquing, but still think of fussy Victorian rooms full of knick-knacks and doilies? Get over it! Any period of antiques can find a way to fit into your love of minimalism. Need some help figuring out how? Choose Antiques Carefully The hardest and easiest step to…

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Our Two Cents on Stamp Collecting 2560 1702 Gaslight Square Shoppes

Our Two Cents on Stamp Collecting

Have you inherited a relative’s stamp collection or passed them in an antique store and wondered what’s up with that? Is it hard to imagine collecting stamps when you may hardly use them yourself? With its heyday in the 1950s, stamp collecting, aka philately, has declined in popularity until recent…

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Earthenware, Stoneware and Porcelain: An Introduction to Pottery 1254 836 Gaslight Square Shoppes

Earthenware, Stoneware and Porcelain: An Introduction to Pottery

Time to put your sleuth hat on!  Imagine being the Sherlock Homes of the piece before you.  Beyond the factory mark itself, many clues can reveal further details about a piece.  The key is always to really look at the item with specific frameworks in mind. The first goal is…

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Glowing Reviews: Collecting Vintage Neon Signs 1249 840 Gaslight Square Shoppes

Glowing Reviews: Collecting Vintage Neon Signs

With a heyday in the mid-20th century, neon can add a unique vintage feel (and sound!) to your home.  First sold in the US in 1923, vintage neon signs evoke a retro, mid-century vibe that’s all the rage now, and can be found in many antique stores. About Vintage Neon…

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Antique Dolls: A Brief History of Doll Mania 1254 836 Gaslight Square Shoppes

Antique Dolls: A Brief History of Doll Mania

Once considered religious objects or learning tools, dolls date back to ancient times. Today, there are still doll hospitals that specialize in repairing these mysterious, lifelike figures. Below, we take a look at why dolls have attracted collectors throughout the ages, as well as some major US doll collecting trends  —…

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Breweriana 101: What a Collector Needs to Know 1254 836 Gaslight Square Shoppes

Breweriana 101: What a Collector Needs to Know

Beer cans, serving trays, bottle openers, tap knobs, coasters and bottle caps are only a few of the interesting collectibles that fall under the breweriana category. Beer has been brewed for centuries, so there’s plenty to learn about. Grab your Schlitz or Pabst. Let’s explore the long history of beer-related…

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Collecting Antique Figurines: More Than Royal Doulton 1255 836 Gaslight Square Shoppes

Collecting Antique Figurines: More Than Royal Doulton

So many booths at vintage stores have collections of figurines for sale. Popular tastes and styles of antique figurines go in and out of vogue, making it hard to know which ones might be worth buying, and which ones aren’t worth more than their decorative value. What is a Figurine?…

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Porcelain Collecting 2121 1414 Gaslight Square Shoppes

Porcelain Collecting

Porcelain is one of the most beautiful members of the ceramics family, and can be identified by its glassy finish and translucence. Its pure whiteness, durability, and glasslike nature have made it a wonderful material for everything from electrical insulation and kitchen and bath fixtures to elaborately decorated Meissen plates,…

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Coin Collecting Tips 1998 1500 Gaslight Square Shoppes

Coin Collecting Tips

Wheat pennies, Morgan dollars, proof sets — are they worth more than face value or should you put them in your car’s console for parking meters and vending machines? Coin collecting doesn’t have to be a mystery. Learn a little more about it and start a coin collection today. Why…

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Antique Wicker Furniture Easy Care Tips 2121 1414 Gaslight Square Shoppes

Antique Wicker Furniture Easy Care Tips

Welcome to the wonderful world of wicker. Whether it was the intricate spiral accents and open weave of a Victorian-era chaise-lounge that caught your eye, or the bold, geometric shape of a mid-century modern patio set that you had to have, a gorgeous example of handcrafted wicker furniture now adorns…

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Quilts 101: Identifying Vintage and Antique Quilts 2560 1912 Gaslight Square Shoppes

Quilts 101: Identifying Vintage and Antique Quilts

There is something so nostalgic and comforting about antique quilts. American quilting has a rich history among the first European settlers. Specific patterns and colors link a quilt to a particular time period. This means that a little knowledge can help you distinguish antique quilts from more contemporary pieces. So…

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Collectible Costume Jewelry – A Colorful Start to Antiquing 2124 1411 Gaslight Square Shoppes

Collectible Costume Jewelry – A Colorful Start to Antiquing

One of the joys of antiquing is learning about the types of antiques you’re likely to encounter often so you can look for hidden gems. Vintage costume jewelry is a fun and fascinating way to start learning and collecting, especially since there are pieces at all prices. Even if you’re…

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