Facebook Friends Share How They’re Handling the Pandemic
Hobbyists are working on projects and looking forward to going antiquing and thrifting again.
We recently asked our Facebook community how COVID-19 has been affecting their collecting/dealing, the hobby in general for them, and if they’ve been working on any projects during this downtime. Here are some of their responses:
Don Hunter: I’ve lived at my present abode for 14 years. There is a wonderful 16 x 20 pole barn here that I converted into a refinishing shop, with lots of drawers for my furniture hardware, supplies etc. During that time, I have also run an estate sale business, buying tons of hand tools, parts and smalls. There was little organization to it, just boxes, tubs, tins full of stuff piled around. I have averaged 4-1/2 hours a day since March 12 organizing, pricing, cleaning. Hopefully I can get back to refinishing by April 21.
Helen Blythe: Grandchildren are really into researching and organizing their stamp and coin collections. One granddaughter finally has time to make things from a trunk full of old costume jewelry and bits and pieces I gave to her. Editor’s note: Helen also vouched that Don Hunter “is a most excellent antique furniture re-finisher and restorer. Beautiful results.”
Top Fan Tonya Morgan: We managed to do Peaches to Beaches yard sale this year before things got bad. Got rid of a lot of antiques from my old booth. Now going through things for eBay and maybe a yard sale this fall. Redecorating stuff in rooms with some antiques I haven’t had room before! Making watch jewelry and other craft items from antiques for a spring craft show. Being retired now means I don’t have to get out often. So “stay at home” is no big deal! The weather is perfect for gardening, too, right now. I’m always reading and learning something new. Been reading about the quilt trails across America. Started pulling out my egg and rabbit collections for decorating. Never had time to do that before. Such fun!
Lynn Reed: Well, the shop is closed ’til the 30th, but was slower than molasses for the last two weeks. Now is the time to catch up on paperwork and promote fun “history” stuff.
Alberta VanNest: It has put a real STOP to doing much, but it will all be good again.
Top Fan Carole Dooley Long: I create pictures, using jewelry, at home. I’m blessed with friends who own a store and they sell my pics for me. They are closed right now. But it just gives me more time to work on more pics!
Michele E. Lupe: Miss it all. The smell, the box lots, digging!
Mel Wartenberg: Lots of little projects to do during this unusual, quiet time. My lovely, antique lorgnette eyewear piece (1878-1899) is on my bench to repair and have it in working condition again!
Cyndi Lockwood Waldrop: My husband and I can’t wait to go antiquing again! I’m not working on any projects.
Joyce Giroux: I want to go thrifting, hit the antique stores, go to flea markets. I’m an antique addict. Every store in this region is closed! Oh well, I guess I will have to wait for a little while. I would rather be in good health than sorry! But there are options, online vintage sellers.
Top Fan John Lewis: My life has been rudely interrupted. :) I go to the flea market every weekend. I went two weekends ago (mid-March), and it was a ghost town. No sellers, no buyers. Which with everything going on, that’s how it should be, but still ... With the extra time on the weekends now, I’ve been working on restoring the monster coffee grinder that I bought. I took it completely apart and cleaned every piece to look new. In the process of painting it now, piece by piece. Hoping to have it done within the next couple of weeks, as long as the weather cooperates.
How have you been handling the pandemic and downtime? What are you looking forward to doing once it's safe to venture out again? Drop us a line at ATNews@aimmedia.com and let us know.
