The Twenty-Second Country Antiques in Connecticut’s Quiet Corner will take place on Saturday, March 31, 2012, in Danielson, Connecticut at the H.H. Ellis Technical High School.

I promised to prod our readers to get out antiquing in their own area to see what exciting finds are being offered.

With spring early this year, a little road trip to Danielson, Connecticut on Saturday, March 31st will bring you to the 22nd annual Country Antiques Spring Show at the H.H. Ellis Technical High School located at 613 Upper Maple Street. Early buying hours start at 9:00 AM with a $15.00 entry fee. The regular admission fee is $6.00 after 10:00 AM, and until 3:00 PM.

Jan Praytor manages the show, which is sponsored by the Ellis Tech Parent Faculty Organization.

Jan writes : “[The show] is unique in the antiques world in that it is a quality, country-themed show organized and run entirely by staff, students and parents. We started the show over twenty years ago with the recognition that we had everything we needed at our technical high school to build and electrify booths, cook an appetizing lunch and desserts, assist the dealers with their goods, as well as tackle the hundred and one other things it takes to put on a serious show. Dealers and regular customers look forward to the delicious grilled chicken salads and sandwiches and homemade soups and desserts prepared by parents and staff.  Most customers make a day of it. There is so much good stuff to see and buy and eat! In recent years the show has attracted customers from as far away as Seattle, WA. This spring is our twenty-second show. Over the years it has been a successful fundraiser for the Ellis Tech Parent-Faculty Organization, and we hope it will continue for many years to come.”

The success of the show always lies with attracting quality dealers that will bring their “A” game to this event. This year should be no exception with 65 dealers from New England, New York, New Jersey, and (new) Maryland. Featured will be country painted furniture, treenware, early lighting and early textiles. I expect you will enjoy the gourmet luncheon and desserts and will make a full day of antique shopping. The location is easily accessible from exit 93, I-395 or Rt-6 or Rt-101.

As the year comes to an end, I often look around to review my favorite finds. This one was from over 10 years ago but remains one of my best-to-date. I have been very fortunate to find some real treasures in my shopping experiences.  Of course, when you consider that I am out there looking two-three days a week, it is probably not that unexpected!

One of my best stories is the one about my dining room chandelier. While out rummaging with my kid sister, Vicki, we stopped at a rather small, nondescript home near Whitewater, Wisconsin. At first blush, it seemed there could be nothing there of interest. Just a few card tables set up and some boxes on the floor of the garage that were quite shabby. I did spot a table with ‘small items’ and believed this might hold costume jewelry. I also knew that it would be no use to try to beat Vicki to them. She was such a lover of jewelry that no matter how I tried, she would always win that part of the hunt. So  after a preliminary scouting, I walked up to the table with the ‘sales lady’ and made some small talk.

Asked how the sale was going, how early the first person was at the door, chatted about the weather. As we talked, my foot bumped into a paper bag and I heard a definite “CLINK.” I asked her what was in the brown bags underneath the table. She said “Oh, my sister is opening a Bed & Breakfast nearby and took down all of the really old lighting fixtures to replace with shiny new ones.” My interest was piqued!

I asked to view what was in the bags. She agreed and we opened them up one at a time. Bag after bag of large, cut glass prisms, rows of glass beads and a brass frame of a chandelier.  I was so excited, but tried to remain composed.

“How much?” I asked. She said “How about $5?”  I must have been on ‘automatic pilot’, because without even a thought, I blurted out “Would you take $4?”  She said “sure!” and handed the bags to me.  I paid and began to make several trips to the car, being careful with the glass which was not separately wrapped.

Meanwhile, my sister came to the table with three pair of rhinestone earrings.  She had not even noticed me being gone and smiled gleefully at me, pleased with her treasures.  We got back to my car and I took out the box of newspapers that I always kept in the trunk.  I proceeded to individually wrap the prisms  so they would not be damaged in the trip home. Vicki came around to see what I was doing and let out a loud “whoop.” (She was well-known among family and friends for being rather dramatic and for her enthusiasm, often “exploding” with noise, be it a laugh, an exclamation of excitement and on occasion, she even swore like a long shoremen.)

I brought the bags in the house and spread the contents out on the table, awaiting my hubby’s return from work. He was nearly as excited as I was, but then realized that there was a lot of work waiting for him. He had to clean it up, re-attach the prisms and glass beaded strings, find a few of the ‘candle’ parts, polish the brass, re-wire it. And then the poor dear would give me the credit for finding it.

The ironic thing was that we did not have the perfect place for it.  Our kitchen area was rather informal and the family room was designed for comfort, not suitable for such an elegant piece. At this time we had a bid in on a larger home, but we were unsure if we’d be able to get it.

Our offer was not overly high and we understood that if someone put in a ‘cash bid’ or there was one without contingency on their home sale, we might not get our dream home after all.  I suggested that he put it all together in anticipation and that maybe this was a SIGN that we were meant to have the house.

As luck would have it, we did get a  good home for it and it is now proudly displayed in our dining room.  I love to tell the story about the find, watching the expressions when I tell them the price.  (I am always careful to give my husband an ‘atta-boy’ for all of his efforts.)

Since we are buyers-and-sellers, there are a lot of interesting stories of the hunt, but this one never gets old.  Hope you have some to share with us at CQ!

When I find a really good antique store or mall on our travels, I enjoy sharing these finds with all of our collectors. Our recent antique hunting travels have been to 11 states and last year to England. If you have followed some of our adventures I had presented on these e-pages, you may know I have a pattern of showcasing stores or malls that meet certain criteria.

Our plan for the coming year includes hunting adventures to some of our favorite haunts within a day trip from home, and hopefully taking several days to travel to some we have not ventured into. And that’s where I’m asking for your help, to give me some ideas on where to find the best places you have found on your own travels or in your own area.

I’d like to go through Indiana east to Ohio, visit the Rock and Roll Museum in Cleveland, then shop for collectibles on the return trip back to Wisconsin, stopping at the Heart of Ohio Mall, and maybe getting down to Louisville. Another thought included the North Eastern states, since it’s been far too long since we combined antique hunting and lobster eating. And naturally Florida is our normal fall trip.

The type of store or mall we look for need not be on the beaten path, just off a freeway. Those locations are usually found with billboards near an exit, but please include them in your replies if you find them to be a worthwhile stop.

To meet my criteria the place must have a good mix of antiques and collectibles. Staff in good stores are attentive, friendly and helpful, readily opening cases and pointing to like items that may interest us. Booths should be clean and clutter free. Stock rotated so that price tags are not faded to the point wjere it’s not readable. Management should limit items to a certain age or if a mall has newer decorative collectibles or reproductions they should be identified as such and taking a minimum of total space, in separate booths.

Recently we made a visit into Northern Illinois, I had some business in Rockford for my real job and dropped Wifey at the newly reopened “Antiques On East State” (5411 E. State, 815-229-4004) just west of I-90 at State Street exit. This mall and its sister store had closed a while back and had been a favorite for many years attracting customers from great distances. We’re glad to see this one reopen.

After my business meeting and a quick lunch,we headed to another of our favorites, a location we first visited a few years ago and have been back to many times. Wifey said I had not mentioned this location, and wondered if I was trying to keep it as my secret.

The Roscoe Antique Mall located in South Beloit, Illinois is just south of the Wisconsin border, on State Hwy. 75 west of I-90 Exit #1.

We were warmly greeted by owner Gaylene, pictured on the left with staffers Jerry and Bert, at the checkout counter. They helped us find some interesting items, opening locked cases to closely inspect pieces of interest. And boy were they kept busy as we both found so many great treasures.  Of course we can’t buy everything we see, but it’s educational inspecting antiques and understanding their value in today’s market.

The whole mall meets the requirement for our “A” list, and let me just point out some special booths that caught my interest. Kitsch was the theme in this booth, and while not in our current decorating scheme, I like the look. Antique hanging lamps featured near the check-out area. A Masonic goat used in initiation Ceremonies, everyone needs one of these, sits near the checkout counter in an area of many interesting finds.  And other antiques oddities included dental equipment. But that’s what you expect to see in a 20,000 square foot mall with over 100 dealers, with management that only allows items that predate the 1970s, to insure fine items for every collector, every taste, every décor or for the investor looking for a safe investment.

Now I must show you this three chair antique, from a fraternal group and my favorite place to sit while hearing the amount of Wifie’s purchases.