Marburger Farms, like many other venues, offers a variety of vendors in one location.
Antique plates are sought after items for wall décor.
just wouldn’t work,” says Deborah. “You can’t go to a place like that and let yourself see everything.” If that’s the case then you’re just not going to make any headway, you’re not going to get done. Of course it’s fun to just browse and admire everything when you don’t have a specific things you’re looking for.”
ROUND TOP WISDOM On the second and third trips they sought out vendors that had proven to be good sources, making a bee line to those vendors when similar items were on the shopping list. One lesson they learned was about those frustrating hold tags tied to antiques of interest. Deborah and Andra discovered when a desirable item was on hold for another shopper, that it was important to look at the expiration time on the hold tag. Sometimes it’s just an hour our so before the hold expires. If the shopper doesn’t return for the item, then you may get to purchase it after all if you circle back to that vendor’s booth. Shop everything from functional antique furniture to rare and unusual decorative objects.
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On the other hand, the shopping duo learned it was important to not beat yourself up over things that got away or just didn’t happen. “You have to know how to walk away and not get hung up on things that are already sold,” says Deborah. “Ultimately, you will find something even better.” Deborah and Andra explain that it’s good to have a shopping partner who is like-minded, but can be practical when a piece strikes your interest. One person can ponder the beauty or likeability of the piece while the buddy checks out the size, color, material and other specs. Andra says that Deborah’s husband James was great at seeing the potential of the pieces, even when they were architectural elements that would be worked into a piece of furniture. And, according to Deborah, Andra was terrific tie-breaker and mediator. “It was extremely helpful, because James and I would have probably pulled each other’s hair out over a few things without Andra’s diplomatic input,” says Deborah.