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Antique Archaeology‚ a Daughter’s Journey

My husband surprised me and took me to the Antique Archaeology store which is owned by Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz from the show American Pickers. When I walked in I could feel all the history of the old pieces. Every item having a past and a story all their own. All the people who owned these treasures have a legend.  The building that the store was built in was Marathon Motor Works from 1911 to 1914. This building is over a 100 years old and there are only eight cars left in the entire world. I would love to know who owns the vehicles that are left. It is a beautiful brick building and the store is filled with all kinds of amazing gems. I’ve been going to flea markets since I’ve been old enough to walk and my mother at one time supported us through her keen eye for antique jewelry so junk is in my bones. Hense why I love going to these kind of stores and fascinated by what other people find. While I haven’t developed the hawk eyes that my mother has for antique jewelry I know enough to appreciate someone else finds. Antique archaeology is like a shrine to my mother and my childhood. Every item meticulously cultivated from countless searches for “rusty gold”. Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz’ s book reminded of the days on the road with my Mother‚ scouting out anything and everything just to find that one piece that my Mom could bankroll on. In their book it brought up memories of finding that item I have sought out. Or that one piece that I know is worth money. They talk about the adrenaline rush and excitement one feels in that moment. I have had my own experiences. In the book it also gives great advice for people who are part time pickers like me or full time pickers.

When I  visited the  Antique Archaeology store in Nashville they had all kinds of old stuff from Evil Knievel posters‚ old guitars‚ old lit up signs‚ the motorcycle daredevil from the 1970s‚ to Loretta Lynn’s show dress from a show she did in the early 1970’s. The dress is worth 5‚695 dollars. If you do not know who the country singer is watch that movie Coal Miner’s Daughter. She is an inspiring woman who was married at 15 and had to grow up fast. All that she has accomplished is encouraging and she grew up not having a lot and worked hard to get where she is in life.  Her dress alone would pay for a semester of my husband’s college. Some weird artifact from Peru which is called a wolf boy is worth 200 dollars in the store. It is the creepiest thing I ever seen and would give me nightmares. It always astonishes me the items that can be worth something. It is the same as the saying‚ “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”

The store was like a time machine built just for me and walking in I was reminded of traveling in an old bus turned into a motor home and scouring  flea markets from Massachusetts all the way to the rose bowl in California. This bus that my Mom found is an antique in itself. It was a 1957 Boston city bus that she converted into an RV. I used to be so embarrassed driving around in the bus. I would hide whenever we would pass people. The book American Pickers Guide to Picking was like reading a journal entry from my mom’s  jewelry days. The book suggested picking at thrift stores‚ estate sales‚ flea markets‚ and annual church sales just like my mom used to. There is a special magic when you score an old piece. That treasure hunt feeling would arise in me and I had to hunt down an antique. Ever since I was little I’ve loved Turquoise. it’s just something that has clung to me from my time living in the southwest. My mom is the one that took time to explain to me the qualities of turquoise and the value of the stone. Through countless trips in dusty parking lots she honed my eyes to spot authentic pieces. Today it’s as simple breathing for me to gaze onto a board with hundreds of turquoise rings and spot the antique like it was lit up with it’s own little sign. Having being around flea markets my whole life‚ I enjoy going to Goodwill stores‚ finding books that are worth money‚ and selling them to make a profit. It is is neat to find a book such as Mexican art books that I would have never thought be worth anything. I find it fascinating when I find books that are written in a different country. I found these Japanese comic books one day. I thought no way they were worth anything. I looked them up‚ bought them for a couple dollars‚ and sold them for double my money.

In the book the guys talk about some guy they run into who collects vintage plungers. That made me laugh when I read that line. Could you imagine having a vintage plunger on your coffee table. You invite friends over for dinner and they look at you like you have lost your mind. You nonchalantly say‚ “oh yea these are vintage and worth money.” It just goes to show that anything can be worth money if one studies enough to figure out that there are people out there worth paying money for it. I resonated with the part where Mike and Frank say‚ “leave no spot untouched.” When I am at a garage sale or a thrift store‚ I have to dig behind and look at the books that are hidden. If there is a box of junk I will rifle through it till I have looked at every item. I found some stamps that are popular on eBay and sold them for double by doing this. That day I was on fire and had the drive in me to look at every part of that lot till I came upon the stamps. The book is interesting and gives out tons of solid advice. They talk about selling on the internet‚ yard sales‚ flea markets‚ and craigslist. I have used all of the avenues. My husband finds cars on craigslist and then resells them. Sometimes there are great deals out there but like what Mike and Frank say‚ you have to do your research and know your stuff. Yard sales are great if you can find a jewel there. Everything is cheap and people want to get rid of it. A Lot of times people do not know they have things that are worth money. In one of the chapters in the book it goes over banking on people who have no idea what their belongings are valued at. Also‚ not getting excited in front of people so they don’t know that one might be going away with a pot of gold. In other words practice a poker face.

Do yourself a favor and go and check out Antique Archaeology in Nashville‚ Tennessee. They have a plethora of great artifacts displayed. Even if you are not into picking it is delightful to cruise around the shop and check out all the history. If you are into picking read American Pickers Guide to Picking. There is excellent advice and gave me inspiration to keep picking and researching books. Even if I only do it on occasion it is fun. I would love to hear your stories of going picking. Or maybe you grew up like me traveling all over the U.S. in a 1957 transit bus‚ my mom giving me cash to go buy barbies while she worked‚ and helping her set up the jewelry booths before showtime.

You can go to http://www.antiquearchaeology.com/ and find out more about The store and the show American Pickers.

You can find American Pickers Guide to Picking on amazon.com 

All the pictures on this page are taken by Crystal Ross