In this episode, Toma Clark Haines, CEO of the Antiques Diva & Co., visits with Victoria from Friar House Antique Jewellery. Victoria is not only a fashionista whom Toma admires, but she specializes in antique engagement rings, antique diamond rings, and Art Deco jewelry. Friar House sells to many traders all over the world and has been established within the antique jewelry trade for 25 years. They opened their retail shop in December of 2004, situated in the small historic town of Battle, England. Battle played its part in the course of English History, and it is where the famous 1066 Battle of Hastings took place. Friar House itself is a 17th century shop house dating from 1623 and is the perfect backdrop and home for the exquisite jewelry Victoria painstakingly curates for their collection. Victoria has bought and sold thousands of pieces all over Europe and the USA, selling at international jewelry trade fairs. Victoria truly believes that you never stop learning. In this episode she shares a wealth of knowledge she has learned on her jewelry journey. 

Friar House was one of the first antique jewelry online sellers in the UK. It is this progressive approach to selling, antiques along with her authenticity and style, that made Toma want to interview Victoria. “Whatever you’re doing, you need to be authentic & true to yourself,”

Victoria encourages Toma and the listeners. “Jewelry is so symbolistic. It sends messages and is meaningful. Jewelry is so significant. It has an emotional attachment.” When people are buying antiques, they are not just buying an object – they’re buying a story.

“There’s something strange about antiques,” says Victoria. “Antiques choose you! You have to let the piece choose you.” Antique jewelry is so unique and one of a kind that it is not for everyone, but, if you’re looking for a spectacular Art Deco, completely restored or refurbished jewelry that has patina and personality, then Friar House just might be the place for you.

While they are known for their extensive range of Art Deco and vintage engagement rings, they also have a large selection of eternity rings, gemstone jewelry, including pendant, earrings, and bracelets suitable for all occasions.

Toma and Victoria discuss all of this magic as well as the power of knowing your client and being able to say no when it’s not right. The episode is overflowing with inside tips such as Instagram strategy, what makes a business work, the importance of being comfortable in your own skin, and how anytime there is strife in the world – there is an opportunity in business. To find out more about Victoria and the work she is doing at Friar House Jewellery. Follow them on Instagram @friarhouse_antiquejewellery or visit their website: friarhouse.com .

SPONSOR - Get Ready to Be Diva-ed - Diva Education that is!!!  We’re hosting an Antiques Diva Educational Retreat

Join your hosts Toma Clark Haines - CEO of The Antiques Diva & Co and Gail McLeod, VP Antiques Diva & owner Antique News & Fairs for learning the Business of Antiques.

When:

OCTOBER 2-6, 2023

Where:

You’ll be based at Hemswell Court Hotel each day visiting world renowned antique fairs, centers and dealers nearby https://www.hemswellcourt.com/

Sunday 1 October, 2023

Arrive England and check into Hemswell Court Hotel Welcome drinks at 6pm courtesy of The Antiques Diva.

* As we anticipate jetlagged guests

- dinner at your own leisure so you can go early to bed!

Monday 2 October, 2023

Meet & Greet fellow tour members in a Welcome to England Brunch with Will Thomas, Managing Director - IACF , Robert Miller, CEO - Hemswell Antiques Center , Richard Burgoin, CEO - Arthur Swallow Fairs as well as get an introduction to art & antiques shippers.  In the afternoon we whisk you to a secret destination to not only source accessories but to also discuss the art of selling antiques.  We follow the Route to Market learning sales strategies, photography, sales platforms as well as staging and retail merchandising.

Dinner with Top Secret TV Celebrity Guests from British Antiques TV.

Tuesday 3 October, 2023

After an English brekkie at the hotel - we’ll head to the Lincoln Antiques & Home Fair giving you the opportunity to shop til you drop (or at least until lunch time when we head back to the hotel for a full afternoon of educational workshops). This long-standing one-day showground event has avenues, shopping arcades and an indoor area hosting dealers from the UK and Europe.

During our afternoon educational session Margaret Schwartz, founder of Modern Antiquarian gives us the Inside Track on Technology and Logistics in the Antiques Trade.  She spearheads a conversation on Inventory Management, Client Presentations and Photography, Sales Cycles, Warehouse Management and Sales Tracking. Toma Clark Haines presents the cash cow for antiques dealers - how to develop relationships with and sell antiques to interior designers.

Dinner- Fish & Chips at Hemswell Court with another celebrated British Television guest from the antiques trade.  

Wednesday 4 October, 2023

The early bird gets the worm! Hemswell Antiques Centre – the largest antiques center in Europe - gives our retreat attendees Early Bird access.  Shop the morning hours before Hemswell opens to the trade.  And then spend the day shopping the centers vast of array dealers specializing in everything from period antiques to vintage fun finds - and everything in between - arts, garden, kitchenalia, jewelry and even Asian antiques!

Late afternoon we sit down with Scott & Amanda Herring of La Petite Maison Antiques to discuss how social media launched their business followed up with a talk about PR for Antique Dealers by New York City Interior Design Publicist Andrew Joseph of AJPR.

 The evening is capped off with cocktails with John Hansord of Hansord Antiques as we talk about the Classical Antiques - a Lesson in Quality and Craftsmanship.

Thursday 5 October, 2023

Happy Shopping! 

Today we shop at the world famous Newark Antiques Fair Europe’s largest antiques fair. You’ll find everything from fine antique furniture to teacups, jewelry, ceramics, garden antiques and vintage clothing. Whether you’re looking for Country House Furniture or art de la table this fair has got you covered.

After returning to the hotel, sit down with your hosts Toma Clark Haines and Gail Mcleod for an Optional Q&A on next steps for propelling your antiques business forward and maximizing your profits. Toma & Gail continue in the evening with a workshop on How to Source and Ship Antiques in the EU and England.

Having seen firsthand how the smooth running operation at Hemswell Antiques functions- Robert Miller CEO Hemswell Antiques and Paul Dagg Director of Operations join to give an inside scoop on How Tech Supports The Business of Antiques.

 Friday 6 October 2023

You can’t visit England without visiting a famous country house. Enjoy a tour of Doddington Hall a family-owned and run Elizabethan Manor House with Flemish tapestries and walled garden.  Or see the actual Magna Carta at Lincoln Cathedral

That concludes PART 1 of the Diva

Educational Retreat.

Program Costs Included:         

• 5 nights hotel, single occupancy
• Daily breakfast and dinner, exclusive of beverages (except arrival night)
• Ground transport to external events
• Educational Workshops with Expert Guests
• Visits to Fairs and Antiques Center

3900 GBP Single Occupancy         

*Discount available for Double Occupancy

3500 GBP Early Bird Discount if booked before May 1, 2023

Maximize Your Time And Join for Part 2:

Delegates have the opportunity to join for an Optional Add On 3 Day Antiques Buying Tour in London and the South of England.

Optional 3 Day Add On Antiques Diva Tour

(pricing based upon regular Antiques Diva day tour pricing, email to inquire [email protected])

Friday 6 October 2023

Take the train to London, approximately 2 hours.

The Diva Antiques Buying Tour Overview, London and South.

This Diva Buying Tour, with the inclusion of the central London show, covers many of our key trade hotspots.

Saturday 7 October 2023

Take in a celebrated decorative antiques and interior design fair in London before heading South for private visits to our selected Antiques Diva trusted vendors working with the trade.

Sunday 8 October 2023

Spend the day in a Victorian Gothic Country Estate with one of our top sources for decorative and garden antiques as we shop for antiques followed by a Lunch and Learn where we discuss the secret to success in the antiques trade - staying ahead of the curve, the importance of building a lifestyle brand and why your sales platform should include #morethanantiques.

Monday 9 October 2023

Kick the day off with a down and dirty to the trade only 8 building collective of antiques dealers specializing in export to the US trade market. Learn paint techniques and a high level overview on the art of restoration.  Mid afternoon meet a Legend of The Trade for a talk about his illustrious career and celebrate his 50th anniversary selling antiques in this 16th C Elizabethan storefront. 5 Floors of perfection in antiques shopping from the master, who knows the US antiques trade inside out.

End of Tour.

Note: Transportation from Lincolnshire to London by train at guests' own cost.

Contacts:

Toma Clark Haines CEO - The Antiques Diva & Co

[email protected] +393883476032