Professional Treasure Hunter Karen Carrier Talks Shop
ephemera: When did you first begin treasure hunting (i.e., searching for ephemera Carrier: I have been collecting as long as I can remember. I’ve always had an interest in the odd advertisement, the unique photo. I can remember my mother admonishing my father to "Look at this! When’s the last time you saw something like this?!" It’s from her I’m sure I got my eye for the unusual. ephemera: Did you begin consciously, knowing what you would seek out ephemera, or did you just one day discover what you were doing? Carrier: Oh, I’ve always known. For years, I collected for myself. But there comes a moment of realization that there are only so many odd pieces bits one person can have. In college, I would enclose tickets and tags in notes home to my mom. At work, I’d decorate every bulletin board available, filled to overflowing with pics & color swatches & buttons, findings, bits of broken (but still pretty) jewelry. Carrier: I’ve never really had difficulty finding bits I love. Of course, that was when I was collecting just for myself and I’m sure some of the things I’ve collected over the years would not mean as much to others as they do to me. But, now that I sell online, I have such wonderful leeway--I’m not just collecting for myself, I’m collecting for everyone! And that really gives me freedom. Do you have ANY idea how much stuff there is out there, undiscovered? I suppose I’d have to say that the most difficult challenges are time, money, and storage space. And I have learned to overcome (most) of those challenges with a credit card and a patient husband. I’ve come to grips with being unable to do much about having only 24 hours in a day. ephemera: What are your favorite "finds"? Do you have a crowning jewel or show stopper that you’ve found? If so, what is it, where was it found, other details? I’ve been doing this long enough now that I can truthfully say my greatest pleasure is finding something of worth for someone else--that I’ve found something which causes their breath to catch and they *must* have it. That’s a wonderful feeling. I owned a general store and antique shop for a number of years & it was there I found there really aren’t that many *true* collectors out there. Not serious investor-type collectors. What I found was that my customers would buy things which reminded them of their childhood, their family, someone they loved, their profession or their parents’ work … a name, a location, a date. It isn’t so much about ‘collecting’ as it about ‘connecting’-- to their past & their memories. I’ve gotten off the subject of your question, so I’ll tell you quickly of one of my favorite treasures... When my mother was 18 (during World War II), she was a USO hostess. She attended a "Bond Drive" at a theater in St Louis, Missouri, where dozens of big name Hollywood stars appeared in their efforts to raise money for the war effort. She got backstage and, smart girl that she was, she had an autograph book with her--I have the book now, with dozens of star’s signatures as well as some personal greetings to her and caricature sketches by James Cagney and Harpo Marx. I’m not sure if I love it more for those autographs or for the fact that I can picture my mother at 18, all star-struck and in Heaven. As the purveyor of All Thinks Lovely, Karen Carrier, is a modern-day treasure hunter. Recently, we talked about what it is like to search for ephemera treasures and the sale of such items in today's marketplace.
to sell online)?
ephemera: What challenges or obstacles do you encounter in finding worthwhile ephemera
treasures? How do you overcome these challenges?
Carrier: I love finding unexpected beauty--A discarded photograph of a sweet child, an advertisement for something I remember from my youth… old books with notes written inside --I love old books!
ephemera: Great story, Karen. It has been a real treat to talk with you. Thank you for sharing your adventures on the ephemera blog.
