karllectibles

The Flea Market Fairy Cometh . . . Not!

I enjoy talking with fellow flea marketers on how to run a better business.  I was having such a conversation with Steve and John this morning around 4:30 in the parking lot of Saturday's Market in Middletown, Pennsylvania.  "Boston" John made two very good observations during our discussion in the hour before the dawn of a new day.

1)  You must show up for work every day and work this business to make it a SUCCESS.

2)  The "Flea Market Fairy" is not going to come and magically buy all you stuff, so get to WORK.

I had been guilty of not showing up for work just this week.  I had to repent on the spot and go forward.

Now I had never heard of the Flea Market Fairy before this morning.  I will be on the lookout for him, her or shem.

John bought us a fine breakfast just after 5:00 at Poppy's Restaurant inside the market.  With a full belly and newly clogged veins and arteries plus a renewed resolve in my spirit to 'show up" that day for work, I walked back to my booth to set up for the market. 

The only disturbing sound I heard all morning was a shrilled "Helloooooooooooooooooooo"!, but that is another story for another day.  We caught a shoplifter named Gladys who then continued to steal right in front of her two kids.  Where is the Flea Market Fairy with their bull whip when you need them?

Boston John - Thanks for the breakfast.

Morlatton Post Card Club Show - Lancaster, PA - March 27-28, 2009

I will be setting up at the semi-annual postcard show that is sponsored by the Morlatton Post Card Club.   This two day show will be held on Friday, March 27th and Saturday, March 28th at the Farm & Home Center in Lancaster, PA.  This is a great club show with around 25 dealers in attendance.  The hours will be 10 AM to 6 PM on Friday and 10 AM to 4 PM on Saturday.  The Farm and Home Center is located at 1383 Arcadia Road, Lancaster, PA.  There is plenty of free parking and great food at the show.  There is a small admission fee to this show.  I will be set up in the back corner of the large show room. 

Rx: Drop everything and take a walk

My good friend Tom Lanen told me about an article that he had read earlier in the morning a few days ago.  Chuck Swindoll of Insight For Living wrote a great daily devotional called Take Time.

http://www.insight.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=13419&news_iv_ctrl=1781

I was so busy with things that I wanted to accomplish that morning.  Taxes, eBay auctions, bills to be paid, an article to write, etc.  My wife Darlene and our dog Sierra were going to take a walk along the railroad tracks behind our house.  I was too busy to go.  Then I read the Swindoll devotional.  I dropped everything a took a walk with them.  The day went better because I was rested and renewed in my spirit and my mind.  Sometimes the best thing we can do is to drop the weights of our world and take a restful walk with God . . . and a great wife and good dog.  I am glad that I did.  Read Matthew 11:28-30 for the answer to true rest.

The Road Ahead - I will not travel it alone

  These railroad tracks are located behind my house.  A train that services the local feed mills makes several runs a week on them.  There is an engine that pulls one to ten railroad cars full of grain, seeds, farm supplies, etc. at speeds of less than  10 MPH.  The East Branch of the Cocalico Creek runs alongside the tracks on the right side of the photo.

When I look down these tracks, I know what is around the next bend.  When I try to look down the railroad tracks of life, I have no idea of what is ahead for me, my family, my friends, my country, my business, etc.  We live in a world of uncertainty.  My mother is greatly suffering from ALS.  A good friend (54 years old) just found out that he has pancreatic cancer and needs a life saving operation.  Another good friend is going through some serious health issues.  Numerous friends are facing severe financial problems that they could never have imagined would happen to them a few years ago. 

I am glad that my faith in Christ sustains me up and allows me to the travel on the tracks ahead, even when I can not see what is around the next bend.  I will not despair.  I will follow the footprints ahead and trust God.  He knows what is ahead and how He is going to work in my life.

When life gives you snow . . . Make a snowman

What a year 2008 has been . . .

The economy is in a real mess.  People at the flea markets, my antique mall booth and online at eBay are holding back in their spending.  But God is faithful and continues to supply our needs.  I go into this new year with a renewed determination to make 2009 the greatest year of my life.

My wife Darlene and dog Sierra have the answer to one of life's great questions.  What do you do with the snow that falls on life's lawn . . . 

Here is wishing you all a Happy New Year from Denver, Pennsylvania.

Karl - Darlene - Sierra

My eBay Business

One of my main sources of income comes from selling items on eBay.  Take time to visit my eBay store and view some of the great items for sale.  There are numerous postcards, collectibles, books, etc. in my store. 

My seller name is karllectibles.  I have been an eBay seller since 1997.  Just click on the link below and you will be transported to my eBay Store.

Thank you.  Karl E. Hellmann - Denver, PA

http://stores.ebay.com/Postcards-Covers-Postal-History

Lehigh Valley Postcard Club Show - Wind Gap, PA - September 21, 2008

I will be setting up at the annual postcard show which is sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Postcard Club.  The show will be held on Sunday September 21, 2008 at the Plainfield Township Fire Company in Wind Gap, Pennsylvania.  This is a great club show with around 20 dealers in attendance.  The hours will be 9 AM to 4 PM.  The fire company is located at 6480 Sullivan Trail, Wind Gap, PA.  There is free parking and great food available at the show.  Admission is $2.00 per person.

I will be displaying numerous postcards, philatelic covers, postal history and ephemera at the show.

The club has a website:  http://www.lehighvalleypostcardclub.com/

Hillsville VA VFW Gun Show & Flea Market 2008 Labor Day Weekend

If you love antiques, collectibles, postcards, ephemera, advertising, baseball cards, etc., stop by booths 1416-1418 in Row 28 for a great selection.  Read our other blog for more information.

Hillsville VA VFW Gun Show & Flea Market - Labor Day 2008

I will be displaying my antiques and collectibles at the upcoming Hillsville, Virginia Labor Day Weekend Show.   The show will be held August 29th through September 1st.  My booth will be located in the VFW Post 1115 complex in Row 28 (Spaces 1416/1417/1418).  Look for a 20' by 30' tent filled with all kinds of great items. 

Steve Wiker, a fellow Lancaster County dealer, and I will be splitting the space inside the tent.  We will have a massive amount of antiques and collectibles featuring postcards, ephemera, catalogues, brochures, sportscards, NASCAR, stamps, covers, postal history, books, magazines, advertising, matchcovers, stereoviews, photographs, snapshots, watches, jewelry, patches, bottles, military items and smalls of every type of collecting interests.  Steve and I have inventories that include the following subject matter:  Boy Scouts, Automobiles, Horse Racing, World's Fair Expositions, Postal History, WWI, WWII, Civil War, Guns, Firearms, Gunsmithing, Fishing Tackle, Baseball Cards, Football Cards, 45 RPM Records, Political, Railroad, Maps, FDC First Day Covers, Sheet Music, Black Memorabilia, Trade Cards, Tobacciana, Disney, Billheads, Letters, Religious, Airlines, RPPC, Ice Cream, Soda Fountain, etc.

Please mention that your saw this blog post when visiting our booth.  This will be the first time that we have set up at Hillsville, so both of our loads are fresh merchandise from the Northeast, especially the Adamstown Antiques District in Pennsylvania.  Please stop by and say HEY to the Paper Boys of Lancaster County - Karl Hellmann and Steve Wiker.  Here is a photo of us at Shupp's Grove.  Steve is on the left and Karl is on the right.  Now you know who to look for inside the tent at Hillsville.

For more information or questions, please email me at karllectibles@aol.com

Upcoming Postcard Show

I will be setting up at the annual postcard show that is sponsored by the Lancaster County Postcard Club.   The show will be held on Saturday August 16, 2008 at the Farm & Home Center in Lancaster, PA.  This is a great club show with around 25 dealers in attendance.  The hours will be 9 AM to 5 PM.  The Farm and Home Center is located at 1383 Arcadia Road, Lancaster, PA.  Included in the show are postcard exhibits, free parking, door prizes, home cooking, and air conditioned facilities. Admission is $2.50 per person.

The club's website: http://www.playle.com/clubs/lancaster/