The passing of an Antique's Icon - Ralph Kovel

Ralph Kovel died last Thursday at the age of 88. He and his wife, Terry, published almost 100 books on antiques over the years. They have a very successful website and a free weekly ezine that I enjoy, too.

For years, the Kovel's guides have set the standard for many antiquers for pricing and knowledge about the various objects we find.

Ralph will be very much missed by the community.

(To read more, click the title above).

Labor on Labor Day

I was thinking about what Labor Day means to me. Then I wondered what it meant to my parents, then to my grandparents. Here is a picture of Mom and Pop Stine, my Mom's parents.

Right now, my labor is about the same as it's been the last two years. After we got up this morning, we did about four hours of work on our eBay and Etsy stores. Then, during the day, we check now and then for sold items. Leo does the packaging and feedback. I'll help with relists.

My biggest labor is taking care of the crazy hound dog that has chosen to live with us. Plus, I cook and clean and do laundry - mundane kinds of things.

Pop Stine (William Arthur) was the oldest of 11 children. He and my Grandma (nee Huffman) also had 11 children. As family legend has it, Pop Stine missed 2 days work out of 50 years working for a furniture company in downtown Hickory, N. C. Those two days were for the funeral of his beloved wife, Maude.

Other than that, he worked every day. Now what makes this more remarkable is that he also kept up a 20-plus acre farm.

Now what makes all that remarkable is - he never owned a gas-powered vehicle. That's right - no car, no tractor - he even used a push mower.

Plus, he walked to work every day. Six miles one way. In rain or shine.

When they were young kids, the family rode to church in a fringe-bedecked surrey pulled by one horse. When I was growing up, Pop had two large draft horses who did his plowing.

Pop Stine knew the value of labor and what a relief Labor Day was - but it was a unpaid holiday, if his company bothered to keep it. Something to think about!

2-for-1 Sale on Schar's ArtMagnets

Scharart's ArtMagnets are on sale this weekend until Tuesday midnight.

Click the title above to visit her shop.

These are wonderful little jewels of color - I know, because I have bought three myself.

Mention that you heard about them on Leo & Patti's website.

Thanks!

How do you know it did any good?

Both Leo and I started doing the Entrecard thing this month and increasing our blogging. The goal, of course, is to drive traffic to our online stores.

My question is this: how do I know it is working? Are the hours spent blogging and dropping and leaving comments worth anything? Is the bottom line increased sales?

Well, I don't know how you can tell! I think it's impossible unless you had a huge, sudden surge in sales that you could tie in to increased blog readership.

If anyone knows of a way to really tell, please let me know. Your thoughts are appreciated.

Niku - Zines and So Much More

I had never bought a "zine" before, but recently bought one from Niku on Etsy. What a wonderful surprise!

"Part art zine, part personal zine, all mailart zine, Postal Curiosities & Delights is all about the importance of mail in my life and the role it plays. Each zine is assembled by hand and is a unique creation. This zine was typed on a 1940s royal deluxe typewriter and includes collages of mail ephemera from my collection. Pages include rubber and postge stamps, stickers, vintage paper ephemera and found images.

"Each comes with a mailart kit full of vintage mail supplies, collage materials, artistamps and postage stamps, and various other goodies I've collected for you to create your own mail art!"

Niku has been selling on Etsy for over 3 years now, and does a thriving business - I hope it will continue for many more years!

Niku's Profile
Bio
I live in Austin, Texas where I write, craft, sew, make, collect and hoard.

Favorite Materials
paper, rusty metal, vintage sewing supplies, fabric, thread, postage, yarn, paint, envelopes, stamps, twigs, leaves, office supplies

Please visit her store: http://niku.etsy.com.

Los Angeles Harbor Freeway

It has been many, many years since I drove the LA freeways. Even then, they were clogged beyond belief. That's why I like this postcard.

Look how few cars there are, and how OLD they are - 1950's cars! Plus, very little pollution hanging around.

To buy this little bit of history, click on the title above.

Thanks for looking!

Etsy August - Slow but Going!

We sell vintage items on a handmade site. Apparently thousands of other people sell vintage, too! I don't know the numbers, but there are 200,000 plus selling on Etsy now.

The first month was a partial month, but I had sales enough to cover my expenses. The second month was much better. I was really excited about the prospects.

This month, August, I have still had enough sales to cover expenses, for which I am greatful. But, it has been about 1/3 of July's business.

I cannot tell why exactly. I've got twice as much listed as I had in July, and branched out in variety. So, is it because of vacations? The fuel crisis? Bad karma?

I don't know, buy I'll just ride it out. I've dramatically increased blogging, hoping that would help. We'll see - September looms ahead!