ModRetroLiving

On October 4th 1957, the Soviets launched Sputnik 1, the world's first Earth-orbiting artificial satellite.  With the launch of Sputnik 1, the Space age was born.  It was an aluminum 22-inch sphere with four spring-loaded whip antennae trailing, it weighed only 183 pounds and traveled an elliptical orbit that took it around the Earth every 96 minutes. It carried a small radio beacon that beeped at regular intervals and could by means of telemetry verify exact locations on the earth's surface. The reaction for the US was upsetting that the Soviets were the first to do this.  Eisenhower administration had to move quickly to restore confidence at home and prestige abroad.  NASA was born and become a functioning, one year after Sputnik on October 1, 1958. Our home life reflected the new world we live in.  By the 1960's and into the 70's the hot trends were anything and everything related to space.  Round ball or Orb ceiling lights, Sputnik Chandeliers, Sputnik Cloc

The Street.com had an interesting article about collectibles that lose there value and why.  http://www.thestreet.com/story/10863800/1/5-completely-worthless-collectibles.html Although, keep in mind, that you can't always judge the price of vintage items on ebay.  I have seen the same item sell for $30 one week and the next sell for $300.  I need to write an article on the reasons why some time.  Have a great week everyone.

Check out this blog on not your mothers lamps.  These are really cool lamps that one day will be a vintage treasure to have. http://www.bronsondesign.com/blog/category/lamps/

When I first began shipping my items, I made a lot of mistakes, costly ones, which made me quickly learn the correct way to pack. Supplies Needed Boxes Bubble Wrap Peanuts Packing Paper Tape Shelf Adhesive Labels  Most of these items can be obtained free and low cost.  I will share these tips later in my posts.   Set up account with FedEx or UPS or both.  (I prefer FedEx but do have accounts with both.)  I will get into more details about the shipping companies in other post.  You can save a lot of money shipping by FedEx or UPS rather than the post office. Wrapping your item.   I recommend bubble wrapping most any type items, especially glass.  The large bubbles are the best protection for large items.  (I have had metal, brass, wood etc.. broken from improper packing.) Wrap the item a couple of times, tape it and them apply pressure to see if you can feel the item.  If you can feel any part, then wrap the area or areas that need additional protection until yo

I sold my second highest price item on Ebay last night.   I have been selling on Ebay since 2005.  In 2009, while on vacation, I stopped at an antique shop, not expecting to buy anything, just to do some research.  I spotted a antique Art Deco slip shade chandelier.  I had been researching them, before my trip, so I was curious of the price.  I about fell over, when I seen the price was only $150. I knew these chandeliers could sell for at least a thousand dollars.  The problem was, it was at the end of my vacation and I only had $100 left to spend.  I decided to ask the sales lady if they would consider taking $100 for it.  She called the owner of the chandelier and they agreed.  I was so thrilled to have brought such a beautiful chandelier for only $100. I returned home from vacation and before I unpacked my car, I was on the computer researching my chandelier.  It took about 30 minutes and I finally found the identical one for sale for $3000, at a respectable antique online stor

Have you figured out what type of vintage items you want to sell.     Determining what your niche is may take time for some.  If you are having trouble deciding, I have some tips to help you get started. Tips: 1. Start by going to yard sales.  The Early Birds get the worm, is so true for yardsaling.  Buy the local newspaper, write down or add them to your GPS and make note of the time they start. You need to try and get to the sales as soon as they start. Look for anything that looks vintage, inspect it for any missing or broken areas.  I wouldn't pay any more than $5 for anything you don't know about.  Don't worry to much about how much you are going to make on the item.  If your only paying a $1 or 2, your not losing much if it doesn't have much value.  I consider these loses as expense of educating myself. 2.  Cleaning Do not polish, remove tarnish or do anything to your items except for maybe dusting it unless it's really dirty.  Just keep in m

In yesterday's post, I mentioned how important it was to search for your vintage treasures as often as you can.  Well, here's a testament to this fact. I stopped at a few flea markets yesterday and found a few things to sell, but only small profit makers.  But today, I had to go back into town unexpectedly, so of course I stopped at a couple of other flea markets and WOW, what a good day it was.  Not only did I find one profit marker but I found three high ticket items. Here's the first one:  This was hanging up high, in one of the booths and I was on my way out and just happen to glance up and this caught my eye.  For only $15 plus tax, I plan to ask $225.00.  It may take a few months to sell, but it will be worth the wait. Here's the link to the listing on ebay  http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300775603916#ht_348wt_250 Here another item I found today, although this is not a high ticket item, it unique and should sell rather fast espec

Here is a link to research swag lamp pricing, with pics and history.  http://swaglamps.weebly.com/ Also, follow me on pinterest I am always updating my research on lighting  http://pinterest.com/retredesigns/

Buying Vintage Items to Sell on Ebay or other venues I will be posting before and after shots of items I buy to sell on ebay, along with tips, and links that will help you profit from selling online.  Ebay is the best place to sell as far as obtaining the most traffic.  You will pay for this traffic but if you work hard, keep good records, and pay as you go.  You will make money. I also feel it's important to say, as you search the web for other sites on selling on ebay, you may also find a lot of negativity on how high ebay and paypal fees are.  While it is true, they are high, you won't find another site that will move your items as fast as ebay.  The good thing is, ebay makes it easy for new sellers to get started by offering 50 free listing each month.  You do no have to pay unless your item sells.  When it does sell, you will be charged a final value fee.  I would strongly recommend, once the buyer pays, that you pay your ebay fees right away.  This will prevent