While traveling
the globe hitting the world's best flea markets and antique stores is exciting
and fun, the internet has made travel shopping something you can do without packing
a suitcase one. In a time when airfare
costs are rising and the dollar is weak, global shoppers more and more are "buying
abroad" right here at home in the USA.
It goes without saying that it will always be more fun to go antiquing in the
French countryside in person. But
sometimes a gal has to be practical. When
time or money doesn't allow a much desired trip abroad, that doesn't mean you
have to sacrifice your Louis Seize. Thanks
to a website called Ruby Lane,
you can travel to Paris or Provence without so much as a "Bon Voyage". Pour yourself a caf crme, spritz lavender
scent in the air, turn on Edith Piaf and start traveling the cobblestone
streets of cyberspace.
When American clients ask me for an online resource to go antique shopping in
the USA, one of the first sites that come to mind is Ruby Lane (http://www.rubylane.com ) While EBay might
be chocked full of antiques for sale, Ruby Lane preselects their vendors
establishing relationships with the most compelling vendors around. They host hundreds of independent shops
showcasing quality antiques & art, vintage collectibles and jewelry items
from - not only France
- but around the globe. Whether your
passion is Italian, Moroccan, Americana
or Tibetan, Ruby Lane
has preselected the shop for you.
And shopping is easy. Stylehive.com
explains the website's concept, "Buying items from a Ruby Lane shop is similar
to buying from a seller on Etsy: most store owners explain their selling and return
or exchange policies, afford potential buyers the opportunity to ask questions
before making a purchase; some even offers sales, coupons, or other purchase
incentives; and many invite commissions for custom work."
The website
is wonderfully organized by category or by newly arrived items. Their blog "Notes from The Lane" is a great
resource providing a framework of information on their items for sale. I've used their site as a resource so
frequently they are saved on my browsers favorites list so that their help and insight
is only a click away.
If you haven't visited Ruby Lane,
take a trip today to America's
best Antiques District! As always, tell
them The Antiques Diva sent you!
See you in "The Lanes"!
The Antiques Diva
To read more exciting articles written by The Antiques Diva visit www.antiquesdiva.blogspot.com or www.antiquesdiva.com)