There is no better day to start this blog than today. It's August 28th and it's grey as ever here in Maine, but at least the 'Hurricane of the Century' that was set to hit today hasn't lived up to the hype. Overcast and drizzling is far better for the Warehouse of Wonders than an inch of rain falling per hour with 100+ mph winds. But, enough about the weather.
The purpose of this blog is to share my thoughts on antiques, art, design and anything else that I think the viewers of 'Natural Born Dealers' would enjoy reading. So, let's start blogging!
Yesterday, I visited Portland, ME for one of my favorite events of the summer, the Picnic Arts and Music Festival.
Unlike the majority of art shows that I attend in FL and New England where the artists are in their 50s+ and go from show to show, many of whom ask stupidly expensive prices for their work (in some cases for really amazing work), Picnic is very much the opposite. It's crafty, but in a good way; and it's young, in a hip way. Most of the vendors are in their 20s and 30s, recent art and design school grads and some self taught artists, likely working 2nd jobs to fuel their passion. The pieces that they're making AND selling (I stress this because so many 'artists' don't sell much of anything) are what young people want - custom Ts and graphic blockprints, funky jewely; there was even a guy taking great tin-type photographs (an archaic form of photographer, but a look and method that can't be matched) developed whilst customers walked around; and most items were in the $10 to $40 range.
I saw so many things that I would love to have had and talking with the artist's as the share their inspiration only makes you want to purchase one of their items even more. $10 here, $50 there, money and items were changing hand at a feverish place.
Next year, I will most certainly be setting up at Picnic to sell some of my original designs.
Of course, I forgot my camera in the car, so I don't have pics of all the great vendors, but you can see some of last yrs
HERE.
After Picnic, I walked down Congress street into the heart of Portland. There was another art show going on (a 'majority' show as mentioned above) and I walked right through it without stopping. My only stop was at a store that sells new mid century classics. Typically, i'd only go in to see what a new saarinen tulip chair or arco lamp is selling for so that I can completely blow my client's minds when i mention 'New, they're $2000; i'm selling vintage with a history for $300'; on this occasion I went in because of the 'Moving' sign on the door and one of the neatest pieces, a Bertoia Asymmetric Lounge, in the window.
Retail is close to $7K, the moving price was $2500 and I offered $1500 cash and left my card. Now, $2500 might sound like an amazing deal being that it's nearly 1/3rd of the original price and $1500 might sound like a steal, but for myself to pay $1500, i'd have to expect to sell it for $2500+ and honestly, I don't know if that's possible. Of all of the Knoll pieces designed by Harry Bertoia I've never sold a vintage piece for more than 60% of the price of a new one, and bertoia side chairs regularly sell for 1/4 of the price of a new one ($$125-150 vs $700). I think if I had the asymmetric lounge in my warehouse marked $2500, because it's so radical (why I like it), it might be years before I sell it. That being said, I really like it and if the call and say that I can have it for $1500, i'll be driving back to Portland tomorrow.
Phew! That's the numbers game I play on a daily basis. Even if I love something, unless I can make 30% on it immediately (and 75-200% over time) I have to pass.
