Here We Go Again

It's a new year, and for my family, it's a new start. Many things have changed from jobs to health issues, children's activities to other family responsibilities. So I am writing today to re-introduce you to Orallo Inc., an online AVC (antiques, vintage and collectibles) shop with a specialization in antique porcelain and antique / vintage jewelry.

Since we've re-established our presence online we are currently focused on primarily participating in two (2) different venues: Ruby Lane and eBay. You can find us at www.rubylane.com/shop/oralloinc or at http://myworld.ebay.com/jules43035/. Our plan is to soon open a Ruby Plaza store for newer items and home decor.

In time, I'll share more of our story, but for now, I'd just like to offer my thanks for the many kind words and prayers that have been extended to me and my family throughout the last many months. I appreciate your support and understanding. I also look forward to getting re-aquainted once again.

Collecting and Then Some

I've been told by many experienced collectors that new collectors have a tendency to collect in many different product genres and, over time, they will narrow their focus and develop an expertise or specialization in one, two or a few product categories. Well, although I'm still considered an antique "newbie" - the more time that passes, the more antiques I become interested in! So what's a girl to do?

Well, I've decided not to squelch my interest in "ALL things old". If I stop to think about my marketing firm in my previous life, I had much the same approach. As a small business person with limited resources, I wore many different hats and, quite frankly, I am knowledgeable about most things related to marketing but truly an EXPERT at none of them. And maybe that's not such a bad thing.

When you consider the wealth of information available, it is reasonable to think that I could do a fair amount of "due diligence" on any given antique. For instance, today I participated in the second live auction by Auctionwally (www.auctionwally.com) on Bonanzle (www.bonanzle.com). I bought a couple of things that I know nothing about including an antique Iver Johnson tool. What's an Iver Johnson tool you may ask? Well, I couldn't begin to tell you BUT the Web affords me the opportunity to conduct research, ask questions of professionals and even get a basic appraisal for under $10.

But maybe this isn't the way to approach antiques... I know that there is a tremendous amount to be said for handling items - especially when it comes to authenticating. I know this is especially true with porcelain pieces such as R.S. Prussia and Nippon HOWEVER in a recent conversation with Nippon Guru Joan Van Patton, she was telling me of a chocolate pot she discovered at a reproduction distributor that was so well made, if it had been somewhere other than the reproduction house, she would have mistakenly identified it as Nippon. So the reality is that even the experts can be mislead.

All things considered, I've reached this conclusion: when it comes to collecting, buying and selling antiques, information is key (as it is in most things if you stop to think about it). I don't have to be an expert in all things I collect but with experience comes knowledge and I can be confident that my next collectible purchase will be smarter than the last.

Time to Get Serious About Blogging

Okay, it's become pretty apparent that blogging creates a challenge for me since I've only made two posts since the end of December. It's funny - given that I've been a writer by trade for years - but I think my biggest issue is that blogging is such a personal expression of thoughts, feelings, etc. Unlike writing for magazines or newspapers, where you simply state the facts, blog readers have higher expectations - you must be witty, insightful or thoughtful. Oh, the pressure!

Well now, my followers (lol), I am committing to blog with more frequency. I am certain that SOME of the information I share will be of value since I spend an incredible amount of time researching and learning on the Web.

As I've mentioned in a previous post (yes, one of the two), I am recovering from an illness so I have essentially been "out of the loop" for three years and now I'm playing "catch-up". Since November, I have been immersed in anything and everything related to antiques, vintage, e-commerce, online selling venues, online demographics... you name it!

Another issue I've had is related to the purpose of my blog. It's supposed to by tied to my Bonanzle Booth, Orallo Antiques (www.bonanzle.com/jules43035 and my second NEW booth is www.bonanzle.com/milt43035). With that in mind, this should be a promotional blog that tries to encourage sales, right? Well, to be honest, I've got some other "irons in the fire" so I haven't been spending the time promoting my booth as I should. That said, I've decided my blog will speak to my experiences in ALL capacities in which I am currently functioning.

What does that mean? Well, from time to time you may hear about my online selling experiences and my frequent "treasure hunting" at antique malls, flea markets, estate sales and more. (I just LOVE to share my treasures.) I'll also keep you updated about my progress developing AVCOSA (or the Antiques, Vintage & Collectibles Online Sellers Association at http://avcosa.ning.com), my ongoing, self-inflicted and unofficial online educational program and, on occasion, I may even share some ancedotes about my four kids!

Well, there you have it - my blogging intentions and a commitment to keep you informed about my discoveries, whether they be tangible things like my ever-growing stash of antiques or intangibles like a new resource, article or other form of information available online.

New Beginnings as an Antiques / Vintage Dealer

I can say with complete honesty that I never thought I would be starting a business as an antiques / vintage dealer. Until about a year ago, I was one of those who just had to have the "latest and greatest" but more on that later. Since making my new business venture "official" in November, I have been quite busy exploring many selling opportunities.

It seems the most advantageous aspect of being an antiques / vintage dealer is that there are fewer restrictions than those in traditional retail. You have many selling venues available and none of which require a storefront or obligatory lease. In fact, you can choose to display your wares in any number of regional antique malls on a month-to-month basis, participate in the virtually endless schedule of flea markets and / or antique shows, move inventory quickly at online auction sites, or set up shop in a matter of hours in an e-commerce community and open your store shutters to the world.

Note that although I am still selling on eBay, I share the frustration of other antiques / vintage dealers and I have no intent to put all of my eggs in THAT basket. For many months, I have been endlessly scouring the Web for alternative eBay sites and that has become a very disappointing experience. There are just no other sites with the selling power and the buying appetite of eBay. However, after an exhaustive search and careful evaluation, I have settled on a site called Bonanzle.

Now Bonanzle makes two basic propositions: 1) it's based on simplicity and 2) it is the friendliest place to buy / sell. While there is value in both of these propositions, I made the decision to build a booth primarily because 1) there are no monthly or listing fees (instead they have a reasonable fee schedule based on the sales amount) and 2) there is a significant number of antique / vintage product listings (which has consistently been a problem on other sites).

After building my booth, I am happy to share that both of Bonanzle's propositions do hold true. I was able to successfully complete set-up and list a couple of hundred items within an hour or two. I made no reference to help pages and flew completely "by the seat of my pants" so it's user-friendly interface and its intuitive process really was easy.

I think I am most impressed, however, with the quality and sincerity of the other antiques / vintage sellers. By all appearances, this is an active group working diligently to establish a professional and lucrative place to sell online. I've been involved with the site for about a week now and although I have yet to make a sale, I have made some great contacts (that will, in all likelihood, become long-time friends) who are helping to educate me on the business and who have been very supportive of my limited contributions. For someone new to vintage / antiques, having these new resources is invaluable and I am very grateful.

I will continue to evaluate the sales potential for Bonanzle as the most viable eBay alternative for the antiques / vintage dealer. Based on my initial research, there are a lot of opportunities for maximizing an online presence here but we'll just have to wait and see...

What is Vintage? What is Antique?

Welcome to the launch of the Orallo blog, the companion to my Orallo store which has newly launched on Bonanzle (www.bonanzle.com/booths/jules43035 - more on that later). By way of introduction, I have been "treasure hunting" for more than a year and in that time, I have developed quite a passion for all things vintage and antique.

When I describe what I do to others, I am commonly asked, "what is vintage?" I thought this would be an ideal topic to launch my blog and, hopefully, provide some insight to those interested in the topic.

So, what is vintage? While there are no "hard and fast" rules defining vintage, let's start by putting it in the proper framework. For those of us in the business, there is a clear distinction between what is considered antique and what is not. Antiques are typically associated with the characteristics of a certain period or style of manufacture (e.g. Victorian, Art Noueau) throughout history.

A definition of antique may be "an item which is at least 50 to 100 years old and is collected or desirable due to rarity, condition, utility or some other unique feature. Motor vehicles, tools and other items subject to vigorous use, in contrast, may be considered antiques in the U.S. if older than 25 years, and some electronic gadgets of more recent vintage may be considered antiques" (credit: wikipedia).

Which brings us to our next variable when attempting to define "what is vintage", the product itself. Different products will warrant different definitions (for the same reasons as antiques, refer above). For reference, the word "vintage" originated in wine terminology and has since been adapted as "a more elegant seeming euphemism" for things manufactured in a non-contemporary era.

An example for our consideration is clothing. Clothes produced before 1920 are considered antique and clothes made and sold between the 1920s and 1980s are considered vintage. Additionally, "retro" clothes date from 1965 to 1985. Note that although these are widely accepted definitions for clothing, opinions still may vary.

Another example is jewelry. Jewelry is generally considered antique if it is 100 or more years old. There are many eras that have defined antique jewelry including Victorian (when Queen Victoria ruled England from 1837 to 1901. Another example is Art Deco, a popular style from approximately 1885 to WWI. Vintage jewelry is often defined as the period from 1910 to 1970. These definitions too are subject to debate.

I hope that these examples now you give you some reference on what is vintage. If there is a particular category you are interested in, contact me and I'd be happy to do some digging - after all, isn't that what treasure hunters do best?