Get the inside scoop on every aspect of antiquing - buying, cleaning, repairing, embellishing, refinishing, restoring, and selling. You'll find expert advice for getting great deals at auctions, flea markets, and shops, and you'll learn how to spot items that can be repaired to increase their value. Advice for selling antiques at flea markets, on consignment, and in shops is included. James W. McKenzie is a self-employed antique dealer and restorer who has more than 20 years of experience working in various antique businesses and has put much know-how advice into his book Antiques on the Cheap. He has had 27 years of hands-on experience in restoration work and selling and currently restores American art pottery for other dealers. James has been married for 35 years to his wife, Wanda, and has two daughters and three grandchildren. He lives in West Virginia. Introduction Part I: Buying 1 Taking the Mystery out of Auctions 2 Other Sources of Merchandise 3 What You Shouldn't Buy 4 What You Should Buy 5 Getting Good Things for Nothing Part II: Improving 6 Cleaning Wood Furniture 7 Marbleizing and Other Trick Finishes 8 If You Absolutely Must Strip 9 Refinishing 10 Trunk Restoration for the Amateur 11 Tricks for Cleaning Silver and Brass Part III: Fixing 12 Mending Chipped and Broken Pottery 13 No-Sew Lampshade Re-covering 14 Renovating and Converting Lamps 15 Resurrecting Frames and Mirrors 16 Furniture Repair for People with Few Tools Part IV: Selling 17 Where to Sell 18 How to Get and Keep Customers 19 Pricing Your Merchandise 20 Some Basics of Business Glossary Suggested Reading and References Sources: Suppliers and Manufacturers Index Whether you're buying or selling, this complete handbook gives you easy-to-follow advice for making the most of your antiquing investments. Antiques on the Cheap features dozens of simple, inexpensive techniques to help you: - Recognize real treasures and make great deals at auctions, estate sales, and yard sales - Put the best face on your finds by cleaning, stripping, and refinishing just about anything - Turn broken into beautiful with techniques for mending pottery, fixing lamps, repairing furniture, and sprucing up other favorites - Make money, with expert advice for setting up shop, attracting customers, pricing merchandise, and more

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