It seems that the weirdest and most narrow fields of interest can yield the best and most interesting collections. My wife started years ago, collecting “snowmen” any time I found a vintage looking or ugly looking or weird little snowman, I’d grab it for her. I was her snowman picker. Now every Christmas, she has an amazing snowman tree full of unique and some very old and classic pieces. It has grown beyond the tree to an entire bookcase
and the tree full of snow people. It is a pleasure to look at. We have grand kids that marvel at the scenes.
I collect old radios, and some old radio “niches” ie I collect tubes, and I collect early radio advertising and radio parts advertising items. Do you see how you can become more and more specialized into tiny little branches within your main field? The finer the niche, the more unique and interesting and valuable your collection can be!
This group is for the same people who love Antiques Roadshow, American Pickers, Pawn Stars, Auction Hunters, Storage Wars, etc. However, the purpose of the group is not to talk about TV shows but rather help one another achieve success in the world of antiques & collectibles, whether it be as a hobby, for profit, or both. Ultimately, I am looking for this group to be a place where we can share ideas, give appraisals, and even buy or sell each other’s items. You don’t have to have years of experience although these people are more then welcome to share their knowledge. This group was formed on June 28, 2011 so it will take a little bit to build up a following but once it does, I will organize the first meet-up. Some ideas include meeting up at swap meets, estate sales, storage auctions, or “free-styling” an specific neighborhood of San Diego. Each meet-up would also include a meal before or afterwards where we can all talk shop and exchange ideas.
This is a great site, I’m building a site that needs a pickers expertise! I’m an internet picker, I can find a lot of obscure things reasonably quickly and have built a website that allows people to post things they are looking for, and asks the community to help find it for them. I’ve added a finders fee feature to “make it worth the effort”…. My site is only a few months old as well and gaining some momentum. It’s really cool to be able to find these niche things for them. I guess pickers can be seekers to, and the more people that can help build your collection the better. I’m bookmarking your page, love it. Are you on facebook?
Alex – http://theedle.com
Thanks for your great comment. I will approve it in comments, and include it as a post. Hopefully this will give you some exposure for your site. You are welcome to list us as a link! Good luck with your new venture!
You mention niches, like collecting antique radios, and this caught my interest. My niche is not so much antique stuff, but surplus electronics. What I have seen, is much of the tips and situations described on your blog, and in your books, (by the way, your Picker’s Bible is loaded with great stuff) which has already helped me. I have used some of the tips on negotiating for surplus, just like you have used as an antique picker!