Indiana Jones makes it look so easy. With his fedora firmly placed on his head and his trusty whip securely fastened to his hip, he can handle any challenge (we call them adventures) thrown his way during his treasure hunts.

As antique buyers, sellers and collectors, we likely aren't as cocky as this famed fictional character, but are we at least a bit confident in our abilities? Our judgment? Our preparedness for the "adventures"?

Judging by the overwhelming interest in the first of our Consumer Education pieces published in Antique Trader last week, there are a lot of people on a treasure hunt, a quest really, for knowledge.

You've heard the expression "a need-to-know basis." Well you, dear readers, are on a need-to-know basis. The question is, what do you need to know? What would you like to learn? We are committed to continuing our Consumer Education series with helpful tips from our partners and experts in the industry and, often times, other readers like yourself.

Just like Indy wouldn't leave the house without his hat and weapon, you shouldn't go on your next treasure hunt without some information to help you buy, sell or collect.

Is there a particular topic you'd like covered in the future? Drop me an e-mail at robyn.austin@fwpubs.com or a note in the mail (700 E. State St., Iola, WI 54990). Or you can post a reply here on the Antique Trader blog.

But wait, there's more! We also plan to make this a little fun for you, too. We have just launched the Antique Trader Treasure Hunt Sweepstakes!

We've finally got it! An ongoing sweepstakes that will feature a new prize each month – something to add to your collection (or start a new one) or something to add to your knowledge base (books are excellent resources).

The premier prize of the first Treasure Hunt Sweepstakes will be the Royal Doulton British Airways butter pats that you've seen in the Antique Trader TV "Introduction to Butter Pats" video that were generously donated by the Butter Pat Patter Association.

Entering the sweepstakes is easy: Just visit antiquetrader.com and fill out the sweepstakes entry form. Visit often because you can enter once each day!

Are you ready to start your Treasure Hunt? Hop aboard. Much adventure awaits!

Patricia Jacoby reportedly collected money from investors, promising a 22 percent return on their investment from her buying and selling antiques. The result wasn't a 22 percent increase in funds, but a 100 percent loss of funds.

From WRAL.com: Antiques dealer sentenced to prison in pyramid scheme

Jacoby wept in court as she listened to Buccellato and to letters written by other victims – nine people sent letters to the court describing the impact of the scheme on their lives. She said the episode caused her "untold sadness, remorse and terrible guilt."

So, does she feel "untold sadness" and guilt because of her actions? or because she got caught? again.

For me, the most disturbing detail in the story is that this is the THIRD time she's been convicted of investment fraud.

Now she's facing 10 years in prison. When she gets out, let's not give her our money to "invest." She's going to need to raise $1.6 million to repay investors, but I think she should find it elsewhere ...

Antique Trader, America’s Antiques & Collectibles Marketplace, has launched the Antique Trader Treasure Hunt Sweepstakes.

Participants in the Antique Trader Treasure Hunt sweepstakes will have the chance of winning antiques- and collectibles-related prizes; prizes have already been selected for the remainder of 2008 and early 2009.

The initial prize that will be awarded is a Royal Doulton British Airways porcelain putter pat, generously provided by the Butter Pat Patters Association. (Butter pats are miniature plates intended to serve individual portions of butter.) A total of three (3) butter pats will be awarded. This current sweepstakes will run now through midnight, Sept. 30, 2008. The butter pats that will be given away can be seen in the “Introduction to Butter Pats” video on Antique Trader TV, which can be viewed at http://www.antiquetrader.com/videos/ATR/atr_tv.asp?showid=889979.

Sweepstakes entries can be made daily at http://sweepstakes.antiquetrader.com. Full sweepstakes rules can be viewed at http://sweepstakes.antiquetrader.com/Rules.aspx.

For more information on Antique Trader and its sweepstakes, visit www.antiquetrader.com, the online component of Antique Trader.

# # #

About Antique Trader
Antique Trader, a newspaper published in Iola, Wis., has served the antiques and collectibles community since 1957. Founded by Babka Publishing Co., later to become the flagship of Krause Publications’ Antiques division, Antique Trader built its reputation as the premier print vehicle for the buying and selling of antiques nationwide. Its loyal following includes antique dealers, antique show promoters, shop and mall operators, and collectors, some of whom have subscribed to the paper since its inception.

About Krause Publications
Krause Publications, based in Iola, Wis., is the world's largest publisher of leisure-time periodicals and books on collectibles, sewing and quilting, hunting, and fishing. Chet Krause, a long-time collector of coins, published the first issue of Numismatic News on Oct. 13, 1952, with nearly 1,000 readers. Today, Krause Publications, owned by F+W Media, offers over 40 periodicals, 10 hobby shows, 750 reference and how-to books, and web properties. F+W Media, Inc., an ABRY Partners, LLC company, also operates book clubs, conferences, trade shows, interactive media and education programs.

Peace and pleasant shopping!

-- Robyn

I read the following in one of my favorite collectibles forums:

"My in-laws have inherited tons of things that look to me to be collectors items or things of worth to others. She doesn't want these things and I want to try and help her get rid of some of them.  I don't want to give things that are worth money away for free ya know 'cause they don't have much money as is."

And then shortly after, I received this:

"After reading commentary re: eBay (Antique Trader 7/23/08), I wouldn't list as a beginner but I do have variable items such as pottery and furniture that I inherited and would like to sell.  Would your experienced readers have any suggestions as to where I can list items I'm interested in selling and not get 'taken'??"

I'm seeing a trend. I think in these difficult economic times, and with the Boomer and earlier generations beginning to pass on their lifetime collections, people are looking to sell some of the items they don't need or want.

So we turn to you, the Antique Trader readers for your input on safe and cost-effective places to sell, whether they are brick-and-mortar or based on the Internet.

What do you think: In your opinion, where can someone sell their pottery, furniture, collectibles — what-have-you — and not be cheated?

We would appreciate you dropping a line to robyn.austin@fwpubs.com and letting us know, or you can post a reply here on the Antique Trader blog.

Remember: We welcome your questions and commentary at any time.

Shredding potatoes, and carrots, and onions, oh my!

As I was preparing breakfast yesterday, it occurred to me as I took out my well-used Mouli to make homemade hashbrowns, that I prefer using this little mid-20th century marvel to the electric, dishwasher-safe food processor that I received as a gift a few years ago. For some reason, I don't even think about using the electric food processor. The Mouli is just so simple and easy, whether I use it to thinly slice potatoes, or grate nuts or chocolate, or shred potatoes or carrots; I know I sound like a commercial, but I just love it!

I was fortunate to find my Mouli somewhere along the way, shortly before I set up house back in the early '90s; I think I found my little kitchen treasure at a garage sale during one of the local favorite "city-wide rummage" sales. I know I didn't pay very much for it ... I want to say it was less than $10 ... but in my opinion these little beauties are worth their weight in platinum. And you can still find them today, both new and old. (Here's an old one listed on Ruby Lane; this one's in much better condition than mine.) I think the old ones have more character.

Image courtesy Charming and Cheap Vintage Collectibles, a Ruby Lane shop.

I remember seeing the commercials for these early food processors in the 1970s, though I know they've been around much longer than that (the one shown here is marked with a 1950 patent date); I've been a fan since I was a small child and watched my Mom use hers on occasion. It seems to me she used to use hers when making homemade carrot cake (now she just uses a cake mix when she has a hankering for carrot cake ... it's just not the same) but I don't remember her ever letting me do it. I don't know if she was afraid I would hurt myself or if she just wanted to have the fun task of doing the shredding. Yes — that's right — fun. The Mouli makes shredding/grating/slicing fun!

Hmmm. I think I'll make a fresh, homemade carrot cake and take it over to my parents' house and see if she remembers (and still has) her Mouli. I'll let them provide the coffee ...

Do you remember the Mouli? Or still use yours? Is there another vintage kitchen gadget that you just won't retire? Post a reply and let us know.