<\/p>
I left school with no qualifications and started off as an apprentice stained glass restorer and designer and gradually moved into salvage and then antiques\u2026. It\u2019s a career that\u2019s spanned 29 years so far and I love it.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m happy to travel miles and miles on the road, spend hours looking at websites and auction catalogues, all to find that one item that makes me think, \u201cyes, I love that\u201d, it can be broken and tattered or not need any work at all, but the thrill of finding some I love will always be my favourite part of the job.<\/p>\n
You might also like<\/strong> inside Drew Pritchard\u2019s Methodist chapel<\/a><\/p>\n Like everyone else we weren\u2019t able to travel so filming was cancelled and I had to buy everything from photographs and online fairs which did well for us. We had to close the Showroom but were very lucky in that online sales were extremely busy during lockdown both for the UK and overseas and that kept us ticking over.<\/p>\n I love antique fairs but don\u2019t have much opportunity to go these days. Shepton Mallet is a great fair and I go as often as I can but my favourite is Bluith Wells in mid-Wales \u2013 not only do they seem to have the best dealers but also excellent ice-cream and when the sun shines, you can\u2019t beat it.<\/p>\n You might also like<\/strong> antiques fairs and auctions around the UK this month<\/a><\/p>\n I got involved in Instagram fairs over lockdown and helped promote them too. As time went on they became very slick and professional and there are some good dealers using them. I actually buy quite a lot from online fairs and used them a lot during lockdown and continue to do so now.<\/p>\n I have bought a pair of chairs that are incredibly rare, so rare that I actually can\u2019t give any more info on them. I couldn\u2019t believe it when I came across them and have them in my home so at least I get to enjoy them. I also have a Thomas Chippendale chair in my bedroom which is in daily use.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve not had one stand out antique; they always say the next antique is your most memorable and that\u2019s true.<\/p>\n You might also like<\/strong> the most memorable Antiques Roadshow items<\/a><\/p>\n I used to but don\u2019t any more. At some point, I\u2019m can see that I may auction my entire collection and I have to admit, that will be very hard.<\/p>\n Buy cheap, add a little profit and sell it on\u2026.. read, read, read auction catalogues, books on antiques, memoir and go to as many museums as you can to look at art, pottery, furniture\u2026 everything!<\/p>\n Friends, family, dealer friends had all said to be for years about writing a book but I didn\u2019t really think about it too much but I wanted to dispel some myths and put a things right, but more than anything, I hope it inspires people.<\/p>\n Competition time! <\/strong>Win a copy of Drew\u2019s book Man With A Van<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Honesty first and foremost, humour and maybe a few surprises but I\u2019m currently half way through my second book which I\u2019m incredibly excited about.<\/p>\n Well we\u2019re still filming Salvage Hunters and Restorers on top of which we\u2019ve got a new range of cushions coming out in March\/April which I\u2019m excited about (details are on our website), additions to my lighting range, the new book and I\u2019ve been working with Barker & Stonehouse for some new upholstery designs\u00a0so there\u2019s lots going on.<\/p>\n Inside Drew Pritchard\u2019s converted Methodist chapel<\/a><\/p>\n Drew Pritchard\u2019s sofa collection with Barker & Stonehouse<\/a><\/p>\n How I became an antiques dealer<\/a><\/p>\n How to be a successful antiques dealer<\/a><\/p>\n How to create country house style<\/a><\/p>\n Why patina is king<\/a><\/p>\n The antique that got away<\/a><\/p>\n Why I love industrial design<\/a><\/p>\n The thrill of an unexpected find<\/a><\/p>\n Must find garden antiques<\/a><\/p>\n Behind the scenes at an antiques fair<\/a><\/p>\nHow did lockdown effect your business?<\/h3>\n
Which antiques fairs did you miss the most during lockdown?<\/h3>\n
What are your thoughts on Instagram & online fairs?<\/h3>\n
What is your favourite antique you have ever bought?<\/h3>\n
What is the most memorable antique you have ever sold?<\/h3>\n
Do you find it difficult parting with antiques?<\/h3>\n
What advice would you give to others starting out in the trade?<\/h3>\n
Why did you decide to write this book?<\/h3>\n
What can readers expect from the book?<\/h3>\n
What other things have you got in the pipeline?<\/h3>\n
More from Drew Pritchard:<\/h2>\n