Grandma's Glassware is Not Priceless

Another estate sale today and another disappointed family trying to sell off Mom's curio cabinet and more. Honestly it is sad to see beautiful and many times locally made glassware go for a $1 or to the thrift store. I live 45 minutes outside of Pittsburgh. I am surrounded by closed factories. Everyone knows someone who worked in a glass factory, mouth blower, potter, stained glass and more. Westmoreland Glass is well known and in ruins in Grapeville, PA. No placard recognizing the craft and sweat off that land. https://www.collectorsweekly.com/glassware/westmoreland
Many people want more modern designs and it does exist in old glassware. The 1940's and 1950's saw the surge in more plain lines and modern looks opposed to lace like, floral, overly decorated and more. I personally love Manhattan glassware. The circular pattern is no fuss and cool. It was produced by Anchor Hocking for a short 5 years.

Collecting old pieces is possible for modern taste and it's more affordable than new and it will likely hold up better anyways!

Westmoreland Glass still has followers but, they are willing to pay for more rare colored novelty pieces like cat plates. The collectors are sparse and the prices are 75% less than 15+ years ago. Compotes and candlesticks are a dime a dozen.

Floral china trays, gold edged sugar bowls, faded gold or floral teapots and bowls are all mostly worth nothing. Ten years ago Bavarian and Limoge marks fetched $50 and up. In mint condition at an antique shop you would be lucky to get $20.00. Prosperous antique dealers won't even buy this stuff anymore. They can't move it.

Random pieces like a sugar bowl without a creamer is worth nothing. Take the best offer you get as again collectors are so sparse. There are not many people searching for a missing piece like 20 years ago.

I remember about 15-20 years ago Fiesta Ware had a cult following. People would buy up random pieces at top dollar. These people are gone. I was recently at two shops and their Fiesta prices were less than $10.00. Maybe young people see it as Bon Ton sells it new so why buy old?

When you have a sale you must realize from the start that even if some glass is worth more it will be resold by a dealer shopping your sale. If you want to clean out and make some money then price to sell. I hate to tell you this but, most average households will not have pieces worth more than $100.00. If your parent was a serious antique collector, an executive with prized sterling or crystal pieces, antique pottery collector, purchased and was handed down crystal like Waterford, Baccarat or fine bone china then get a reputable appraiser or auctioneer. Notice I say reputable. Interview these people. Their specialty might be auctioning old cars! Or they are a hobby antique collector who thinks they collect antiques but, really does not understand the principles of true antiques. A pyrex bowl from the 1950's is not an antique. Well known reputable auctioneers have collectors and dealers watching their pages. They will get the crowd you need to make money.

Keep in mind your garage sale is not Ebay. You don't have buyers from around the world. If you think that is how it should play out then set up an Ebay account. It is a lot of work, fees and nonsense with shipping and buyers. You likely will not sell many pieces first round and it will be a slow pace. Taking pictures, uploading and answering questions becomes a full time job real fast.

I have talked about pontil marks on bottles or glass in previous posts. This could be another clue your glassware might be older and or more valuable than you think. Pontil marks are from glass blowing. They were seen up until the 1850's. Here is a link to learn more. https://sha.org/bottle/index.htm 

Unfortunately sherbet/dessert cups which you see a lot are likely going to get a $1 or $2 tag. You are going to need a lot of these low price tags for Grandma's glassware.

Basic clear glass dessert plates, water glasses, egg plates, luncheon sets and more can be bought at the $1 Store. Shoppers are not going to give you more.

Practical cooking pieces will still get $5 or more. In fact a garage sale I attended this weekend told me the early birds wanted Pyrex. People still love the mixing bowls and casserole dishes. We of course could go further into cooking. I will give one brief tip. Early All Clad and copper pans still hold excellent value. Do your research. These are examples of high end products and not mass produced stuff like Pyrex sold at the Five and Dime. However you will have to advertise to get chefs and gourmets at your door.

Many people collected Hummell's, Cherished Teddys and Precious Moments. These are worth nothing. I know a person who closed her parents gift shop and could not get $5.00 for Hummell's that once sold for $50.00 or more. I just checked Ebay and of course there are people listing "rare" pieces for over $100.00 but most won't sell or go for $10.00.

If you have glass ware, China from around the 1950's or earlier that is wildlife or sporting related then research it. This genre is still hot in many places. Christmas patterns not commonly seen can also fetch a decent price and also patterns still collected and newly purchased like Lenox, Spode and more.

I hope you have a successful sale and get the most money for yourself or parents needs. Do a little research to help yourself out. Most things will be nominal prices but, if priced right the volume will make the most money for you. Advertise using name brands and good descriptions. Get collectors and dealers fired up! 

Also it's worth filling up the laundry sink with mild soap and giving some better pieces a quick bath. Dirt, must and mold turns a lot of average lookers off.  

Job Hunting on Popular Career Sites with Little Results

Have you been using very well known career sites for job hunting and have gotten little results? I'm specifically talking about sites you search postings and not sites catering to connecting to other professionals.
I want to share some information with my readers who are frustrated and feel like giving up on their job search. If you feel like nobody wants to hire you, talk to you, look at your resume then keep reading.
I have done recruiting for many years but, in the past couple years my efforts have been more strictly computer based and not out at events, working a table or in a direct interaction. My efforts are more blue collar based jobs at 35,000 and under.
Two years ago I wanted to switch fields and I pounded job postings hard. I was literally sending out sometimes 20 resumes a week and seriously getting zero responses. I felt like a failure. I settled on a job I found on of all places Craigslist. I took a huge pay cut and felt it was necessary to change the direction of my resume. Plus I had little success on big career sites and I thought it was me.
Last year I started working for a company who uses the big career sites for all their recruiting efforts. Six months in I realized why I never got phone calls for jobs. It completely changed the way I felt about my resume and how you get a more stable, good paying job.
The first thing you need to know is the career sites are very expensive to advertise jobs on. The local medium size business I worked for could not afford to post on these sites. This company did about 500,000 in sales. Companies pay per posting and or monthly and it's not $25 per posting. It's more like hundreds or thousands of dollars per month. Unless you are a very big company without your own website and recruiting team then you can't afford these sites. You will notice a lot of temp agencies using these sites because they can afford to post. You see very few Fortune 500 companies because they have their own team and expect you to seek them out. Industries with high turn over and low wages use these sites because again they can afford it.
The next part of the puzzle is what struck me and made me angry in the end because I wasted so much precious time. Many times when you so call "apply" on these sites you're not really applying at all. Think of them as inquiries or a company or site harvesting resumes or candidates. Unless you are directed to the company's site to apply be weary! An application is a legal document. Many times a legitimate hiring company wants you to answer certain questions to screen you out and not waste both of your time. This would be things like drug testing, license for a job, criminal background, age requirements for certain jobs etc. If you simply click apply and it sends your resume then don't get your hopes up. Why? Because it's going into someone's email or hiring program with the other hundred resumes. Let me be frank. At least half of these resumes are bullshit. They are people clicking on anything so they can keep their unemployment and recruiters and hiring managers are very aware of this frustrating issue.
I still buzz these sites job hunting but, if I want to apply I first go to the company's website and check their career section. I know it will direct me to apply on their site or the company they use for applications. Also don't think pounding the pavement does not work. Dropping off a resume or asking for a manager or HR department is not out of the question for smaller companies. One day I was driving by the Girl Scout office and thought it would be neat work to work there. The next day in business casual I dropped off my resume. Guess what? I got a call within two days.
Another thing. I have my resume posted on a big site without my last name for good reason. Don't be so public with your info. Seriously it could go anywhere. These career sites many times will offer a free trial to "companies" and let them search for free for maybe a week. It gives them a week to harvest resumes. Lately I have gotten a ton of requests from people offering me a job to pick up and send packages from my house. It is a major scam however they got my info from the career site because I let potential employers contact me via email. Luckily they do not have my last name or my phone number.

Rural Valley Pumpkin Festival

I have been working on some crafts for the show. I will also bring some antiques. 
I will post more pictures soon. 
I'm also working on gingerbread ornaments and Fall, Halloween bowl fillers. Stay tuned!

 Pumpkin House. Handmade in PA. $20

 So many trinkets! What to choose?

Beautiful vintage broom $24. Giant Acorn $25

My Grandfather, the Antique Dealer, a Tribute

I was lucky to grow up with a kind Grandfather. He wasn't like a soft spoken, white haired Norman Rockwell type but, spirited and jovial. In the chilly months he always wore an Irish tweed flat cap. It was a perfect frame for his rosy cheeks and smile which lit up his blue eyes. He was a round man and sometimes some might say jolly when he was on a great joke streak! Gosh he was the best story teller and boy did he have the stories from his youth to share! At dinner is when he would spin a good yarn and keep you captivated or giggling so hard you had to take a deep breath!
He is the one who taught me about selling, appreciating antiques and history from probably about the age of five. My Grandfather never said you can't. He was always positive. At antique shows he would send me, the little one to the table to answer customer's questions. He watched on fondly because I was mimicking his magical selling and social skills. I rarely recall being yelled at by my Grandfather. His approach was more about asking you what you thought or learned. He didn't need to tower over me to make a point. To disappoint him would have been shameful to me. As an adult I now realize his patience and lack of quick judgement is called great parenting. It is admirable.
I miss him everyday. When I come across a rare find I know he standing next to me just as giddy as me. He loved the thrill of a great find but, also speaking to the people who owned special things. He really liked to hear their stories. He would in turn pass these stories down when he sold to someone else. Many times you find my items at shows with not just a price but, a little bit of history written with it.
The day my Grandfather died I knew I had an angel by my side the rest of my life. XOXO

Where Have Punch Bowls Gone?

Punch bowls. For me they conjure up a beautiful set refreshment table with perhaps nuts and pretty paper cocktail napkins. Or flaming red punch at a cousin's beautifully, tacky 1950's silver tinsel Christmas party.
Punch was an adult affair. I couldn't wait until the day I could have punch. It was dazzling colors swirled with clouds of sherbet!
When I see giant punch bowls with 10 plus cups gloriously hanging I stop in awe and sadness. I know the set will likely end up at a thrift shop as it can't fetch a buyer or a decent price. Punch bowls represent times when entertaining was a thoughtful art form for housewives. It represents the people who still buy Christmas china and sterling silverware. Yes, there is such a thing as silverware. The stuff you use everyday is actually called flatware.
I still own a punch bowl and I still use it. It is more modern. A plain, deep glass vessel with simple handless cups and a beautiful glass ladle.
Last year I created a lime and raspberry sherbet punch and dutifully stood under a canopy and served my guests. I served them because I brought them to my world and I wanted them to experience something special. I scooped the dreamy liquid into a glass cup and handed them their treat with a pretty watermelon cocktail napkin as we chatted. Men and women mostly chatted about the punch! Some were so glad to see something from their childhood and others were excited to experience my world...and I enjoyed every moment!
There will always be room for punch at my home. I can't imagine a holiday, shower or afternoon party under a canopy without it. Sometimes old traditions are the most memorable traditions.

Watt Pottery

In 1935 the Watt family started producing hand painted pottery that has been highly collectible for years. Like everything with the new tech generation this pottery has slowly dropped in value. Watt pottery was produced in Ohio. The plant closed in the 1960's. The hand painted patterns were the wares I grew up scouting at flea markets for my Grandfather. He had many followers waiting for a rare piece phone call!
Many people collected the Apple and Rooster pattern. I still will purchase Watt at garage sales. I have never had an issue reselling this pottery. Usually people have know idea it's value. Many times I have picked up creamer pitchers for $1 and easily resell for $25. I once stopped at a garage sale when I was about twenty and picked up a mint condition never used large serving bowl. It was the lady's grandmother's and was stuffed in an attic. I paid fifty cents. That bowl at the time was worth almost $200. Sadly today at a high end show I would be lucky to get $75.
I have seen some poor knocks offs at country stores or like Cracker Barrel. I say poor because if you know the authentic their pretty bad reproductions. Watt pottery colors are more subdued. The apples are not fire engine red but more deep and closer to burgundy.

Right now the hard to find pieces will still hold the most value. Casserole pots with the lid and no chips can still fetch at least $100. Mugs are rarely just found. Watch EBay auction prices. Get a feel for current rates. However don't get overly hung up on auction prices if you are reselling at a show. Remember shows don't have bidding wars. Also "rare" promo pieces again are going to skyrocket in price if you get the right collectors at the right time. Sometimes EBay can be tricky because you have old dealers or hoarders throwing out crazy numbers because they are in denial...you need to watch the piece and see if; sold, any bids, bids but did not reach buyer minimum. We all wish Grandma's hutch of goodies is worth a ton but!!!
As I always say be careful when purchasing average pottery or glass like Watt. The market is down because collectors well...are dying. So the last thing you want to buy is chipped, overly crazed or missing lid pieces. This stuff does not hold it's value in these circumstances because it is not rare, important to industry or in demand.

I Feel My Health Has Been Sold to Marketing

Maybe you are like me. I have a lot of questions anymore about the science experiment type labels on manufactured food. The more I read about products I was duped into thinking were healthier than my Grandparents and Great Grandparents menu, the more I want to run from these so called fat free, low sodium, low sugar etc products. The problem is your hooked. You have to reprogram your thoughts and body.
Seriously if you really wanted to eat from the earth like your Grandparents then grocery stores would be the size of mini marts. Is that part of the answer....Too many people would lose their jobs if many of these man made, heart stopping, obesity bullets would be banned??? CEO's would no longer be multi millionaires. No more super sized products, giant grocery stores and glorified fast food family restaurants! Just think popular name brands could be beaten by locally made naturally made products. Or they would have to ditch the chemicals and make products maybe not so tastefully addictive but, still good. Do you really think that bag of your favorite chips are a sensory over load by chance??
I think we're in a sad time when it comes to health in the United States. People from afar say we are a wealthy nation who has too much food. We're pigs. However I don't believe that is the real problem. We have been told by so many people and companies that are ancestors food was bad news. They ate from the farm but, somehow Americans and the government were duped by snake oil salesmen. Or we were just hijacked by money hungry, unscrupulous people?
The latest is margarine. Real butter, from real things is bad. Margarine stuffed with trans fats has been pushed for years by health organizations. You now have generations of people who buy huge tubs of margarine every week. They have no idea the taste of real butter. Furthermore when you tell people something is healthier it's like a license to use more! Do you see where I am going with this? You have generations reared on boxed food, frozen dinners and low this and that. This is a serious health crisis for the U.S.
I was at a local food bank distribution. It is really sad the food poor elderly and children are receiving for free. It's free death. It's the stuff nobody wants or extremely cheap food. This stuff is high sugar, sodium and man made crap. You have heart patients and diabetics taking this stuff home. I know it's free but, it's another example of what is available for Americans to eat.
Have you picked up an item at the store and think oh this is not bad but, read the label and astounded? Sodium is the one that goes through the roof if it says low sugar. These companies have to figure out a way for you to buy and make the food chemistry taste good. They know if you want low sugar you won't read the rest of the label. You also need a guide to the names used on the nutrition panel!
Another culprit in this mess are health organizations and fad diets. Both are allowed to just claim stuff and confuse you more! There are some really convincing extreme and bizarre salesmen out there. There is a guy who I have seen multiple times on PBS. I even bought one of his books. He has many valid points but, his lifestyle change is extreme. He also claims a lot of healing will happen if you just stick to vegetables and nuts. It will all work out! Let me tell you I wanted this to work. However I don't have a gall bladder. But, he made claims like hey it's all in your head and your body is just in shock from the health overload. My body was in shock all the way to the bathroom a hundred times! This is real convenient for life or let's just say work!
I have realized by food diaries I have some food sensitivities. I avoid certain foods and I don't have issues. I have also realized I do need to eat from the earth and steer clear of many aisles in the grocery store. This is all a challenge. You have to reprogram yourself and you have to plan. You are busy working and trying to maintain a house. I feel your pain. Maybe you are tired from work, shuttling the kids or maybe your back hurts. I know I feel ya. We got to muster a little more effort and likely do a little more planning to make healthy eating work and pass it along. Good luck to you and keep up the good food fight!