My Antiques and Vintage Finds World

Well, first off I cannot believe another year is closing soon. Seems like we just had Christmas and now here we are again.
2010 has been interesting in many ways personally. Adjusting to a whole new life in another state definitely has its high and lows.
In relations to my business most definitely. Amazing how markets are so different in different areas. Not sure how much locality or the national economy plays roles but things sure have changed for me.
Houston area was where I was so more demand than supply was the rule.

I so appreciate my customers and folks I meet along the way on the internet. Dealers that are helpful in many ways I also love knowing.
Selling in real life since 1996 and online since 2002 I have learned a great deal.
It changes constantly online. I have tried to change with it over the years but it stays a great challenge to sell.
I have been at many venues including Tias, Go Antiques, Ruby Lane, Joseph Marc, Ioffer, Cyberattic, Bonanzle, MainStreetMall and had an Ebay shop 2 different times. Whew....I am tired just thinking about it all.
I have 100% feedback at Ebay.

Currently and hopefully I have settled down to now selling at Ruby Lane as Exclusive shop and at Ruby Plaza.

Why so many do you ask? Selling online is a lot of work. The greatest factor to it all is the search engines in my honest opinion. Silly me just thought I had to only know my antiques and vintage inventory when I started.
Cost factors and traffic to the different venues play a big role. Customer service of the different venues also play a large role to me personally. It all changes all year long really. At one time I was at 5 places and could not do it. Felt like one of those people trying to juggle dishes.
Life is important to me and I love family and enjoying the fruits of my hard labor sometimes. One side to the business no one ever discusses is how hard it is on ones body to sit and list all day every day. Many dealers are in the business due to health factors believe it or not.
Many have cancer or heart problems or cannot sit for long periods of time. This is another hard thing about selling online. I have seen them come and go literally and it is hard. .
I do this with health and it is hard so really, really feel for these folks trying to do it all.

I love it all though. Pure and simple it is my passion. It gets a bit out of hand sometimes but I try to practice self control at those times. Sharing my finds gives me great satisfaction. I have sold hundreds of items and try my best to give the service I would want to receive. I am open here on my blog and my Facebook page so hopefully open communication at all times will help keep me around for years to come. Please feel free to join my Facebook fan page or comment here. Thank you to all my blog followers also. Sandy

My Emerald Green Beaded Cardigan Search

VivaVintageClothing.com

Every day I find and list lovely things for people who love vintage. Most of the time I am pretty good about letting things go. I had many brothers and sisters so sharing was pretty much the norm.
Although once in awhile I want something for myself. Our children used to accuse me of hiding chocolate. Who me?

I have been a collector since I was about 8 or 9 and collected TV guides and then postcards. I have been an antiques seller since 1996. I have seen a lot of this business. Some good and some bad but it is the love of vintage and saving or preserving that keeps me going.

I personally collect vintage cardigan beaded sweaters. I also collect sweater guards, mens cufflinks and fancy Christmas beaded and felt hostess aprons.
Not sure why exactly but I know it has to do with a lady that was an angel to me as a child named Mrs. Harris. She was tall and sold Avon and always smelled good. These beaded cardigans speak to me of her. I loved her dearly.
Anyway, about 5 years ago I decided I wanted an emerald green cardigan with beads. I have looked everywhere and I mean everywhere. People on forums like the Fedora Lounge even helped me look. Once or twice I ran across this rare desire of mine but alas it was always too small.
Just mentioned it on a fashion forum and Amy of Viva Vintage said she may have one I would be interested in.
She did not understand I have been shown olive, drab green, lime green and greens I never knew existed before so I was pretty jaded and said sure whatever.
It is near the Christmas season so I especially look high and low this time of year.
When she sent the photos to me I think I stopped breathing for a minute or 2.
My cardigan I gasped....
Finally I cried.  Passionate about vintage is an understatement. Instead of waning each year since 1996 it gets stronger and stronger. This cardigan is perfect and it is mine, mine, mine.
I do not take it lightly when my customers tell me their wishes and how happy they are to find the memory they remember. It makes people happy.
I have found dolls for little grown up now girls they lost as a child, I have found china named after people for their children, coffee cups for special ones someone gave them they broke..
It is not even alway a large monetary item. It stops the world for  a minute for the new owners.
I wrote a bit about this when I sold a pink trench coat awhile back here on my blog. The lady wanted to buy it as her family photo showed one just like it.
This to me is a priceless perk to my job. Unplanned I put things on not knowing who is looking for what.
I wonder if Amy knew how much happiness this cardigan would bring to me when she picked it up? She was a fabulous seller also. Very professional, prompt shipping and very nicely packaged. It made it even more special as it was taken care of with special care.
I must of been a good little girl this Christmas as I got my Emerald Green Beaded cardigan. Yeah....