Happy Friday Reader!

I promised a video of my suitcase haul from England, and here it is :)

All the things I managed to pack into two suitcases and bring back on the flight home with me, plus the stories behind finding them.

Antique Trip Tips

Over the last few weeks since coming home, I've had a lot of dm's and comments asking how I was able to pull off this trip. I shared in my video two weeks ago that shipping and importing is a pretty complicated process and a bit harder than it looks - which is 100% true. I don't recommend a trip like this for everyone!

But, I do think there are ways to dip your toe in the water and give sourcing abroad a try without huge financial risks.

Here are my top tips for a "first trip":

👉 Start small. Aim to bring home a few hundred dollars of items in an empty suitcase the first go around. This helps you stay under any customs duties and keeps you out of the complicated paperwork zone.

👉 Pack lightly. Take thrifted clothes you can wear multiple times in a carry on bag, and leave them behind at your hotel or Air BnB for extra packing space on the way home.

👉 Bring an extra suitcase. On top of your personal items, go ahead and check one extra suitcase that's basically empty. Pack inside of that bubble wrap, shrink wrap or tape, and maybe some packing paper. The average large suitcase will provide you with roughly 4 cubic feet of space and 50 lbs of weight to bring stuff back.

👉 Smart purchases. Best items are lightweight and non-fragile. Learn what to avoid also, most exotic woods and anything that was once part of a living thing (mother of pearl, ivory, tortoise shell, taxidermy) - not allowed per US Customs rules.

👉 Bring a backpack. Unless you have rented your own car, sourcing abroad is very different than at home! You're usually walking a lot, using mass transit, and need a way to bring your items back to your hotel. A good, sturdy backpack is the way to go.

👉 Document with your phone. Take a photo of every item you bring back and also keep a running note of what you paid for it. Just in case you are pulled and searched at Customs, you can have that info for the officers to easily see. Be honest, don't try and hide that you have small items. Usually a few hundred dollars of items won't be an issue at all, just be direct with your information if questioned.

This is basically what I did with my trip last March to London with my friend Jody, and it was a blast! I share more tips in this YouTube video here as well.

What about a Bigger Trip?

This is where things get much, much trickier.

And to be 100% honest with you, if you're interested in becoming an importer and working with a shipping company, I highly recommend you pay for professional advice in this area.

The financial investment on the front end is significant, usually at least $10,000 baseline, and you don't want to risk that level of cash through just watching a few casual YouTube videos.

A few options:

❤️ Know someone locally who imports, even if not antiques? Offer to purchase an hour of their time to ask questions and get a general understanding of how importing to the US works. It's not as simple as "buy and ship," and learning the basics of the process can help you wrap your head around getting started.

❤️ Network with dealers you know who import, and ask if they offer paid mentoring to help get started. Some will, some will not. But please do not expect for a dealer who has built an importing business to offer all their secrets for free, this is important! They have likely invested multiple six-figures into learning their craft and so paying them for their mentoring is expected.

❤️ Take a sourcing trip led by a professional. There are multiple options out there, including House on Horizons and The Antique Diva. I have not personally taken either of these trips so cannot speak to the experience, but do know people who have gone with HoH and speak highly of the trip.

If that all sounds exhausting and you just wanna see the fun stuff 😅

Let me do the hard work for you! I am adding new items from my UK trip every week to the online shop, already sourced, documented, and ready to ship straight to you.

This week I added antique bottles and advertising jars, some beautiful Victorian era books, and a weathered oak storage box.​

Next Monday, it's all about vintage paper and ephemera.

New items coming every Monday at noon, central time. Shop Now

Dates announced next week! Join the Collector's List to get exclusive emails about my May Found Collection in-person sale, happening right here in Northwest Arkansas. Click here to Join the Collector's List

PS: I do offer 1 on 1 coaching sessions, and would be glad to walk you through my two trips during that time. While not a seasoned pro, I can share what I know to help you get the ball rolling. Head to this page here and scroll down to book a call.