Yesterday I learned something new from the thrift store lady checking me out. I'd purchased a very pretty and heavy glass mug which didn't have a price tag on it. I always get nervous when things don't have a price because some stores won't sell it to you I guess because they think you may have taken the price tag off yourself hoping for a better price? Or maybe they don't trust the clerk behind the register to price something. I don't know. But the person at the register quoted me 10 cents for the glass which I was thrilled to pay. The person bagging up my things said "you know that is a hand blown glass, you just got a great deal". Now I always act kind of naive about the things I'm purchasing so that I don't appear to be buying to sell but in this case I really didn't know it was blown glass. So I asked her as there didn't seem to be anything special about the glass mug. How could she tell? She was very nice and turned the mug over and showed me a circle on the bottom that is called the 'pontil'. It is where the piece was attached to the glass blowing rod. Here is a website that explains more about pontils.
My Mug
So I'm always learning more about selling. It's fascinating and you never know what subject you're going to get an education in next or where the information will come from. Sometimes it is from another shopper, sometimes from a blogger, sometimes from looking an item up on ebay. It's always a free education :)
Do you know anything about identifying blown glass or other handmade items vs factory made? What are the little 'tells'?
Great post. We're often finding hand blown glass in the endless shelves of cheap kitchen wear at thrift stores. Just need to take the time to search. Another way is to look for glass that doesn't have a seam, meaning it wasn't made in a mold.
ReplyDeleteOnly downside is shipping glass is no fun. Especially if it's a set. The mark up needs to be pretty high to make it worth the time. But neat finds.
Jay
ebayscavengers.com
Hi Jay. I know what you mean about shipping sets of glassware. I avoid it usually. Thanks for the tips on identification and for continuing to provide your radio show. I've turned a couple of fellow resellers onto it too.
ReplyDeleteI know very little about IDing finds in general so this is super helpful. Thanks :D ! Reselling is a constant learning process.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting and commenting Van! I get so excited when I see I have a new comment and as a new blogger I'm honored that you are reading mine.
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