Auction so much fun

[yarborough house]

Well this past weekend my father and I hit the road to drive 6 hours up to Virginia to hit one of our old auction stomping grounds. I had actually bid on some items over memorial day on their online auction and they were gracious enough to hold them for me. But we had to pick them up so we managed to do the pick-up while being there for an auction. It was fun to be there live- something about the thrill of the hunt and the joy of the winning bid.

I bought lots - we managed to fill the back of the suburban (seats were removed for optimal storage capacity :) ) and then a 6 ft x 12 ft trailer.
It was fun and it is all stored in the garage now with no room to move around..ugh. I will try to get pictures soon so you all can see the "loot" I got.

It is all for my booth space at the October Cameron Day festival. I am hoping that it will go well so I can maybe do this as a side part time job. My goal is to have a store once the kids are all in school - 1st grade at least (kindergarten still calls for lots of parent participation). I want to have a store that is open like 3 days a week and do some antiques but mostly forlorne furniture that needs a second lease on life..refurbished, recycled fun items. So, I am seeing how it does in October - then we may be looking for an old house or building to start refurbishing to make it into a shop.

I am really wanting something fun to do so I will not be bored out of my mind when the kids hit school and I am home alone. I do not want to try entering the regular workforce as being out for over 17 years I doubt I would be marketable in anything. And this has been something I have wanted to do forever - heck since I was little. It is recession now I know that but I am thinking a few years down the road.

Well just wanted you all to know it was so much fun. I love auctions...

[CohenCottage]

That's a great idea Tammy! You will get an idea of what items sell quickly and what doesn't, plus it gets your name out there so when you do hang a shingle, people will already recognize you. I started my dog training business in January 08, so I've really only been in business during a recession, and things have been very busy for me. Just yesterday, I sold 3 boarding and training packages (1 for 2 dogs), and that is my most expensive option! So, you should definitely start laying the groundwork to be able to do what you love when the kids are in school!

[chyna]

I adore auctions too, they just seem to generate a high level of energy and excitement. My grandpa and then my uncle were both auctioneers and my grandma furnished much of her house with some of the finds from those sales. Just "junk" that at the time people weren't interested in but nowadays.... ;)

[Gigi]

Now that's my kind of fun--- It would be hard to keep some things.... SO what are you keeping? :D

[yarborough house]

Not sure Gigi- there is a parlor table that i think I will swap out for a table I am using in the house and I am a sucker for what I call "orphan chairs" ones with no matches who seem all alone so think I'll recover one in burlap and keep it for my bedroom. Other than that it is all to sell.
The auction is right off rt 66 in Berryville, Va. We have lots of people there from Maryland..maybe we can meet there someday and auction together.
I had a great drive up - not. A big truck crash on fire on I95 (hate 95) then of course getting off of I95 on 17 north Fredericksburg, Va - that stretch of road through fredericksburg is so crowded..

[RoseMary]

That's a great idea, Tammy. And a job you will love!

It would be dangerous for me do such a thing~I would keep most of what I bought to sell:o!

[Zuzu's Garden]

Very exciting, Tammy! For years I've read articles in mags about antique shop owners & their homes and one day it dawned on me that they could swap stuff around whenever the wanted. Heaven!

Are you going to get some biz cards printed? Maybe use those for price tags w/ the price written on the blank side?

Can't wait to see your pics!

:):):)
Zu

[cheapdiva]

Oh I am envious!! And Zu, that's a great idea about the business cards. I have a favorite antique shop that I have bought most of my "good" pieces from over the years. They use business cards as tags and I have kept all of them so I remember what I paid for each item.

It's a good reminder for folks so they keep coming back!

[yarborough house]

Thanks guys for all the input and encouragement. I would love the brick and mortar store sooner than later but we have to see about loans etc and what we can handle right now. I am keeping the short look in sight..Gotta get stuff done for the first saturday in October...I think if that goes well then the next step would be to buy an actual store place..Of course if we like the building I am thinking of and we can get the price lowered we might jump on it. But it would be almost a year or so before it would open as it is another place is serious need of some tlc - same town as my sisters house - same street actually. But hey we love challenges and love renovating..so we'll see.

Love the ideas of price tags and that is what I am going to do..make a nice business card and then put prices on back..so we are on the same page ladies but keep the good ideas coming along.
I'll take all the help I can get.

[CohenCottage]

I got my business loan and free consulting from my local SBDC (small business development center), so that's a good place to start. They will help you pull information for your business plan, etc.

[Zuzu's Garden]

Tammy - I've been chatting via forums with ladies in business for years. I no longer participate at the forums, but Love, LOVE this blog because Elizabeth gives great advice. I know I've posted about her many, many times both at CL and here (she contributes over at RH magazine).

Elizabeth House Shop Talk Series (http://formattingtest.blogspot.com/)

P.S. She doesn't update this blog often, but her advice is the best I've ever read.

If you have specific questions, ask away - might be able to point you to some great ideas/sites.

Zu

[yarborough house]

thanks Zu - that is an awesome website. I also check the blog - notes from a cottage industry by Tracy..she has done it all also..and I've emailed her a bunch of questions and she is so sweet and actually answers them.

I will keep in mind when I have a question to post it here and you can maybe point me in the right direction..
thanks again- you ladies are so helpful.

[Zuzu's Garden]

I know Tracy! She is very sweet!

[yarborough house]

Zu you know her like you have been to some of her shows or shops? She has quite some style and is very inspirational. She really is able to do so much all the time. I'd love to be 1/2 as good as she is..

[Zuzu's Garden]

No, I "met" Tracey several years ago via the Bliss Guild (http://www.blissguild.com/) forum when we both used to post there. She had just opened a tiny shop. I'm not sure if Tracey is still a member there or not - I stopped posting at that forum when we got so busy building our house. :o

Anyway, she is very sweet and has a gorgeous sense of style! I'm so glad she is able to help you!

Zu

[kevin4050]

Looking forward to your updates! ! !