Just a personal note on The Dean, my wife Val and No Egrets Antiques.

Val has been a collector for many a year (35) and after several right sizings from large companies, Val started selling antiques full time in Mall locations, on ebay, and on the internet at her store, No Egrets Antiques. Full time is 50-65 hours a week devoted to all aspects of the business.

Searching, hunting, buying, cleaning, storing, researching, pricing, photographing, displaying, listing, selling, stocking, wrapping, shipping, banking, emailing, accounting and enjoying the business. Sounds like an INGcommercial.

Using an old term in the business, she is a picker, always on the hunt for the unusual item collectors or decorators seek. From many wonderful and informative emails from customers, we have discovered that all things have meaning to someone. Almost everyone has a collection or a need for a decorating item. Fascinating to see how many people point out their obsession in their email or eBay name. BlueLeftShoe, buys blue left shoes. A milk bottle from Borden's is sent to Billy Borden, an eye cup to Dr. Sid Sightless, a mallet is bought by Mike Hammer.

Collectors tell us how long they have searched for some item. We have had a special thrill supplying items meaningful to families, whose ancestors worked at a business, were listed in a school annual, lived in a village or visited a resort , pictured on a postcard, or were involved in designing or producing an item.

Many of our items are shipped to businesses or professional people, as we can provide a finding service, for their obsession. Think of it this way, would you want to see your doctor rummaging through a pile of greasy parts looking for a prized Triumph carburetor?

We have sold vintage hubcaps for Ramblers, saddlebags for Harley's, watch cases with no works, single sheets of letterhead from an out of business, business. We sold a partial denture, antique girdle, and nylons but no chocolates.

OH, how odd, we must have bought those items TOO!

Our own love of the old is evident in our abode, with antiques incorporated into the theme of each room. As dealers, we always have the opportunity to add to, upgrade, or resell an unwanted item in a collection (as if she can part with it), and replace it with a older, bigger or better example.

If you are in the hunt for a special item, want to discuss antiquing, please feel free to contact us by email at noegrets@asapnet.net. Please place "Kitschy" within the subject line.

The Dean