Dress rehearsal for a career…
I started my working career as a ballet teacher with my own school in Mamaroneck, NY which I continued for 15 years. On weekends I partnered with a friend and we enjoyed selling antiques at various shows which also lasted for about 15 years. As a Board Member of the Westchester Dance Council, a fund raising event was needed. I decided to try my hand at producing antiques shows. The rest is history and I'm still using the same outline of things to remember to do and to pack, (with many additions), that I used in 1970. The first 20 years I had the help of a husband and the second 20 with the help of my significant other. In 2010 we will be celebrating 40 years as Cord Shows Ltd.

Finding a middle ground…
Cord Shows fills a niche that has proven very successful. While we strive for quality in all price ranges, (nothing new and no reproductions), we do encourage dealers to carry both fun and serious antiques. For this reason, even through the bad economy, Cord Shows has remained popular and our attendance has not changed. From period furniture to 1950's kitchenware, from elegant fur coats to rose cut diamond jewelry and amazing Americana and vintage folk art, it's all part of what we are proud to include.

Our shows appeal to the young with the desire to buy quality, affordable vintage furnishings for their homes/apartments. That is NOT to say the collector of high end antiques and collectibles won't be thrilled by the hunt and conquest! All price ranges are included in esthetically pleasing professional booth displays. We do not run flea markets and we do not run "museum" shows!

Adding vintage to the mix…
Five years ago a dealer, Elaine Klausman (Vintage with a Twist, Bedford, NY) suggested we try our hand in the Vintage Clothing market. Since we were now running a manageable 10 shows a year, it seemed like fun. We had the location that we hoped would work for our first venture: The Police Athletic League Building in Danbury, CT. We hoped that the central location and the uniqueness of the event would attract customers from every direction. Our very first Vintage Clothing Show was met with a disastrous 8" of rain with major thoroughfares turning into rivers. Much to our amazement well over one hundred customers ventured out anyway!  These were obviously SERIOUS buyers, and dealers did well! Because the facility allowed dealers to pull inside, out of the rain, everyone left dry and happy!

Tips for scoring the deal…
1) To get the most out of a show, ask the dealer questions about what interests you. Most dealers are eager to educate and share their passion. As they generally have a quick turnover of their merchandise, not every dealer can be knowledgeable about every item they offer. Thus, shopping at an antiques show can be a true treasure hunt. To score the best at what is really a game, come with some prior knowledge in your area of interest.
2) There are so many things to see that being focused helps. At the opening of a show you will see show regulars dash around a show at unbelievable speeds. This is because they are focused and looking for specific items.
3) If you are new to the venue, relax and learn. The show setting is fun and exciting and always changing. You may see the same dealer at 10 different shows, but if the dealer is good at what he or she does, you will not recognize the booth or the merchandise.
4) At Cord Shows, get a receipt with a good description on it including the age, and condition. Our dealers will offer a money back guarantee if your purchase is not as represented. Be prepared to show proof if asked. The industry is faced with many fakes and unfortunately dealers and even museums do get fooled.

A little bit of everything…
I collect EVERYTHING! I love folk art and baskets. Don't have one of anything!  Penguins, marbles, bottles, contemporary art pottery and art glass, you name it!  My partner and I are VERY stuff oriented people! The only thing I've avoided so far is vintage clothing! I pretty much live in jeans since I work out of my home! We run a show I can appreciate but not shop! My [business] partner, Ed, shops the thrift store circuit and gets tons of compliments on his patchwork vintage sports jacket. I refuse to let him wear his pants with the ducks all over them!

You don’t want to miss…
On December 20th we will present our 24th annual Antique Stocking Stuffers Show & Sale. This is a unique event with over 1000 feet of table top antique, estate and vintage costume jewelry; antique and estate silver PLUS antiques and collectibles of a general nature that do not measure more than 6 inches by 6 inches (for that holiday stocking).

Our 2nd "Vintage Show" will be at the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel in Tarrytown, NY (Westchester County) on February 12th & 13th.

We have added a Vintage Boutique to our very popular general antiques show in Cross River, NY on Sunday, March 7th (for the second year) and our 4th show in Danbury will be on April 10, 11. More and more "Vintage Dealers" are taking part in our regular antiques shows and more and more customers are excited about finding them there!

***We hope that you have enjoyed reading this article. For more information on Cord Shows Ltd. please visit. http://www.cordshows.com/ShowCalendar.html