Collecting antiques and other collectibles has become a hot hobby!  Here you will find lots of useful information about antiques and collectibles from a professional that works in the field.  If you have any questions about antiques you would like to ask our professional, there is a link below you can use to contact her directly. 

You will also find listings for antique shops, flea markets, garage sales, church bazaars, and so much more!   Enjoy!

Start A Child/Teen/Adult Collecting

A hobby, a collection, an early passion.  You can start a child, teen, or adult onto a lifelong path of collecting.  Start by sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm at home.  Share and show what you collect and have a passion about.

Then:

       a.) Take the child/teen/adult shopping at an antique store
       b.) Buy a reference book
       c.) Buy an item to start their collection

As the new collector's knowledge in the area grows, so will their passion for finding and learning more about that item.

I am always pleased to see a new and blossoming collector develop.  Many new collectors enjoy collecting items such as coins, foreign bills, comic books, paper dolls, cameo jewelry, stamps, collector Barbie dolls, Tonka brand trucks, Hot Wheels cars, board games, fishing lures, wood golf clubs, sewing bobbins, hankies, aprons, military helmets, and so much more.

Another common type of collection is to collect anything related to one topic:

1.) Example:  collect anything related to John Deere tractors -- a framed picture of a  tractor, a mug picturing a John Deere store, a t-shirt with a John Deere tractor/logo.

2.) Example:  collect anything related to strawberries -- a collector plate picturing a porcelain strawberry, a strawberry cookie cutter, a Strawberry Shortcake doll.

3.) If your child is interested in hair design or fashion, start her collecting anything related to a salon shop or hair dressing, such as antique scissors or hair clippers, old hair clips, men's shavers, shaving cream brushes, books or magazines about fashion or hair styles, an old barber shop sign.

4.) If your child likes firefighters, start him collecting anything related to that, such as an old copper fire extinguisher, an old "rule book on firefighting," fireman's helmet, photographs of a fire truck, toy fire trucks, a novel with a picture of a firefighter on the cover.

Searching for items and learning about them is quite an experience!  Once a new collector catches the "collector's bug" and begins to feel the passion for an item, their fun will begin. Good luck and enjoy shopping those antique stores!

Remember, every antique has its own attitude!

Deb Chesley
Antique Dealer/Collector



Do you have a question pertaining to antiques or collectibles that you would like to ask Ms Chesley?  You can email Deb your questions directly.  She would be happy to answer your questions!  Be sure to bookmark this page for future articles and information.


                          View the archive of Ms.Chesley's past articles here. 
 

Deb was born and raised right here in Anoka County.  At age 45, she currently resides in the town of Anoka.  She has been an antique dealer since 1995.  Deb learned to love garage sales and antiques at a very young age.  Her personal collections include Vintage Jewelry, Tobacco Tins, Red Wing Pottery, Vintage Furs, Mixing Bowls/Nesting Bowls, "Sharon" Pattern Depression Glass, Granite Ware, and much more.  Deb loves music from 1930 to 1965 which includes artists such as Shirley Horn, Dinah Washington, The Righteous Brothers, and Patsy Cline.   Her other passions include home-style cooking, crossword puzzles, and online word games.  This photo was taken at "Antiques Downtown" in Elk River.  763-441-1818.

Collector's Billboard:

Every Monday Night: Auctions presented by Luther Auction House, 2556 7th Avenue East in Maplewood.  For more information, call 651-770-6175 or Click Here For Details

Every Wednesday through Sunday Pac Ratz Flea Market Indoor/Outdoor flea market featuring over 40 vendors, there's something for everyone!  Located at Hwy 65 & Constance Blvd, in Ham Lake.  For more information, call 763-413-1400 or Click Here For Details

Every Friday Night:  Auctions presented by Shakopee Auction Center, 214 Holmes Street in Shakopee at 6:15 pm.  Antiques, Collectibles, Estate Items, Personal Property.  For more information, call 952-890-7287 or Click Here For Details

Last Saturday of the Month:  Antique and Collector Auction presented by Brown Auction 13229 St. Croix Avenue in Lindstrom.  Estates and consignments welcome!  For more information, call 612-598-9031 or Click Here For Details

August 7 - 8, 2010:  19th Annual Cambridge Antique Fair at the Isanti County Fairgrounds in Cambridge.  Featuring a huge selection of antique furniture, household items, jewelry, toys, and more from over 300 dealers!  Hours:  Saturday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm and Sunday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.  Isanti County Fairgrounds are one mile east of Hwy 65 on Hwy 95 in Cambridge.  Click Here For Details 

August 11 - 15, 2010:  Flamingos Divine Finds Antiques, collectibles, furniture, vintage finds, and more!  Hours:  10:00 am to 6:00 pm.  Located at 3404 Cedar Avenue South, Minneapolis.  For more information, call 612-767-4548.

August 11 - 15, 2010:  Picket Fence Gals Antiques, vintage finds, and more for your home and garden decor.  Hours:  Wednesday 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Thursday through Saturday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, Sunday 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.  13075 Lake Blvd, Lindstrom.  For more information, call 651-257-3370.

August 12 - 15, 2010:  The Wren's Nest Occasional Sale  Hours:  Thursday 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, Friday and Saturday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, Sunday noon to 5:00 pm.  118 East Main Street, Anoka.  For more information, call 763-421-1795.

August 12 - 15, 2010:  Antique Alley Country chic, antiques, and gift items.  Hours:  10:00 am to 6:30 pm, Friday and Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Sunday noon to 4:00 pm.  218 Central Avenue, Osseo.  For more information, call 763-420-3220.

August 20 - 22, 2010:  40th Annual Nowthen Threshing Show featuring special attractions such as antique cars & trucks, general store, huge flea market, and more!  See life as it was!  Lots of fun, food, entertainment, and more for the whole family!  7415 Old Viking Blvd, Nowthen.  Click Here For Details 
 

We Want To Know About It!
 
To have your garage sale, estate sale, craft sale, church bazaar,
 flea market, etc. posted on Collector's Billboard, please email us
the details.  Please include date, location, time, type of sale,
and short description!