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Was shopping around for a Bear back Candlelamp. Found a nice website.
It’s a shame the little Brick and Mortar stores that are going out of business, the cute curiosity gift shops we find in small towns across America. I have worked at one off and on for over ten years (mostly off), and we used to sell a lot of Windstones back in the day, before eBay and one of a kind pieces became the must-haves. In a way, the eBay sales are really hurting regular sales (don’t know if Windstone has seen a decline in orders)but I’m noticing a lot of great deals lately, on the production pieces. I suppose for every shop going out of business, a new one starts up or is replaced by online stores. Those shops that do offer online sales are even going out of business. One reason or another, I guess.
Right now I am helping Bear Book & Candle go out of business – This time it’s for real (she’s done this in the past but THIS TIME it’s for real). Her prices are high, but she is offering 50% off Windstones (prices below are her store prices so take 1/2 off). There are no rare pieces, just regular production, and most have been on display in the store and some may be chipped or damaged. I typed up a listing of what pieces she has and SOME MAY ALREADY BE GONE by the time I post this. If you are in the area – come by and stock up for Christmas; I am working there Tues/Thurs 11-5 and Sat 11-6
1 #402 Frog Prince $77.00
1 #403 Mouse Wizard Peacock $77.00
2 #501 Black/Gold Mother Dragon $157.50
1 #501 White Mother Dragon $199.50
1 #502 Black/Gold Hatching Dragon $57.00
2 #502 Rainbow Hatching Dragon $67.50
2 #503 Black/Gold Male Dragon $199.00
1 #503 Peacock Male Dragon $199.00
1 #503 Rainbow Male Dragon $201.00
3 #503 White Male Dragon $199.00 (1 chipped wing)
1 #504 Black/Gold Young Dragon $105.00
1 #504 Rainbow Young Dragon $155.00
2 #506 White Scratching Dragon $315.00 (1 damaged paint)
1 #510 Black/Gold Fledgling Dragon $91.00
1 #512 Black/Gold Lap Dragon $250.00
2 #512 White Lap Dragon $275.00 (1 paint damaged)
1 #520 Black/Gold Emperor Dragon $430.00 (damaged – horn chipped off)
1 #601 Large Peacock Wizard $335.00
1 #606 Sea Jewel Mermaid $150.00
1 #801 Male Unicorn $150.00
2 #803 Mother Unicorn $125.00
1 #804 Young Unicorn $86.25
1 #805 Grand Unicorn $202.00
1 #821 Male Pegasus $125.00
1 #822 Hatching Pegasus $96.00
1 #823 Baby Pegasus $77.50
1 #922 Mother Ki-Rin $285.00
1 #952 Egg with Eyes $40.00
2 #955 Winged Cat Gargoyle $125.00
4 #959 Happy Cat Gargoyle $75.00
1 #964 Guardian Dragon Gargoyle $175.00
1 #965 Little Happy Cat Gargoyle $45.00
2 #966 Small Panther (1 damaged – chipped)
1 #967 Small Winged Spirit Wolf $62.00
1 #968 Tiger Kitten $40.00
1 #970 Cats Cradle Cat & Kitten $37.50
1 #971 Paper Tiger Cat in Bag $97.50
1 1001 The Critic Gargboyle Bookend $72.50 (damaged chipped wing)
1 1002 RIGHT Stone Dragon Bookend $66.25
1 1004 Good Cat Electric Bookend $111.50
1 1005 Owl Bookend (left) $92.50
1 1005 Owl Bookend (right) $92.50
2 2001 Vampire Bat Candlelamp $80.00
1 2002 Griffin Candlelamp $87.50
1 2003 Ivory Inner Light Dragon Candlelamp $110.00
1 2004 Stone Cottage Candlelamp $108.00
2 2005 Bad Cat Candlelamp $83.50 (1 chipped on tail/missing candle)
2 2006 Good Cat Candlelamp $83.75
1 2007 Little Owl Candlelamp $75.50
2 2008 Wizard Cat Candlelamp Incense Burner $130.00 (chipped on back damaged)
4 2009 Circle of Cats Candlelamp $75.00 (1 chipped ears damaged)
2 2011 Mushroom Ring Candlelamp $130.00
1 2012 Spirit Wolf Candlelamp $93.00
3 2013 Ark Animals Candlelamp $93.00
4 2014 Sitting Cat Candlelamp $67.50
2 2015 Crouching Cat Candlelamp $57.50
3 2016 Wolf Council Candlelamp $87.50
2 2017 Grimalkin Candlelamp $87.50
2 2019 Trio of Cats Candlelamp $113.00
1 2020 Bear Butt Candleholder $72.00 (severely damaged!)
1 2021 Bear Back Candleholder $90.00
1 2022 Bear Feet Candleholder 57.53
5 2025 Parliament of Owls Candlelamp $121.25
2 2026 Hippogriff Candlelamp $120.00 (1 box says damaged)
2 2027 Trio of Dragons Candlelamp $103.00
1 3001 Dragon Sconce $95.00
2 3002 Lion Sconce $135.00
1 3003 Hand Held Dragon Sconce LEFT $113.00
1 3004 Winged Cat Sconce $102.00
3 3005 Gargoyle Sconce $95.00 (one has an eye that came unglued)
3 3006 Owl Sconce $126.25
2 3007 Sea Fire Mermaid Sconce $208.75
1 3008 Wolf Sconce $111.00
3 3009 Leaf Cat Sconce $88.75Let me know if there is a piece you might be interested in, you can email me at ppeeggeepp@aol.com These PMs get full fast so I may not see them.
Poems wrote:It’s a shame the little Brick and Mortar stores that are going out of business, the cute curiosity gift shops we find in small towns across America. I have worked at one off and on for over ten years (mostly off), and we used to sell a lot of Windstones back in the day, before eBay and one of a kind pieces became the must-haves. In a way, the eBay sales are really hurting regular sales (don’t know if Windstone has seen a decline in orders)but I’m noticing a lot of great deals lately, on the production pieces.
I am not so sure about that– I think that the main factor for brick and mortar stores going out is that the economy is crappy and that most people are far less willing to spend on any expensive collectible. Fantasy collectibles are an even smaller niche. I have been watching stores go out for several years before Windstone had any sort of eBay or internet presence.
Even now, the fact that Windstone even sells special pieces on eBay is not known to the bulk of Windstone collectors. The last large fantasy convention I was at I talked to probably over 200 different individuals that knew and loved Windstone, and the truth is that less than probably 10 of them even knew Windstone had a web presence. The lament I heard over and over? “The shop I used to get them at closed down”. Most of them were lamenting the close of the Wicks and Sticks chain but also other small stores. They were happy to know that Windstone themselves were not closed.
This is true for all art right now, trust me. I used to be able to sell my work well and right now nothing is selling! I hear the same with all the art communities I am part of.Quote:I suppose for every shop going out of business, a new one starts up or is replaced by online stores. Those shops that do offer online sales are even going out of business. One reason or another, I guess.
I don’t think this is accurate either. Compared to ten years ago, the number of shops (both online and off) has dramatically decreased.
No one is making good sales right now. Even Windstone’s eBay auctions are not going for what they used to. No one has much money!
Volunteer mod- I'm here to help! Email me for the best response: nambroth at gmail.com
My art: featherdust.comJennifer wrote:Poems wrote:It’s a shame the little Brick and Mortar stores that are going out of business, the cute curiosity gift shops we find in small towns across America. I have worked at one off and on for over ten years (mostly off), and we used to sell a lot of Windstones back in the day, before eBay and one of a kind pieces became the must-haves. In a way, the eBay sales are really hurting regular sales (don’t know if Windstone has seen a decline in orders)but I’m noticing a lot of great deals lately, on the production pieces.
I am not so sure about that– I think that the main factor for brick and mortar stores going out is that the economy is crappy and that most people are far less willing to spend on any expensive collectible. Fantasy collectibles are an even smaller niche. I have been watching stores go out for several years before Windstone had any sort of eBay or internet presence.
…….snip…………Quote:I suppose for every shop going out of business, a new one starts up or is replaced by online stores. Those shops that do offer online sales are even going out of business. One reason or another, I guess.
I don’t think this is accurate either. Compared to ten years ago, the number of shops (both online and off) has dramatically decreased.
No one is making good sales right now. Even Windstone’s eBay auctions are not going for what they used to. No one has much money!Hi Jen! I agree with you on the fact that the economy stinks, and that sure isn’t helping things! Here in my hometown, small shops open each year, only to go under in another year (takes 2 years for them to realize they can’t make it). The only way a small business can truly succeed is by owning the building, living in it and running it themselves, without hiring out. One small mom n pop shop here intown does that and has survived thru economic downfalls. As for a new store opening up when one closes, that’s basically what I’ve seen happening both online and off – entire malls have closed down in the last 10 years to be replaced by newly built shopping plazas – until they too will close. It’s a viscious cycle (some businesses open and I say to myself – how in the world do you think you will survive!). eBay has seen a decline in sellers, and is doing all they can to entice new people – who do come, and then leave once they can’t be profitable or when they actually lose money. It’s a cruel world out there!
Yeah. 🙁 And even for those that own a business and own their own building/don’t hire out, the taxes, business fees, utilities, any advertising, and other stuff just to stay running are vicious. Even when it’s just you and you own the place, you are still bleeding money out and unless there is some coming in to cover that (and hopefully cover your other living expenses if it is your main source of income) then those businesses will fold, too. Even though I work out of my home, it’s a struggle.
Volunteer mod- I'm here to help! Email me for the best response: nambroth at gmail.com
My art: featherdust.comJennifer wrote:Yeah. 🙁 And even for those that own a business and own their own building/don’t hire out, the taxes, business fees, utilities, any advertising, and other stuff just to stay running are vicious. Even when it’s just you and you own the place, you are still bleeding money out and unless there is some coming in to cover that (and hopefully cover your other living expenses if it is your main source of income) then those businesses will fold, too. Even though I work out of my home, it’s a struggle.
:/
Jen, you mentioned before somewhere I think that you do a bit of traveling with the art show circuit. I’ve always thought how that would be such a BLAST, for an artist, to be able to travel around. Do you just do that locally or have you done any extensive traveling to various shows? I know I’ve tried to buy at least one piece of art at our local artshow each year – to support the artist AND event, and to own a wonderful piece of art. Ack, that’s how I got hooked collecting Cynthia Chuangs pins LOL I’m cured now, and don’t need anymore 😉 Even the folks down at our flea market are struggling (particularly this year) – they pay for a booth and barely make that rent, let alone extra to pay any bills. Of course, your stuff is not in a flea market category, I’m just saying! Some of the old-timers are dropping out from that venue, and being replaced by new folks who don’t know that they may not make rent :/
Poems wrote:It’s a shame the little Brick and Mortar stores that are going out of business, the cute curiosity gift shops we find in small towns across America. I have worked at one off and on for over ten years (mostly off), and we used to sell a lot of Windstones back in the day, before eBay and one of a kind pieces became the must-haves. In a way, the eBay sales are really hurting regular sales (don’t know if Windstone has seen a decline in orders)but I’m noticing a lot of great deals lately, on the production pieces. I suppose for every shop going out of business, a new one starts up or is replaced by online stores. Those shops that do offer online sales are even going out of business. One reason or another, I guess.
Right now I am helping Bear Book & Candle go out of business – This time it’s for real (she’s done this in the past but THIS TIME it’s for real). Her prices are high, but she is offering 50% off Windstones (prices below are her store prices so take 1/2 off). There are no rare pieces, just regular production, and most have been on display in the store and some may be chipped or damaged. I typed up a listing of what pieces she has and SOME MAY ALREADY BE GONE by the time I post this. If you are in the area – come by and stock up for Christmas; I am working there Tues/Thurs 11-5 and Sat 11-6
1 #402 Frog Prince $77.00
1 #403 Mouse Wizard Peacock $77.00
2 #501 Black/Gold Mother Dragon $157.50
1 #501 White Mother Dragon $199.50
1 #502 Black/Gold Hatching Dragon $57.00
2 #502 Rainbow Hatching Dragon $67.50
2 #503 Black/Gold Male Dragon $199.00
1 #503 Peacock Male Dragon $199.00
1 #503 Rainbow Male Dragon $201.00
3 #503 White Male Dragon $199.00 (1 chipped wing)
1 #504 Black/Gold Young Dragon $105.00
1 #504 Rainbow Young Dragon $155.00
2 #506 White Scratching Dragon $315.00 (1 damaged paint)
1 #510 Black/Gold Fledgling Dragon $91.00
1 #512 Black/Gold Lap Dragon $250.00
2 #512 White Lap Dragon $275.00 (1 paint damaged)
1 #520 Black/Gold Emperor Dragon $430.00 (damaged – horn chipped off)
1 #601 Large Peacock Wizard $335.00
1 #606 Sea Jewel Mermaid $150.00
1 #801 Male Unicorn $150.00
2 #803 Mother Unicorn $125.00
1 #804 Young Unicorn $86.25
1 #805 Grand Unicorn $202.00
1 #821 Male Pegasus $125.00
1 #822 Hatching Pegasus $96.00
1 #823 Baby Pegasus $77.50
1 #922 Mother Ki-Rin $285.00
1 #952 Egg with Eyes $40.00
2 #955 Winged Cat Gargoyle $125.00
4 #959 Happy Cat Gargoyle $75.00
1 #964 Guardian Dragon Gargoyle $175.00
1 #965 Little Happy Cat Gargoyle $45.00
2 #966 Small Panther (1 damaged – chipped)
1 #967 Small Winged Spirit Wolf $62.00
1 #968 Tiger Kitten $40.00
1 #970 Cats Cradle Cat & Kitten $37.50
1 #971 Paper Tiger Cat in Bag $97.50
1 1001 The Critic Gargboyle Bookend $72.50 (damaged chipped wing)
1 1002 RIGHT Stone Dragon Bookend $66.25
1 1004 Good Cat Electric Bookend $111.50
1 1005 Owl Bookend (left) $92.50
1 1005 Owl Bookend (right) $92.50
2 2001 Vampire Bat Candlelamp $80.00
1 2002 Griffin Candlelamp $87.50
1 2003 Ivory Inner Light Dragon Candlelamp $110.00
1 2004 Stone Cottage Candlelamp $108.00
2 2005 Bad Cat Candlelamp $83.50 (1 chipped on tail/missing candle)
2 2006 Good Cat Candlelamp $83.75
1 2007 Little Owl Candlelamp $75.50
2 2008 Wizard Cat Candlelamp Incense Burner $130.00 (chipped on back damaged)
4 2009 Circle of Cats Candlelamp $75.00 (1 chipped ears damaged)
2 2011 Mushroom Ring Candlelamp $130.00
1 2012 Spirit Wolf Candlelamp $93.00
3 2013 Ark Animals Candlelamp $93.00
4 2014 Sitting Cat Candlelamp $67.50
2 2015 Crouching Cat Candlelamp $57.50
3 2016 Wolf Council Candlelamp $87.50
2 2017 Grimalkin Candlelamp $87.50
2 2019 Trio of Cats Candlelamp $113.00
1 2020 Bear Butt Candleholder $72.00 (severely damaged!)
1 2021 Bear Back Candleholder $90.00
1 2022 Bear Feet Candleholder 57.53
5 2025 Parliament of Owls Candlelamp $121.25
2 2026 Hippogriff Candlelamp $120.00 (1 box says damaged)
2 2027 Trio of Dragons Candlelamp $103.00
1 3001 Dragon Sconce $95.00
2 3002 Lion Sconce $135.00
1 3003 Hand Held Dragon Sconce LEFT $113.00
1 3004 Winged Cat Sconce $102.00
3 3005 Gargoyle Sconce $95.00 (one has an eye that came unglued)
3 3006 Owl Sconce $126.25
2 3007 Sea Fire Mermaid Sconce $208.75
1 3008 Wolf Sconce $111.00
3 3009 Leaf Cat Sconce $88.75Let me know if there is a piece you might be interested in, you can email me at ppeeggeepp@aol.com These PMs get full fast so I may not see them.
I hope you can do some good in keeping things organized for her. Another forum member and I went and tried to help her ourselves last summer and it…didn’t go so well. I live a couple of hours from Belleville, but I think I’ll pass. You could post this list in the flea market, if you or she is/are willing to ship.
Poems wrote:Jen, you mentioned before somewhere I think that you do a bit of traveling with the art show circuit. I’ve always thought how that would be such a BLAST, for an artist, to be able to travel around. Do you just do that locally or have you done any extensive traveling to various shows? I know I’ve tried to buy at least one piece of art at our local artshow each year – to support the artist AND event, and to own a wonderful piece of art. Ack, that’s how I got hooked collecting Cynthia Chuangs pins LOL I’m cured now, and don’t need anymore 😉 Even the folks down at our flea market are struggling (particularly this year) – they pay for a booth and barely make that rent, let alone extra to pay any bills. Of course, your stuff is not in a flea market category, I’m just saying! Some of the old-timers are dropping out from that venue, and being replaced by new folks who don’t know that they may not make rent :/
Some of this will come out as a whine! I am sorry about that. I don’t mean to be grumbly about it. I think the economy has a lot of artists frustrated. I truly do love what I do at the end of the day!
I do travel to shows both local and far away, though I am not sure how long I can keep it up. It’s fun to travel, but at the same time it’s so hectic and stressful and non-stop that I rarely get to enjoy the traveling part! I remember last time I was at a show in Philadelphia I didn’t get the chance to step outside of the hotel where the show was hosted the entire time I was there (5 days!) because I was so busy. Some people make it work for them, and folks that sell merchandise tend to do better I think, but for me it’s work from the moment I arrive ’till we leave, and I’m exhausted. I sometimes don’t get any sleep all weekend because I am up all night working.
I used to travel to shows just to sell art. Now I only travel to shows mostly to see my long distance friends, and try to sell enough art to cover my costs.. because currently if I was traveling just to sell art I’d never make enough to make it worth it.. Sadly this does not always work out that I sell enough to break even. I used to do a bunch of sci-fi/Fantasy conventions (Dragon*Con being the largest) and I just couldn’t make enough to cover things. Usually there are the following costs: Cost of travel itself (which can be hundreds of dollars if flying; even gas in our very efficient Civic can cost a couple hundred bucks if we’re going far), hotel costs (I often room with other artists and we split the cost but it’s still expensive), the cost of a table to sell at (which can range from $100 at a small show up to over $400 at the big shows like Comic Con!), the cost of the art show panels (I’ve paid anywhere from $10 per panel up to $50 per panel.. they are generally 4′ wide each), plus admission to the show (anywhere from $40-$100) and food, misc costs. Add in cost of materials… and well gosh it’s expensive and hard to break even.
So, I used to travel around a bit more than I do currently but I am still trying to do some shows. I’ve found that I tend to sell best at anthropomorphics conventions, even though my work is not ‘animal people’ there is a lot of overlap for fantasy and wildlife enthusiasts at those shows, and the convention-goers tend to be more apt to purchase art related items. This year I am going to a con in Chicago in November, and if I can afford it I will be flying to California (San Jose) in January for a convention and to drive up to Corvallis to meet the Windstone folks! 🙂
Volunteer mod- I'm here to help! Email me for the best response: nambroth at gmail.com
My art: featherdust.comJennifer wrote:So, I used to travel around a bit more than I do currently but I am still trying to do some shows. I’ve found that I tend to sell best at anthropomorphics conventions, even though my work is not ‘animal people’ there is a lot of overlap for fantasy and wildlife enthusiasts at those shows, and the convention-goers tend to be more apt to purchase art related items. This year I am going to a con in Chicago in November, and if I can afford it I will be flying to California (San Jose) in January for a convention and to drive up to Corvallis to meet the Windstone folks! 🙂
WOOHOO! Well this sounds fantastic – the Chicago and Cali trips, with Corvallis as dessert!!
And, I assume that because the economy is as it is, if you can crank out a lot of small AFFORDABLE artworks, the better off you will be. Our town hosts a huge Art show in May, and the artists that have the affordable smaller pieces do extremely well – those that have the larger paintings (or works, it covers all mediums) that may cost betwen $1,000-$10,000 clearly have a smaller market. What’s great about these shows is buying a small affordable print, having the artist autograph it AND getting a picture standing next to them. I have never had an artist turn those requests down. I even have Erh Ping Tsai (Cynthia Chuangs hubby) autograph the ceramic art pins I buy! LOL They are always tickled.
I’ve only dreamt of a life like yours – living off your passion, traveling – and I hope the economy gets better and allows you find the time to stand back and really enjoy the blessings!! Have FUN visiting Oregon – and meeting The Maker! lol 🙂
Man, I wish I lived closer. I have been wanting a Hippogriff candlelamp for ages… this store name sounds REALLY familiar… wasn’t the owners name Gail? I think I tried to help her sell off a bunch of her items and she ripped my head of after I tried my best to help her out and I actually got a couple of local forum member so help her out at her store and she was really mean to them as well. Maybe I’m wrong… :scratch:
Got a busted Windstone?
drag0nfeathersdesign@gmail.com
*OPEN for repairs**SEEKING GRAILS*
Arc-en-ciel Emperor
Siphlophis Male Dragon
Calypso Hatching Empress
Ivory Moss Sitting Baby Kirin
Tattoo Mother Kirin
Emerald Tabby Male Griffin
Tie Dye + Orion Hatching Royalty
Indigo Rockfish + Flame Tabby Little Rock Dragons
Dragon Quail + Obsidian Frost Old Warriors
Betta Sun Dragon + Male Dragon
Dreamscape, Orion, Poison Dart, Fireberry, Spangler + Tigerberry Dragonsdrag0nfeathers wrote:Man, I wish I lived closer. I have been wanting a Hippogriff candlelamp for ages… this store name sounds REALLY familiar… wasn’t the owners name Gail? I think I tried to help her sell off a bunch of her items and she ripped my head of after I tried my best to help her out and I actually got a couple of local forum member so help her out at her store and she was really mean to them as well. Maybe I’m wrong… :scratch:
Hi drag0n! Yes, the owners name IS Gail – and sounds like you got a taste of what many folks trying to help her out discover. I’m sorry you were treated that way but I assure you, if ya’ll come visit ME, you will be treated very nice!! Besides it would be cool meeting forum members LOL I know there are some nearby (or close enough anyway). If any forum members come in to the shop – and identify themselves – they will get an extra gift for coming in 🙂
Poems wrote:drag0nfeathers wrote:Man, I wish I lived closer. I have been wanting a Hippogriff candlelamp for ages… this store name sounds REALLY familiar… wasn’t the owners name Gail? I think I tried to help her sell off a bunch of her items and she ripped my head of after I tried my best to help her out and I actually got a couple of local forum member so help her out at her store and she was really mean to them as well. Maybe I’m wrong… :scratch:
Hi drag0n! Yes, the owners name IS Gail – and sounds like you got a taste of what many folks trying to help her out discover. I’m sorry you were treated that way but I assure you, if ya’ll come visit ME, you will be treated very nice!! Besides it would be cool meeting forum members LOL I know there are some nearby (or close enough anyway). If any forum members come in to the shop – and identify themselves – they will get an extra gift for coming in 🙂
Heh, she wasn’t necessarily *mean* to us while we were there, just afterward. I went up with Kitsunelady last summer, remember? She didn’t really allow us to help other than to take some pictures of her stock, then fussed at us after ward via email that we’d disrupted her shop, and some other things. *shrug*
I do, however, remember the damaged pieces you’re talking about. But she did have some nice things.
Oh yea, she had a griffin candle lamp I wanted too. Bah!
Got a busted Windstone?
drag0nfeathersdesign@gmail.com
*OPEN for repairs**SEEKING GRAILS*
Arc-en-ciel Emperor
Siphlophis Male Dragon
Calypso Hatching Empress
Ivory Moss Sitting Baby Kirin
Tattoo Mother Kirin
Emerald Tabby Male Griffin
Tie Dye + Orion Hatching Royalty
Indigo Rockfish + Flame Tabby Little Rock Dragons
Dragon Quail + Obsidian Frost Old Warriors
Betta Sun Dragon + Male Dragon
Dreamscape, Orion, Poison Dart, Fireberry, Spangler + Tigerberry Dragons
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