If you haven't really given a thought to antique shopping or are just afraid of being a bull in a china shop I'll give you a few tips. First off the better places for a novice to antique shoping are located in what they call malls or in towns where they are lined up quite efficiently. Do these places really exist or am I full of fluff? I came from a small rural town in the Northeast part of New York State. For us antique shopping was the flea market or someone's yard sales. Over here in Washington they are a tad bit more organized. All the better I think, though you do pay more for some items since these sellers aren't they yard sale nickel table type.
Leave your bulky winter outerwear in your vehicle. Unless of course you don't mind being that bull in the china shop and have plenty of money to just give away on broken items.
Leave your children at home. This might sound a bit harsh but like the above first tip unless you have plenty of money to just give away on broken items then don't bring them.
Ladies, that large hobo bag you like to call a purse has to be stored away too. Go in with a slim as possible a purse. Do you really want to turn about in a small space and break all that Nippon china? I think not. Invariably there are always those small, tight spaces that you have to side walk into just to see what hidden treasures awaits.
Antique shopping can be a joy. Bring your husband, boyfriend, or other male friends when you go shopping. You might need them to help carry out your large furniture or other heavy purchase to your vehicle. I drag along my husband. He immediately seeks out the tools, knives, guns, swords and books. See there are things that guys would be interested in at those antique malls. He might have to fain interest in your bone china teacup that you just have to have but he will most likely enjoy the more manly items that await his treasure hunt. If you guy is into toys, action figures, trains and marbles those are usually also found at the antique malls.
By no means are these places run like Pawn Stars or American Pickers but if you are into that then go sight-seeing and find yourself those pawn shops and old barns to pick through for the day. Bargaining with the owners over a price on an item can be done at the pawn shops, yard sales and antique malls. I've seen first hand the antique mall owners call up the sellers of the item and ask if they'd come down, sometimes they do especially in this economy.
I hope that all of you have some joy in this fun part of recycling. What some once considered junk might just be your treasure.
