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Collectors
tend to collect just for the fun of it. There are many of us that
enjoy going out in the world just to see what is available. No
special mission in mind, only the thrill of finding an exotic
do-dad or two lurking in a myriad of mish mash. The treasures are
endless and everywhere. Here are some hints to make the odds of
finding a treasure or two lean your way.
The biggest
obstacle is knowing whether an item is a wonderful find or a
knock off of some similar product. Researching is a must. There
are many reference books available on Hallmark products. Take
time to look at collections, whether in books, at museums, or on
the Internet. Have local club members bring you a list of items
they are interested in obtaining for a good price. Make note of
how much they are willing to spend. 
A
Frosty Friend #1 for $3.99? The 1973 Betsey Clark satin ball for
50 cents? How about a quarter for a 1984 Redbird Merry Miniature?
Does this sound like wishful thinking? Along with some Radko
blown glass, Cherished Teddies, promotional toys, these are just
some of the treasurers I have found in the last few years.
For those that are only interested in a particular bauble, the best places to go are Swap and Sells, on line auctions and magazine ads. However, if you have the 'collecting fever' here are a few places to start checking out.
Yard Sales
These local
sales have a variety of items. Anything from thumb tacks to
motorcycles can be found. The big advantage of finding something
is being one of the first people to show up. Start with buying a
local paper and making a list of the upcoming sales. It is
impossible to be at all of them 'first', so make a note of any
key words used in the ads. "Decorations, collectibles,
holiday" are a few that should get your attention. Give
these priority. Draw up your own map to follow. Upon arriving, do
a visual check-over. Head to the area that holds the most promise
of finding a treasure. Miniature ornaments may be found in bags
of 'craft items', lapel pins in jewelry boxes and Merry
Miniatures in with children's toys.
Estate Sales
The one big
advantage to the estate sales is that it will usually be posted
in the newspaper exactly what you can expect to find. At many
sales, you are given a number, which determines when you get to
view and participate in the sale. This is required as fire safety
laws restrict the number of individuals in a building at one
time. Ask the person giving out the number or the first person
you see that is a part of the sale, where you would find the
holiday decorations. Decorations can be almost anywhere.
Thrift
Stores
Goodwill
and Salvation Army are the most common of these, but there may be
others in your area. Check your local phone book. These places
depend on people buying used merchandise to raise money. They
often carry a variety of items, but you have to 'stop and shop'
there often. The stock rotates in and out at a quick pace. Most
have seasonal displays, so if you are interested in a specific
holiday, make sure you stop in more often at that time of the
year. Children's toy bins can be an all day 
foray. For some reason the smaller
Hallmark items tend to 'sink' to the bottom. Please remember to
share with the other children or better yet, enlist their help.
They love to have a mission also. A small monetary reward makes
the whole experience fun for both.
Auctions
Ahhhh, the
call of 'SOLD' at an auction get everybody's blood pumping.
Unlike the other ways of acquiring collectibles, these are often
held in the evening. Arriving a bit early, you can browse through
much of the upcoming items. Many dealers attend these events and
can make it harder to get a bargain. Not impossible, just harder.
My personal recommendation is to bid on a 'lot box' of holiday
items. Usually for a relatively low price you can bring a couple
home to go through at you leisure.
Flea
Markets
If you
enjoy browsing through all kinds of different collectibles, try a
flea market. For a nominal fee, you can enjoy poking through
boxes, checking underneath tables and peering around stacks of
books. A plus for these places is refreshments and restrooms.
This way you can hunt all day and be comfortable.
Antique Shops/Malls
Most of us
are familiar with malls, but more and more Antique Malls are
springing up everywhere. These large buildings are divided in to
separate stalls, run by different dealers. There is no pattern to
what they decide to display. Prices are usually negotiable, but
tend to be higher than at other "bargain centers". For
Christmas items, the best deals can be found right after
Christmas when they would rather 'sell it' than 'store it'.
When you buy a piece that you think might be 'something'...do a background check. Even if it turns out to be a 'dud', you will learn why and what to look for in the future.
All the odds and ends that you pick up during the year can be dealt with in several different ways. You can use them to trade with other collectors, offer them as prizes at your local club, or make holiday displays to donate to a favorite charity. What ever you do, where ever you go, remember this: It's supposed to be fun, so.....ENJOY!!!
