Kelly Doust introduces readers to her wonderful world of reviving and customising vintage pieces, while bringing a modern and unique twist to wearing vintage clothes – Dita Von Teese
Some auction advice from Shauna
My friend Shauna Farren-Price is an auctioneer at Lawson’s in Annandale. Shauna’s been in the industry since 1992 so I thought I’d ask her some questions and share her top tips with you here:
What’s the best attitude to take with you to an auction house?
With a general sale an open mind is a good starting point. There can be such a variety of things on sale that if you’re too focused on getting that particular item then you may overlook another. Take your time and try and view the day before the auction, have a tape measure handy and know the dimensions of the wall or floor space you’re trying to furnish. When you’ve done the preparation in a methodical way, carry this attitude through to the bidding stage and don’t buy something on the spur of the moment which you haven’t inspected previously. Just because something’s selling for next to nothing does not a bargain make.
What should you look out for?
In all objects I think the watch word is quality or craftsmanship. Something which is well made will be a sound investment whether it’s an antique or a modern item. Open doors and pull drawers out to see how they fit together and slide. Check how the back of an object is finished as well as the front, and check to see if the keys are available. If there’s damage check whether it’s cosmetic or structural and assess whether a repair would be something you could tackle yourself or factor in restoration/re-upholstery. Check for signs of bora infestation (pin prick holes and sawdust).
What things seem to be flying off the auction house floor?
Large French farmhouse tables and pretty chandeliers, armoires, good Georgian dining room furmiture and anything industrial ie 1940s enamelled pendant lighting, stainless steel and timber workshop tables, taxidermy. People like to throw a good dinner party and have something different to show off.
Your sourcing or bidding techniques?
Good sourcing is vital and can save hours. Most auction houses have online catalogues and newsletters so you know what to expect before you visit. At Lawsons we have a lot alert system which takes the effort out of trawling through catalogues: register a wishlist keyword and receive an email alert when something matches your search. Always buy or download a catalogue to keep track of the sale. Ask the relevant specialist for estimates if they don’t appear in the catalogue. Decide what something’s worth to you and stick to it. Don’t forget to factor in buyer’s premium which is usually 15-20% and make sure if it’s something large you have a way of getting it home. Most auction houses have a list of carriers or rental trucks to hand.
Sometimes there will be two or more auctions running at once which is tricky even for the seasoned bidder. Work out the speed at which the auctioneer runs through the lots so you can time your bidding and coffee breaks accordingly. Most general sales see about 90 lots an hour.
If you can’t be in two places at once make use of the absentee bid facility. Never hesitate to leave a bid because you think the item will go for much more than you’re prepared to pay. I’ve missed out a hundred times and kick myself for not leaving a bid because I thought something would go higher than I could manage. The auctioneer won’t be offended by the sight of a cheeky bid on the book, although sometimes it produces a bit of mirth.
What are the things you would buy yourself or think are great bargains?
It’s not politically correct but I would snap up fur coats by the dozen if I had somewhere to store or wear them. Costume Jewellery is another product which sells by the bagload and contains some interesting treasures. Other bargains include things which can be repurposed; such as an old theodolite which can be turned into a lamp or gunmetal architect’s table used as a plasma stand. These will look amazing and unique. With art, sometimes the frame is more interesting than the picture and can be a work of art in its own right.
Any trends you’re noticing?
Something that has struck me lately is the new wave of buyers coming through the salerooms; possibly out of necessity to budget well or through curiosity, or perhaps the recycling message is really hitting home lately and secondhand is de rigeur.
- Thanks Shauna, you’re a star!
Lawson’s is open for viewing today from 1pm. The general estate auction takes place from 9:30am tomorrow.
I tell you what, it’s worth taking a day off to go to these once in a while. You’ll be bidding against all those chi chi boutique owners who snap this stuff up, give it a lick of paint, then whack a massive price tag on it.
Good luck, and happy auctioneering!
Illustrations by Zoë Sadokierski
Logo designed by Zoë for Curious Works
Zoe and I used to work together a few years ago, back when I was a book publicist and she was an in-house graphic designer. Since then, Zoe’s completed a PhD on graphic novels (clever gel) and been getting her art out and about, as well as continuing to design books as a freelancer. I’ve always admired her work and get such a kick out of her illustrations, which are so often whimsical and surprising.
Check out Zoe’s beautiful, quirky art on her blog, or purchase prints, cards and tees at RedBubble, and support this up-and-coming local artist. I think we’ll be seeing a lot more from her in future.
Circus illustration by Zoë
Our Young Prince fights the Hideous Beast
Bunny Girl
Underwood typewriter
Lordy, look at this…
Recycled pop art Queen by Jane Perkins
My friend Jaki sent me this – isn’t she hilarious? Artist Jane Perkins has gone and constructed our dear old monarch from bits of broken jewellery. Loving the blue plastic dinosaurs roaming through her beaded hair.
A few of my favourite things #3
Penguin Classics
A home without books is like a room without windows — Henry Ward Beecher
This will be no surprise to those of you who read my post about colour coding books, but we are now the proud owners of the first 50 Penguin Classics. I’m going to start looking for a bookshelf to show them off pronto – with room for the next fifty. We do own a number of these in different formats, but the thought of bequeathing them to Olive in the orange paperbacks was too tempting to resist.
And I suppose I should start on the many titles I’ve yet to read… so many choices. Everything is Illuminated, perhaps?
Music to craft to
I never craft in silence. A list of current fave tunes to get crafty to, which I also find very inspiring:
* John Lennon’s Instant Karma
* The Darjeeling Limited soundtrack
* Feist, The Reminder
* Anything byAlison Goldfrapp but particularly the floaty, ethereal Seventh Tree album
And this wonderful Something Blue sampler from Verve Records I’ve had on high rotation for, oh, about 15 years… good jazz never gets old.
Simple idea #3
Window poetry
Wet weekends are the perfect time for feeling introspective and curling up indoors.
Seeing the Sea Angels site made me think about poetry, and reminded me how lovely a few words penned on a window with Posca look (a graffiti pen, available from most newsagents or stationery supplies stores).
Give it a try, or borrow someone else’s prose for inspiration if you’d rather not use your own.
If you’re very brave, you could even write it on a bare wall with some texta or waxy black crayon.
Click here for simple idea #1
An oilcloth apron or two
Matching aprons
A craft feature I wrote for the Australian Women’s Weekly was published last week so now I can share this with you: here’s two super-easy aprons made from pretty oilcloth, ribbons and extra-thick bias binding.
These are a cinch to whip up either on the machine or by hand, and make excellent gifts for a child’s birthday.
Half a metre of oilcloth should give you enough fabric for at least two finished aprons, with lots left over for pencil cases or notebook covers or simple bookmarks.
For the last idea, just cut 7cm x 15cm strips with pinking shears to give your bookmark cute zig-zagged edges.
Sea Angels
Lynn Barron embroidered bird
Fellow Crafty Minx Annette sent me a link to this site – it’s making me want to gather up our family of three and head to the Orkneys or Skye or some similarly remote place where we will live in a farmhouse and make jam and Olive will befriend the lambs (but only for a little while… Spring in Sydney beckons and it’s my favourite time of the year).
Blogger & Crafty Minx of the highest order Lynn Barron even pens her own poetry:
“The fields are silent now, no bird song early morning, or rustle of the corn when the wind blows, above us the sky is blue and as fragile as egg shell…
I have felt the gentle turn of the year, the mornings are damp, and the evenings more dusky, fruit is ripe and the trees are full. Our fingers are red with blackberry juice, hips and haws in tangles on the bushes grow berry red bright and I feel drawn outside now all of the time… as if to cherish and touch the last precious weeks of summer, breathing in deeply as the flower petals fall in silence…”
How very evocative and moody it all is [insert sigh].
Making plum jam - image by Lynn Barron
Our own cherry blossom tree finally blooms
Stitchy Business
Love your MCA
Gosh I think the Museum of Contemporary Art is fabulous. Ditto Elizabeth Ann MacGregor, the MCA’s tartan-clad Director.
Check out this workshop they’re hosting for kids during the school holidays. I’d book in quick if you’re considering it. Brilliant, brilliant idea. And if you’re looking for the grown-up version, check out my previous entry on Vicious Threads for more good, clean fun.
A few of my favourite things #2
Silver slippers make me happy
When Salvio’s Dancing Shoes set up shop in Sydney in the mid-1920s to produce handmade footwear, I bet they didn’t expect their classic slippers to turn into the staple of the modern woman’s wardrobe they’ve since become.
This family-run business produces all sorts of dance shoes – from flamenco pumps to Russian boots – but their ballet flats made for streetwear are my favourite (well, I’m no dancer, so I’ve not much choice).
I have lost count of how many pairs I’ve bought over the past 5 years… each summer I order at least one new pair, to arrive by post. Silver and pewter don’t usually last more than a season because I wear them until they fall from my feet, but red ones such as the pair below tend to kick about for a few years.
I love that the shoe size is still punched by hand on the very soft leather soles beneath. And that if you have oddly-sized feet, you can simply trace an outline then fax or email Salvio’s, and they’ll make you a pair to fit.
Where else can you buy handmade shoes for just over $70 a pair? Love love love.
There's no place like home