* Barn Sale

Speaking of sourcing product, I went to a barn sale last weekend. The two ladies who hold the sale, or two chicks as they like to call themselves, have a passion for auctions and antiques. A couple of times a year in the loft area of a restored 1940's barn they have a sale.

I always look forward to their sales. The ambiance is very warm and inviting, there is a little table with coffee and cake, and the antiques and furniture are displayed an intimate and tempting way. And there are unique treasures everywhere!

One of my best finds at the first sale I attended back in October of 2007, was in a drawer of an old chest full of crystal chandelier parts. Prisms, bobeches, dishes, arms, lots of pieces. At the time, I knew nothing about the collectability of these parts but it just felt like I should buy them... all! And I did, for a great price, about $35! All the pieces were packed up in newspaper and they came home with me and stayed in that box for well over a year.

I recently unpacked every piece. The idea of how to go about listing them was really scary. What I did was break the whole lot into about 25 separate auctions. I found a really great chandelier parts web site to use for research.

I ended up selling 22 of those 25 auctions for about $390!!

I didn't buy too much at last week's barn sale but I did get another box of lamp parts. It is mostly brass fittings and a few glass shades. I am pretty sure I will make back the $10 that I paid. But then again, you never know and like I previously said, I have a lot to learn! :-)