Jim Beam Bottle Collection

Question: My husband inherited approximately 75 Jim Beam Collector Bottles from his grandfather over 10 years ago. We want to sell them but need to know how to contact a potentially interested buyer. I do not want to deal with e-bay as I am very uncomfortable with it. -- Kathy Barker, Silverton, Ore.

Answer: I would suggest contacting members of the Jim Beam Collectors Club. They can help you determine the value of your collection and perhaps even put you in touch with a buyer. Good luck!

Antique quilts warm the heart

In today's Treasure Hunting column, I write about the traditions that have been stitched into old quilts for centuries. There is something so tender in the way scraps of clothing and other material were saved and then made into useful, and beautiful, objects.

The photo shows an 1892 quilt that was made by my great-great grandmother's "church ladies" in upstate New York. Each square of white cotton has the names of the other women in the church, as well as flowers, birds and even pets stitched in red thread. It is one of my favorite treasures.

Clean Sweep

Tomorrow (that's Friday, Sept. 24) from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the women at Forget-Me-Not in Coeur d'Alene are making a clean sweep to get ready for the holidays. The exterior of the little shop is piled with architectural salvage, old church pews, depot benches, iron beds and too many other treasures to list. Everything, including the merchandise throughout the store, is on sale.
Forget-Me-Not is located a 1402 N. 4th St. Cd'A. For more information call (208) 765-9493.

Treasure Hunting Calendar

Fall is a busy time for antiquers. It isn't hard to find a treasure hunting opportunity with so many sales on the schedule. Here's a list of upcoming events:

September 25 – 26
Watercolor artist Diane Culley and husband Sam will be holding a fall “That Certain Something” sale in the garden behind their South Hill home at 5119 South Sunward Drive (just north of Moran Prairie School.) The Culleys comb flea markets, estate sales and garage sales for interesting architectural items and furniture for their annual sales, which have been held at the Moran Prairie Grange and the Women’s Club building on the South Hill. The sale features pottery, furniture and one-of-a-kind treasures that have been hand-painted in a French country style. Hours are 9-6 Friday and Saturday 9 – 6.

For more information call 509-499-1739 or email at smculley@msn.com

September 25-26
The Farm Chicks Antique Show, Fairfield, WA Hours are 10-4 Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $5. For more information go to www.thefarmchicks.com

October 1-3 29th

Custer’s 29th annual Fall Antique and Collectors Sale, at the Spokane Interstate Fairgrounds. Sale hours are Friday, 4-9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. The $5 admission is good all weekend. For more information go to www.custershows.com

October 7 – 9

Fall Antique Show and Sale at St. John’s Cathedral 127 East 12th Avenue. Preview party and sale will be held Thursday 7-10 p.m. Tickets for the preview are $20 and are good all weekend. Sale runs Friday 10 – 7 p.m. and Saturday 10 – 4. Admission is $5. Food, provided by “Shake, Rattle and Boil” will be available during sale hours. Proceeds from the sale will benefit “The Cathedral and The Arts” programs. For more information call 509-456-3634. Tickets will be available at the door.

Just for fun
Through the end of September Petite Provence Boutique, 1337 S. Grand Blvd., is holding a contest to write a caption for a vintage photograph. Shirley Evenoff, who owns the boutique with daughter Jenny Schuetzle, invites the public to come in and take a look at the vintage photograph on display. Leave a suggested caption for the photo. Evenoff, Schuetzle, and staff will select a caption and the winner will receive a $50 Petite Provence gift certificate.

Weiss Jewelry

Question: I have a Weiss pale blue and green stone brooch. It is star shaped and beatiful to look at. All the stones are in except for the fact that one of the stones has a chip in it. The brooch is in very good condition. My question is this: Is this a vintage piece or an antique? and besides its value in memory, is it valuable money-wise? -- Kelly

Answer: Your brooch was made by the Albert Weiss company. Weiss was in business in New York from 1942 through the 1960s. His son took over the company until it closed in 1971.
Most of their larger and more ornate brooches were made in the 1950s and 60s and were recognized for their craftmanship and the high quality of the stones used.
I can't tell you what your brooch is worth - it depends on condition and rarity - but according to antiques expert, Judith Miller, the value of Weiss pieces is rising.
If you want more information I would recommend reading DK Collectors Guides - Costume Jewelry, by Judith Miller.

Treasure Hunting Mail

One of the things I love the most about writing this column is the chance to establish a relationship with others. It means a lot when readers take the time to respond. Friday's Treasure Hunting column was about dusting.
I wrote that although I don't particularly care for the chore, I do appreciate the fact that it enables me to reconnect with my treasures and gives me a moment to daydream. Looks like I'm not alone...

Letters:

Dear Cheryl-Anne,
Just a note to tell you how much I enjoy Treasure Hunting.
Especially enjoyed today's on Dusting Day.
Even when it isn't dusting day , there is a feeling of being
connected to family, friends and the past when we are surrounded by
treasures that were not only part of their lives but our own as well.
Thanks for authoring such a "good read." -- Janet Nelson

Hi Cheryl,
Your column and email address finally prompted me to write and thank you for your most enjoyable columns. I have laughed and cried readiing them. Your mentioning your daughter's teething on the piano reminds me of my grandson cleaning our piano with "simple green" cleaning solution assuming it worked just like furniture oil. The piano has never been the same. Thanks again for your fine columns. -- Donna Kuhn

Fair Fun

It's the last weekend for the Spokane Interstate Fair. If you're not interested in the rides and cotton candy, there are still several opportunities to enjoy antiques and collectibles. A complete schedule of activities and events is available on the Spokesman-Review home page.
Each morning at 9:30 there is a butter churning demonstration and at 10:30 a.m. the Steam Museum opens with a demonstration of old washing machines. (Makes me very happy to have the old Maytag.)
At 1:30 p.m. there is an antique tractor parade. I wonder if they have a Hoyt-Clagwell like Oliver Wendell Douglas used?

Junkology 101

The Junk Gypsy crew sent me this "Junker's Guide." They wrote it for the Warrenton/Roundtop, Texas extravaganza, but it looks like good advice for any kind of treasure hunting.


A JUNKER's guide to finding the GOODEST junk from the COOLEST JUNkers

JUNKIN' RULE #1:
If you LOVE it, BUY it! Remember, old stuff is OLD. It may not be perfect but if it is a piece you LOVE, your home and HEART will find a place for it.

JUNKIN' RULE #2:
Keep those DOGS from barkin'. Comfortable clothes & walking shoes are a MUST!

JUNKIN' RULE #3:
Have CASH. Many JUNK dealers only take cash. Plus you'll need it for FOOD and DRINKS.

JUNKIN' RULE #4:
Be a die-hard. Relentless SEARCHING sometimes ends with the GRANDEST find of the day. NO PAIN, NO GAIN BABY!

WARRENTON JUNKIN' NECESSITIES:
· wear a HAT/sunGLASSES
· sunscreen
· be comfortable
· DRIVE your biggest automobile. TRUCK, VAN, or SUV preferably
· put bungees, tarps, ropes in your vehicle to tie down any large purchases
· pack a COOLER with WATER and other FAVORITE beverages in your vehicle (martini shaker optional!)
· tape measure
· paint chips, fabric swatches, any VITAL measurements for the pieces you are hunting
· COME EARLY, come LATE. THERE's always a PARTY!!

In the end, JUNKIN' is about the SEARCH. The DISCOVERY. And the excitement you feel when you find the PERFECT piece for your PAD. It's the THRILL of the HUNT. Remember to look around. See the ECCENTRICITIES in all the GREAT junk around you, LAUGH with your FRIENDS, learn something new from the VAGABOND junk dealer and most of all . . .
LIVE the DAY.

The Collector Inspector inspects the West

Harry Rinker, noted antiques and collectibles expert and the star of

HGTV's "Collector Inspector ," will be filming in Seattle this month. In late October and Early November Rinker will lead a series of classes and seminars on antiquing at Portland State University, in Portland.

(Read more about the Portland classes below)

Harry Rinker returns for additional workshops in Portland
Noted expert will lead four seminars in partnership with PSU beginning October 27

Portland, Ore.--Harry Rinker, a well-known antiques and collectibles expert, will once again partner with Portland State University’s Professional Development Center to teach a series of workshops designed to educate and improve the skills of individuals interested in the burgeoning antiques and collectibles business. Rinker will be in Portland October 27-Novemeber 4 to teach two one-day workshops and two weekend workshops. He led a similar series of workshops on behalf of PSU July 8-15. The courses designed for hobbyists and professionals alike, as well as appraisers, auctioneers, decorators, educators, investors and even museum personnel.
“PSU Extended Studies is here to provide flexible, responsive and innovative programs for lifelong learners,” said Mike Burton, TITLE, PSU Extended Studies. “With this series, we are doing exactly that by responding to a rapidly growing interest in antiques and collectibles.” Intimate class sizes made the first round of seminars earlier this summer highly successful.
According to Rinker, the courses are intended primarily for dealers, prospective dealers and serious collectors. “But, really they will help to improve the skills of just about anyone interested in old things,” he said.
Rinker is host of the popular Home and Garden Television (HGTV) show, The Collector Inspector, the third season of which is filming this month in Seattle, Wash., and Honolulu, Hawaii. Rinker also hosts a weekly radio program, Whatcha Got, which airs on a number of East Coast and Midwest radio stations and also can be heard on the Internet at www.kroc.com. He has authored several books, including the Official Price Guide to Collectibles, and his syndicated columns appear in dozens of periodicals and newspapers throughout the country. He is widely recognized as the country’s leading authority on antiques and collectibles.
The programs planned for October and November include two of the six courses required for earning certified status from the Antiques and Collectibles Dealers Association (ACDA). The other four required courses were among those offered in July. Schedule for the fall series is as follows:
October 27, 10:00 am to 5:30 pm:
Selling Antiques and Collectibles As A Part-Time Stay At Home Business

After examining various home selling methods, this one-day workshop explores in detail where
to find merchandise and buyers. Participants learn how to enhance an object’s value through its description and to properly condition grade it. The seminar concludes with numerous tips on maintaining good customer relations.

October 28, 2004, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm:
Estate [Tag] Sale Workshop: Improving Your Skills

The workshop covers a wide range of topics from proper identification to determining a price that sells objects quickly and fairly. Participants will learn how to advertise more effectively, deal with unruly buyers, and secure objects against theft. This seminar is guaranteed to return its cost several fold at your next estate sale.

November 1-2, 2004, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm:
Business Practices: Secrets to Success:

The two-day workshop focuses on merchandising, financial, legal, and ethical obligations facing every antiques dealer. It begins with tips on how to successfully merchandise antiques and collectibles, then moves to a wide range of financial topics ranging from sales tax considerations to proper record keeping. The seminar continues with a legal section that covers issues of business organization and consumer law. The remainder of the seminar focuses on ethical issues faced by individuals in the trade.


November 3, 10:00 am to 5:30 pm, November 4, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
The Twentieth Century Collectibles Market:

The collectibles market, especially the post-1945 period, is the hottest segment of the antiques and collectibles market, due in large part to its affordability and continued media exposure. Begins with an analysis of the collectibles collector, explores a wide range of topics from a twenty-first century perspective, and ends with a look into the future. Also explores the global market, identifying which American objects can and cannot be sold abroad.
Individual registration for each one-day workshop is $135. Two-day workshops are $245. Registrations are limited in number and will be awarded on a first come, first served basis. All courses will be taught McMenamins Kennedy School in Portland. To register or for more information, contact PSU’s Professional Development Center at 503-725-4820 or toll-free at 800-547-8887, ext. 4820. Or visit www.pdc.pdx.edu/antiques.
About the PDC
The Professional Development Center serves as Portland State University’s primary provider of continuing business education programs in the Portland and Salem Metropolitan areas. The Center was founded in 1982 in response to the needs of the business community for quality professional development programs. The expertise and extensive resources available to the Center have enabled it to serve as a comprehensive provider of business training for management, supervisory, front line and other personnel in the area’s business, industrial, government and not-for-profit communities. Offerings include multi-course programs with certificates of completion, seminars, and customized training. Many courses also offer the option of earning university credit. More information about the PDC, as well as a complete course catalog, is available online at www.pdc.pdx.edu, or call 503-725-4820 (greater Portland area) or 800-547-8887x4820 (outside Portland).

You Haul

Fall is prime clean-out-the-garage time. Out with the kiddie pool and in with the snowblower and de-icer. Sometimes a few goodies are thrown out with the rest.

Want to cash in? Here's an article on how to start up your own junk-hauling business.

It's Farm Chick time again!

The semi-annual Farm Chick Antique Show will be held September 25 & 26 in Fairfield, Washington. New items include locally-made shopping bags and two styles of "The Farm Chicks" T-shirts. Terri and Serena will be passing out free bumper stickers to all the early birds who line up to be among the first in the door.

Professional Ceramic Restoration

Question: I was surfing for old treadle machine parts and found your site. Perhaps you would post my needs? Steel wheel 1-1/4 inch diameter and 3/8 inch thick. -- Peter Dale

(P.S. I'm a professional ceramic restorer and answer questions on the ceramic discussion panel at Antiquerestorers.Com . I am able to make duplicate parts (in hard resin) if a part is available to make a mold from.)

Answer: I'll post your request for sewing machine parts. I've discovered there are at least a gabillion people looking for information on old sewing machines, so hopefully someone with a wheel to spare will see it.
Thanks for the information about Antiquerestorers.com, and for the fascinating peek at what you do.

Read more about Peter:

I studied with a master restorer and took advanced instruction about 10 years ago. It was an attempt to learn something that both fascinated me and had the potential of a paying hobby. After my studies I realized I'd passed my instructor in newer technology and searched and found new, simpler methods and products to use.

If you scan through the list of contributors on the Ceramic restorers website , you 'lI find I've been a consistent contributor. I always hated to see beautiful objects thrown out because of damage. So this became a natural path for me. After retiring from my "day job" (high tech testing) my wife and I went into the antique and collectibles business for a number of years, in the mean time writing a book on restoration (about 90 percent completed) and I've taught several students restoration.

There are a number of procedures the average person can do to mend or otherwise protect or clean a "wounded''object. Now being retired from the work-a-day world, I try to devote more time helping others with problems and questions. Actually restoration is a "cold" process requiring no heat higher than your cooking oven. The restoration process of ceramics is very close to the procedure used to fill and color dents in autos with perhaps a smattering of dentistry.

Little pitchers have big price tags

Thanks to The Junk Store Cowgirl for an update ( and a few kind words) on the pitcher she purchased for $5 at a neighborhood sale.
The Cowgirl (aka Linda) found a pitcher just like hers at an antique sale recently and was able to get a little more information,including the good news that the thing is worth a bundle!
We put our heads together earlier and decided it was pottery, but probably not McCoy, and could be worth several hundred dollars. You can read more about it here.
Linda's blog is one of my favorites and she's been sweet enough to mention Treasure Hunting a couple of times.
Like me, she writes for the local paper, junks whenever possible and does a little parenting on the side. Who says you can't have it all?