~I'm Nuts about lil Sis~

Hello Girls, Meet lil Sis...You have already seen my yellow Columbus gum ball machine..but a few weeks ago it was my Birthday and even those I don't celebrate the day anymore I still accept gifts of appreciation ha ha!!

Len got me the lil Sis to the gum ball...it's the peanut machine...see how small it is compared to the gum one and I will tell you why they look the same but smaller...Nuts get rancid to fast so the fish bowl containers were smaller...But the base of the 2 machines are the same height....Love it...

These are really hard to find with the barrel locks on them...as people would lose the key and they would cut the locks off...End of barrel lock...To find them with the barrel locks will cost you at least a $100.00 more for the machine...

I also shown you my pretties one I got last year...It's all brass...Love it...

This is my Master Gum ball machine...You know they say 3 0r more is a collection so I guess I now have another collection going on here...ha ha!! Most gals want a diamond or a day at the spa for their birthday...but I just love it when I get an Antique...it just makes my old heart skip a beat to know I have one more piece of history to enjoy and past down to my daughters after all it is their inheritance that I am spending ha ha!!

Now a few have asked me if I get my antiques from yard sales and the answer is No...Most of my Antiques I have bought right out of other antique collector homes or from shops...

I also know alot of dealers who travel around the country looking for pieces and when they find something they think I might like will email me a picture of the item and price and condition etc...I try not to buy anthing I have to repair...I want it turn key ready...

I have bought many things with only seeing a picture of it...But you have to trust the dealer you have out picking for you...Like my Dining room set from upper New york estate sale and my Rocco bed...Which were top $$ pieces.

I also have bought many things from Butterfield auction house in San Fransico...it's always a good idea to go early to an auction so you can do a review of a piece that you might want to bid on...if it's a piece of furniture open up the drawers to see if its duct tail make sure if its veneer that none of the veneer is peeling off...Veneer can be very costly to repair.

Also I have been asked how do I keep my antique furniture looking like new...
And the best advise I can give you if you have antique furniture is to oil it at least every month...It will keep the piece looking good and also keep the wood from spliting..I use Bee's oil on mine NEVER use any product that has silcone in it...it will dull the finish and build up that yucky dark film you see on pieces...

Another question is have I been to Antique Road show and taken any of my things NO..I don't need to...as each piece I buy I already know the history and the value of it..I try and find out as much as I can about an item before I invest my $$ into it...

I also have an Antique appraisal done every 2 years for fine Arts and Antiques Insurance....Which is a separte policy that just my home owners one...

Another question was how I know so much about Antiques...Research, research this I can't stress enough...before you spend your hard working $$ do the research !! this can save you many $$....

I hope I have answered a few of your question here....Also if you have a piece and want to know it's value please feel free to ask me and I will try and help you...

Until next time from my mountain to yours,

Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria