Let's Talk Vintage #55: Tools of a Vintage Seller's Trade

 

 

Welcome to Let's Talk Vintage!

 

 

This week I am taking a closer

look at the tools of the trade for

online sellers. I know my

fellow dealers will know exactly

what I am sharing already!

Before I start, I just want to

mention the four of the most important

items you need to choose before you start:

 

* How you will get your store online:

Computer, tablet, or Smart phone?

* How will you take your photos:

Smart phone or digital camera?

* How will you edit your photos?
Editing software or online website?

* Where will you sell your items?
A site like Etsy or maybe your own website?

Back in the early days of

online selling... I used to take

photos using FILM and have

 them developed! Oh yes!

Then, a friend scanned

them for me and resized them.

I had to pay to have the photos

uploaded to the internet.

Crazy! Not to mention I was

borrowing my roommates

computer and paying half of

the monthly internet fee.
 

Fortunately, things have progressed

technically! Now it is MUCH easier!

So, if you're thinking about selling online,

these are some of the basic tools

you will need to make things go smoothly.

 

 

 

Magnifying glass, sharpies, hole punch,

mini screw drivers, pliers, and a measuring tape.

Also, a ring sizer.

 

I use the sharpies for blacking out

words or symbols on (used) shipping

boxes that I don't want to interfere with the

buyer's destination... and the red sharpie

for writing "FRAGILE" on the

outside when shipping breakables.

 

In my humble opinion, the boxes

have to used. If I had

to buy them, I'd be out of business.

 

Screw drivers and pliers are for

anything from a vintage toy

with a battery compartment

to broken jewelry clasps.

 

The pencil is for erasing marks

that were made inside old books

or for removing old dealer prices.

  

I use the hole punch for keeping

my copy of the invoices in a notebook.

 

 

And speaking of invoices, you will

need a printer and plain old copy paper.

 

 

This measuring tape is what I have draped

 around my neck all day long. It

is like my doctor's "stethoscope."

I give measurements for practically

everything I sell. It is one of the top

questions people have when buying online.

 

"What size is it?"

 

 

 

 I like to place vintage books, ephemera or clothing

 in plastic bags... you just never know

 what the weather is going to be

like where your send your items.

 

A calculator for when I have

online sales and need to take discounts.

 

And don't forget weighing packages!

This is the postal scale I use.

We bought it years ago on

Craigslist. This thing has been 

a tough little bugger.

"It takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin!"

(Who remembers what commercial that was for?) 

 

And of course, now that I've said this,

it will conk out on me!

 

 

I can't tell you how many times I use

Windex a week. Clean items are a must!

 

Jewelry looks better when

placed on a stand... I have

several in white and black.

 

China plates or smaller framed

prints look great on a plate

holder or easel. Sometimes

I use them when taking

pictures... but also when

selling at an antique show

or flea market.

 

When a package needs to

be wrapped up ... my

shipping tape holder

is my best friend!

 

 

You'll also need things like 

tissue paper, bubble wrap,

shop labels, business cards etc. 

 

 

This handy dandy loop is perfect for

finding hallmarks on jewelry.

 

I will need it soon, as 

the crazy jewelry sale I wrote

about here and here, is coming up.

 

 

Also for jewelry:

A scale.
If I need to describe the weight in

grams, I use this.

 

 

For taking pictures of long jewelry,

clothing or accessories, a dress form

is a huge help.

 

 

 

I'm looking forward to using my

Etsy reader more...

I haven't done too many shows

but this will be great for accepting

credit cards.

 

When the hubs and I had a booth

we needed things like Liquid Gold

for cleaning furniture, paint for

updating furniture, fabric for seats, etc.

 

 

I've also recently started checking

plastic items to see if they are bakelite

by using Simichrome polish.

 

 

Hope you enjoyed a peek into

the tools I use for my trade.

 

It has been eye opening, even

for me, I didn't realize how

many things I use!

 

If you are really interested and

just starting out, here is a

list of what I mentioned here

today so you can copy and paste it:

 

1. Computer

2. Camera or smart phone

3. Printer and paper

4. Magnifying Glass

5. Measuring Tape

6. Postal scale

7. Jewelry Scale

8. Ring Sizer

9. Shipping Tape

10. Shipping Tape Dispenser

11. Used Shipping Boxes

12. Bubble wrap

13. Newsprint Paper

14. Tissue Paper

15. Pencil with Eraser

16. Plate Easel

17. Simichrome Polish

18. Windex or other cleaner

19. Black and Red Sharpies

20. Hole punch and Notebook 

21. Mini Tool Set
22. Dress Form
23. Jeweler's Loop
24. Plastic Bags (various sizes)
25. Business Cards or Advertising Postcards
26. Calculator
27. Jewelry Stand
28. Paint or stain for updating furniture
29. Photo editing software or website
30. Credit card reader


Now you know Rome wasn't built in a day. I didn't start
out with all of these things. They are what I have acquired over the years. Hope you can use any or all of the tips I gave. I still meet people who say they want to sell online but are not sure where to start. May this be a boost to someone... happy selling!

Here are this week's features:

Pat, of French Country Style from the
Foot of the Rockies, took us along with her

to the antique capital of Colorado...

and to quote Pat:

"Its like Disneyland for people like us!"

Yes, indeed!

Brenda over at Unique Junktique has a ghostly mirror to share with us for the spookiest week of the year... getting goosebumps yet?

Rita of Panopoly shared these

 awesome flapper girl treasures

 with us. Read about the special

 bond she has with her sisters.

and Look at this! How creative...
Tuula of Thrifty Rebel Vintage
shows us how to make a
pumpkin out of teacups!

You all never cease to amaze me.
 

 

 

Remember, if you were featured,

be sure to grab this button to

place on your blog.

 

Now it's your turn:

 

Let's Talk Vintage!

 

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