Hobbies And Interests
Instructions
Decide what appeals to you about vintage porcelain shoes. Some collectors specialize in styles of shoes (high heels, button-tops, slippers) while other collectors focus on period shoes from a nation (Germany, the Netherlands or France). The "fashion" shoes are generally newer pieces (post-WWII Japan and importers including Enesco and Lefton). The older European pieces are from the 1800s and are considerably pricier.
Consider the size and style of shoe you plan to collect as well as the price. Some shoes are incredibly small and delicate, made of Delft porcelain or German Bisque while others are more modern, mass-marketed and truer-to-size. Collectors measure the shoe by its height and width, not by the slant of the shoe. Plan on spending anywhere from $45 to over $200 for European porcelain; the more modern pieces can go from $4.95 to $20 as priced on eBay December 2009.
Go to antique and thrift stores, flea markets and browse eBay for pieces. Estate sales are also excellent places to pick up porcelain shoes. Once you have narrowed down your specialty in terms of shoe style, country of origin and possibly manufacturer, you can use this information to pinpoint your search.
Join online forums or groups and network with other collectors. Antique sellers are only too eager to point you in their direction; if you find a particular seller who has come through for you in the past, have her call or email you if she acquires a new piece.
Investigate tourist areas for antiquing opportunities. Always be on the look out for expanding your collection, especially in an unfamiliar part of the country. Immigrant neighborhoods or farmland communities could offer some terrific finds with a little investigative work.