Guest Curation: AuctionNinja x Kristin Holloway

In the enchanting world of vintage glass and antique treasures, there exists a place where the magic of the past comes to life - Vintage Glass Guide, curated by Kristin Holloway. Here, you'll find a treasure trove of vintage glassware, original catalog ads from the late 1920s to the early 2000s, and a sneak peek into Kristin's adventures to estate sales, antique malls, thrift stores, and beyond.

But what truly sets Vintage Glass Guide apart is its vibrant community. It’s a place where glass enthusiasts come together to share their love for glass, exchange stories about their latest purchases, and eagerly share new information and insights.

In this post, Kristin is sharing her top AuctionNinja picks and offers some helpful tips. Whether you're a seasoned collector or new to online auctions and estate sales, her advice will come in handy. Read on!

Kristin’s AuctionNinja Picks:

1. Fostoria Heirloom Opalescent Green Bowl/Centerpiece

2. Green Ruffle Fenton Glass Vase and Pottery Japanese Vase

3. Fenton Hobnail Milk Glass 21 1/4" Tall Swung Vase

4. Vintage Blenko Vintage Glass Blue Penguin

5. Vintage Westmoreland Black Amethyst Milk Glass Square Plates with Reticulated Scalloped Borders - 5 Pieces

6. Vintage Empoli Glass Apothecary Jar Candy Dish Amber Glass

7. Vintage Fire-king Ovenware Green Glass 8" Mixing Bowl Jadeite

8. Viking Art Glass Avocado Green Dish or Goblets

9. Fenton Footed Blue Opalescent Basket Weave Vase

Kristin's selections showcase her discerning eye for vintage glass and antique treasures. Each item carries a unique charm, and together, they form a curated collection that reflects her passion for the world of vintage glass.

Q&A with Kristin Holloway:

What got you interested in secondhand, vintage, and antique items?

My parents have always loved antique furniture and rugs, so I grew up going to flea markets, estate sales, and auctions with them. I was always so impressed with the quality and the uniqueness of the items they would buy, so I started saving up my birthday and allowance money to buy smaller pieces like vintage rhinestone costume jewelry or decorative vanity boxes in middle school. Eventually, I moved onto collecting crystal and art glass and the rest is history!  

What are the one or two things that you always find yourself bidding on/looking for when shopping secondhand?

I’m always on the hunt for white Milk Glass and really nice clear glass or crystal serving pieces. They’re both very affordable to purchase right now because they’re timeless, but not necessarily in “style” currently. However, I predict that the market is going to flip soon, because more and more people my age are getting interested in hosting and they’re looking into affordable but quality options for serveware and vases. It also doesn’t hurt that Milk Glass and crystal go with everything! 

Another thing I’m on the look out for is furniture that I can use to display my glass collection. Mahogany is my favorite wood because of its durability (it endures the Mississippi humidity really well!) and also how lovely the darker wood looks juxtaposed against my Milk Glass collection. 

What's your absolute favorite item ever purchased at an estate sale or online auction?

Wow, this is a hard question! Probably my matching pair of Tiffin Uranium Glass Koi Fish Candleholders. The candle holders themselves are gorgeous, but the story behind them is what’s so special. I purchased the first candle holder at an estate sale and about a year later there was a second estate sale at the same house, so I decided to go. I ended up finding the mate in a box of mismatched Christmas decor in the garage! 

Any tips or advice for online auction or estate sale newbies?

My biggest advice for online auctions would be to set an alarm for the last 10-15 minutes of the bidding cycle, so you won’t lose out on an item you really want—this is especially helpful for me when I’m bidding on several items with different end times. 

For estate sales, I recommend going on multiple days of the sale, if you can. The first day of an estate sale is usually pretty hectic and I’ve found that when I go on the second or third day when a lot of the stuff has already been purchased and cleared out, I can focus better and I almost always find great pieces that I completely overlooked before. 

Written by:

AuctionNinja Staff

September 14, 2023     Updated 01:10 PM

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