Collections of miniatures dont have to cost a lot. If you do a bit of research and narrow down your search, these ten money saving tips may help you collect more for your money.
1. Save Money For Your Collection by Making Your Own Originals
Magazines and websites can show you techniques for creating miniatures in your particular field or point you in the direction of classes. You can make the project, attend a class, or talk to recent class graduates who may be producing something you want to buy. Recent class graduates often charge less than long time artisans. You may be able to create a miniature, a display or find bargain collectibles. Here's a list of some places that offer courses and workshops on making various miniatures.
2. Join a Miniatures Club To Pool Your Resources or Find Local Artisans
Clubs often have workshop days when items are created or days when members trade their work. Local clubs may have discount agreements with local shops or might buy group lots at a discount. Some clubs have discounts with online suppliers or local craftspeople as well. Local libraries will have lists of clubs in your area with information about when they meet.
3. Watch for Local Sales of Your Particular Miniature Collectibles
Magazines for collectors may have information about clubs, shows and upcoming sales in your local area. Watch club newsletters and the local paper for sale events as well. Watch your local auctions or talk to dealers and discover where they obtain some of their stock if you collect items which are no longer being made.
4. Look Outside Your Regular Miniature Collectible Field
Often miniatures are created across disciplines. A ceramics specialist may have decided to try a few tiny teapots this year. A person skilled with polymer clay may have miniature items included in their usual range of jewellery pieces. A bonsai club may have small trees suitable for garden railways, but not up to the club standard for competition. The local alpine plant society may have seed suitable for that same garden railway as a groundcover. Items you find outside your field may be less expensive than items sold only for particular types of miniature collections.
5. Check Yard Sales, Thrift Stores and Estate Sales
Small collections may show up on Craigslist or other local online sales sites. Study your particular area, know what you are looking for, decide your price range and head out to flea markets and sales on the weekend. If you have consignment stores in your area, drop by regularly looking for items, or leave your contact information with a staff person, asking them to tell you if any of the type of items you collect come in. The popularity of particular miniatures often is related to the age of the population. Try nearby towns with age groups who may be downsizing their collections.
6. Stay in Touch with Local Auction Houses and Dealers Who Handle Collectibles
If older miniatures are your passion, visit auction houses regularly. Talk to local stores and ask them to call you if they are offered particular items or if something in your area shows up in a job lot. A $2 box in the back lot of goods at an auction may contain several items you have spent years looking for. You usually need to attend a few auctions to determine what types of materials the auction house generally handles. Unlike online auctions, some collectibles in small markets or sold in general rather than specialized auctions may realize lower prices.
7. Watch for Emerging Artists and Artisans Who Create In Your Collecting Field
In their first few years the work of new artists may be much more reasonable than it will be when they have made a name for themselves. If they don't have exactly what you want, ask them if they create pieces to order and discuss your requirements and budget. Supporting new artisans can help them establish themselves, and get you some bargains in the process.
8. Post Notices in Miniature Club Newsletters
Let clubs know your interest areas. An old time member who no longer attends may be looking to sell an item you are searching for. This is true of tools, and display cabinets and other items as well as collectibles.
9. Travel Wisely and Search for New Sources of Your Collectible
Miniature books in English may not be as expensive in a foreign language market where they are less likely to be collected. Older wargame minatures may show up in retirement communities where people are clearing out their children's possessions. If you travel, always try to find sources of the actual items you collect, or pieces that will fit with your collection.
10. Enlist Friends to Help Find The Pieces You Want To Collect
All items go through fashion cycles and sometimes a pocket exists in one community which means items which you thought had vanished are still circulating there and may not be popular. Always look for your collectible, regardless of what small town or country you are in, and let friends who are collectors know what you are looking for so they can contact you if they see something in your range. If you can give a friend a business sized card with a photo, an idea of acceptable condition and price, friends may be happy to help expand your collection.
