Roll up, Roll up, bargains for everyone

"never moind one for that price, never moind two for that price. I'm gonna to give you five, yers, that's right five for that price. Five lovely brand new ones. Never even been out of their box. And that's not all, if you take these five I'll give you another set of five at half that price. Come on now, you can't leave 'em with me for that price can you. Ten for just seven pand fifty. That would be bargain for one of these saucepans, but for ten of them, two sets it's a bloody steal. You're stealin 'em from me"

Yes, the Beep is starting a new career. As a market trader. No, seriously I am. Only it won't be the pans and banter. Not given to banter is the Beep. Although he is Easily led and malleable as Lead so, may find himself being drawn down that route.

Nay, nay and thrice nay.

Some of you, those who were paying attention anyway, may recall that I collect the art deco jewellery of Charles Horner. I've been quietly accruing it over the year and now have enough to start a small business dealing in it; something I have been hoping to do for some time.

So, come next Thursday at 06:30 I'll be found in Oxford setting out my stall of antique jewellery, collectibles and bric-a-brac at the antiques and craft market. Every other week it combines with a Farmers Market. And on those days the stall holders have to endure the scent of freshly baked bread, of olives and other produce wafting across the square. Given my penchant for ensuring that all of my stomachs are comfortably full I may have to learn a whole new meaning to the phrase self-control.

The other side of running a stall means I will require stock. So I'm guessing there will be a fair amount of trips to auctions and so on to try and snaffle the bargains. I expect to make some mistakes. But I also expect to learn a hell of lot in the next few months (my trial period is to Christmas - if it makes a profit in that time I shall carry on, if not I shall cease).

And that might be where you come in.

Got something I can sell? I'm not after tat, so if it's the sort of stuff you might take to a car boot, then take it to one. But if you've got a line of something that's a bit better than that - for example, my sister has a side-line importing high quality Pashmina and I'm hoping she'll let me have some to sell along side the antiques/collectibles, and I'll be selling some of my photos too - then you might be interested in letting me have a go with them/it.

Or if there's an antique you want to sell then either I can buy it from you, or I can put it on the stall for you for a modest margin. For example I know someone who wants to sell some very good quality regency dining chairs but she wants more than the auction price estimated. So I'm going to have a go in a few weeks for her. If they don't go then it's cost her (and me) nothing, but if they do I'll make a small margin and she'll get a better price for them than the lottery of an auction. I benefit from rolling new stock on and off the stall.

And right now I'm particularly interested in Christmas. I'd love something (lots of somethings) unusual for Christmas, especially decorative things, and wrappings, good quality cards and great affordable gifts (£5, £10, £20 sort of level)

Any ideas? Let me know either via comments or direct to beepola at gmail dot com.