A Fiesty Frugal & Fabulous Giveaway for Valentine’s Day!

As our economic times get strained more and more, we not only love a good giveaway…We treasure them!  I’ve been around the Internet searching for good giveaways.  There is one site I absolutely love…

Fiesty Frugal and Fabulous!

The site is the brainchild of a stay at home mom..Tenille.  (I even love her name!)   I can only say, in this day and age, to be a stay at home mom, you need all the giveaways and coupons you can get your hands on!  That’s what she does, she searches for these and brings them together into a web site for her readers to sign up for her special giveaways!

Read below for a great Valentine’s Day giveaway for yourself!

 

Pearl Paradise – Treat Yourself for Valentines Day!

 

This past holiday season, many moms who read blogs for the latest news and info on products were introduced to PearlParadise.com The company did a fantastic job showcasing their products to many influential bloggers and giving readers the opportunity to win jewelry for themselves.

 

To read more and see pictures of this great giveaway -  Click Here to go to Fiesty Frugal and Fabulous!

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American Made and Loved, Vintage Homer Laughlin China

Presently I have their Eggshell Georgian Patterns up for bid on eBay – Cashmere and Countess. These patterns are very similar to each other and sometimes will fool even the most ardent collector if mixed together in a lot, which they usually are.

Crescent Pewter

I’m really pleased to introduce a new subject today. It’s not in the glassware category, but nonetheless, a very highly collectible item!  Pewter is a favorite choice of many.  The reason, so many items were made of pewter during the earlier Centuries, it was a highly prized metal as gold and silver are today.

I would like to focus today on one company, Crescent Silverware Company in Jarvis, New York.  This was one of the premiere Pewter makers in the US during the 1920s-1940s.  They did manufacture Silverware items as well as Pewter, mostly holloware.  Their Pewter items were a ‘coated’ Pewter that helped to bring out the lustre of the pewter and protect the pewter.  They operated in Port Jarvis, New York , eventually becoming Kirk & Sons Silverware. A company you would be more familiar with that produced silverware. 

The backstamp for Crescent was a crescent moon and the words Crescent Pewter.  It is important to note, all pewter items made in the 20th Century will have the word Pewter stamped on it.

One reason pewter is not as highly collectible as other items, it is a very soft metal. Most of the older items does get dented, scratched or marked in some way.  Most collectors realize this and often when you see older items listed for sale, they are accepted with dents and dings.

To simply discard these lovely Art Deco works of art due to a simple dent would be a shame.  Collectors simply purchase and restore.  Quite frequently, we will find collectors who specialize in certain areas of pewter collecting. I’ve seen collectors of period candlesticks, figurines, plates, etc.

At present, I have a pair of Crescent Pewter Candelabras up for bid on eBay.  They are a matched pair and are 3 tier.  They have been lovingly used, meaning there is some damage to them.  Overall, they are usable as is, but they do need work to be restored to their original state.

These would look so great in a collection.  They are Art Deco in line and shape.  They would also be great in a period decor.  Please take a look at the auction  by clicking here:  Antique Crescent Pewter 3 Tier Candelabra Set of 2  .

Please read more about this often overlooked and under appreciated metal on Wikipedia.

Pewter collecting is a great way to start a collection that will hold its value for years to come!

 

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Department 56 Halloween Decor – Get Yours Today!

Grimsly Manor

It’s not too late to add to your Halloween decorations with the wonderful Department 56 Halloween Village Collection.   As as collectibles, these go to the top of the list, even surpassing the Christmas Village in some cases.  They are fun to collect and make a really great looking display for the kids (and the kids at heart!) during  Halloween season.

I have assembled in my store, ‘The Great Pumpkin‘ , a great selection of Department 56 Village and other items for your Halloween decor.  There are the Village houses and accessories, ornaments, lights, yard ornaments and porch decorations.  There is even a fog machine!  All are discounted, most up to 25% of retail price!  Also, enjoy Free Shipping when your order is $25.00 or more.  What a bargain..especially with today’s gas prices!

Please go in and browse, take a look around. When you find something you like, click on the item to add it to your cart. When you are through shopping, click on Proceed to Checkout.  This will redirect you to Amazon for a secure checkout.  Shipping will be from Amazon warehouse with their fast shipping.

I have a collection of  Department 56 Halloween items for you to browse and puchase from my store.  All are discounted, some up to 25%.  Enjoy Free Shipping on all orders over $25.00!  Now that’s a bargain, especially with the cost of gas today…

Visit my store and if you see something you like you can click on it to add to your cart. When you are through shopping,  click the button Proceed to Checkout.  You will be redirected to Amazon’s web site.  All orders will be shipped by Amazon, you can choose your class of shipping for quick delivery.  Please click the link below to go to my store:

The Great Pumpkin Store

 

 

 

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SPOTLIGHT: Soul Intent by Dennis Batchelder

Soul Intent  is author Dennis Batchelder’s newest book.  It was launched on 9/9/9 and  had already sold over 700 copies during pre-release on  Amazon.com .   This is the highly anticipated sequal to Dennis’ book,  Soul Identity
and is already showing signs of becoming a Bestseller on Amazon’s list of Bestsellers!

It is released in paperback and Kindle formats.  Right now, the Kindle price is 1¢….Kindle users, why are you still reading this?!.. head on over to Amazon for the download!

So what is this book about?  What is all the excitement?  I’d like to share Dennis’  blog as he gives his readers a synopsis of his newest book, Soul Intent;

A VILLAIN’S REQUEST
In 1946, soon-to-be-executed Nazi General Hermann Goering asks young Soul Identity overseer Archibald Morgan to take his looted gold and deposit it in a soul line collection, there to await his soul’s rebirth.

A GRIM RESISTANCE
Flora, a seventeen-year-old Gypsy girl whose father died in the Dachau concentration camp, is sure that Goering stole the gold. She struggles to persuade Morgan to reject the Nazi’s deposit, but Morgan prevails.

A MYSTERIOUS THEFT
Sixty-four years have passed. A repentant Morgan opens Goering’s collection and discovers the gold is gone. In its place lies a cryptic journal. Morgan asks security expert Scott Waverly to find the thief and recover the gold.

A THRILLING ADVENTURE
Scott must race through Europe to uncover the elusive secrets of what really happened in Nuremberg… secrets that threaten to reopen old wounds, settle old scores, and lead to the gold’s—and his own soul’s—recovery.

I have not had the opportunity to read this book yet to give a review, but I have read some fantastic prelimenary comments from some very knowledgeable people, other authors who were given advance copies.  The comments coming in have ranged from glowing comments about writing style to  fantastic plot development.   I just can’t wait for my copy to arrive…

A little about Dennis Batchelder, the author of Soul Intent.  This information is taken from his Amazon.com web page.

Biography

Dennis Batchelder is a computer security architect. He lives with his family in Bellevue, Washington, and spends his off-hours working on the next Soul Identity novel.

 

If you are a fan of Dennis Batchelder and his books, please take the time to comment on this post.  I will be passing along the info to Dennis.  I’m sure he might pop in from time to time to answer your questions!  I also hope to add his web site links to this blog for his fans. 

Thank You For Your Visit And Comments!

 

 

Shamelessly Promoting Bestselling Amazon Authors and Their Books!

Image via CrunchBase

Anyone who has been around me knows, I am an addict when it comes to books. Don’t get between me and a good book, it could get very dangerous!  This addiction started when I was quite young and continues today, (I hate to say it but..) almost a 1/2 Century later.   Although I was a very good student in school, I really wasn’t that bright.  I could remember what I read and comphrehend the meaning.   This combination has been the real secret to my success in life.

On to the other love of my life, browsing the Internet for absolutely useless tidbits of information. If you ever want to play a trivia game, just call me…I’m the partner you need. I never lose at Trivia games. I’m forever picking up all those little tidbits that everyone else just takes for granted. I’m also the one who sends them to you fills your email box with these interesting facts you discard before reading because you actually have real work to do!

One night, while combining my two interests, browsing Amazon books! Whoa..Nirvanaville for me… I have lost a small fortune on Amazon.  In the wee hours of the morning, buying books of all sorts to read, even though I just bought about 10 from Borders because I had the coupon.  I just had to buy them, they were ‘on sale’!   This day while browsing I found a very interesting site.  It was a forum of authors who had formed the group to ‘Shamelessly Promote’ their books.  I had to stop and take a look at the postings.

I was absolutely enthralled!  Being an avid reader, listening to the author talking about their books and how  the why they created the characters, the thoughts behind the story line, really brought these books to life!  I had not heard of some of the authors before, but I found some now that write in my area of interest, I cannot wait to get a copy of their books!

I feel so moved by this group, I asked if I could write about them, their books and let others in on this fabulous group. All of these authors are so genuinely appreciative of their fans and what their fans want, I  suggested putting together a page where I could show the authors and their books. I plan to set up an authors corner where the author can come and talk about their book and answer their fans questions and comments.

We will start with one book at a time for each author and spotlight on them for the post.  Make sure and bookmark this blog and come back often to see if your favorite author is being spotlighted.

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New Page Mage an Interactive eBay Listing Tool!

Now, you have to remember, my experience with Page Mage; I heard the name Page Mage, I looked at the Web site. I then received a Welcome beta tester letter. I went to the web site and 20 mins later, through mistakes and not knowing what I was doing…I created my first listing:

Essential Top 5 Tips for Attending Antiques Roadshow

My husband and I have been trying for the last 5 years to attend one of these shows. We finally received our tickets and I thought my husband won the lottery! I heard yelling coming from our home office…and went rushing..he was holding up the Golden Tickets!! And the journey began…

Is eBay Becoming a Buyer’s Market?

Image via Wikipedia

I’ve been selling on eBay since 1998. I recently (2006), made eBay my full time job and love. I started out by selling what I love most, books. I found a pallet of books I bought for $70.00 and quickly turned that investment into over $2000.00!

I knew I did something right! I am now into the collectible and glassware categories and enjoy what I do very much. I shop estate sales, garage sales, thrift stores, anywhere I can find these type items at the right price for resell.

Up until 2009, I found it almost impossible to find items on eBay for a good price to resell. Most items were priced right. At least in the collectibles and vintage glassware categories. I very rarely found any items worth my while after paying shipping, etc. I could make money to resell.

All of that has changed! Since the change in policies, fees, etc. on eBay and more eBay sellers leaving to other sites…eBay has become a Buyer’s Market! Items on eBay right now have become so low on items it is almost impossible to browse eBay without finding at least one or two items that are priced so low, you just can’t NOT buy them!

The reason is simple. The older more experienced sellers who have learned selling basics, how to price their items to the market price, how to use auction strategy to sell their items, have left eBay. There are newer more inexperienced sellers arriving everyday. It is a shame for them. There is help for them on every ‘street’ corner of the Internet, if they are willing to listen. Lots of experienced sellers are offering tips and tricks to help them along. Not that many are willing to admit they don’t know, or don’t know what they’re missing.

Now, I’m not suggesting that there should be a run on unsuspecting new sellers. But the items are there to be bought. If I find an item that is grossly under marked, I do my best to give the seller the info needed. Sometimes they do get angry, but most do appreciate the help.

For those of you antique buyers, just an example. I watched a bronze tray, signed by the artist (French). The auction started at 500.00, this price was actually very low for a very highly collectible artist who also did sculptures in bronze. No sale, next listing, down to 450.00, no sale…375.00, no sale. I continued to watch as this seller lowered the price all the way down to a starting bid of 199.00.
I don’t believe this is a sign of the times, I just sold a cabinet plate for $500.00…It is the absence of buyers in a buyer’s market!

This same tray would’ve sold on Amazon for much more than 500.00 in the first listing. With that said, I will label Amazon a seller’s market.

So now we know, to sell an item…go to Amazon, try your hand…but to find really good prices to buy, right now…go to eBay!

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Antique, Collectible Sellers..Looking For A New Venue to Sell Your Items?

I’ve been a member of eBay since 1998, I admit it…I really haven’t tried too many other online selling sites until around September of 2008. Since then, I’ve built up my portfolio of online selling venues.

Lets face it, we don’t want to have to admit it, but you need to diversify to stay in the game. As crazy as it sounds, its true. In todays world, you have to put your eggs in several baskets. For a seller like myself, I don’t have a lot of capital to pay fees for setup, monthly fee, picture hosting, commission, etc. My category of sales I went looking for was Antiques. I have quite a few Antique items to list. They have been listed on eBay before and have not sold. For those of you who have not noticed…lately eBay has become a buyer’s playground! Sellers are practically giving their items away! I refuse to do this.

So I went on the big Search! First stop, you know where…GoAntiques.com. Fees…next, Tias, Ruby Lane, etc. Fees, fees and more fees! I really thought I was not going to find a site.

Then while reading a monthly newsletter put out by Kovell’s online, I ran across ‘www. SeeAuctions.com’  NO FEES!

Now before all you electronic dealers and others get excited…. This site is only for Antiques and Collectibles. They even define the words on the site! This site is absolutely brilliant! If you sign up now until March 2009, you will have 1 Year of free service! No fees, no commissions, no picture hosting, no fees, no how!

This site appears to be a very hands on site by the owners. In fact, before they activate your account, you will receive a call from one of the owners asking what you intend to list. They then will make up their mind if you are indeed the type person they want in their community. They do this to keep the community spirit. I believe it has kept a lot of riff raff out of the sellers on this site.

The site is well worth you checking it out. The URL is: www.seeauctions.com

Click HERE to go to one of my auction pages. They also allow you to  use Paypal, Google Checkout, Cash, Money Order, Cashiers Check, etc.

One of my favorite features; If two people are bidding on your item in the last few minutes of the bid, lets say someone bids in at 5min left to go, the countdown clock is reset back to 5min. It will reset back as long as people are bidding. An auction does not automatically close on two bidders who are fighting over your item! So you can get higher prices for your items!

If you really want to find that special place to list your Antiques and Collectibles, this is it! This site actually is exactly how eBay used to be like before it became the multi-billion dollar enity it is today. I believe the bigger a Company gets, the harder it is to see the bottom rung of the ladder. It’s unfortunate, because its the customers standing on the the bottom rung and we pay their salaries!

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