http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/ ARTICLES BY MARC WASHICHECK and More http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/images/prozdmakin_r4_c6.jpg http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?LowCt=0&action=cat&cat=ARTICLES BY MARC WASHICHECK Copyright 2005 1/26/2009 12:18:38 PM http://www.mmkcart.com http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=AMBRGP1&CTMP=1&LowCt=0
Written by Marc Washicheck

Have you ever seen an oak hutch on top of a Volkswagen Beetle? It seems as gas prices rise, cars get smaller. We hear how gas prices are rising almost daily which affects everyone. As you know, these increases are hurting many businesses, but none more than the Antique stores. The TV states how high fuel prices are affecting the trucking and rail industries but those companies figure every cost into their prices. These costs include such items as vehicle maintenance, tire costs, insurance, hourly wage, employees benefits, workman's compensation, and, of course, gas. Most rail and trucking companies add on a fuel surcharge to help pay the high cost, but that is not the case with Antique Merchants.

Antique Merchants cannot buy items from a catalog and their merchandise isn't delivered by UPS or Fed Ex. Antique Merchants must drive hundreds even thousands of miles a week hunting good product to sell. They must go to estate sales, flea markets, thrift stores, auctions, house buys, garage sales and other Antiques Stores. Most Antique Merchants must go to other states to find antiques. It is not uncommon to drive to 30 places to buy $5.00 in merchandise and use $30.00 in gas. Many times merchants will drive 60 miles to a house buy, just to find out they actually want a free appraisal, so they know what to charge their neighbors. The Antique Roadshow is a wonderful, entertaining program, but unfortunately watchers assume everything they are selling is worth $250,000.00. These unrealistic prices make it difficult for merchants to buy at a fair price. In most states, Antique Merchants must drive hours to auctions, few are lucky enough to have auctions in their town, and then they are not guaranteed they will find any good treasures.

We hear many people are only grocery shopping once a week. No more running to the store for a gallon of milk or a bottle of soda. The news is also reporting many people aren't filling their gas tanks. They wait until they absolutely need gas. They figure if they go to gas station, and wait in line, it may deter them from driving needless miles. If they have a full tank, they will drive anywhere without a thought. Antique Merchants can't do that.

The government, TV, and radio keep saying everyone should buy small hybrid cars. Antique Merchants must have larger vehicles, which include vans, and 13 foot trailers. If an antique merchant has to rent a van, it will set them back about $80.00 a day, plus gas which gets very costly. All the costs involved in buying Antiques for retail are not being added onto the cost of Antiques and Collectibles to the customer.

Gas prices may be taking a toll in another way too. If customers won't drive to the grocery store, they won't drive to antique stores either. Many are buying on EBay, but remember the cost of shipping and handling must be added into the cost of items. When you add all the costs together, it is usually less expensive to shop the Antique Stores, and you get to see and touch your items in person.

If gas prices keep rising (which is predicted) there will be a need for changes. Antique Merchants may need to; 1) increase prices for all the driving costs like all other companies already do, 2) They may be forced to add a fuel surcharge like other transportation companies are already doing, 3) start a no discount policy which most businesses already have.

There is good news. Remember, even with the rising gas prices, antique stores, whether big or small, are the most fun shopping you will have. Whatever you're searching for, furniture, fishing lures, glassware, sporting goods, pottery, etc., it's always fun to hunt for them. Most of the items you see are one of a kind or very limited quantities, well built and have great histories behind them. Shop Antique stores where you can touch, reminisce and enjoy, and go back in time to your childhood.

Marc Washicheck is owner of Cherry Hill Antiques, 120 W. Oak Street, Arcadia, Fl 34266. Visit the website CherryHillAntiques.com. For questions or comments call 863 993 2344 or email info@CherryHillAntiques.com ]]> http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=ASE3&CTMP=1&LowCt=0
I saw this article on the internet and thought it was very useful and informative when shopping in Antique Stores, but most of these helpful hints in this article would also be useful in gift shops or any small store. Email me or call and let me know if they helped. Marc Washicheck, Cherry Hill Antiques, 120 West Oak Street, Arcadia, Florida 34266 863 993 2344 www.CherryHillAntiques.com

Antique stores are wonderful and fun places to roam and reminisce about old times, Grandma, Grandpa and childhood. Antique merchants love to help customers find that special treasure that bring back wonderful warm memories of the past. Here are a few thoughts and suggestions to help antique merchants and customers have a fun and profitable time.

KIDS. We all love to listen to kids in antique stores asking what these foreign looking items are used for or asking questions like ''Who was Elvis?'' Kids are welcome in antique stores but please keep them next to you and hold their hands. Antique stores are not toy stores and almost everything is old, brittle, and very breakable. If your child does happen to break something, offer to pay for it. Buying that broken item will be worth the money with all the fun you will have reminiscing about it year after year on their birthday.

Antique glassware and furniture can be brittle and will break or crack easily. Never lift a piece of glass or pottery by its handle, they will often break. Do not sit on old chairs unless you ask first since some antique chairs and sofas are now just for looks. If the caning is old it might break with weight of a 200 pound man. Quilts and linens are also fragile and should only be touched with clean hands and handled very carefully. Stitching could rip and spots will ruin. Be kind, be a silent helper and fold linens nicely and place them back where they were resting and never throw on floor or leave them in a rumpled mess. Antique merchants spend many hours washing, starching, folding, ironing and displaying linens. By very careful when looking at old paper items since old book spines can break, and rips, folds, or spots on anything paper could lower their value greatly.

BE POLITE. Antique Merchants are people too. Do not criticize the merchant or their merchandise. The saying ''The price depends on customers attitudes'' is true. This is how antique merchants make their living. Before you make any negative comments, yell or criticize, think how you would feel if it was said to you about your job and wage. REMEMBER they are trying to make a living to pay their mortgage payments, college for kids, health insurance, electric, telephone, GAS to shop with and the list goes on and on.

NEVER CRITICIZE their product. Antique merchants can't just order hundreds of an item from a catalog. They must travel, hunt and gather all over the United States to find their treasures than clean, polish, paint, fix, displaying, etc. They spend many hours from start to finish with this merchandise so it becomes very personal to the merchants. 95% of antiques and collectibles are not perfect and have a history. They are used, dented, scratched, scuffed, and don't look like new. This is the charm of antiques and most antique merchants price their items ''AS IS''.

PHRASE QUESTIONS CAREFULLY. Not good to ask ''Is this really old''. Whether you mean to or not, you are questioning the dealer's integrity. If you aren't sure of the age, ask ''How old do you think it is'' or ''Can you tell me some history of this piece.'' This is a better way to learn more about the item than just asking if it is old. Antique merchants love to help and teach customers so listen to what they say. They are a wealth of information.

BARGAINING. The saying ''it doesn't hurt to bargain'', isn't always correct. Sometimes it does hurt. Many antique merchants don't like offers since some offers are so ridiculous they can't help but be offended. The best thing to say is ''Is this your best price'' and either say ''Yes'' or ''No Thank you.'' Bargaining will be easier if you are purchasing larger items or a quantity of items. Always make sure you thank the antique merchant whether they give a discount or not. It isn't very nice to say ''Is that all?'' and if they give you a final price don`t keep bargaining. Final means final.

Bargaining has become a game for some people but it is the antique merchant's livelihood.

There isn't another business that discounts like antique stores. Do offers work at the gas station, food store, building supply store, gift store, shipping centers, or for your electric, mortgage, health insurance, etc? Even thrift stores don't bargain, that is where the bargaining began, and they get everything for free. There are so many factors when it comes to pricing antiques that customer couldn't possibly have any idea how much it cost to buy, how much GAS it took to get it, how long it took to prepare product for sale, displaying, etc.
REMEMBER Antique merchants are giving a discount out of the goodness of their hearts.

DOGS are loving and adorable but not in an antique store, unless they are a service dog for the blind or held in arms. Service dogs are to be right next to customer at all times and not running ten feet in front of owner. Leashes and wagging tails can be disaster to merchandise and even worse to elderly people or handicapped that may not be very sturdy on their feet or have a hard time seeing dogs or leashes that are low the to floor. Many insurance companies won't cover dog bite lawsuits since it is not legal for dogs to be in stores unless a service dog (in most states).

Stores are also not healthy for animals too. We wouldn't want any little feet broken by big feet, canes or walkers and many times there is broken glass, nails or wood slivers that might be on floor and could get into their cute little paws. Note there are a few stores that don't mind dogs running around in their stores but ask first, think of the dog's safety, and don't get angry if they say no. It is their store and it is against the law in most states.

PAYMENT. The credit card companies are charging small businesses huge amount of fees so watch out when paying by credit cards. Many stores will not give discounts if paid by credit card. Many times a small business will lose 5% 7% with a card purchase. When a card says 2% or 3% back that means the small business is being charged your percent back too. Debit cards are not free. They are free to the customer but not to the small business. Unfortunately many small businesses have been forced to put a limit on accepting cards for purchases under $20.00 $25.00 or even $30.00 due to the large credit card fees.

Cash is preferred by small businesses since there isn't any cost to deposit cash. $100.00 bills or even $50.00 are not a good idea for a small business. Many businesses won't accept large bills because of counterfeiting and many also can't possible have enough change for all the large bills offered on a daily basis.

Checks are acceptable in many small businesses but be prepared to show ID. Many businesses are making copies of driver's license for positive ID in case of bad check. Most small businesses accept all 3 forms of payment but cash is always most loved.

Antique store owners and their antique merchants want customers to have a fun and a positive shopping experience, hopefully learn something about antiques and return many more times.

Thank you for shopping small businesses, they're fun, unique and have lots of personality.

Happy Antique Shopping. ]]> http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=CF2&CTMP=1&LowCt=0
I'm hearing more and more about Carbon Footprinting on the news almost everyday. This is the term used for all the natural resources we use on a daily basis, which includes gas, electricity, water, trees, you name it. There are actually companies you can give money too who supposedly will give your money to another company that will help save the environment. There is a much easier way to slow down your Carbon Footprinting. BUY ANTIQUES. Antiques last for hundreds of years but new items won't. When you buy an antique you are cutting down on your Carbon Footprinting. For example; if you buy a one hundred year old table you can figure it will last another one hundred years which will save many, many trees. There will be less stain and varnish used to make all these tables which means less will end up in the water supply. Think of all the electricity and oil that won't have to be used to make all the new tables which only last 2 to 5 years, and would end up in the landfills. The list can go on and on. That's a lot of tables saved in a two hundred year period. If something would happen to your antique furniture and for whatever reason you can't refinish it you can always give it a new life by painting it. If your glassware breaks you can reuse it in a mosaic table which will keep the broken glass out of landfills. If you never heard of Carbon Footprinting or if this is too much to handle after a hard day at work, than just remember this. BUY ANTIQUES AND SAVE THE ENVIROMENT.

Written by
Marc Washicheck
Cherry Hill Antiques
120 West Oak Street
Arcadia, Florida 34266
863 993 2344
www.CherryHillAntiques.com]]> http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=ABA3&CTMP=1&LowCt=0
It's been fifty years since aprons were the height of fashion, and they are making a comeback. Women between 20 35 are becoming their mothers and grandmothers by using aprons when they cook, but they are also a huge decorating item. You can find aprons on walls or hanging off chairs in many decorated homes.

Aprons started in the 1800's when fabric was expensive, wages were low, and washing was by hand. Women had only 2 dresses, and it was easier to wash an apron then a dress. Aprons peaked in the post war years of the late 40's and 50's, when fabric was more available, and sewing machines were more common. After the unrest of the war years, families were trying to become the perfect model families like the Cleavers, the Anderson's of Father Knows Best, and Donna Reed. Mother's jobs were to make a home, and aprons were part of their uniform.

Aprons have many memories attached to them. They were the first high school sewing project, fashion accessories, gifts, and art form. They were used not only as fashion, but also as pot holders, to wipe sweat off a forehead on a hot day, furniture duster, and even held beans and peas. Women had three types of aprons; cooking apron, serving apron, and holiday aprons, but most women had aprons to match every dress.

Aprons were available to buy, but most women's magazines included apron patterns. Women loved to create their own by using scrap fabric, flour sacks, feed sacks, and their serving aprons usually had embellishments of ruffles or rickrack, or beautiful cross stitch.

Aprons can be found in thrift stores, retro stores, and antique stores, but the highly collectible aprons were made from handkerchiefs, old flour sacks, or feed sacks. Prices vary on the apron, fabric, color, embellishments, and can range from $2.00 $75.00

The model in the picture is Jane Cofer co owner of Zula`s Antiques. Visit the Seminar section of this website, than click on Co sponsers to find out more about Zula`s Antiques.]]> http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=&CTMP=1&LowCt=0
Arcadia Florida is a wonderful destination even with the price of gas skyrocketing. The price of fuel might make traveling north for vacations almost unthinkable, so plan on day or weekend getaways. Little mini vacations are very important for the soul and will rejuvenate you beyond belief.

Arcadia is a great friendly small town just right for a one tank getaway. Whether you are an experienced antique shopper, ''junker'' or tourist, you'll always find a treasure in Arcadia. Even with the price of gas rising by the minute, a trip to Arcadia is still very cost efficient. Arcadia offers over twenty five antique stores, gift, specialty shops, along with two fine bed and breakfasts, new restaurants, new hotels and the Turner Center. Shopping all the stores will take at least a full day or even a weekend. Whether you are from the east or west coast, divide the amount of stores, events and fun by the price of gas, and you'll discover Arcadia is well worth the gas money.

Not only has Arcadia been voted ''Florida Best Antiquing Town'' (many times) due to the large number of antique and collectible stores, but Arcadia also offers the monthly antique fair, Watermelon Festival, Fall fest, canoeing, camping, hunting, many beautiful historical buildings, and also concerts, pageants and craft shows which the Turner Center hosts. Nearby attractions are Solomon's Castle, Lipizzan Stallions and even the cemetery where British soldiers, who died training in Arcadia during WWII, are buried.

Arcadia is not only the 1 place to buy and sell antiques in Florida but is also readily becoming the 1 area for fun and adventure. Arcadia is well worth the gas money.

Written by
Marc Washicheck
Cherry Hill Antiques,
120 West Oak Street,
Arcadia, Florida,
863 993 2344.
Feel free to call or email question to
info@CherryHillAntiques.com ]]> http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=BABH4&CTMP=1&LowCt=0
Written by Marc Washicheck

In this day and age where everything is made in China, and even Customer Service of many companies takes place in India, we want to see something warm and familiar. Nothing is more familiar than an antique dresser from your grandfather, a quilt from your mother, or a cross stitched pillow from your grandmother. These quality American antiques, which were made from 1700's to early 1900's, add warmth and love to a home China could never match.

Furniture from the early years of our country were handmade by parents, grandparents, other members of the family, or even friends, and literally included their blood, sweat and tears. Back when furniture was handmade, they were made for a person and or occasion, such as a crib for new infant, bed for a child, or a farm table for a newly married couple. Only half the United States had electricity in 1932 which was mostly cities, and this meant furniture was made by hand without any help from electricity. Nails were expensive and had to be purchased from a blacksmith until around the turn of the 19th century, so craftsman's spent hundreds of hours making dovetail. Old fashion American antique furniture was made out of real wood such as Black Walnut, Oak, Cherry, Chestnut, and Elm, some of which are extinct now. The majority of new furniture is made with fiber board and veneer, the wood grain is photographed on to the veneer so it won't last long, and doesn't have the warmth or depth as real wood has. Antique furniture has lasted over a hundred years and will last a hundred more without much care.

Sewing was also completed by hand with light from a candle or kerosene lamp. If the women didn't sew it, they didn't have it, and this included quilts, clothing, and bed linens. All little girls learned to sew at an early age and used this craft for the rest of her life.

Quilts were often made by quilting bee's and were always made to use, very seldom just for display. Cloth was expensive so most quilts of the time were made from scraps of old family clothing. Rugs were very often made by braiding scrapes of clothing too. Almost all handmade quilts have some tiny blood marks which are caused by quilters pricking their fingers. If you're lucky, you might find an antique quilt that is signed, dated by the quilters and even the name of who it was made for. Each quilt is a true work of art and is a one of a kind treasure.

Pillowcases and bed linens were also handmade by candlelight. They were made by mothers and grandmothers for the precious children's heads to rest upon. These wonderful women would spent hundreds of hours crocheting, cross stitching, or tatting to make these one of a kind gifts of love. If they didn't have these treasures for their beds they would have to sleep on flour or feed sacks.

Most clothing was also made by hand. In the later years clothing could be bought in stores but the cost was much too high for all but the upper class. Fabric was expensive so mothers would make one good dress for there daughters which would be worn for Church, and they would wear underwear and dresses made from flour sacks for everyday. Remember, even their towels were made from flour sacks. Of coarse every mother would try to embellish the plain cloth with cross stitch, tatting or even ruffles. Flour sack towels complete with hand embroidery are treasured today.

Glassware was one of the only items that was not made at home. Glass was still hand blown but in very hot factories, many without electricity. These factories used hazardous chemicals such as Cobalt, which was banned in the U.S. in the early 20th century. These factories used very hot molten glass which caused serious burns, and also caused many lung problems. Antique glassware or pottery are treasures because they have better deeper coloring, usually last longer due to the high quality, and they also have wonderful histories behind them. The color will wash off on much of the modern colored glass. Many of their relatives worked in these factories with horrible working conditions and generations later are still working in them. There are still some glass factories in business today such as Fenton, and conditions have gotten better.

Toys were mostly made by hand, with no electricity, power tools and many times no supplies. Fathers and grandfathers made toys with old scraps of wood, leather, cloth, metal, paint and love. There wasn't money to buy expensive wood, cloth or metal so they had to be very creative. My grandfather made me a little step stool in the shape of a duck with a top hat so I could reach the sink to wash my hands. My grandmother was furious since he cut up her good Maple table to make this stool, but that's all he had at the time. Today's toys are mostly all made out of plastic or are electronic, and just aren't the same. Many things purchased today are of the throw away society.

Each antique piece you have has a history of its own. Think of all the people, problems, special events and happy times your antiques has seen. If antiques could only talk. Remember, you never own antiques; you are just a caretaker who is adding your own history to that piece. Many people now are writing on back of furniture or on bottom of glassware etc, their history. Year received, why received, for whom and how much paid is the information to be preserved. There isn't anything made today that compares with the quality, value, patina, history and investment antiques have. These antiques were made when workers loved their craft, and worked with pride. Antiques will add many generations of history, love and warmth the Chinese can never duplicate. Open your home to real American history, buy antiques.

Marc Washicheck owns Cherry Hill Antiques, located at 120 W. Oak Street, Arcadia, Florida 34266. Feel free to contact him for more info or comments at 863 993 2344 or www.CherryHillAntiques.com ]]> http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=HTCFL1&CTMP=1&LowCt=0
Everybody has some tablecloths, linens, or quilts which have been handed down from loved ones. Not many people know how to clean and preserve these treasures. It's not hard; just a few basic tips will work;
When storing linens, always lie flat, or roll on acid free rolls. Never store in plastic, which will cause dry rot. Use acid free, uncolored tissue paper or clean soft towels between folds.
Do not fold linens for long periods; keep refolding them on different lines. Avoid starching linens before storage, which will attract bugs such as silverfish. Starch will also absorb moisture which may course mold.
Do not iron linens before storage which makes the fibers brittle, and may tear.
Never store linen in wood or a cedar chest. The acid in the wood will weaken fibers and cause brown stains.
Many collectors will only buy tablecloths or linens with stains or small tears or holes. This proves there is a history and shows they are not reproductions. If you do have stains you would like to remove, here are a few tips;
Coffee, Tea, Fruit Stains Place stained tablecloth over sink, and pour boiling water over stain. Repeat if necessary.
Grease Take granulated sugar and water, make paste, and rub into stain, let set before washing.
Scorch Dip in borax and water, let sun dry. Will work if not to scorched.
Wax Use ice cubes to harden. With a knife, scrape off as much wax as you can, make sure you don't cut or tear fabric. If fabric is washable, place over bowl or sink and pour boiling water on wax. If not washable, put fabric between a few pieces of old clean fabric, press with iron.
Rust Take lemon juice and salt and make paste. Put on fabric and set fabric in sun or hold over steam. ]]> http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=NPACHA1&CTMP=1&LowCt=0
Well, I`m taking you back on an antique road trip again this week, and I`m going to introduce you to one owner who has been antiquing for 27 years, 12 of those years in historic downtown Arcadia. I offer up the idea that he could be called one of the ambassadors for doing ``that antique thing`` in this amazing setting that is old town Florida. This ambassador is the owner of Cherry Hill Antiques and his name is Marc Washicheck.

He`d love for you to shop his store, that has some 15 added antique merchant vendors using space within his store. To describe it from a customer`s point of view, Washicheck said he`d use a statmaent a customer gave him about her experience inside Cherry Hill: Cherry Hill is a visually stimulating, high comfort level store that offers up a larger assortment of merchandise, styles and prices.``

You can check out his Web site at www.CherryHillAntiques.com.

Washicheck touts the experience of Arcadia as a day trip or a weekend trip, noting the shoppers who return week after week for new finds and the unique antique seminars that are held at Cherry Hill.

You need to do yourself a favor and contact him at his store at 863 993 2344 or e mail him at info@cherryHillAntiques.com. The store address is 120 W. Oak St., in the heart of the antique district.

This story written by Joe Gallimore general manager for the DeSoto Sun and also appeared in the Charlotte Sun on 1 16 08.]]> http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=MUCS1&CTMP=1&LowCt=0
History shows cocktails were started by the ancient Egyptians to help hide the foul taste of homemade booze and help stretch the small amounts that the Egyptians could make.

Cocktail shakers were used, but hidden during prohibition era, and blossomed after prohibition was repealed in 1933. Shakers become vary popular and an icon for the 30's, and 40's. The movies of the 1930's glamorized drinking and spotlighted cocktail shakers in movies such as the Thin Man movies staring William Powell and Myrna Loy, or Fred Estaire and Ginger Rodgers. Fred Estaire went so far as incorporating a shaker into his dance steps. People were going to movies to forget the troubles of the depression. These families couldn't live that high life of the movies, but every family could have a Cocktail Shaker. The Depression glass companies such as Hocking, Hazel Atlas, Cambridge, Heisey, and Imperial glass helped by producing shakers in every gem color imaginable. Colors like ruby red, emerald green, amethyst, or cobalt blue were big hits. Some companies even made shakers to match their kitchen ware.

Metal shakers took a dive with WWII when there was rationing of metal. Glass companies continued to produce shakers in thousands of colors, shapes, designs through the 1950's. Shakers range from a German airplane shaker made in 1928 to a penguin, to thousands of silk screen types such as Pink Elephants, or Polar Bears. In the late 50's and 60's, Elvis and beer became popular and the cocktail era died. The 70's brought pre mixed ''mocktails'' which were found on the grocery shelf and mixed in a blender. They were fast and simple. The 1990's brought back Martinis and cocktails with the start of Martini bars. Shakers were finally back.

The return of Cocktail Shakers are not only for mixing cocktails which are being made with fun names, and many fruit flavors, but also as huge collector's items. Thousands of different style and colors of shakers were made so collectors will never run out of new finds. Be careful and do some research. Shakers are being reproduced especially the metal kinds. When starting or buying for a collection, buy the best you can afford, or what you like. Silver should be shiny, colors should be bright and strong, and glass should not be cloudy. Shakers with the small little cap missing is becoming normal. Missing caps will lower the value a bit, but don't walk away from those, they are still vary collectible.

These colorful treasures shouldn't be locked away, never to be seen. Funky or elegant, display proudly since they are great conversation pieces. Shakers are being used for much more than mixing cocktails. These fun icons are also being used on bathroom counters to store colorful mouthwash or cotton balls, on a kitchen counters to hold colorful dish soap, or as vases for cut or silk flowers.

Prices for cocktail shakers range from about $10.00 for shakers with recipes on them to $75.00 for a Pink Elephant to $5000.00 for a German Airplane Shaker. Beginning or advanced collectors will find shakers for every price range. ]]> http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=CFEP3&CTMP=1&LowCt=0
by Marc Washicheck

By Marc Washicheck

I had the privilege to be asked to help with the Empty Bowls charity dinner, which is a fundraising event to help the Charlotte County Homeless Coalition. This worthwhile event not only taught me a lot about hunger and the homeless, but also something about collecting. This much needed event took place on April 27, 2006, and for the 5th year was held at Pilgrim United Church of Christ in Port Charlotte.

The Empty Bowls is a nation wide fund raising event, and was started in this area about 7 years ago by Joann Winkler, a teacher at Liberty Elementary School in Port Charlotte. The Empty Bowls goals are: 1) Educate people about hunger issues that exist within our community. 2) To seek ways to end hunger so that no one goes to bed hungry.

The Empty Bowls event actually starts months in advance when anyone who wants to help, including artists, non artists, and wanna be artists, gather at the Visual Arts Center in Punta Gorda to create their bowls. Everyone gets a lump of clay and the creating begins. These wanna be artists include Judges, School Board members, Doctors, Lawyers, and students from almost every school. After all the bowls are fired, the artists return to glaze their masterpieces, and the bowls are again returned to the kiln for a second firing. Months later, hundreds of masterpieces are lined up in a beautiful display of colors and styles, waiting to find a good home. After much anticipation the excitement started when I walked in the door, handed the greeters my ticket, which I purchased months in advance. I was dazzled by the huge array of bowls, which included primitive bowls, fine bowls, bowls in a rainbow of color including a single color and even multi colored bowls. There were hundreds to choose from including one that looked like a paper bag, a bowl with a fly, cherries, olives, little people on bottom, and even a bowl with big holes around the sides.

The dinner served is a dinner which homeless people receive at a homeless shelter, which includes a bowl of soup, bread, and water. Attendees of this event are much luckier than homeless because all the soup, rolls, and breadsticks are donated by Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Outback Steakhouse and Cap'n and the Cowboy restaurants so it was delicious and a real treat. Along with the dinner everyone receives a handmade bowl of their choice, which took me about 8 times around the huge colorful display of treasures. Finally after 20 minutes of hunting I picked just the right bowl which I will proudly display in my home. There were also handmade vases filled with flowers that were for sale, and a good selection of gorgeous pottery made by Fine Clay Artists in a silent auction.

Being an Antique dealer and an artist, I thoroughly enjoyed the entire event from start to finish, and was very proud to volunteer to be a greeter. I also learned something about collections. Collections can be started with new items, very innocently, and end up with collectors clubs. I heard a handful of people telling the volunteers they have collections of these ''Empty Bowls'' creations. These new collectors, of mixed ages, come to every event and buy a handful of bowls for their ''Collections''. After thinking about this I realized that this makes sense, since they are all ''one of a kind'', handmade, dated, and sometimes signed. All ''Empty Bowls'' creations should have ''EB 06'' (or whatever the year made) on bottom. I guess it won't be long there will be collectors clubs springing up all over the United States, buying, trading and discussing these handcrafted treasures which were truly ''made with Love''. These collectors' items of the future won't be like the Beanie Baby fiasco of the past, since these bowls are all one of a kind. Many of the high priced Antiques of today were the Arts and Crafts of yesterday. I guess it won't be long before someone like the Kovels will be writing a book on this new collection.

For more info or comments contact Marc Washicheck at Cherry Hill Antiques, 863 993 2344, Email info@CherryHillAntiques.com, or visit the website www.CherryHillAntiques.com ]]> http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=CFEB&CTMP=1&LowCt=0
By Marc Washicheck

I had the privilege to be asked to help with the Empty Bowls charity dinner, which is a fundraising event to help the Charlotte County Homeless Coalition. This worthwhile event not only taught me a lot about hunger and the homeless, but also something about collecting. This much needed event took place on April 27, 2006, and for the 5th year was held at Pilgrim United Church of Christ in Port Charlotte.

The Empty Bowls is a nation wide fund raising event, and was started in this area about 7 years ago by Joann Winkler, a teacher at Liberty Elementary School in Port Charlotte. The Empty Bowls goals are:
1) Educate people about hunger issues that exist within our community.
2) To seek ways to end hunger so that no one goes to bed hungry.

The Empty Bowls event actually starts months in advance when anyone who wants to help, including artists, non artists, and wanna be artists, gather at the Visual Arts Center in Punta Gorda to create their bowls. Everyone gets a lump of clay and the creating begins. These wanna be artists include Judges, School Board members, Doctors, Lawyers, and students from almost every school. After all the bowls are fired, the artists return to glaze their masterpieces, and the bowls are again returned to the kiln for a second firing. Months later, hundreds of masterpieces are lined up in a beautiful display of colors and styles, waiting to find a good home. After much anticipation the excitement started when I walked in the door, handed the greeters my ticket, which I purchased months in advance. I was dazzled by the huge array of bowls, which included primitive bowls, fine bowls, bowls in a rainbow of color including a single color and even multi colored bowls. There were hundreds to choose from including one that looked like a paper bag, a bowl with a fly, cherries, olives, little people on bottom, and even a bowl with big holes around the sides.

The dinner served is a dinner which homeless people receive at a homeless shelter, which includes a bowl of soup, bread, and water. Attendees of this event are much luckier than homeless because all the soup, rolls, and breadsticks are donated by Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Outback Steakhouse and Cap'n and the Cowboy restaurants so it was delicious and a real treat. Along with the dinner everyone receives a handmade bowl of their choice, which took me about 8 times around the huge colorful display of treasures. Finally after 20 minutes of hunting I picked just the right bowl which I will proudly display in my home. There were also handmade vases filled with flowers that were for sale, and a good selection of gorgeous pottery made by Fine Clay Artists in a silent auction.

Being an Antique dealer and an artist, I thoroughly enjoyed the entire event from start to finish, and was very proud to volunteer to be a greeter. I also learned something about collections. Collections can be started with new items, very innocently, and end up with collectors clubs. I heard a handful of people telling the volunteers they have collections of these ''Empty Bowls'' creations. These new collectors, of mixed ages, come to every event and buy a handful of bowls for their ''Collections''. After thinking about this I realized that this makes sense, since they are all ''one of a kind'', handmade, dated, and sometimes signed. All ''Empty Bowls'' creations should have ''EB 06'' (or whatever the year made) on bottom. I guess it won't be long there will be collectors clubs springing up all over the United States, buying, trading and discussing these handcrafted treasures which were truly ''made with Love''. These collectors' items of the future won't be like the Beanie Baby fiasco of the past, since these bowls are all one of a kind. Many of the high priced Antiques of today were the Arts and Crafts of yesterday. I guess it won't be long before someone like the Kovels will be writing a book on this new collection.

For more info or comments contact Marc Washicheck at Cherry Hill Antiques, 863 993 2344, Email info@CherryHillAntiques.com, or visit the website www.CherryHillAntiques.com ]]> http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=GCJA3a&CTMP=1&LowCt=0
I have collected many things in my life, but never was a collector of cookie jars. We had two cookie jars my mother used when we were young, we loved both of them; even more we loved the homemade cookies that came out of them.

I heard about people who have 100's of cookie jars and never quite understood it. I'm getting older now. I won't say how old but I remember the walk on the moon, the Beatles, Elvis, and the Herman's Hermits. I'm starting to find cookie jars very appealing and they make me feel joyful. I like the thousands of different shapes, colors and themes they come in but most of all I like all the history that comes with them. Cookie jars were a hit right from the beginning when they first appeared in the later part of the 18th century in England. Even though they were also called biscuit jars kids and grownups alike loved them because of what came out of them. Before the depression American cookie jars were plain glass jars with metal lids, but in the 1930's stoneware became popular and the first fun designs and colors were painted floral or leaf decorations.

Childhood was a fun and special time in our lives and never did we feel so special as when mom or grandma gave us a cookie from our favorite cookie jar. We always knew that we were loved and very special.

It is amazing how a piece of pottery or glass can make such strong memories for us. Every time I see a cookie jar I have to smile. I remember all the special treats I received and think about how great my childhood was. If there are cracks, chips or missing paint, the memories are still vivid. Even if the top is broke or missing your special cookie jar can be used as a planter and will still keep your special memories.

Begin your own cookie jar collection and start your own memories for your children and grandchildren to smile about, and you will be able to smile too.

Written by Marc Washicheck owner of Cherry Hill Antiques, Cherry Hill Seminar Productions.]]> http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=DOQH2&CTMP=1&LowCt=0
Decoys weren't noticed much until the 1970's, but in reality were around from 200 A.D. when a Native American Tribe made them from reeds. In the late 1700's fragile reeds were replaced by pine or cedar, were hand carved, and some with hand painted plumage. By the early 1800's carvers created two types of wood decoys floating, and stick up decoys. The floating decoys were waterfowl such as ducks, geese, swans, and the stick up decoys were curlews, peepers and plovers. Stick up decoys were mounted on sticks so the decoy seemed to be standing.

By the mid 1800's, waterfowl demand skyrocketed with the dinning elite at restaurants. With such a great demand, hunters would use 100 400 decoys at a time, and wood decoy carvers emerged by the flock. The demand for these birds became so great that many became extinct. In 1918, the Migratory Bird Treaty was passed with the help of Theodore Roosevelt which ended commercial hunting and limited the amount killed each year.

Hundreds of carvers tried to meet the demand, but some of the most famous were; Albert Laing first attached the body to head with copper nails which wouldn't rust, Harry Shourds one of the most realistic painters, and Anthony Elmer Crowell thought to be the best and most sought after of all the carvers. In the mid to late 19th century, a few factories sprang up to help satisfy the demand for decoys which were made by a reproducing lathe with the heads and tails done by hand.

There are a few ways to help tell if a decoy is a reproduction or not. Contemporary carvers usually painted realistic feathers, but old decoys are usually mostly solid color. The oldest decoys have metal or tack eyes, carved eyes or painted eyes, but later glass eyes from taxidermist were used. Look for tool marks since before the early 1800's the main tools were hand ax, draw knife or rasp. Around the mid 1800's, some wood decoys were made hollow, in 2 or 3 sections, and Shadow Decoys or stick ups appeared which were wood silhouettes.

Prices of decoys depend on who made them, year made, quality, how much restored, and type of bird. The shorebirds and Swans are most sought after. Their prices have soared since the 1970's which is when collectors discovered these pieces of Folk Art. Some collectors call decoys ''Hunter's Art''. One decoy sold in the early 1970's for $10.000 and the same decoy sold in 2001 for $450.00. Nice hand carved decoys can still be found for as low as $25.00 or as high as $950.00.

Be careful buying wood decoys from the internet. Make sure you ask a lot of questions. It is very hard to tell reproductions, and even harder from a picture. Decoys are very habit forming and can run up into major money so always buy from a reputable dealer and do your homework. Buy many books, study them, attend auctions, shop Antique stores, attend Decoy shows, and ask many, many questions.

If you're a beginning collector or just a dedicated browser, and you love a reproduction decoy you found, or it is all you can afford, buy it. It is a wonderful start. If you see an Antique decoy you're interested in, buy it. It won't be there next time. Remember all decoys are a one of a kind piece of History, and Folk Art. ]]> http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=ECSP6&CTMP=1&LowCt=0
During the years of early 1800's to late 1950's, Maple Syrup came in 1/2 gallon or gallon containers, or was home made. It wasn't until the 1960's that the price of packaging went down and stores began to sell in smaller quantities. Even in the early 1800's, housewives needed a convenient way to serve Maple Syrup, thus the Syrup Pitcher was born.

The first syrups were utilitarian and made out of earthenware, tin or were jugs. In the mid 1800's the Victorian Era had a strict code of etiquette and had to have a gadget for every food item. Beautiful silver plate and pressed glass syrups became the norm for formal settings, and Ironstone syrups for casual. Ironstone manufactures such as Meakin Brothers andCo. or Wooliscroft produced wonderful syrups with fruit and flowers motifs and became very common. The silver plated firms such as Meriden Silver Plate Co., or Rodgers, Smith and Co released beautiful embossed botanical designs, ornate lids, and many with matching plates and underliners. These beautiful syrups have become very scarce in the past 20 years. As the syrups left the Victorian era and went into the early 1900's, syrups were made of enamelware. The American manufactories produced mottled or marbled patterns with metal lids, and the European imported floral, checked or striped patterns. There was a variety of colors, patterns and sizes produced.

As America went into the depression era, Depression glass companies produced inexpensive colored glass syrups. They were made in a variety of colors, and sizes which had glass or hinged metal lids. Clear glass syrups from the same era featured Bakelite or tin lids, with bakelite handles. Bakelite has become expensive, sometimes hard to find. Many of the depression syrups came with matching saucers or underliners.

After rationing of WWII, and the military men came home, housewives wanted modern, bright, cheery kitchen which included matching dishes, curtains, aprons, tablecloths. Bright and funky syrups took over as Depression glass syrups were forgotten like the war. Chrome and plastic replaced the old fashioned tin and Bakelite, and the emergence of plastics was started. Syrups with bright plastic lids and handles were made in almost every color, but the main colors were yellow, red, blue, aqua, and green. Today the red is most popular, and yellow is close second. Syrups were made in thousands of shapes, sizes and colors and all are very collectible. Many collectors are displayed on shelves or window sills, but syrups are also used for dish soap and displayed on kitchen counters, or mouth wash and displayed on the bathroom counters.

Values are always determined by manufacturer, date made, size, color, condition, etc. The 1950's 1960's plastic top syrup sell in the $8.00 $20.00 range, depression glass syrups $40.00 $90.00 range, but some as high as $200.00, and the simple enamelware syrups $40.00 $70.00 range. The rarest Victorian highly decorated syrups could go over $350.00 or the rare, embossed Ironstone syrups $200.00 $300.00 range.

Next time you set down to enjoy your pancakes, flapjacks, hot cakes, griddle cakes or waffles think of the long history behind those simple, elegant or funky syrup pitchers. ]]> http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=AMBFGP&CTMP=1&LowCt=0
By Marc Washicheck

Way back in the 1960's when I was only about 10 years old, my favorite TV show was ''Bewitched''. Believe it or not, that show started my collection addiction. Aunt Clara would talk about her doorknob collection, she would shine her metal and brass doorknobs, and I was fascinated by the beauty and variety of the knobs. I would daydream that every door in my house would have a different doorknob so I could show off my unusual collection. Everyone thought I was insane until the 1980's, when collectors started noticing the beauty and variety of doorknobs. Today, they are being mounted on old wood, displayed on the walls, and used as coat racks. After all, everyone hangs clothes on a doorknob, so it's only fitting to use them as a coat rack.

Being in the Antique business, I'm always fascinated by what people collect, and love to hear their stories. Collectors clubs are springing up though out the United States for the new plastic gift cards, and phone cards that every store offers. Cards from ATandT, Home Depot, Target, Wal Mart just to name a few, are catching the collector's eye. Why are these plastic cards collectable, when there is a never ending supply? My thought is most people will throw the cards away so in 10, 20, or 30 years they will be hard to find. They will be like the first credit cards of the 50's or 60's, which have been collected for years.

Collectors have also discovered Tupperware. The first Tupperware of the 50's and 60's are now being collected. Millions of pieces have been made and sold in every color and style imaginable through out the world, and the collectors bug has hit Tupperware too. I told this to a friend of mine who has bought every color Tupperware ever made. Marilyn let out a loud screech and said to her husband ''See I told you I will be able to hang my Tupperware on my wall someday''. I guess collecting Tupperware is like collecting the plastic bakelite of the 40's and 50's, or the hard plastic dishes of the 50's.

Bowling balls are becoming popular for collecting, but for a different reason. They are being used to make beautiful and colorful displays. Bowling balls come in a rainbow of different colors and patterns, and I even have a Tigger Bowling ball. These large gem colored balls are coming out of retirement and being displayed in the garden as inexpensive gazing balls. I have three under my coffee table which look like three huge beautiful swirled marbles. I know people have been collecting and loving the very old wood Bowling balls of the 1890's for years, so I guess these are next in the progression of collecting.

I just read an article about a designer who collects bridesmaid dresses of the 60's and 70's, because of the bright colors and sometimes unusual styles. I guess these dresses compare to collecting the vintage dresses from the 1930's and 1940's. Collectors are hanging on racks or displaying on walls as if they are works of art.

There are even collectors clubs for 8 track tapes of the 70's. Most people just finished throwing these tapes out a few years ago, and now they are back. They are hard to find, I don't see many at thrift stores or garage sales, and they are too new for Antique stores, so I can see the value going up on these. I guess collecting 8 track tapes is equal to collecting the 78 records of the 40's. Will cassettes be the next big collector's item?

There are also an increasing number of collectors wanting old computers. Prices are rising on the first home computers, which I guess are like collecting vintage typewriters. The difference as I see it is typewriters became obsolete, computers won't. Computers will change size, style, and speed, but will be here for a long, long time. In the last few years, many people have thrown there first Apple computers in the garbage and Apples are one of the computers which are most sought after.

There are collectors for everything imaginable, due to the unlimited styles, colors and sizes, made. The old saying ''One man's junk is another man's treasure'', is really true. For comments or more information email marc@CherryHillAntiques.com ]]> http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=FFOG3&CTMP=1&LowCt=0
By Marc Washicheck

America's first industry was glassmaking and started when the American colonist had to make panes of glass for windows, since it was much too hard to transport glass from the old country. The first American panes of glass were made from soda lime glass and had a green or amber tint to them.

Glass makers discovered they could create colored glass by adding metallic oxides and this glass quickly became very popular. They found by adding Magnesium it made a very clear glass, but will turn purple in the sunlight. This glass is highly collectible in today's market. Adding Cobalt creates a deep blue glass, but because of the high toxicity of Cobalt it was banned in the U.S. by the mid 20th century. Green glass was made by adding Copper and Iron and when over heated produced Amethyst, and yellow was produced by adding Uranium Oxide. Yellow glass was the least made and is the rarest to find. Cranberry and red was made by adding gold medal in Nitric Acid, but was hard to make and very expensive. When you look at red glass in the light and see a goldish tint, you will know this is the highly collectible glass which contains a lot of gold metal. The always popular Mild Glass has Tin added to the glass to produce the milky white color. The best Milk Glass shows an amber color when held up to the light. That amber color is called ''The Fire in the Milk''.

After much experimentation of heating methods and compounds glass makers made everything from Iridescent to Opalescent to marbled and to layered. Now days with new methods, new additives, and new equipment, glass makers are producing crackled, stretched, overlays and even bubbled glass.

Art Glass is a huge category considering it was popular for only a short 20 years (1880 1900). The glass companies produced glassware with names like Agata, Amerbergina, Burmese, Craquelle, Lava Glass, Peach low, and Royal Flemish and only the upper class could afford them.

Art Nouveau Glass was made by glass produces like Tiffany, Frederich Carde, and Victor Durand to name a few, and they introduced fancy iridescent glassware to the rich.

Art Noureau Glass is very sought after by collectors and demand high prices. Bohemia Glass was made in Bohemia which was part of the Austro Hungarian Empire and started being produced in Monastery workshop. By the mid 19th century Bohemia was one of the largest glass producing countries.

Bottles were produced by all the major glass companies. Bottle production is what kept the companies in business and were made in colors such as green, ambers, browns, blue and even amethyst. Although green and clear where the basic colors. Most collectors stick to one color or type such as whiskey, or medicine. In today's market bottles with original labels or names molded into glass get higher prices.

Carnival Glass was mass produced iridescent pressed glass which was made to be a cheap imitation of Tiffany. Some was given out at carnivals in the 1920's and 1930's.

Cut Glass was made using a rotating wheel which has a very sharp edge, while imitation cut glass is made by using molds. The real cut glass is usually heavier and glass edges are sharper.

Depression glass was made between the 1920's and the end of WWII. Depression glass was made cheaply in America and most was given out with cereal, soap, flour or even at show houses. Households didn't have a matching set of dishes since nobody knew what color they would receive in a box of soap.

Hobnail is glassware covered in little bumps, can be found in most colors, is pretty and some what common to find in most colors. Hobnail stared in 1880's with the first patent in 1886 by Hobbs, Brockunier, and Co. Hobnail is still being made by a variety of companies.

Jars were made by most companies and were sealed with cork or wax in the early 1800's. About 1860 the first Mason jar was made with a screw on Zinc top which was lined in porcelain, and older jars had a light green or light blue tint to them. The older jars had a three part glass lid or a domed glass top and metal wire held top in place. Canning jars are still easy to find, inexpensive and are easy to collect and display.

Milk Glass gets it name from the color of the glass and was decorated with flowers and lattice in the Victorian era. This pretty white glass is still made today and was in the height of popularity during the Victorian Era and again in the 1970's.

Pressed Glass was mass produced since the 1920's in colored or clear, and was considered the greatest achievement in glass manufacturing for a few centuries. There are so many patterns, colors, styles and manufactures that it is wonderful to collect. Pressed glass is still affordable and green is the most sought after color.

Reamers of some form or another have been around for 200 years, but were nearly replaced by frozen concentrates. The first colored ones showed up around 1920's and have been made in many colors and shaper including Milk Glass, Jadeite, Delfite, Vaseline, but the green is still most popular.

Vaseline Glass is made with traces of Uranium is radioactive, but the levels are not harmful. This uranium makes the glass glow fluorescent under a black light. European collectors call any creamy yellowish green glass Vaseline, but American collectors limit to glass that glows under black light. True Vaseline is only the creamy yellowish green glass that is fluorescent under a black light.

Waterford Crystal has been the favorite crystal for over 200 years. The rich preferred imported Irish Waterford above the crystal produced by early colonists. In 1830 Congress levied taxes on imported items which greatly helped the crystal industry.

There are thousands of colors, patterns, styles, types, combinations, and manufacturers of glassware. Whether you are a dedicated browser or avid collector, you will never run out of glassware in your color, pattern or price range. You don't have to have to have a huge collection of glassware to make a dazzling display; a little goes a long way.

Want to learn more about glassware, attend the Cherry Hill Collectors Club Antique Educational Seminar Series
or you can purchase DVD and VHS tapes of your favorite subject. If you have any comments or questions contact
Marc Washicheck
Cherry Hill Antiques
120 W. Oak Street,
Arcadia, Fl 33983.
Visit his website
wwwCherryHillAntiques.com
or email him at
info@CherryHillAntiques.com ]]> http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=ARI5&CTMP=1&LowCt=0
Arcadia Florida is a fun and exciting quaint small town especially if you love Antiques, Collectibles, and Rodeos, good food or just plain Socializing. Arcadia was considered one of the wildest towns during the 1890s, with cattle ranching and cattle wars, but in the past 10 years has developed into an Antique and Collectible wonderland. The downtown Arcadia merchants have worked hard in becoming ``Florida's Best Antiquing Town``, with up to 30 Antique Stores, Specialty Shops, Restaurants, plus hundreds of Antique Dealers. For this reason, Antique Dealers from the Midwest, Southern States, east coast of United States, and all of Florida shop Arcadia on a regular basis.

The excitement starts as you drive down quaint Oak Street, and see all the colorful historic buildings. Most downtown buildings were built around 1905, and are painted in an array of colors more colors than in the rainbow. These colors not only are beautiful to the eye, but also show the individuality of each business. You can see the personality of each business even before you enter their doors. Many stores have their favorite flowers welcoming customers to their doors, and their favorite items in their artistically merchandised windows.

Get ready to talk. All the downtown stores are friendly family owned and run, so you will get to know all the stores, merchandise and their families. Many stores have their mothers, fathers, or kids helping run their businesses. When you enter each store you will find each has an individual look, style, music, and feel. The business owner's tastes are usually reflected in their store whether it is primitives, oak, retro, Shabby Chic, Jewelry, military, etc. Whatever your taste, you will find it in Arcadia.

It is easy to shop Downtown Arcadia. Park your car once, and you won't have to get in it again until you leave. All this fantastic shopping is in a 4 block area. There is plenty of easy parking too. There are free parking lots behind almost every building along with free on street parking.

In order to shop all the downtown businesses, it will take a full day if not two. When you get hungry, eat lunch at one of the two Restaurants on Oak Street. Or even better eat lunch at one restaurant and dessert at another. Need a pick me up? After a long day of shopping, get an Ice Cream, it will give you the boost you need to continue shopping. There is even a beautiful park where you can relax, or even eat your lunch. For your comfort, Public Restrooms are also located in the park.

Please be patient with the businesses, for each one has its own hours. All are small family businesses, and all have their own lives which are different from their neighbors. Antique dealers can't order their merchandise from a company. They drive to Auctions, Flea Markets, Estate Sales, Other Stores, even Garage Sales to find their treasures. Antiques are not easy to find so dealers drive hundreds to thousands of miles weekly, and many make trips to other states.

Please call your favorite stores to make sure the days and hours of operation. Most stores are open Wednesday Saturday.

We guarantee you will arrive as a customer, but will leave a friend to most if not all the stores.

Arcadia has it all, shopping, Rodeos, food, and friends. These are just a few reasons why Arcadia not only has been voted ''Florida's Best Antiquing Town'', but also ''Florida's Best Small Town''. ]]> http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=HTAAYS1&CTMP=1&LowCt=0
It doesn't matter what you call it, yard, garage or tag sale, they are all the same. You want to clean house and make some money at the same time. The saying is true ''One Man's Junk Is Another Man's Treasure''. What you don't want, your neighbor will. This is also a wonderful way to recycle and that means less in the landfill sites. Here are some tips to have a fun and profitable sale:

SIGNS, SIGNS, SIGNS You can't have too many signs. Place easy to read signs with directions or big arrows on every corner near your home and heavily traveled roads for blocks, even miles around. ALWAYS include the date or day of your garage sale. There is nothing worse than driving for miles on a dead lead; they also make your neighborhood look trashy.

Make sure you have a sign at your driveway, garage, or back yard to let shoppers know there is a sale and not just someone cleaning their garage. I actually had someone threaten to call the police because I wouldn't sell to him and all I was doing was cleaning my garage. I guess that says something about my collecting addiction.

Place signs at your sale stating there is more in house, in backyard or even in alley. The easier you make it for shoppers the better you will do. Don't place signs out until your ready to open. Many times anxious shoppers driving by can't read the time and will show up early. Don't put signs up a day or two before or even the night before. When the signs go up, you're open.

TIME Start your sale early such as 7:00 and no later than 8:00, since good yard sale buyers are home by 9:00 or 9:30. Many sales close up by 12:00 or 1:00 since most shoppers, after lunch, are lookers.

ADS Place ads in local papers since most shoppers check there first and many will plan a route of where to go first, second, third, etc. List your best items and give directions if need be. It is best if you can get your neighbors or even your neighborhood to have sales at same time, you will draw many more shoppers and split the cost of advertising.

ORGANIZATION Yard sales should be somewhat organized or merchandised, such as children's clothing, adult clothing, gift items, antiques, furniture, games, toys can be displayed by category. If you're selling a dinning room table, set with dishes that are also for sale. Show how pretty it is. Always clean your bigger or higher ticket items. Don't throw a dinning room table out for sale covered with spider eggs, webs, dust, and dried jelly. Who wants it at any cost? Take a minute and wash it down with a wet rag. Small items like vases, planters, glasses, cups won't have to be cleaned.

Set a good sampling of items at end of driveway or out front where drive bys will see. You only have a few seconds to catch a shopper's eye. Put your best furniture, antiques, decorative items, etc where fast moving eyes can catch a look. Most shoppers won't stop if they see only baby clothes so display baby clothes towards the back.

ELECTRICITY Have electricity available for shoppers to try out TV's, video games, lamps and have them turned on. This will catch shopper's attention when they see how clear the picture is, or how beautiful the lamp looks when lit.

PRICE EVERYTHING. Shoppers don't like to ask for prices; it can be embarrassing and takes a lot of time so shoppers will walk away. Price items to sell, you're not an antique or gift store, and be prepared to bargain. After all you don't want to pack it up for another year. If you think something is worth money, have it appraised, put ad in newspaper or call an antique merchant to see if they are interested. Yard sale shoppers want a bargain.

BE RESPECTFUL Provide parking for your shoppers either on street, in your yard or in empty yard next door. Don`t block your yard off and make shoppers park in neighbors yard. Always provide parking.

Be respectful of your neighborhood and Junkers, and take down your signs. Old yard sale signs start to look very ragged and make your neighborhood look trashy.

With the help of these hints and a sunny day you can have a fun and profitable yard sale.

Written by

Marc Washicheck
Cherry Hill Antiques,
120 West Oak Street,
Arcadia, Florida, 34266
863 993 2344.
Feel free to call or email question to
info@CherryHillAntiques.com]]> http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=TAMW1&CTMP=1&LowCt=0
Colorful tablecloths became very popular in kitchens of the late 1940's and 50's. Kitchens changed drastically following the gloomy years of the Great Depression, and World War II.

Men returned home, and to their jobs which drew women back into their homes and kitchens. Housewives demanded cheerful, modern, updated kitchens with shining appliances, and cheerful colors in their linens.

Manufactors were happy to help, by making tablecloths in many sizes, most with matching napkins. Many tablecloths were even made to match the popular dinnerware such as; Jewel Tea's Autumn Leaf, Fiesta ware, or even Russell Wright. Tablecloths came in every color, every fruit or flower, over 650 designs, and even State maps. They were made from Cotton, Rayon, Linen, or a blend of these.

Tablecloths were inexpensive splashes of color. Most sold for around $2.00 so they were affordable, but most new brides received tablecloths as shower or wedding gifts. This meant housewives could change tablecloths for any table settings, occasion, or even meals served.

In the 1960's and 70's, women went back to school or work, so tablecloths, which needed much attention, were packed away in attics, and basements. Baby boomers are passing middle age, and downsizing so tablecloths are coming out in the day light again.

The most sought after tablecloths are ones with original labels (Davisco, Springmaid, Star Tex, Broderie Creations, Town and Country or Cactus Cloth), bright graphics, ones with matching napkins, and State tablecloths. Non tourist state tablecloths like Idaho, Wisconsin, and Minnesota are harder to find so fetch higher prices, than Florida, California, or New York. Tablecloths are now being reproduced, so many collectors will only buy cloths with stains, and small holes. They say these flaws show authenticity, and prove there is a history behind these treasures.

Keep searching, Tablecloths can be found for as little as $2.00, and as much as $400.00. There are so many patterns, colors, and themes, you will never be able to collect them all.

Tablecloths are not just for tables anymore. Crafters, and sewers have discovered the value of these beauties, and recycle by making pillows, purses, dresses, blouses and aprons.



]]> http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=TIIOH2&CTMP=1&LowCt=0
1: Propylene, Ethlylene and Butylene Glycol

Found in Anti freeze. Acts as a ''surfactant'' (wetting agent and solvent). Penetrates the skin and weakens protein and cellular structure. Strong enough to remove barnacles from boats, factory workers are required by the FDA to wear protective clothing when producing products containing these chemicals and are required to dispose of PG as toxic waste.

Found in: baby wipes, diaper creams, baby lotion, facial cleansing cloths, facial cleansers, body washes, shampoos, toothpastes, etc.

2: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)

Detergents pose serious health threats. Used in garage floor cleaners and engine degreasers and in 90% of all personal care products that foam. Young eyes may not develop properly if exposed to SLS. SLS may damage the skin's immune system.

Found in: baby body washes, baby shampoos, anti bacterial hand washes, shaving cream, body lotions, shampoos, etc.

3: DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (monoethanolamine) and TEA (triethanolamine)

Hormone disrupting chemicals that can form cancer causing nitrates. Dr. Samuel Epstein (Professor of Environmental Health at the University of Illinois) says that repeated applications of DEA based detergents result in major increase in liver and kidney cancer. The FDA's John Bailey says ''the risk is significantly increased for children.

Found in: body lotions, body washes, cleansers, shampoos, etc.

4: Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)

Carcinogenic petroleum ingredient that reduces the skin's natural moisture. Increases the appearance of aging and leaves you vulnerable to bacteria.

Found in: baby wipes, diaper creams, baby lotions, cleansers, body washes, deodorants, etc.

5: Sodium Hydroxide

This is a poison (caustic lye) found in drain cleaners. The warning label on sodium hydroxide products reads ''POISON, May be fatal or cause permanent damage if swallowed. May cause blindness. Avoid contact with skin, eyes, mouth and clothing.''

Found in: toothpastes, baby lotions, hand and body lotion, etc.

6: Triclosan:

Synthetic ''antibacterial'' with a chemical structure similar to Agent Orange! The EPA registers Triclosan as a pesticide, giving it high scores as a risk to human health and the environment. It is in a class of chemicals suspected of causing cancer in humans. Tufts University, School of Medicine saysTriclosan can force the emergence of ''super bugs'' that it cannot kill.

Found in: anti bacterial hand wash, antibacterial toys, etc.

7: DMDM and Urea (Imidazolidnyl)

Two of many preservatives that often release formaldehyde which cause joint pain, skin reactions, allergies, depression, headaches, chest pains, earinfections, chronic fatigue, dizziness, and loss of sleep.

Found In: body lotions, body washes, anti bacterial hand washes, cleansers, shampoos, etc.

8: Parabens

Studies show that parabens alkyl hydroxy parabens alpha hydroxy benzoate (methyl , ethyl , propyl and butyl parabens) are weakly estrogenic.

Found in: baby Wipes, baby body washes, anti bacterial hand washes, facial wipes, body lotions, shampoos, etc.

9: Alcohol, Isoproplyl SD 40

Drying, irritating solvent that strips skin's moisture and immune barrier, making you vulnerable to bacteria and viruses. Made from the same petroleum derivative used in shellac and antifreeze as well as personal care products. Promotes brown spots and premature aging.

Found in: lotions, creams, deodorants, etc.

10: Mineral Oil

Petroleum by product that coats the skin similar to plastic wrap, clogging the pores. Interferes with skin's ability to eliminate toxins, promoting acne and other disorders. Slows down skin function and cell development, resulting in premature aging.

Found in: lotions, Creams, etc.

11: FDandC Color Pigments

Synthetic colors from coal tar that deposit toxins onto the skin, causing skin irritation. Absorption of certain colors can cause depletion of oxygen in the body and death.

Found in: shampoos, toothpastes, body washes, cleansers, baby products, wipes, hand washes, deodorants, lotions, creams, etc.

12: Fragrances

Can contain up to four thousand ingredients (including animal urine), many toxic or carcinogenic. Causes headaches, dizziness, allergic reactions, skin discoloration, violent coughing, vomiting, and skin irritation. Fragrances affect the nervous system, causing depression, hyperactivity, irritability, inability to cope and other behavioral changes.

Found in: shampoos, toothpastes, body washes, cleansers, baby products, wipes, hand washes, deodorants, lotions, creams, etc.]]>