Something olde, nothing new at Somerset Park Market today
The relic hunter said that the majority of her customers are the elderly, and there are few younger people who appreciate these pieces.
ANTIQUES and prized possessions have become a passion for a Durban North woman who has been relic hunting for over a year now.
Nicole Sookdew now has a popular stall at the Somerset Park Market at the Immanuel Church in Bruton Close.
The market takes place on the first Saturday of every month from 09:00 to 14:00. The next market takes place on June 1, and all proceeds go to the Ray of Hope Babies’ Home in Glen Hills.
Speaking about how she gained an interest in antiques, Sookdew said she worked at an antique shop for just over a year, but the owners relocated. She decided to open her own antique hustle called Rustic Relics.
“I saw some of the most interesting and novel items at the antique store and even bought a few for family members. My grandfather also has vast knowledge on antiques so he often gives me advice on what is valuable and what isn’t so valuable,” she said.
Now Sookdew looks for these items online and has bought pieces from all over South Africa. Establishing whether something is actually antique is a skill she says she had to learn.
“There’s always a special marking, stamp or date on these items which tells you the story behind it. The internet is a great place to converse with other antique collectors, as well, and to find out more about the items,” she said.
Sookdew said it’s the charm in the dents and scratches that gives some of these items their unique character, and this usually sends her on a hunt to unravel more information.
“At the moment, I have an old Kenwood amplifier for sale which isn’t antique but it is old and a collector’s item as the product has not been manufactured for years. I have ornaments, an old phone, a steel milk canister and a lot of brass items which are antique. I am looking for fine China at the moment,” she added.
“The younger crowd is actually who I purchase these items from, usually because they want to get rid of parents’ belongings after they have passed on,” said Sookdew.
She added that sometimes the profit isn’t great and that a lot of negotiating is done on certain items.
“Sometimes, the profit is fair, and others times, I just have to make peace with the fact that I won’t get the preferred price,” she added.
If you’d like to support Sookdew, you can find her at the Somerset Market this Saturday (June 1). Her contact details are 064 280 8081 or 4nikkzn@gmail.com.
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