Happy New Year everyone! I hope the new year finds you all healthy and happy.

Personally, it's been a tumultuous week for me. 2008 ended as low as it could have, but 2009 is looking very promising.

Enough about me. On to the world of antiques!

According to a recent news report, the Antiques Roadshow, which launches its 13th season this month, found some extraordinary items at its Palm Springs taping.

Remember the little black dress that Marilyn Monroe wore in "Some Like it Hot"? Well, it turned up in one of the Roadshow appraisals. (SPOILER ALERT) ... and it's valued between $150,000 and $250,000.

But that's not the most valuable item ever appraised on the program. That honor goes to a 1937 painting by abstract artist Clyfford Still. Received by the current owner as a housewarming gift, it's currently estimated at (*drumroll, please*) $500,000.

The Palm Springs episodes were taped last June, and will be aired beginning January 5th.

Visit http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/index.html for the full schedule and more information.

Let’s see… This year I want to lose 15 pounds… This year I am going to get organized… This year…

Don’t you just love New Year’s resolutions? Not me. There is always so much to do, so much I want to do, I am never sure where to start.
It seems each January 1st we use the New Year as an opportunity to examine our lives and determine what steps we should take to make them better. This turns into a list, often a lengthy, overzealous one, called resolutions. I wholeheartedly support the notion, but know the reality for many of us is a lack of follow-through and lasting commitment beyond 30, 60 or 90 days.

Maybe the easy route for me this year is to lower my expectations – not resolve to change anything. Trust me, that is a very appealing option. I think what scares me is the word “change.” I deal with so much change the way it is, personally and professionally, do I want to facilitate even more? And what about the risks of trying something different?

Do you think about resolutions for your antiques business? You probably do, but just call them “goals” instead. That’s a good starting point. We should be looking ahead – but must learn from the past.

2008 was a tough year for a lot of us, whether we are shop owners, dealers or collectors. What can we learn from it? Was there something we could have done differently to change the outcome? Do we know people who had a positive year financially? How did they make that happen? Is it something we could try, too?

Sometimes the word “change” is intimidating. Maybe we should use the word “improve” instead. I resolve to improve my business this year … but may have to make some changes to reach my goals. Do I need to exhibit at more shows this year? Less shows? Do I need to add an online component to my business? Or do more with what I have?

A quote that inspires me to action is this: “To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.” What do you want to get in 2009? What are you willing to do to get it?

Antique Trader would like to hear about your New Year’s resolutions for your antiques businesses and collecting activity in 2009.

Drop me a letter, an email at robyn.austin@fwmedia.com, or share your thoughts as a reply here or in our forums at www.antiquetrader.com.

Let’s make 2009 the year we make our resolutions and actually keep them! Happy New Year!

Where does one even begin to comment on this sort of statement? Of course, we really can't guess the situation "Scotty F" is in as he wrote the comment. Perhaps he's just stirring the pot, so to speak.

It is true that unless you're in the antiques business, buying antiques doesn't rank up there with the necessity of keeping food on the table and a roof over your head.

But I don't consider money spent on antiques as being "pissed away."

(Though I do have to confess that I don't feel the same way about some items touted as "collectibles" that are on the market ... but to each their own.)

I know many — if not all of you — feel the same way about antiques. It's money well-spent if you spend wisely.

If you haven't read it already, I encourage you to read How to rationalize almost any antiques purchase by Mark Roeder. (Part 2 of "how to rationalize" is coming soon.)

I think our pal "Scotty F" should read it too.