Immersed in the Past, Kimberly Pidgeon PACC Certified Appraiser

05/12/2024

Anyone interested in trading for items/services? I'm looking to acquire some Phillies baseball clothing/ jerseys, hats, balls or memorabilia....pm me !

05/09/2024

05/09/2024

05/08/2024

Ok everyone. Im on an awesome estate evaluation job now that has sooo much inventory I'm speechless.... so what are you ISO?

HELP MY NEWEST CLIENT (AND FRIEND) AS SHE AND HER PETS PREPARE TO MOVE OUT OF STATE ! ( NEAR THE BEACH IN DE BUT IM NOT JEALOUS ) :(

LOCATION : Near Ringtown.... She will be having numerous out door garage /yard sales going forward on most weekends with new inventory added constantly as we sort, stage and research etc. Dates will be posted on both of our pages. I'll tag her on my personal FB page.
She also does her marketplace listing pickups by appointment.
* I can get you her contact info and/or name on FBMP to see what she has up so far. Reach out.

This property is just packed FULL of great items and most, if not all, is in very good, excellent or even new condition with tags on and / or packaged. She wants to sell in lots and bundles if able.

Heres some of what I'm finding after 2 days only. :) will update as needed and as I uncover :

IN MY VISITS IM SEEING:
***** VERY LARGE QUANTITIES OF :
VARIOUS STYLES /SIZES OF EMPTY BASKETS, LARGE BUNCHES OF ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, VARIOUS WREATHS AND ARRANGEMENTS IN PRIM STYLE DECOR AND TYPICAL HOLIDAY THEMED, ALL SORTS OF GLASSWARE , BOXED AVON IN MASS AMOUNTS ( CONSULTANT ITEMS INCL*) ,
CROCHETED GRANNY BLANKETS/BEDDING SETS, BATH TOWELS, HAND TOWELS, DECORATIVE TOWELS, WINDOW AND SHOWER CURTAINS,
SOOOOO MUCH CLOTHING!!!!!! (NEW AND VINTAGE ), every kind you can imagine.

WOODEN WALL DECOR OF ALL KINDS INCL SHELVES, FRAMED PIECES, HOME INTERIOR, lamps and shades.

------------‐----‐

To decorate in MCM style you are covered!!!!!

Strawberry, mushroom, floral. Folk art pieces....etc
Collectible home items marked by SYROCO, think the 70s at your home or your grandmas.
...recall the big wall butterflies,birds, fish, plastic colorful pieces , cat lamps, cannisters, wicker decor, metal pieces....? Yeah all that. ;)
-----‐‐------------

MISC : PET LIFE JACKETS, ACCESSORIES, MISC FURNITURE incl MCM
PURSES, TOTES, BEACH TOTE, PICNIC ITEMS, DISHES, COOKWARE, BAKEWARE, MISC PYREX AND SUCH, BREADBASKET, VARIOUS CABINETS, FIGURINES, 8 TRACKS , KITCHEN DAILY MISC ITEMS , CARD TABLE SETS, STOOLS, STORAGE AMD ORGANIZATION PIECES, AMAZING MCM CLOTHING HAMPERS, RADIOS, HOLIDAY STUFF FOR XMAS AND EASTER, AND ALL SEASONAL DECOR, FURNITURE, PURSES, SMALL APPLIANCES, VINTAGE CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES, SHOES, LAMPS, 8 TRACKS, BOOKS, UMBRELLAS, A FEW LOCAL HISTORY PIECES, MAGNETS, VERY LARGE INVENTORY OF VINTAGE LUGGAGE/SUITCASE PIECES, VINTAGE RADIOS, CLOCKS , ELECTRONIC PIECES, BANKER LAMPS, DESKS, END TABLES, MAGAZINE RACKS, POP CULTURE ITEMS,PLUSH TOYS, DOLLS, CERAMIC KITCHEN DECOR, FIGURAL S And P SHAKERS,

ASK ABOUT DETAILS OF A SLATE POOL TABLE THAT MAY BE AVAIL. It's beautiful!


More to come . ...... :)

05/07/2024

I get asked this question ALOT ...
"Why did you want to pursue this type of career?"

I'm ready to share my answer.

*This was my actual final exam essay submitted to graduate/get Certified. I always felt like it was too personal and not written percfectly to share outside my inner circle but Im just going to put it out here for all to read.
*.. it's my real, raw thoughts on my true calling and will hopefully allow everyone to understand my passion, who, what and how I've been influenced in my life up to this current day.

Kimberly Pidgeon ( name as to appear on diploma )
Plan 5 Essay / final exam
To: H. Houston - Asheford Instructor

WHY I WANTED TO BECOME AN APPRAISER

I barely remember a time when I wasn’t distracted by interesting, old or shiny things. I would sit at my Grandma’s waterfall vanity with her makeup, handheld mirror and costume jewelry. Whenever I got the chance I was playing dress up and modeling sky high heels, big floppy hats and silk scarves. I wanted to wear these items to school and be the envy of my friends.

Let’s just say she was a yard sale addict and I was more than happy to tag along and learn as she’d scoop up her treasures. If I behaved I could surely earn myself a full bag of things to take home. I wish I had those items today of course. I also started to spend weekends with my favorite Aunt who, having no children, spoiled me as if I was her own. My aunt was very reserved in her appearance and fashion sense but her home décor was another story. She worked hard in the downtown factory for years and could buy whatever caught her eye. I have fond memories of watching Saturday morning cartoons propped up on big fluffy pillows, eating my Boo Berry cereal out of an amazing porcelain bowl with a perfectly polished spoon. I always helped her clean and that is where I had my first encounter with my favorite piece of furniture- the Hoosier style cabinet. I would clean hers with Murphy’s Oil and to this day the smell of it reminds me of her instantly. I was allowed to play with the glass and crystal items inside with a serious warning to “just be careful!” My dolls and I had some swanky tea parties and luncheons.

As the years went by I visited often but with my career in retail management I had put all of her beautiful things to the back of my thoughts. But then when I got engaged to be married I found a beautiful barn I was determined to fill with all vintage, antique and collectible items. To bring my vision to life I found myself drawn to all of those items from my Aunt and Grandmother everywhere I shopped. After the wedding I had a lot of stuff and it needed to go somewhere…it went into my home décor and in that moment I knew this is what I was really passionate about and how special it made me feel to be around that nostalgia again.

I wanted to share this excitement with others.
I made a bold decision and I could not be happier. Everything is coming full circle. My Grandma passed away shortly after my wedding and my Aunt never even met my now husband but she would love him and how he supports my dream. I inherited my Aunt’s estate and now all of those items I admired as a child are mine to cherish. My Grandma’s entire waterfall bedroom suite with her beauty items still on the vanity as if she will sit down any moment are my guest room. I proudly wear her pearls and bangles and I know she is around. I saw my 5 year old great niece sitting there playing a few weeks ago and I got so emotional. I feel it is my responsibility to pass these beautiful items and memories to the next possible appraiser in the family.

A day does not go by that I do not learn something new or see an item I have never encountered before. I do not feel like this is a job at all. I am lucky to be able to share in helping others bring their family heirlooms and treasured possessions back into the light and make new memories. Seeing people smile , laugh, or recall a special moment as they find something is all the proof I need that I am doing the right thing. I have also come to the conclusion that items will find the person they are meant to be with. My mother in law loved smiley faces and it was my go to gift for her. There are days I wish I could call her and tell her about cool items I have researched or random facts I read online and all about the job I had that day. More than once I have been buried in a basement or attic thinking about how she would love to come along and find neat things and then all of a sudden I will pick up a random item with a smiley face on it. In that moment I am again reassured I have support on the other side.

I have met incredible people who are amazingly generous and smart and I know we have crossed paths for them to help me along on this journey of learning. The people in this industry, both customers and peers, are steadily restoring my faith in humanity. I am welcomed in to their personal space and I pick up a piece of their porcelain or crystal and hear my Aunt’s voice saying “just be careful”! As I see a dresser filled with jewelry I also hear Gram saying “Aren’t they just gorgeous?“ I know I cannot save every piece of furniture or glassware or ever have enough square footage to own all the things I admire but I am sure going to try.
My mission is to rescue and value properly as many as I can for the rest of my days.

Appraisers, dealers, pickers, and the super talented restoration professionals are the voice for these beautiful things from a time when things were simpler with a goal for perfection and detail. I am amazed by the furniture craftsmanship that many overlook and want to throw away until I educate them. Most people work hard to acquire the finer things in life and will appreciate them and care for them exceptionally well- and then we meet others who do not. I can only hope at the end of the day I make others see the beauty I see when I walk in to a room that holds a lifetime of stories. These pieces speak if we choose to listen. Items representing social class and rank and wealth have been around for many centuries and I do not think there is an end to collecting in sight. I am not ashamed to say I am one of those people. I find some amazing items that I am honored to give a place in my home. I feel fortunate to be able to know the history on many things that I can tell anyone who visits and will listen. I guess I can keep looking for that next amazing piece waiting to be found because well ---my husband is a Union Ironworker …all I have to do is bat my eyelashes and pout and say “ Honey, I need more storage built.”

05/07/2024

Researching never gets old ♡ ❤️

Molded or pressed glass can closely resemble cut glass, but collectors and thrifters should know the difference between them.

04/26/2024

*Are you looking for decor pieces for an upcoming event? Read on.

$$$ for rent or sale $$$
( for a small fee I can help in setup if youd like ) 🏷💳💰

Call, pm, text or email me to discuss details or ask questions.

I currently have the milk glass pieces you see in these examples .... as well as numerous and similar styles not shown here .

I also have similar boxes, accompanying accessories, old bottles, mason jars, linens/placemats, tiles, frames, vintage peacock chair (rent only as of now) , baskets, antique pottery mixing/batter bowls, trays, figurines, ornaments, greenery, flowers, flatware, glassware, cake plates, napkin holders, large inventory of china settings, patterned and solid plates etc. Something not listed ? Just ask. I probably have it or can find it.

♡ these pics are beautiful centerpiece examples for weddings, showers, all year round home decor, events/parties, can be easily adapted for the season or holiday, perfect for farmhouse look. ♡
Recreating these looks would not be overly difficult or expensive.

(Will repost some of my other photos that will complement the milk glass in upcoming posts)

*the pics are not mine. Taken from article on Google page.