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Don't Fall for This Vintage Glass Trend Trap!

Timeless Style Vintage

30,667 views

Vintage reselling, selling vintage on Etsy, Etsy shop reputation, vintage glass identification, antique mall sourcing, and honest Etsy listings all come together in this video about what happens when a trend suddenly makes certain vintage pieces much more valuable. Hens on nest and fairy lamps are having a real moment right now, but when prices rise quickly, sellers also need to slow down and be more careful about identification, condition, and description. In this video, I’m sharing why one hen on nest made me pause, what I look for before listing collectible glass, and why “I’m not sure yet” can sometimes be the most responsible answer.

I also share a timely example from my own Etsy shop: a clear Indiana Glass Stars and Bars fairy lamp I had hesitated to list because of small rim imperfections. Before the recent surge in fairy lamp prices, those flaws would have made it much harder to sell at a strong price. But in today’s market, with the condition clearly shown and disclosed in the title, photos, and description, it sold in just three days — and the buyer still received a fair deal compared with current prices.

This video is really about more than one hen on nest or one fairy lamp. It is about protecting your shop, respecting buyers, and learning how to respond when vintage trends create both opportunity and risk. Beautiful pieces can still be worth listing, even with imperfections, but only when we describe them honestly and take the time to understand what we are actually selling.

Chapters:
00:00 Viral trends can make sourcing confusing
03:07 The piece that made me pause
06:26 The temptation to list too quickly
12:23 Clues in identifying authentic vintage hen on nests
16:15 Why attribution matters
17:48 What to do with pieces you're unsure of
19:12 The broader lesson for sellers
21:48 The perfect time to list imperfect pieces

This is part 3 of my podcase/series What Sells in Vintage
Link to part 4:

This is part 1 of my podcast/series The Art of Sourcing & Trends
Link to part 2 here:
• Vintage Entertaining Is Having a Moment—And It’s Selling – Identifying a profitable niche.
• Vintage Entertaining Is Having a Moment—An...
Is This the New Vintage Trend Everyone’s Buying?
Is This the New Vintage Trend Everyone's B...

Grab my Etsy Vintage Seller Checklists & Resources here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/vvintagecol...

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Contact me at: timelessstylevintage@gmail.com

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20 Comments

@TimelessStyleVintage Creator 4 months ago Pinned

Thank you all so much for the kind words and for sharing your own 'sourcing surprises'! It’s such a relief to know I’m not the only one who has faced these tricky calls. I’d love to hear more from you—what’s one item you were convinced was vintage but turned out to be a modern reproduction? Let’s help each other stay sharp!

@LisaRöhrl 4 months ago

George the Antique Nomad, an extremely knowledgeable dealer, describes modern, imitation or reproduction glass as „greasy“ feeling. Similar to you saying it felt too smooth and poorly defined.

@alfonsoalfonso647 4 months ago

Alot of New Glass, has an almost "Oily" feel to it.

@julieschwartz2135 4 months ago

I couldn’t agree more. Many years ago I purchased hens, fairy lamps, etc. (in person) that are all vintage, and I paid up for them, because they are vintage. If I purchased one on line that was listed as vintage inaccurately I would be furious. That is unprofessional, and deceptive….if you aren’t sure don’t list it as something it’s not. Much respect to you for your integrity.

@starquant 3 months ago (edited)

Having been "burnt" many times over the years myself, I keep the "fakes" next to the real items. It keeps me grounded and also reminds me that we all make mistakes. I started my own booth a couple of years ago and the owner of the store who has been my friend for over 20 years has also been mentoring me. I can not stress enough how awesome it is to have a mentor if you are thinking of going into reselling. Great video. Gidday from Australia.

@karenratzlaff9977 4 months ago

This is not an item I look for, but I so appreciate your wisdom of researching things carefully before listing them.

@MaryjaneTaylor-n1q 4 months ago

Thank you for this . So good to hear someone talking about this. I have been selling antiques and vintage for over 30 years and have learned this lesson so many times but we must be honest with ourselves and our buyers because we are all selling the same "stuff" and the difference is our integrity. I was told many years ago that we dont go to school to learn this business so we count these "mistakes" as tuition. You give me hope in the next gen in the antiques and vintage sellers.

@Janet-Kay 3 months ago

you always explain everything so accurately and in great detail. Thank you for being so normal.😊

@emilywormuth2192 4 months ago

We've all been there....buying something that wasn't authentic or broken. Just yesterday I had made a mistake that I had to make right with a buyer. We're always learning in this business. That's one of the things I like best about it. But some of the lessons are harder than others.

@BacktoGoodAgain-Kelly20 4 months ago

You're video was well done and respectful while offering solutions! You're putting out great content, thank you so much! Honestly this whole thing with the new Hens has been frustrating me because I see sellers not disclosing it to the buyers. They buy them in bulk and sell them super high. I also see some people who DO disclose and still sell them high. But definitely should be disclosed to the buyer. Huge difference between “vintage style” vs “vintage” Great advice here holding off listing until you get the proper facts! I've learned that the hard way! Keep making great content thank you again!

@enigmasky1680 3 months ago

Thank you for not being dishonest. Too many are.

@pamelaoneill4076 4 months ago

Very well said as a small vintage seller on Etsy I have not only done the pause, extra research and not listed items because I either couldn’t learn enough about it or I discovered it was in fact not vintage. It’s good that you are caring about your brand and reputation as a vintage seller.NeveroldbyPamela

@sallyt4 4 months ago

I love everything about this video and message. Thank you for sharing this story, your insights and your integrity. All the best.

@lindawales2394 3 months ago (edited)

I have never seen an authentic older hen on nest that was done in those colors. But you are correct many specific details are important. Very good information!

@MichaelTupperStudio 4 months ago

Thing too is, even if they are brand name, some of them aren't worth more than $25. Every time I try and buy for resale based on trends, I get burned.

@louisacapell 4 months ago

Oh I just bought one of those on Amazon to store my butter in! It's the exact same one

@susanb4317 4 months ago (edited)

Thank you, what a wonderful video! ❤ I was a serious glass collector when the big US glass companies began going out of business and auctioning off their glass molds. It was up to the new owners of these molds to mark them in some way to differentiate them from the originals. That would have been the responsible thing to do and a few did. But many did not. And so now we have this situation where research is critical in Identifying vintage from modern. You did a great job!

@sueahrenhold3704 4 months ago

I learned a lot about the verification process.

@Mouse73 4 months ago (edited)

FYI Indiana Glass HON always have a round valve mold mark on their back.

I have a whole list of unknown manufacturer items in my inventory. Some are vintage, some are modern. I don't strictly sell vintage so to me it doesn't matter when it was made, but I do still want to ID things before I ever offer them for sale. I have a set of juice glasses right now that are a fun research project. I bought them specifically for the challenge. This is how I sourced Duz Detergent Swedish Modern tumblers. Buying weird stuff is how we learn.

@SoulPurposeCurated 4 months ago

Thank you Carol. Great topic. Just yesterday I sold a small marked vintage Westmoreland milk glass Hen on Nest. I love the confidence a mark gives me and makes me feel as a seller.