Searching for the Northern Lights in Norway

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My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. However, if you don’t see a new post on Thursday, it’s because I was too busy, so please look for a new one the following Monday.

Hello from Oslo, Norway, our last day here. We came to chase the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights). Were we successful? Well, yes, kinda, sort of.

The Finnmarken

We arrived in Norway in the city of Bergen, where we started our journey on a cruise ship line called Hurtigruten. Our specific ship was called Finnmarken. The Hurtigruten ships cruise the coast of Norway starting in Bergen north to Kirkenes, then turn around and head south. Besides cruise ship passengers, they’re working ships that stop in many ports along the journey. You can get on and off at any port.

We didn’t have any chance to see the Northern Lights until we passed north of the Artic Circle, after a few days traveling. It turns out we were north of the Artic Circle for only three nights, even though our entire trip was ten nights. Bad planning. If we were to do a similar trip again, we would just fly to a city north of the Arctic Circle, for instance Tromso, Norway, and stay there for several nights.

The Northern Lights from our ship

All the stars have to align to see the Northern Lights. 1. You need to be north of the Arctic Circle (most of the time). 2. It’s best to go in winter when the skies are dark. 3. It’s best to go when the moon is new, so it’s dark. 4. Going to a dark area outside of a city is best. 4. The weather has to cooperate, so cloud cover is a no-go. 5. Auroral activity should be at least moderate. The Kp-index is a measure of the activity, on a scale from 0 to 9. The higher the number, the better the chances and the brighter the display. That’s a lot of stars to align to get a good viewing.

The Northern Lights over a hilltop

So most of the factors aligned for two of the three nights, but the biggest factor working against us was the low auroral activity. The Kp index was between 1 and 2, so the little bit of Northern Lights we did see were faint and totally unspectacular. Boo hoo. We tried and we’ll probably try again, but now we’re a little smarter.

Paul Simon with the crew of the MS Trollfjord

To top things off, we found out that Paul Simon was on the next northbound Hurtigruten ship, the MS Trollfjord. Apparently he had his guitar with him and sang for the guests. Wow!

We’ll start preparing for our next show in two weeks, the Charleston Antique Show in Charleston, SC, March 17-19, 2017. I have no idea what to expect since I’ve never exhibited there, but I figure it’s worth a shot. I have low expectations and am hoping for a nice surprise.

I’ve been listing on my website many of the new items I’ve recently purchased and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

Click here to check my website for the latest items and to look around. I will update it as often as time permits. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

Discovering Art Nouveau in Norway

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My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. However, if you don’t see a new post on Thursday, it’s because I was too busy, so please look for a new one the following Monday.

Hello from Norway. We’re here in the middle of winter chasing the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights). Hopefully we’ll get lucky and see it. I’ll let you know.

Two typical Ålesund Art Nouveau buildings, one dated 1906

In the meantime, we visited the city of Ålesund (pronounced Oh leh sund), which I had never even heard of before visiting. A fire consumed much of the city in 1904, so many buildings were rebuilt in Norway’s version of the Art Nouveau style.

Two Norwegian Art Nouveau cabinets on display at the Ålesund Art Nouveau Center (the left one is asymmetric)

Quintessential Art Nouveau draws it’s influence from nature and is usually asymmetric. Norwegian Art Nouveau is more like the transitional period in the 1910s between the Art Nouveau and Art Deco movements. The themes from nature are more stylized than realistic and the decoration is mostly symmetric (two characteristics of Art Deco).

The entrance to the Ålesund Art Nouveau Center

We visited the original Art Nouveau pharmacy, which is now the Art Nouveau Center of Ålesund. It’s a small museum now with a limited selection of items, including four low quality Gallé vases and one nice blue decorated Tiffany Favrile vase, but it was still interesting.

The interior of the pharmacy with an Art Nouveau cash register

Be careful how you park!

It’s a charming, clean city with friendly people. I’m glad we visited, even for a brief while. Art Nouveau buildings were a nice surprise.

When we return, we’ll prepare for our next show, the Charleston Antique Show in Charleston, SC, March 17-19, 2017. I have no idea what to expect since I’ve never exhibited there, but I figure it’s worth a shot. I have low expectations and am hoping for a nice surprise.

I’ve been listing on my website many of the new items I’ve recently purchased and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

Click here to check my website for the latest items and to look around. I will update it as often as time permits. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

The results of the National Arts & Crafts Conference at the Grove Park Inn, February 17-19, 2017

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My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. However, if you don’t see a new post on Thursday, it’s because I was too busy, so please look for a new one the following Monday.

We sold this beautiful Tiffany Favrile lamp at the show

The National Arts & Crafts Conference finished its three-day run yesterday at the Grove Park Inn, Asheville, NC. In contrast to our shows in Miami, Tiffany Studios lamps, glass and desk set items sold best.

It was quite busy on Friday shortly after opening

Attendance and interest seemed better than last year, which was a good year. This show is unlike any other we do. True collectors and decorators fly in from all over the country to attend. Most are knowledgeable, courteous and friendly. It’s a real pleasure to exhibit at this show. We look forward to next year’s show.

I was busy on Sunday on a short day, from 11 AM to 4 PM, so I didn’t have a chance to record other dealer’s reactions. However in asking around most dealers were quite upbeat. I saw sale after sale. The UPS packer on the show floor was busy every minute of every day. It was very refreshing.

I recorded a short video of the show. Click here to view it.

After exhibiting at four shows in the last few weeks, we’re off on a brief vacation to view the Aurora Borealis. If we get lucky, we’ll see it and I’ll write a blog with photos. I will have complete access to my email, so don’t hesitate to write. I’ll answer as soon as I finish drinking my Cuba Libre.

Our next show is a new one for us, the Charleston Antique Show in Charleston, SC, March 17-19, 2017. I have no idea what to expect since I’ve never exhibited there, but I figure it’s worth a shot. I have low expectations and am hoping for a nice surprise.

I’ve been listing on my website many of the new items I’ve recently purchased and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

Click here to check my website for the latest items and to look around. I will update it as often as time permits. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

The results of the Original Miami Antique Show, February 10-13, 2017

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No Thursday post this week because this week’s post was postponed to Tuesday. Next Monday’s post will have the results of The Grove Park Inn Arts & Crafts Conference.

My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. However, if you don’t see a new post on Thursday, it’s because I was too busy, so please look for a new one the following Monday.

We sold this beautiful Daum Nancy Blackbird vase at the show

The Original Miami Antique Show finished its four-day run yesterday at its new venue, the Miami-Dade County Fair Expo Center. We had a reasonably good show, especially compared to my low expectations. French glass sold best, as usual. In asking around, some dealers did fairly well and others complained bitterly.

Here’s some of the scuttlebutt surrounding the show.

1. Many of the dealers and attendees were satisfied with the new location because of the extensive free parking. You probably remember what a pain parking was in Miami Beach.

2. Many of the heavy hitters who usually attended the show in Miami Beach didn’t attend at this location. There were plenty of people, but fewer qualified buyers among them. That resulted in a lack of electricity that the show had in Miami Beach. It was probably a combination of many things including uncertainty surrounding the new venue. One person told me that Pres. Trump’s travel ban caused some Europeans not to come. (I did notice far fewer Europeans than usual). I wonder if the Zika-carrying mosquitoes affected anyone’s decision. (That’s pure speculation on my part.)

The present state of the Miami Beach Convention Center

An artist’s rendering of the future Miami Beach Convention Center

3. Rumors had been circulating since last year that the show would not be permitted back into the Miami Beach Convention Center after construction is complete. The latest information is that was totally untrue. The show will move back into the Convention Center in January or February, 2019, if the construction is complete. That means only one more year at the Miami-Dade County Fairgrounds. Here’s hoping.

4. Other rumors had it that the Miami-Dade County Fairgrounds was in an awful neighborhood in cow country. Again, totally untrue. It’s in an up and coming neighborhood that is perfectly fine and totally safe.

I recorded a short video of the show including several dealers reactions. They skew to better comments because most of the dealers who did poorly were unwilling to go on camera to say so. Click here to view it.

Today we’re off to the historic and beautiful Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC for the Arts & Crafts Conference this coming weekend. It’s one of our favorite shows of the year, which you will surely enjoy if you make the effort to attend. Hope you can make it.

I’ve been listing on my website many of the new items I’ve recently purchased and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

Click here to check my website for the latest items and to look around. I will update it as often as time permits. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

Setting up at The Original Miami Antique Show, February 8, 2017

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My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. However, if you don’t see a new post on Thursday, it’s because I was too busy, so please look for a new one the following Monday.

I spent a lot of time on Monday creating a video of last week’s show, the Miami Antiques + Art + Design show. It’s not a polished, professional presentation, but I think you’ll enjoy watching it. Click here to view it. PLEASE send me an email and let me know what you think. philip@chasenantiques.com.

Yesterday was the first day of setup for the Original Miami Antique Show at its new venue at the Miami-Dade County Fair Expo Center in southwest Miami. I didn’t know what to expect and truly I was surprised. It’s an extra 15-20 minutes drive, but I assure you it’s worth it. The show is huge with many, many high-quality dealers. I can’t think of a better show to travel to. The quality and the size make it a must-see show!

I’ve put together a very short video to give you a little taste. Click here.

The show opens to the public this Friday at 11 AM and continues until Monday at 5 PM. Make sure you visit!!

We’ll have this just-purchased, incredible Daum Nancy Blackbird vase at the show.

We always bring a strong inventory to Miami, but this year is exceptional. You won’t believe the quantity and quality of the French and American glass and lamps we’ll have at the show. We had to rent an additional showcase beyond the eight we already bring just to fit it all. Come and visit the show. It’s always good but this year it will be great!

I’ve been listing on my website many of the new items I’ve recently purchased and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

Click here to check my website for the latest items and to look around. I will update it as often as time permits. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

The results of the Miami Antiques + Art + Design Show, February 3-5, 2017

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My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. However, if you don’t see a new post on Thursday, it’s because I was too busy, so please look for a new one the following Monday.

The Miami Antiques + Art + Design Show is over. It’s been a modest success, for which I’m thankful. Attendance was light to moderate for the entire show, but enough of the right people showed up to make it profitable. French glass sold best, which has been the usual modus operandi for most shows.

We sold a very similar Walter pâte-de-verre tray at the show

I don’t think the word is out yet that the show is new and improved. It’s much larger and better, so it’s worth a trip from anywhere. I think the show is going to get even bigger next year with the reopening of the second floor. That would be a great reason to visit. We’re signed up for next year in an even bigger booth.

I spent a lot of time on Monday creating a video of the show. I’m not a professional videographer, but I did my best with a complicated video editing program called Serif MoviePlus. Click here to view it. I would love to know what you think. PLEASE send me an email. philip@chasenantiques.com.

This week we’ll move to the Miami-Dade County Fair Expo Center in southwest Miami for the Original Miami Antique Show. It opens to the public this Friday at 12 PM and continues until Monday at 5 PM. I have no idea what to expect with this move to a new venue. I’ll keep you posted.

We’ll have this just-purchased, incredible Daum Nancy Blackbird vase at the show.

We always bring a strong inventory to Miami, but this year is exceptional. You won’t believe the quantity and quality of the French and American glass and lamps we’ll have at the show. We had to rent an additional showcase beyond the eight we already bring just to fit it all. Come and visit the show. It’s always good but this year it will be great!

I’ve been listing on my website many of the new items I’ve recently purchased and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

Click here to check my website for the latest items and to look around. I will update it as often as time permits. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

Setting up at the Miami Antiques + Art + Design Show, January 31 – February 1, 2017

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My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. However, if you don’t see a new post on Thursday, it’s because I was too busy, so please look for a new one the following Monday.

Setup at the The Miami Antiques + Art + Design Show is half over. It’s going smoothly, but we have so many objects that it’s a formidable task. We’ll have it all done by the time the show opens to the public this Friday at 11 AM.

Our booth at a previous Miami Airport show

This year the show has 200 dealers, up from 60 last year. It’s a rare example of a show growing, as most shows are struggling just to maintain their size. Many of the best dealers who haven’t exhibited at this show in many years are back. It’s like the good old days.

Just bought this very beautiful Tiffany Favrile vase

You will be thrilled with the size and quality of the show. Come visit and make the show a big success!

We’ll have this just-purchased, incredible Daum Nancy Blackbird vase at the show.

We always bring a strong inventory to Miami, but this year is exceptional. You won’t believe the quantity and quality of the French and American glass and lamps we’ll have at the show. We had to rent an additional showcase beyond the eight we already bring just to fit it all. Come and visit the show. It’s always good but this year it will be great!

The Original Miami Antique Show follows the Miami Airport Show, moving from Miami Beach to a new venue. If you can’t make both shows, make sure you visit this one.

I’ve been listing on my website many of the new items I’ve recently purchased and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

Click here to check my website for the latest items and to look around. I will update it as often as time permits. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

The Miami Antiques + Art + Design Show opens this Friday, February 3, 2017

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My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. However, if you don’t see a new post on Thursday, it’s because I was too busy, so please look for a new one the following Monday.

The Miami Antiques + Art + Design Show opens to the public this Friday at 11 AM and closes on Sunday at 5 PM. It will feature over 200 premier exhibitors from the U.S., Canada, Europe and South America, offering fine antiques and decorative arts.

Our booth at a previous Miami Airport show

This year the show has grown to 200 dealers from only 60 last year as many of the dealers from the Original Miami Beach Antique Show have jumped ship due to the uncertainty surrounding the relocation of the Original Miami Beach Antique Show. The Miami Beach Convention Center is undergoing extensive renovation which forced the Original Miami Beach Antique Show to move to the Miami-Dade County Fair & Exposition Center. We’ve decided to exhibit at both shows and let the chips fall where they may.

We’ll have this just-purchased, incredible Daum Nancy Blackbird vase at the show.

We always bring a strong inventory to Miami, but this year is exceptional. You won’t believe the quantity and quality of the French and American glass and lamps we’ll have at the show. We had to rent an additional showcase beyond the eight we already bring just to fit it all. Come and visit the show. It’s always good but this year it will be great!

The Original Miami Antique Show follows the Miami Airport Show, moving from Miami Beach to a new venue. If you can’t make both shows, make sure you visit this one.

I’ve been listing on my website many of the new items I’ve recently purchased and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

Click here to check my website for the latest items and to look around. I will update it as often as time permits. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

The results of the NYC Big Flea Antiques Market, January 19-21, 2017

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My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. However, if you don’t see a new post on Thursday, it’s because I was too busy, so please look for a new one the following Monday.

A few of the Gallé and Daum vases in our booth

It’s 12:30 PM on Saturday as I begin to write this blog. The show will end today at 7 PM, having opened at 9 AM today and yesterday. There were almost no people for the first hour, so the show should have opened at 10 AM. Closing today at 7 PM will be a burden. There will be no people here the last hour or two. The show promoters should shorten the hours to make it easier on the dealers. The public will have enough hours to do their shopping.

We sold this beautiful Gallé Chrysanthemum vase at the show

As of now, we’ve had very few sales, but those few sales coupled with a good purchase pre-show added up to a modest success. If we sell more today, it will be a success, period.

More Gallé and Daum in our booth

UPDATE: Saturday, 7 PM. The show is over and unfortunately it ended with a bust. No sales at all on what should have been the busiest and best day. Attendance was a little bit better today, but overall attendance ranged from very light to light. A few of my good clients showed up today, but no one made a purchase. It was a long, boring show that ended with very few sales and a small profit. Beats the pants off a loss, but still quite disappointing.

Now we’re headed to Miami for important shows, beginning with the Airport Show on February 3rd. This year may be the turning point for the show becoming the more important of the two Miami shows. If you missed us in New York City, don’t miss us in Miami.

The Original Miami Antique Show follows the Miami Airport Show, moving from Miami Beach to a new venue. If you can’t make both shows, make sure you visit this one.

I’ve been listing on my website many of the new items I’ve recently purchased and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

Click here to check my website for the latest items and to look around. I will update it as often as time permits. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

The NYC Big Flea Antiques Market is open until Saturday, January 21, 2017

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A small sample of the Gallé and Daum we have at the show

My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. However, if you don’t see a new post on Thursday, it’s because I was too busy, so please look for a new one the following Monday.

The crowd at the opening on Thursday

The NYC Big Flea Antiques Market opened today, Thursday, January 19, and will run through Saturday, January 21, at 7 PM. It’s located at the Manhattan Center, Historic Hammerstein Ballroom, 34th St. and 8th Ave. in New York City. The show opened at 1 PM with a nice little crowd and a flurry of activity. By mid-afternoon it had slowed down, but hopefully more people will show up later and tomorrow. I’m guessing Saturday will be the busiest day.

Our booth

Setup was a much bigger hassle than usual. Our booth is small and on a stage several steps up, so getting everything into the booth was difficult and took several hours. We had to finish setting up this morning. Too much pressure without enough space or time, but we got it done, though not at the usual relaxed pace.

A sample of the Tiffany Favrile glass in our booth

The show was off to a good start with a very good purchase from another dealer on the floor, plus a nice sale, but it’s still far from being a good show. There’s plenty of time left. Tune in Monday for the results.

Following the show, we’ll be heading to the all-important Miami shows, beginning with the Airport Show on February 3rd. This year may be the turning point for the show becoming the more important of the two Miami shows. If you can’t see us in New York City, don’t miss us in Miami.

I’ve been listing on my website many of the new items I’ve recently purchased and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

Click here to check my website for the latest items and to look around. I will update it as often as time permits. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.
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